Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 383 Dehumanization

"Sleep is not essential for me."

Ron explained simply, while simultaneously activating "Hermit's Insight" to observe the state of the girl before him.

He could clearly sense that the other person's mental fluctuations were extremely chaotic, and they were obviously quite frightened by the strange phenomenon just now.

At the same time, he also noticed the subtle allure emanating from the necklace on her chest.

"Proper meditation practice is more effective than sleep in restoring mental well-being."

Under the long-term influence of "The Star Eater's Ramblings," Ron's biological clock has long been distorted.

He prefers to connect with the stars in the quiet of the night, drawing upon ancient power from the depths of the universe.

"You're amazing..."

Carmela's voice was still trembling, but her eyes were full of adoration:

“We ordinary apprentices need to get enough sleep every day to maintain our condition.”

She took a trembling step forward, trying to appear more approachable.

But the terrifying experience she had just had made every movement of hers stiff and unnatural.

Just then, the suite was filled with the fresh scent of herbs and trees.

Ailan's figure appeared at the doorway, immediately changing the atmosphere of the entire space.

The tree spirit gathered all its energy this morning and displayed its charm.

The moment she appeared, the surrounding air seemed to become fresher.

The ornamental plants planted on both sides of the corridor began to lean slightly in her direction, like sunflowers chasing the sun.

Good morning, Master.

The tree spirit's gaze lingered on Carmela for a moment, a cold glint flashing in its emerald pupils.

"Would you like me to help you wash up?"

Her natural concern and the way she addressed him silently proclaimed the relationship between her and Ron.

Immediately afterwards, Dyer also came out of the inner room.

The siren girl had just finished her morning bath; her long silver hair was still slightly damp.

She wore a light, sheer silk robe, the semi-transparent material revealing glimpses of her perfect figure.

"Owner……"

Dale's voice carried the ethereal rhythm unique to siren.

When she speaks, even her tone of voice has a subtle resonance effect, making listeners feel refreshed and happy.

"Is there anything you need me to prepare for you?"

The simultaneous appearance of two beautiful women from different races made Carmela instantly realize what it meant to be outmatched.

Whether it's the natural advantage brought by bloodline or the tacit understanding that can only be cultivated through long-term interaction, she is at a complete disadvantage.

"These two are..."

Carmela tried to maintain her composure, but the tension in her voice was becoming apparent:
"Your...servant?"

"They are my family."

Ron explained simply, deliberately choosing more intimate language:
"Ailan is responsible for assisting my research, while Dale helps with some daily tasks."

"We are ready to serve our master at any time."

Ailan responded immediately, giving Carmela a graceful nod:

"After all, taking care of our owner's needs is the whole meaning of our lives."

Dale then naturally walked over to Ron and began to straighten the non-existent tiny wrinkles on his collar.

"Master, you worked hard last night and deserve a good breakfast."

Carmela's sense of frustration reached its peak.

Her carefully crafted allure seemed so contrived and fake in the face of this warm, familial atmosphere.

What frustrated Carmela even more was that the man in front of her was evolving in a direction that transcended humanity.

I am just an ordinary human being, and I am probably not even a toy in front of him.

"Then... let's go to the restaurant now."

She managed a forced smile, but the tremor in her voice had become quite noticeable.
"Your father and the rest of the family are waiting for your arrival."

………………

When Ron entered the restaurant, there were already more than a dozen members of the Storm Clan waiting there.

Their arrangement was quite deliberate, forming a subtle hierarchical structure based on family status and age.

Cassius sat in the main seat, a gentle smile on his face.

Elliott sat to his father's right, his large ears twitching slightly, clearly listening to everyone's emotional state.

Good morning, Instructor Ralph.

Cassius rose to greet him:

"We hope you had a good rest last night. While our VIP suites may not be the most luxurious, they are certainly comfortable."

"Professor Wandel is too kind."

Ron responded politely, while simultaneously activating "Supernatural Insight" to observe everyone present.

From his unique perspective, the distribution of strength among these Storm Clan members was immediately clear:
Most of the staff in the restaurant are young apprentices, aged between fifteen and twenty-five.

Their mental aptitude was similar to that of the three sisters he had observed last night, generally fluctuating between fourth and third grade.

This level is considered extremely excellent by outsiders, but within the elite circles of the Central Lands, it can only be considered average or even below average.

Aside from Elliott, a notable exception, Ron did not find another young person with the potential to break through to the Moon-level or higher.

Among the older members of the clan, only the patriarch Cassius possessed Moon-level strength.

The other middle-aged wizards remained at the peak of the Morning Star level.

Judging from the magical fluctuations emanating from them, this stagnation had clearly lasted for quite some time.

"Please sit down, please sit down."

Cassius greeted them warmly, gesturing for the maids to begin serving the food:
"For breakfast today, we have prepared some special dishes from the Central Region. We hope you enjoy them."

The first dish was "Morning Light Fruit Soup," made with a plant called "Sunflower Fruit."

This fruit ripens only at sunrise, and its pulp contains pure light element energy, which can enhance one's mental state throughout the day after consumption.

"This fruit must be very precious, right?"

Ron savored the sweet fruit custard while chatting with Cassius:
"I rarely see this quality of light element ingredients at the observatory."

"It's definitely not cheap."

Cassius admitted, a hint of smugness in his eyes:

“Sunflower Fruit can only be cultivated in a specific magical environment, and it must be harvested at the moment of sunrise. If there is any delay, it will lose its light element. Our family has paid a great price to establish a stable supply channel.”

This ostentatious introduction brought out expressions of pride in the young people present.

But Ron noticed that the middle-aged wizards didn't show much joy on their faces; instead, they had a subtle worry about them.

Clearly, maintaining such a luxurious lifestyle requires enormous expenses, while the family's income sources are not stable.

He enjoyed a delicious breakfast while observing the internal ecology of this ancient clan.

Although the Storm Clan appears glamorous on the surface, its internal problems are also quite obvious:
The younger generation lacks true geniuses, while the older generation is plagued by limitations in their abilities.

The family's future prospects were bleak, which explained why Cassius was so eager to establish a cooperative relationship with him.

As the meal drew to a close, Cassius suggested:

“Lecturer Ralph, if you have a moment now, I’d like to show you the accommodations prepared for you. The environment there should be very suitable for academic research.”

"Then Professor Lauvandel will be in charge."

Ron nodded in agreement, and gestured to Alan and Dal to prepare to leave.

………………

The Storm Clan's private aircraft were parked on a dedicated platform on the north side of the mansion.

This is a medium-sized vehicle with elegant lines.

The outer shell is made of specially treated "mica steel," which has a pale blue metallic luster when exposed to sunlight.

The aircraft is powered by four "storm cores" suspended at the bottom, each emitting stable energy fluctuations.

“This aircraft is part of our family’s collection.”

Cassius proudly introduced the ship, his hand gently stroking its smooth hull:
"Although it has been manufactured for over a hundred years, its performance remains reliable."

Ron carefully examined the structure of the aircraft.

Although the design is relatively old-fashioned, the craftsmanship is indeed excellent.

The layout of the rune circuits, in particular, demonstrates the manufacturer's profound technical skill.

Does your family have a tradition in vehicle manufacturing?

He inquired, showing interest in the topic.

"It's not really a tradition, more like a hobby," Cassius replied modestly, while simultaneously activating the aircraft's startup sequence:
“One of our ancestors was very interested in all kinds of magical machines and left behind a lot of related design drawings and semi-finished products.”

The aircraft slowly rose into the air amidst slight vibrations.

Through the porthole, Ron could see the entire Stormwind Clan mansion.

The ancient buildings appear solemn and beautiful in the morning light, and the surrounding courtyards are also ingeniously designed.

However, he also noticed some details:
Some of the more remote buildings were clearly in need of maintenance, with varying degrees of damage to their roofs and walls.

Some of the fixtures in the courtyard are also out of service, apparently to save on maintenance costs.

These signs were all a reminder to him that the Stormwind Clan's finances might not be as good as they appeared.

"I feel it is necessary to explain the actual situation of our family to you in detail."

Cassius seemed to sense Ron's observation and initiated a frank conversation:
"Although we are an ancient clan with a certain status in the Central Lands, to be honest, we are currently facing quite a few challenges."

He activated the aircraft's autopilot system and then turned to Ron:

"The first issue is talent. Apart from Elliott, most of the young people in our generation are rather... mediocre in terms of talent."

This self-deprecating statement improved Ron's impression of Cassius somewhat.

Being able to assess one's own family situation so objectively shows that one is at least a pragmatic person.

"Secondly, there is the issue of the distribution of strength."

Cassius continued, his voice tinged with helplessness:

"Currently, I am the only Moon-level wizard who is permanently stationed in the family."

The other members of their clan either went out to take up important positions or participated in Lady Cassandra's expedition to another world.

"How strong are those clansmen who went out?"

Ron inquired, showing interest in the overall strength of the Storm Clan.

"Currently, there are three others who are at the same Moon-level as me."

Kasiustan readily admitted:
"My eldest brother Josephine is currently the vice-principal of the Aurora Academy. My cousins ​​Vida and Leonard are now following Lady Cassandra on her conquest of another world."

"As for the Dark Sun-class..."

Cassius's expression turned somewhat somber:
"Our family currently only has one Dark Sun-level wizard, and that is my great-grandfather."

But he hasn't appeared in the main world for many years; it's said he's conducting a long-term research project in some other world.

Is this situation common in the Central Region?

Ron continued to ask questions, hoping to learn more about high-ranking wizards.

“Very common.”

Cassius nodded in confirmation:

"For wizards of the Dark Sun level and above, the environment of the main world is no longer sufficient to support their research needs."

They need to find opportunities for breakthroughs in more complex and dangerous environments.

He paused for a moment, then looked out the window:

"This is why there are many wizards in the Central Lands, but relatively few high-level combatants. Most of the powerful individuals are exploring the Abyss or other worlds."

It seems that as their strength increases, wizards will gradually break away from traditional social structures and turn to a more personalized path of development.

Ron nodded; this aligned with his own observations.

Having been in the Central Lands for so long, he had hardly seen any great wizards other than Cassandra and Yutel.

Even the Dark Sun-level wizards are rarely seen except on some important holidays.

Most of the lecturers frequently seen within the school are only at the Morning Star level.

"So, what impact did the implementation of the conquest policy have on this situation?"

He asked astutely.

When this topic was brought up, a complex light immediately appeared in Cassius's eyes.

"The impact is enormous."

His voice became deeper:

"In the past, it was almost impossible for a Moon-level wizard to participate in exploration of other worlds."

Such interdimensional travel requires a certain level of power; only Grand Wizards at the Dark Sun level or higher possess the corresponding abilities.

"But it's different now."

Cassius's tone was clearly tinged with envy:
"Lady Cassandra's cross-dimensional technology has given us Moon-level wizards the opportunity to acquire resources from other worlds."

Those rare materials, unique technologies, and various unprecedented research topics…

He didn't finish speaking, but the longing in his eyes said it all.

"You also want to participate in the conquest plan?" Ron asked directly.

"Of course I want to." Cassius made no attempt to hide his thoughts:

"But as the head of the family, I cannot leave at will."

Especially given the current shortage of talent, if I were to leave, the entire family's operations would be disrupted.

He smiled bitterly and shook his head:

"Sometimes I really envy those solitary wizards who have no family burdens and can freely pursue their own goals."

This candid expression undoubtedly reduced the distance between the two.

Ron was able to understand Cassius's predicament:
As the family leader, he must find a balance between personal development and family responsibilities.

"So, you hope to gain more resources through cooperation with me?"

"Partly so," Cassius nodded in agreement.
"But more importantly, I hope to establish a long-term partnership with a rising star like you."

In today's rapidly changing environment, traditional development models are no longer applicable; we need to find new opportunities.

The aircraft flew smoothly over the central area.

Through the porthole, Ron could see the dense buildings and the endless stream of people below.

This core city of wizarding civilization is undergoing unprecedented changes.

The implementation of the conquest policy not only changed the pattern of resource allocation, but also reshaped the power structure of the entire society.

Individuals and organizations that can adapt to change will gain unprecedented development opportunities.

Those forces that cling to tradition may face the risk of being marginalized.

………………

About twenty minutes later, the aircraft began to descend slowly.

The destination was an upscale residential area located in the northern part of Shuguang Port.

Most of the buildings here are three to four-story detached houses, surrounded by meticulously designed courtyards.

"That's the one."

Cassius pointed to a three-story building not far away:
"The location is relatively quiet, with few neighbors, making it ideal for academic research."

The building has an elegant and understated appearance, with its exterior walls constructed of light blue "silent stone".

This material can effectively isolate external noise and magical interference.

The aircraft landed steadily on the open ground in front of the small building.

Cassius took out an exquisite runic key and handed it to Ron:

"This is the house key, which can control all the protective magic arrays and internal facilities."

"Regarding the follow-up cooperation, we can discuss it in detail after you have finished dealing with the matters on the Crystal Spire side."

He then took his leave.
"I know your time is valuable, so I won't bother you any longer."

After watching the aircraft depart, Ron turned to Alan and Dale:
"Let's go inside and take a look at the situation."

The three walked towards the main entrance of the small building.

Ron inserted the magic key into the lock, and with a slight fluctuation of magic, the heavy oak door slowly opened.

The interior decoration style is simple and practical, without excessive luxury, but every detail reflects careful design.

After sending Alan and Dale to clean and organize his research equipment, Ron sank into his own library of consciousness.

Turn to the page that records the progress of the Triad Wizard's skills:

[Advanced Potions (Proficiency 238/300)]

Alchemy (Proficiency 96/300)

[Includes magic trick (Proficiency 34/100)]

All three core skills are steadily improving, and the pace of progress is accelerating as he accumulates practical experience in various fields.

"At the current pace, the requirements for the Potions Professor's job change should be met first."

He analyzed it in his mind:

"Now that we have all the materials for the Dew of the Soul, we can start trying to configure it. We also have an elite group to train students. After breaking through to the Moon Rank, we should be able to change jobs around that time."

However, the academic review meeting for his paper is the day after tomorrow, which is crucial to his future development and must be treated with utmost care.

(End of this chapter)