Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 347 The Consequences of Angering "Mother"
First up is the main course—a huge heart that is still beating faintly.

This heart is half a person tall, covered with crystal-clear scales, and emits a melodious echo with each beat.

"This is the heart of the 'echo whale'."

Nari gently stroked the surface of the vesicle, her voice filled with maternal pride:

"Echo whales are rare creatures that only appear from the sixth layer of the abyss onwards. They feed on sound and store the purest sound wave essence in their hearts."

"Mom fought with Lag from the sixth floor to catch this echo whale."

Its voice carried a hint of girlish boasting:

"Although Mom suffered a minor injury, it's nothing for my baby."

Next came the side dish—a few strange vine shoots that seemed to emanate the pulse of time.

These tender shoots are translucent, and you can see time flowing like liquid inside them.

“These are the tender shoots of the ‘Time Vine,’ a precious plant that grows on the edge of a time rift.”

Nari introduced them as if they were his own treasures:

"By eating them, my baby will be able to better perceive the flow of time and gain the upper hand in battle."

Finally, there was the dessert—a fist-sized crystal with a dreamy glow flowing inside.

This crystal contains countless tiny points of light, each a fragment of an independent dream.

"Dream Crystals store fragments of all sorts of beautiful dreams."

Nari's tone softened further:
"Mom specially selected those dreams full of love and warmth, hoping that my baby can feel happiness as he grows up."

"Come on, my little angel, it's time to eat."

Nari carefully placed the precious materials near the puppet, then watched the reaction with anticipation:

"Eat slowly, don't rush. Mom will stay here with you."

The runic circuits on the puppet's surface began to respond to these high-quality "foods".

The silver light was brighter than ever before.

Those complex energy channels extend out like blood vessels, precisely contacting every piece of material.

When the heart of the echo whale was broken down, it released beautiful sound waves that resonated throughout the treasure vault, filling it with heavenly harmony.

The tender shoots of the Time Vine transformed into a pure flow of time, creating tiny ripples in spacetime around the puppet.

The dream crystal radiated rainbow-like light, and countless beautiful images flashed in the air.

"Great! Great!"

Nari was so excited that his whole body trembled, and countless tentacles danced wildly in the air:
"My baby is eating so deliciously, Mommy is so happy!"

As the lavish "feast" was digested, the puppet's emanating blessings reached an unprecedented intensity.

That pure and warm energy, like a spring breeze, caressed Nari's chaotic consciousness, reorganizing those tangled threads of thought into order.

"This feeling……"

Nari experienced an unprecedented clarity of thought, his eyes filled with rapt attention:
"It's like returning to my mother's embrace, so warm and safe..."

Nourished by the puppet's grace, Nari's intelligence is steadily improving.

Those previously chaotic thoughts began to possess logic, and emotional fluctuations became more stable and controllable.

Most importantly, it began to be able to engage in complex strategic thinking.

"Since the news can't be kept secret anyway, I might as well tell Lord Cha Ye first."

Nari muttered to himself, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement:
"He will be so happy to see how wonderful my baby is."

"Maybe it will even give me more hunting privileges, allowing me to obtain more good things for my baby."

But amidst the excitement, an instinctive sense of vigilance also quietly arises.

It knows the survival rules of the abyss best.

The strong plunder everything from the weak; this is an immutable law.

Although Cha Ye was its "direct superior," in the face of absolute interests, this superior-subordinate relationship would only further fuel its predatory ambitions.

"but……"

A deep sense of unease welled up within Nari:

"If Lord Chazelle wants to forcibly take my treasure..."

………………

The ninth layer of the abyss, the deepest part of the magma sea.

Cha Ye continued his daily extreme training, his massive body enduring temperatures and pressures powerful enough to melt mountains.

For the Supreme Apostles, only in such extreme environments can they continue to push their already near-peak physical strength.

Just then, a wave of consciousness came through.

"Lord Zha Ye! Lord Zha Ye!"

Nari's voice was as joyful as a little girl's:
"I have amazing news to tell you! You absolutely have to see my baby!"

Cha Ye's three faces simultaneously revealed different expressions.

The first face (rational) is furrowed, full of doubt:
"What unrealistic thing is this idiot fantasizing about now?"

Last time it claimed to have found the 'perfect subordinate candidate,' but it turned out to be just a slightly smarter abyssal worm.

The second face (greedy) had a burning light in its eyes:
"But this time its tone was a little different..."

That excitement was real, not the self-deceptive fantasy of the past. If there really was something of value…

The third face (cautiously) revealed a wary expression:

"Nari may be foolish, but he has a keen intuition."

Its excitement indicates that something unusual has indeed happened, requiring careful handling.

"Wait, Nari."

Cha Ye suppressed the excitement in his voice, trying his best to maintain a dignified tone:
"Calm down first, and describe the appearance and characteristics of this 'treasure' in detail. I need to determine its origin and safety."

"Yes, yes, Lord Cha Ye!"

Nari, as if he had found a treasure, began to describe it at length:

"It looks like a human-shaped puppet, very small, only this big."

It gestured to indicate the size of a palm:
"But it has beautiful runes on it that emit a silver light, shining like stars."

"And it's very smart! It knows how to choose its food. Whenever I prepare different ingredients for it, it always prioritizes absorbing the most nutritious parts."

Nari's voice became increasingly dreamlike:

"The most amazing thing is the warmth it gives off, like...like a mother's embrace, which makes me feel especially safe and comfortable."

"Since I got it, I haven't had any nightmares, and my chaotic thoughts have become clear. I can even think about several things at the same time now!"

"It's growing very fast, and there are new changes every day. I think it's learning my way of taking care of it and becoming more and more sensible."

After hearing this description, Cha Ye's three brains began to work rapidly to analyze it:
"Humanoid puppet... rune circuit... rapid growth..."

A rational mind was calculating:

"This is definitely not an ordinary abyssal creation. It is very likely an experiment of some advanced civilization or a carrier of some kind of artificial intelligence."

A burning desire ignited in the eyes of that greedy face:
"Regardless of its origin, it is an item that can provide a steady increase in blessings. If I could obtain it..."

The cautious face, however, issued a warning:

"But such items of unknown origin are very likely some kind of trap."

What if it's an alchemist's spy tool, or carries some kind of curse...?

After a brief and intense internal debate, Cha Ye made his decision.

He softened his voice, speaking with the kindness of an elder to a useful subordinate:
“Very good, Nari. It seems you have indeed found a remarkable treasure.”

Nari was so excited by the praise that he almost fainted:
"Really? Lord Chazelle thinks my baby is wonderful?"

"Of course, I am very interested in your findings."

Cha Ye continued, his tone carrying a subtle air of authority:
"However, I also have some concerns. There may be hidden dangers associated with items of unknown origin."

He paused for a moment to allow the other party time to process his instructions:

"Here's what we'll do: you'll report to me every ten days on the changes in this puppet's condition."

Any subtle anomaly must be recorded in detail. I need to track its development.

Also, do not reveal this matter to the other apostles for the time being.

You know those guys' greedy nature; this kind of treasure can easily cause unnecessary fighting and conflict.

Finally, if you notice any unusual signs, such as a puppet trying to control your mind, or unexplained energy fluctuations… destroy it immediately, without hesitation or leniency.

Upon hearing the word "destroy," Nari tensed up completely.
"Destroy it? But... but it's my treasure..."

"I know you're reluctant to part with it."

Cha Ye's voice became "amiable":
"But sometimes, protecting yourself is more important than protecting the treasure. If the puppet is actually in danger, it might end up harming you instead."

"Of course, if everything goes well, I won't let your efforts go to waste."

His tone began to take on a seductive quality:
“I will consider expanding your hunting privileges so that you can search for valuable materials in a wider area.”

It might even involve you in the next 'domain re-division'.

This promise made Nari instantly forget her earlier unease, and she excitedly rolled around in the treasure vault:
"Really? Really? I can go hunting in the territories of other apostles?"

"As long as you follow my instructions, none of these will be problems."

Chaye watched Nari's reaction with satisfaction:
"Remember, nurture it patiently, observe it carefully, and report back regularly. This puppet might be your chance to change your destiny."

Nari appeared to be extremely excited:
"Yes, Lord Cha Ye! I will certainly do as you instruct!"

"I will observe my baby carefully and report to you regularly. If I find anything unusual, I will... I will consider your suggestions."

"Thank you, sir, for granting me expanded hunting privileges! I will make good use of this opportunity!"

But deep down, Nari had a completely different plan.

Its clear reason allowed it to see through Chaye's gentle words and discern the true intentions hidden within:
"Lord Chaye is indeed tempted... He definitely wants my treasure."

The monster, which had been in a state of confusion, was now more alert than ever before:
"However, this is for the best. At least he won't dare to take it by force now, and he'll provide me with more resources. I can use this time to make my baby stronger."

"Furthermore, what if the other apostles also want to seize it..."

Nari realized he had his trump card.

As a born apostle of the abyss, it possesses the terrifying ability to stir up primordial chaos.

This power is so great that even the Supreme Apostles cannot completely resist it, but the cost is that Nari himself may be torn apart in the process.

But it's willing to take any risk to protect its "baby." "Once my baby is fully grown, even Lord Chaye won't be able to bully me anymore."

Nari silently planned in his mind:

"Moreover, if things really get desperate... I will let everyone know the consequences of angering a mother."

………………

Inside the exhibition hall, after a short rest, Ron turned his attention to the "Blood Oath" sword engraved with the names of his enemies.

The names densely written on the sword hilt shimmered with a dark red light under the magic crystal lamp.

Yutel's phantom swayed slightly:

“The memories of ‘Blood Oath’ are darker and more twisted than those of ‘Frostbite’. Morgan’s career of vengeance is filled with intrigue, betrayal and cold-blooded killing.”

The old professor paused for a moment, his voice becoming even more serious:

"You need to be mentally prepared; the inner world of an Avenger is often more brutal than the battlefield."

"I understand the risks."

Ron nodded in confirmation, while simultaneously activating all his mental defense mechanisms:
"But it is precisely this extreme emotion that allows me to understand the essence of the imprint of will."

He slowly reached out and grasped the hilt of the "Blood Oath" sword.

In an instant, a burning, viscous hatred surged into his consciousness like magma.

It wasn't abstract anger, but pure hatred that had been condensed over many years, as hard and sharp as steel forged through countless trials.

………………

The night was as dark as ink, and the moonlight was obscured by thick clouds, leaving only faint starlight to fall upon the earth.

Ron found himself "possessed" by Morgan and immediately sensed the Avenger's physical condition.

Unlike Edric's tall and muscular build, Morgan's physique is lean and wiry.

But every muscle is meticulously trained, taut and powerful like a steel wire.

His face was handsome and cold, and his deep green eyes burned with an inextinguishable fire of hatred.

What was most striking was his long, dark hair, which fluttered silently in the night wind like the cloak of death.

The "Night Wolf" bloodline exhibits powerful effects in the darkness.

The darkness was no longer an obstacle, but rather became the best ally.

……

"Ellie... Little Tom... I'll be right there to take you home."

……

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah……"

……

"Blood Oath" revealed its bloodthirsty nature in battle.

Each time the blade drinks blood, the sword becomes even redder, and Morgan's power increases accordingly.

The sword seemed to be alive, actively guiding Morgan to find the enemy's vitals, each strike precise and fatal.

The "Blood Oath" slipped limply from his hand. There was no joy of victory in his eyes, only a deep emptiness and confusion.

"Is this the end?"

The man muttered to himself, his voice trembling with despair:
"Waldo is dead... but Ellie and Tom... they still won't come back..."

Morgan had initially thought that revenge would bring relief, but now he realized that hatred was merely an anesthetic that allowed him to temporarily forget his pain.

When the enemy falls, the buried grief and despair resurface, more intense than ever before.

"Why am I doing all this? To prove that their deaths were meaningful?"

Morgan looked at her bloodstained hands:

"But now... what do I have left?"

He found himself accustomed to the thrill of killing.

The bloodlust of the "Blood Oath" subtly altered his personality, making him dependent on violence.

"Perhaps... I should go and find the remaining enemies..."

Morgan's eyes began to become empty and dangerous:
"Only in battle can I feel that I am still alive..."

The historical recap ends here, but Morgan's final confusion and distortion are deeply imprinted in Ron's consciousness.

………………

Ron slowly opened his eyes and found that his hand was still gripping the hilt of the "Blood Oath" sword.

But at this moment, he was unusually calm, and the hatred and pain from Morgan did not have a great impact on him.

This calmness surprised him somewhat.

Logically speaking, such a strong emotional impact should have some effect on mental health.

"A strange reaction."

He analyzed his own state in his mind:
"I can understand Morgan's pain and anger, but I can't truly empathize with him. Is this emotional distance... a good thing or a bad thing?"

[Historical Research (Proficient) Experience Points +1]

[Melee Combat (Proficient) Experience +1]

Hunting Evil (Beginner) Experience Points +1

[Instinctive Reflexes (Beginner) Experience Points +1]

……

The career panel's prompts confirmed the value of this experience.

The experience points for the [Instinctive Reflex] skill have reached 46/50, and it is only one step away from breaking through to the proficiency level.

Go back and practice a few more rounds with Aksa and the new enemies stored in the simulation device, and I estimate that this skill will be able to break through.

Through Morgan's combat memories, Ron learned many practical skills:
How to use shadows to conceal oneself in the dark;

How to determine an enemy's bloodline type by their aura;
How to find fatal weaknesses in close combat.

"Your ability to withstand pressure is indeed very good."

Yutel observed the entire process from the sidelines, his eyes filled with admiration:
“I originally thought that Morgan’s suffering in ‘Blood Oath’ would have a serious psychological impact on you.”

The old professor's illusory figure drew closer:
"This shows that your mental resilience has reached a very high level."

"It might be because I don't completely agree with Morgan's choice."

Ron said frankly:
"While his pain is understandable, making revenge the sole purpose of his life... seems to me a waste of his life."

“Interesting point of view.”

Yutel gave him an approving look:
"Most people will be moved by Morgan's tragedy, but you focus on the consequences of his choices."

Through two in-depth historical analyses, Ron developed his own understanding of the craftsmanship of the Master Sword.

It's not just a matter of metallurgical technology; it also involves complex operations at the mental level.

He began to organize these technical points in his mind:
First, there are material requirements. The base materials of the Master Sword must have extremely high magical conductivity and be able to withstand complex energy flows.

Ordinary metals will suffer structural damage when faced with strong spiritual imprints; only special alloys can withstand it.

"Edric's 'Frostbite' is an alloy of Arctic Mithril and Ice Crystal, while Morgan's 'Blood Oath' is a fusion of Darkmoon Steel and Bloodstone."

Ron carefully compared the materials used in the two swords:

"What they have in common is that they all contain crystal-like materials with special properties. These crystals are responsible for stabilizing and amplifying mental fluctuations."

Secondly, there is the infusion of blood essence.

During the forging process, the maker must infuse the sword blank with the essence of their own bloodline, giving the weapon a life of its own.

This process requires extremely precise control.

Too few connections will prevent the establishment of an effective link, while too many will lead to an overly strong weapon will that, in turn, controls the user.

"The key lies in mastering the proportions."

He mentally recorded the details he observed.

The third step is mental guidance.

The creator needs to use mental power to guide the flow of metal at the molecular level, so that the essence of bloodline can be perfectly combined with the metal structure.

This process is similar to bloodline modulation, but the object of the operation is inorganic materials, making it more difficult.

Through this fusion, the sword will acquire bloodline characteristics.

Such as elemental affinity, special resistance, unique abilities, etc., while establishing an initial resonance connection with the creator.

"It's like creating a life form with a special bloodline."

Ron suddenly realized:

"Master swords are essentially a hybrid of biological and mechanical elements, which explains why they exhibit intelligent behavior."

Finally, and most dangerously, is the separation of the soul.

The maker must separate a fragment of the soul and seal it within the sword's core.

These fragments contain the creator's memories, skills, and personality traits, and are key to the Master Sword gaining independent will.

Ron recalled Edric and Morgan's state in the final moments:
"It must be done when the vitality is at its peak, usually during the peak of the maker's career."

Sealing a soul fragment requires establishing a stable mental link to ensure that the fragment does not backfire on its creator.

Ultimately, an exclusive master-recognition mechanism is established through a complex network of runes.

[Material Transmutation (Proficient) Experience Points +1]

After analyzing two master swords in succession, he could feel a sense of fatigue coming from the depths of his consciousness.

That's the consequence of prolonged exposure to intense psychological imprinting.

That concludes today's experience.

Yutel also noticed his condition:
“Excessive exposure to these ancient wills may affect your own mental structure. Adequate rest is necessary.”

"Professor, there is something else I would like to discuss with you."

Ron remembered another purpose of his visit:
"I have developed a complete technical framework for further improvements to the mobile simulation device."

As he spoke, he took out the design drawings that he had spent several nights completing from his spatial bag.

The entire parchment was covered with densely packed technical parameters and complex structural diagrams.

Yutel considered the days when Ron would arrive at the observatory, frowned, and seemed about to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

(End of this chapter)