Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 292 A sudden turn of events
Ron turned to the associate professor and bowed slightly:

“It certainly takes considerable ambition to drive such a project, but I prefer to call it a ‘vision’.”

"Vision, ambition, these are all just word games."

Chester shook his head slightly:
"The important thing is, where did you get the inspiration for this idea? This concept sounds very... familiar."

Ron keenly caught a subtle change in the other person's tone.

"Actually, the inspiration for this idea came from some ancient documents I recently read."

He answered frankly:
"In particular, the theoretical framework of 'consciousness archiving' in Lance the Alchemist's experimental notes gave me a lot of inspiration."

Ron noticed that the judges' expressions subtly changed when the name "Lance" was mentioned.

"In addition, there are some basic theories about the construction of mental networks that he gained from his collaboration with the King of Illusions..."

Before he could finish speaking, the atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly changed.

Chester sat bolt upright, a wary glint in his eyes: "Wait, you mentioned the 'King of Illusions'?"

“Yes.” Ron nodded, a vague sense already forming in his mind:
"Lance's notes mention that he and the King of Illusions had studied similar topics together."

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly became tense.

The judges exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from initial amazement and curiosity to caution and wariness.

“Assistant Coach Ralph.” Miner’s tone became unusually formal:

"You seem to be quite knowledgeable about these historical materials. May I ask where you obtained this information?"

As far as I know, most of Lance's experimental records are strictly kept by the Court of Truth and are not made public.

Ron immediately realized that he had inadvertently touched a sensitive area.

"At the Lance Memorial Day celebration, I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of the Lance Experiment Notebook."

He answered cautiously, "That was one of the prizes for the Rainbow Ring competition."

“Oh, I think there was something like that recently.” Rafa’s expression relaxed slightly.

"That notebook was a specially selected public version, which mainly recorded some basic theories and safety experimental records."

"So, you also learned about concepts like 'consciousness uploading' and 'mental networks' from that notebook?"

Chester pressed on, his tone full of doubt.

"Yes, but that's just a very vague conceptual framework."

Ron remained calm: "My idea is mainly based on my own research and an extension of existing technologies."

Silence fell in the room again. The judges looked at each other, seemingly exchanging unspoken words.

Finally, Miner took a deep breath, and a smile returned to his face, but it was noticeably more forced than before.

“Assistant Ralph, your idea is indeed very innovative and forward-thinking.”

However, as the review committee of the academic alliance, we must consider practical feasibility and resource allocation.

Her gaze became unusually focused: "Could you elaborate on what resources are needed to support the first phase of realizing this concept?"

Ron immediately realized that the direction of the conversation had subtly changed.

What could have easily developed into a heated discussion took a sharp turn for the worse, turning into a lukewarm, objective assessment.

"The first phase mainly focuses on further improving the basic functions of the mobile simulated combat device."

He composed himself and returned to a more practical discussion:
"The resources needed include high-quality energy guiding materials, mental energy stabilization devices, and the right to use some experimental sites."

Over the next hour, the discussion became exceptionally specific and technical, focusing entirely on the mobile simulated warfare device he had proposed in his paper.

The grand vision he had just proposed seemed to be tacitly avoided by everyone.

As the meeting drew to a close, Miner exchanged views with those present via telegram and quickly made a final decision:
"Based on the evaluation of your research, the School Alliance has decided to allocate 50 magic stones as research funding and provide a basic database of simulated objects for testing your device."

Fifty magic stones—this number was far below Ron's expectations.

In the Crystal Spire, a typical medium-sized research project can usually earn at least 100 magic stones as start-up capital.

"This funding is limited to the procurement of materials and acquisition of knowledge directly related to mobile combat simulation devices."

Miner added:
"At the same time, we hope that you can submit a progress report every month, recording in detail the research results and the use of funds."

Ron nodded slightly, his face showing no disappointment:

"Thank you for the review committee's support. I will ensure that this funding is used most effectively."

“There’s one more thing I need to emphasize,” Chester, who had been sitting in the corner, suddenly spoke up again:
"Regarding that 'grand idea' you just mentioned, after discussion, we all suggest that you put it on hold for the time being."

Projects of that scale involve many complex issues; you're not at your current level yet..."

Miner, not far away, coughed lightly and gave him a reproachful look. Seeing this, Chester had no choice but to change his tune on the spot:
"Oh, that's certainly true. Please conduct a more careful risk assessment."

Ron then looked at Miner and read a warning in her eyes.

“I understand,” he replied calmly. “Thank you all for your advice. Every step of the research should indeed be taken on a more solid path.”

The meeting then concluded, and Ron shook hands with each of the judges to say goodbye.

As he shook hands with Chester, the latter leaned slightly forward and whispered using magical communication:

"Young people, there are some theories that are best not touched lightly, especially those that are associated with great people."

Ron paused slightly, but maintained his composure: "Thank you for your advice, Professor Chester."

Leaving the review office building, he stepped into the blinding sunlight, his feelings extremely complicated.

Fifty magic stones—this amount of money isn't even enough to buy an advanced guidance system, let alone support the initial experiments for his grand vision.

On his way back to his residence, Ron's thoughts kept drifting back to the scene at the review meeting.

He carefully reviewed his statement, trying to figure out exactly what had touched a nerve with the judges.

"It seems that the atmosphere completely changed when I mentioned the concepts of the 'King of Illusions' and the consciousness-sharing network."

He pondered for a moment and deduced the conclusion:
"Is the concept itself against some ethical norm, or is everything related to the 'King of Illusions' considered taboo?"

He recalled the vague record of "consciousness archive" in Lance's notes, and the other party himself mentioned that the idea was a bit too bold.

"Perhaps this idea is not just 'bold,' but touches on some of the bottom lines of the wizarding world."

Ron gradually realized something: "Or rather, there is some history and hidden story behind this that I do not yet know."

In any case, the allocation of 50 magic stones and the associate professor's warning clearly demonstrate one thing:
His grand vision will not receive any support from the academic alliance at this stage.

"Looking at it from another angle, maybe this isn't such a bad thing," Ron said, trying to calm himself down.
"It would be unwise to rush into such a massive project without fully understanding the risks involved."

Fortunately, the improvement of the mobile simulation warfare device itself will not be greatly affected.

Despite limited funds, he was still able to supplement his research funding through teaching income and other means.

On the other hand, the database of simulation objects provided by the academic alliance will also provide important support for the functional testing of the device.

"Focus on doing the things at hand well first, and then consider longer-term plans."

Ron warned himself, but at the same time, curiosity was quietly growing in his heart.

He was quite interested in the mysterious "Queen of Illusions" and the creatures in the "Fairy Land" she ruled.

"Fairy Village... Fairies, are they the kind of fairies I'm thinking of?" A desire to investigate welled up in his heart.

Furthermore, Lance's notes mention that his illusory remains were entrusted to this friend for safekeeping...

Putting aside these vague targets, he must act more cautiously and discreetly before proceeding.

The academic circles in the Central Lands are far more complex than they appear on the surface, and a slight misstep could lead to some dangerous boundaries.

He gently shook his head, temporarily suppressing these thoughts.

As Ron walked past a crystal ornament shop, he suddenly remembered that he still needed to contact Reynolds.

Although the grand vision of a “consciousness network” has been temporarily thwarted, the plan to cultivate one’s own “autophagic slime” can still proceed.

He took out a small communication crystal from his spatial bag, gently infused it with magic, and selected Reynolds' communication emblem.

The crystal immediately emitted a faint blue light, indicating that it was attempting to connect.

A moment later, Reynolds' voice came from the crystal.

There were subtle noises and echoes, suggesting the other person was in an area of ​​unstable magical field. "Ron! It's been a while. I didn't expect you to contact me."

Reynolds' voice sounded tired: "I heard you made quite a splash at the Lance Festival recently?"

"It's alright, it's just a game."

Ron made a casual remark, not wanting to elaborate on the topic, and quickly moved on to the main point:
"I have a small project coming up that requires the purchase of some abyssal materials. I heard that the observation station is about to hold a quarterly material exchange meeting?"

“Ah! You mean that?” Reynolds’s voice became more enthusiastic:
"That's right, it will start in three days and last for a week."

This is a rare opportunity; many explorers will bring back various samples, and the prices are significantly lower than through conventional channels.

"What specific materials will be needed? Is there a detailed list?" Ron cut straight to the point.

"Of course. I can request a reference list from the administrator, however..."

Reynolds' voice suddenly became mysterious:

"If you tell me what you need, I might be able to keep an eye out for it beforehand and even get you a better price. I do have some connections here."

After thinking for a moment, Ron decided to tell him the truth.

As an internal member of the Abyss Observatory, Reynolds could indeed provide considerable convenience in terms of material procurement.

"I need the basic materials to cultivate 'Autophagic Slime', especially 'Void Slime' and 'Mutant Catalyst'."

He listed his needs:
"In addition, I am also very interested in abyssal crystals or similar items with high energy content."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the communication crystal, followed by Reynolds inhaling:

"You're seriously trying to breed specialized autophagic slimes? That's a field that only those approaching the level of a master modifier can handle!"

His voice was filled with amazement, then quickly turned to excitement:
"But it's understandable. With your performance on the 'Rainbow Ring,' you are certainly qualified to try this direction."

I'll keep an eye out for materials for you. 'Void Slime' has been selling very well in recent years, so many exploration teams have brought back large quantities of samples.

"What are the specific figures?" Ron got straight to the point.

“The normal price might be two to three hundred magic stone fragments per standard unit, but through my inside connections, I can reduce it to around one hundred and fifty or sixty.”

Reynolds calculated:

"Other materials can be 30 to 40% cheaper, but it's hard to say about high-energy materials like abyssal crystals with higher purity. Those things are always in high demand."

This price is indeed much more favorable than purchasing through the Crystal Spire teacher channel, which demonstrates the significant role played by the network.

Ron quickly did some mental calculations.

At this price, it would take about three to four complete magic stones to train a specialized autophagy slime.

Including other miscellaneous materials and experimental costs, it will cost about five pieces in total, which is much cheaper than the six hundred magic stone fragments required by the school for all materials alone.

"The price is acceptable." He considered his financial situation.
“My potion orders have increased recently, and with the bonus from the Rainbow Ring, I should have enough funds to support this project.”

"That's great!" Reynolds' voice was full of anticipation.

"Just come to the observation station in Dawn Harbor and I'll arrange everything for you."

A shout came from the other side of the crystal, and he hurriedly said goodbye:
"Sorry, I still have work to do. See you in three days, I'll send you the detailed list."

After the communication ended, Ron put the crystal back into his spatial bag and began to consider his financial situation.

His potion customer base has expanded significantly in the past few weeks.

It gradually expanded from a few apprentices to more than a dozen regular clients, including several members from wizard clans.

This is largely thanks to Elliott's introduction.

Although it hasn't been long, the income has already reached about two complete magic stones per week.

In addition, there's the twenty magic stones prize money from the "Rainbow Ring" competition, and the two magic stones from the school's monthly teaching assistant salary.

After setting aside some funds for emergencies, he currently has about thirty magic stones as operating funds.

“That’s enough.” Ron calculated in his mind:

“It takes about five magic stones to cultivate an autophagic slime. In addition, you can buy some high-energy abyssal materials. The remaining magic stones can be used for daily expenses and other experiments.”

Back in the workshop, he took out a small booklet with a leather cover and began to carefully record his financial plan and materials list.

The list details all the materials required:
The basic components include "Void Mucus" and "Mutant Catalyst," as well as some auxiliary materials such as "Stabilizer" and "Energy Conduit."

His pen suddenly stopped halfway through writing.

He had just asked Reynolds to keep an eye on abyssal crystals because they were related to the advancement of the "Substitute Puppet".

Once the puppet is fully charged, it will unlock the so-called "avatar form" function, allowing it to fight and explore independently, far away from itself.

If this conjecture is correct, then he can realize a bold plan:

During the exploration of the abyss, one should remain in a relatively safe area while a substitute puppet enters the more dangerous deeper areas in his place.

"In this way, the main body can avoid deep risks while acquiring more valuable abyssal materials and experience."

Ron quickly jotted down the idea:

"Combining the Abyss Crystal obtained from Town 69 with the high-energy materials that will soon be purchased should provide enough energy to push the Stand puppet to 100% charge."

He recorded several possible combinations of materials, along with their respective advantages, disadvantages, and risk factors.

"The plan is indeed feasible, but it needs to be approached with caution."

Ron thought to himself:
"Energy fluctuations during the charging process can lead to unpredictable results and must be carried out in an isolated environment."

After finishing the last sip of tea, he immediately threw himself into his other work.

On the one hand, we will continue to improve the simulated combat equipment. Although the funding support is not as good as expected, the basic functions can still be promoted as planned.
On the other hand, there's the matter of preparing the procurement of materials for the Abyss, as well as the preparation of some magic potions.

Over the next few days, Ron kept busy with teaching, potion-making, and research.

He spends several hours each day fulfilling potion orders from his apprentices or acquaintances.

………………

In the laboratory, Ron was manipulating a ball of silver liquid, shaping it into various intricate forms.

"Mentor, your technique is truly amazing."

Liz stood to the side, her eyes filled with admiration:

“It might take an ordinary potion master three or four days to complete this process, but you only took a few hours.”

Ron shook his head slightly:

"This is simply the result of practice makes perfect. Skills are not acquired out of thin air, but are achieved through countless practices and attempts to reach the current level."

His fingertips twirled slightly, and the potion finally solidified into a crystal-clear silver sphere, emitting a soft glow.

"This is the last batch of orders. Please tell them to come and pick it up tomorrow."

Ron carefully poured the potion into a special crystal bottle and handed it to Liz:

"Then I might go out for a few days. If there is any emergency, you can contact me through the communication crystal."

Liz nodded seriously and carefully took the potion:

"Are you going to purchase materials? I've noticed that your material inventory seems a bit empty lately."

Ron was slightly surprised by the other party's observation skills and replied simply:

“That’s right, some materials need to be procured. This is a necessary part of the research.”

"I really hope that one day I can be like you, able to freely enter and exit those research institutions and access all kinds of rare materials."

Liz's eyes were full of longing:

"However, with my current skill level, I'm afraid I can't even get close to the threshold."

Everyone has their own pace.

Ron suddenly remembered the girl in the Black Mist Forest who also yearned for knowledge:
"The important thing is to keep moving forward, not to compete on speed."

After completing the final preparations, he began to check his list of materials and financial situation.

Everything is ready, and all that's left is to meet with Reynolds.

(End of this chapter)