Chapter 20: Genetic Catalyst
Her brows furrowed as she looked at the Quest Advancement details.
"Those are harsh requirements. Just finding a Genetic Catalyst can be a lot of trouble."
"Are they rare?" Isaac questioned.
"A Genetic Catalyst is made from the core of Overlord-rank monsters. The Body Tempering Potion and the Awakening Crystal both use the core of Overlord-rank monsters, but only in small amounts.
"A Genetic Catalyst, on the other hand, is formed by condensing a complete core.
"Something like this is only needed when human awakeners advance to Overlord rank. It's shocking to see you need it for Adept-rank Advancement, honestly," she said.
"How long until I can get a Genetic Catalyst?"
"Tomorrow by the earliest."
Isaac nodded.
If he had been by himself, God knew how much time it would have taken him to find a Genetic Catalyst.
"What about the land I was promised?"
"We will take you to Akaza Ruin tomorrow. You can choose any land that is in our territory there."
After he got his answer, Isaac took a look at the skill details Emily was writing.
Second Talent Skill: Phantom Ward (Unlocks at Lv. 10 Initiate rank)
Skill Level: 1
Effect: Summon a protective spirit that lingers around you, absorbing 20% of incoming damage until it breaks. (Lasts 10 minutes.)
Cooldown: 5 minutes
Mana Cost: 30
Eleanor took a look at it. This was how skills were supposed to be. Powerful, but within the realms of imagination.
Isaac was the absurd one for having skills with active and passive effects already.
Emily continued to write.
Class: Abyssal Empress
Rank: SSS
Requirements: Have three powerful ghosts swear fealty to you and gain their Beast Bond. Subjugate five different ghost types using Spirit Conductor abilities. Defeat a vengeful spirit that has slaughtered at least 100 people. Survive a death trial, where you face the spirits of those you've slain.
The two gave the paper with details to her and were about to leave when Eleanor called out to them.
"You must be hungry. Go visit the cafeteria; it is open 24/7. Keep in mind you need to return to your rooms before the curfew starts, which is by 11 pm."
"We have different rooms?" Emily asked.
"Yes, my lady. Each student has their personal room, and they are allowed to sleep there only."
"But I want to—"
"It's not allowed, my lady."
Emily stared at Eleanor, then at Isaac, hoping he could persuade Eleanor. But it was clear she was not going to listen.
"We will take our leave," Isaac said and held Emily's hand.
He could see her sulk, and he knew he would have to do something about it soon.
"Make sure to use protection from the next time," Eleanor reminded them.
Emily was confused, not knowing what she meant, and Isaac almost choked on his spit.
"Don't be embarrassed. It's my job as your elder to guide you two on the correct path."
"Thank you for the advice."
He pulled Emily away before Eleanor could give another blunt piece of advice.
The evening air was cool, and the sun had completely set. The path to the cafeteria was silent.
"Why do you need to live in different rooms? We were living together until now," she complained.
"This is a university, Emily. It has different rules than our apartment."
"Then let's go back to our apartment."
Emily seemed to hate the idea of being separated from him. Seeing Isaac hurt today had given her a scare.
He was fighting for his life while she was checking the house inside the Soulbind Pendant, not knowing what he was going through.
She did not want a repeat of that. She wanted to be there with him and protect him from getting injured.
"We can't," Isaac said.
He smiled when she squeezed his hand and held it tightly.
"Also, I will be going to the Akaza Ruin tomorrow, and I might settle there to maintain the farm.
"You can come and visit on holidays, and we can spend our time together there. I doubt that place will have a curfew."
"What? No!"
Emily became aggravated.
She thought they would be together during the classes at least, but he was going to a different place.
Isaac patted her head.
"I don't want this either, Emily. But you saw what happened today.
"We need to focus on our studies and level up, or else we will have to live each day while worrying when we might get attacked."
Emily had no reply to that.
She could only nod with a crestfallen expression.
The two entered the first-year student cafeteria, which was empty except for the girl sitting in the far corner.
The food was free. Isaac ordered a hearty meal and sat at the nearby table. Emily took a strawberry shake under the advice of the serving staff.
Emily's somber expression changed when she took a sip.
"It's good," she muttered before she took another long sip.
Isaac smiled faintly, seeing her mood improve.
'She likes strawberry shakes. I'll keep that in mind.'
It was almost ten when they reached their dormitory. It was a combined-gender boarding house. The first-year dormitory had three buildings.
Each student was given a single room, and the rooms were fairly decent. Or so they were told by the warden.
The warden informed them about the laundry timings and a few things they needed to keep in mind before giving them keys to their rooms.
"Room 402 and 403. Our rooms are adjacent ones. The Vice Principal must've done it on purpose," he said.
Emily might've been happy if she heard the news before she knew Isaac would live in Akaza Ruin. But not anymore.
They took the stairs to the fourth floor after failing to find elevators.
"Good night," Emily said as she stood before her dorm room door.
"You are not coming with me? You still haven't had anything to eat, and there is time before the curfew starts," Isaac said.
"I'm not hungry. I had my fill during the evening."
Isaac stood helpless as she entered her room.
He waited for a few seconds, and when she didn't return, he entered his dorm.
It opened into the bedroom with a table and a cabinet to keep his things. The door to the left led to the bathroom while the front of the room led to a small balcony.
The window had no curtains. The bed was missing bedsheets.
Isaac would've needed to go shopping if he was not going to leave for Akaza Ruin tomorrow.
He heard the doorbell and went to open the door.
A male staff member had come to give him bedsheets, a toothbrush, curtains, several pairs of clothes, and other basic necessities.
Isaac noticed a female staff member giving similar things to Emily.
'They sent a male staff member to my room and a female to Emily's. I guess they are paying attention to details like that.'
He thanked the staff and closed the door.
After setting up his room, he took a shower. The cold water refreshed him.
He changed into the new clothes before he grabbed the Body Tempering Potion and sat on the bed.