Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 189 Deep World Curse
Time passes quietly like water.

In the blink of an eye, there are only a few days left until the Bloodline Altar opens.

Ron stood at the entrance to the simulated combat device, but his mood was completely different from last time.

It's no longer the trepidation of facing the unknown, but an anticipation of returning to the battlefield.

His previous encounter with Aksa, the weapon master of the Khajiit tribe, was very fruitful.

Not only did he achieve mastery of swordsmanship, but he also gained a deeper understanding of combat.

This time, he also came with a clear goal.

“Ron’s Apprentice!” A familiar voice came from the control room.

Ron turned his head and saw a middle-aged man in an alchemist's robe waving at him.

“Mentor Gleason,” Ron bowed slightly in greeting.

Gleason is an alchemist in the school responsible for maintaining the simulated combat device, and he is also an acquaintance of Ron's, whom he met through Thompson.

"I heard your ranking in the candidate wizard sequence has risen significantly?"

Gleeson walked over with a smile and patted Ron on the shoulder: "As expected of the school's newly emerging genius potion master."

“Thank you for your compliment,” Ron replied humbly, but a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.
"Today I want to challenge the Khajiit Weapon Master once again."

Gleeson raised an eyebrow: "Aksa? That's a 'difficult' level opponent. The last record shows that you were able to tie with him, which really surprises me."

"But this time the fee will be lower." He lowered his voice:

"Thompson has already spoken to me. Since you're going to be using the simulation device long-term, I can only charge you 5 magic stone fragments."

"Thank you, mentor." Ron handed over five magic stone fragments, secretly pleased.

As his status rises in the wizarding candidate sequence, the resources and connections he gains access to also expand.

This change, though subtle, is real.

“I’ve already debugged the device,” Gleeson said as he walked.

"Because you have a successful battle record, Aksa's data model has already formed a link with your mind, so theoretically this battle will be smoother."

Ron nodded, having gained a basic understanding of how this simulated combat device worked.

The simulation combat device does not simply create opponents, but extracts information from the user's mind to create a combat environment that is most suitable for the current user.

"Good luck." Gleason stopped in front of the console and gestured for him to come in.

Ron took a deep breath and stepped through the familiar, heavy iron door.

Darkness enveloped him, followed by the familiar sensation of a mental scan.

It felt as if countless tiny tentacles were gently brushing over his entire body, collecting information about his condition.

When the light returned, Ron found himself standing in an arena completely different from the one he had been in before.

This is a more open battlefield, surrounded by ancient stone pillars, with the ground covered in rough gravel.

The distant horizon took on a strange dark red hue, like an eternal twilight.

"Where is this?" Ron looked around. Unlike last time, he could now roughly recognize the place.

"It's somewhat like the 'Black Sand Wasteland' of the third layer of the abyss described in the book?"

"A keen eye for observation, young apprentice." A deep, familiar voice came from behind.

Ron turned around and saw Aksa's tall and imposing figure standing about ten paces away.

The tiger-man, wielding a giant sword, appeared even more imposing than before.

“Long time no see, Master Aksa.” Ron nodded slightly, a hint of friendliness in his eyes.

"It will only take a few months."

Aksa's amber eyes flashed with fighting spirit: "But your aura is quite different now. I can sense that you've become stronger, young man."

Ron did not deny it, but instead reached for the sword at his waist.

"I hope this time I can bring you a better opponent." He smiled and slowly assumed a starting stance.

Aksa nodded, his greatsword tracing an arc in the air: "Let me see your progress!"

Before he could finish speaking, the tiger-man suddenly launched an attack!
Compared to their last encounter, Aksa's offensive was noticeably more aggressive.

The swinging of the giant sword created gusts of wind, whipping up a thin mist from the sand and gravel on the ground.

To Ron's surprise, he was able to handle Aksa's attack with ease this time.

The swords clashed, producing a crisp metallic clang.

Ron's body seemed to have instinctively memorized the best way to respond, and the moment the greatsword came, his body naturally made the most appropriate reaction.

This feeling was both familiar and strange—familiar because of the rhythm of the battle, and strange because of this calm and unhurried sense of control.

In their last encounter, he could barely keep up with Aksa's pace;
Now, he can even spare the time during a confrontation to observe the subtle changes in his opponent's facial expressions.

"Great progress!" Aksa exclaimed in admiration, and at the same time, he changed his move, suddenly switching his greatsword to a horizontal sweep, aiming directly at Ron's waist.

Ron advanced instead of retreating, leaning back slightly as he thrust his longsword forward, aiming straight for the Tiger Master's right arm.

This thrust was as fast as lightning and incredibly precise!
Aksa was forced to halt his attack and swing his greatsword back to parry.

The two swords clashed again, this time producing a muffled boom, like a thunderclap.

A hint of surprise flashed in the tiger-man's eyes.

Ron's lips curled into a slight smile. With the enhancement of his master-level swordsmanship, each of his strikes contained the characteristic of "revealing its sharpness".

It can accurately find the opponent's weaknesses and gain a speed boost when attacking.

More importantly, during this period, after his bloodline activation level reached the proficient level, his physical attributes continued to improve.

With the help of various magical potions, his physical condition is now completely different from before.

The two exchanged blows, their swordplay fierce and powerful.

For ten rounds, neither side gained a clear advantage.

Aksa's strength and speed remain formidable, and each strike contains astonishing power;
Ron, however, used his superb swordsmanship and agile movements to contend with him.

"Looks like I need to get serious."

In the eleventh round, Aksa suddenly took a step back, his gaze sharpening.

The tiger-man's aura suddenly changed, and a violent energy erupted from his body, distorting the surrounding air.

"May the monarch protect you!"

Aksar growled in an ancient orc language he couldn't understand, his muscles instantly swelled, and his fur became thicker, radiating a golden-red sheen.

Ron felt a powerful pressure coming towards him and couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

"It's my turn!" He showed no fear, but instead revealed a hint of anticipation in his smile.

Gently closing his eyes, Ron began to mobilize the boiling bloodline power within his body.

—Life erupts, blood boils
With a deep exhale, Ron's body was instantly enveloped in a faint blood-red aura.

His eyes became brighter, and the power flowing through his veins was faintly visible beneath his skin.

As a Bloodline Knight, "Life Burst" is one of his most basic yet most practical abilities.

By stimulating the potential within the blood vessels, various bodily functions can be significantly enhanced in a short period of time.

When he opened his eyes again, his entire aura had completely changed—sharp, firm, and imposing.

A flicker of surprise crossed Aksa's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by the excitement of battle: "Come on, young warrior!"

With a deafening battle roar, the tiger-man swung his greatsword and charged toward Ron like a golden-red lightning bolt.

Ron, instead of retreating, charged forward at the same speed to meet him.

The two met in the center of the arena. The moment their weapons clashed, a visible shockwave erupted, scattering all the surrounding sand and gravel and forming a hollow circle about three meters in diameter.

The ensuing battle became exceptionally fierce.

Each of Aksa's attacks contained the power to destroy boulders.

Ron, on the other hand, relied on his enhanced reaction speed and physical abilities in his Boiling Blood state to dodge, parry, and look for opportunities to counterattack.

By the twentieth round of the battle, the two were locked in a fierce and evenly matched contest.

Aksa's attacks remained fierce, but Ron was now able to keep up with his pace and even seize opportunities from time to time to launch counterattacks that kept the Khajiit Master busy.

Looking at the young man in front of him, who was almost his equal, Aksa's eyes flashed with respect and admiration.

"I never imagined you could grow to this extent in just a few months."

The tiger-man weapon master leaped backward after a clash of weapons, his tone tinged with admiration.

Ron took a deep breath and smiled slightly: "I have to thank you for our last sparring session, which gave me a deeper understanding of swordsmanship." "In that case, let me see your full strength!"

Aksa suddenly raised his greatsword high, tensing all his muscles to their limit.

An unprecedentedly powerful aura erupted from the tiger-man's body, as if the surrounding air was ignited, forming a visible heat wave.

Ron knew that Aksa was going to decide the outcome.

"Alright!" He showed no fear; on the contrary, his eyes burned with even stronger fighting spirit.

During this time, his Blood Boiling Technique has also made great progress, and he is now able to control the burst and flow of bloodline power more precisely.

—Bloodline Resonance. Crimson Dragon!

Ron gave a low shout, and the Crimson Dragon bloodline that had been completely assimilated within him was instantly activated, resonating perfectly with his own bloodline.

A surge of vitality erupted from his body, and his muscles suddenly became more solid, with faint phantoms of crimson scales visible on his skin.

This is a bloodline technique he has recently mastered.

By resonating with a specific bloodline, one can unleash even greater power in a short period of time.

"Qiang!"

The two moved simultaneously, their weapons clashed, and a deafening metallic clang erupted in the center of the arena.

Almost simultaneously, the two retreated a few steps, and then rushed towards each other like two bolts of lightning.

In the arena, only flashes of sword light and blurry figures could be seen, accompanied by the crisp sound of metal clashing.

The speed of their exchange exceeded the limits of visual tracking; only two afterimages could be seen intertwining and colliding in the center of the arena.

In the high-speed confrontation, Ron became more and more courageous.

In his boiling blood state, his reactions and perception reached an unprecedented level of sharpness.

He could clearly sense the subtle muscle tension Aksa made before each attack and the slight changes in his breathing when he changed tactics.

With the added advantage of the "Sharp Edge" trait, his grasp of Aksa's weaknesses became increasingly accurate.

--It's now!
Ron seized the slight opening after Aksa's sweeping attack, and charged out like an arrow, thrusting his longsword at an uncanny angle.

This sword strike was incredibly fast and breathtakingly precise!

Aksa's expression changed, and he hastily raised his sword to block, but it was already too late.

"Qiang!"

The longsword clashed with the greatsword, but the power contained in this strike was beyond Aksa's expectations.

After being struck, the greatsword flew out of his hand, spun several times in the air, and then plunged deep into the ground more than ten meters away.

A brief silence fell over the arena.

Aksa stood there, clenching her empty hands, then looked up at Ron.

"I lost."

The weapons master readily admitted it, and a relieved smile even appeared on his face:

"I never expected this day to come so soon."

Ron sheathed his sword and bowed slightly: "I am honored to have defeated you."

"No need to be so modest, young man."

Aksa stepped forward, a hint of relief appearing in his fierce, slanted eyes:
"Your progress has far exceeded my expectations. Last time we met, you were only considered passable, but now you are standing on the threshold of a true powerhouse."

Ron felt an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

Once upon a time, Aksa was someone who could easily kill him in his eyes, but now, he can defeat him with just swordsmanship.

“Actually, there’s something I didn’t have a chance to tell you last time,” Aksa suddenly said, his tone becoming somewhat heavy.

Ron scratched his arm. Because he had stayed longer than last time, he was starting to feel itchy all over, as if... as if scales were growing on his body.

It seems that the simulation combat device has even tried its best to imitate the Abyss Curse effect brought about by the third layer of the Abyss.

He suppressed the involuntary itching that was emanating from his body, turned to look at the Tiger-Man Master, and waited for him to continue.

"I am not a real life, but a remnant soul sealed in a simulation device."

Aksa's voice was deep and calm, his eyes carrying a distant memory.

Although he had a premonition, hearing those words with his own ears still shocked Ron: "You were once a real weapons master?"

The tiger-man nodded:
“I was once the chief warrior of the Fierce Claw tribe. In a war with a rival tribe, we were defeated and captured by the shamans who conquered the area at that time.”

The Tiger-Man Master's gaze seemed to transcend time and space, looking towards the distant past:
"Most of my people were used as experimental subjects, but I was chosen and sealed in this simulation device because of my superb skills, to provide wizards with a real combat experience."

“This must have happened many years ago, right?” Ron asked softly.

"One hundred and thirty-seven years and eight months."

Aksa answered precisely, a wry smile appearing on his face:
"For a remnant soul that can only move in a simulated space, time is the easiest thing to calculate."

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside Ron.

Sympathy, admiration, and a renewed awareness of the harsh realities of the wizarding world.

“But I don’t find it too boring,” Aksa continued calmly.
"As a weapons master, being able to constantly spar with strong opponents and witness the growth of generation after generation of geniuses is also a unique kind of significance."

The Tiger Master looked at Ron, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes:

“Especially someone like you who has progressed so quickly and uses pure martial arts techniques to fight me, I have not encountered many like you in the long history of more than a hundred years.”

Ron bowed slightly: "It is my greatest honor to receive your guidance."

"Hehe, now I should be bowing to a future powerhouse like you."

Aksa waved his hand, somewhat amused:
"Speaking of which, besides wanting to verify your progress, what other purpose did you come here this time?"

Ron pondered for a moment and decided to tell the truth:

"Besides sparring with you, I'd also like to learn more about the fighting styles of abyssal creatures, especially the multi-armed serpent demon."

According to the intelligence he obtained, there were many mutated species that had been corrupted by the abyss in the bloodline altar.

Furthermore, it seems there are special rewards for the "Abyss Difficulty" simulation battle represented by the multi-armed serpent demon...

"The multi-armed snake demon?"

Aksa raised an eyebrow: "That's no easy opponent. Even a hybrid like him has combat power close to that of a full-fledged wizard."

“How much do you know about them?” Ron asked.

“Since you want to know about the multi-armed serpent demon,” Aksa simply said, “why not experience it in a simulation battle?”

"Well then, thank you for your guidance this time, Master Aksa."

Ron said sincerely, "I hope I can bring you more surprises next time we meet."

Aksa smiled with satisfaction: "I believe that day is not far off."

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding environment began to distort and deform.

The tiger-man's tall figure gradually became blurred and eventually disappeared into the distorted space.

When his vision cleared again, Ron found himself in a completely different environment.

This is a huge cave, with the surrounding rock walls shimmering with a ghostly blue phosphorescence.

The air was damp, and the smell of sulfur was faintly detectable.

The ground was slippery and rough, like rocks that had been eroded by some kind of corrosive liquid for a long time.

"The environment of the fourth layer of the abyss?"

Ron felt a little dizzy and his vision seemed to be double.

He silently practiced basic meditation techniques and only then did he feel that his condition had improved slightly. Afterward, he cautiously looked around.

His fight with Aksa was more like a pure exchange of martial arts skills, but now he could feel the danger and hostility permeating the air.

A faint scraping sound came from deep within the cave, like the sound of some creature wriggling on the rocks.

Ron immediately went into battle mode, gripping his longsword and focusing intently.

The friction sound grew closer and clearer.

Suddenly, a sound echoed in the cave, cold and grating, as unsettling as the scraping of metal:
"I smelled warm blood. A vibrant soul."

Ron's hair stood on end instantly, and an instinctive sense of alertness swept over him.

This wasn't the upright, martial aura of Aksa, but rather a pure, undisguised evil.

In the darkness, six eyes gleaming with an eerie light suddenly lit up, lined up in two rows, and slowly moved toward him.

(End of this chapter)