Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 432 Yearning Burns Like Fire (Four Chapters Combined)

As the sun set, twilight streamed through the crystal windows into Ron's private residence in the North District.

This exquisite mansion, provided by the Storm Clan, feels especially warm and inviting tonight.

He was preparing a small celebratory dinner.

Meanwhile, on a distant battlefield in another world.

Cassandra's monitoring crystal flashed, showing the change in her daughter's location.

She glanced at the crystal, then thoughtfully put it away.

"He went to that little Ron again, but... I can understand."

………………

Inside the main hall of the mansion, a long oak table was set with carefully prepared delicacies.

The special candles on the silver candlesticks emitted a soft glow, rendering the entire space dreamlike and enchanting.

"Master, everything is ready as you requested."

Elan floated lightly to Ron's side, her emerald green leaves shimmering in the candlelight.

The tree spirit's slender vines reached out towards the various delicacies on the table:

"Moonlight mushroom soup can soothe mental fatigue, stardew fruit salad helps restore magic power, and there's also a main course made with deep-sea pearl oysters..."

In the aquarium, Dale excitedly flapped her tail fin, splashing up sparkling water:
"Seaweed personally selected by Dale! The freshest kind! And drinks made with deep-sea spring water!"

Ron nodded in satisfaction, his gaze sweeping over the cozy arrangement.

"Thank you for your hard work."

After going through such a harrowing treatment, being able to celebrate Eve's recovery in this way is truly meaningful.

Just then, a slight magical fluctuation came from outside the door.

The half-dragon maid behind the door maintained her signature serious expression, but the long-standing worry in her eyes finally eased tonight.

“Ralph the Wizard.” Franka bowed respectfully. “The young lady…”

Before she could finish speaking, the black-haired princess had already eagerly jumped out of the aircraft.

Eve put extra effort into her outfit tonight.

The hem of her silk gown was adorned with silver embroidery, which shimmered subtly as she walked.

Her long black hair was braided into an elegant side ponytail and secured with a hair accessory inlaid with amethyst, making her look both dignified and youthful.

But what's most striking is her expression.

The pale and haggard appearance caused by long-term illness has completely disappeared, replaced by a healthy rosy glow.

The amethyst-like eyes no longer held the gloom of torment, but instead shone with an unprecedented brightness.

"Good evening, mentor..."

In fact, this was the first time she had been able to truly "visit" her mentor.

It wasn't in the meticulously constructed protective environment of the Emerald Mansion, but rather in the other person's actual living space.

"how do you feel?"

Ron asked gently, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.

"Never before have I felt so...easy."

Eve gently touched her chest, where the demonic attack had once been most severe.
"It's like a huge boulder that's been weighing on my heart for over a decade has finally been removed. Every breath feels so free, and every heartbeat is full of energy."

Her voice began to tremble, and her eyes filled with tears:

"This feeling... mentor, I can never..."

"It doesn't have to be this way."

Ron gently shook his head, interrupting her thanks:

"Your suffering is over, and that is the best reward."

"Please take a seat."

He gestured for Eve to sit in the seat prepared for her, which was right next to the head seat.

Ailan immediately floated over and used vines to pull out chairs for the guests.

"There's no one else here tonight, so we can relax a bit."

With everyone seated, the banquet officially began.

The moon mushroom soup exudes a delicate fragrance, the sweet and sour taste of starfruit bursts in the mouth, and the umami of deep-sea pearl oysters leaves a lingering aftertaste.

But even more precious than these delicacies is that long-lost peaceful atmosphere.

There was no agonizing torment of demonic possession, no tense busyness of treatment; we simply shared this special night.

“Mentor.” Eve put down the silver spoon in her hand, a hint of expectation in her eyes:
"I'd like to talk to you about... things related to wizarding training."

Upon hearing this topic, Ron's attention immediately focused:
"How are you feeling now? Are you able to sense magic normally?"

"It's not just about perception..."

An excited glint flashed in Eve's eyes:

"I can now perform basic magic manipulation! Although it's only at a very simple level, it was completely impossible before."

She extended her slender right hand, and a faint light began to appear in her palm.

Although the light was faint, it was exceptionally stable, showing no signs of disorder whatsoever.

"This level of control precision..."

Ron carefully observed the purple light, a look of satisfaction in his eyes:
"You've far surpassed my level when I was an apprentice. It seems your years of theoretical study have truly paid off."

"Over the years, although I have been unable to engage in actual cultivation, I have never stopped studying theoretical knowledge."

Eve's tone carried a certain pride:

"I know all of these by heart: the methods of cultivating mental strength, the principles of constructing magic circuits, the basic architecture of spell models..."

She paused, a deeper longing appearing in her eyes:
"Now I finally have the opportunity to turn theory into practice. This feeling... is like a person who has been starving for more than ten years finally tasting delicious food."

Franka quietly refilled their tea, but the satisfaction in her eyes was obvious.

As Eve's personal maid, no one knew better than her what her mistress had persisted in and longed for all these years.

"Regarding the choice of meditation method," Ron continued, "what arrangements has the Tower Master made?"

When this topic was brought up, Eve sighed softly:
“My mother gave me a gem-quality meditation method—The Absurd Tales.”

There was a hint of regret in her voice:
"This is the inherited meditation method of the Crown Clan, which involves directly visualizing the ancestral king of absurdity."

"Of course, the main reason is..." Eve bit her lower lip lightly:
“My mother said this is safer, and there won’t be the terrible risk of alienation like with the Crown-level meditation method.”

Ron nodded in understanding.

While the Crown-level meditation method is powerful, its side effects are equally terrifying.

Cassandra herself is a living example, and The Star Eater's Whispers is gradually changing her nature.

It was indeed a wise decision to let Eve choose the relatively safe gem-quality meditation method.

"Directly visualize the Witch King, the source of your bloodline?"

He was quite curious about this, as he had never seen a wizard practicing such a meditation method before.

“Yes.” Eve nodded in confirmation.

"Because I have direct blood from the Crown Clan, I experience a bloodline resonance when I contemplate the ancestor, the King of Absurdity."

In terms of effectiveness, it won't be significantly different from the Crown-level meditation method, and all risks are minimized.

Dale asked curiously, "What is bloodline resonance? It sounds amazing!"

Eve looked at her gently:

"Bloodline resonance refers to the special reaction that occurs when people with a specific bloodline visualize related entities."

Just like... just like the resonating strings of a vibrating instrument; when the main string vibrates, the resonating strings also vibrate.

But then Eve's expression darkened, and she gently stroked her neck.

There was an almost invisible silver line, shimmering under the magic.

“However… mentor, I must confess something to you.” Her voice became somewhat heavy:
“My mother placed a monitoring rune on me. Ostensibly to protect my safety, but actually…”

Franka sighed softly to herself. For Eve, who longed for freedom, such restrictions were undoubtedly another form of prison.

Ron carefully examined the thin silver thread on Eve's neck.

In his "supernatural perception" vision, the thin line presented a complex runic structure.

This is a comprehensive structure that integrates monitoring, protection, and control.

"The precision of these runes... is quite remarkable," he commented objectively.

"It can monitor the wearer's location, vital signs, emotional fluctuations, and even spellcasting behavior in real time."

However, it also possesses strong protective capabilities, capable of withstanding most attacks.

“Yes.” Eve gave a bitter smile:
"That's just how mothers are: they give you what you need, but they never let you be completely free."

The girl spoke with some complaint, but she wasn't overly discouraged:

"My mother also set a condition—the stronger I am, the less control I will be subject to."

When I become a full-fledged wizard, the surveillance will be reduced by half;
When I reached the Moonlight level, only basic security protection remained.

But if I could become a Dark Sun-level being… this constraint would be meaningless.”

“I can understand the tower owner’s concerns.”

After a moment of thought, Ron said, "This sounds like a... incentive mechanism."

"Of course I understand my mother's intentions."

A faint flame ignited in Eve's eyes:

“But… mentor, I want true freedom. Not freedom that is given to me, but freedom that I fight for myself.”

Her words carried the idealism unique to young people.

But in this cruel world, such idealism often seems both precious and fragile.

Ron did not respond immediately, but fell into deep thought.

He understood Eve's desires and Cassandra's concerns.

In an era of conquest and being conquered, the daughter of the Crystal Spire's lord was indeed a valuable bargaining chip in the eyes of various powers.

“Freedom comes at a price, Eve,” he finally said.

"In this world, freedom is not a basic right, but a privilege."

Only those beings who are powerful enough have the right to talk about true freedom.

………………

In the dead of night, after Alan and Dyer had returned to their respective rooms, Eve remained sitting on the observatory in her residence.

The night sky over the Central Lands was exceptionally bright, with countless stars like diamonds set against a velvet backdrop.

The high concentration of magical energy flow also created aurora-like ribbons in the atmosphere.

Ron quietly walked over to her, and the two sat side by side on the stone stargazing chair.

The night breeze gently caressed their faces, carrying the fragrance of the exotic plants in the garden.

"Mentor, sometimes I wonder, what would my life have been like if I hadn't been plagued by the demonic possession?"

Eve's voice was as soft as the night breeze, carrying a deep longing and reverie.

Her gaze was fixed on the distant starry sky, as if searching for some answer in its endless depths.

"Perhaps, I will be arranged by my mother to marry someone through an arranged marriage and spend my life in emptiness."

She chuckled and shook her head.
"Or, I might have gotten involved with the mysticism earlier and conducted some harmless research in the safe ivory tower."

Ron listened quietly, without interrupting her thoughts.

This kind of late-night confession is a necessary emotional release for the girl, and also a process for her to rediscover herself.

“But now I understand.” Eve turned to look at Ron:

"Pain is also a kind of wealth."

It makes me cherish everything I have now even more, including... meeting you.

Her words carried a certain cautious probing.

Ron sensed the deeper meaning in her words, but he simply said gently:
"You will have a wonderful life of your own, Eve."

Whether as a wizard or as the heir to the Crown Clan, your possibilities are limitless.

Eve was a little disappointed, but she quickly composed herself.

She had grown accustomed to this tactful rejection and understood that, in the current situation, it would be unwise to express emotions too directly.

"Yes, I will create my own life."

The girl rallied again, her voice filled with unwavering determination:

"No matter what the cost."

The last word the other person uttered made Ron take notice.

“The price…” he repeated the word:
"Everyone pays a price for their goals; the key is to ensure that those prices are worthwhile."

………………

The next morning, the runes in the meditation room slowly awoke in the dim light.

Yutel's ethereal projection arrived as promised, but his figure was dimmer than usual, like a candle flame about to burn out.

The immense cost of presiding over the historical call made the old professor's presence elusive, his silver radiance appearing and disappearing in the air.

“Ron, you’ve now reached the Moon Rank, it’s about time you advanced to the real Historian level.”

Yutel's voice carried a deep weariness:

"Before diving into the formal historical events, I need to take you through a true baptism of time."

This is a required course for every historian—understanding the roots of our civilization.

He raised his translucent hand, and complex time runes began to appear in the air.

These runes are completely different from those used when summoning the historical projection a few days ago.

They are older and more profound, as if bearing the weight of time itself.

"Are you ready? This time, you will not be a mere observer, because you will be part of it all."

Yutel's tone became solemn and dignified:
"You will personally experience the primal impulses that drive civilization forward and understand what has shaped us into who we are today."

With this concluding remark, the flow of time in the meditation room became viscous.

The air flowed slowly, like honey, and light formed visible threads within it.

The silk threads slowly rotate, weaving a giant net connecting the past and the present.

Ron felt his consciousness detach from his body as lightly as a feather.

His consciousness began to drift upstream along the reverse flow of time, traversing the weighty history of several eras.

In a primeval forest.

He saw a hairy ape-man with thick limbs squatting by the campfire.

The firelight danced on his rough face.

Those eyes, which had been focused solely on food and danger, were suddenly drawn to the dazzling starry sky above. He slowly raised his head and gazed at the boundless night sky.

The sky was filled with stars that twinkled like diamonds, the Milky Way stretched across the sky, and the moon hung high above the clouds.

In those eyes, Ron saw a kind of emotion that was the same as his own.

It wasn't fear, it wasn't confusion, it was just pure curiosity.

What...is there?

This simple question came from the throat of the ape-man.

The voice was rough and indistinct, yet it carried the weight of a civilization's awakening.

Amidst the flickering firelight, the ape-man continued to gaze at the starry sky, his trembling fingers pointing towards the distant points of light.

For the first time, thoughts beyond "what to eat today" and "what dangers to avoid tomorrow" began to emerge in his mind.

This was the first time intelligent life had become aware of the "unknown".

It was not a specific threat or opportunity, but a pure curiosity that transcended the instinct for survival.

This is the origin of civilization—the purest and most primitive "want to know".

………………

As time moved forward, Ron arrived at an ancient tribe.

Deep inside the cave, an elderly shaman was telling his people, who were sitting around him, something.

The firelight cast flickering shadows on the cave walls, and those shadows seemed to come alive under the shaman's gestures.

"Children, do you see those points of light in the sky?"

The shaman pointed to the night sky outside the cave entrance:

“My master told me that those might not be simple points of light, but rather inhabited by people who are completely different from us.”

The people sitting around looked on with curiosity.

Several young people couldn't help but stand up and look at the starry sky outside the cave.

Ron sensed the process of aspiration spreading from individual consciousness to the group.

That yearning for the unknown spread like wildfire among intelligent races.

What started as one person's brilliant idea gradually evolved into a shared pursuit of the entire group.

"Perhaps one day, our descendants will find a way to get there."

The shaman continued, his voice carrying a certain unwavering conviction.

A young member of the tribe approached the shaman, his eyes burning with longing:
"Elder, can we really get to those places? How long will it take? What will we need?"

The shaman smiled, a sigh tinged with endless regret:
"Maybe it's not our generation, maybe it's not your generation."

But this yearning will be passed down in our blood until someone truly embarks on the path to the stars.

As time continued to flow, Ron witnessed the construction of the first library.

In the heart of a bustling city, a scholar is directing workers to move books.

Those scrolls recorded all kinds of knowledge—astronomical observations, herbal recipes, craft techniques, philosophical speculations…

"Knowledge must be preserved."

The scholar spoke to his assistant, his voice carrying a sense of mission:

"Our generation may not be able to answer all the questions, but at least we should leave a starting point for future generations to explore."

He scanned the contents recorded in the scrolls:

A remote mountain range described by an explorer:
"After the seventieth day of my journey, I saw a mountain peak so high that I couldn't see its top."

The mountaintop touched the edge of the clouds; I believe some secret must be hidden there.

A craftsman's notes on the making process:

"Today I tried a new metal ratio, and although I was not successful, I discovered a peculiar phenomenon."

This alloy changes color at specific temperatures, which may be a clue to an even greater discovery.

A philosopher's speculation:

Where do we come from? Where are we going?
These questions torment my soul; perhaps the answers lie hidden in those unexplored realms.

Every record exudes the same color—a pure yearning for the unknown.

The accumulation of knowledge is no longer a personal hobby, but a vital mission to ensure the continuation of civilization.

………………

The scene shifts, and Ron arrives at a magnificent port.

The massive void ship was undergoing final preparations, its hull inscribed with complex dimensional teleportation runes.

On the deck, hundreds of explorers were inspecting their equipment, their eyes burning with fervent passion.

This is a microcosm of the Age of Exploration in the Second Era.

The captain stood at the bow, holding up the nautical chart in his hand:
"Comrades! We are about to embark on a journey that no one has ever set foot on before!"

His voice echoed over the harbor:
Nobody knows what's on the other side of the barrier.

It could be endless wealth, unprecedented knowledge, or unimaginable danger.

But that's precisely why we keep going!

The explorers erupted in thunderous cheers.

Ron could feel the surging passion in their hearts.

Beyond greed for wealth and ambition for conquest, there is also a pure thirst for the unknown.

A young wizard walked to the ship's side and gazed into the distant void:
"Beyond those stars, there must be miracles we cannot even imagine."

Perhaps there exists a completely different, extraordinary system there, perhaps the creatures there possess the physiological structures we only dream of.

He turned to his companion beside him:

"Even if we may never come back, the thought of being able to witness those miracles makes me incredibly excited."

The ship slowly started up and disappeared into the distorted spatial rift.

Ron had no idea what the explorers on this ship would face.

Monsters from another world, unknown diseases, and incomprehensible natural phenomena.

But they embarked on their journey without hesitation, for their aspirations gave them the courage to overcome their fears.

………………

Time flew by, and this time he arrived at a solemn council hall.

Hundreds of representatives from different wizarding factions are engaged in a heated debate.

Before them lay countless death reports, recording the deaths of numerous individuals during dangerous explorations.

“We must stop!” an elderly congressman said with great distress.
"Look at this. An exploration team of 123 elites entered that alternate dimension, and only seven of them came out alive, and they all went insane."

They kept repeating the same sentence: 'The exit is around the last corner, but the last corner never exists.'

A low murmur of discussion arose in the hall.

Some support continuing the exploration, arguing that these sacrifices are a necessary price to pay for acquiring knowledge;
Some advocate suspending dangerous projects, arguing that the continuation of civilization is more important than individual discoveries.

A young representative stood up:
"Honorable members of parliament, I would like to ask a question."

If we stop exploring, if we are held back by fear, then what is the meaning of the deaths of those explorers who have already sacrificed their lives?

He looked around at everyone in the hall:

"They didn't die from greed, but from ambition and the pursuit itself. If we give up now, it would be the greatest betrayal of them."

Ultimately, Parliament passed a series of "exploration ordinances" in an attempt to find a balance between continuing exploration and controlling risks.

However, these regulations only make this desire for the unknown more hidden, rather than truly eliminating it.

Because aspirations are as tenacious as weeds, once they take root in the genes of intelligent life, they can never be completely eradicated.

………………

The tide of time has flowed into the modern era, and Ron has come to see the people of this time.

A seasoned abyss explorer is preparing his gear for an upcoming abyss expedition.

His body was covered with various signs of modification:
Metallic arms, crystal-like eyes, and skin covered in scales.

"The seventh level...the Abyss of Souls..."

He stared at the map of the abyss, his voice carrying an almost religious devotion:
"It is said that pure consciousness exists there, unbound by the laws of matter. If one could make contact with them and understand their nature..."

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

In the halls of the Crystal Spire, Cassandra was demonstrating her conquest plans to the other wizards.

A massive star map floats in the air, marking countless worlds waiting to be conquered.

Each point of light represents a civilization, a possible discovery, an unknown miracle.

"Colleagues, we stand at a crossroads in history."

Cassandra's voice is incredibly inspiring:
"What unfolds before us is not just more territory or resources, but limitless possibilities."

Every new world may overturn our understanding of reality, and every new civilization may bring us unprecedented inspiration.

Greed gleamed in the wizards' eyes.

Cassandra presented the various framed targets:

A world where time flows backward, a dimension where cause and effect are reversed, a space where the boundary between life and death is blurred...

Each one is a unique testing ground, and each one may hold the key to unlocking the ultimate mystery of existence.

This might be the real motivation for conquest.

It was not for plunder, but for seeking.

………………

The Milky Way is brilliant and ever-flowing.

In the end, Ron gradually came into contact with something even grander.

It is not a specific life form or civilization, but a kind of "will" of the universe itself.

This will, like an invisible giant hand, secretly controls the entire process of development.

Countless civilizations bloom like flowers in the universe.

They are born of aspiration, flourish in exploration, and wither away due to excessive pursuit.

Then a new civilization is born again, continuing this seemingly eternal cycle.

The withering of every flower of civilization scatters seeds to every corner of the universe.

These seeds, carrying the wisdom and experience of previous civilizations, will take root and sprout at the right time, giving birth to new explorers.

The will of the universe seems to be consciously cultivating this cycle, implanting this thirst for the unknown deep into the genes of every intelligent race.

It's as if the universe itself is searching for something, and intelligent life is just one part of its exploration tools.

It is searching for some ultimate answer, some way of existence that can transcend all limitations.

Every civilization's exploration is part of this search, and every destruction is a necessary step in the selection process.

From this macro perspective, individual suffering and sacrifice become insignificant; what matters is the continued operation of the entire system.

Civilization is like an experimental subject, explorers are like experimental data, and everything serves that ultimate goal.

Ironically, even the will of the universe itself doesn't know what it's looking for.

It was driven by some deeper desire, exploring in endless darkness like blind men touching an elephant.

That's what makes longing so terrifying.

It is an unsolvable cycle, an insatiable desire.

Every discovery only raises more questions, and every answer only reveals a deeper mystery.

………………

When Ron’s consciousness returned from the river of time, the reality of the meditation room became strange and unreal.

He slowly opened his eyes, feeling the weight of his body and the temperature of the air, but his mind was still immersed in the profound experience he had just had.

"What do you see?"

Yutel's voice came from afar.

Ron remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking:
"I see that the main reason why civilization can advance is not simple curiosity or ambition, but some more fundamental driving force of existence."

He raised his head, his eyes filled with deep thought:
“Every explorer, every civilization, and even the universe itself is driven by this desire.”

We explore not because we want something, but simply because we can't stop wanting it.

Yutel's phantom nodded slightly:

That's why we old folks are always full of sighs.

We have witnessed too many cycles, too many repetitions.

Each generation thinks it has found the answer, but the answer always leads to new questions.

“So…does all of this make sense?” Ron asked.

“Meaning?” Yutel shook his head:

Meaning itself is what we crave.

We explore in order to find meaning.

But the meaning always lies in the next discovery, the next answer.

The old professor's figure began to disappear:
"Go, young man. Explore and pursue your dreams in your own way."

Perhaps you can find answers that none of us before you have ever touched.

He chuckled softly: "Or at least you can enjoy the process of searching."

With these words, the phantom disappeared, leaving only faint specks of light drifting in the air.

Ron sat alone in the meditation room.

He felt a restless impulse stirring within him.

That intense desire to delve into the unknown and explore the truth.

This yearning is stronger than poison and more intense than disease; it holds a person captive, making it impossible to break free.

Although it felt like a curse, for a seeker of truth:
A life without aspirations is more terrifying than death.

The black-robed wizard slowly rose, walked to the windowsill, and peered up at the sky.

Countless points of light twinkle in the starry sky, or perhaps countless civilizations struggle to survive.

Whatever awaits him ahead, he can only keep moving forward.

It wasn't because of courage, but simply because I couldn't stop moving forward.

Aspirations, like torches, illuminated the path ahead, but also burned away any escape route behind.

At the end of the road, there always lies the next mystery, the next discovery.

The next... even grander unknown.

(End of this chapter)