Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

After putting away the blueprints, Isaac continued, "You guys pack up here first, and come with me to the Fifth Research Institute tomorrow. It's currently vacant, perfect for your research."

Chapter 361: Isaac's Lifelong Rival

"Sir, I'm here again."

The next morning, Isaac walked into Olivia's office once again.

"What's the matter this time?" Olivia asked, putting down the documents she was reviewing.

“I came up with two things yesterday that can be used as products for the company,” Isaac said with a smile.

"Oh?" Olivia asked, showing interest. "What is it?"

She was also eager to see the products from the other technologically advanced world that Isaac had visited.

Isaac slapped his hand on the wall beside him, and with a flash of red electricity, a rectangular machine appeared on the wall.

"The first product is an air conditioner."

Isaac pressed a button on the machine while laughing.

Under Olivia's questioning gaze, the air conditioner blew out gusts of cool air, and soon the entire office cooled down.

"Air conditioning is an air conditioner, a machine that uses artificial means to regulate and control parameters such as temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and speed of the air in a building or structure," Isaac said. "When it's cold, we turn on the heating, and when it's hot, we turn on the air conditioning, so that people can enjoy the most comfortable temperature in their rooms in any climate."

"Hmm...not bad." Olivia nodded.

This thing is indeed quite good. Although it's cold in the north, every household has a fireplace. However, the south of Amestress is extremely hot, so there's nothing that can be done about it.

This thing just solved the problem there.

"Anything else? Didn't you say you had two products?"

"And this is the other one."

Isaac took out a bottle and placed it in front of Olivia; it contained a bubbling black liquid.

"This is?"

"Cola," Isaac laughed. "Try it."

"Huh? A drink?" Olivia looked at the bottle of cola with some confusion.

This was the first time she had ever seen this dark, unappealing liquid. She had initially thought it was some kind of fuel, but it turned out to be a beverage.

Trusting Isaac, she picked up the bottle and drank it all in one gulp.

Then her eyes lit up.

“This tastes really good,” Olivia said, putting down the bottle.

“Right? I drank this when I had no alcohol in my other world,” Isaac laughed. “I think this drink will have a great market both domestically and internationally.”

"Yes, indeed."

"Sir, just imagine what it would feel like to drink a Coke while the air conditioning is on in the sweltering summer heat."

After thinking for a few seconds, Olivia said:

"Will I become a cripple?"

“That’s not what I meant. I think it’s a kind of enjoyment, don’t you think?” Isaac explained. “I think both of these products can be exported. As for the prices of the company’s products in China, I will directly reduce them by half, just as a benefit for the people.”

Olivia thought for a moment and said to Isaac, "These two things can be produced, but don't install air conditioners in the army."

"Huh? Why?"

“Our soldiers need a spirit of hard work and perseverance; air conditioning will only make them hedonistic,” Olivia said seriously.

"I think so too."

Isaac agreed with Olivia.

"Oh, by the way, you don't have any plans for tonight, do you?" Olivia suddenly asked, as if she had just thought of something.

"Nothing's scheduled. Is there any task?"

“It’s not a mission.” Olivia scratched her head in frustration. “My father is hosting a family banquet tonight, and he specifically asked me to invite you to come along.”

Isaac then remembered that Olivia was from the prestigious Armstrong family of Amestris. This family wielded immense influence in the country's politics, business, and military, and every generation of the family had produced a general.

"Huh? Isn't the current head of the family you, Commander?"

“How could someone who’s become president still care about family matters? Father is still the head of the family,” Olivia said with a headache. “That old man is just bored.”

"Don't say that, it won't hurt to go for a bit," Isaac laughed, but his expression changed instantly.

"Is your horrible sister not here?"

“You mean Catherine? How could she not be here? She’s still young and won’t be out for long. She’ll definitely be at the banquet,” Olivia said matter-of-factly.

"I suddenly remembered I have something to do tonight..."

"Stop talking nonsense. Didn't you just say you were fine tonight?" Olivia interrupted. "Besides, you're already this strong, why would you be afraid of a little girl?"

"In all my years, the only person who has ever knocked me unconscious is her."

Isaac still remembers the first time Olivia brought him, who was only 12 years old, to the Armstrong family mansion. Because the house was so big, Isaac got lost and accidentally wandered into a little girl's room.

The little girl was about ten years old and had a very cute face. When the stranger Isaac suddenly barged in, she was so startled that she screamed.

Then, with one hand, he lifted a huge upright piano next to him and smashed it at Isaac.

When the family arrived, they saw a bewildered Catherine and an unconscious Isaac lying on the ground.

She was the younger sister of the officer he respected, so he couldn't seek revenge or anything like that.

Despite the little girl's elegant demeanor and somewhat introverted nature, Isaac considered her his 'arch-nemesis' for several years.

“Oh~ My sister can probably brag about knocking out our Amestris lieutenant general and state alchemist for the rest of her life,” Olivia teased.

"Yes, so can I not go?"

“No, you and Violet will come to the manor tonight.” Olivia gave Isaac no chance to refuse. “Besides, that child misses you quite a bit, it would be good to see her.”

"..."

--------

Night fell. A large crowd had gathered in the hall of Armstrong's mansion.

They are all big shots in the military and business worlds. Of course, Isaac, as a lieutenant general in the country, is the most powerful among them, as he holds all the military power in the five military regions.

Everyone greeted Isaac politely, and Isaac returned the greeting.

At their own country's banquet, Isaac and Olivia both wore military uniforms. Violet, who was standing next to Isaac, did the same.

"Violet, you will protect me tonight."

“Yes,” Violet replied, but then asked with a hint of doubt, “Will Lieutenant General Isaac be in danger?”

"This one is..."

Just then, a girl's voice rang out.

"Mr. Isaac, you've arrived!"

The two turned around and saw a beautiful young woman in a pink dress standing there.

Violet was unaware of what was happening when Isaac's expression changed.

“Catherine…”

"Long time no see."

Catherine ran up to Isaac and hugged him.

"I miss you so much."

Click.

"..."

Violet looked at the girl embracing Isaac and was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Sorry, I got a little excited to see Mr. Isaac. See you later, I need to go see my father first." Catherine blushed, let go of Isaac, and ran away shyly, covering her face.

"Lieutenant General Isaac, that is..."

“She’s the one I want you to be wary of,” Isaac sighed.

"?" Violet asked, somewhat puzzled. "Is there something wrong with that young lady?"

“Don’t be fooled by appearances.” Isaac raised his limp hand. “My left hand was dislocated when she hugged me just now.”

Chapter 362: I think you're trying to murder me

"Is that woman... an enemy?"

Violet stared intently at Catherine as she left, as if she were about to kill her on the spot at any moment.

"No, she didn't actually have any hostility towards me."

As he spoke, Isaac used alchemy to heal his dislocated arm.

Catherine harbored no hostility toward Isaac, but she was not yet able to control her powers well.

The Armstrong family is a truly remarkable family. Of the entire family, only Olivia, the eldest daughter, can be considered somewhat normal.

The eldest son, Alex, is an oddball who spends all his time thinking about showing off his muscles and taking off his shirt in public.

The second and third women look remarkably like Alex, and are clearly his biological daughters—muscular women nearly two meters tall. They're the kind of women who could scare the neighbor's kids to death just by standing there.

The family's characteristics are also easy to discern; those with strength, regardless of gender, generally have a muscular appearance, while Olivia, unlike her younger siblings, doesn't possess the innate brute strength. Her strength comes from continuous hard work and training.

But there was one outlier in their family, Catherine.

Despite her petite stature and adorable appearance, she possesses extraordinary strength that neither her older brother nor sister has ever had. And this strength only increases with age.

Because she had always lived at home since she was a child and attended school with private tutors, she did not have a proper understanding of her physical condition. She always thought that she was just like her family and was perfectly normal.

Lifting a piano? Surely most people could do that?

That was what she was thinking at the time.

This idea is still ongoing.

"Anyway, this girl is the officer's sister, so I can't really say anything. Just stop her when she gets close to me, and remember to avoid any physical contact, or she might get hurt," Isaac said.