Xing Ze patiently listened to the administrator's complaints, expecting him to give him some useful information.
"Of course, you can ask over there." The administrator said, walking out of the counter and pointing to a park not far away. "Some young people often gather there. They may have seen something."
"Thank you. By the way, is there anyone here, um - is there anyone whose children have frequent nightmares or are in a trance during this period?"
The administrator looked at Xing Ze with confusion and asked, "Who are you? A wizard investigator?"
"Reporter." Xing Ze replied decisively, "Reporter from Glastonbury News Today."
"Well - my son reads this newspaper sometimes. So, what are you reporting on? Strange happenings in Ravenska Village?"
"I heard something happened to that office building, so I came to take a look."
"Oh, that's what happened." The administrator scratched his forehead, "Then you came too late. A large number of reporters, police, and wizards came this morning."
"I'm just responsible for some follow-up reports." Xing Ze said, "You know, I have to make sure that my colleagues haven't missed anything."
The administrator shrugged, "Maybe you should talk to Martin."
"Martin?"
"Our Sheriff is the one who found the body. He is at the town hospital. Do you know where it is?"
Xing Ze nodded.
"Also, you said you were looking for a godly person. Then you should go to the Highlands and ask. There are many wizards living there in the Highlands Apartments, and they are all godly people. Oh, I'm not talking about you.
gentlemen."
"It's okay." Xing Ze took out his notes and wrote down some necessary information, "Do you know why Sheriff Martin found these bodies?"
"To be precise, someone reported the crime." The administrator suddenly lowered his voice and said, "But I also heard that the mayor didn't like us talking about it. I heard that it was a wizard who lived in the Highland Apartments who reported the crime.
"What's that guy's name? Harvey? Oh, I remember, his name is Harvey, he's a painter. He always goes to the border to paint, saying that looking at the ruins can give him inspiration, blah blah blah...
.”
It is interesting when a wizard reports a crime to the Muggle police. Xing Ze showed a professional smile and said goodbye to the administrator.
He came outside the apartment and set his sights on the almost deserted park.
…
Several young people aged fifteen or sixteen were smoking in the park. Judging from their clothes, they must be students who skipped classes.
These young people who have skipped classes or have mixed up in society are not trustworthy in the eyes of the police. Therefore, most Muggle police will ignore them, let alone Aurors, who will not deign to take notes.
But for Xing Ze, any information is necessary. He does not have the power and manpower like the police, nor does he have the tracking magic of an Auror.
The only thing he can do is to investigate the possibilities one by one, then summarize them, and finally eliminate them one by one.
"I mean no harm." Xing Ze raised his hands half-way and said to the group of students, "There's no need to be so nervous."
Among them, a boy with earrings walked up and asked, "Don't meddle in other people's business."
"I have cigarettes." Xing Ze took out a pack of cigarettes from his arms, "Let's talk, this pack of cigarettes is yours, how about it?"
The boy with earrings hesitated for a while, then turned to look at his companions. Many of them nodded, so he said, "What do you want to talk about?"
Xing Ze came closer and asked, "Are you staying here all day?"
"What are you doing? Are you my mother? Or this park ranger?" A girl wearing a hood mocked.
Her words caused a burst of laughter.
"No." Xing Ze was not angry, "I just want to know, if you are wasting time here all day long, have you ever seen anyone entering or leaving that office building?"
"I saw a lot of people today, Mayor Morris, Sheriff Martin, and many weird people." The earring boy replied, "Which one are you referring to specifically?"
"What about before this? In August or September last year."
The boy was about to reply when the girl from before interrupted: "Hey, we're thirsty. Maybe some beer will help us remember better. What do you think, sir?"
Other young people also agreed.
"How old are you?" Xing Ze chuckled, "It is forbidden to drink alcohol if you are under 18 years old. I think you are only fifteen or sixteen years old at most."
"Hell, that's why we asked you to buy wine." The girl spread her hands.
This is why the police are reluctant to question these young people. They are rebellious and informal and will not take you seriously at all.
You want to get words out of them, either give them what they want, or use violence. For Xing Ze, the latter is what he is best at.
So he put the cigarette back in his pocket. It's not like he didn't give these young people a chance.
"I have a proposal. You tell me everything you know. Then I will leave and let you waste your youth in peace. How about that?"
The girl who originally wanted to say something, but after meeting Xing Ze's eyes, swallowed her words.
She patted the boy with earrings and cursed: "Damn it, Ace, didn't you hear that he was threatening us?"
The boy with earrings glared at the girl dissatisfied, "Shut up, you idiot. He is a wizard, can't you tell?"
"Wizard?" the girl repeated and looked at Xing Ze nervously. Several young people around her also showed horrified expressions and began to retreat slowly.
"How did you see that, young man?" Xing Ze looked at the boy with curiosity.
"My brother, one of my brothers is a wizard." The earring boy said, "You have the same temperament."
The girl jumped down from the horizontal bar and snorted: "Fuck it, wizards can't attack Muggles. Have you forgotten?"
When he said this, Xing Ze saw the girl trembling slightly. No one listened to her, and some people who didn't want to cause trouble were already planning to leave. There was only a good opportunity.
"Temperament, well, it's really interesting." Xing Ze grinned, "Your observation skills are good, Ace. But no matter what, I need your answers, otherwise..."
Xing Ze took out the wand from his arms, and several girls screamed in fright. Those who were waiting to escape obviously realized that the time was ripe.
A few seconds later, only Ace was left at the scene. The domineering girl before finally failed to overcome her own fear.
"Okay, there are only two of us left." Xing Ze took back his wand and took out the cigarette again, "My previous deal is still valid."
Ace nodded, took a deep breath and said, "Let's find a quieter place to talk."
"I agree, so do you, a local, have any good recommendations?"
"Follow me." The boy turned around and walked quickly.