Explanation

East 601, Teaching Building, Magic Spell Class classroom.

The classroom door was tightly shut, sealing out the biting cold beyond.

The north wind howled past the windows, rattling the glass with chilly clangs, much like the young wizards in the classroom, all trembling with unease.

A little elf in a gray uniform dragged over a pot of steaming tea, swaying as it slid down from the ceiling. Flapping its wings, it landed on the lectern and silently refilled the professor's cup.

Old Yao lifted his cup, took a noisy sip, and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Tea still tastes right in the classroom." The professor stroked the cup in his hand and paced the platform at an unhurried pace, chattering on to the class. "Once you get used to staying at school, you don't adjust well elsewhere... Even drinking water tastes wrong."

Below the platform, the young wizards of Astronomy Class 08-1 had finally reined in their grief. They widened their eyes and exchanged glances. The information hidden in Professor Yao's words had piqued everyone's interest.

Where was this "elsewhere"? What had the professors gone off to do? From Old Yao's words, had he recently left the school? Were the other professors away as well?

"Old Yao..." Li Meng was the first to raise her short little arm and call out softly—throughout Astronomy Class 08-1, or rather, throughout Jiuyou Academy, even all of First University, perhaps only this little girl dared question a professor in class in such a tone.

Professor Yao raised a hand and smiled as he pressed it down, signaling the Little Witch to lower her arm.

"Don't rush, don't rush. I know what you want to ask." The professor had clearly guessed what everyone was concerned about and spoke in a relaxed tone. "But according to