Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

"Okay, I'll tell my dad too."

"Yes, please don't get into any conflicts with those organizations while you're in Japan. It's too dangerous for you to be all alone," Tessa warned.

"of course."

They were unaware that Isaac was the leader of the IW and had always assumed he was conducting the investigation on his own.

"By the way, Tessa, there's something else I need to tell you."

"Huh?"

Tessa looked at Isaac, puzzled.

'There's one more thing? Looking at his serious expression, could it be... he's about to confess?'

"Tessa, what's wrong?" Isaac asked, puzzled.

"Brother Isaac, isn't it... a bit too early? I think we can wait until we're a little older..."

Tessa covered her cheeks, looking very happy, which made Isaac's stomach ache.

"I don't think there's a problem with this time."

"Huh? You can't wait any longer?"

"So what kind of crazy stuff are you thinking about?"

Isaac sighed and said:

I saw your brother a couple of days ago.

"..."

Tessa's expression froze instantly.

"You mean...my brother?"

"right.

"Reinard?"

"Yes."

"Where is he now?" Tessa asked anxiously.

Her brother had been missing for two years, and she had once thought he had died long ago. Although Isaac always said he would find him every time they met, Tessa didn't really have much hope.

But today Isaac said that her brother is still alive, a piece of news that shocked her.

But after the initial shock came joy, knowing that his only remaining relative was still alive.

“His whereabouts are unpredictable, but I’m certain he’s still in Japan. If I see him again, I’ll find a way to get him to contact you,” Isaac laughed. “That kid’s been acting all mysterious lately.”

"Is that so... But it's still a pleasant surprise to receive this news."

Tessa was very happy, but then she remembered something and said to Isaac:

"By the way, Uncle Yao mentioned something to me before."

"What?"

He didn't think his dad could say anything good.

“It was something he mentioned more than a month ago. My uncle felt that it wasn’t enough for you to be out there on your own right now, and he hoped that you could join Mithril and be assigned to my branch,” Tessa said.

"..."

What exactly is Dad trying to do?

“What do you think, Brother Isaac? I think it’s a good idea, at least it’s much safer than being alone.”

Of course, there was one more thing she didn't mention: this also ensured that other women wouldn't seduce Isaac.

"I don't think...it's necessary."

Chapter 683: Don't Learn to Smoke If You Don't Need to

After hanging up the call, Isaac closed his laptop and let out a long sigh of relief.

A single 'listener' can draw out a host of forces, including not only national powers but also the henchmen of various corporations.

Isaac didn't spend much time in Japan either, as business required him to travel all over the world.

He has poured a lot of manpower, financial resources and time into Cai Cai, and at least now there are some results. The 'mercury alloy' behind it has finally come to the surface.

However, only one person, Leonard, has surfaced; the size and personnel of his organization remain shrouded in mystery.

Leonard said he didn't want to be enemies with Isaac, and Isaac knew he wasn't lying, but he wasn't the boss of 'Amalgam,' and it was really hard to say what the person behind him would ultimately decide.

Moreover, if IW continues to develop, it will inevitably clash with their organization sooner or later.

"Ha... Anyway, let's wrap things up here first, and we'll deal with the rest later."

--------

Ayana Fujisawa enjoys her life now.

Since moving here, she has been able to stay with Isaac almost every day. Although the two are not the kind of couple who can be all lovey-dovey, this level of intimacy is enough for her.

However, she felt a strange sense of crisis today.

Isaac's identity remains a mystery, but it's clear he's a big shot.

Such important figures generally wouldn't waste their time on young girls like her; their partners are also very likely to be outstanding women.

This is fine for her; even if they can't be each other's final partners, there's no problem with having a secret relationship.

The problem is that Isaac doesn't seem to show any interest in her, or rather, he doesn't seem to have any interest in women at all.

Coupled with Yuko Takishima's performance today, this sense of crisis has intensified in her.

If Isaac were to have a physical relationship with her, she would actually feel more at ease, and her sense of crisis would be greatly reduced. This would mean that she was at least still needed by him.

To be honest, this looks quite morbid to outsiders.

What kind of woman does Rentaro actually like?

Ayana doesn't know much about this.

She turned to look at Levi, who was smoking on the sofa.

'Miss Revy seems to be closest to Rentaro; perhaps there's something about her that attracts him.'

She was secretly observing Revy.

Levi, who grew up in the slums and later made a living amidst gunfire in Roanapur, can be said to lack any of the characteristics of a traditional woman.

He smokes, drinks, fights, and kills—he does it all. When angry, he pulls out a gun and threatens; when annoyed, he starts swearing. This kind of utterly ungentle personality would be unbearable for most men.

But to be honest, when Levi was at the clubhouse, smoking a cigarette and aiming her gun at the Eagle Peak gang members, she looked incredibly cool, like a Western gunslinger.

However, it must be admitted that among all the women present, the one who got along best with Isaac was Levy.

'Perhaps I can learn something from her. Maybe Rentaro just likes women who smoke and drink?'

Although she was a little afraid of her, Ayana still mustered up her courage and went up to her.

"What's up?"

When Levi saw the girl, who was being protected by Isaac, nervously approaching her, she casually asked a question.

She still doesn't speak Japanese, or rather, she has no intention of communicating with a group of Japanese people.

“M…May I have a cigarette?” Ayana asked in English with a Japanese accent.

"Ha?"

Levi looked at Ayana with some confusion.

Although she had some pronunciation problems, she could still understand.

But what did this kid just say? He wanted to smoke? What's wrong with this person who usually seems like a well-behaved child?

She took a pack of cigarettes out of her pocket and waved it in front of Ayana.

"You want this?"

“Yeah.”

"…Are you kidding me?"

With a puzzled look, Levi handed a cigarette to Ayana, who took one out, put it in her mouth, and picked up the lighter on the table with trembling hands.

What does it feel like to smoke? I feel like I'm acting like a delinquent. If my parents see me, I'm sure I'll get a scolding. Does Rentaro really like a woman like this...?

Ayana, who had always been very well-behaved, began to think rapidly when faced with a cigarette placed in her mouth.

Click!

Finally, a flame appeared on the lighter.

Facing the lit cigarette, Ayana took a small puff. The pungent smell went straight down her throat into her lungs.

"Cough cough cough!!! Cough!!"

Ayana clearly couldn't stand the smell; she covered her mouth and started coughing, tears welling up in her eyes from the choking.

'It's so pungent! So irritating! My whole throat hurts!'

“I said, if you don’t know how to smoke, then don’t learn.”

Levi looked at Ayana as if she were an idiot.

What are you doing?

Isaac came out of his room.

When he looked into the living room, he saw Cai Cai coughing there, holding a lit cigarette in her hand.

Seeing this scene, Isaac immediately stepped forward and threw the cigarette in Ayana's hand into the ashtray, his eyes drifting to Levi.

Why did you teach her to smoke?

"What does this have to do with me? This silly girl asked me for it herself," Revy immediately retorted.

Isaac patted Ayana on the shoulder and asked, "Are you alright?"

"without……"