Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 453: Alice’s Physique And Bloodline Upgrade

The capsule clicked shut.

Chairman Lucius’ expression grew grave as he observed. The lighthearted strain faded away, supplanted by true worry.

"There won’t be any problems, correct?" he inquired softly.

"There won’t be. I promise," Isaac assured him.

Despite all their bickering, Chairman Lucius fully relied on Isaac for such matters. Isaac had demonstrated his reliability countless times before.

Silence hung between them for a brief moment.

Alice then chimed in. "I have to complete my physique upgrade too."

"Go ahead. Do you want to do it inside the Soulbind Pendant, or in the room?" Isaac questioned.

"I’ll do it in the room upstairs. You should sit with uncle until I’m done," she answered.

From her spatial ring, she retrieved a potion and swallowed it down.

"That was...?" Isaac arched an eyebrow.

"It was the potion made from the heart we recovered from the Crimson Sky Wyrm," she explained, fists tightening. "Hm. I feel like my bloodline is reacting. I’ll complete the physique upgrade now. Maybe the upgrade will help me digest it better."

Upstairs she went.

Quietness enveloped the room.

Alone remained Isaac and Chairman Lucius.

Several seconds passed as they gazed at one another wordlessly.

Suddenly, both uttered words simultaneously.

"About Selene—"

"About Selene—"

They halted abruptly.

"You go ahead first," Chairman Lucius urged.

"No, it’s fine. Older people should get the first chance. You should speak," Isaac responded.

Chairman Lucius furrowed his brow. "You’re being unusually polite."

"I’m always polite."

"That’s debatable."

Another pause followed.

"You go first," Isaac insisted.

"No, you."

Back and forth they went multiple times. At last, Chairman Lucius let out a sigh. Alice would be back shortly, and evidently, he wished to avoid her overhearing.

Thus, he chose to voice his thoughts.

"Did you propose to Selene properly? Or is this just a casual fling?" Chairman Lucius questioned.

"I proposed properly," Isaac answered promptly.

"And what was the reply?" Chairman Lucius pressed.

A simple smile crossed Isaac’s face.

Chairman Lucius tsked. "Don’t dodge the question. I’m serious."

Isaac reclined a touch. "She didn’t reject me."

"That’s not the same as accepting."

"She accepted."

Chairman Lucius examined his face briefly before nodding deliberately. A sliver of relief softened the strain in his shoulders, though it lingered.

His gaze sharpened once more.

"How far have you gone? Don’t tell me you have touched my daughter before marrying her?" he demanded directly.

"That’s a bit too personal, don’t you think?" Isaac countered. After a moment’s reflection, he grinned and added, "We haven’t done anything. A kiss on the cheek was as far as we went. Selene wanted your permission and blessing first before we entered a serious relationship, and I was of the same opinion."

Carefully, Chairman Lucius scrutinized him, seeking clues in his demeanor. Isaac appeared composed, at ease, utterly unperturbed.

Of course, Isaac had fabricated the truth.

Had their ranks matched, he would have advanced fully with Selene by now. The rank disparity had delayed progress. Unable to proceed further yet, he offered a response to please Chairman Lucius. Securing family approval often paved the smoothest route to harmony.

Slowly, Chairman Lucius breathed out.

"Take care of her," Chairman Lucius instructed.

His voice gentled a fraction. Directly querying Selene on such matters was impossible. She would never divulge personal details to him. Only Alice and Isaac remained as confidants.

Melancholy gripped him at the realization.

Where had he gone wrong? Had he inadequately replaced Selene’s mother? Might she open up more freely with her mother present?

A shadow dulled his features.

"She didn’t tell you about these things because she is embarrassed. Give her time, and she will tell you everything," Isaac interjected abruptly.

"What?" Chairman Lucius scowled.

"Your face was saying what you were thinking, so I just answered," Isaac said with a shrug.

Chairman Lucius’ features twisted. "I’m not a woman. Stop trying to hit on me with those cheesy lines."

"Nice joke, father-in-law," Isaac jabbed sharply.

Chairman Lucius’ eye flickered, yet he refrained from denying it this round.

The air lightened a bit.

Suddenly, Isaac detected motion beyond the walls.

The upper floor’s window swung open.

’Alice?’ Isaac’s brow creased.

Why leap from the house?

Ere he could respond, a fierce glare burst forth outside. Blinding brilliance assaulted them. Instinctively, Isaac and Chairman Lucius shielded their eyes. Scorching warmth surged afterward, sweeping the vicinity like a tidal rush.

Vibrations shook the air.

Mana churned wildly.

Moments later, the glow dimmed. Heat gradually dissipated into the air. Isaac lowered his arm, blinking rapidly as his eyesight cleared. Chairman Lucius followed suit.

They exchanged glances, then hurried straight to the living room window.

And froze solid.

An enormous dragon loomed just outside.

Its colossal size proved utterly dominating. Positioned at some distance, its frame still overshadowed the entire mansion. The earth under its claws groaned from the immense pressure. A formidable aura poured forth from it, infused with boundless majesty and command.

The dragon's scales gleamed black. Profound obsidian black. Yet rays of light sparked subtle golden flickers over their surface. It seemed liquid gold surged beneath the ebony armor.

Its eyes burned crimson.

Enormous black horns swept backward from its skull. Vast wings unfurled, blanketing the whole surroundings in darkness. A lengthy, robust tail lay coiled in back, twitching faintly from time to time.

Isaac gawked, utterly shocked.

He knew it was Alice. The aura, the mana signature, that unmistakable familiarity. All signs screamed her identity.

But something felt off.

’Solar Dragons are supposed to be golden. Why are her scales black?’

Bewildered, he called out, "Alice... is that you?"

The dragon dipped its massive head. With cautious deliberation, it edged nearer to the window. Even this gentle motion whipped up a fierce blast of wind.

Suddenly, a voice echoed.

[Yes.]

The voice didn't emerge from the dragon’s jaws. Rather, the nearby mana thrummed, conveying the words on behalf of its sovereign.

[I can now transform into a dragon, and—]