Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 379: Settlement of Accounts after Autumn
Ron walked along the familiar path toward his laboratory.

Today's conversation with Yutel gave him a clearer understanding of his own development path.

Since advancing in the future will inevitably require venturing into the abyss, establishing a good relationship with Nari becomes even more significant...

The laboratory door sensed his approach and slid open automatically.

The warm glow of the magic crystal light shone on his slightly tired face.

"Owner!"

Ailan's voice was filled with a relieved joy, and her emerald green figure drifted out from the depths of the workshop.

But as she approached Ron, her keen sense of nature made her freeze slightly.

"The aura emanating from you..."

The tree spirit's voice carried a clear sense of unease:
"There's a very strange feeling... like the mark left by some ancient and powerful being..."

In the crystal pool, Dale also sensed this abnormality.

The siren girl rose from the water, her long silver hair flowing like moonlight under the magic crystal lamp.

Her eyes were filled with worry:
"Master, that aura reminds me of the terrifying beings from ancient legends in the deep sea... Did you encounter something?"

Ron felt a surge of warmth in his heart as his two companions inquired with concern.

"We did encounter some... special beings."

He comforted the two "people":
"But it's all been resolved now, and this experience has actually been a good thing for me."

Ron sat down in the chair in the center of the laboratory and began to give the two a brief introduction to the results of this exploration.

Of course, he did not reveal any specific details about Nari.

It's just that they encountered a relatively friendly ancient being from the abyss and established some kind of mutually beneficial relationship.

Seeing her owner's slightly tired expression, Ailan immediately began preparing dinner.

The lush green branches skillfully manipulated various tableware and ingredients, quickly preparing a table of exquisite food.

Fresh vegetable salad, fragrant monster meat soup, and specialty pastries made with abyssal plants.

"Master, you haven't eaten properly for a long time."

The tree spirit said with concern:
"Although a wizard's body can withstand long-term non-food energy replenishment, proper nutrition is very helpful for the recovery of mental state."

Looking at the carefully prepared food in front of him, Ron felt a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

Amidst the complex struggles and dangerous explorations of the outside world, this place has always been his haven where he can completely relax.

"Thank you." He nodded to Ailan and began to enjoy the sumptuous dinner.

During the meal, Ron told the two about the upcoming travel arrangements:
"I'm returning to the Central Lands the day after tomorrow to handle some important matters, and I might be staying for a week or two."

Upon hearing this news, both Alan and Dyer showed obvious concern.

"Master, may we go with you?"

Dale's voice was filled with anticipation: "We're a little worried about staying here and waiting for you to come back..."

"of course can."

Ron's answer visibly relieved the two of them:

“I’m planning to bring you along as well as some important research equipment from the mobile workshop.”

He looked at Ailan:
"Pack your things in advance, and make sure all the precious materials and precision instruments are properly packed."

There are also ongoing experiments that need to be protected against interruptions.

"Understood, Master."

Ailan nodded in agreement, already planning out the specific tidying-up work in her mind.

As Ron's most capable assistant, she knew exactly what had to be taken and what could be left at the observatory temporarily.

After dinner, Ron remembered something he had overlooked for a long time.

"By the way, I haven't written home in a long time."

He took out paper and pen from his storage bag and began to think about how to report his recent situation to his family.

He actually wrote a letter home during the last Lans festival to update us on his recent situation.

This is the second one, and it's been quite a while since the last one.

After thinking for a while, he began to write on the paper:

"Dear Father and Elder Brother: "
Time flies; it's been more than half a year since I last wrote home.

I'm currently working at the abyss observation station, and everything is going smoothly.

He has recently achieved some important academic accomplishments and his standing within the school of thought has been significantly enhanced.

Although I am very busy with work, I am in good health, so please don't worry.

Although exploring the abyss sounds dangerous, with my current abilities, the risks are all within a manageable range.

I need to return to the central region soon to handle some important matters.

If I have the chance, I will try to buy some rare items that the Kingdom of Farouk doesn't have and send them back.

What is the status of the family's territory?
How is my older brother's health? Is my father's work too demanding?

I will send some magic stone fragments back with the letter.

These can be exchanged for a large amount of gold coins within the kingdom, enough to sustain the family's expenses for several years.

Don't be frugal, spend money when you need to. My income is very stable now.

If you need to contact me urgently, you can do so through the Central Lands postal system.

The address is: Abyss Main Observatory, addressed to Senior Researcher Ron Ralph.

"Missing everyone at home, Ron"

After finishing the letter, Ron carefully checked the wording.

He deliberately avoided mentioning specific dangerous experiences and those complicated relationships, simply reporting on his recent situation in a relaxed tone.

For ordinary people, knowing too much is not a good thing.

"When the owner writes a letter home, his expression always becomes very gentle."

Dyer observed from the side, her voice tinged with envy.

Ron looked up at the siren girl and noticed the emotion in her eyes.

Dale was brought over from slave traders, and she has a complex feeling of both longing for and unfamiliarity with blood ties.

“You have a family now,” Ron said gently. “The three of us are a family.”

These words instantly lit up Dale's eyes, and a pure joy bloomed like a flower.

"Really?" Her voice trembled slightly. "I...I can be considered part of the master's family too?"

“Of course.” Ron nodded firmly.

"Family is not just about blood ties, but more importantly, about mutual care and support."

In this respect, you and Ailan are both important members of my family.

Hearing these words, Ailan was deeply moved.

The emerald green branches swayed gently, and glistening water droplets condensed on a few leaves.

That's a special liquid secreted by the tree spirit when it's moved, like tears.

"Alright, let's all get some rest."

He stood up and tidied up the letters he had written: "There's still a lot of preparation work to be done tomorrow."

………………

Inside the academic review room of the Crystal Spire, the old clock ticked dully.

Associate Professor Chester Black sat at his oak desk.

His fingers unconsciously stroked a dark silver ring on the ring finger of his left hand.

That is the "Ring of Memory" passed down through the Black family, which can perfectly preserve all the academic materials experienced by the wearer.

At this moment, the ring was slightly warm, which meant that his emotional fluctuations had reached a dangerous critical point.

Chester looked tired and anxious.

As the seventh head of the Black family, Chester was taught from a young age to uphold the purity of scholarship and resist any opportunistic behavior.

The Black family has been the most traditional and conservative scholars at the Crystal Spire for generations.

They believe that true knowledge should be acquired through rigorous research and decades of accumulation.

Instead of relying on political speculation or risky activities.

"One hundred and fifty-seven years..."

He has been on the path of wizardry for 157 years, starting from his apprenticeship.

Over the years, he has strictly followed the Black family tradition—prudent, conservative, and accumulating knowledge and reputation step by step.

But now, this tradition is becoming the biggest obstacle on his path forward.

"Damn conquest policy..."

Chester muttered a curse under his breath as he flipped through the reports on the table that left him with mixed feelings.

His colleagues who participated in Cassandra's interdimensional expedition were acquiring rare resources and research opportunities at an astonishing pace. Meanwhile, traditional scholars like him could only watch helplessly as they were marginalized.

Frederick Levine.

The junior who once sought his advice on basic runic literature has recently been officially promoted to associate professor, now on equal footing with him.

Chester still remembers that autumn afternoon clearly.

He had just been promoted to a full wizard and was researching information in the rune research area of ​​the library.

A young apprentice timidly approached him, holding a book titled "Basic Enchanting Theory" in his hands, his eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge.

"Wizard Black, may I ask you a question about energy conduction runes?"

That young man was Frederick.

He looked so inexperienced back then that he even needed to repeatedly confirm the most basic principles of rune stacking.

Chester still remembers his patient guidance back then.

I remember Frederick's humble and receptive attitude.

I also remember the sincere words the other person said when they left: "Thank you for your guidance. I will never forget this kindness."

But now...

The "Resource Allocation Report of the Conquest Faction" on the table was faintly smelling of blood.

This is not a metaphor; the ink used on the parchment in the report comes from the blood of some abyssal creature, which has been refined to have anti-counterfeiting properties.

The contents of the report immediately aroused resentment in his heart.

"Frederic Levine, a senior lecturer in Enchanting recommended by lecturer Ron Ralph."

You can obtain three 'Time Resonance Crystals', five ounces of 'Void Metal', and twelve 'Dream Crystals'...

Chester's voice grew softer and softer, and the fire of jealousy in his eyes was almost burning.

Time resonance crystal—that was a rare material that even he had only ever seen in books.

A single piece might be enough to make a breakthrough in one's research, yet Frederick was able to use three whole pieces at will.

He took out Frederick's recently published paper from the drawer, the title of which was "A Study on the Enchanting Compatibility of Otherworldly Metals".

The paper was indeed of good quality, but what truly made it a sensation were the precious otherworldly materials it used.

The value of those materials was almost equivalent to the total research funding of the Black family over several decades.

"If only I could also access those materials..."

Ironically, Frederick gained this favor supposedly because he had once helped a young wizard named Ron Ralph.

Chester certainly remembered Ron.

That was a routine academic review meeting held more than half a year ago.

Both he and Associate Professor Miner expressed clear skepticism about the young man's proposed dissertation.

At the time, Ron did seem to have quite a bit of talent, perhaps even a primordial wizard that only appears once every hundred years.

However, in terms of academic achievements, he wouldn't consider himself a genius in the eyes of an old-school scholar like him.

In fact, my own assessment at the time was that I was overly ambitious.

but now……

"The second-in-command of the New Star Project, a key figure under the watchful eye of Tower Master Cassandra, a warrior who has clashed head-on with the Apostles..."

Chester recalled the various rumors he had recently heard while feeling the irony of fate.

That young man who wasn't particularly amazing in my eyes back then.

Now, he has become the most sought-after rising star in the entire Central Region.

Meanwhile, he himself was still struggling to apply for research funding.

"Maybe……"

A darker idea began to surface in Chester's mind.

Perhaps his current predicament is not solely due to the overall marginalization of conservatives.

Perhaps there are more personal reasons as well.

At Cassandra's Conquest Showcase, he publicly questioned the legitimacy of the conquest policy.

The scene from that day is still vividly imprinted in his memory.

When Cassandra displayed those astonishing spoils;

While everyone else was marveling and praising, he stood up and, in the rigorous tone characteristic of an old-school scholar, raised a question:
"Grand Wizard Cassandra, if I may be so bold, is this aggressive expansion strategy really in the long run?"
Throughout history, those civilizations that overexpanded ultimately…

As he finished speaking, a cold light flashed in Cassandra's purple eyes, instantly making him feel the pressure emanating from the great wizard.

Since then, my research applications have been frequently rejected for "technical reasons".

The originally stable supply of resources has also been subject to various "unexpected" delays.

It's all too much of a coincidence.

"Am I being held accountable for this?" Chester thought bitterly.

No matter how he analyzes it, the conclusion always points to the same fact:
In this rapidly changing era, pure academic ability is no longer enough to guarantee survival; political acumen and the ability to choose sides have become equally important.

The clock by the wall chimed three more times.

That was a signal to remind him to begin his review work for the day.

As a senior member of the academic review committee, he must provide a fair evaluation of the submitted papers, regardless of any fluctuations in his personal emotions.

The first document was a study on "analysis of blood components in abyssal organisms".

The author is a young assistant researcher. His writing is immature and the data is somewhat rough, but his ideas are clear.

Chester gave the assessment that "further improvements are needed" and listed detailed suggestions for improvement.

The second document is a technical report on "optimization of magic transmission efficiency".

It is of moderate quality and has some practical value, but lacks groundbreaking innovation.

His assessment was that it "could be published in a third-tier journal."

The third copy...

Chester froze the moment he saw the author's name.

A Deep Abyss Exploration Training System Based on Chaotic Adaptability: Theoretical Construction and Practical Verification

Author: Ron Ralph (Lecturer)

"Fate really likes to play jokes..."

Chester shook his head with a wry smile, but still carefully opened the paper.

As a true scholar, he will not let personal emotions affect his academic judgment.

His brows began to furrow slightly as he read the first paragraph.

"The fundamental flaw in traditional deep-sea exploration training lies in its neglect of the 'chaotic nature'."

We are trying to simulate a disordered environment using ordered methods, and this contradiction leads to a fundamental limitation on training effectiveness..."

This opening is very impactful, getting straight to the heart of the issue.

But what truly surprised Chester was the technical description that followed.

"By integrating living neural networks, adaptive rune arrays, and chaotic energy regulation systems."

This research has developed a training device capable of simulating changes in the abyssal environment in real time…

Chester's breathing began to quicken.

This is not a simple technological improvement, but a completely new paradigm of thinking.

Ron did not try to eliminate chaos, but instead learned to coexist with it and even use its power to achieve his training goals.

"Experimental data shows that explorers trained using this system have an 87% higher survival rate in the second to fourth layers of the abyss compared to traditional methods, and their average task completion time is reduced by 34%..."

These numbers struck Chester like a hammer blow.

If these data are accurate, then this research will revolutionize the training model for deep-sea exploration.

Its technological integration capabilities and innovative thinking have far surpassed the level of most senior scholars.

"There's even an appendix..."

Chester flipped to the last part of the paper and discovered an unexpected surprise.

The appendix details the device's manufacturing process, including material selection, rune design, safety measures, and other aspects.

Such unreserved sharing of technology is extremely rare in the highly competitive academic world.

Most researchers retain key technical details to maintain their competitive advantage.

But Ron chose to go completely public.

"Is it confidence... or is there another purpose?"

Chester pondered the motivation behind this unusual behavior.

As a veteran who has been working in academia for over a hundred years, he knows very well that no one will share core technologies for no reason.

(End of this chapter)