Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 457: Sign Of Calamity

Before Isaac, the space twisted inward, dropping a small object straight into his hand.

It was a slime.

No bigger than his palm, the being formed a see-through, light-blue lump that drooped a little from its own mass. No bouncing or wriggling came from it, nor any real response to the summoning. It simply... remained there.

Isaac tilted his hand a bit.

Lazily, the slime rolled toward the edge, as though battling gravity took too much energy. A pair of tiny dot eyes flickered open halfway for an instant, then gradually shut once more.

"...You’re sleepy?" Isaac muttered.

No noise came from the slime. Instead, it sagged even more, nearly spreading like liquid over his palm.

He raised it up and turned his wrist. Slowly, the slime glided across his skin before halting. It offered no resistance or reaction. If possible, it seemed on the verge of dozing off.

Isaac's eyes narrowed just a touch.

He sensed it plainly.

Such frailty.

Not merely feeble against mighty beasts, but truly delicate. Its inner mana felt thin and dispersed. A mere strike from a novice mage could scatter it entirely. Aggression was absent, along with any urge to defend. Only a gentle, drowsy aura lingered.

"...Maybe it will grow stronger once it levels up," Isaac murmured softly.

The slime stayed unresponsive.

After a brief pause, he gazed at the adorable slime once more.

"Emily would like this."

...

Emily gazed at the slime without a word.

Now resting in her palm, it appeared even tinier. The creature tipped sideways lazily and almost slipped away until she swiftly steadied her hold.

"...It’s soft," she said.

Alice bent in close, kneeling nearby. "It looks sleepy."

"It is," Isaac replied. "It hasn’t moved much since I got it."

"Can it even think?" Alice asked.

"Beats me," Isaac shrugged.

"Where did you get it?" she asked next.

"System Quest reward," Isaac answered.

Emily peered down at the slime. Its minuscule eyes peeked open for a second, then sealed shut. The form gradually oozed over her palm like jelly.

"It’s cute," Emily admitted softly.

Isaac offered a subtle smile. "It suits you."

A faintly shy glance came from Emily, yet she raised no objection. With care, she cradled the slime in both hands.

"I’ll take care of it," she said.

Isaac gave a single nod.

Alice rose and folded her arms. "I’ll stay here with Emily. Her quest is tomorrow, and she still needs to prepare."

"Alright. I’ll head back," he said.

Alice nodded briefly. "Be careful."

"You too."

Isaac spun around and departed.

Upon Isaac's return to the city, the sun had begun its gentle descent. Streets lay hushed more than normal, and the mansion welcomed him with tranquility.

He scanned the area.

"Chairman Lucius?"

Silence answered.

Deeper inside he ventured, yet emptiness greeted him. The elder man showed no trace.

"Ruby?" Isaac called out.

"Chairman Lucius has left approximately thirty-two minutes ago." The AI’s voice rang out at once.

"Left?" Isaac arched a brow. He’d figured Chairman Lucius would linger for Alice.

"Yes. He mentioned he had something to attend to. He also requested that you inform him when you return."

Isaac dipped his head faintly. "Alright."

His interface appeared as he summoned it, and a quick note flew out.

— Returned. Let me know when you’re free.

— PS: Alice if fine.

Off it went, followed by the screen vanishing.

"Anything else?" Ruby inquired.

"No. I’ll be at the farm," Isaac replied.

"Understood."

From the structure he exited, making for the farm zone. Warmer breezes carried subtle mana pulses from the greenery. The lines had expanded nicely.

Silently, he set to work—tweaking alignments, inspecting progress, and channeling mana anew. The task cleared his mind.

Moments flowed undisturbed.

Footfalls drew near.

Isaac looked up.

Avery approached him steadily.

Halting paces away, her face held composure tinged with gravity.

"I have something to talk about with you," she stated.

Isaac stood taller and nodded. "Alright."

Avery swept her gaze around quickly, then added, "Can you open the mirror dimension?"

Questions unasked, Isaac lifted his hand to unveil the mirror dimension. Reality warped, and they crossed the threshold together.

The atmosphere changed.

The outer realm dissolved from view.

Avery paused wordlessly, gathering her words.

"I didn’t say this earlier," she began at last. "I didn’t want to show any reaction in front of the human who came earlier."

"Chairman Lucius?" Isaac queried.

"Yes." She confirmed with a nod.

Isaac held his silence.

Meeting his eyes squarely, Avery declared, "Alice is a black dragon. That is a big thing."

"Why is it such a big deal?" Isaac's brow furrowed a touch.

"It is." Avery let out a sigh. "Black stands apart from other colors—dragons don't inherit it via bloodline. It's unique, and... exceptional. Black dragons come in two kinds. One stems from a rare genetic shift. Incredibly scarce, yet entirely natural. The other..." she paused briefly, "...bears the destiny of disaster."

"Disaster?" Isaac's frown grew deeper.

Avery gave a nod. "Long ago, dragon clans viewed black dragons as omens of doom. Each time one emerged, catastrophe struck. Wars erupted, empires crumbled, threats to survival loomed. Coincidence or fate, the trend held. Thus, black dragons faced execution.

"No mercy was shown. Not even to newborns. As soon as their hue showed, they met their end. This practice turned into law among dragon groups. Harsh, yes, but dragons saw it as vital.

"Times have changed now. Dragon clans lie in ruins. Dragons teeter on extinction. No unified hunters remain to pursue her. So, no need to fret excessively.

"I felt compelled to share this anyway... figuring you ought to be aware," she added.

Isaac nodded deliberately.

He stayed silent at first. His forehead creased lightly while he absorbed the details.

Avery watched his face closely.

"...It's odd, right?" she remarked.

Isaac glanced up. "What's that?"

"Alice. A Solar Dragon by lineage. They're seen as emblems of innocence, revered as divine. No record exists of black dragons arising from them. Plus, she's a Saintess, amplifying her holiness. But against all odds... she's a Black Dragon too."

She shook her head gradually.

"Nothing like it has ever crossed my sight or knowledge."