Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 502 Gashapon Machine

The pages began to turn violently, as if provoked by some intense emotion.

"I am the copy of Saint Hector's 'Transcendental Explanation', the King of Absurdity!"

“Stories that are worthless to other books are priceless to me!”

The giant eye on the cover began to glow, its pupils contracting and dilating wildly:
Do you know what the source of the King of Absurdity's power is?

It's not elemental control, not bloodline modification, and certainly not the laws of space!

"His power comes from a profound questioning of the nature of reality and a precise grasp of absurdity!"

Philosophical diagrams begin to appear on the pages, each analyzing the deeper meaning of "The Metamorphosis":

"The sudden alienation of existence, the fragility of social identity, the relativity of individual value... these concepts are the core components of the philosophy of absurdity!"

With this explanation, Ron finally felt relieved.

So that's how it is. It's not a matter of the story's inherent value, but rather a difference in perspective.

Philosophical speculation is indeed meaningless for classic texts that pursue practical technology.

But for the king of absurdity, whose power comes from philosophy, this cross-world intellectual resonance is the most precious treasure.

"To go a step further."

"The Complete Explanation of the Extraordinary" continues its analysis:

"This story also offers a completely new perspective."

“In our world, transformation is common. Bloodline awakening, alchemical modification, potion mutation... all of these can turn a person into a completely different being.”

“But we usually focus on ‘how to transform,’ ‘why to transform,’ and ‘how to utilize the new capabilities after transformation.’”

The page features comparison images of various shapeshifting examples from the Wizarding World:

A mage grew dragon scales due to a potion accident; his first reaction was to study how to control this change.
An apprentice, having awakened his bloodline and become a half-elf, immediately began learning the relevant racial skills;
An alchemist, whose body structure was altered by his own experiments, immediately threw himself into optimizing and improving it...

“You see, here, transformation is always accompanied by practical considerations.”

The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary Points points out the key differences:

"But the story you provided focuses on the impact of transformation on the 'meaning of existence' itself."

The protagonist isn't contemplating 'how to utilize the beetle's abilities,' but rather questioning 'Am I, now transformed into a beetle, still the same person?'

"This purely philosophical perspective has almost been lost in the pragmatic wizarding world!"

The pages began to emit a faint golden light, a special sign that "The Complete Explanation of the Extraordinary" was expressing high approval:
"Moreover, this story also implies a profound reflection on the relationship between 'social expectations' and 'individual value'."

"When the protagonist loses his socially recognized value, is unable to work, integrate into his family, or maintain his physical appearance—does his existence still have any meaning?"

"This perspective is precisely the core question my master wanted to explore: Is an individual's value intrinsic or extrinsically bestowed?"

After hearing these in-depth analyses, Ron began to re-examine that familiar story.

In his previous life, he simply read "The Metamorphosis" as a classic work of literature.

"Therefore, after comprehensive evaluation..."

The tone of "The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary" becomes formal, as solemn as a judge's pronouncement:

"The case study of philosophical speculation from another world that you provided is considered 'rare' knowledge material in the value assessment of the absurd system."

"Although it is not very practical, its philosophical inspiration value far exceeds that of ordinary technology."

"According to the King of Absurdity's criteria, the value coefficient of this kind of cross-world intellectual resonance is 1.5 times."

A beautifully crafted scale pattern appeared on the page; on the left was the storybook of "The Metamorphosis," and on the right was a pile of glittering gold coins.

Final evaluation results:
Equivalent to 100 standard knowledge points, usable for any knowledge consultation at levels below the Witch King.

Seeing this result, Ron felt a great weight lifted from his heart, but it also gave him something to think about more deeply.

On the one hand, he was pleased with his gambling success;
On the other hand, he also deeply realized the relativity of the value of knowledge.

The same information can have completely different values ​​under different evaluation systems.

When this memory left his consciousness, he felt a strange sense of emptiness.

The feeling was like precisely removing a folder from your mind.

The plot, emotions, and philosophical insights derived from that story have all completely disappeared.

All that remains is a vague impression: "I once read a story about a person turning into an insect."

"The transaction is established!"

The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary Sentences sighs with satisfaction:

"Your philosophical anecdote has been carefully preserved and will become a precious collection in my treasure trove of knowledge."

As the transaction was completed, the pages of the book were turned again, and the contents that appeared were gradually becoming familiar to Ron.

There is no systematic knowledge imparted on the page, no spell formulas, and no historical secrets.

Instead, there is another exquisite illustration:

An arm made of pure white bones is gracefully dropping a coin with a dull luster into a device.

The design of the device made Ron chuckle.

Judging from its appearance alone, it looks no different from an ordinary gashapon machine in the arcade of my previous life.

Ron didn't rush to ask any questions when faced with this "gas capsule machine".

Having come into contact with the true form of the King of Absurdity, he knew that what the other party liked most was to hide terrible traps within seemingly simple rules.

"Before asking my question, I would like to understand the specific operating mechanism of this points system."

He asked cautiously:
“The billing standards seem a bit vague, and I’m worried about unexpected overcharging.”

The giant eye on the cover blinked.

"Oh, you want to understand how I work?"

The pages began to turn, revealing a more detailed illustration.

The voice in "The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary" became quite smug:

"This is one of the master's proudest inventions - the 'Intelligent Distribution Device', commonly known as the 'Knowledge Gashapon Machine'."

As he was introduced, the machine's internal structure was fully revealed to him.

At the heart of the machine is a crystal ball, within which countless shimmering points of light float.

Each point of light represents a fragment of knowledge, and they rotate slowly inside the crystal ball, like miniature galaxies.

Then, the illustrations began to dynamically display the entire question-and-answer process:
When the coin is inserted, the crystal ball begins to spin violently, with specks of light flying around like a blizzard.

"You see, knowledge is not a commodity, but a living concept."

The book begins to explain in detail:
“Every question will trigger a ‘cognitive resonance’ in the crystal ball.”

Related pieces of knowledge will attract each other, forming temporary 'answer clusters'.

"But there's a very interesting place here..."

The tone of "The Complete Guide to Extraordinary Things" becomes playful:

I won't give you the most standard answer.

Instead, I will randomly choose one from all the possible answers for you.

This statement made Ron frown slightly:
"Random? Doesn't that mean I might spend a lot of points only to get useless information?"

"useless?"

The books emitted a mocking laugh:

"Child, this is the blind spot of you rationalists."

You always think that only information that directly answers the question is valuable.

The page begins by displaying a somewhat abstract drawing:

A scholar stands in the center of the library, surrounded by countless paths leading to different bookshelves.

At the end of each path, there is a glowing book.

True wisdom is often not the answer you seek, but the truth you discover by chance.

The philosophy lesson of "The Complete Explanation of the Extraordinary" has begun:

When you ask, 'How can I quickly increase my magic power?' the standard answer might be, 'Practice more meditation.'

“But I might tell you about the breathing techniques of ancient dragons, or the digestive principles of abyssal worms, or even why rulers never need to cultivate.”

"These seemingly unrelated pieces of information can often give you a completely new perspective and unexpected inspiration."

Ron began to understand the underlying logic of this mechanism.

By introducing randomness, it is often possible to break through the questioner's fixed mindset.

"Of course." The book continued:
"If you're particularly unlucky, you might indeed get some seemingly useless information."

For example, asking "How do I become a great wizard?" might result in receiving "The correct way to wear a wizard's hat."

"But even such a seemingly absurd answer may contain a deeper meaning."

Perhaps the origin of that hat reveals a key secret to becoming a great wizard.

The illustration features a wizard dressed in a simple robe.

His hat looked ordinary, but the entire starry sky was hidden under the brim.

"This is the master's philosophy—to find patterns in absurdity and order in chaos."

The voice of "The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary" deepened:

"The most precious knowledge is never the articles clearly written in textbooks, but the wisdom that you need to discover, understand, and comprehend for yourself."

After this explanation, Ron gained a deeper understanding of the "gashapon machine" system.

This is indeed in line with the consistent style of the King of Absurdity.

To convey orderly wisdom in a seemingly chaotic way.

"So, how much does it cost to answer this question?"

He decided to conduct a small-scale trial first.

"Oh, that's easy."

The pages turned, revealing a beautifully designed price list:
"Basic Curiosity (below 5 points): You want to know an interesting but unimportant fact."

"Practical Consultation (10-20 points): You need to solve a specific technical problem." "In-depth Exploration (20-60 points): You want to understand the core principles of a certain field."

"On the Edge of Taboo (60-200 points): You crave access to dangerous yet powerful knowledge."

"The Ultimate Truth (Currently inaccessible)"

"Let me start with a practical, consulting-level question."

Ron cautiously chose the mid-range spending level:
"I want to understand how to more effectively control the coordinated operation of various blood vessels in the body."

With only two heads of different attributes, the control is already this chaotic; imagine what it will be like when they gather four heads...

"Fifteen points! Sold!"

The Amazing Decipherable is pleased to announce that the vending machine depicted in the illustration has begun operating.

The points of light inside the crystal ball began to spin wildly, forming a dazzling vortex of light.

Then, a green orb of light popped out of the exit and slowly unfolded in the air.

But what Ron found out was unexpected.

It wasn't some profound bloodline theory, nor some exquisite control technique, but rather a rather... ordinary-looking recipe.

How to Make Multi-Element Soup

Ingredient preparation:
1. Three sizzling mushrooms (must be freshly picked and slightly sizzling hot)

2. A bunch of deep-sea kelp (deep-sea variety, rich in pure water elements)
3. Seven leaves of mountain mint (wild mountain mint, the leaves will float naturally).

4. One stone radish (must grow in soil rich in the essence of the earth)

Production steps:
1. Slice the blanched mushrooms, being careful to maintain an even internal temperature.

2. Rinse deep-sea kelp with clean water to remove excess salt, but retain the active elements.

3. Do not directly touch the mint leaves; use a magic lift to clean them.

4. Stone radishes should have their outer skin intact, as it contains the purest earth element.

Cooking tips:

1. The four elements must be added in the order of mutual restraint and mutual generation.

2. Earth comes first, then wind; the earth element provides a stable foundation, while the wind element brings change and vitality.

3. Water followed by fire: Water element harmonizes and conflicts, while fire element stimulates and fuses.

4. Maintain inner peace throughout the process; any emotional fluctuations will disrupt the harmony between the elements.

After reading the detailed recipe, Ron was unsure whether to laugh or cry.

He spent fifteen precious points and actually got a cooking guide?
But The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary is clearly satisfied with this result:
"How about that? Were you surprised?"

The sound of the books was filled with a mischievous joy:

"You think bloodline coordination is some profound theoretical issue? You're wrong!"

"The most effective multi-vessel coordination training is achieved through subtle control in daily life."

The page begins to display a more detailed explanation:
"Look, the process of making this soup perfectly simulates the operation of various blood vessels in the body:"
1. The earth element requires stability, corresponding to the basic framework in your bloodline;

2. The wind element needs to be fluid, corresponding to changes in the flow of magic;
3. The element of water requires inclusiveness, corresponding to the fusion of different forces;
4. The fire element requires passion, corresponding to the activation of bloodline potential.

"Through repeated practice of this precise elemental control, your blood circulation coordination will be qualitatively improved without you even realizing it."

"Moreover, this training method is completely safe. Even if it fails, at most it will just waste some ingredients."

As the explanation deepened, Ron began to realize the brilliance of the answer.

Indeed, this gentle daily exercise is more suitable for his current situation than high-intensity training that may have side effects.

Further additions to "The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary":
"When you can make this soup perfectly, it means you have reached the initial level of multi-bloodline coordination."

"The flavor of this soup will change depending on the balance of the maker's bloodline."

A perfect balance produces a delicious flavor that no language can describe.

This verification mechanism makes this seemingly prank answer more practical.

"A good start," Ron thought to himself.

Although the format was unexpected, the content was indeed valuable.

This made him even more interested in the "gashapon machine" system.

“Then, I’d like to ask a second question.” His curiosity was fully piqued:
"This time, I want to learn more about the core principles of Void Relic construction."

"Twenty-five points!" The price for *The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary* immediately went up:
"The construction of the ethereal remains involves the fundamental aspects of a formal wizard's advancement to a higher level, and falls under the category of in-depth exploration."

The crystal ball began to spin again, this time with an even more dazzling and spectacular vortex of light.

When the blue orb pops up and unfolds, it reveals a beautiful engineering drawing.

But this is not a blueprint for the construction of the void, but rather... the design blueprint for a strange building:
Architectural Design Scheme for the Dream Theater

The drawings depict a circular theater, but its design concept completely transcends conventional architectural ideas.

"Main structure: using 'conceptual fossils' as the base material, this type of stone can materialize abstract concepts."

“Seating arrangement: Each seat is connected to a ‘resonance crystal’, through which the audience’s emotions and thoughts are synchronized.”

"Stage design: The central stage is covered with a 'realistic membrane' that can bring fictional plot elements to life during the performance."

"Sound system: Instead of using traditional sound transmission, it aims to convey 'meaning' to the hearts of the audience."

Looking at the detailed architectural drawings, Ron was confused once again.

What does this have to do with the construction of undead?
But The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary quickly provides an explanation:

"Don't you understand? The essence of constructing a void is to build a theater in the spiritual world!"

This analogy caught Ron's eye.

“The 'void' is not a simple projection of energy, but an architectural expression of consciousness.”

The book begins to elaborate on this unique theory:

"Your consciousness is the director, your memory is the actor, your knowledge is the script, and your emotions are the music."

"When all elements are in harmony, you can 'perform' a drama about yourself in the spiritual world."

"The projection of this drama is the true form of the illusory body."

The drawings begin to reveal a deeper design concept:
"Look here, the seating arrangement is based on the importance of memory."

"The core consciousnesses are at the very front; they determine the basic form of the ethereal remains."

"In the middle lies specialized knowledge, which provides the functional modules for the virtual skeleton;"

“The back row is filled with everyday experiences, which fill the details and textures of the void.”

"The reality membrane of the stage corresponds to the high-density energy after the magic is compressed."

"The 'meaning transmission' of the sound system corresponds to the ability of the virtual body to interact with the outside world."

As the explanation deepens, these seemingly unrelated architectural drawings gradually reveal their profound meaning as a guide to constructing skeletal structures.

"Traditional theories of virtual skeletons always analyze them from a technical perspective."

The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary Continues:
"But they overlooked the most important point—the undead are alive."

"It is simply a true reflection of your inner world."

"Only when you truly understand who you are and what you want to become can your ethereal self possess true vitality."

This new perspective gave Ron a deeper understanding of the construction of the Void.

Indeed, if we consider the illusory body as an external expression of the inner world.

Therefore, building a strong foundation involves more than just technical skills; it also requires a deep exploration of self-awareness.

"A very insightful answer."

He sincerely commented that his approval of the gashapon machine system has further increased.

There are 60 points remaining, enough for two in-depth explorations or one taboo-level inquiry.

But after the first two experiences...

Ron realized that the true value of this system lay not in directly answering questions, but in providing entirely new perspectives.

"My third question is that I want to take a risk."

He made a decision:

"I want to learn about some taboo-bound knowledge—about the nature of the epoch restart."

This issue clearly touches on a sensitive area.

"The Complete Guide to Extraordinary Things" remained silent for a few seconds.

The giant eye on the cover slowly rotates, seemingly assessing the danger of the problem.

"Sixty points." That was its final price.

"The restart of an era involves the underlying logic of the universe's operation, and it does indeed fall into the category of forbidden knowledge."

"And I must warn you."

Knowledge about this topic could fundamentally impact your worldview.

"Are you sure you want to continue?"

Faced with the warning from "The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary," Ron did not hesitate for a moment:
"I am absolutely certain that the shock of the truth is always better than the safety of ignorance."

The eyeballs on the book winked at him again: "Very good awareness."

"So, let's see what answer fate has in store for you."

This time, the crystal ball spun unusually violently.

Countless points of light danced wildly like a blizzard, interspersed with some deep black particles.

The whole process lasted for almost a minute, much longer than the previous two times.

When the purple orb finally popped out, it did not unfold immediately.

Instead, it slowly rotates in the air, its surface shimmering with irregular light.

"Hmm..." The voice in "The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary" became very confused:

"This answer seems rather unusual; even I couldn't predict its specific content."

(End of this chapter)