Wizard: Scamming a Demon God

These foreign Evil Gods have no manners at all!

After a quick skim of the Secret Technique Manual, Isaac closed the Magic Book and rubbed his temples in frustration. He was actually starting to miss the White Whale, the Black Orc God, and the Master of Billions of Flesh.

’This is a bit troublesome...’

The Magic Power "stolen" by the Secret Skill was different from his own [God-Stealer]. The power of [God-Stealer] was far more domineering. Plus, the stolen power didn’t enter Isaac’s body; instead, it directly created a Follower outside of it.

Furthermore, and more importantly, the "stolen" Dimensional Magic Power could only be used for specific Secret Skills...

That made it practically useless. ’Was I really short on spells like that?’

While the Secret Technique Manual might be mostly useless to him, it wasn’t entirely worthless. The specific Secret Skills were useless, but the principles behind them might not be.

If he researched them thoroughly, he might be able to find a way to purely "steal" Dimensional Magic Power from these Secret Skills and then apply it to his own Dimension.

Taking it a step further, he could even create his own Secret Skills based on his own Dimension. Like other Demon Gods, he could use Secret Mages to help his Dimension grow!

A glorious future lay before him!

However, that was all in the future...

Isaac walked over to a specially made bookshelf and placed the Secret Technique Manual on it. He then applied a seal, storing it away with Preliminary Research on Goblin Nests: The Flesh Nest and the Black Orc God’s manuscript.

The Sect had its own Secret Skills, so he didn’t necessarily have to study this one. Not to mention, there were legitimate Demon God Dimensions providing Secret Skills, so there was no need to take this risk.

Besides, he didn’t have enough energy to spare right now. At this stage, Isaac had three main tasks. The first two were, naturally, to actively advance his own research projects and those of the Sect. The third was to learn more spells to diversify his combat options, so he wouldn’t have to rely on summoning minions every time he fought.

Although these Three Axes were tried and true, their flaws were also glaringly obvious. His self-preservation abilities were still lacking, making him vulnerable to a decapitation strike.

This seemed to be the most common problem Official Wizards faced.

He had looked it up on the Sect’s forums, and other Official Wizards shared the same troubles.

That’s why most Official Wizards basically holed up in some safe place, quietly conducting research and building up their spell reserves. Very few of them wandered around outside.

For the time being, Isaac wouldn’t be going out either...

That was impossible.

Soon, in about a month, his period of Mana instability should end. When that happened, he would need to go out and find a suitable location to set up his advancement ritual.

Unlike his previous two rituals, which could be performed anywhere, advancing to Grand Wizard had much more detailed requirements regarding terrain, population, and local culture and beliefs. For example, the advancement ritual he’d purchased, the Sleep of the Witch, had to be performed in a village or town that had given birth to three Witches. Furthermore, the location had to have a bed that had borne the "Ode to Life" of at least three Witches...

It was completely absurd, but those were the requirements. And believe it or not, such places actually existed!

The ritual he bought even came with a list of four suitable locations!

That’s why he’d always suspected that Witch-type rituals were probably just something Witches had created and circulated specifically to make money...

It was so damn unprofessional!

A pity they were sometimes *too* professional. There was no such thing as a "Taste of the Witch" ritual, apparently...

On behalf of his big brother Caesar, Isaac issued a strong condemnation!

But aside from needing to go out for his advancement ritual, there was another matter that constantly weighed on his mind...

Princess Philo!

He, Isaac, may not have been an Abbot, but he was certainly a petty man!

Although he hadn’t come out on the losing end of their battle in Philis, that was only because he was powerful. Anyone else would have been devoured whole by her long ago!

Could he forget such a grudge?

Absolutely not!

But just as he couldn’t kill Philo back in Philis Town, he couldn’t make a move against her as long as she remained within the Empire’s borders. The same was true for her.

But they were both Legendary Mages. Isaac needed to venture out, so wouldn’t Philo have to as well?

The moment Philo left the Empire would be the moment he made his move!

So, first, it was time to eat.

Isaac patted his stomach, stood up, and walked out. The two rituals had taken up his entire morning. Now in a good mood, he decided to get some food.

After he ate, he would come back and study the materials he’d received from the Sect. He could start by looking into demons for a solution to his Magic Power problem. The Demon Dominator was a good school of thought; he’d research that first.

At the dinner table, staring at the simple food before him, Isaac suddenly realized he had a problem—one even more urgent than all his research projects combined!

"Which one of you knows how to cook?" Isaac looked up and asked Liu Li and Smith.

Yes, Isaac had just realized that a chef had become the most pressing issue in his domain!

Because Isaac was dismissing everyone else, even the formidable Guard Team had been unwilling to stay, let alone an Ordinary person like the chef. Apparently, ever since Isaac became a Wizard, the chef hadn’t had a single good night’s sleep, terrified each day that his head would be eaten by Isaac’s Demon Claw!

Therefore, upon learning Isaac was willing to let them go, the chef and the maids had signed the papers the moment the guards did. In a few days, the vast castle would likely be without a cook...

Isaac himself could cook. He still had the skills from his past life, so making a few simple dishes was no problem. The issue was, what kind of master cooks for his servants?

He might not mind, but Smith and Liu Li certainly would.

However, in response to his question, Smith and Liu Li simply looked at each other.

Smith: "..."

Liu Li: "..."

"Alright, so neither of you can. Looks like I’ll have to hire a chef after all." Isaac rolled his eyes, speared a piece of meat, and popped it into his mouth. He wasn’t particularly surprised by this outcome.

Smith was the butler; he managed cooks, he wasn’t a cook himself. It was perfectly normal that he couldn’t cook. At best, he could probably whip up some simple home-style dishes—and considering these were medieval home-style dishes, it was the kind of stuff that dogs in the 21st century wouldn’t even touch!

And though Liu Li had the appearance of a maid, that was just for Isaac’s personal tastes; she wasn’t actually a maid. Isaac’s designated role for her was more of an experimental assistant. When there was work, the assistant did it; when there wasn’t... well, when there wasn’t, she could find something to do. She could also act as muscle. Housework was not within her job description.

So, he still needed to hire a chef. But who would be willing to come?

Isaac speared another piece of meat and put it in his mouth, then slowly shook his head. Given his reputation, probably no one would dare to apply. Even if someone did, he wouldn’t necessarily trust them. ’So, maybe I can ask the almighty netizens... Perhaps there’s a spell that can solve my troubles~’

After finishing his meal, Isaac posted a help thread on the Sect’s forums before diving back into the study of Witchcraft. He started with the Evil Power Encyclopedia and the Demon Contract: Apprentice Chapter. This would not only solve his Magic Power shortage but also constituted the spells he needed to learn for his research project, killing two birds with one stone.