High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1111: Chapter 173: Deals Under the Shadows

Doctor Duzem could produce the Philosopher’s Stone, which was no secret to many sufficiently high-level wizards. The Wandering Wizard once sold Doctor’s creations in his bar.

However, since the method Doctor Duzem used to produce the Philosopher’s Stone was considered heretical by many old-school wizards in the Alliance and was brutally executed, it became one of the charges for his complete banishment by the school. Hence, such transactions were always confined to an extremely narrow market by the relevant organizations.

Only customers who could provide sufficient ”raw materials” and ”adjuvants” had the opportunity to have Doctor Duzem assist in concocting a ”Bloody Philosopher’s Stone” through a few families.

Indeed, the biggest difference between the Philosopher’s Stones produced by Doctor Duzem and the traditional ones was that his stones were red, not the conventional gold. Although their effects were almost indistinguishable, this slight flaw in color greatly limited the stones’ applications.

No decent family of White Sorcerers would use such a creation, which appeared and indeed was exceedingly macabre, in their rituals or magic ceremonies.

Even so, many powerful wizard families continued to discreetly transport new-world captives to that small courtyard, relying on Doctor Duzem to help refine the Philosopher’s Stones. After all, apart from public occasions, there were many private settings in this world without such taboos.

Though the Mage Alliance and First University were well aware of this, they turned a blind eye, not completely prohibiting it.

As long as those families did not use wizards as raw materials, they were considered to be barely outside the red line. As the saying goes, clear waters have no fish, and observant people have no followers. Where there’s demand, there’s trade. Instead of letting these wizard families deal with even more secretive and ruthless Black Wizards, it was safer to control these affairs within certain bounds, under the watchful eyes of the Alliance and school. However, the Wizard Covenant frequently arranged for Trident Sword to raid the market and seize such products as a warning.

”Is sacrifice necessary for the production of the Philosopher’s Stone?” Fei Rui finally couldn’t help asking after making a pact with Doctor Duzem and the Rat Immortal, ”Is there no other way?”

Doctor Duzem looked surprised as he raised his eyebrows, gazing at the short, plump hamster.

”You seem a bit more merciful than the legends suggest.” He rubbed his fingertips, subconsciously touching the scalpel on the table, seemingly curious about Fei Rui’s current condition, ”Has President Nameless truly reformed you?”

Fei Rui grunted, his chubby cheeks visibly drooping.

Doctor Duzem smiled nonchalantly, ”If we use the traditional methods of alchemy, such a great sacrifice wouldn’t be necessary. But that would require a legendary-level alchemist because, during the process, the alchemist needs to communicate with the river of time and many subtle, differing dimensions.”

”But I don’t need to. My alchemy uses the most brilliant and dazzling essences of life, which naturally communicate with countless hidden dimensions and connect the river of time. The devils have already proven this to the wizards through numerous cases.”

”Since we have lowered the level of the producers, it is natural to increase the quality of the ’raw materials’. Equivalent exchange. It is a very fair thing, isn’t it?”

”Besides, I was only at the level of a registered wizard back then, and the technology I developed was also based on my abilities at that time.”

”You are still a registered wizard now,” Fei Rui sighed.

”What a pity,” Doctor Duzem spread his hands, also sighing.

Just in time, the Rat Immortal interrupted the gradually descending atmosphere in the room, complimenting, ”Truly worthy of being called the ’future hope’ by ’Magic Wand’... Being able to exceed the alchemical skills that many great wizards can’t achieve even at the registered wizard level, is probably unique in the history of the wizard world.”

Doctor Duzem scoffed, his eyes moving past the windowsill, looking out at the grim, narrow sky beyond the courtyard wall, ”If not for that, how could I have had the chance to live peacefully in this small courtyard?”

The study fell into complete silence.

Now that the cooperation intent had been sealed, the uninvited guests had achieved their purpose for the day. The specific details of the collaboration could certainly be discussed in a more leisurely fashion later.

The Rat Immortal patted the armrest of the wooden sedan and, regaining his steadiness, drifted up from the desk.

Fei Rui finally got what he wanted and managed to obtain some primeval carrion beetles from Doctor Duzem’s hands. He wove the long hairs on the back of those beetles into a fine rope, gathered them into a bundle, and hung it on his back, making him appear even more bulky than when he had arrived.

As he watched the two mice leave, Doctor Duzem suddenly spoke up in a low voice, asking, ”Visiting me so directly like this... aren’t you afraid of causing trouble for that young fellow?”

The young fellow he mentioned was naturally Zheng Qing.

However, Doctor Duzem’s question was not out of concern for Zheng Qing’s troubles. Instead, he was more worried about the troubles it could bring to Miss Jiang of the Jiang Family, or rather, to the Zhongshan Jiang Family.

As one of the few families that had genuinely supported him for over twenty years, Doctor Duzem had a favorable impression of Madam Jiang and did not wish to bring her any troubles.

The unexpected guests exchanged glances.

The Rat Immortal squinted his eyes, as if he had fallen asleep, allowing the wooden sedan to carry him onward, swaying gently.

Fei Rui stopped, turned around, and replied irritably, ”That’s none of your business... The trouble with that little rascal is much bigger than yours. If anyone on this island is going to have trouble, it won’t be him. You’d better spend more time polishing the ’Man-made God’ project, so it doesn’t backfire on you later.”

Doctor Duzem raised an eyebrow but ultimately said nothing further, watching as the two mice slipped back into the painted black hole in the corner, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

With the absence of the mice’s squeaking, the cramped study quickly fell back into silence.

The fireflies in the room seemed to sense the somber atmosphere, unanimously dimmed their lights, casting a darker glow.

Terri Duzem stood in front of the wall with his hands behind his back, raising his head to look at the words the principal had left him.

After a long time.

Without a sound, the wooden door of the study silently opened.

The old servant, Constantin, stood at the doorway, his face filled with worry, hesitating to speak.

”I’ll go to bed soon, don’t mind me,” Doctor Duzem said without turning his head, waving his hand dismissively behind him.

”Very well, young master.” Even though the doctor hadn’t turned around, Constantin still solemnly bowed, but before leaving, he finally stopped and cautiously said, ”Master, mice are pests. They should be killed.”

Doctor Duzem lowered his head, his face submerged in the shadows of the wall.

”Heh, now, confined in this dark place, what difference is there between me and a mouse?”