High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 217: Chapter 141 Fishman’s Breath_1

The staff held by the patrol members were made from hornbeam wood. The top of the staff took the form of either a snake’s head or a bird, bizarre and uncanny, all representing spirit creatures.

The staff was a reddish-brown color throughout, warm to the eye and smooth to the touch as if it had been coated with wax. Even the protruding knots on the staff felt smooth without any roughness to them.

It was said that these staffs were uniformly made by the school’s Alchemy Research Institute, with numerous magical talismans embedded inside. Within the scope of the school’s Protection Array, the staffs wielded considerable power. No matter what mountain spirits or evil ghosts they faced, none could escape, all had to yield under the staff’s power.

In comparison to the staffs in the hands of the students, the one held by old man Ferna was both thicker and longer. The spirit featured on his staff’s head seemed shaped like a bird, yet it extended two thin, long arms from its wings, which made it rather bizarre.

Zheng Qing speculated privately that the staff in the elder’s hand must be even more powerful, but he had no idea what powers it held or whether it could vanquish the giant demons as told in legends.

A lantern hung from the staff’s head, swaying slightly as Ferna walked, emitting a soft rustling sound.

The light it cast on the forest path swayed slightly with the creaking sound, adding an eerie atmosphere to the otherwise ordinary scene.

Different opinions arose among the patrol members during their journey concerning recent events.

”Kappas have their own language, I only knew they squeak,” a chubby boy said with a tone of awe, as if he just recently realized kappa could be considered an intelligent species.

”It’s mice that squeak,” another student from the Jiuyou Academy, a sophomore, sneered discontentedly, ”I’m just curious why the school allows these pests to stay on campus... They serve no purpose other than consuming food.”

”Intelligence is the greatest asset,” an Alpha student seemed to find an opportunity to slam these comments, adopting a tone filled with pity, ”It’s unethical to appraise an intelligent creature based on its ’usefulness’... Doesn’t your regular assessment include personal character?”

That statement subtly ignited the feud between the students of Jiuyou and Alpha.

But this dispute was promptly and bluntly quelled by old man Ferna:

”Even the most useless kappa is a kappa of the number one university. What to do with them, the number one university decides.”

With just that one phrase, the spark of dissent in everyone’s heart was diverted in another direction, leaving an expression of pride on their faces.

Zheng Qing was greatly impressed from within.

The seasoned school staff showed great familiarity with conflicts between the academies, stifling the still-smoldering dispute and continued:

”Though the kappas on campus are still quite unruly, they are very well-behaved towards the wizards and have never harmed anyone.”

”In daily life, the school service committee often provides them with some work, such as hiring them to drag boats under the water, to give them a living. As such, they do not resort to violating taboos for a few mouthfuls of food.”

”We establish the rules, and they follow them. Therefore, we must uphold these rules.”

”Therefore, when these little fellows come across trouble and seek help from the patrol team, we must not ignore them.”

”This is, after all, the number one university, we have to account for them.”

The patrol team hurried through the forest path without uttering a single word, absorbing the custodian’s speech.

Although his words somewhat explained why the patrol team had abruptly changed their course, it did not convince everyone.

”There is no reason for us to help investigate their missing population in the middle of the night.”

”I have the feeling that this is the student committee’s job.”

”Perhaps some clubs and hunting teams might be interested in such a matter.”

The young newcomers murmured their views to one another, the discussion turning towards whether it was reasonable to assign this task to the patrol team.

Functioning as per usual, the team atmosphere began to gradually liven up.

”Silence!” The old staff member leading the team suddenly stopped and turned around, hushing the murmuring of the team members with his low voice.

A few distracted young wizards softly gasped, bumping into each other.

Zheng Qing raised his head, finding that the Deadly Wind Lamp hung on top of the wand had now somehow retracted its flame into the cover, leaving only a small spark flickering in the oil lamp.

Old man Ferna did not explain, but merely raised his head, taking a deep breath.

The others did not understand, but obediently mimicked the old man’s action, also inhaling deeply.

Only the old hunting dog in the team was lying on the ground for some unknown reason, burying its head in the high grass. It even lifted its forelegs onto its snout, as if trying to hold its breath.

Though the patrol team had walked far into the lakeside forest, they still hadn’t completely left the range of Lin Zhong Lake. The murmuring sound of the lake was still faintly audible to their ears.

With a deep breath, the scent of grass and wood, the humidity of water vapor, the fragrance of soil, all mixed together, which was intoxicating.

However, a trace of foul odor was mixed in the air, irritating everyone’s noses.

Zheng Qing smelled this somewhat familiar scent and suddenly opened his eyes, whispering in shock:

”Fishman!”

Almost at the same time, several people in the team figured out the mystery.

Old man Ferna didn’t turn around, but merely nodded slowly, approving the young wizards’ judgment.

”What the hell are the Fishmen doing ashore in the middle of the night!”

”We’re so far away from Lin Zhong Lake, they definitely can’t use the ridiculous excuse of getting lost.”

”Moreover, by the smell of it, there seems to be more than one Fishman.”

”Ridiculous! Are they planning to cause trouble in the academy? Aren’t they afraid that the custodial committee will take back their reservation area?”

The patrol team members started to discuss excitedly.

No one was overly worried about the Fishmen coming ashore, people were more curious about their purpose, and how the school would deal with them.

The old man leaned on his cane, ignored the whispers of the team members, after a while, he let out a deep sigh, and instructed in a low voice:

”Lin Guo, Zheng Qing, you two come with me. Everyone else return to the lakeside and continue patrolling... You two 3rd year students, watch over them, if there is a situation, use the emergency signal. I’ll let May go with you.”

A veteran at the rear of the team, with double dark stripes on his robe, responded calmly.

The old hunting dog wagged its tail, gave a lazy hum, it recognized the arrangement.

Although some people expressed discontent, none of them dared to voice it under the old custodian’s stern gaze, and hurriedly responded to the order.

The old man waved his hand, indicating for them to leave.

”Why should we split up?” Lin Guo, after everyone else disappeared from sight, finally couldn’t help but whisper, ”Isn’t it safer with more people... The Fishmen in the lake are quite powerful, right?”

Zheng Qing didn’t speak, but he too looked at the old man in front of him with questioning eyes.

The terrifying face and strength of the Fishman during the entrance exam was still fresh in his memory, although holding the patrol wand, it did nothing to alleviate the unease in his heart.

”All a bunch of worrying kids.” The old man didn’t answer Lin Guo’s question, he just murmured to himself, then leaned on his cane and strode into the depths of the forest.

The two first-year students looked at each other, quickly grabbed their wands and ran after him, fearing being left alone in the dark forest.