Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 485 Understanding Viruses
The sunsets in the Central Lands are always exceptionally beautiful.

Before Ron could even appreciate the long-awaited sunset, Cassandra called him into the conference room.

A holographic projection floated in the center of the conference room, displaying the real-time battle situation in the fourth quadrant.

The silver Vital fleet swam densely like a school of fish in the deep sea.

Their formation is so perfect that every ship is performing coordinated actions with millisecond precision.

In contrast, the wizard fleet's formation showed a clear contraction, with its original attack wedge shape degenerating into a defensive ring.

"The situation is more serious than I expected."

Cassandra stood before the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the entire Central Lands, her purple eyes reflecting the distant clouds.

“Three days ago, the Vitals deployed twelve new Star Beasts.”

The images projected on the screen switched in sync with her words, revealing those terrifying biological weapons.

Each of these cosmic behemoths is nearly the size of an asteroid, and their bodies are covered with organic cannons and tentacle-like sensory organs.

"Our fleet is now in a state of complete strategic defense."

Cassandra tapped her fingers lightly on the windowpane:

"Elizabeth of the Element Garden even began to suggest that perhaps we should consider the possibility of a strategic retreat."

This information made Ron frown.

Elizabeth, as the leader of the Elemental Garden, has always been known for her ambition.

It was under her leadership that the Garden of Elements rapidly grew into a behemoth second only to the Crystal Spire in terms of size during the Fourth Age.

If even she is starting to consider retreating, then the situation at the front has indeed reached a very critical level.

"so."

Cassandra finally turned around, her gaze sharp as a blade:

"The 'peaceful evolution' plan must be launched immediately and in full without any further delay."

She gently touched the crystal bracelet on her wrist, and a detailed file unfolded in the air.

He was a young man who looked no more than twenty-five or twenty-six years old, thin and pale, as if he had lived underground for a long time.

He wore a pair of crystal glasses inlaid with tiny runes, clearly not ordinary vision correction devices.

But what's most eye-catching are the thin silver threads wrapped around his arms.

"Cedric Morwin, currently one of the youngest associate professors in the main world, specializes in sensory cognition and virtual reality construction technology."

His expertise in the relevant field has surpassed that of most scholars of his generation, and even some senior associate professors.

The profile page automatically flips to reveal Cedric's academic resume.

Ron quickly scanned the dazzling array of research findings:
Standardization of Sensory Data Streams Based on Direct Neural Connections

A Quantitative Grading System for Pain and Pleasure

The Physiological Basis of Virtual Touch

……

Ron nodded. He had even studied many of these papers, and his curiosity about this young associate professor grew even stronger.
"So, where is he now?"

"The seventh floor of the R&D center."

Cassandra's expression became subtle, as if she were recalling some unpleasant memory:

"Just a heads up, Cedric has some... unusual research habits, so don't be fooled by his appearance."

"That guy's understanding of sensory experience has reached a level that is almost pathological."

The air on the seventh underground level was a mixture of the sweet, fishy smell of biological nerve fluid, the pungent smell of alchemical reagents, and a faint smell of blood.

Ron walked along the metal corridor, his footsteps echoing in the empty passageway.

The signs on both sides of the passageway use different colors to indicate the risk level:

"Third Laboratory - Medium Risk, Neurosensory Testing"

"The Fifth Laboratory - High-Risk, Consciousness Stripping Experiment"

"Sixth Laboratory - Extremely High Risk, Soul Contact Experiment"

As Ron passed each laboratory, he could sense faint energy fluctuations emanating from within.

These fluctuations vary in nature; some are as gentle as a spring breeze, while others carry a chilling malice.

The laboratory at the end of the corridor was clearly different from the others.

On the heavy door, a solemn warning was inscribed in ancient shamanic script:
"Sensory cognition laboratory - extremely high danger area, entry is strictly prohibited without permission."

There is also a sophisticated identity verification device next to the door.

After verifying his identity, Ron frowned slightly as he looked through the observation window on the second door inside.

Inside, a young man was lying quietly on a complex operating table, his left arm completely exposed.

The operating table was surrounded by various sophisticated monitoring devices.

A dozen or so thin silver needles were precisely inserted into specific nerve nodes in his forearm, each needle connected to a bioelectrical monitoring device.

The data stream forms a semi-transparent chart in the air, displaying in real time the changes in the intensity and frequency of neural signal transmission.

The other person's right hand was holding a scalpel.

He used the knife to make regular cuts on the skin of his left arm.

What made Ron uncomfortable was the expression on Cedric's face.

It was a kind of fanaticism unique to researchers.

It was as if what was taking place was not a painful self-experiment, but some kind of sacred ritual.

"Thirty-seventh cut, depth 3.2..."

As he operated the device, he muttered to himself in an academic tone, his voice showing no trace of pain or tremor:
"The sharp pain index is 6.7, combined with the previous burning sensation of 3.2... the complex pain index actually reached 9.1, which is 0.3 higher than the theoretical expectation..."

With each sentence he uttered, he left corresponding data on the suspended recording crystal.

Ron observed quietly for a moment, then knocked lightly on the door.

Cedric then looked up, scanned the visitor outside the door through his glasses, and beamed with delight:

"Ah! You must be lecturer Ron Ralph?"

He quickly put down the scalpel and began carefully removing the silver needles from his arm:
"The technical genius that Cassandra has mentioned many times? Please come in, please come in!"

The wounds gradually healed under the influence of some kind of healing spell, as if they had never existed.

"I'm sorry to have you witness this...less-than-dignified scene."

Cedric explained as he tidied the lab bench:
"I am conducting a precise calibration experiment on the pain threshold."

This is extremely important for the design of virtual sensory experiences; any slight deviation could lead to the failure of the entire project, so experimenting on oneself is the best option.

"Pain threshold?"

Ron walked into the laboratory.

"Yes!"

Cedric nodded in confirmation:

"Did you know that traditional virtual reality technology can only simulate vision and hearing, but what really makes people addicted is the tactile experience?"

He raised his arms, proudly displaying the fine silver threads:
"Especially the precise simulation of pain and pleasure. I implanted different types of pain receptors in my left arm and pleasure transmitters in my right arm."

"Through them, I can experience a sensory world that ordinary people cannot imagine, and transform these experiences into reproducible data patterns."

Ron also switched to the objectivity that a researcher should have: "So, what is your ultimate goal in doing this?"

"To create the perfect virtual experience!"

Cedric excitedly walked to a huge projection wall, which displayed densely packed sensory data charts:
"This is your idea, which allows our civilization's hostile forces to become completely addicted to the false paradise we have created, like addicts on dream drugs."

"At this point, I must express my deepest gratitude to you."

At this point, Cedric suddenly turned around again:
"It was your brilliant idea that pointed us in the right direction—the concept of 'peaceful evolution' and the technological improvements to the chaos simulation device."

His hands were clenched tightly, and his voice trembled:

"Before you put forward these ideas, my research was like groping in the fog."

While capable of creating a perfect sensory experience, it lacks a clear strategic objective.

"But now, everything is clear."

We are not creating entertainment tools; we are forging the ultimate weapon to change the course of civilization!

Ron carefully observed the young scholar before him.

What the other person just said didn't seem to be entirely complimentary.

Cedric genuinely regarded him as a research partner and a kindred spirit who could understand his great ideals.

But... a madman who practices live dissection on himself still makes him cautious about getting close to him.

"Could you please tell me how you became interested in this field?"

Upon hearing this question, Cedric's expression underwent a subtle change.

"It's a bit... complicated to explain."

I was fortunate enough to be a student of the great wizard Vinard; those were the most precious ten years of my life.

When Vinard was mentioned, the other person's tone was full of genuine respect.

"The mentor is a true genius; his expertise in alchemical construction is unparalleled in his time."

Both their spatial folding techniques and their theories of element aggregation far surpassed those of other scholars of their time.

Cedric walked to the lab bench and gently stroked the delicate instruments:

My initial research direction also followed in his footsteps:

They attempted to create a virtual environment indistinguishable from reality, striving for absolute technological perfection.

"but……"

His voice suddenly deepened, and his eyes behind his glasses dimmed.
“I disappointed my mentor, not because of a lack of ability, but because of… a fundamental difference in our philosophies.”

Cedric stopped what he was doing:
"My mentor believes that the ultimate goal of virtual reality technology is to 'approach reality infinitely.'"

This involves creating a simulated environment that perfectly mirrors the real world, making it indistinguishable from reality for the user.

"but me……"

That fervent light rekindled in his eyes:

“I think it should be ‘beyond reality’ – creating a world that is more perfect and better than reality, so that users are fundamentally unwilling to return to reality.”

This difference in ideas may sound subtle, but Ron understands the profound implications it contains.

The former is the pursuit of technical perfectionists, while the latter is the dream of idealists.

Cedric walked to another corner of the laboratory, where a wall displayed various old photos and memorabilia.

"This idea is inextricably linked to my experiences." He gently stroked a faded family photograph, his voice softening further:
“My parents were both low-level refinery workers, toiling every day in dangerous refineries for meager wages.”

The family of three in the photo are all smiles, but Ron can see the poverty hidden beneath their simple clothes.

“My family worked tirelessly in those dangerous factories to support my apprenticeship.”

Cedric's voice became calm, but that calmness was more heartbreaking than any agitation:

"In the end... they didn't live to see me become a full-fledged wizard, nor did they live to see the wonderful new life I promised them."

He shook his head slightly:
"Reality is too cruel and too painful; the lives of ordinary people are filled with unchangeable suffering."

"But if we have the ability to create a world that is better than reality, allowing those who suffer to obtain happiness in virtual space that reality cannot provide..."

He turned to Ron, his eyes burning with a saintly fervor:

"Isn't this a greater goal? Rather than letting them struggle in the mire of reality, let's give them a perfect dream paradise!"

While the idea sounded compassionate, the underlying danger made Ron frown.

What is the price of "salvation" that replaces real suffering with false happiness?
"My mentor can't understand my thoughts."

Cedric's voice was filled with deep regret:
“He thought I was blaspheming the purity of technology, and that I was trying to solve problems through deception. Our differences grew, and eventually…”

"He expelled me from his school."

Cedric's whole body trembled slightly as he said those words.

………………

After calming himself down, Cedric led Ron to the core area of ​​the project and pushed open a heavy alloy door.

Behind the door was a huge circular space, with countless shimmering energy conduits embedded in the walls.

At the center of the space stood a complex device radiating iridescent light.

"This is the prototype of the 'Cognitive Manipulation Matrix'."

Cedric's voice was filled with pride, as if he were showing off his own child:

"Based on the technical principles of your simulation device, but incorporating our independently developed 'emotion injection system' and 'experience enhancement module'."

The device was surrounded by pipes that emitted different colored lights, each pipe connected to a storage tank filled with a strange liquid.

The liquids flowed slowly through the pipes, creating a vibrant rainbow effect.

What are these liquids?

Ron pointed to the storage tanks, and under his "supernatural perception" vision, the liquids exhibited strange signs of activity.

“A materialized extract of various emotions.”

Cedric's tone became more academic:

“We extract specific neurotransmitters from the brains of experimental subjects in different emotional states, and then refine, concentrate and enhance their function.”

He pointed to the storage tanks of different colors:
"The red one is a purified dopamine complex, which can simulate the ultimate pleasure and sense of accomplishment."

The blue ones are endorphin derivatives, which produce a deep sense of satisfaction and security.
The purple one is an oxytocin-enhancing solution, designed to create a strong sense of love and belonging…

"And this green one is our original creation—'Perfect Experience Element'."

Cedric proudly introduced his greatest research achievement:

"It allows users to experience a state of perfection that transcends reality, an absolute happiness that can never be obtained in the real world."

Who are these 'experiment subjects'?

Ron's voice remained calm, but he already had a bad feeling.

Cedric's expression underwent a subtle change:
"Mainly some...serious offenders convicted by the court, and prisoners of war."

He quickly added:

“Cassandra believes that rather than letting them waste resources in prison, it is better to let them contribute to the great cause of changing the world.”

This both alleviated the social burden and promoted the progress of wizarding civilization.

"Of course, the entire extraction process is painless."

Cedric's tone became lighter:
“We can even have them complete the entire process in a state of extreme happiness.”

In a sense, this was also a blessing for them—to be able to experience unprecedented happiness in the final stage of their lives.

This nonchalant tone made Ron realize that, in the other party's cognitive system, the righteousness of the goal could justify any means.

"You seem troubled?"

Cedric keenly noticed Ron's change in mood:

“I understand that reaction. Most people have similar doubts when they first learn about our work.”

“The deaths of these people are meaningful. Their sacrifice will become a force for changing the world, which is far more noble than rotting away in prison.”

Cedric's logic is self-consistent yet ruthless, embodying the most dangerous aspect of idealism.

When lofty goals meet ruthless methods, the former often provides the latter with a sufficiently exquisite outer packaging.

Over the next few days, Ron gained a thorough understanding of the project's technical architecture and personnel configuration.

Although Cassandra has a hard time mobilizing those professors, that is, the archmages.

But each member here can be considered a leader in their respective field.

As the collaboration deepened, fundamental differences between Ron and Cedric regarding their technological approaches began to emerge.

"I think we should adopt a more prudent, gradual approach."

During the technical discussion, he pulled up his meticulously designed technical framework diagram in front of the central display stand in the conference room:

"Based on my chaos simulation device technology, we can build a complete virtual world ecosystem from scratch."

Although this method is more time-consuming, it is safer and ensures complete control over the technology.

The 3D projection displays a hierarchical structure diagram, with each layer having a clear functional division and interface definition:

"We first established a basic physics rule engine to simulate the fundamental laws of the real world, such as gravity, electromagnetic force, strong and weak nuclear forces."

Then gradually add chemical reaction systems and biological evolution modules;
"Further construct a framework for social interaction and a model for civilization development..."

This plan truly demonstrates rigorous thinking.

Of course, Ron also had his own deeper considerations.

In this gradual technological advancement process, he was able to ensure his dominant position in the project.

At the same time, by handling a massive amount of rune programming and alchemical construction work, the proficiency of related skills is greatly improved.

This controllable technological approach can also avoid some of the potential dangers he foresaw.

But Cedric clearly lacked interest in this conservative approach.

He pushed up his thick crystal glasses and interrupted impatiently:

"Ralph, your technical approach truly demonstrates admirable rigor."

But I'm afraid the reality we face doesn't allow for such a leisurely development cycle.

Cedric stood up and walked to the other wall of the conference room.

Hanging there was a battle map that was updated in real time, with dense red markers representing the losses of the expeditionary force:

"What we need is a solution that can immediately turn the tide of the war, not a perfect project that takes years or even decades to complete."

He activated a holographic display of another technical solution, and a completely different structural diagram appeared in the projection.

It is not the hierarchical architecture of Ron's approach, but a virus-like network-like diffusion model:
“I propose the ‘cognitive virus’ approach—creating a self-replicating information structure that can directly infect the Vital mind network.”

This term caused everyone present to frown.

Cognitive virus is a dangerous concept that exists in theory but has never been applied in practice.

“Specifically,” Cedric began to elaborate:
“We designed an experience package that, once a Vital individual is exposed to this experience, will establish an anchor point deep within their consciousness.”

Then, through the collective consciousness network of the Vitals, it automatically spreads to other individuals.

"The core advantage of this method lies in its exponential propagation speed."

He demonstrated the propagation model in the projection:

"We only need to ensure the success of the initial infection; the subsequent spread will be fully automated."

In theory, from the first infected individual, the entire Vital civilization could have fallen in less than ten standard months.

Ron felt a strange sense of déjà vu about it.

After a moment's recollection, he remembered what Acelia had once told him about the true reason for the destruction of the Second Age, the "Golden Age."

Perhaps this is the origin of their current thinking on "understanding the virus"?
The associate professors in the relevant fields present also exchanged worried glances.

The alchemist from the Elemental Garden was the first to raise a question:
“Wizard Cedric, how can we control the mutation risk of this self-replicating structure?”

If a virus gets out of control, it could very well evolve into characteristics we cannot predict.

"Furthermore," the consciousness researcher in the dark cabin also joined the discussion:
"How can we ensure the race-specificity of the virus? What if it breaks through its original limitations and impacts humans and similar subhuman groups?"

Cedric clapped his hands, interrupting these concerns:

“I fully understand your concerns, but we have adequate precautions and safety protocols in place.”

He pulled up a detailed design diagram of the virus structure:

"First of all, the virus's core code contains strict racial identification protocols."

"Secondly, we have implanted multiple self-destruct mechanisms into the virus."

“Finally,” Cedric’s voice became more confident:

“We possess the virus’s source code and generation algorithm, which theoretically allows us to develop a vaccine against any variant.”

But Ron keenly noticed a subtle flicker in Cedric's eyes as he explained these "safety measures."

“Cedric the Wizard.” Ron’s voice remained calm and rational:
"The technology of understanding viruses does have an attractive efficiency advantage, but its risk factor far exceeds the acceptable range."

"What if the virus undergoes adaptive evolution that we haven't anticipated? What if the racial identification protocol is bypassed by some unknown mechanism? What if the self-destruct mechanism fails?"

His tone became more serious:

Any one of these "what ifs" could lead to a horrific disaster.

Are we really going to take on such a huge strategic risk for a short-term tactical advantage?

Cedric's expression turned somewhat displeased:
“Ralph, I understand your caution as a technical expert, but sometimes, excessive caution is a desecration of the truth.”

"Any revolutionary technology that can change the course of history is inevitably accompanied by corresponding risks."

If we abandon the most effective solutions out of fear, how are we any different from conservatives?

The atmosphere in the meeting room became tense.

Ultimately, this debate over the technological approach did not reach a clear conclusion.

Both sides agreed to temporarily retain their respective proposals and await a decision from higher authorities.

But Ron knew in his heart that, given Cassandra's current agitated state, she could only...

(End of this chapter)