Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 306 Path

Ron did not respond immediately.

Indeed, during his study of "The Star Eater's Ramblings," he felt the greedy impulses emanating from the "devourer" more than once.

It was a primal desire that almost completely swallowed up reason:

It yearns to absorb more stellar energy, to control greater power, and to crush and devour all obstacles.

“I will remain vigilant, Professor.”

He finally answered, his calm and restrained tone as steady as a precision instrument:

"Rational thinking and logical analysis are always the criteria I use to make decisions."

No matter how powerful a force is, it is not worth pursuing if it cannot be effectively controlled.

What I need is controlled power, not out-of-control destruction.

Yutel's phantom silently watched him.

After a moment of silence, the old professor let out a soft sigh, his illusory figure swaying slightly, like a candle flame flickering in a gentle breeze.
"You know what, Ron?"

His voice was filled with emotion, a profound feeling that had been accumulated over thousands of years:
"Under normal circumstances, I can only exist for another thirty or forty years at most, and then, like other great wizards, I will completely dissipate under the erosion of time."

While condensing a ethereal body allows consciousness to persist, it is ultimately not true immortality.

"But the kindness you've shown me during this time of learning..."

He paused, his voice clearly filled with shock:
"The purity and intensity even surpassed those of my two best students, Allen and Cassandra, back then."

Leaving aside Allen at that time, you know Cassandra; she was a top-tier genius with first-rate talent.

The old professor's tone became somewhat agitated, and the light emanating from the phantom flickered accordingly:

“Your grace is not only incredibly pure, but it also possesses a certain quality. Just a few months of teaching has extended my life by at least ten years!”

Ron raised an eyebrow slightly; this information was indeed unexpected.

He knew his favor was indeed somewhat special, but he hadn't expected the effect to be so significant.

This may be related to his original identity as a wizard, or it may be due to a certain characteristic of the "class panel" itself.

"This also explains why Little Eve's 'demonic devouring' symptoms were alleviated by your grace."

Yutel continued:

"Ordinary favors can only cleanse the mind, but your favors can penetrate to the soul and repair the fundamental defects caused by human manipulation."

This ability is virtually unprecedented, even in history.

The old professor's illusory figure floated slowly in the air, his voice becoming even more solemn:

“You are a true anomaly, Ron. Not just because of your talent and strength, but also because of that unique balance you possess.”

“Balance?” Ron repeated, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

“Yes.” Yutel nodded, and the phantom became clearer:
“Practitioners of ‘The Devourer’s Whispers’ are usually influenced by the devouring instinct within it, gradually becoming brutal and greedy. But you are different; while pursuing power, you still maintain rationality and restraint.”

The old professor's voice carried an almost reverent expectation:

“This shows me a possibility. Maybe you really can control ‘The Star Eater’s Whispers’, instead of being controlled by it. That’s the fundamental reason why I choose to believe in you.”

Yutel paused for a moment, his phantom trembling slightly, as if making some important decision:
"Therefore, I would like to make an agreement with you."

His tone became unusually serious, and a silver light gathered as well:

"If you can remain steadfast on your path until I am completely gone, uncorrupted by the influence of meditation, and maintain your rationality and self-control..."

The old professor took a deep breath, as if revealing a very important secret:
“I will give you the ‘Selna’s Void Remains’ that Kalix left me back then.”

These words caused Ron's pupils to shrink instantly.

Selna's ethereal remains! They are the legacy of a legendary being who was once plundered by the "Blood King" and later reclaimed by Kalix!

"That contains the key to unlocking the 'Chaotic Blood World'."

Yutel continued, his voice carrying a hint of suggestion:

"It's much easier to replace that crippled false king than to build a kingdom from scratch."

A ready-made alternate world, though filled with chaos and bloodshed, already has its basic structure in place; it only needs a true king to reintegrate it.

A sly glint appeared in the old professor's eyes:
"And you should still remember the 'Seed of the Throne' that you obtained from the 'Holy Disc' when you first became a formal wizard, right?"

Ron had a sudden thought; Mrs. Allen had said she would handle it.

It now appears that this precious spoils of war have fallen into the hands of Yutel?
However, considering that Yutel was once Mrs. Allen's mentor, this is understandable.

“I’ve been waiting for the right time to bring this up with you.”

Yutel's voice was filled with obvious anticipation:
"Once you join the Abyss Observatory, we can conduct in-depth research on the 'Throne Seed' in the safest environment."

His phantom became even brighter:

“That is a complete ‘seed of the throne’, containing fragments of authority at the level of a supreme apostle.”

Ron's breathing quickened slightly; the value of this information far exceeded his expectations.

A key to another world, the legacy of a top wizard.

Furthermore, with the throne seed containing the supreme authority of an apostle, his path to a higher level is already clearly visible.

"However, are there any conditions attached to this promise?" he asked cautiously.

"The conditions are as I just stated." Yutel's illusory figure smiled slightly.
"Stay as you are, and don't let power corrupt your true self."

Of course, I don't expect you to be some kind of savior; it's enough if you don't become the next Cassandra.

The old professor's tone softened somewhat:
"In addition, once you reach the Moon Rank, if you want to conduct 'historical event infiltration', I will provide you with the necessary support and assistance."

That process was extremely dangerous; without the guidance of experienced historians, the mortality rate was close to 90%.

"I will try my best not to disappoint you, Professor."

He finally answered, his tone filled with genuine respect:
"While I cannot guarantee that I will never make mistakes, I can promise that reason and logic will always be the basis of my actions."

"hope so."

Yutel's phantom nodded slightly:

"However, I must remind you of something even more urgent."

Cassandra's return will likely result in the implementation of a completely new management system.

The old professor's voice became more serious, and the phantom image became more solid:

"The traditional contribution value system will operate in parallel with the so-called 'battle merit' system, and the mandatory conscription system may also be restarted."

For a rare genius like you, she would likely try to win you over and control you through various means.

"First, they offer small favors to give you a taste of success, and then at a crucial moment, they use even greater temptations to bind your future."

Yutel's phantom paused in mid-air, his voice carrying a deep warning:
"You need to understand that ordinary soul contracts do indeed have the potential to be broken by practitioners of the True Path. After all, your soul structure has become exceptionally resilient due to your connection with higher beings."

But if it's a contract bound to a soul anchor.

He didn't finish speaking, but Ron already understood what he meant.

The contract on the anchor is an absolute bond that is almost impossible to break free from, and even a great wizard would find it difficult to escape.

It's like having an invisible shackle placed on your soul, one you can never break free from.

“I can guess what this little guy’s plan is,” Yutel continued his analysis:
"First, give her some seemingly generous help and resources to make you feel grateful and dependent on her. Then, when you reach the Moon-level and are preparing to break through to the Dark Sun-level, take the opportunity to launch an attack."

The old professor's voice turned cold:

"She will time it perfectly, and then use force when you are unable to resist."

Ron listened silently, his impression of Cassandra being refreshed once again.

Every move the opponent made was calculated with extreme precision; they were playing a massive game of chess.

And he is very likely an important piece in this game.

"Is there any way to deal with this?" he asked directly, his eyes flashing with a calm, thoughtful light.

"There are some unconventional methods."

Yutel's phantom became blurry, as if hesitating whether he should speak:
"Historians possess a special ability that we call 'historical fog.' The 'historical fog' allows them to selectively obscure certain information about their past, causing confusion in the memories of those who are trying to spy on them regarding specific content."

His voice became even more mysterious:

"Simply put, it's about making the other person 'forget' certain traits or experiences of yours, thereby avoiding targeted strategies based on this information."

The old professor's voice became more cautious:

"Of course, this technology also has limitations. It can only blur memories, not completely erase them, and it has limited effect on some powerful wizards with exceptionally strong souls."

But at crucial moments, even the slightest advantage can change the entire situation.

Ron nodded and began to think. This ability did sound very useful, but it was also quite risky.

If discovered, the consequences of deception could be more severe than direct confrontation.

"Furthermore, if you can master the techniques of soul splitting and life casket creation."

Yutel's words contained a clear implication:

"In theory, one can transfer their core consciousness and memories to a hidden container, and even if the original body is bound by a contract, one can still retain a certain degree of autonomy."

However, these are all extremely dangerous technologies; a single mistake can lead to anything from a split personality to a shattered soul.

This ancient "mystic" was indeed offering him possible solutions to future crises, although these solutions all came with enormous risks.

"By the way, I think the 'Master Sword Activation' plan you mentioned before is very promising."

Yutel suddenly changed the subject:
"If you decide to join the Abyss Observatory, I can provide some technical support."

Especially in the process of condensing the Master Sword, that is likely a crucial step in forming the prototype of a personal soul anchor.

His ghostly figure moved closer to Ron:
"A true master sword is not merely a weapon, but an extension of will and a manifestation of the soul."

If you can incorporate all your abilities and traits into it, it can become your most reliable protection.

Even when faced with the strongest constraints, the power that truly belongs to oneself can never be taken away.

"Combining the research findings on the 'Throne Seed', we might be able to create an unprecedented soul weapon."

A glint of anticipation flashed in Yutel's eyes:
"Imagine what kind of existence a demonic sword would be, one that combines the authority of an apostle with all your own abilities?"

The meaning of these words is quite clear.

“I will seriously consider this suggestion, Professor,” Ron replied cautiously, without making an immediate commitment.
“Your advice is extremely valuable to me, and I need time to carefully weigh the pros and cons.”

"Time is running out, young man."

Yutel's phantom began to become transparent, clearly indicating that this prolonged projection had taken a toll on his energy.
"Cassandra's return will gradually change the power structure of the Crystal Spire. Hopefully, by then, you will be fully prepared."

His voice became unusually weak, almost a whisper:

"In this world, some choices, once made, cannot be reversed. But sometimes, not making a choice is the most dangerous choice."

The old professor's phantom image became even more ethereal:

"I have lived long enough and witnessed too many rises and falls, successes and failures."

But you are different; you have endless possibilities.

Whatever path you choose, understand that power is merely a means, and never let the means become the end.

With these profound words, Yutel's ethereal projection completely vanished.

The silver light spread like ripples on water, eventually merging into the air, leaving only a subtle energy fluctuation.

Ron stood alone in the containment chamber, his mind replaying the information he had just heard.

From the Forgotten Hall to the conquest of another world, from the power struggles within the school to the life-or-death choices of his personal destiny, every piece of information struck his heart like a heavy hammer.

But at the same time, he also felt a clarity he had never experienced before.

It's like a person walking in the fog suddenly seeing a lighthouse in the distance; although the road is still rugged, the direction is clear.

"Selna's illusory remains, the seed of the throne, and a world of chaotic blood."

Ron began to construct complex deductive models in his mind, analyzing various possible development paths.

If you accept Yutel's protection and plans, the path to power will be right before your eyes, but you will also bear the corresponding responsibilities.
If he refuses, he might be able to keep a low profile for the time being, but sooner or later he will still have to face pressure from the conquest faction.

"However, this is not a choice we need to make right now. I have at least several decades of buffer time."

He rationally analyzed the situation:
"Professor Utter's condition is that one must adhere to the path and not be corrupted by meditation."

Whether or not there was that promise, this was something I should have done.

Ron took a deep breath and began to organize his thoughts.

As a rational researcher, he knew that emotional decisions often lead to disastrous consequences.

No matter how timely Yutel's reminder was, no matter how perilous the road ahead, he had to remain calm and logical.

"First, it is necessary to confirm that there are indeed traces of erasure in one's memory."

He formulated an investigation plan in his mind:

"We can try using the newly acquired 'sensory' property to see if we can find any clues."

If someone truly was swallowed by the Forgotten Lands, then traces would surely have been left in some objects or places.

………………

As the sun sets, the heart of the Emerald Forest is bathed in a warm, golden glow.

Ancient, towering trees embraced each other, their thick trunks covered with all sorts of strange vines that emitted a faint magical glow.

Protected by these natural barriers, the Emerald Tower stands quietly in the center of a wide forest clearing.

The main building of this wizarding school is not a traditional stone tower, but a giant ancient tree that has been specially cultivated.

Its trunk has a diameter of over fifty meters and a height of an astonishing three hundred meters. Its canopy is like a huge emerald green canopy, sheltering the entire settlement from wind and rain.

What is most breathtaking is that the interior of this ancient tree has been completely hollowed out and redesigned to form a fully functional multi-story building system.

The spiral staircase winds its way up the inner wall of the tree trunk, with each floor serving a different purpose—laboratories, libraries, conference halls, and living quarters, among others.

The natural textures on the tree trunk's surface are inlaid with countless luminous magical crystals, providing lighting and energy to the interior.

What's even more amazing is that this ancient tree still retains its vitality.

The newly sprouted branches and leaves will automatically adjust their shape according to the needs of the residents, providing them with the most comfortable living environment.

Dozens of small buildings of various shapes are scattered in the open space around the ancient tree.

Some are exquisite little houses woven from living vines, some are cave dwellings carved directly inside giant mushrooms, and some are treehouses suspended in mid-air, connected to each other by flexible vine bridges.

Throughout the settlement, various strange creatures coexist harmoniously with humans.

These enormous beetles faithfully perform the task of carrying heavy objects, often with various experimental equipment or daily necessities on their carapaces.
Colorful birds soar freely in the air, delivering messages to the residents;
Even those seemingly ordinary flowers and plants possess amazing abilities—some can predict weather changes, and some can purify harmful substances in the air.

In this vibrant environment, an important gathering is being held in the main conference hall inside the ancient tree.

Dozens of young apprentices sat in living chairs arranged according to their rank.

These seats are actually small, specially cultivated plants that can automatically adjust their shape and firmness according to the sitter's size and preferences.

The intensity of the light emitted by the chair directly corresponds to the occupant's status and potential rating within the school of thought.

The front row seats near the podium shone like stars; those were reserved for true geniuses.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today we are going to announce the update of the candidate wizard sequence for this quarter."

Standing on the platform was a slender half-elf woman, with typical Emerald Tower blood:
Her long, green hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall; her skin was fair with a hint of green; and her amber eyes sparkled with the wisdom of an ancient forest.

As the academic director of the Emerald Tower, every word Vera speaks carries immense weight.

"After rigorous evaluation and assessment, we have decided to promote Lilia Devont to twentieth in the candidate list."

As soon as Vera finished speaking, a subtle rustling sound rang out in the conference room.

This is a private exchange between apprentices using their mental powers.

In a place like the Emerald Tower, where etiquette is highly valued, it is extremely impolite to speak out directly.

Cedric, the blond male apprentice sitting in the twenty-first seat, had no change in expression, but there was an imperceptible gloom in his blue eyes.

(End of this chapter)