Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

Edward took the textbook, and the moment he touched it, lightning suddenly crackled around him.

The sudden scene startled him.

“This…this is…”

"With this book, you can freely use alchemy in this world, Fullmetal Alchemist—Edward Elric."

Chapter 979: The person you are looking for is no longer in service.

"With this book, you can freely use alchemy in this world, Fullmetal Alchemist—Edward Elric."

Edward, who was originally unable to use alchemy in this world, was able to use it again after receiving the teaching materials from Isaac.

Isaac's textbook has become a phantom book; as long as he holds it, he can use alchemy. Each of the four chapters in the textbook is different, and therefore the abilities will vary.

Ordinary people who obtain this textbook will easily suffer the backlash of its power, just like Eikart.

However, Edward is different. He is an alchemist by nature, but he is unable to use his abilities in this world. After obtaining the teaching materials, he will be able to unleash his original abilities.

"Is this book really okay for me?"

"Just don't give it to anyone else. I don't want this to happen again."

"I see."

Edward nodded to indicate that he understood and opened the textbook that Isaac had given him.

"Speaking of which, you originally wrote this book to teach others how to become alchemists, right?"

That's right.

"The basic content is written in great detail... but you shouldn't be talking about this as the first chapter."

"what?"

“My mentor Izumi and Ippus taught us that alchemists can manipulate energy because of the Gate of Truth in the soul.”

"That's right, I did write that down."

“Since alchemy originates from the soul, there are also requirements regarding the soul,” Edward said. “A healthy soul resides in a healthy body. The first thing Al and I learned was how to survive on a desert island, and the second thing was to learn fighting skills.”

"what do you mean……"

“You’re training alchemists, not just scientists. Since they are alchemists, the first thing to do is to strengthen their bodies. If the body isn’t strong enough, the soul can’t reside properly inside it,” Edward said, putting away the textbook. “In other words, alchemists are good at fighting.”

"...There's another way of saying it."

"I passed the State Alchemist certification exam when I was twelve years old, I'm not lying to you."

"understood."

Edward's words did make some sense, so Isaac decided to search for the lost textbooks while revising the previous content.

--------------

"I see. Edward has beaten up his father and brother and is now going on a trip."

“He has always loved to travel, and his whole family is always on the go.”

"Hahahaha, cough cough!"

After quickly packing their luggage, Edward and his companions bought train tickets and prepared to embark on their journey. Isaac, on Edward's behalf, said goodbye to Alphonse in this world.

"He's gone, so what about you..."

"It's almost time for me to leave; I'm planning a trip to England."

"Oh, I see. You and Edward are both gone, and I'm all alone here. I'm very lonely."

"Don't you still have your own career?"

Isaac glanced behind Alphonse at the large rocket launcher that was already half-finished.

Just yesterday, after Isaac dealt with Haushofer and Ekater, Alphonse's main investor was gone, and his factory could be declared a failure.

However, this was not the case; the German military still invested in his research.

The objective was no longer to invade Amestris, but to prepare for a potential war in the future.

“Isaac, I think you probably know that what I create might one day be used in war.”

“It’s obvious that the German military is investing in your research for nothing other than fighting,” Isaac laughed. “You’re also trying to tell others that Germany hasn’t lost, right?”

"This is not the main reason."

Alphonse smiled wryly and clutched his chest; he had been coughing intermittently since earlier.

"My illness doesn't last much longer. At least while I'm alive, I want to see my research perfected, so I won't care where it ends up... Isaac, your right hand, foot, and left eye were taken by German artillery fire. Now you probably hate me for helping them manufacture weapons, especially since peace has come, and yet I..."

“No, neither Edward nor I have ever disliked you,” Isaac said with a smile. “And peace hasn’t fallen.”

"Huh?"

"The Treaty of Versailles restricted Germany's development and seemed to solve the problem at its root. However, excessive oppression only leads to greater backlash. German soldiers yearned for revenge, and German children grew up in humiliation. Even without you, war would still have come."

After Isaac finished speaking, he patted Alphonse on the shoulder.

"The wheels of history can never be stopped. Now the wheels of history are rolling over our faces. All you can do is protect yourself."

As Isaac placed his hand on Alphonse's shoulder, a current began to surge through Alphonse's body.

He suddenly felt that the pain in his lungs had lessened considerably.

“Isaac…”

"I won't say more. Edward and I will come back to see you when we have time."

-

After a bumpy train journey to London, England, Isaac had to go to the address given by Hohenheim alone.

The address depicts an estate located on the outskirts of the capital, with no train service to the outskirts of London.

I originally wanted to hire a carriage to go there, but not all drivers are willing to go to such a deserted place.

Fortunately, Isaac had recently acquired Envy's abilities, allowing him to transform into an eagle and soar into the sky in a secluded place.

I have to say, the feeling of soaring through the sky is pretty great.

After flying for a short while, they found the mansion in a sparsely populated area, and the eagle in the sky transformed back into Isaac's true form and landed on the ground with a flash of lightning.

The mansion in front of us is a country villa built with rammed earth.

Despite being described as a nobleman's residence, Isaac didn't find it luxurious; all he felt was a sense of antiquity.

The yard was covered with petals and fallen leaves, and it looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a long time.

Mr. Disward, as described by Hohenheim, also seemed to be an eccentric, with some odd behavior. It was rumored that in his youth he was a strange man who would trade a piece of territory for a book.

Isaac walked to the front of the mansion and knocked on the door.

Knock knock knock!

"Hello."

After waiting a short while, the back door opened, and Isaac was greeted by a blond young man of about eighteen or nineteen.

"May I ask who you are?"

"Hello, I'm here to visit Mr. Wesley Diswald. This is the invitation."

Isaac handed over the invitation that Hohenheim had given him.

"So you're looking for my grandfather." The young man smiled politely. "But it's a bit unfortunate that you've come, sir. My grandfather passed away six months ago."

"what?"

Chapter 980: Hugh and Darian

"Please use it."

"Thank you."

The blond young man placed a cup of black tea on Isaac's table.

Upon learning that Isaac had come to see his grandfather, the young man invited Isaac into the mansion.

Although the mansion looks somewhat old from the outside, the collection of artworks inside suggests that it belongs to a large, established family.

The young man was very friendly and warmly invited Isaac in, but Isaac could still tell from his actions that he had once been a professional soldier.

"Are you here to see your grandfather, sir?"

“Yes, I’ve run into some trouble. Someone introduced me here, saying that Mr. Wesley Diswald could help me.” Isaac took a sip of his tea and said, “Sir, you just said… your grandfather has passed away, is that right?”

“Yes, I received my grandfather’s will more than half a year ago and came here to inherit this mansion,” the young man said. “My name is Hugh Anthony Diswald, you can just call me Hugh.”

"Hello Hugh, I'm Isaac Yao, just call me Isaac."

"Mr. Isaac, what brings you to see my grandfather?"

“Since your grandfather has passed away, it’s best if you don’t get involved in this matter,” Isaac said with a smile. “It could be quite complicated, so I’m really sorry to bother you.”

“No, that’s not true. But since I’ve inherited my grandfather’s estate, I have an obligation to do some things,” Hughie said with a smile. “If it’s convenient, could you tell me what you would like to ask, sir? Perhaps I can answer that.”

Do you know about phantom books?

"Phantom Book?"

Hugh sensed that something was amiss, and his expression became slightly more serious.

“Of course I know. Since I came here, I’ve encountered several cases related to the Book of Illusions, so I’m quite familiar with it,” Hugh said. “Did you come here to borrow a Book of Illusions, sir?”

"You can borrow illusion books here?"

"So you didn't know? Many prominent families around here have borrowed the book from Grandpa, and some of them still haven't returned it. After Grandpa passed away, I took over his work."

“Your family seems to be quite extraordinary.” Isaac smiled and continued, “I’m not here to borrow the Book of Illusions, but because I’ve encountered something related to it.”

"Appreciate further details."

“A few days ago I wrote a textbook on alchemy. By chance, the textbook turned into something that anyone who got their hands on it could use alchemy. Someone told me that this thing had become a phantom book, so I came to Mr. Diswald to try to resolve this matter.”

"Your book... has become a phantom book?"

"That's right. And from what we know, these textbooks are divided into four parts and scattered in various parts of Europe. I need to find them and destroy them, otherwise the seriousness of the situation will be bad for everyone."

"Excuse me, who are you?"