NOVEL NEXT Chapter 44.2
Really, all power worked that way.
Just as it’s easier for children to acquire language, there are things that can only be done when you’re a baby.
‘Even if you start learning holy and magic spells at the minimum age of three, the blood vessels are almost closed, and the absorption rate drops below half.’
There’s an innate area that you can never obtain unless it’s during breastfeeding.
Therefore, even humans, if they could, would want to train babies if they could understand anything. But what’s the point of training a baby who doesn’t even understand language?
But for Isaac, it was possible.
And at such an advantageous age for training, he maintained it for ten years? In other words, he was becoming a monster body, that’s what.
‘I planned to stay like this until I absorbed all the magic cores in the annex.’
Well, it seems like it was tough, considering the stubborn Holy Spirit’s complaints about overwork.
That’s because Whisper deliberately emitted only impurities of magic power, making the spirit purify it.
When the Holy Spirit finished purifying and fell asleep, Isaac would crawl to the magic core room of the annex and eat again.
And when the spirit woke up the next day?
-F*ck! Why isn’t the purification working! Why is it still there! I need to find the Skeleton King’s body, but why the hell!
How mind-boggling and stuffed up the Holy Spirit must have been, waking up with more magic power every time he slept and woke up!
Anyway, it was ten years of training, smashing the castle pretending to be cursed.
[Yeah, I thought it would take at least 40 years to reach this level. Truly, my master!]
Yeah, he had piled up strength to the point where he wanted to test it immediately.
‘Finally, the tedious process of collecting magic power is over.’
And his holy power?
‘I’ve trained up to using the 6th level sacred techniques.’
Although he had focused excessively on specific sacred techniques due to self-study, he had reached a realm that was absolutely impossible.
So, now it was time to return to his original age.
If Isaac signaled, his body would grow rapidly in an instant.
Of course, those who didn’t know about it…
“It must be heartbreaking. To be cursed by the Skeleton King and unable to use sacred techniques.”
Yes, they would say that.
And at that moment…
“Brother!”
Appearing in front of them during a stroll was Goel. Goel was with Shuri, who had grown to 15 years old.
Goel looked genuinely sad as he looked at Isaac, still a baby.
“It hurts my heart that the kid doesn’t grow up, but I’m thankful he’s alive. I believe that he’ll definitely overcome the curse of the Skeleton King.”
What’s that?
If he came to visit every year, why doesn’t he die? Why doesn’t he die! Even if he were baffled, why doesn’t he come to such a dirty headquarters of priests during that time?
Anyway, pretending to be cursed by the Skeleton King, Isaac maintained the appearance deliberately, hiding his holy power.
‘Go crazy and get summoned by the Papacy?’
After the incident with the Treasure Vault, the imperial family and the Papacy had high expectations for Isaac. But he had to avoid the eyes of high-ranking priests while absorbing the magic of the annex.
“Isaac, Lilai. Did you hear? Our Shuri received the priesthood this time.”
“What? Shuri? He passed the priesthood exam already?”
“Yes! He’s the youngest priest ever! The first, you know! If Isaac were here, he would naturally have come to watch… but he can’t make it! Since he would have been a spectacle for people! Well, if Isaac were here, he might have taken the title of the youngest, but well! He couldn’t even enroll! Anyway, may he not go bald like the Skeleton King.”
At these words, Shuri seemed to shudder in fear. It was probably because of Isaac’s expression.
Though Shuri signaled to his father to stop, he didn’t seem to understand.
“Your father must be very disappointed! Even with the king-level Holy Spirit attached, he turned into a useless leech, only eating and not contributing, like the Skeleton King.”
Hmm, wasn’t the favorite of the demons about 33 years old, a healthy male priest?
Isaac sighed but, in fact, he appreciated Goel a lot in the past 10 years. Even now, he lived without aging, thanks to Goel.
And that priest position, Isaac was about to receive it soon.
‘Even if you want to become a Saint, you need to become a priest first.’
[Yes. It’s necessary, but to consume the last remaining magic core too.]
Yeah, it was the only one among the magic cores in the annex that Isaac hadn’t eaten, though it was a valuable item.
‘It’s something that would be a waste to just leave behind.’
Well, it seemed like unsealing it would be enough, but…
‘It’s impossible to learn unsealing sacred techniques through self-study.’
Unlike magicians, priests who were connected to God had the majority of sacred techniques that could be used only after being ordained as priests. In other words, without it, Isaac could only use about 80% of sacred techniques.
Yeah.
So, now that he’s done with the baby act, should he try to get ordained as a priest from the Papacy?
‘And while I’m at it, go find my subordinates in the Papacy’s prison.’
The exact location was confirmed through Shadow Lich.
Of course, he needed at least six years to graduate from the academy to qualify for the priesthood.
Until then, leaving the subordinates in prison would be painful, but this guy waited for a whopping 150 years!
‘Wait a few more years while you’re at it.’
Since he’s in the Papacy, he might as well be fully prepared.
And this year is the age to enroll! Graduation, maybe a few times a month will be enough!
So, let’s enjoy the luxurious! Golden-spoon-like! School life for a few years and leisurely seize the opportunity…
“Did you hear? This year they’re going to execute the Skeleton King’s subordinate.”
Isaac, who was snickering, almost bit his tongue.
What the hell?!
What are they executing?!
Lilai was surprised too.
“Yes? Did they finally deal with the fourteen demons from the Treasure Vault?”
No! There was no mention of execution!
“It’s said that the Skeleton King and his subordinates are targeting the Holy Empire. The Papacy might be trying to execute the Skeleton King’s subordinate this year.”
Damn! You useless bastards!
When the story of the Skeleton King came up, Lilai had her servant send Isaac back to his room.
Even though he looked like that on the outside, he was ten years old.
How much that little guy must curse the Skeleton King who cursed him.
He can’t grow up or learn the sacred techniques because of that bald-headed Demon King.
‘It’s still the same now, we can see his expression deteriorate every time we talk about the Skeleton King, so he must be deeply hurt.’
“Shuri, be careful when receiving the priesthood this year. The Skeleton King might be targeting you.”
“Haha. It’s okay! Someone like the Skeleton King, I can handle it! I’m the youngest priest ever, up to the monthly half! Well, if Isaac had enrolled, he might have taught me?”
“Yeah, yeah! Our son is so reliable and talented… Wait, where did he go? Shuri!”
Where did he go?
Shuri felt dizzy as he was looking at Isaac in front of him.
That’s right, along with the feeling of his body floating, this feeling, this timing!
And this voice!
“Hey, Kim Shuri. Did you run because you’re scared?” (tl/n: Isaac gave him such a nickname because he had the surname ‘Kim’ in Korea and Shuri now is his cousin. This nickname will sometimes continue to be used, but Isaac will also give him different funny nicknames, so don’t get confused)
Shuri screamed at the sight of the young Isaac standing before him.
“You crazy kid!!”
Summoned to Isaac, Shuri trembled.
Shuri had used the shadow movement of the Shadow Lich to teleport to Isaac’s room.
And just as he was about to shout, asking what this madness was.
“The lies have increased, saying that the Academy is a joke?”
“…!”
Shuri flinched. However, Isaac lifted the rattle disdainfully, as if he was disgusted.
“You became the top in the monthly test with the answers I provided, and you even passed the Priesthood exam with the highest score. So, what? If I entered, were you planning to scold me?”
Shuri started sweating.
No, this guy. Did he hear that phrase again on the street?!
But Isaac shook his head and said.
“If you think you did something wrong, hand over the prize money from the Academy’s history quiz contest that I won. Even the dragon scale you got from Goel.”
Shuri’s eyebrows twitched.
‘Jeez. Is this a priest, or a demon?’
Ten years. A whole decade had passed, yet this damn baby was even more insane.
“And if you do what I tell you from now on, forgiveness is on the table.”
And it seems like he’s planning to get even crazier.