Chapter 304 - 226: Isaac: Whose General Is This, to Be Even More Valiant Than Me?

Chapter 304: Chapter 226: Isaac: Whose General Is This, to Be Even More Valiant Than Me?

"Conditions?" Isaac mused for a moment under Phoenix’s gaze before speaking. "It’s nothing major. Just let me study your Authority. An Authority like the Sun... it’s incredibly intriguing."

As he spoke, Isaac was already prepared to fight. He would strike at the first sign of trouble.

Wizards were different from Knights. The Path of Wizardry had evolved to a point where collaboration was paramount. Only by pooling everyone’s efforts could they rapidly overcome one research obstacle after another, pushing the Path of Wizardry ever forward.

Knights, however, were different. To this day, the extraordinary path of a Knight remained in the hands of the Nobility. Only a small fraction of their knowledge had ever spread to the outside world, and even then, most of it was quickly reclaimed by noble control.

This was because after one was promoted to Knight, they would typically be enfeoffed as nobility by the local Lord. At the very, very least, they would receive a title as a Knight, even if only in name.

Furthermore, since the path of the Knight had its origins in Wizard research, they were especially wary of letting Wizards study them.

Typically, if a Wizard made such a proposal, a Knight would fight to the death.

However...

"Is that it? No problem."

Before Isaac’s stunned eyes, Phoenix simply nodded in agreement. Not only did he agree, he even seemed to find the request rather mundane.

’In this day and age, there’s a Knight who isn’t afraid of being studied by a Wizard?’

Isaac blinked and asked again, cautiously, "To be clear, I mean I want to study your Authority. This process might require you to consume some diagnostic Magic Potions. Is that acceptable too?"

"Is that all? No problem."

Phoenix still agreed without hesitation.

This left Isaac utterly astonished. He stared at Phoenix, amazed. One had to understand that in this day and age, while Knights were generally wary of being studied by Wizards, fortune favored the bold. As long as the price was right, there were always a few down-on-their-luck Knights willing to accept a Wizard’s commission and become a research subject.

But even they would never agree to consuming Magic Potions. After all, besides the Wizard who made it, who could possibly know the effects of what they were drinking?

What Isaac didn’t know, however, was that Phoenix’s situation was similar to that of the arrogant man. His Authority was also innate. The terrifying power had been buried deep within him since childhood, causing him unspeakable suffering.

The only reason he had made it this far was by previously serving as research material for Wizards. Through that, he had not only gradually mastered his own power but had also obtained the resources needed to advance step by step.

Therefore, his resistance to a Wizard’s experiments was relatively low. ’Besides, it’s just a Magic Potion. I, Phoenix, have nothing to fear from something like that. Once it’s in my body, aren’t I the one who calls the shots?’

If the Magic Potion was truly harmful, his own Authority would instantly incinerate it!

That was why he had agreed so readily. And frankly, compared to what he had endured in the past, Isaac’s conditions were barely worth mentioning!

It was natural, then, for the uninformed Isaac to be so astonished by Phoenix’s swift agreement. Fortunately, Isaac didn’t dwell on it for long. ’In any case, I’m stronger than him. In the face of absolute power, all schemes and plots are meaningless.’

Besides, he was quite confident in his research abilities—his Golden Finger. He believed it wouldn’t take long to get the results he wanted. Their association wouldn’t last long. Even if Phoenix was plotting something, Isaac wouldn’t give him the time to see it through.

Thus, after a moment’s thought, Isaac waved his sleeve and dispelled the Wall of Sighs surrounding Phoenix. Simultaneously, he presented a Witchcraft Contract before him.

Staring at the parchment floating before him, Phoenix was taken aback. He looked at Isaac in shock. ’There’s even a Witchcraft Contract? And it includes clauses that restrict Isaac himself? Is he this conscientious?’

Seeing Phoenix’s shocked expression, Isaac frowned slightly. ’That’s not right. The text of this Witchcraft Contract is a standard template, common throughout the Wizarding World. There aren’t any hidden traps. Besides, as a Mad Witch, if I really wanted to pull a fast one, I wouldn’t need to tamper with the contract’s text; I could just interfere with the contract itself.’

’So, why is Phoenix frowning? What is he so shocked about?’

"Do you have any questions or concerns about the clauses? If so, you can speak up. I can make changes."

"Confused..." Phoenix looked at the clauses targeting Isaac. He was indeed quite confused...

But there was no need for changes. He wasn’t an idiot; he knew when to quit while he was ahead. There was no way he would refuse such lenient conditions.

So after shaking his head, Phoenix immediately signed his name, tossed the Witchcraft Contract to Isaac, and looked at him in amazement.

"You’re *that* Isaac?"

"You know me?" Isaac was a little surprised.

"Isaac Solomon, the infamous God-Usurper. In just a few years, you went from a mortal with no Magic Power to a High-level Mage. Within the Truth Association, your name is known to all." As he spoke, Phoenix sighed, looking at Isaac with a complicated expression. "I just never expected that on top of your ridiculously fast advancement, your combat strength would be this immense as well."

"The Truth Association? You’re with the Truth Association?"

"Yes." Phoenix nodded, his right hand tracing a peculiar Magic Symbol across his chest.

In this ritual of the Endless Sea, that Magic Symbol signified withdrawal. In other words, as of that moment, Isaac had truly achieved victory.

The moment Phoenix conceded, new information flooded Isaac’s mind, and an expression of surprise crossed his face.

In this ritual, a battle for Divinity, the Empire’s conflict at the Tier Three level was being fought on three main fronts. And Isaac... had actually been the last one to finish his fight!

’I was this fast, yet someone was even faster?’

Of course, he’d had a feeling he wouldn’t be first. After all, Great Arcanist Mensa had been consolidating his power at the High-level Mage stage for many years, nearly reaching the absolute limit of Tier Three. Isaac was well aware that Mensa could have finished faster than him.

But to be dead last...

That, Isaac didn’t understand.

No...

Not necessarily...

As he "read" the information in his mind, Isaac’s eyes narrowed. It wasn’t entirely incomprehensible. The one who finished first was a High-level Knight!

’And if it’s a Knight... then it’s probably the one who seized the [Boundless] Authority from his big brother, Caesar!’

’Of course, that’s not a given. After all, Caesar reached Tier Three even after being stripped of [Boundless]. The one who obtained an Authority so perfectly suited for a Knight should be well beyond Tier Three by now.’