Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 287 Fairy Village

The performance ended with thunderous applause.

The dancers bowed gracefully in thanks, then concluded their performance with a stunning elemental technique.

Several people raised their hands at the same time, and the four basic elements were arranged to form a perfect rainbow ring.

Every inch of the ring shimmers with Lance's signature seven-colored light, symbolizing a tribute to this great master of bloodline modulation.

After leaving the performance area, the group continued to stroll through the festive atmosphere.

Eve's eyes were almost not enough to take it all in; every new and exciting sight captivated her attention.

Ron noticed that, as time went on, the little princess of the Crown Clan gradually lost her initial reserve.

Instead, she exudes a vivacity closer to her actual age.

"Mentor, look over there!"

Liz suddenly pointed to an archway made of shimmering crystals in the distance:
"That's the 'Garden of Illusions,' one of the most popular attractions during the Lance Festival!"

Ron looked in the direction she was pointing.

It was indeed a marvelous building, with various luminous plants surrounding the archway.

Each one exudes subtle spiritual fluctuations that can influence the viewer's perception and emotions.

The entire area is covered by a semi-transparent magic dome, completely isolating the interior and exterior environments and ensuring that the special environment inside is not disturbed by the outside world.

"It is said that the plants in the Garden of Illusions are special varieties from the Fairy Village, which were specially supplied by the King of Illusions in memory of his friend."

Hermann explained, his voice brimming with the enthusiasm characteristic of a scholar:

"They can release a special kind of hallucinogenic inducement, allowing each visitor to see different scenes, usually the scenes that the subconscious desires or fears the most."

"Fairyland" is recorded in ancient books as the "kingdom" conquered and ruled by the "King of Illusions".

It is home to all sorts of incredible creatures and preserves many rare beasts from the Age of Gods.

This "Queen of Illusions" is a rare female witch queen.

Although at the level of a Grand Wizard, gender becomes less important.

But the beauty of this "King of Illusions" is described by many ancient poems as "a dream that should not exist in the world."

It is said that all who witness its true appearance will fall into a dream from which they cannot wake.

“This project sounds very interesting.” Eve’s amethyst eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"Want to give it a try?"

Ron thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Since it's a holiday, there's no harm in experiencing it."

In his view, this plant-induced hallucination has value on an hedonistic level, but it is also quite worthy of exploration from a research perspective.

Understanding how these plants affect perception might provide him with new insights into the realm of mental abilities.

The group lined up to enter the garden, where a gardener in work clothes handed each person a small "guide flower".

This flower emits a faint blue light and its shape is very similar to a miniature water lily.

"Dear adults, please keep this 'anchor of the heart' safe."

The gardener explained, his voice filled with exhaustion, that the sudden increase in visitors during holidays had placed a heavy burden on them:
"It can provide you with a stable anchor point in the illusion, preventing your consciousness from being completely lost."

If you feel uncomfortable, simply crush the petals gently; the energy within will immediately break the illusionary connection and bring you back to reality.

The moment you step into the garden, the surrounding scenery immediately begins to change.

The original plants and paths gradually blurred, like reflections in water being scattered by the wind, before finally coalescing into a completely new scene.

Everyone sees something different; it all depends on the individual's deepest desires.

Before Ron unfolded an endless starry sky.

But it wasn't from the ground looking up; rather, it was as if he were floating in the center of the universe, surrounded by dazzling stars.

Each star appears much larger, clearer, and closer to its true nature than it does in reality.

He can see the energy flow inside stars and feel the power fluctuations radiating outward from them.

Most remarkably, those stars all seemed to be "alive".

They are no longer distant celestial bodies, but rather energy entities with some kind of consciousness.

He reached out his hand, as if he could directly touch those ancient lights.

[Star Eater's Whispers (Mastery) Experience +1]

The stars in the illusion felt more "friendly" than those in reality, and this experience gave Ron a deeper understanding of the characteristics of his meditation method.

He could clearly sense that each star had its own unique "personality" and "preferences".

Just like creatures with different temperaments, we need to communicate with them in different ways.

What Eve saw was a vast crystal forest.

Each tree is as exquisite as a work of art, with a trunk made of transparent crystal and a magical stream of seven colors flowing inside.

The leaves are sculpted from frozen moonlight, making a crisp, bell-like sound in the breeze.

In this forest, a young white deer is running and leaping freely.

He felt no pain from the "demonic devouring" and no responsibility of the Crown Clan; only pure, unrestrained joy.

Is this freedom?

Eve murmured to herself, her amethyst eyes brimming with tears, a mixture of reluctance and hope.

As they left the "Fantasy Garden," everyone wore different expressions.

Some looked lost in thought, some were excited, some were deep in thought, and some had faint tear stains on their faces.

This experience is both entertaining and a journey of self-discovery.

"What did you see?" Albert couldn't help but ask curiously.

"I saw a vast library."

The usually most mature silver-haired boy, Herman, answered softly, blinking as if he was still unwilling to wake up:
“Every book tells me about higher levels of occult knowledge.”

“I saw my hometown,” Lucia continued, her voice filled with deep longing.
"I haven't been back to that crimson field, or to the strange creatures that roamed it, for three or four years."

“What I see is an endless starry sky,” Ron replied briefly, without further explanation.

That was, after all, his own achievement, and he didn't need to share too many details with others.

Eve smiled slightly, her amethyst eyes filled with a dreamy look: "I saw freedom."

These few simple words perfectly express the endless longing in the black-haired princess's heart.

Just then, the clock tower in the distance struck seven times, announcing the arrival of night.

All the lights in Dawn Harbor were turned on.

It wasn't ordinary firelight or magic lamps, but countless tiny magical starlight.

Like fragments of stars scattered across the earth, they draped the entire city in a dreamlike silver veil.

"It's about to begin!" Herman suddenly pointed excitedly to the distant Lance Square:
"A Feast of Light! The grand finale of the Lance Festival!"

Ron looked in the direction he pointed and saw that the square was already crowded with people, with a performance area in the center that was separated by a special magic array.

Dozens of wizards dressed in robes of various colors are making final preparations inside.

"We need to find a good spot quickly!"

Lucia urged, her eyes full of anticipation:
"This year's event is larger than in previous years, and it's said that the performers involved are all senior modulators!"

Eve seemed to be caught up in the excitement as well. The nanny golem gently picked up the girl, who was still having some difficulty moving, and quickly moved forward with the others.

The group crossed the street and arrived at Lans Square.

When the crowd recognized Eve, a passage naturally formed again, allowing them to easily reach the front-row viewing area.

Ron noticed that the two nanny golems remained vigilant.

The energy core remains highly active, ready to respond to any potential threats.

A long, drawn-out horn sounded, and the noise in the square immediately quieted down.

All eyes were on the performance area.

With a blinding flash of white light, the performance officially began.

Dozens of beams of light of different colors shot up from all around the square, each representing a specific type of energy.

These beams of light converge high in the center, forming a huge energy vortex, like a mysterious eye that is opening.

The vortex slowly expanded, transforming into a giant halo with a diameter exceeding several hundred meters.

The energy within the ring constantly changes, forming countless tiny patterns and runes, each with its own unique meaning:

Some represent Lance's early experimental records, some his most famous theoretical formulas, and others are the outlines of various strange creatures he created.

"That's a biographical sketch of Lance."

Eve explained softly:

"Legend has it that he created more than three thousand different biological variants in his lifetime, completely rewriting the basic theories and practical methods of bloodline studies."

Look at that!

Lucia suddenly exclaimed, pointing to an emblem in the halo:
"That's the 'triple cycle,' one of Lance's most important theories!"

Ron's gaze was firmly drawn to the emblem.

It was a complex pattern consisting of three snakes with their tails intertwined, representing the theory of the eternal cycle of energy, matter, and soul.

This theory posits that all forms of existence are in an endless cycle.

Energy transforms into matter, matter gives birth to the soul, and the soul guides energy. This is one of the core cornerstones of bloodline modulation, and also the core knowledge imprint symbolizing the discipline of bloodlines today.

The halo continued to change into various patterns, each one eliciting gasps of amazement from the audience.

Finally, the halo began to shrink, and the energy gradually condensed, forming a lifelike humanoid projection—Lance himself.

This projection, nearly 100 meters tall, is made of pure magic yet possesses astonishing detail.

That serious face and those deep, unfathomable eyes revealed an eternal thirst for knowledge.

And the crystal pen that he always carries with him is perfectly reproduced.

"Never be afraid of failure on the path of pursuing knowledge."

The projection spoke, its voice echoing throughout the square:
"Every failure is a stepping stone to success, and every mistake is a stepping stone to truth. Only through perpetual exploration can we illuminate the dark wilderness of ignorance."

This is one of Lance's most famous sayings, which has been regarded as a guiding principle by countless scholars.

Even in the final stages of his life, despite being cursed, he persisted in his daily experiments and records.

Before his complete demise, he completed his most important work, "On the Origin of Bloodlines".

As the proverb ended, the projection slowly dissipated, transforming into a sky full of starlight, showering down on everyone who participated in the celebration.

When these points of light fall on people, they create a subtle feeling of warmth.

It was as if the flame of Lance's wisdom had been ignited in everyone's heart for a moment.

At the end of the performance, thunderous applause erupted in the square.

"It's an indescribable experience. I attend the celebration every year, but I never get tired of watching the performance end," Herman murmured.

"After all, the presentation is different every year."

Liz added, her voice filled with longing:

"It is said that each participant will add unique elements and interpretations based on their own understanding of Lens theory. Perhaps one day, the mentor will also have the opportunity to join this presentation..."

Ron nodded silently, his gaze sweeping lightly over the Lance Experiment Notes in his hand.

Night had fallen, and the celebration was drawing to a close.

The students bid a reluctant farewell to Ron and Eve, promising to meet again the next day, before returning to their dormitories.

"Thank you for your company today, mentor."

Before boarding the "Silver Feather" aircraft, Eve lowered her head slightly and whispered:
"This was the happiest day of my short life. No burdens, no pain, just pure relaxation and joy."

“You’re welcome.” Ron’s face showed a rare gentleness.
"It is a mentor's responsibility and honor to witness students' growth and joy."

He watched the aircraft slowly ascend and disappear into the night sky before returning to his residence with Ailan and Dyer.

Upon returning to my residence, an envelope shimmering with a pale blue light was quietly floating in the center of the living room.

This is a magical communication technique unique to the Crystal Spire, typically used to deliver important notifications.

Ron reached out and took the envelope; the energy fluctuations indicated that it was a message from the Academic Review Office.

He opened the envelope, took out the parchment inside, quickly glanced at the contents, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"The owner seems to be in a good mood."

Ailan keenly noticed the change in his expression: "Is it good news?"

"My paper passed the second round of review."

Ron explained briefly, a sense of satisfaction in his eyes:
"The final contribution value is set at 1200 points, and selected excerpts will be published in the 'New Academic Monthly,' which is one of the most influential secondary academic journals in the Central Region."

"Congratulations, Master!" Ailan and Dale congratulated in unison, and the room became cheerful again.

After patting the little siren's head and sending his two alien servants off to attend to their own business, Ron carefully put away the letter that was shimmering with a pale blue light.

He walked to the sofa in the center of the study, sat down, gently placed his palms on his temples, and closed his eyes.

In his world of consciousness, the ever-expanding "library of consciousness" emerged.

The knowledge neatly arranged on the bookshelf flowed and turned with his thoughts.

"Academic Journals and Schools of Thought"

He called out softly in his heart, and immediately a row of special books floated out from the bookshelf.

The relevant memories and information automatically unfolded in his consciousness space.

"New Academic Monthly," an academic journal co-founded by three associate professors, enjoys a high reputation among second-tier journals in the central region.

Ron's thoughts extended along the hierarchical system of academic journals, sorting through relevant information in the Library of Consciousness.

In the academic circles of wizards in the Abyss Continent, the ranking of publications is very strict, directly affecting a wizard's academic status and influence.

The highest level is undoubtedly the Monument of Truth.

This level transcends the scope of ordinary academic journals, becoming a special record similar to the "Wizard's Chronicle".

The works published there are all creative achievements, and the publishers are basically full professors, that is, the masterpieces of great wizards.

These achievements are often recorded in wizarding history.

Even after hundreds or thousands of years, these papers are still repeatedly cited and discussed, and may even directly influence the development direction of the entire wizarding society.

I've heard that the library at the Crystal Spire houses several complete copies of "The Monument to Truth," which are only accessible to lecturers.

Thinking about this, Ron's slightly satisfied mood calmed down.

Being able to publish a paper in a second-tier journal is already a considerable achievement.

But compared to those true academic peaks, this is only the first step in a long journey.

Next are the first-tier journals, which are the core journals of the seven major schools of thought.

Each school of thought has an official journal in its area of ​​expertise, representing the school's highest academic achievements in that field.

To be able to publish articles in these journals, one needs at least the work of an associate professor, which means that the author has reached a master level in a certain sub-field.

As the most core wizarding organizations in the Abyss Continental Cluster, the seven major schools each hold an irreplaceable authoritative position in their respective fields:
1. "Crystal Spire" - the head of the seven major schools of thought.

Almost all major breakthroughs that have impacted the wizarding world can be traced back to the experimental records at the Crystal Spire.

The corresponding core journal is "Deconstruction".

2. "Elemental Garden" - the authoritative institution related to elements, whose unique ecosystem cultivates thousands of elemental creatures.

Each region simulates a different extreme environment, from volcanic lava to frigid ice fields, providing an unparalleled experimental field for elemental research.

The corresponding core publication is "Crown of Elements".

3. "Dark Hut" - Despite its name, it is actually a large underground complex.

They specialize in the study of concealment, illusion, and mental influence, and their members mostly act in secrecy.

The corresponding core journal is "Shadow Studies".

4. "The Tower of Vibration" - a temple of sound research, the tower itself is a huge tuner, capable of generating and absorbing sound waves of various frequencies.

Its most famous achievement is the "resonance theory," which uses sound as a bridge connecting different dimensions.

The corresponding core publication is "Melody and Harmony".

……

Each school of thought has its own unique characteristics and areas of strength, and together they form the cornerstone of the extraordinary knowledge of the Huanyuan Continental Group.

"Publishing a paper in a top-tier journal already signifies a high level of recognition in the field."

Ron pondered to himself:

"Generally speaking, this is one of the necessary conditions for promotion to associate professor."

Then there are second-tier journals, which are usually founded by a full professor or several associate professors and are licensed and reviewed by academic alliances.

Although these journals are not as authoritative as top-tier journals, they are still quite valuable, and they mainly publish outstanding research results from authors below the associate professor level.

Finally, there are the third-tier journals, mostly founded by small and medium-sized wizarding organizations outside the Central Lands, with varying content quality.

Even with contribution points as a reward, it usually doesn't exceed 200 points.

These journals may not be of high quality, but they still play an irreplaceable role as channels for knowledge dissemination.

This is especially true for those peripheral regions far from the central lands.

The journal he is about to appear in, "Emerging Academic Monthly," focuses on the interdisciplinary innovation of alchemy, bloodline modulation, and potion-making, and is an important platform for the younger generation of wizards to showcase their talents.

And to be able to publish one's paper in such a second-tier journal within six months.

Even within the academic halls of the Crystal Spire, it is a sign of rapid rise.

Many seasoned wizards who have worked hard for many years may not be able to achieve such success.

Ron nodded slightly, a faint sense of satisfaction rising from the bottom of his heart, but it was quickly suppressed by his rationality.

Any emotional satisfaction is temporary; true value lies in the power gained from knowledge itself.

In addition to informing him of the paper's contribution value and the news that it would be selectively published in the "Emerging Academic Monthly," the letter also included...

He was also invited to visit the review office when he had time to discuss the specifics of the paper's publication.

The discussion also included further improvements to the mobile simulated combat device, as well as details of the School Alliance's investment in the project.

Ron's eyes showed a thoughtful look at the "investment of the School Alliance".

He picked up the quill pen on the table and wrote on the reply paper:
"Dear Review Committee:"
Thank you for your recognition and invitation.

Due to limited business during the holidays, I will come to discuss the relevant matters on the afternoon of the first day after my holiday ends (i.e., Wednesday).

Your faithful
Ron Ralph

(End of this chapter)