Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 448: Class Evolution Ticket, Seed From Hell

"A Class Evolution Ticket allows the evolution of your Class to a superior rank. It’s scarcer than a Bloodline Evolution Potion, yet less rare than a Talent Upgrade Ticket," Avery explained.

Selene’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"What rank is my new Class going to reach?" she inquired, her excitement barely contained. A faint smile graced her lips as she clutched the ticket delicately, fearing it might disappear.

"This happens to be an S-rank Ticket," Avery went on. "Thus, your Class will reach at least S-rank. It might even climb higher, but that’s only revealed after using the Ticket. Note that Class Evolution requires time. I suggest starting with the Bloodline Evolution, as rumors claim a stronger foundation yields a superior Class."

"Fine. I’ll do the Bloodline Evolution first. But prior to that, I must visit father. He’s surely fretting over me." Selene responded.

"I’ll accompany you. I have matters to discuss with uncle as well," Alice declared.

Isaac arched an eyebrow faintly. Curiosity stirred about Alice’s topic, yet he held back from prying. She seldom concealed vital secrets, and if crucial, she’d share it willingly. No need to press.

Selene delved into the box once more, retrieving the last treasure. A silver pendant emerged, its face fractured like a shattered moon encased in metal.

"This is the Shattered Moon Dimension. I... believe we can access it similarly to the Soulbind Pendant," Selene observed, inspecting it closely.

"Let’s verify," Isaac suggested.

Selene extended the pendant to him. As Isaac took hold, their fingers brushed momentarily. Selene tensed briefly, her digits going rigid, though she kept her hand steady.

Isaac stayed composed and projected his will into it.

Reality twisted abruptly.

Upon opening his eyes, Isaac found himself on terrain blanketed in gray sand. Craters scarred the landscape, while a star-studded dark sky loomed overhead. It resembled a lunar surface entirely. Life set it apart, however—clusters of grass dotted the expanse, and ethereal white flowers pulsed with glow, swaying without breeze.

An eerie serenity enveloped the scene.

Isaac drew in a breath instinctively, then halted. No trees stood near, but air filled his lungs effortlessly. Though sparse, it soothed him.

He strode ahead, gauging the dimension’s scale. The surface undulated gently with minor craters and subtle rises. The luminous blooms cast a soft silvery radiance across everything.

Soon after, Alice, Selene, and Avery materialized close by.

’Avery’s joined us? She must be drawn to the Elemental Spirit contracted with Selene,’ Isaac mused while approaching them.

"Quite the spacious spot with a stunning vista. It could serve as a storage vault... or wait, a luxurious retreat sounds ideal," Selene murmured, surveying the area.

Alice and Isaac swiveled to face her, wearing matching looks of surprise. Her mind jumped straight to profit-making?

"W-what? Why stare at me that way?" Selene stammered, flushing with sudden shame.

"...Nothing at all," Alice replied, opting for gentleness over candor, probably due to her sibling bond. She pivoted to Avery. "Is combining this with the Soulbind Pendant possible?"

"I’m not sure," Avery answered.

"Does this match the Soulbind Pendant’s space?" Selene wondered aloud, intrigue piqued.

"No," Avery denied, shaking her head. "The Soulbind Pendant stands unique—a fragmented God Domain from a mighty deity, identity unknown. Its exceptional nature lets you include extra participants in Trials, defying standard rules."

She scanned the silvery terrain.

"Regarding fusion... explore thoroughly for artifacts. Perhaps merging with the Shattered Moon Dimension will enhance and mend the Soulbind Pendant."

"That seems tricky," Selene grumbled.

"We’ll note it. Any discoveries get tested." Alice chimed in.

Following a brief exploration, the group departed the pendant.

Selene stretched languidly. "Very well. Time to see father."

"I’m tagging along," Alice affirmed.

Together, the pair departed the chamber.

Isaac lingered. He summoned multiple clones: some to manage altar summonings, one dispatched to Emily’s city, another for daily tasks. A clone grasped the Soulbind Pendant as Isaac himself slipped into the Cradle to inspect his acquisitions.

Instantly upon entry, his gaze locked on the core.

The Tree of Harmony towered proudly still.

"Still standing. Excellent," Isaac murmured, releasing a quiet breath.

He surveyed the surroundings swiftly. His remaining seeds persisted. Fertility enriched the soil, and the Cradle’s growth pace stayed unaltered.

"All the seeds are present. The livestock is here too... but just the young ones," he muttered to himself.

He scanned his surroundings with greater attention.

"The mature ones have vanished. That works out okay. With careful handling, I can breed them and multiply their population."

He'd transported a vast array of herbal flowers and grasses. Certain ones soothed skin ailments. Others boosted digestion. Some promoted better rest. Various plants served to heal illnesses and wounds. He'd included ornamental blooms and air-cleansing varieties too.

Though basic, these plants would vastly enhance his city's ecosystem. Lacking heavy mana demands, ordinary folks could cultivate them effortlessly.

Next came the exotic seeds.

Certain ones would bloom into mana-enhancing flowers. Others yielded scarce alchemy ingredients. Isaac intended to ship these to the Crawling Serpent Tribe for potion crafting.

The livestock proved invaluable too. It promised explosive expansion in the poultry sector. As likely the sole owner of such stock, Isaac could dominate markets in trades with rival cities.

"And then there's this," Isaac remarked, eyeing two ebony seeds cradled in his palm.

These were Seeds of Abyss.

The Tree of Abyss stood as an exclusive growth permitted solely in the Hell Kings' gardens. Isaac obtained them via the Sword Empress's dealings during the Trial. Initially tasked with guarding them, he claimed ownership after the expedition's collapse.

"Huh?"

Isaac stiffened abruptly.

"...What was that Saint's name we encountered?" he murmured.

His face shifted dramatically.

Memory failed him.

He strained once more. Faces. Names. Kingdoms.

A total void.

More accurately, recollections of encounters lingered, yet names and features had vanished. Lands, governments, sovereigns—all wiped clean. Solely the Sword Empress remained vivid in mind, probably due to prior acquaintance in the current era.

"This must be the cost for hauling seeds and livestock. I suspected as much. The System won't allow cheap exploits," Isaac whispered softly.

The System had purged forbidden knowledge from his mind.

He pondered in silence.

No regrets stirred within.

Those individuals were long deceased. Their realms had crumbled. The lost intel held worth, yet paled against his acquisitions.

Seeds and livestock offered concrete benefits. They could fortify his city without delay.

"Plus, familiar faces endure in memory. Which implies..."

Avery would retain most Trial figures, given her present ties or prior data on them.

Should Isaac require details, her knowledge sufficed.

Tension eased from Isaac as he planted a Seed of Abyss well away from the Tree of Harmony.

His skill activated next.

Seed of Providence.

Earth quaked beneath.

Instantly, the seed burst forth. Shadowy roots extended wide. An obsidian trunk rocketed skyward, expanding swiftly. In mere moments, a colossal tree stood tall. Deep ebony bark cloaked it, with subtle scarlet veins throbbing below. Leaves gleamed darkly, radiating a subtle presence.

Heaviness thickened the atmosphere nearby.

Seed of Providence has reached Level 6 → Level 7.

Isaac gazed upward.

Hell’s energy flowed from the Tree of Abyss. It accelerated Devil strengthening. Bodies thrived under its care, Dark energy affinity surged. Akin to mana yet Devil-optimized, it empowered skill and Art casting with greater ease.

Tree fruits bolstered Devil lineages even further.

Three shadowy fruits dangled from branches, caught Isaac's eye.

Wings burst from his back. Soaring up, he harvested them delicately. Weighty orbs brimmed with potent essence.

"These belong with Celia," he muttered.

Leaving the Soulbind Pendant, he soared toward the concert venue.

Celia rehearsed intensely for her massive show in two days. The venue stood fully booked, setups in full swing. Isaac figured a short break there to deliver the fruits. With inter-city trade underway, such a grand event could skyrocket Celia's fame across Lord Cities.

Flight winds caressed his features.

An odd sensation crept in.

His pace eased.

"...Why does it seem like something's slipping my mind?"