Chapter Summaries

Half-Face, a Starry Sky Academy wizard disguised in Jiuyou robes, offered Zheng Qing and his classmates bets on the hunting meet. After they questioned the operation’s legitimacy, he showed them its Wander Bar backing, and Zhang Jixin recognized the bookmaker from his brother’s past dealings.

• Half-Face approached Zheng Qing’s group and offered bets on the hunt, prompting Zheng Qing to realize the disguised wizard was from Starry Sky Academy.
• Xiao Xiao questioned who ran the betting operation and whether it had school approval or a security deposit.
• Half-Face claimed the betting was permitted and revealed that he personally opened the book, while refusing to name the people behind it.
• Half-Face presented a Wander Bar Gold Card and said the contracts were guaranteed by Wanderer Wizards.
• Zhang Jixin said his brother had mentioned the bookmaker and confirmed it had operated at the school for some time.
• Half-Face recognized Zhang Jixin’s family and said Zhang Zhongli had done business with them, but Zhang Jixin clarified that he meant his third-year brother, Zhang Shuzhi.

The young wizards learned that the mist spreading from the Eye of the Vortex marked the opening of the hunting ground for a demonstrative hunt. Half-Face explained that the Eye was a constructed Sky Eye spell, leaving Zheng Qing and the others eager to learn such magic as hunting team members.

• The Eye of the Vortex trembled, and the mist began spreading outward while retaining a pulsing shape.
• Half-Face explained that the hunting teams were preparing to enter and that the mist was dispersing to open the Small World for a demonstrative hunt.
• Half-Face identified the Eye as a composite spell called Sky Eye, and Xiao Xiao prompted him to explain how such spells were constructed.
• Half-Face named several Sky Eye spells and said they could help a caster look around from the sky, but declined to explain them like a professor.
• Zheng Qing grew excited at the prospect of learning Sky Eye spells, and the other members of Youzui memorized Half-Face's information.

As the hunters entered the mist-shrouded passage into the competition grounds, Half-Face explained how the Sky Eye let spectators follow them and tried to sell the freshmen betting slips and viewing seeds. The group learned about the available wagers, but had not yet placed any bets.

• The hunting teams walked into the dense mist around the Eye of the Vortex and disappeared into the passage one by one.
• Half-Face explained that wizards used mist to conceal and facilitate spatial passages, and described how the Sky Eye let spectators follow the hunters.
• Zheng Qing misunderstood Half-Face's offer of viewing seeds, then learned they were magical seeds that provided images and optional voiceovers.
• Xiao Xiao asked about the blank betting slips, and Half-Face explained how wagers could be verified at Wander Bar.
• Half-Face listed bets on competition results and individual awards, and Zheng Qing reasoned that Jiuyou Academy should have higher odds for Best Hunting Team Manager.

Zheng Qing listened to Half-Face describe the School Hunting Meet’s teams and betting options, then boldly placed bets on Youzui and himself in the Freshman Hunting Competition. As the hunt began, First University’s team emerged from the mist first.

• Half-Face explained the competing teams and recommended betting on the round-robin stage, prompting Zheng Qing to ask about the Freshman Hunting Competition.
• Zheng Qing bet on the You Zui Hunting Team to win the Freshman Competition and Best Hunting Team, and bet on himself for Best Hunter.
• Half-Face described betting options for the Hunting Dance Party, while Zheng Qing watched the Eye of the Vortex through his telescope.
• Dunton announced that the hunting teams had appeared on the grounds, and Zheng Qing spotted First University’s team emerging first under Captain Lei Zhe.
• An unfamiliar cough interrupted Dunton’s praise, and he announced that the hunt was about to begin and warned spectators against prohibited magic and uncivilized behavior.

Zheng Qing and his friends learned about the teams and betting odds for an exhibition pursuit hunt at the School Hunting Meet. Half-Face recommended the Xiangqi Hunting Team and warned that the 3A Hunting Team had weakened, leaving Zheng Qing uneasy as familiar names resurfaced.

• Half-Face explained the competing teams and the odds for the exhibition pursuit hunt.
• Xiao Xiao described the TPO and YPO organizations after Zheng Qing asked what they were.
• Zhang Jixin asked Half-Face which team he recommended betting on.
• Half-Face advised considering the Xiangqi Hunting Team, described several established teams as safer bets, and ruled out the declining 3A Hunting Team.
• Zheng Qing read the betting information and sighed as the names of Xiangqi, 3A, Friedman, and Sephrano brought old concerns to mind.

While watching the Hunting Meet, Zheng Qing studied the teams and worried about finding prey quickly enough to fulfill his wager with Sephrano. He learned that Judgement’s Erwin Hoffman was known as First University’s strongest scouting hunter because he was a powerful Half-blood Werewolf.

• Zheng Qing recorded the hunting teams’ rest times and defensive formations while searching the grounds for the released prey.
• The commentator announced that the prey had been released and the competition could begin at any time.
• Half-Face advised Zheng Qing to track a strong team to spot the prey, but Zheng Qing kept searching with his binoculars.
• Zhang Jixin said he had bet on Judgement because Erwin Hoffman was an exceptional tracker.
• Xiao Xiao explained that Hoffman was an Alpha third-year, a powerful Half-blood Werewolf, and one of the Sacred Trinity.

A spotted deer appeared on the grassland and killed a pride of lions with an unseen force, drawing the attention of spectators and hunting teams. As the Deer Hunt began, Zheng Qing placed a bet with Half-Face and signed a short-lived enchanted contract.

• A leopard watched a spotted deer and saw it destroy the lions that attacked it.
• The deer noticed the leopard, whose body became completely stiff as the animal stared at it with ruby-red eyes.
• Half-Face announced that spectators had three minutes to place bets on the Deer Hunt.
• Zheng Qing spotted the deer through his binoculars, and hunting teams began moving toward it after the lions died.
• Xiao Xiao explained that Half-Face's colored white contracts likely carried a Five Aggregates Entanglement Curse that lasted about a month.
• Zheng Qing chose a bet and signed the parchment contract with a Feather Pen.

Zheng Qing filled out a hunting-match ticket and, despite his limited cash, pledged three of his valuable credits as prize money. Half-Face accepted the pledge and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Zheng Qing curious about the hooded wizard’s familiar voice and mismatched eyes.

• Half-Face explained the ticket’s time estimates and prize-money rules, warning Zheng Qing that souls could technically be pledged but might cause trouble.
• After comparing his small cash pledge with his companions’ larger ones, Zheng Qing asked whether he could offer three credits instead.
• Half-Face accepted the credits after Zheng Qing showed his Student Card and explained that the ticket’s total prize money was three credits, five silver horns, and eighteen copper coins.
• Zheng Qing recognized Half-Face’s mismatched blue-green eyes from a past bet he had witnessed while transformed into a cat, but denied knowing him.
• Zheng Qing told Half-Face that the voice from the Trumpet Flower sounded familiar, and Half-Face wished him luck before vanishing into the crowd.

Half-Face changed into an old Alpha Academy Robe and sold betting slips to Alpha students before meeting the Gray Robed Wizard beneath the stands. Introduced as Mr. Neville, he entered a private lounge overlooking the Eye of the Vortex and recognized Andrew Taylor, who was surprised that Neville knew about his refused duel challenge.

• Half-Face changed out of his Jiuyou and Starry Sky robes and put on an old Alpha Academy Robe, leaving the Ghost Face Mask behind.
• Half-Face sold betting slips to Alpha Academy students and then followed the Gray Robed Wizard beneath the stands.
• The Gray Robed Wizard brought Half-Face, addressed as Mr. Neville, into a private lounge overlooking the Eye of the Vortex.
• Andrew Taylor introduced himself to Mr. Neville, who mentioned Taylor's refusal of a duel challenge from a young pup of the Calen Family.
• Andrew Taylor blushed and widened his eyes at Mr. Neville's knowledge of the challenge.

Little John Neville confronted Andrew Taylor over his retreat from the Calen Family, while his resentment over lost business and fear of being deemed useless surfaced. Sephrano warned Neville that refusing to conceal his identity could leave him without support when the school next punished him.

• Neville mocked Andrew Taylor for raising the white flag during a practical class, leaving the lounge awkward and Andrew bewildered.
• Neville reflected on how the owner of the room had cost the Blood Kin Society profits and how his sister had been discarded by their family as useless.
• The Wanderer Wizard appeared in a portrait and traded barbs with Neville and the hooded wizard in the room.
• Sephrano offered Neville Panda Milk Candy, and Neville greeted him politely while lamenting that Sephrano would miss the Hunting Meet.
• Sephrano asked why Neville had gone out without a mask, then warned him that the school might punish him and others would not help if he showed no willingness to conceal himself.

Erwin Hoffman raced to locate the Demon Deer while Xiangqi Society discussed the School Hunting Meet’s rising betting revenue. Sephrano questioned whether the unusually high growth at Jiuyou Academy and Alpha Academy was abnormal, and Neville began explaining the figures.

• Erwin Hoffman transformed into a giant wolf, detected the Demon Deer, and charged toward it.
• A commentator praised Erwin’s tracking skill as the Xiangqi Society members listened while focusing on Sephrano and Little John Neville’s discussion.
• Neville reported that the School Hunting Meet’s total wagers were projected to exceed five thousand jade coins, with roughly two thousand jade coins in profit.
• Neville told Sephrano that Zheng Qing had bought several Freshman Hunting Competition tickets before the betting markets officially opened, and Sephrano dismissed the small wager as insignificant.
• Neville praised Sephrano’s reforms, then suggested that the unusually large growth at Jiuyou Academy and Alpha Academy might be abnormal; Sephrano asked him to explain.

Neville reported that Sima Yi’s unusually large and successful bets threatened the gambling operation’s expected profits, despite the Wandering Wizard ruling out magical cheating. He concluded that Sima Yi must have inside information.

• Neville explained that Sima Yi’s wagers accounted for much of Alpha Academy’s abnormal betting growth and could cost the bookmakers over fifteen hundred Jade Coins.
• Sephrano reacted to Sima Yi’s name as the lounge connected him to Sir Friedman and the Xiangqi Society.
• The wizards speculated that Sima Yi might be using luck magic or divination to win.
• The Wandering Wizard swore that magic, artifacts, blessings, and prophecy could not affect the betting tickets.
• Neville said his team had ruled out prophetic and blessing magic and concluded that Sima Yi had inside information.

As the hunt reached its climax, Sephrano answered Little John Neville’s accusation by admitting the Xiangqi Society had grown from the Blood Kin Society and warning its members to know their place. He demonstrated his control by choking a scrawny young wizard, then turned his attention back to the hunting grounds.

• Erwin Hoffman’s transformed wolf silently stalked a dozing Deer Demon inside the Eye of the Vortex as the commentator and rival teams waited for the hunt’s outcome.
• The Xiangqi Society members reacted angrily to Neville’s accusation while Sephrano calmly considered his words.
• Sephrano explained that the Xiangqi Society had developed from like-minded members of the Blood Kin Society and said the group’s members had chosen to follow his team.
• Sephrano constricted a scrawny young wizard’s throat by curling his fingers, then released him and reprimanded him for begging others for help.
• Sephrano turned back toward the hunting grounds and curled another finger as the young wizard wept.

Ceplano interrogated Kitano Mist using a magical Ouroboros tattoo and learned that Arthur Ness had recommended Sima Yi to Friedman. With the Xiangqi Society facing heavy losses from Sima Yi’s wagers, Ceplano ordered the odds adjusted and said he would speak with Lord Augustus.

• Ceplano accused Kitano Mist of withholding information and used the Ouroboros tattoo around his neck to choke him until he remembered more.
• Kitano Mist revealed that Kitano Gen had said Arthur Ness invited him into the Ness Family lounge, and that Arthur had recommended Sima Yi to Friedman.
• Neville reported that the Xiangqi Society had lost about three hundred jade coins, with further losses expected from Sima Yi’s wagers.
• Ceplano ordered the society to adjust the odds and limit Sima Yi’s chips, then said he would discuss the matter with Lord Augustus.

The Fat Wizard chose to accept a larger loss to ensure Sima Yi’s investment hurt Friedman, despite Neville’s warning that the plan would cost the organization more. He assigned responsibility for the loss, giving Kitano Mist a year to pay his share.

• Neville calculated that limiting losses to one hundred jade coins would let Sima Yi make a small profit, while losses of one hundred and eighty jade coins would leave Sima Yi down about ten jade coins.
• Sephrano rejected the lower-loss plan because he wanted Friedman to lose money, and Neville warned that worsening Sima Yi’s position would increase the organization’s losses.
• Sephrano ordered Neville to arrange the odds for a loss of one hundred and eighty jade coins.
• Sephrano assigned one hundred jade coins of the loss to systemic oversight failures and deducted them from the project’s expected profits.
• Sephrano punished Kitano Mist with the remaining eighty jade coins and gave him one year to raise the funds.

Neville reconsidered Sephrano’s invitation to join the Xiangqi Society after witnessing his methods and questioned him about Kitano Mist’s role in the disrupted transaction. Sephrano revealed the society’s tattoo and its meaning, leaving Neville tempted by his vision of infinite possibilities.

• Neville told Sephrano he would seriously consider joining the Xiangqi Society, then asked how Sephrano had learned Kitano Mist was involved and what he planned to do about him.
• Sephrano said Kitano Mist had not betrayed the society and explained that magic had helped him find his target.
• Sephrano revealed that every society member knew the Ouroboros tattoo’s secret, while the Wanderer Wizard suggested it was a surveillance device.
• Sephrano described the Ouroboros as a symbol of immortality, cycles, and infinity, then invited Neville to wear the mark and help create infinite possibilities.
• Neville removed his hood and admitted that Sephrano’s proposal was tempting.

Neville and Sephrano watched the Hunting Meet’s decisive contest, where First University’s School Hunt Team intercepted the Judgement Hunting Team and captured the Demon Deer. As the crowd celebrated and complained about their bets, Sephrano left to congratulate the victors.

• The Wanderer Wizard asked Sephrano to open the window, and the hunting grounds’ roar flooded the lounge.
• The commentator announced that Lei Zhe’s School Hunt Team had overtaken the Judgement Hunting Team and reached the Demon Deer first.
• The School Hunt Team encircled the Demon Deer, restrained Erwin Hoffman, and used a roaming hunter to mislead the Judgement Hunting Team.
• Lei Zhe trapped the Demon Deer with Clinging Vines and Twining Creepers, securing the School Hunt Team’s victory while Hoffman retained Best Scouting Hunter.
• The Wanderer Wizard left to warn Wander Bar to raise its prices, while Sephrano set aside the betting report and went to congratulate the victors.

Zheng Qing stayed in the dormitory instead of attending Jiuyou Academy’s Hunting Dance Party because Ilena had disappeared again, though she sent him an apologetic letter with ancient Rune rubbings. The others prepared for the dance while Zheng Qing agreed to handle the You Zui Hunting Team’s training arrangements, and Xiao Xiao revealed that Sima had invited him as her partner.

• Ilena sent Zheng Qing a paper crane apologizing for missing the dance and enclosed rubbings of ancient Runes.
• Fatty Xin, Xiao Xiao, and Dylan discussed the dance and its guests as they got ready, while Zheng Qing said he would stay home.
• Xiao Xiao asked Zheng Qing to contact the School Labor Committee about borrowing a hunting ground, and Fatty Xin and Dylan reminded him to arrange coaching for the team.
• Zheng Qing asked why Xiao Xiao had a different-colored invitation, and Xiao Xiao said Sima had asked him to be her dance partner.

Zheng Qing went to the School Labor Committee office to handle Hunting Team Training paperwork while others attended the Hunting Dance Party. After talking with the budgerigar on duty, he followed it deeper into the building to find the office.

• Zheng Qing walked alone through the academy to the School Labor Committee office while young witches and wizards gathered for the dance.
• Zheng Qing woke the budgerigar in the lobby and gave it bird feed in exchange for directions to the Hunting Team Management Office.
• The budgerigar told Zheng Qing that a student from Starry Sky had entered earlier and that the other birds had gone to the dance.
• The budgerigar mistook Zheng Qing for a Yinyang Person and tried to console him, leaving Zheng Qing embarrassed and annoyed.
• The budgerigar remembered its duty and led Zheng Qing down the corridor toward the office.

Zheng Qing visited the Hunting Team Management Office to find training space for his team, where he encountered Deng Xiaojian and Qi Qinglan. With every university hunting ground booked for the Hunting Moon, he considered asking Professor Yao Xiaomi to mediate, while Deng Xiaojian suggested seeking help from his captain, Hoffman.

• Zheng Qing met Deng Xiaojian and Qi Qinglan at the Hunting Team Management Office and discussed whether he had found a dance partner for the ball.
• Qi Qinglan told Zheng Qing that all twelve university hunting grounds were booked through the end of the Hunting Moon.
• Deng Xiaojian said Zheng Qing could rent a private hunting ground or ask a familiar team to train with him, but he could not approve the Judgement team's help himself.
• Qi Qinglan suggested Zheng Qing appeal to Hoffman, and Deng Xiaojian reminded him that a professor could mediate because hunting ground slots were scarce.
• Zheng Qing said he could ask his advisor, Professor Yao Xiaomi, and Qi Qinglan reacted with weary disbelief at his familiarity with the dean.