Chapter 498 - 361: Mad Witch Philo: Why Are These Two So Crazy?

Chapter 498: Chapter 361: Mad Witch Philo: Why Are These Two So Crazy?

The pulp and the pit of the Fruit of Time were each already incredibly potent on their own. Combined, they were on another level entirely for a researcher—an absolutely game-changing treasure!

Because, if used properly, it basically guaranteed a successful research project!

After all, with ten years and three guaranteed successful research breakthroughs, if Isaac were the one using it, he could complete at least four projects in that decade—as long as they didn’t involve a Great Creation!

With such thoughts in mind, Isaac stroked his chin, his head bowed in deep contemplation.

But as he sank into thought, Philo, who had just snapped out of her shock, began to feel uneasy. She thought she detected a flicker of interest from Isaac. That thing symbolized the relentless passage of time and the end of life—if mishandled, it could blow the entire Little World to smithereens!

’Those two don’t care about this Little World because they’ve already gotten so much out of it. One has plundered resources to his heart’s content, and the other achieved the incredible feat of completing a Heroic. And me? I’ve only taken a tiny step forward on my three-in-one path of Faith...’

’It’s not bad, but everything suffers by comparison!’

’And I have no doubt that if Isaac wants to buy it, not only can he afford it, but Angel will almost certainly sell it to him!’

’Using it herself is unlikely. Angel has already reaped the greatest benefits from the World Tree.’

Back when the Emperor was still alive, he had told her in passing that the holder of the Magic Scripture could gain power by completing certain deeds. This was the same power the earliest Legendary Mages had sought to simulate.

’So, while I don’t know what the heck this World Tree is, I know Angel must have benefited from it—twice!’

’After all, both the Flower of Time and the Fruit of Time would fetch a good price.’

Fortunately, since Angel had promised the Demigod she would reconcile with Philo, she had given the matter serious thought. She knew how important this Little World was to Philo, so as Philo’s expression darkened, she considered for a moment before speaking.

"Rest assured, a complete Chronos would indeed bring an end to a world."

"But this is only a part of the Chronos Concept. It will only severely wound this world, not bring it to its end."

"This is in keeping with our prior agreement, is it not?"

The three Angels—old, middle-aged, and young—spoke in succession to explain, their three distinct voices drawing Isaac’s gaze.

However, his gaze was not entirely on the three women, but on the World Tree·Chronos behind them. ’They just mentioned a Concept, didn’t they?’

Squinting as he studied it carefully, Isaac nodded in agreement with Angel’s statement. At the same time, he temporarily shelved the idea of researching the Chronos Concept.

’This thing is too High Level, far beyond the scope of my Analysis Authority. I couldn’t analyze anything from it just now. My entire judgment was based on my own abilities and Trist’s Divine Power.’

’The gap is too vast. Even my Golden Finger couldn’t produce a preliminary research plan...’

’If the gap were smaller, I could still try to bridge it. But when it’s so large I don’t even know where to begin, what’s the point?’

It wasn’t a failure on his part, but the incident made Isaac realize once again: ’My Analysis Authority really needs an upgrade!’

Or rather, it was time to put its upgrade on the agenda. Isaac had two general ideas for how to upgrade this Authority. The first, naturally, was to stick to his old trade: go ’shopping’ directly from the Outer Gods. Even though this particular Authority was rare among Deities, upgrading it to Tier Four, or even Tier Five, shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

’It’s an incredibly convenient option for me. A few rituals would solve the problem with little risk. Besides, I’ve already offended so many of them, what’s one or two more?’

However, compared to this first, direct method, Isaac was more inclined toward the second: remedy the shortcoming that prevents Wizards from mastering the Analysis Authority through normal study!

’Given the importance of the Analysis Authority and its unique nature, achieving this would absolutely qualify as a Heroic!’

After all, the reason Wizards couldn’t master the Analysis Authority had been the subject of much research. A paper recently published by the Truth Association had clearly identified the cause: it was a problem with the fundamental rules.

It was not, as many had initially speculated, an issue of race.

In fact, that viewpoint hadn’t received much support early on. For Legendary Mages, every High-level Mage was essentially a different Advanced Magic Race. While rare, there were even Legendary Mages who had walked the path of mechanical ascension. It made no sense that they too would be unable to awaken the Analysis Authority.

However, with the advent of Arcanists, that viewpoint gradually gained more supporters for two reasons. First, unlike Legendary Mages, Arcanists did not change their race upon advancing to Tier Three. Second, they found a life form that could consistently awaken the Authority, albeit with a low probability: High-level Demonic Puppets.

Interestingly, it was Arcanists who had proposed the racial factor, and now it was Arcanists who were refuting it. Isaac even flipped through the paper and discovered it was the same research team...

But that was commonplace these days, especially for Arcanists.

Question authority!

Those were the two words hanging over the main gate of the Truth Association headquarters—the kind that glowed and came with their own built-in language translation.

But it was precisely this spirit—one that dared to question and then put those questions to the test—that allowed the Wizard Civilization to flourish and grow ever more magnificent.