Chapter 42: Chapter 34: A New Target Has Appeared

’Besides, this is one of the few chances to use public funds for research!’

’How could I just give it up?’

Cheryl nodded slightly before vanishing in a flash of Arcane Radiance. Isaac watched with envy. Space Teleportation, the standard skill for a Mage.

’So incredibly useful!’

’Unfortunately, even the shortest-range Flash Technique requires one to be a Grand Wizard to learn.’

’But maybe I could try to seize some Spatial Authority?’

Isaac stroked his chin. ’That idea seems rather plausible. I can add it to my backup plans, but I’ll have to wait until my research on Authority is more in-depth.’

’Otherwise, the top priority is still getting resources to promote my Dimension’s growth. That’s the hardest thing for me to obtain right now.’

To date, the Dimension hadn’t grown at all in Isaac’s possession!

Although Isaac didn’t expect to become a Dimensional Demon God with it, that didn’t mean he had no use for it. For one, if the Dimension grew a little, he could use it as a spatial storage item. He also wouldn’t have to be so cautious when using his Infinite Magic Power, terrified that a single misstep might damage the nascent Dimension.

Shaking his head, Isaac pushed all his messy thoughts to the back of his mind. ’It’s useless to think about all that right now. Improving my strength is more important than anything else.’

But before that, he needed to see Gaia.

He wanted to know why his family held such a strong grudge against the Mad Witches—something he had been completely unaware of until now.

"KNOCK KNOCK."

"Enter."

Pushing open the door to the Lord’s Mansion, Isaac saw Gaia sitting behind a desk, intently focused on a document. When Gaia saw Isaac enter, he placed the document on the desk and pointed to the chair opposite him.

"Sit."

After speaking, he turned and pulled a notebook from the bookshelf behind him, handing it to Isaac.

Isaac opened it curiously and found what appeared to be a record of someone’s activities.

"Father, what is this?"

"Do you know how your mother died?" Gaia asked in return, not answering Isaac’s question.

But that question seemed to be the answer itself...

Isaac’s brow furrowed slightly. "Didn’t Mother die from complications while giving birth to me?"

"She did die from complications in childbirth, but do you think, with our family’s power, that such a thing is even possible? Even if there were complications, would we have only been able to save one of you? You’re a Wizard now. You should know that these are not difficult problems for Magic to solve." Gaia looked at Isaac, his tone perfectly calm.

But when his gaze swept over the notebook in Isaac’s hand, a flicker of murderous intent would occasionally flash in his eyes.

However, out of instinct, Gaia didn’t let Isaac notice, even though Isaac himself was no longer fazed by that level of killing intent.

Hearing this, Isaac silently flipped through the notebook in his hands, his expression blank.

"RIP!"

But Harmon, emerging from the back of his head, showed that his inner thoughts were not as calm as his expression suggested.

"You’ve probably guessed it. That’s right, your mother’s death was no accident! A Mad Witch placed a Curse on her! It caused the complications that killed her, and we almost couldn’t save you either. Even though we did, it left you weak for all these years."

As Isaac listened to Gaia, he continued to flip through the notebook, quickly reaching the end.

His brows furrowed slightly as Isaac asked, "You still haven’t found him?"

"Regrettably, no." Gaia shook his head. "I’ve been searching for him all these years, but his methods of concealment are brilliant. The notebook in your hands contains all the information we currently have."

"Prank Master..." Staring at the moniker recorded in the notebook, a thick killing intent flashed in Isaac’s eyes. This was the person who had murdered his mother in this life and nearly killed him as well...

’Judging by the name, to him, it might have just been a prank!’

"Could he have died in a deal with an Outer God?" Isaac asked with some concern.

"No. He committed another atrocity just last year. He led a rebel army to overthrow the government of a small country, then sacrificed the entire nation to an Evil God! His methods are extremely cruel! Moreover, we had a Wizard from the Truth Association lock onto his life force. If he dies, this Sapphire will shatter."

As he spoke, Gaia took a Sapphire from his pocket and showed it to Isaac.

Hearing this, a savage smile spread across Isaac’s lips. He said coldly, "That’s wonderful! Dying at the hands of an Outer God would be letting him off too easily!"

Seeing Isaac’s somewhat savage expression, Gaia frowned, put the Sapphire away, and said earnestly, "I’m telling you this not because I want you to seek revenge—I will handle that myself. I just hope you won’t let your will be twisted by the Outer Gods, and that you won’t become too greedy for power!"

"Yes, I understand," Isaac nodded.

The reply was too quick. Gaia knew Isaac hadn’t really taken it to heart. After a moment’s thought, Gaia sighed. ’It’s better to guide than to block.’ He knew Isaac; Isaac was definitely not the type to give up.

So he said, "He is at least a High-level Mage. With your current strength, even if you found him, it would be pointless. You would only be throwing your life away."

Isaac nodded. He understood that. He wouldn’t let anger cloud his judgment. After all these years, his father and older siblings had failed to find the man. That meant he was either extremely skilled at hiding or extremely powerful—perhaps even stronger than a High-level Mage!

He might even be both...

But regardless of which it was, the current Isaac was in no position to challenge him. Right now, the most important thing was to slowly accumulate strength.

Besides, compared to his father and the others, Isaac had one huge advantage—the Mad Witch Association!

’Since the man is a Mad Witch, he’s most likely a member. Even if he isn’t, I can ask people inside to help me find him.’

’But not now. It’s the same old story: I’m too weak.’

"Sigh... Be careful. I don’t know if telling you this was the right thing to do..." Gaia sighed, looking at Isaac, who was studying the notebook with his head down.

’From a rational standpoint, it would have been better to keep this from Isaac for now. He’s a Mad Witch too, and very prone to extremism. If he were to go to extremes, the consequences would be unimaginable...’

’But not telling him wouldn’t be right, either.’

’After all, Isaac is an adult now. He’s even become a Transcendent through his own power. He’s not a child anymore; he has the right to know these things.’ 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"You may go. From now on, the family will allocate three thousand Gold Coins to you each month for your Magic research. If you need anything, just ask the family. Don’t do anything dangerous."

"Three thousand Gold Coins!" Isaac, who had been studying the notebook, jerked his head up at the number.

"I know it’s a little low, but the family is facing some difficulties right now. Make do with it for now. We’ll raise it to five thousand once we’re through this."

"Five thousand!" Hearing that it could go even higher, Isaac’s eyes went wide!

That was five thousand a month!

’Is my family just too rich?’

Isaac blinked. He suddenly felt like someone who had lived a hard life only to discover he was actually the son of a wealthy family...

’Although, to an ordinary person, as someone born into the Nobility, I was already the son of a rich family. No, the grandson!’

"I’ll work hard!"

"...You may go." Seeing Isaac’s earnest expression, Gaia finally realized that his earlier gasp had been because the amount was too *high*...

"The family is wealthier than you think. You don’t need to worry so much," Gaia said, shaking his head, a little speechless.

’These three sons of mine are really something...’

"Mhm!" After a firm nod, Isaac left the room. A short while later, he was riding in a pumpkin carriage back to his laboratory in the Mage Tower.

The moment he stepped into the laboratory, the smile on Isaac’s face vanished. With a grim expression, he walked to his desk, picked up a notebook, and began to reconsider his path forward.

Isaac’s original plan had included improving his strength, but that was just a secondary goal—a means of self-defense. His future path was supposed to be primarily focused on research.

But now, it seemed a slight change was in order...