Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 125: Discerning Eyes

"Is this altar a portal to another world?"

Ron tried hard to control the excitement in his voice, but the light in his eyes was hard to conceal:

"If there really is a stable rift to another world in the Black Mist Jungle, what a precious resource it would be."

Tracy took in his sudden eagerness and let a knowing smile play on her face.

"You seem particularly interested in the concept of 'another world', Ron."

She said with a hint of sarcasm:

"But I must disappoint you. The so-called alien rift is not the complete and vast alien world you imagine. At best, it is just an afterimage projection produced by the collision of worlds."

Ron's enthusiasm obviously cooled a bit: "You mean..."

"A truly complete other world is a realm that only official wizards and even great wizards are qualified to enter and explore."

Tracy's tone turned serious. "Apprentices like us, if we even approach a true cross-boundary passage, will be strangled by the surrounding dimensional turbulence, shattering our bodies and souls."

She looked at Ron's expression, which had completely calmed down, and added:
"But don't despair. Even if it's just a crack, the extraordinary resources and special structures contained within are enough to attract the interest of large forces like the Crystal Spire. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why they established the Black Mist School and stationed it here."

"I see." Ron quickly adjusted his mood: "So, what exactly is the function of this altar?"

"This altar has magical powers."

Tracy's eyes sparkled again:
"It can help activate bloodlines and trace their origins, making it easier for people to break through the limitations of their bloodlines and evolve into a more ancient and pure form."

Hearing the word "tracing the origin", Ron's heart skipped a beat.

Isn’t this the core function of his previous “traceability” feature?
If I could draw upon the power of the altar, perhaps the copied bloodline abilities could be made even stronger and purer...

"This altar." Ron tried to keep his tone steady: "Can everyone enter?"

Tracy shook her head, her expression becoming somewhat regretful:
"Of course not. The number of places is extremely limited, and must be approved by the school's top management. As far as I know, the Black Mist School only has five places at a time, and the rest are given to the Crystal Spire."

Her eyes flickered with anticipation, and her voice carried a subtle hint of nervousness:

"However, considering your recent rise, especially the disclosure of your special talent, 'Medicine Body Resonance', and your successful entry into the wizard candidate sequence, I think you are very likely to get a spot."

This statement was both a sharing of information and a hint that if Ron got a spot, Tracy hoped to form some kind of alliance with him.

After all, in such an unknown and dangerous environment, having a reliable companion is undoubtedly a huge advantage.

"How often is this altar opened?" Ron asked the key question.

"Usually once every five years," Tracy replied.
"This time, the opening will be in about half a year. This is why Instructor Corinna has recently intensified my training. She believes that I need to improve my strength to a certain level within this time so that I can withstand the test of the altar."

"A test?" Ron raised an eyebrow.

"Yes." Tracy's expression became serious.

"It is said that the Bloodline Altar is not just a place, but will also give different trials based on the qualifications and potential of those who enter."

She added softly, "In the past, some people died because they couldn't endure the trials, so the school is extremely strict in selecting candidates. Each person selected must demonstrate sufficient potential and value."

Ron fell into deep thought.

This is undoubtedly a huge opportunity, but it also comes with huge risks.

However, with the various means and trump cards he currently possesses, especially the life-saving artifact like the Time Guardian Pocket Watch, he is still quite confident in dealing with risks.

"Thank you for the heads-up, Tracy," he said finally. "That's very important information to me."

"Nothing." Tracy smiled, a sly look flashing in her eyes.
"We are from the same hometown, so we should look after each other. Moreover, if we can both get a place, we can also look after each other at the altar."

Her expression softened, with a girl's characteristic shyness and anticipation:

"What I'm most worried about is the dangers I might encounter during the altar trial. I'd feel much more at ease if I had a reliable companion like you."

Ron smiled slightly. This invitation was both utilitarian and sincere.

As one of the few wizard candidates of the same age and a fellow townsman, Tracy is indeed an ideal ally.

"If we can both get a place, we will definitely look after each other when the time comes."

he promised.

This answer seemed to satisfy Tracy, and a bright smile appeared on her face:
"That's great! I hope we all get this opportunity."

She lowered her voice again and added mysteriously:

"Instructor Corinna is very interested in you, especially your talent for 'Medicine Body Resonance'. If you do get a spot, she might be able to provide you with some personal guidance. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"Then I will definitely cherish it even more."

Ron responded on the surface, but was extremely alert in his heart.

The two chatted about some recent learning experiences and interesting anecdotes of the school, and the atmosphere became relaxed.

Ron found that Tracy seemed more cheerful and lively than before.

The original reserve and coldness have decreased a bit, and there is a more vibrant vitality, perhaps also due to the influence of the stimulation of the forest elf blood.

"After a while, the wizard candidate sequence will hold a quarterly meeting. All sequence members and the main instructors and vice-deans of the school will attend."

Before leaving, Tracy reminded her again, "Teacher Corinna will also be there. That will be an important opportunity for you to demonstrate your value."

"I'll prepare well." Ron nodded. "I also wish you greater progress in bloodline stimulation."

Tracy smiled and nodded, while Beaver Moon nodded respectfully to Ron.

Ron watched the two of them leave until their figures disappeared at the end of the trail in the black fog jungle. Only then did he look away and turn back into the workshop.

"Bloodline Altar. The Power of Tracing the Origin"

His eyes gleamed with thought: "This may be a perfect opportunity for me to further purify my Red Blood Flying Dragon bloodline."

Back in the workshop, Ailan was still sorting out the tea sets left by Tracy.

"Master." Her vines swayed gently. "The energy she embodies makes me feel both close and terrified. Why is that?"

"According to ancient records, tree spirits and forest elves were once close companions. The dormant bloodline memory within you may have sensed this."

Ron explained, "As for the fear, perhaps it's because of a touch of Moon Elves. The royal family naturally exerts pressure on those below them."

He looked thoughtfully at Ailan's gradually humanized body, and suddenly an idea came to him:

"Ai Lan, if there is a chance to activate the deeper blood in your body, would you be willing to try it? There may be certain risks."

Ailan's vines trembled at an unprecedented frequency, and her green eyes flashed with anticipation:
"If it's a ceremony presided over by the master, I'm willing to try any possibility."

Ron felt warm in his heart and raised his hand to gently stroke Ailan's vines:
"I will do my best to help you, just like you have always helped me."

The news from the Bloodline Altar provided him with a clear time point - half a year later, exactly one year after he became a master.

During this limited time, he must maximize his strength.

He looked up at the calendar, a fire burning in his heart. "Half a year, not too long, not too short," he muttered to himself.

"During this period, we must fully demonstrate our value and secure one of the five spots."

As night falls, the workshop remains brightly lit.

A figure was busy in front of the laboratory table. The desk was piled with various ancient books and notes. The schedule on the wall was densely filled with plans for the next six months.
………………

“The key to energy solidification lies in frequency resonance”

Ron's fingers gently slid across the yellowed pages of the thick ancient book, his eyes absorbing every detail without stopping.

Since he began studying alchemy, he has developed the habit of spending at least two hours a day studying the theory.

He had already designated a corner of the workshop as a dedicated alchemy research area.

Unlike the neat and orderly layout of the potion area, this place looks quite chaotic:

Various strange-shaped devices were scattered everywhere, semi-finished alchemical products were carefully stored in special containers, and the walls were covered with energy flow diagrams and element affinity tables drawn by him.

"Three cycles, nine rhythms, twenty-seven seals."

Ron muttered to himself, sketching complex runic structures in his notes.

The energy storage technology Thompson taught last week was extremely sophisticated, but the classroom explanation was ultimately limited.

In order to truly master this technique, Ron had to consult a lot of supplementary materials and conduct practical attempts again and again.

He picked up an ordinary stone from the table and gently ran his fingers over its surface.

To ordinary people, it was just a featureless gray stone, but Ron could feel the weak earth energy contained in it.

"let's start."

Ron took a deep breath, put his hands around the stone, and began to guide his mental power to construct a sealing array.

This was his seventh attempt this week, and the previous six had all ended in failure—either the energy leaked or the structure collapsed.

But this time, with the experience of previous failures and the sudden inspiration last night, his operation was more precise and smooth.

Mental power weaves a complex energy network around the stone, layer upon layer, seamlessly fitting together.

"Three cycles." Beads of sweat oozed from his forehead, but his hands were steady as a rock.
"Rhythm." The energy network gradually solidified, and the stone began to emit a faint light:

"seal!"

The moment the last seal was completed, the stone suddenly lit up, and the energy inside was perfectly sealed, forming a stable energy core.

"Success!" Ron couldn't hide his excitement and carefully checked every detail of the sealed structure.

Unlike previous attempts, this time the energy core was extremely stable, without any leaks or fluctuations.

[Alchemy Experience + 1]

[Breakthrough! Alchemy (50/50 for beginners) → Alchemy (1/100 for proficient)]

[Gain additional characteristics: Energy Resonance (increases the efficiency of perceiving and controlling extraordinary energy)]

This breakthrough came so naturally, as if it was the best reward for his dedicated study during this period.

Ron could clearly feel that his perception of energy had become sharper and his control more precise, as if he suddenly had a pair of eyes specifically for sensing energy in the darkness.

He couldn't wait to call out his career panel in his mind:
[Career transfer conditions have been met:

1. Alchemy (Proficient) √

2. Complete an alchemy

[Do you want to immediately change your job to Alchemy Apprentice? ]

"Confirmed." He muttered to himself.

A familiar flow of warm energy surged from my heart and spread throughout my body, but this time the feeling was slightly different from before.

The energy seemed purer and its flow more orderly, like a precisely calculated stream of water.

[Job transfer successful! 】

[Occupation Obtained: Alchemy Apprentice (1 Star)]

【Basic attribute improvement:
Spirit 3.6 → 3.7 (+0.1)

Mana 1.5 → 1.6 (+0.1)

[Professional special bonus: -
Slightly increased perception of fine molecules
-
The ability to grasp material characteristics has slightly improved.

[Obtain professional skills: Material Analysis (Beginner)]

The attribute bonus obtained after changing jobs is very small, but this is reasonable.

After all, his behavior was originally a bug, and he was very pleased to be able to improve it.

What's more, the attribute improvement in the later stage may be countless times better than the previous one with every 0.1 difference.

Ron waited for the new professional skills to appear, but unexpectedly, a special prompt appeared on the panel:
[Professional linkage detected: Alchemist + Alchemist Apprentice]

[Slightly increased stability during potion making and alchemy]

Skill Fusion Trigger:
Medicinal Herb Identification (Proficient) + Material Analysis (Beginner) → Extraordinary Identification (Proficient 1/100)

Ron's eyes widened.

This was the first time he encountered a situation of skill fusion. It was obvious that the two similar professions produced some special interactive effect.

Immediately afterwards, a cool feeling flowed through his eyes, and his vision suddenly became unusually clear.

Not only that, when his eyes fall on the objects around him, he can instinctively perceive their material composition, energy structure and even manufacturing process.

He picked up an ordinary stone and, with just a quick glance, could tell that it contained trace amounts of iron.

It was formed by a volcanic eruption about three hundred years ago, and one can even feel a faint magical resonance hidden within it.

"This is extraordinary identification," Ron was filled with amazement.

This new ability obviously far exceeds the original medicinal material identification. It is no longer limited to herbs and potion materials, but extends to almost all extraordinary substances.

The perfect combination of alchemy's basic analytical ability and the precise identification of potions creates a special insight that is almost "seeing the essence directly".

He couldn't help but think of the professional appraisers in the black market. Even the most experienced appraisers needed various tools to assist them, and they often only specialized in a certain type of item.

But now, he can identify all kinds of extraordinary substances with just his naked eyes.

"No wonder I haven't heard of a professional 'appraiser' extraordinary profession."

Ron pondered:
"The combination of a potion master and an alchemist can produce results far superior to those of a professional appraiser."

(End of this chapter)