Chapter 226: Suspicion, Tier 2 Seeds
"...He told me not to come back," she whispered.
Isaac stayed quiet, and let her continue at her own pace.
"I only... hic... wanted to help. Why is he telling me to leave?"
Her voice cracked.
Her face was twisted between confusion, and sadness, as if she couldn’t decide which feeling to hold on to.
"Did he really tell you to leave because of the serpent incident?" Isaac finally asked, careful with his tone.
"I... I don’t know."
Her head lowered again. Her hair fell forward like a curtain.
Isaac rubbed his chin.
Vale’s actions were inconsistent.
At times, he seemed protective of Celia.
But now, he was pushing her away mercilessly.
’How is this all connected to the serpent...’ Isaac muttered in his mind. ’And is this related to the Governor?’
That thought made him frown.
Vale had told him before that if Isaac wanted Celia to join him, he should dig up dirt on the Governor.
That had felt like an odd demand at the time, but maybe it wasn’t so random.
’But how is the Governor tied to the serpent matter?’
Isaac’s thoughts turned darker.
A terrifying guess hovered in his head, one he wasn’t ready to voice even to himself.
Pointing fingers at someone without proof wasn’t something he wanted to do yet.
Instead of dwelling further, he placed a hand gently on Celia’s shoulder.
"Celia," he said.
She lifted her head slowly, raising her teary gaze toward him.
"Rest. I’ll bring your brother back to talk with you."
Her eyes widened. "What...?"
"I’m bringing him here. He’ll explain everything to you himself," Isaac said firmly.
Celia was stunned. For a moment, she almost looked like she didn’t believe what he was saying.
"You’re going to bring him here...?" she asked again, as if repeating the words might make them clearer.
"Yes. Then you can talk to him directly, and he’ll explain why he told you to leave."
Her lips trembled. "How are you going to do that?"
"That’s a secret," Isaac said lightly. "But he’ll be here by morning. So, get some sleep until then."
"I... I’ll come with you."
"Rest, Celia." Isaac patted her shoulders. "You’re physically and mentally exhausted. You won’t be able to have a proper talk in this state. Just rest for now."
"But—"
"Celia," Isaac cut her off softly, but firmly. "Everything will be alright. Calm down."
His reassurance seemed to settle the raging storm inside her.
She bit her lip hard, but after a moment she nodded.
"...I’ll be waiting."
"Alright." Isaac gave her a small smile.
He stood there until she finally stepped back and closed the door behind her. Only then did he let out a quiet breath and prepare to move.
He willed himself out of the soulbind pendant, and appeared in his own room.
The pendant, now resting on the bed, shimmered faintly.
A moment later, the space around it rippled, and Alice stepped out, her horns catching the faint glow of the room’s lantern.
"Why aren’t you sleeping?" Isaac asked, already preparing to leave.
"I’m coming with you," Alice replied flatly.
"Do you know where I’m going?"
"I can guess."
Isaac chuckled, shaking his head.
She could read him like an open book.
He slipped the soulbind pendant around his neck again and tucked it beneath his clothes. Without another word, both of them left the room.
The guards stationed outside straightened as Isaac appeared, greeting him with respect.
It still felt surprising to see how much adoration he was receiving.
Isaac returned a small nod and kept walking.
He could feel the guards’ eyes shifting to Alice, staring openly at her horns, and it made him click his tongue in irritation.
Alice walked beside him quietly for a while before asking, "How are you planning to convince Vale to meet Celia?"
Isaac glanced at her. "Did you really not eavesdrop on my conversation with her?"
"I told you. I can guess what you were doing."
"Hmh." Isaac gave a noncommittal nod, dodging her earlier question.
Alice narrowed her eyes at him. "You’re planning to use force to bring him back, aren’t you?"
Isaac didn’t answer right away. His silence said more than words could.
"Isaac," Alice pressed, "I can guess what’s going through your head. If you fight Vale and suppress him just to bring him here, it won’t only help Celia. You’ll also be showing everyone that you can defeat one of humanity’s strongest Champion-rankers. That’s basically taking down the leader of Titan Edge Guild."
Isaac finally nodded.
She was right.
That was part of his plan.
Alice exhaled slowly.
Her gaze remained fixed on him.
"But you know what that means. The other top guilds won’t stay quiet if they see you put down Titan Edge Guild. And Titan Edge itself will become hostile against you."
Isaac’s grin grew sharper. "We’re already past that point. The top guilds support the Governor, so we’ll have to face them anyway. Might as well start with a bang by taking down one of their strongest Awakeners."
His words carried no hesitation.
He knew the risks, but he had already decided.
"But..."
’You can’t defeat an Apex species Champion ranker.’
Alice completed the words in her thoughts.
Despite that she believed Isaac had some sort of plan.
He rarely fought unless he was sure of his victory.
They kept walking until they reached the teleporter area.
The large area was quiet at this late hour.
The teleporter platforms were dim and sealed.
Isaac walked up to the stationed officer, who stiffened at his approach.
"I need a teleport to the Sanctum of Masters stronghold," Isaac said.
The officer hesitated only for a moment, then gave a quick nod.
Isaac’s name carried weight now.
The request wasn’t questioned much.
Papers were quickly filled, seals stamped, and within an hour the teleportation platform stirred with life.
A low hum filled the air as dark clouds began expanding on the platform, swirling like mist heavy with mana.
Isaac turned to Alice. "Ready?"
She gave him a simple nod, her expression steady.
Without wasting another second, Isaac stepped into the dark cloud. Alice followed close behind. The sensation of space folding around them swallowed his body, and the world dissolved into shifting shadows.
A heartbeat later, Isaac emerged within the stronghold of the Sanctum of Masters.
The teleportation platform under his feet pulsed once before fading to stillness.
Waiting for him was not just any officer. A young woman in crisp uniform stood straight, eyes steady.
She was not one of the regular teleport wardens.
Isaac immediately recognized her from memory. She was the personal assistant of General Magnus, the leader of this stronghold.
"Isaac," she greeted him, offering a formal nod. "General Magnus asked me to receive you personally."
"I’m thankful to the General. How is he right now?"
"He is swamped with work." She smiled faintly. "May I ask the purpose of your visit? Was there a reason you used the teleporters while they are under lockdown?"
"I’m here to take care of my farm," Isaac answered simply.
"Then please, follow me. We’ll provide you a vehicle to get there."
She led them through the dim corridors. When they reached the courtyard, a transport vehicle waited for him. She gestured toward it.
"Normally, we would assign you guards. Given the dangerous situation lately, it would be the standard procedure. However... our forces are spread thin right now. All available units are occupied," she explained.
Isaac shook his head. "That’s fine. I don’t need a guard."
"As you wish." She handed him the keys and stepped aside.
Isaac climbed into the driver’s seat, and Alice slipped into the seat beside him. The engine hummed as he started it up.
As they rolled out of the gates, Isaac took out his phone and typed a quick message to Professor Catherine.
You: Can you tell me where Vale is right now?
The reply came back swiftly.
Landlord: He has left for Fortified City 50 to meet the Governor. He should return to his guild base in Sanctum of Masters stronghold soon.
You: Can you inform me when he returns?
Landlord: Okay ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧
Isaac couldn’t help but smile at the playful response. He slipped the device back into his pocket and focused on the road.
The drive out to his land was quiet except for the hum of the engine. Alice leaned her elbow against the window, watching the scenery roll by.
"You’re really calm about all this," she said after a while.
"Is that so?" he asked absentmindedly, thinking about his next steps.
She gave a small nod and didn’t press further.
When they finally reached the edge of his home, Isaac parked and stepped out.
He came back home since they had time.
The farm stretched across a vast expanse of land. Eighty-three hectares in total. It looked massive, even under the faint light of the tower. The soil shimmered faintly from the mana-rich crops growing within it.
There was a reason Isaac had returned home tonight.
"I will be done here quickly. You can rest inside if you want."
"I’ll stay with you," Alice replied.
Isaac nodded.
He took out the Terraheart Plow from his spatial ring.
He willed it to transform into the hoe, and it complied.
Feeling the familiar grip, he scanned the rows of crops.
He swung once. His mana expanded outward.
A wave of power rolled through the fields, and in an instant, every crop was harvested.
Stalks bent, fruits loosened, roots pulled free as though obeying him. The surge drained his mana sharply, but it was nothing to his current self.
A faint glow appeared before his eyes.
Class Quest Requirement: Find or create a Tier 2 Seed and harvest it. (Completed)
Isaac grinned.
’Finally.’
He crouched down and examined the gathered harvest.
"Let’s see..." he muttered to himself. "Potatoes, garlic, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and pea pods."
These were the ones that had changed.
Their seeds—or the equivalent parts that could be used as seeds—pulsed with life, brimming with mana.
He held them carefully, feeling the abundant energy flowing through them.
’Tier 2 Seeds at last.’
He planted the new seeds back into the soil. Each placement sent a small thrill through him.
"I wonder what sort of harvest I’ll get tomorrow," he murmured, half to himself, half to Alice who stood a few steps away, watching.
"You’ll find out soon enough," she said with a faint chuckle, seeing him excited like a kid.
When he was done, Isaac carefully stored the other grains and the life potion that had been harvested.
By the time he finished, his phone buzzed again.
Landlord: Vale is back at the guild base in Sanctum of Masters stronghold.
You: Thank you for the info.
Landlord: No problem. ^^
He slid the phone into his pocket and wiped the dirt from his hands. He entered the house, washed up quickly and returned.
Turning toward the vehicle, he motioned for Alice.
"Let’s go."
They got back into the car.
Alice leaned back in her seat while Isaac focused on the road again. For a while, the ride was silent except for the faint rumble of the engine. Then Isaac spoke.
"Professor Catherine."
Alice blinked. She turned her head, scanning the vehicle. The backseat was empty.
"What are you talking about? She’s not here."
Isaac kept his eyes on the road.
"She is. She’s always around. Come out, Professor. I have something important to talk about."
The car remained silent.
Alice frowned, glancing at him, then at the empty backseat.
"Isaac..." she started.
But Isaac spoke again with a firm voice. "Professor."
This time, when both he and Alice blinked, someone was there.
Professor Catherine sat calmly in the backseat, as if she had always been there. Her clothes were different from before. They were clean. But her face looked tired. Despite the exhaustion, she gave a small smile.
"Why did you call me?" she asked lightly.
Isaac glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
"What is your current species rank?"