Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 834 - 775: The Dragon of the Merfolk

They thought light was colorful, like pearls with a fluorescent glow, like the luminescent patterns on fish, like the shimmering scales on their shoulders as they breathed. Drifting with the tides in the darkness, satin ribbons of light signified their sisters parading through. The brightness gave a feeling of warmth and closeness, though Merfolk didn’t require much light to see. Their fondness for rainbow hues was born with fairy tales; since childhood, Merfolk Tribes have handed down stories related to the land, laden with boundless imaginings about a world full of light, encased in rising bubbles.

In their juvenile years, Merfolk had yet to learn to balance water pressure and could only dwell in the deep sea, fantasizing about princes adorned with rainbow glows. As they matured and met the requirements of the Mermaid Queen Princess, they would sway their tail fins to the surface, stepping onto the azure shallows. Looking up from beneath the waves, the light cut the sea into dazzling fragments of colored glass. They exhaled the warm, light-bathed water through their gills, bubbling with joy within the waves; they leaped above the waterline, gazing at the sky as if they were looking up to another sea.

No princes, nor rainbow lights were to be found. These small regrets didn’t sadden the Merfolk; the wind tousled their damp hair, the sun illuminated their iridescent scales, waves slapped against the rocks with the roar of the ocean, and the cliffs stood like silent giants topped with lush forests resembling emeralds.

[The land, it’s different from what I imagined, but so beautiful!]

Surfing toward the beach, Merfolk settled on a shoal, a place devoid of magic to turn tails to legs, flapping helplessly amid shells, casting envious glances at passing crabs. The crabs, with their six legs, scuttled to places beyond the Merfolk’s reach, digging for food in the sand with their pincers before tossing rolled sand balls next to the dehydrated Merfolk and scurrying away.

Seagulls circled in the sky, waiting for the Merfolk to dry, exhausted from dehydration. Only then did she realize that water was the essence of life. Pushing up with her arms, she turned over, trying to burrow back into the sea. Embarrassingly, her initial exuberance had carried her too far, landing her where the tide couldn’t reach. The next high tide, which could carry her bones back to the ocean’s embrace, was three days away. Panic didn’t last long as dehydration sapped her focus.

[Wuu wuu wuu, I’m supposed to turn into sea foam, not a dried fish, that’s too unseemly!]

As if hearing the Merfolk’s plea, an abrupt huge wave surged toward the shore, forcefully embedding the Merfolk in the sand. Elated, she flexed her reinvigorated tail fin, returning to the water. As the tide receded, the beach returned to its former state, and the Merfolk popped her head back out, looking at the spot where she had just lingered. An immense shadow loomed behind her, the sun blocked, and the waves ceased, leaving the surface as calm as a mirror.

Merfolk shrank her head, turning slowly, and upon seeing the familiar figure, her body relaxed, letting out a sigh of relief.

[Thank you, Bohr.] Even with White Dragon’s mountainous stature, the Merfolk was more afraid of that frigid queen.

Bordelis spread its wings, and purifying raindrops seeped into both their bodies. White Dragon lowered its head, pressing a finger against the Merfolk’s head, "Jenny, do you realize the terror of leaving the group now? The seaweed collection isn’t finished. You should... what are you holding in your hand?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The Merfolk hummed a laugh, gently shaking the little fellow in her hand, a crab caught by its back, feebly waving its pincers, unable to pinch anything.

[A new pet! I’ll keep it in a bubble and make it turn over a hundred times a day!]

White Dragon glanced at the tiny creature; the crab became as stiff as a stone statue under its gaze. Bordelis shook its head, signaling Jenny to let go, "It can’t live in the deep sea. The deep isn’t suitable for it; it can’t acclimate to Mosue’s water pressure." Despite its shell, it was actually more delicate than the Merfolk’s scales.

Jenny remained persistent, placing the crab on her head, where the little seafood didn’t dare fuss under Sea Dragon’s aura. A glint appeared in the Merfolk’s eye; she swam over, patting the solid belly of the Sea Dragon like it was a city wall.

[You can keep it in your ’school,’ Bohr, your power is enough to protect it! It can even be taught to do backflips every day!]

White Dragon glared at her, "I’m not a mobile pet shop! You can’t force it to leave its habitat, my realm is a sanctuary, not a prison. Let go, Jenny, if you really care, you can come back later to see it." Assuming it hasn’t been eaten by then.

Jenny released the crab back into the water, watching the little thing bobbing up and down in the waves, comically swaying its limbs.

[You obviously possess magic that could change its life.] Jenny clung to the scales on White Dragon’s belly as Bohr took her down into the depths.

Bubbles burst forth in abundance from the White Dragon’s body, its eyes emitting a brighter light under the sea.

[We must respect the crab’s personal wishes.]

[Humph, one day, I’ll find my own magic.]The Merfolk adapted to the currents of the White Dragon, their scales shimmering with rainbow colors in the dark.

Bordelis thought to himself that here was another little girl fond of daydreams. Perhaps I should go look for some magic. Hmm... Brother Kristo might be able to help. As for me, all I can do is create a bubble to take Jenny to see the land. I really don’t understand why all Merfolk want to go ashore when you’re clearly creatures of the deep sea.

[Bohr? Bohr!]A psychic call interrupted the Sea Dragon’s contemplation. He saw a Seaweed Forest just ahead of him; the gathering Merfolk were still diligently at work except for the one he brought back for slacking off.

Creating a current to move Jenny away from his territory, Bordelis twisted his body and changed direction.

[Won’t you stay with us, Bohr? You want to slack off too, don’t you!]

The Sea Dragon greeted the Sea Monster squad leader and pushed Jenny towards them with his claw.

[I’m not your overseer. I’m here to look for you because I heard the call. Besides, I have my own matters to attend to. The Cursed Pirates have recently recruited new members, and they gifted me a pirate ship, oh no, a sunken pirate ship. I have to purify the curse within it and add it to my collection. I promised the little girls back home a sunken ship playground.]

Bordelis’ Dragon’s Nest is located at the very bottom of Mosue, at the base of the Reef Castle, where there is enough space for a Sea Dragon to maneuver his body at will.

Jenny’s eyes widened as she clutched the White Dragon’s finger, ignoring the captain’s icy stare.

[Put it in front of my house! Then I’ll forgive you for letting my pet escape!]

[Keep dreaming.]Bohr peeled the octopus-like Jenny from his hand. [Princess won’t allow a sunken ship to be placed near the Coral Castle, it’s too close to the temple. Get back to work now. Just because Princess is not here at the moment doesn’t mean she’s gone forever. If she catches you...]

Jenny scampered into the Seaweed Forest. [The Queen will freeze me with her gaze!]

Bordelis laughed at her flustered figure, then swam away with the current. He didn’t tell Jenny that Princess had urgent matters and left with Vina and wouldn’t return before the next tide.

[Be careful, Bordelis.]

The White Dragon admonished itself.

[Princess dislikes sunken ships; she says their rotting water all stinks. Be careful not to spill any.]