High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 219: Chapter 143 Exposure _1

If a more genteel term is needed to describe the relationship between wizards and fishmen, none would fit better than ’mutual contempt’.

Speaking more frankly, both sides thoroughly disdain each other.

To the wizards, the Fishman Tribe is but an insignificant footnote in the lengthy annals of magical history. They are ugly, volatile, and primitive. Aside from their brute strength, their grasp of magical skills is virtually non-existent. Some more radical wizards even claimed that, if it weren’t for certain protective measures set by the Wizard’s Code, perhaps today’s young wizards would only be able to inspect this hapless species inside tall glass jars filled with formalin.

As for the fishmen, the wizards are merely another race from the land. In their eyes, all terrestrial creatures are unworthy beings, while the fishmen, the ’water-forged’, are superior. The wisdom of water is naturally noble, hence their contempt towards their dry counterparts.

Zheng Qing could never comprehend why the pungent fishmen believed themselves to be ’water-forged’.

However, that did not prevent him from sensing the current dynamics in this clearing.

The tallest fishman was looking down his nose, arms folded, flexing his biceps, seemingly trying to mock the puny wizards in front of him with a disdainful look.

However, due to his bulbous fish eyes, it was hard for him to portray a disdainful expression by simply adjusting his eyelids, thus rendering his demeanour even more vacant.

The stout wizard across from him seemed to be oblivious to all his attempts.

”Trade.”

Faced with these foul-smelling fishmen, the stout wizard had clearly lost his desire to engage in conversation and simply uttered these two words in a low tone.

The fishman leader dismissively twisted his lips; his dorsal fin swayed from side to side.

Two fishmen behind him, trudged forward, throwing four bundles in front of the black-robed wizards.

”Splash!”

The packages collided with the grass turf and burst open.

Zheng Qing widened his eyes.

Drenched book bags, tattered notes, herbs enclosed in glass jars, mud-filled crucibles, even broken handled combs, chipped mortar and pestles, bald-headed brushes, virtually all items lost by students in Lin Zhong Lake are here.

The items scattered across the lawn with the untying of the bundles, appearing desolate in the moonlight.

”Damn it!” One black-robed wizard was clearly enraged at the arrogant attitude of the fishmen. He growled, flipping open his law book. As the pages fluttered, a milky halo rose from between the pages.

Almost at the same moment, the fins of the fishmen flared as they carefully took a step back. The giant fishman leader silently looked at the stout wizard in the centre of the trio, his dorsal fins twitching subtly, reflecting an unsettling moonlight.

”Withdraw.” The stout wizard glanced at the scattered items and commanded in a deep voice.

Without hesitation, the wizard holding the law book promptly retreated.

”Don’t complain about my companion’s temper.” The stout wizard said in a raspy voice, ”If it wasn’t for our long-standing partnership, I would also be frustrated... Is this junk meant as a handout?”

While speaking, he raised his head to look at the fishmen.

Due to his elevated gaze, his hood slipped a bit. With the help of the moonlight, Zheng Qing could clearly see a wide, sturdy jaw.

The stout wizard’s accusation caused unease among the fishmen.

The leade of the fishmen waved his dorsal fin, quelling the restlessness of his tribe.

”...Hissss... The new students are very cautious now... hiss... One of my warriors was almost hit by a ’North Wind’ talisman while ’picking things up’... hissss...” Compared to the previous fishman who had scouted around, this leader’s communication skills were evidently more adept: ”... Those freshers... hissss... Even dared to try and out-muscle a fishman... hisssss...”

It was obvious that this incident left a remarkably deep impression on the fishmen, so much so that its hissing sounds when recounting the incident became noticeably more frequent.

”Regardless, this batch of goods is of low quality.” The stout wizard shook his head and set a price.

The fishmen were clearly unhappy with the price, but they seemingly didn’t know how to haggle.

And the stout wizard was very steadfast about his price.

A strange silence befell the clearing.

”Ah! A bug!”

A scream shattered the silence.

The black-robed wizards and the fishmen almost simultaneously turned their heads towards the huge Bodhi tree not far away.

”Someone’s there!” One black-robed wizard shouted and instantly flipped open his law book.

And several fishmen simultaneously spread their dorsal fins.

Zheng Qing’s mind buzzed. He turned and looked at the young boy beside him, quite exasperated.

Lin Guo seemed to have just realised his mistake and was covering his mouth with both hands, his face a portrait of panic.

”Looks like we need more practice.” Ferna didn’t seem upset at all. He just muttered to himself, gave the boy a firm pat on the head, and then stride towards the clearing, waving his wand and bellowing, ”Stay put, patrol squad!”

But it was already too late.

At the very moment Lin Guo screamed, the wizards shrouded in black cloaks had vanished instantly, without a rustle of leaves.

And those seemingly slow-witted fishmen had, unexpectedly, dashed into the forest with surprising speed.

In the blink of an eye, all visitors on the lawn had vanished completely.

A breeze blowing from the lake gently rustled the tree leaves, creating a soft rustling sound.

The cold moonlight fell on the clearing, giving the grass a touch of silvery sheen.

Zheng Qing, with his somewhat numb feet, followed the old man to the clearing - looking at the scattered ’goods’, he found it hard to comprehend.

They just left? He scratched his head, feeling it was somewhat ludicrous.

”Three credits for capturing a fishman. Five credits for the fishman leader.” Ferna quickly surveyed his surroundings and made a generous offer, ”If you can’t capture them, but successfully keep them occupied until others arrive, you’ll still receive a credit.”

Zheng Qing’s breath hitched immediately.

”Fishmen are fierce you know.” Lin Guo whispered in a small voice.

”Hold on to your wands, those beasts wouldn’t dare to touch you,” the old man assured them, ”If you’ve got a little trinket like a Suppression Talisman, you can handle ten of these stinky fish who wandered far from the lake.”

While saying this, he swept an insightful glance at Zheng Qing.

Zheng Qing did not notice this scrutinous look.

Hearing the rustling sound from deep within the forest, he instantly reached into his grey cloth bag and began searching for suitable talismans in his wooden box.