Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 500 See you again in the dream
"Thank you for your guidance, Professor."

He sincerely expressed his gratitude to Yutel:

"Tonight's conversation has given me a completely new understanding of the world."

“You should know all of this.” Yutel waved his hand, indicating that it was nothing to worry about.
"You are now standing on the threshold of truly stepping into a higher level of the world."

This knowledge will be the foundation for your survival and development in that world.

When the two walked out of the data room, the corridor of the abyss observation station was unusually quiet.

Only the faint light emitted by the magic crystal lamp cast long shadows on the smooth wall.

Ron returned to his private room with a heavy heart.

Late at night, everything is silent.

He sat alone at his desk, facing the book "The Complete Explanation of the Extraordinary".

The magic crystal lamps in the room were turned down to their lowest brightness, enveloping the entire space in a tranquil and mysterious atmosphere.

Following Yutel's teachings, he began to try to "question" with his mental power.

First, he focused his mind on one of his current areas of greatest interest—necrophysics.

This is a subject fraught with taboos, and it's also the area where he encountered the most restrictions during his reading.

Ron gently stroked the cover of "The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary," and the enormous eyeball slowly turned, gazing at his face.

"I want to understand the deeper mysteries of necromansis." He sincerely expressed his request in his heart:
"Not for evil purposes, but to understand the nature of life and death, and to explore the truth of the soul."

After a few seconds of silence, the pages began to turn automatically without any wind.

To Ron's surprise, the page he opened wasn't filled with dense text, but rather a stunning illustration.

In the image, a skeleton is wearing a silk robe and a cute striped nightcap, comfortably reclining on a bed.

It yawned, and even the drowsiness in its empty eye sockets revealed a sense of sleepiness.

Below the image, a line of text in cursive script reads: "Closed today, see you in my dreams."

Ron stared at the scene, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

A mysterious book containing the secrets of the universe is like a sleepy student making excuses to avoid the problem.

"Perhaps I didn't put in enough mental effort."

He analyzed the situation in his mind and decided to increase the intensity of his investment.

This time, he chose a more powerful concept—"breaking the seal".

Since necronomical knowledge is limited by some mechanism, let's directly challenge that limitation itself.

Ron poured more of his mental energy into the pages of the book, building a strong will to "break through the barriers" in his mind.

The pages began to turn again, but this time the reaction was completely different.

The page displays a breathtaking lock.

The lock is composed of interwoven flowing shadows and frozen light.

The shadowy parts undulated slowly like liquid, while the light parts shimmered like crystal.

Two completely opposite elements have achieved an incredible harmony in this lock.

The locks are incredibly intricate and exquisite in design, with countless tiny runes engraved on their surfaces, each rune constantly changing its shape and meaning.

But what puzzled Ron the most was that this seemingly intricate lock had no keyhole at all.

There is no traditional lock cylinder, no rune slot, and not even any part that can be inserted, turned, or activated.

When he tried to analyze its internal structure carefully with his mental power, an even stranger phenomenon occurred.

The lock's structure began to change in real time, as if it were adaptively adjusting according to his observation angle and depth of understanding.

Every time he thought he had figured out the principle of a certain part, that part would become more complex, generating new layers and mechanisms.

Like a puzzle that is constantly evolving, it always maintains a level of complexity that is one level higher than that of the observer.

Ron could feel the lock silently mocking his overestimation of his abilities.

"How dare they provoke me in return?" His sense of defeat triggered his rebellious nature.

Since gentle communication isn't working, let's try a more direct approach.

He took a deep breath, concentrated all his will, and tried to use his mental strength to make the book provide the answer.

"I need knowledge about necromancy, give it to me immediately!"

This almost brutal mental intrusion immediately triggered a strong reaction from the books.

The eyes on the cover suddenly widened, flashing with obvious anger.

The pages began to turn frantically, making a soft, cicada-wing-like sound.

The flipping speed increased, eventually blurring into a whirlwind before suddenly stopping.

It was frozen on a ten-page "academic paper".

Ron took a closer look and almost laughed out of anger at what he saw.

The title of the paper is written in a professional academic style:

How to perform dental care and polishing on a slimy slug

Subtitle: "Innovative Research Based on Interethnic Oral Hygiene"

What's most ridiculous is that the illustrations in this "paper" are as rigorous as those in a medical textbook.

The detailed anatomical diagram shows the "oral structure" of the slug, with precise annotations indicating the location of each "tooth".

Every nursing step was meticulously drawn:
How to choose the right mini toothbrush;

How to prepare a special mouthwash;

How to perform polishing to ensure the shine of the "teeth"...

There is even a "patient" cooperation assessment form and a detailed description of "postoperative care".

This is studying the most boring topic in the world with the utmost professionalism.

Ron realized he had been tricked again, but he refused to give up and continued trying.

When he searched for "necrophysics" again, the page showed:
"The ghosts have all taken leave today to attend the annual ghost party. The office is temporarily closed. Please come back tomorrow."

Here is today's alternative content:

"How to Teach a Zombie to Dance Classical Dance: A Complete Tutorial from Basic Footwork to Advanced Aerial Turns"

When he searched for information related to "bloodline evolution," the following appeared:
"Bloodline? Blood! I understand, it seems you want to learn cooking skills!"
This contains the most detailed recipe for blood sausage, including the entire process of ingredient selection, seasoning, stuffing, and maturation.

It also comes with an exclusive secret recipe:
How to make blood sausage that's both tender and chewy, guaranteed to leave your guests raving!

As Ron tried more and more, the "rebellious" book began to exhibit increasingly obvious "emotions".

The eyeballs on the cover began to roll impatiently, sometimes rolling their eyes, sometimes making a contemptuous expression.

The book pages will automatically display some completely irrelevant content:

"On How to Comb a Stone's Hair"

"Research Report on the Wetting Properties of Water"

Why One Plus One Equals Three: An Unsolved Mystery That Has Lasted for Three Eras

……

Most egregiously, a line of highly provocative text even appeared on the page:

"Reader's Note: This book is not a vending machine; please do not insert coins."

For consultation, please make an appointment and pay the corresponding intellectual property tax first.

Ron's psychological control came into play in the face of this obvious provocation.

He was not angered by this seemingly joking protest; instead, he began to analyze its deeper meaning.

But deep within her consciousness, Azalea's voice grew increasingly intense:
"That damned, worthless book! How dare it mock us!"

The dragon soul's furious roar echoed in Ron's mind:

"Let me out! I'll teach it a lesson! A mere book dares to act tough in front of a dragon!"

"I can use the Dragon Language's oppressive aura to directly shatter its core consciousness!"

"Calm down, Acelia."

Ron gently soothed the raging dragon soul in his mind:
"This is not a simple mockery, but a deeper test."

If we respond with violence, it will only prove that we are unworthy of true knowledge.

"Test? What test?"

Azalea's anger subsided slightly, but her tone remained full of dissatisfaction:
"It's clearly deliberately making things difficult for us!" "No, I think I'm starting to understand."

Ron's thoughts gradually cleared, and he recalled the tests he had experienced in the treasure vault of the King of Absurdity:

"Do you remember what I told you about my experience in the treasure vault of the King of Absurdity?"
Every seemingly absurd challenge is actually testing our way of thinking and values.

"The reaction to this book is also a manifestation of absurd philosophy; it teaches me an important lesson."

Ron paused for a moment, then looked on with a sudden realization:
"I was wrong. I was completely wrong from the very beginning."

"I treated it as a database to be decoded, and as a machine waiting for input instructions."

But it is a living paradox.

"The more I actively seek it, the more it refuses to give it."

The more I try to control it, the more it resists.

"This is the core philosophy of Saint Hector."

The answer is not found, not demanded, not commanded to appear; it is 'won'.

Although Acelia was still dissatisfied, she was persuaded by his analysis:

"It seems my judgment was correct after all; your wisdom far surpasses mine. But how can I 'win'?"

"Since we cannot demand or command, what should we do?"

Ron did not answer immediately; now he finally understood the deeper meaning behind Professor Yutel's words.

This is no ordinary book; rather, it is an extension of the wisdom of the King of Absurdity, an eternal philosophical mentor.

Every reaction it makes, every "prank" it plays, is a way of conveying a certain lesson.

After careful consideration, he completely abandoned the mentality of demanding, commanding, and even "communicating".

Withdraw all mental energy, cease all proactive exploration, and simply sit at your desk.

He stared at the enormous eye on the cover, which seemed to contain the entire starry sky.

But this time, there was no yearning, no command, and no question in his eyes.

It has no purpose, no need, it simply exists in this moment.

Time seemed to stand still in this pure gaze.

The room fell into a deathly silence, with only the steady sound of breathing rising and falling in the stillness.

Time seemed stretched out countless times, each second feeling long and solemn.

After a twenty-minute silent stare, an almost imperceptible change occurred.

The huge eyeball on the cover, which was originally as lifeless as a stone, underwent a very slight contraction in its pupil.

Like an ancient being that has been sleeping in a long dream, finally feeling the call from the real world.

Then, his eyes began to slowly move, his "gaze" focusing precisely on Ron.

A powerful mental surge suddenly exploded in his mind.

But this is not sound, nor language, nor even any form of information that can be understood by human senses.

This is a pure, cold, and unquestionable rule concept—"equivalent exchange".

The cost is absolute, and the exchange is ruthless.

In the temple of knowledge, there is no charity, only justice.

The book's consciousness, like a librarian just awakened, sighed slowly with deep weariness and impatience:

"Yet another insignificant being seeking knowledge."

"Knowledge is the most expensive commodity in the universe, young wizard."

Every truth is written in blood, every wisdom comes at the cost of suffering.

"Now, tell me—how do you plan to pay for your tuition?"

As this question was asked, the pages of "The Complete Guide to Extraordinary Things" began to flip automatically, revealing a detailed "exchange catalog":
[First layer: Peer-to-peer information exchange]

[Applicable Level: Apprentice to Moonlight Wizard Level Knowledge]

[Cost Type: Experience Memory]

[Exchange Mechanism: Trade in a complete learning experience in exchange for basic knowledge of equal value]

A concrete example appeared on the page, written in an elegant font:

"Case Study: You can submit 'the complete memory of the first successful casting of Radiance Ring'."

This includes the excitement, sense of accomplishment, and all the insights gained, all exchanged for a summary of techniques on how to quickly master new spells.

The book's detailed explanation then appears:
"The acquisition of knowledge requires the accumulation of experience and the time to build up.

When you lose this precious memory, you forever lose the ability to repeatedly draw wisdom and inspiration from it.

"But as compensation, you will receive the wisdom of other genius wizards I have witnessed."

Their experiences, skills, and hard-won lessons learned on the same path.

"This is the most moderate form of exchange; the losses are manageable, but the gains are also relatively limited."

[Second Layer: Potential Replacement]

[Applicable Level: Knowledge from Dark Sun to Grand Wizard]

[Cost Type: Future Possibilities]

[Exchange mechanism: Permanently relinquishing the potential in one area of ​​development in exchange for deeper knowledge in another]

The page displays more complex exchange examples:

"Case Study: Giving up 'all the possibilities of becoming a master alchemist,' including related talents, intuition, and the favor of fate, in exchange for 'the core secrets and forbidden techniques of necromancy.'"

Mechanism Explanation:
This book will permanently mark your 'potential spectrum' and completely close all developmental paths related to alchemy.

From then on, no matter how hard he tried, he could not achieve true success in the field of alchemy.

"But at the same time, the door to necrology will be completely opened for you, and mysteries that would have taken decades or even centuries to explore will be presented directly to you."

The book's serious warning followed immediately:
Warning: Everyone's potential is limited and precious.

Choosing one path means you can never take another.

"This is not about allocating skill points in a virtual game, but about making real life choices."

Once the exchange is complete, even time reversal and fate reshaping cannot change this fundamental limitation.

"Please consider carefully: Are you willing to give up the possibility of becoming an expert in another field in order to become an expert in one field?"

Upon seeing this, Ron felt a chill run down his spine.

The cost of this exchange was far more severe and irreversible than he had imagined.

But as the page continued to scroll, even more alarming options appeared.

[Third Layer: Essential Trading]

[Applicable Level: ???]

[Cost Type: Existence Trait]

[Exchange mechanism: Give up one of your core traits in exchange for corresponding advanced knowledge]

"Case Study: Giving up 'the ability to emotionally attach to family and friends' in exchange for 'an absolute power control method that transcends emotional constraints'."

"Specific manifestations: If you choose this kind of transaction, you will gradually lose your emotional connection with the people around you."

It's not just simple indifference; it's a complete loss of the ability to perceive 'love' at the level of the soul.

"You will become as rational and cold as an ancient war machine, and will no longer be able to experience basic human emotions such as warmth, attachment, and protectiveness."

"But as compensation, you will gain unprecedented control over your power. Any spell in your hands will achieve perfect accuracy and will not be affected by emotional fluctuations."

The danger of this exchange lies in:
People who lose their emotions often lose the motivation and meaning to move forward.

Power grew stronger, but existence became empty.

After reading the detailed exchange catalog, Ron fell into a long silence.

Every option is tempting, but comes with a chilling price.

This is the philosophy of the king of absurdity:

There is no power for free, no wisdom for cheap; everything gained requires a corresponding sacrifice.

The eye on the cover silently watches him, awaiting his choice.

At that moment, Ron truly understood what "the weight of knowledge" meant.

(End of this chapter)