Isaac raised an eyebrow.
"It’s subtle, but the presence it gives off can’t be faked," she said. "Anyhow, the title will make you resistant to mind-based attacks. And to instinct-driven species, you’ll feel dangerous. They’ll sense the powerful blood running through you."
"I see," Isaac muttered, thinking to himself.
’She knows a lot about apex-ranked species.’
But he didn’t confirm or deny anything. He just grabbed his hoe.
He walked over to the edge of the field. It stretched out for nineteen hectares. With one smooth motion, he swung his hoe.
2000 Tier 1 Vitality Grain Crops harvested. Mana 1000. Constitution 1000.
You have obtained 10,000 Tier 1 Vitality Grains.
3240 Tier 0 Vitality Grain Crops harvested. Mana 288. Constitution 288.
You have obtained 16,200 Tier 0 Vitality Grains.
Mana: 1000 [100] → 1000 [1420]
Constitution: 1000 [100] → 1000 [1411]
Once swing was all it took.
The entire 19-hectare farmland reacted, and the grains were collected neatly on the side.
Where before he’d needed six or seven strikes, now one was enough.
And he wasn’t even winded.
It was all thanks to having 1000 Mana.
There was a strange freedom in knowing that. Isaac took a deep breath and held it for a second before letting it go.
Then he took out a handful of vitality grain seeds and looked down at them.
Leora watched him.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"I thought of a new way to plant them. I’m going to test it."
He tossed the seeds into the air.
As they hung mid-fall, Isaac activated Sovereign of Land. Mana surged from his legs into the soil.
The ground responded.
Thin roots shot up from the soil. They curved and twisted mid-air, reaching toward the falling seeds. Each one was grabbed gently and pulled into the ground.
The seeds had been planted in neat, efficient rows. It was miles faster than doing it by hand.
As if appreciating his innovate idea of skill usage, a screen popped up before him.
Sovereign of Land has reached Level 7 → 8
Active and passive effects strengthened by 120%.
A level 8 skill!
Isaac could feel his control over the roots had grown trendously!
’Two more levels, and it will reach max level, and one of my class quest will be completed.’
"You must’ve thought of that trick a long ti ago. But couldn’t try it, since you didn’t have the mana before, right?"
Isaac was about to answer when he paused.
That wasn’t Leora’s voice.
He turned and saw Professor Catherine standing near the edge of the field.
She was wearing what looked like a pair of black athletic shorts and an oversized white shirt that slipped off one shoulder.
It was clearly thrown on in a hurry, like she’d just rolled out of bed.
"Is your bloodline... dragon?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "It’s definitely apex-ranked. I can feel the pressure."
Isaac blinked. "Wait, humans can sense that?"
He looked at Leora, then back at Catherine. "I thought only more sensitive races could."
Catherine smiled faintly. "Who said I was human?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Then what are you?"
"Maybe I’ll tell you... if you tell your species first."
"Ah, no thanks then."
She chuckled.
He didn’t press the conversation further.
He gathered the harvested grain into storage, packed everything into the back of the jeep, and soon climbed in beside Leora and Tyr.
They drove into the city.
The streets were already active when they arrived near the shop.
Crowds moved between stalls and storefronts. People talked loudly, exchanging news and prices. Other businesses nearby had opened early or were undergoing renovations. The demand in the market had grown fast.
Outside his own shop, Freya was waiting.
She waved when she saw them.
"Good morning, Isaac! Morning, Leora!"
Then she smiled at Tyr. "Morning to you too."
Isaac caught the way she greeted Tyr. It was slightly exaggerated, and a bit more cheerful than usual.
She was trying to help him feel more at ease.
’Smart move.’
"You two will be working together now," he said. "So, Freya, if anything happens, contact imdiately."
She nodded.
Isaac looked at Tyr. "Stay with her. If any troubleso custors show up, protect her."
Tyr straightened up.
There was a faint shyness in his actions, but Isaac didn’t point it out. The treant was full of the pride and embarrassed at the sa ti since Isaac was trusting him with such an important task.
Isaac patted him on the back. "Good luck."
"I’ll drop by in the afternoon," he added as he stepped away.
With everything settled, Isaac climbed back into the jeep. Leora was already in the driver’s seat.
They drove off together, heading ho.
...
Central Base, Sanctum of Master Stronghold, Akaza Ruin, Fortified City 89
The eting room wasn’t luxurious, but it had reinforced steel walls, arcane runes embedded in the corners, and a round table large enough to seat ten.
It had been a long ti since so many high-ranking powerhouses gathered under one roof.
At the head of the table sat Eleanor, still using her ’Leora’ appearance.
Her posture was calm, and confident. She wore her usual combat coat, and her dark blue hair, almost black under the indoor lighting, fell over her should.
Her gaze swept over those present.
Opposite her sat Vale Rae. His long white hair draped casually over his shoulder.
The overcoat slung above his shoulders gave him a relaxed look, though the tension in his eyes said otherwise.
A freezing frost could be seen in his gaze.
Dante Riven leaned back in his chair. He was once a famous explorer, and now a Dean of Aeternum University.
Beside him sat Lucian Vale, the principal of Horizon Institute.
He had an easy smile on his lips, though it didn’t reach his eyes today. He was here because of Leora’s call, and that alone was enough to make everyone curious.
General Magnus, clad in standard military exo-armor, sat silently, observing. He rarely spoke unless necessary, but no one doubted his authority.
Professor Catherine cleared her throat and stood, pulling the room’s attention toward her.
She tapped a button on the table, activating the central projector. It humd to life, casting a glowing image into the air above.
"Everyone here is directly connected to the exploration of Akaza Ruin," she began. "I’ve called this eting to reveal information I discovered during my last expedition."
Lucian’s smile widened slightly. "Isn’t that unusual? Shouldn’t the Sanctum of Masters keep such valuable findings for themselves? You know, to progress faster, and gain an edge."
Catherine shook her head.
"Normally, yes. But this is different." Her expression tightened. "What I found isn’t just a treasure. It’s a calamity. One that, if handled poorly, will destroy all three strongholds we’ve built here."
The mood shifted instantly.
Even Lucian’s expression lost its playfulness.
Everyone stared at the projection.
The image sharpened into view of a massive, ethereal serpent, sleeping in a cavern lit with faint blue light.
Its translucent body gave off a pale glow, and its stomach bulged unnaturally, as though it had consud sothing large.
Around it, naga demihumans moved like shadows. They seed to be guarding, tending, or praying to the serpent.
"They used assassins to attack us," Catherine said. "It was to keep our focus away from ’this’. While we were fighting the assassins, they were putting this snake deeper into the sleep, so that it doesn’t resist teleportation when they use it upon it, to take it away."
Dante leaned forward. "So what’s so special about it? It looks like just another monster."
Leora spoke up, voice low and calm. "It’s not just a monster. That species is called a N’theris Serpent."
Her words silenced the room.
She continued, "They’re natives of Hell. They are bloodthirsty, and near-unkillable. Normally, they don’t sleep much between their hunts, but this one’s an infant. That’s the only reason we haven’t all been slaughtered already."
Lucian frowned. "How did sothing like that even get here?"
"We think it ca through one of the City portals that are programd to connect to other dinsions," Catherine answered. "One of the nagas must’ve found the teleporter, and activated it while they were trying to capture the city, which ended up bringing this serpent to this side."
Dante’s voice was grim. "You’re saying a gateway to Hell was opened inside Fortified City 89?"
"There’s no confirmation," Catherine replied. "But the signs are there. Anyhow, we are already in an hostile relationship with the nagas. If they get their hands on the serpent, it will be dangerous for us."
A heavy and tense silence settled over them.
Vale Rae finally broke it.
"If it’s not a dead soul that escaped, then the Grim Reapers won’t interfere. That gives us ti to capture the serpert."
There had been precedents of a dead soul escaping the hell through a portal.
In such cases, the one who opened the portal was deed an accomplice in helping the dead soul escape Hell’s bindings.
Everyone in the room knew what happened to those labeled by the Reapers as an accomplice. Death would be the kindest option.
"You’re suggesting we use it?" Leora questioned.
"Yes," Vale nodded once. "The N’theris is rare. I should say it’s more than rare, it’s a legend. Taming it would boost our military strength by 40% at least."
Dante scowled. "Or doom us all."
"Taming it is foolish," Leora said. "There’s no precedent for raising a Hell-dweller. Even if it’s young, it won’t stay that way. They grow fast, and making a bond with them is near-impossible."
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