Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 576 The Great Wizard's Blessing
Just when she was about to completely break down.

a voice sounded.

That wasn't Ron's voice, nor the old man's voice.

That was... her own voice.

“Eve von Mange”.

Another "she" appeared in the air:
"What are you crying for?"

"I...I failed..."

"fail?"

The other "she" smiled:
How do you know you've failed?

"Because I haven't found the answer..."

"so what?"

Another "she" walked over and squatted down in front of her:

"Does having no answer mean failure?"

"What if there was no such thing as an 'answer' in the first place?"

Eve looked up.

"Answers cannot be found, they can only be created."

She reached out her hand:

"Stand up, Eve."

"It's not about finding answers."

"Just to keep asking questions."

Eve looked at the hand and hesitated for a long time.

Finally, she grasped it.

The moment I stood up, the void began to glow.

Countless points of light emerged, weaving a new scene around her.

It is not a library, not a factory, and not a judge's bench.

Instead, it was... a blank canvas.

"This is……"

"This is your world."

Another "she"—or rather, herself—smiled and said:
"There are no pre-set answers, no predetermined meanings, and no rules that must be followed."

"There is only a blank space waiting to be filled."

“You can draw anything on it.”

"You can also leave it blank."

"You can ask questions."

"You don't have to mention it."

"You can find the answer."

"Answers can also be created."

"or--"

She paused for a moment:
"You can accept that some questions will never have answers."

"And then, keep living."

Eve looked at the blank space and suddenly smiled.

This time, it was a genuine, relieved laugh.

"I understand……"

She said softly:

"This is the ultimate meaning of absurdity."

"It's not about finding 'absolute truth'."

"But rather, it is to live bravely in a world where there is no absolute truth."

"It's not about waiting to be 'given an answer'."

"Instead, we create our own answers when there are no answers."

Even knowing that the answer might be wrong, might change, or might ultimately prove meaningless...

"so what?"

She raised her hand and made the first stroke on the blank canvas:
"At least, that's my own answer."

"At least, I was free in the process of pursuing it."

"At least……"

Her smile became radiant:

"I chose to keep asking questions rather than give up thinking."

Light filled the entire space.

Ron's voice, filled with satisfaction and pride, rang out in the light:

"The third trial—'The Illusion of Truth'."

"pass."

“Eve, you did it.”

“You not only understand absurdity, you embrace it.”

"You understand now, there is no 'ultimate truth' in this world, only 'continuous questioning'."

"Clearly aware of this, yet still choosing to give meaning to one's existence..."

“This is what a true ‘actor’ is.”

"It is also true 'absurdism'."

When Eve's consciousness completely withdrew from the sand table, she found herself lying on the floor of the study.

I was drenched in sweat, as if I had just been through a real battle.

Ron sat in the chair next to her, holding a cup of tea, and watched her quietly.

"tutor……"

Eve struggled to sit up, her voice hoarse:

"Did I...do I really do it?"

"What do you think?"

Ron countered with a question.

Eve was silent for a moment, then gave a tired but satisfied smile:
"I think... I finally understand."

"It's not nothingness, not despair, and not giving up."

"The courage to create meaning for oneself even when one knows the world is meaningless."

"The persistence of constantly asking questions even when you know there is no absolute truth."

"Knowing that everything is absurd, I still choose to play my role seriously."

She looked up: "This is the essence of absurdism, isn't it?"

Ron put down his teacup and nodded in satisfaction:

“Very good, Eve.”

"Now you truly understand the core of being an 'actor'."

"Next..."

He stood up and walked to the window:
"It's about integrating this understanding into your very being and transforming it into your true power."

Eve also stood up, her body exhausted but her spirits more invigorated than ever before.

“Mentor, I’m ready.”

Her voice was firm:

"No matter how difficult the upcoming promotion ceremony may be, I will not back down."

"Because I already understand."

She smiled:

"Even if I fail, it will be a failure that I chose to make."

"Even if I succeed, it will only be a success that I create myself."

There are no absolute answers, only continuous questioning.

"That's enough."

Ron smiled and nodded, about to congratulate her.

Suddenly, a chilling tremor came from the [Time-Knowing Eye] on his chest.

The feeling was like someone gently tapping his heart with an ice pick, once, twice, with a slow and clear rhythm.

The world appeared shrouded in a thin gray mist.

No, to be precise, it's that two worlds began to overlap.

The study in the material world remains, but on it, the spiritual realm appears as a semi-transparent projection.

He saw things that ordinary people cannot see.

A phantom crown floats above Eve's head; it is the "manifestation of the belief" passed down through generations of the Crown Clan.

A symbol of authority formed by the expectations and reverence of countless believers, followers, and subjects.

This crown should typically be a pure purple, radiating a majestic yet gentle light.

But now...

Ron's [Intelligence Triangle] activated automatically, allowing him to see more clearly.

The crown's color darkened, and its once flowing light seemed to be blocked by something.

On one side of the crown, a crack as thin as a hair appeared.

The crack was so small that Ron wouldn't have been able to detect it at all if the Observer's Eye hadn't been enhanced multiple times.

But it does exist.

Moreover, what seeped out of the cracks was not light, but an unsettling gray mist.

The mist possessed an "absolutely uniform" corrosive property.

It's as if all individuality, difference, and uniqueness are being melted into a single, lifeless "whole".

Another malice from a distant star system coiled around the crown like a venomous snake.

"This crack."

His mind was racing:
"The problem isn't with the crown itself."

The King of Absurdity cannot be harmed; He is the Witch King, a great being who transcends all conventions.

"This crack symbolizes the current state of the 'crown bearer'."

“Cassandra.”

His heart sank slightly.

As the contemporary leader of the Crown Clan, Cassandra is the primary bearer of this "Crown of Faith".

Her condition will be directly reflected in this spiritual manifestation.

And the meaning of a crack in occultism is all too clear:
A precursor to damage, crisis, and collapse.

"But she's a high-ranking sorceress; even facing a counterattack from the Vital civilization, she shouldn't be in such a predicament."

Ron tries to trace the source of the malice that is wrapped around the crown.

His vision began to extend outward.

Like an invisible thread, it pierced through the layers of mist in the spirit world, crossed the boundary between reality and illusion, and searched for the source of that malice.

Dimensions unfolded in his "eyes" like pages of a book.

The first page is a projection of the spirit world in the central land—countless threads of faith intertwine like a spider web, forming the spiritual framework of civilization.

The second page is the edge of the main world—where the lines begin to thin and the colors gradually fade.

The third page is the shallow layer of the void—starlight and darkness alternate, and the texture of spacetime begins to distort.

However, just as he was preparing to delve deeper...

A sudden, sharp pain shot through my forehead!
That pain was a deeper, soul-searching warning.

It was as if someone had stabbed his third eye with a red-hot iron needle.

The crisis is beginning to unfold.

It was a pure, instinctive fear.

Countless images flashed through Ron's mind:

He saw his spiritual threads suddenly snap, and his consciousness was thrown into the abyss of emptiness like a kite with a broken string;
He saw a gaze so vast it defied description slowly turn toward him, the tiny observer;
He saw his body begin to disintegrate in the secret room, his flesh and blood turning into meaningless fragments of information.
“Go down!”

Reason prevailed over curiosity at that moment.

He abruptly severed the thread of truth, his heart pounding violently as if struck by a hammer.

"So close...so close!"

Ron took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.

He got it.

The malice entwined around the crown originated from a level far beyond his current safe observation range.

If he hadn't decisively cut off the investigation earlier, but instead continued to delve deeper...
It might directly alarm that "being".

At that point, the other party only needs to trace back along the lines of his spying to easily pinpoint his location.

A Moon-level wizard went to spy on an existence that was suspected to be close to the level of a Wizard King?
That's no different from suicide.

This method is not acceptable.

"tutor?"

Eve's voice pulled him back to reality.

The visions of the spirit world receded like the tide, and the world returned to normal.

But that chill was deeply etched into Ron's heart.

"fine."

He tried to make his voice sound calm:
"I just suddenly thought of some research questions."

You did a great job today, get some rest.

"Professor, would you like to stay here for the night?"

Eve tilted her head, her tone tinged with worry:
You don't look well.

"I still have some things to deal with."

Ron forced a smile:
"By the way, Eve, has your mother written to you recently?"

The question was so abrupt that it startled the girl.

“My mother hasn’t written a letter in a long time.”

Eve's expression dimmed for a moment:
"Ever since the Battle of Vital entered its crucial phase, she has told me to focus on command and not to worry."

"The last letter was probably three weeks ago."

Three weeks.

For a mother as controlling as Cassandra, this period of time was unusually long.

Ron's unease intensified.

"She's alright, right, Professor?"

Eve suddenly asked, fear flashing in her purple eyes:
"Mom is so strong, she...she'll be alright, right?"

"of course."

Ron said firmly:
"Your mother is a great sorceress and the leader of the conquest faction."

She's just too busy. She'll write to you once the war is over.

This statement was less about comforting Eve and more about comforting himself.

He declined Eve's offer to send Cecilia to pilot the aircraft and take him back.

Ron slowly left the Emerald Mansion and stood alone in the square.

The night breeze, carrying the chill of early autumn, stirred his robes.

"I need to confirm."

He turned and strode toward the communications hub in the central area.

It was a tall tower constructed of crystal and mithril, specifically designed for magical communication over extremely long distances.

Even in the dead of night, the magic lamp at the top of the tower remains bright, like a lighthouse that never goes out.

………………

The communications hall was empty and quiet.

The operator on night duty was a young woman who looked to be in her early twenties.

Her chestnut-brown hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and she wore a standard communications officer uniform.

She was organizing the day's communication records, her slender fingers quickly writing something on the parchment.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up, ready to deliver her standard greeting.

But when she saw the person's face clearly, she was stunned.

"Laralf, the lecturer?!"

The girl almost jumped up, hurriedly put down the quill pen in her hand, and bowed respectfully:
"It's a pleasure to serve you! How can I help you?"

Her voice trembled slightly with nervousness.

As a senior apprentice, she certainly knew who Ron Ralph was.

A top lecturer at the Crystal Spire, the chief of the "Rising Star Project," one of the most dazzling figures of the younger generation, the champion of the Elemental Night, and also Princess Eve's mentor...

The other person's achievements are too numerous to count... Such a person is practically a myth in the eyes of ordinary apprentices.

"I need to contact Vital Front, Lord Cassandra Saint Mangetta."

Ron handed over his identity crystal.

The operator took the crystal and placed it on the identification platform with slightly trembling hands.

The magic beam swept across the crystal surface, confirming his identity and authority.

But at that moment, the girl's expression froze.

She stared at the information displayed on the identification platform, her face gradually turning pale.

“Instructor Ralph, I…”

She bit her lip, clearly going through a fierce internal struggle.

"What's wrong?"

"terribly sorry."

The girl took a deep breath and said in a tone that was clearly memorized:
"According to Article 3 of Chapter VII of the Wartime Communications Control Regulations, frontline commanders shall suspend receiving non-emergency communication requests while carrying out top-secret missions."

If you have urgent matters to convey, you can submit an application through the Department of Military Affairs' dedicated channel.

She spoke quickly, but dared not look at Ron.

"I just wanted to confirm her basic condition."

Ron interrupted him:
“As an instructor at the Crystal Spire and a mentor to the Crown Clan’s heirs, I have the right to know whether the Spire Master is safe.”

"I"

The girl's eyes suddenly reddened.

She lowered her head, her voice choked with emotion:
"Instructor Ralph, please don't make things difficult for me."

I'm really, really just a switchboard operator. I don't know anything. I can only follow the rules.

"If I say something I shouldn't have, I will be..."

She didn't finish speaking, but Ron already understood.

The operator subconsciously glanced towards the office deep in the lobby, where the supervisor's room was located.

“I’m really sorry, Instructor Ralph.”

We are simply following regulations and have no right to disclose any related information.

"If you are really worried, you can try inquiring through Crystal Spire's internal channels."

The suggestion itself reveals a certain sense of helplessness.

Ron gave her a deep look and didn't ask any further questions.

That's all an ordinary operator can do.

Continuing to press the issue will only put the other party in a difficult position and will not yield any valuable information.

After leaving the communications tower, the night breeze, carrying the coolness of early autumn, brushed against my cheeks.

He stood outside the communications tower and took out his personal communication crystal.

The first person they contacted was Captain Miller.

The call connected, and Miller's utterly exhausted voice came through:
"Instructor Ralph? It's so late."

The background noise is very loud.

You can hear the clanging of metal and deep commands, as if some kind of high-intensity training is taking place.

"Captain Miller, I'd like to ask about Cassandra's situation."

Ron got straight to the point.

silence.

A suffocating silence that lasted for more than ten seconds.

".lecturer."

Miller's voice became unusually heavy:
"You know I'm a rough man, I don't know how to say those roundabout things."

"But this time, all I can tell you is that the water is very deep, extremely deep."

The communication paused for a few seconds, seemingly as Miller checked his surroundings:
"You're a smart person, you should understand what I mean."

"Captain Miller..."

"Excuse me, instructor, my patrol time is up."

Communications were cut off.

Ron then contacted Reynolds, the researcher.

"Ron? Still not resting so late?"

Reynolds' voice, as always, carried the composure characteristic of a scholar:
"Let me guess. You want to ask about the tower master?"

"Yes."

"Ugh."

Reynolds sighed:
Do you remember the topic we discussed last time?
Regarding the 'observer paradox'—when you try to observe a quantum state, the act of observation itself changes the outcome.

This analogy sent a chill down Ron's spine.

"Some things are just like that."

He continued, his tone carrying a certain implication:
"The more you try to confirm, the more likely you are to trigger unpredictable changes."

This is especially true when the observed object is in an extremely unstable state.

"My advice is to do what you're supposed to do."

Protect your students, especially that special student. The others…

Let time tell.

Communication was interrupted again.

Finally, Ron contacted Elliott.

"Ron?"

Elliott's voice was low, and the background noise was loud, as if he were in a crowded public place.
"Wait, I'll go somewhere else."

After a series of footsteps and the sound of a door opening and closing, the surroundings became quiet.

"You want to ask about the Tower Master, right?"

Elliott didn't wait for Ron to speak:
“I knew you would ask. With your keen senses, it’s impossible that you didn’t notice something was amiss.”

"So, tell me the truth."

"I can not."

Elliott's voice was filled with obvious fear:
“Ron, it’s not that I don’t trust you, but this matter involves too many levels.”

"So high up that even a lowly intelligence officer like me doesn't have the right to know the truth."

"But I can give you a suggestion."

He lowered his voice:
Do you remember that 'elder'? That old man who liked to play pranks?

The King of Absurdity.

Ron immediately understood Elliott's implication.

"If possible, get in touch with Him as soon as possible."

Elliott continued:
“Not just for yourself, but also for Princess Eve. She needs protection from her bloodline right now.”

"Some storms are beyond the reach of even a great wizard. But..."

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was already very clear.

"I understand."

"And Ron."

Before hanging up, Elliott added one more sentence:
"If you really care about the Tower Master and Princess Eve, it's best not to 'observe' this matter too deeply."

"Some truths, once known, can become a curse."

Communication was completely cut off.

Ron stood on the empty street, the night wind ruffling his robes.

Three people, three methods, but all conveying the same message:
Cassandra is in trouble.

Moreover, the situation was so serious that it required the mobilization of the entire academic alliance to cover it up.

"No, I must know the truth."

Ron turned and walked toward his manor.

Eliot was right; some truths are indeed curses.

But the greatest danger lies in not knowing the truth. Only by understanding the enemy can we protect those we want to protect.

………………

It was late at night when we returned to the manor.

Both Alan and Dyer were fast asleep, and the entire manor was enveloped in tranquility.

Ron went to the underground chamber alone without alerting anyone.

This was his dedicated space for dangerous experiments and secret research, with layers upon layers of protective runes carved on the surrounding walls.

Tonight, he is about to do something extremely risky.

To divine the fate of a great wizard.

This behavior itself is fraught with danger.

The more powerful a being is, the more complex its destiny becomes, and the more it is entangled with multiple forces.

Prematurely prying into the truth could very well trigger unpredictable backlash.

But now, Ron needs to know the truth.

He took a deep breath and began to prepare.

The first step is to activate all the protective arrays in the secret chamber.

His fingers traced runes in the air.

As magic was injected, the patterns on the wall began to light up one by one.

First layer: [Seven seals].

Seven halos of different colors rose from the ground, forming seven layers of barriers around the secret chamber.

Each layer corresponds to the power of an ancient constellation:

"The insight of the 'Eye of Truth' blocks all prying."

"The cycle of the 'Wheel of Fortune' stabilizes the spacetime structure."

"The harmony of the 'Gate of Balance' reconciles conflicting forces."

Second layer: [Triple Barrier].

The material barrier, energy barrier, and conceptual barrier are nested together to form a protective shell that is almost impossible to penetrate from any dimension.

Third level: [Escape passage].

This is the last line of insurance, and also the talisman that Nari gave to himself.

If the divination triggers an uncontrollable backlash, this channel will be activated immediately, leading the disaster into the abyss.

After all the protection was in place, Ron used his fingertips to draw the magic circle little by little.

The outer ring is a symbol of the will of the twelve ancient constellations.

"'The Eye of Truth' represents the impulse to see the essence of things."

Its master was Metatron, the 'Omniscient One,' the first being to grasp the true meaning of 'knowledge is power.'

He muttered to himself as he drew:

"'The Wheel of Fortune' embodies the wisdom of accepting cycles, and it belongs to 'Lady of Fortune' Anaxish, the pinnacle of ancient astrologers."

“The ‘Gate of Chaos’ represents the courage to embrace change, while the ‘Gate of Balance’ symbolizes the will to seek harmony.”

They are an eternal unity of opposites, belonging to twin yet mortal enemies, the Witch Kings.

The twelve constellation symbols represent twelve primordial forms of will.

The central circle features alchemical patterns representing the four elements.

The rising triangle of flames, the descending triangle of water flow, the rising double-line triangle of airflow, and the descending double-line triangle of soil.

The four elements are arranged counterclockwise, symbolizing the process of matter descending from the spirit.

The inner circle contains the corresponding markers for seven classical celestial bodies.

At the very core, Ron bit his fingertip and used his own blood to draw a special mark:

The ancient symbol of the "observer's eye".

An open eye, with countless tiny stars in its pupil.

Ready.

Ron sat cross-legged in the center of the magic circle, carefully placing the divination cards in front of him.

He closed his eyes and calmed his breathing.

Consciousness begins to contract inward, casting aside all distracting thoughts.

Starlight streamed through the only skylight in the secret chamber, and the magic circle began to glow under the starlight.

Ron activated the [Time-Knowing Eye] on his chest.

Ripples spread across the surface of the crystal, as if the power of time was fluctuating.

Past, present, and future—three timelines intertwine in his perception to form a vast web.

"In the name of the observer..."

He recited in a low voice:
"With the power of time...with the guidance of celestial phenomena..."

"I gaze into the web of fate, I search for the truth..."

"Reveal—the truth hidden behind the fog!"

The moment the words were spoken, the divination cards began to shuffle automatically.

Seventy-eight cards flew out of the box, swirling, intertwining, and fluttering in the air.

The first card slowly fell to the ground.

[Empress (right)]

On the card, a magnificent woman sits on a jewel-encrusted throne.

She held a scepter, wore a crown, and had a dignified and cold gaze.

The robe was embroidered with countless star patterns.

This represents Cassandra herself.

The Empress card symbolizes authority, rule, motherhood, and absolute control over order.

The second card.

【The Chariot (Upright)】

A chariot pulled by two horses, one black and one white, is speeding across the battlefield.

The soldiers on the vehicle held up their flags high, and the wheels left deep ruts in their wake.

This was Vital's expedition, a grand undertaking by the conquerors.

The chariot symbolizes advance, victory, and the implementation of will.

Ron's brows frowned slightly.

The first two cards are upright, both full of power and confidence.

But his unease grew stronger.

The third card.

[Strength (Reversed)]

On the card, a woman is supposed to gently stroke a lion, symbolizing overcoming strength with gentleness.

But now, the cards are upside down.

The lion broke free from the trainer's grasp and turned on its master.

The woman's face was filled with terror.

This symbolizes the loss of control over power, the backlash of ambition, and the fatal blindness brought about by self-confidence.

The fourth, the fifth, the sixth...

The card spread continues to unfold.

With each card played, the atmosphere in the secret room suddenly dropped a notch.

【The Star (reversed)】.

The stars that should have been dazzling and brilliant were shattered into countless fragments on this card, falling like a meteor shower.

【Voyage (Reversed)】

Countless ships drifted on the hazy sea, lost in the thick fog, their sails tattered and rudders broken.

[The Wheel of Fortune (Reversed)]

The wheel of fate, which should have been turning slowly, has now come to a standstill.

The axle broke, the gears shattered, and the entire structure fell apart.

Ron's breathing grew heavier and heavier, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

The seventh card, the "Final Card," is now slowly rotating in the air.

It hovered in mid-air, as if hesitating whether to fall.

[Shi Zhiyan] emitted a blinding light.

"fall!"

The seventh card was finally played.

【The Tower (reversed)】.

At that moment, the entire secret room fell into a deathly silence.

The sight on the cards caused Ron's pupils to contract sharply.

A towering stone tower was struck by lightning.

The tower began to crack from the top, with cracks spreading like a spider web.

Falling from the top of the tower were figures dressed in fine clothes, their faces contorted with fear and despair.

And at the very top of the tower, at the spot where it was first struck by lightning:
A woman's face is clearly visible.

That's Cassandra's face.

But her face was split in two, like shattered porcelain.

One half maintained its dignified and cold expression, while the other half was twisted into horror and disbelief.

Ron felt a chill creep up his spine.

【tower】.

This card symbolizes disaster, collapse, destruction, and the sudden collapse of all that is stable.

An upright position is bad enough—it signifies a sudden blow and irreparable loss.

The reversed position is even more terrifying—it means that the impact of the disaster has been internalized, hidden, and suppressed.

On the surface, all is calm, but in reality, the foundation has collapsed, and it will eventually erupt in a more violent and uncontrollable form.

“It’s over…” Ron muttered to himself.

He no longer needs any mystical interpretation; the imagery is clear enough.

Divination never lies.

Now he understood the meaning behind everyone's silence.

I understand why communications are subject to comprehensive control.

Now I understand why even Elliott didn't dare to say a word more.

Those overwhelming reports of "great victories at the front";
Those news reports claiming "Vital is about to surrender";

They were all lies used to stabilize the situation at home.

Ron slowly stood up.

He walked to the wall and deactivated all the protective magic arrays.

Those dazzling halos faded one by one, like candles being blown out one by one after a grand banquet.

He needs to calm down and think about what to do next.

Protect Eve.

这是第一要务。

Regardless of Cassandra's fate, Eve must not be harmed.

“Elliott is right, I need to contact the King of Absurdity.”

Ron muttered to himself:

"Only He can truly protect the bloodline of the Crown Clan."

"only……"

He looked toward the skylight in the secret room.

Through that narrow window, you can see a few stars in the night sky.

"How can we contact this prankster elder?"

Just as Ron was struggling with whether or not to actively activate the "Transcendental Complete Guide" dungeon...

The communication crystal suddenly lit up.

That was the official channel of the Abyss Observatory, emitting a cold and formulaic blue-white light that stood out starkly in the dark, enclosed room.

Ron paused for a moment, then activated the crystal.

A formal appointment notice unfolds in a standard administrative document format:

"Given that Cassandra Saint-Mangeta is currently focused on commanding operations on the Vital front."

Unable to fulfill the vacant duties of the appointed head of the abyss observation station at this time.

"Following an emergency meeting of the Court of Truth, it has been decided that the position of station chief will be temporarily held by Archmage Nytil Brown, effective immediately."

"This appointment has been approved by more than two-thirds of the members of the School Alliance and complies with the relevant provisions of Chapter Fourteen of the Wartime Emergency Regulations..."

Ron's gaze lingered on the name "Netteil Brown" for a long time.

The scene from that review meeting immediately flashed into his mind.

The ever-changing crimson flame sometimes transformed into the graceful silhouette of a woman, and sometimes twisted into the shape of an angry beast.

And that aggressive statement:
"Kid, I hope your achievements are worthy of the honor of bringing us old guys together, otherwise..."

At that time, she was only at the Dark Sun level.

The instability of the nascent form of the ethereal body meant that she could only exist in the form of pure magic.

But now...

"The Great Wizard?"

Ron found it somewhat strange:
"From Dark Sun level to Grand Wizard, how did she bridge that gap?"

This question was like a thorn stuck in his heart.

A great wizard's breakthrough is not something that can be achieved overnight.

That requires more than just accumulating magic power.

What is needed is a thorough understanding of a certain "Tao," and the elevation of personal will to a level sufficient to influence reality.

Even for geniuses, it usually takes decades of accumulation to go from the peak of the Dark Sun level to a Grand Wizard.

Connietil made this leap in just a few years.

The timing was just too coincidental.

The coincidences were so striking that one couldn't help but suspect that there was some underlying pattern he hadn't yet come to understand.

"We must find out."

Ron took a deep breath.

He took out the communications badge that Vinard had given him, the exquisite emblem shaped like a wrench.

He infused it with magic.

The runes on the surface of the badge lit up one after another, unfolding in the air like a star map.

A moment later, Vinard's voice came through.

It was still that mechanical, synthesized voice, but with a rare hint of weariness:

“Ralph? Contacting me at this time... it seems you’ve already heard about it.”

“Associate Professor Nytil Brown, news of a breakthrough to Archmage.”

Ron got straight to the point:
"Professor Vinard, this is too fast."

It happened so fast that I suspect there must be some factor I'm unaware of.

A faint buzzing sound came from the other end of the communication, as if Vinard was organizing his thoughts.

“Your intuition is very sharp, Ralph.”

Vinard's voice became serious:

“There is indeed a factor that only wizards who have reached the peak of the Dark Sun level will truly pay attention to—we call it the ‘Great Wizard’s Blessing’.”

"Enze?"

"The passing of each great wizard does not mean the loss of his vast knowledge and spiritual power, as it would for a mortal."

There was a hint of melancholy in Vinard's tone:

"Their will, wisdom, and understanding of the world."

A portion of it will be returned to the entire wizarding civilization in a very special form.

"Imagine Ralph."

The spiritual ocean of a great wizard, at the moment of his demise, poured forth like water from a burst dam.

"This 'water' won't just disappear into thin air."

It will permeate every corner of the dimension, briefly increasing the 'magic concentration' and 'cognitive depth' of the entire main world.

Ron listened quietly, his mind beginning to construct a concrete picture of the concept.

"We call this period the 'period of blessings'."

Vinard continued:
"During the period of blessing, the success rate of breakthroughs for all Dark Sun-level wizards who have reached their bottlenecks will be significantly improved."

What might have been a 30% chance of breaking through could become 50% or even 60% during the Graceful Period.

"Because that deceased great wizard had already paved part of the way for those who came after him."

"They proved the feasibility of certain 'principles' through their very existence."

This proof will be imprinted on the underlying rules of the entire dimension in an ineffable way.

Ron's breath hitched slightly.

He recalled the scene from the "dream in the snowfield" where Professor Yutel struggled to carry the last wisp of flame towards him.

"The fire is out, I should go now."

It turned out that the fire had set off not only on him.

Its warmth spread throughout the entire wizarding civilization.

"The departure of Senior Yutel has ushered in such a blessed period."

Vinard's voice became even lower:

“Nette Brown seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

"She had already been at the peak of the Dark Sun level for nearly twenty years, accumulating enough experience, and was just one step away from the finish line."

Senior Yutel's kindness provided her with that final push.

Ron remained silent for a moment, processing this information.

"Is there anyone else?"

he asked:
"Besides Nitil, who else has benefited from this period of blessings?"

"Have."

Vinard did not hide anything:
"As far as I know, Dean Salamander, who is far away in the Land of Shifting Sands, also felt the fluctuations of this blessing."

He is currently in his final retreat.

If all goes well, the main world will soon welcome its second Grand Wizard who breaks through during this period of blessing.

Second place.

This number made Ron's heart tighten slightly.

Two newly appointed high wizards.

Two new forces eager to establish influence.

Add to that the power vacuum left by Cassandra's disappearance...

"Ralph".

Vinard's voice interrupted his thoughts:

I know what you're worried about.

Princess Eve's situation will indeed become extremely delicate because of this turmoil.

"Having lost his mother's protection, the heir of the Crown Clan..."

He sighed:

"It will become the target of everyone's covetousness."

Not only because of her bloodline, but also because of the illusory remains of her predecessor, Yutel, that she is about to inherit.

“That is the legacy of a top-tier wizard.”

Ron slowly clenched his fist.

"but."

Vinard then changed the subject:
"You don't need to worry too much."

Princess Eve is, after all, a direct descendant of the King of Absurdity; no one dares to truly harm her.

“At least on the surface, everyone will show the respect that the Crown Clan deserves.”

"The real danger lies in the undercurrents."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Ron's head.

undercurrent.

Those who are outwardly respectful but secretly test, scheme, and even resort to underhanded tactics.

That's the hardest thing to guard against.

"Thank you for the reminder, Professor."

Ron took a deep breath:

"I will be careful."

"Ah."

There was a hint of relief in Vinard's voice:
“You’re a smart man, Ralph.”

I believe you can protect the people you want to protect.

"in addition……"

"Although Nitil is now the acting stationmaster, I still have some influence at the observatory."

If necessary, I can also provide you with some... assistance.

This promise carries a heavy weight.

Ron could sense the weight in Vinard's words.

“I will remember that, Professor Vinard.”

Communication is interrupted.

The secret room fell silent once again.

Only the extinguished protective runes on the wall remained, occasionally flashing with a faint afterglow.

Ron stood up and slowly walked towards the exit of the secret room.

In his mind, countless thoughts tangled like a jumbled mess:

Cassandra's disappearance.

The rise of Nitil.

Salamander is about to break through.

The wizarding world's upper echelons are undergoing a dramatic power reshuffle due to the passing of Yutel and the unexpected death of Cassandra.

The old order is collapsing, and new rules have yet to be established.

In this chaotic transition period, anyone could become a victim.

Especially someone like Eve.

Despite losing her mother's protection, she still possesses a "political legacy" of immense value.

Her royal lineage is a "natural ally" coveted by countless ambitious individuals.

The illusory remains she is about to inherit are the "source of power" that all wizards who want to advance further dream of.

She might even become a "bargaining chip" in the struggle between various forces:
Whoever controls Eve will gain an advantage in the future power structure.

“I can’t let this happen.”

Ron clenched his fist.

He remembered the little girl Eve had come to him after class the first time, her face pale from the torment of demonic possession.

I remembered the thirst for knowledge and the longing for the future that shone in her eyes when she was studying potions.

I remembered the heartfelt joy she felt when she passed the triple trials in the "Cauldron of Thorns".

I remembered the night before last when she excitedly ran over to tell me, "We both passed," her face beaming with smiles.

Those smiles should not be tarnished.

"I must become stronger."

Ron pushed open the door to the secret room and stepped into the manor into the night.

The night sky above was dotted with stars, but those stars seemed cold and distant to him at that moment.

"It's not just about fulfilling the ideal of being a 'land of heritage'..."

He looked up at the starry sky:
"Moreover, it is to protect everything I cherish in this impending storm."

A night breeze blew by, carrying the faint fragrance of flowers from the garden.

The fragrance was gentle and serene, a stark contrast to the turmoil in Ron's heart.

He stood there for a long time, until the eastern horizon began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

Dawn is approaching.

But he knew that the real darkness had only just begun.

　The Dark Sun-level judge at the time was originally named Alicia Brown, but I was afraid it would be confused with the Dragon Soul "Acelia", so I changed the name and also modified the beginning.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)