Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 191 Crafting a Crown for Himself

The workshop lights shone like a bright star in the night.

The wind howled outside the window, typical weather in the Black Mist Forest—bitterly cold wind mixed with faint magical fluctuations.

This strange wind made the skin of every creature that passed by sting, as if it were being pierced by countless invisible needles.

Ron was focused on a new alchemical experiment in the laboratory, intently manipulating the amber liquid suspended in front of him.

This is a modified "Mental Shield" potion, and he is trying to enhance its anti-pollution effects.

The Bloodline Altar opens tomorrow, and he can't waste any time.

“If we add extracts of Moonflower…” Ron carefully dripped in three drops of silver liquid:

"Theoretically, it can enhance resistance to pollution."

The liquid reacted immediately, emitting a slight "sizzling" sound.

The color gradually changes from amber to deep purple, and then slowly returns to a purer golden yellow.

[Material Transmutation (Proficient) Experience Points +1]

Just as he was preparing to proceed with the next test, Ailan's voice came through telepathy:

"Master, Lord Andrei has arrived, and the situation seems urgent. He is in a very emotional state, as if something important has happened."

Ron frowned slightly, somewhat displeased that he had been interrupted at this point.

After carefully stabilizing the experimental subject, he removed his goggles and strode towards the reception room.

As soon as he entered, he saw Andrei sitting there, his usual elegance and composure gone, his face filled with anxiety, his hands constantly rubbing his knees.

His golden vertical pupils contracted repeatedly, revealing his inner unease.

Ron keenly noticed that his friend's clothes were not as neat as usual; the hem of his robe was wrinkled, and there was even a noticeable tear in the left sleeve, as if he had rushed over without having time to change.

"Your Highness, what brings you here?"

Ron asked expressionlessly, but he already sensed that something was amiss.

Andrei looked up, a hint of conflict flashing in his vertical pupils:
“Ron… I received a secret report from the kingdom that my father’s condition has deteriorated drastically. He’s said to be coughing up blood and has a persistent high fever. Even my grandfather, a senior apprentice, said he was powerless to help.”

He paused for a moment, his voice becoming even lower:

“My eldest and second brothers have already begun to assign their confidants to the army, my third brother has taken control of the taxation in the southern part of the capital, and even my fourth sister, who has always been indifferent to worldly affairs, has started to attend noble gatherings... The royal family has been divided into at least five factions, fighting openly and covertly. I... I am considering whether I should go back.”

Ron sat down opposite him, his eyes sharpening like knives: "And then? What do you plan to do when you go back?"

Andrei bit his lower lip, hesitating for several seconds before speaking:
"Perhaps... I should try my best? After all, I have successfully awakened the Crimson Dragon bloodline... If Father really can't go on, there has to be an heir, I think..."

"Judging from your tone, it sounds like you're asking for my opinion?"

Ron sneered, a hint of disdain in his eyes: "Are you sure you really want to be king? Isn't it just because you're afraid of getting involved and being forced to make a choice?"

“I…” Andrei’s face clearly showed struggle, his golden pupils contracting and dilating:

"To be honest, I'm scared. My two older brothers have been groomed to be heirs to the throne since childhood, and they have the support of the army and nobles. Although I have awakened a powerful bloodline, I have almost nothing else. I'm not even sure if I should go back and participate in this struggle..."

Ron suddenly stood up, his face grim, a cold glint in his eyes:
"If you maintain this attitude, even if you go back, you'll only be facing certain death!"
Do you think you can stay here forever without the support of the royal family? Do you think your brothers will let you off the hook just because you don't fight for them?

In the power struggles within the royal family, there is no such thing as neutrality! To not fight means to be at the mercy of others!

He walked to the window, his back to Andrei, his voice icy:

"Participating in the struggle yourself may lead to failure; but shrinking back and retreating guarantees death."

I originally thought that after that near-death experience of bloodline awakening, you would grow stronger and more resolute. It seems I overestimated your determination.

“Ron, you don’t understand…” Andrei said painfully, “I lack experience and resources. Going back would mean facing the jaws of wolves and tigers…”

"Lilia."

Ron suddenly raised his voice, interrupting Andrei: "Bring me that special recording crystal ball, the one on the third shelf of that cabinet."

Lilia seemed to have been prepared for this request, and after only a slight hesitation, she quickly left the room.

A moment later, she returned with a dark red crystal ball about the size of a fist, holding it carefully in both hands as if it were some dangerous object.

Ron took the crystal ball and infused it with a wisp of spiritual energy.

The crystal ball immediately emitted an ominous scarlet light, and a terrifying scene unfolded in the air like a 3D projection.

It was a basement stained with blood, the walls covered with all sorts of strange ritual runes, and a complex sacrificial circle drawn on the floor.

A naked young man was suspended in the center of the magic circle, his arms stretched out in a cross shape and fixed in mid-air by specially made chains.

His eyes had been gouged out and replaced by two crystal balls that shimmered with an eerie blue light;

His mouth was fixed in place by some kind of metal device and could not be closed. A tentacle-like foreign object protruded from his mouth and seemed to be connected to the depths of his throat.

His entire body was covered with countless twisted runes, each one slowly wriggling as if it were alive.
Most horrifyingly, his chest and abdomen were completely cut open, his internal organs were exposed, yet he still showed signs of life; his heart was still beating weakly in his chest cavity, and his lungs were rising and falling slowly.

Beside this half-alive corpse, a female figure was carefully removing a glowing organ from the man's body using some kind of eerie ritual dagger.

Her movements were extremely precise, like those of a seasoned surgeon.

Every cut was precise, maintaining the victim's vital signs while extracting the maximum amount of energy.

Even more terrifying was that, as she manipulated him, the man's painful groans and weak limb twitches clearly indicated that he remained fully conscious.

"What the hell is this?"

Andrei's voice trembled, his face was as pale as paper, and a bead of cold sweat slid down his forehead.

“This is Cynthia’s ‘little pet’.”

Ron continued calmly, showcasing a scene far more impactful than any horror movie:

"Or rather, it's her 'energy container.' See? Those runes aren't just decorations; they form a complete energy extraction circuit, providing the owner with a continuous stream of life energy and pleasure through endless pain and fear."

The images within the crystal ball shifted, displaying a series of chilling scenes:
Different men were fixed in various horrific devices; some had organs of alien creatures sewn on, while others were injected with a drug that made their skin transparent, making their internal organs clearly visible.

Some were covered in all sorts of strange tubes, emitting an eerie glow;
Others were completely transformed, almost unrecognizable as human, reduced to writhing lumps of flesh with human faces embedded in them, their eyes filled with pain and despair.

The final scene was particularly horrifying—in a room, dozens of shriveled humanoid shells were piled up like garbage in a corner.

Those objects that were once human have been completely drained of their life essence. Their skin is grayish-white, their eye sockets are empty, and only a thin layer of skin covers their bones, with no trace of flesh or blood remaining.

Andrei suddenly stood up, his body trembling uncontrollably, his face deathly pale, and his eyes filled with unbelievable fear.

"Is this... my fate if I'm given to her?"

Having finally managed to suppress his urge to vomit, he asked in a hoarse voice.

“No, you’ll only be worse off than them.” Ron coldly pointed to the scene in the crystal ball:
“Cynthia is particularly fond of men of high status, believing that those with noble blood possess more energy. If you are a prince, she will let you ‘enjoy’ it longer and more deeply.”

He continued relentlessly:
“From what I’ve observed, what she craves most is corrupting the will of her prey. Many of them are allowed to retain their consciousness initially, precisely so they can fully experience the entire process from pride to collapse. This satisfies her perverse desires far more than mere physical pain.” Andrei closed his eyes in agony, his nails digging deeply into his palms.
"You deliberately kept these... just to provoke me? I might never forget these images for the rest of my life..."

“You think too highly of yourself,” Ron replied calmly, putting away the crystal ball.

"The initial purpose of obtaining these records was to study her energy extraction rituals and magic array structures, especially the techniques that could keep her prey alive for a long time, which are very valuable from an academic perspective."

He looked coldly at Andrei:
"But indeed, I keep them so that you can see the truth of this world."

There are no safe zones or neutral areas in this world. If you don't fight, you will be swallowed up.

"If it weren't for me, you'd already be one of those corpses. And now you're still hesitating about whether to fight for what rightfully belongs to you?"

Andrei remained silent for a long time, and the fear in his golden vertical pupils was gradually replaced by another emotion—a cold determination.

That's the kind of ferocity a wild beast displays when it's driven to the brink of despair.

“You’re right.” His voice was deep and firm, with a hint of hoarseness: “I have no choice but to move forward.”

He looked up at Ron, his eyes sharpening:

"The royal family's supply of magic stone fragments has been cut off for six months. You should have noticed this by now, right?"

Ron nodded slightly:

“I suspect that the internal strife in your kingdom has reached a critical point. The resource chain has broken down, and the various factions have begun to accumulate their own power and have stopped sending resources out. This is not necessarily a bad thing for you—chaotic situations often create opportunities for outsiders.”

"Have you collected the materials I asked you to find?" he suddenly asked.

“I brought it.” Andrei took out a brocade pouch with a complex seal from his robes:

“These things are hard to find; I’ve used up almost all my connections. Especially that last piece of ‘meteorite iron,’ which is said to have been extracted from a meteorite and is extremely rare.”

Ron took the pouch and quickly checked its contents: Star

Meteorite iron, blood sand, Yangyan essence... each of these is a rare alchemical material, especially suitable for crafting alchemical items related to bloodlines.

"Very good." He nodded in satisfaction and put the brocade pouch away. "You wait here."

"Wait," Andrei called out to him, "What are you planning to do?"

Ron stopped, as if assessing something:
"These materials, along with some I've collected myself, are enough to forge a set of weapons and armor that suit you. Although the timeframe is a bit tight, the basic functions should be guaranteed."

He turned and went into the laboratory, leaving Andrei and Lilia in the reception room.

The atmosphere became somewhat heavy for a moment. Andrei's gaze kept drifting towards the dark red crystal ball, his eyes filled with fear and disgust.

"Your Highness Andrei...would you like some tea?"

Lilia asked softly, breaking the silence: "It can help calm you down."

"Thank you." Andrei forced a smile. "I do need something to clear my head from what I just saw..."

Lilia poured a glass of mint tea and handed it to Andrei:
"Teacher...when you first met him, was he always this...direct?"

Andrei took the teacup and said with a wry smile:
“He wasn’t like this before. When we first met, he was a spendthrift playboy who only thought about enjoying himself. No one would have thought he would become the calm and almost cold person he is now.”

He took a sip of tea, his eyes filled with reminiscence:

"But I think this is the real him. When he stops pretending and hiding, this is his true nature."

“The teacher is actually a very good person,” Lilia suddenly spoke up, firmly refuting the claim.
"It is precisely because he values ​​you so much that he would use such a special method, even resorting to those horrific images to provoke you."

Andrei nodded: "I know. That's why I have to pull myself together."

More than two hours later, Ron came out of the lab, looking visibly tired but with satisfaction in his eyes.

He held two items in his hands—a longsword that gleamed with a deep red light and a silver-white breastplate.

“These are parting gifts I prepared for you.” Ron handed them to Andrei: “Weapons and armor.”

Andrei carefully took the items and immediately sensed the extraordinary energy emanating from them.

The longsword felt warm to the touch, as if one could sense the fluctuations of his bloodline; the breastplate, on the other hand, exuded a reassuring sense of calm.

“These…” Andrei looked at the two items in surprise: “How did you manage to finish them in such a short time?”

"Meteorite iron itself has a strong energy conductivity; other materials are only used to enhance the resonance between the item and you."

Ron explained briefly, as if it were no difficult task:
"When the sword was forged, I added some of your blood extract, which has already established a preliminary connection with your bloodline. It will become more and more compatible during use, and eventually it can amplify your power; the breastplate mainly serves a protective function, especially against magical attacks, and can buy you a chance to counterattack in emergency situations."

Andrei gripped the longsword tightly, feeling the warm energy flowing within it, as if he were holding a tamed fire:

"Ron, this is too..."

"This is the last bit of help I can give you. I should get back to my own things now."

Ron interrupted him, his voice weary:
“From now on, you must rely on yourself. After returning to the kingdom, you can act in my name—'Sixth in the Sequence, Ron Ralph’s ally. This will bring you some prestige, especially in the eyes of nobles who understand the wizarding world.”

He looked directly into Andrei's eyes:
"But remember, this is just an external halo. The real struggle still depends on your own strength and strategy. No one will willingly submit just because you know a senior apprentice. Everything needs to be earned by yourself."

Andrei took a deep breath and straightened his back:
“I understand, Ron. Thank you for your help all this time... I won’t let you down.”

“Go, Your Majesty the Future King.” Ron gave a rare, encouraging smile.

"I want to build my own crown and not let it fall on someone else's head. I also don't want all my investments to go down the drain, that would be a huge loss."

Andrei nodded solemnly, carefully put away his sword and armor, and gave Ron a formal knightly salute:
“My friend, I assure you, when we meet again, I will no longer be that indecisive thirteenth prince.”

After seeing Andre off, Ron dragged his tired body back to the laboratory, ready to continue his unfinished work.

Lilia followed quietly behind, her face filled with worry.

"Teacher, you have been working for more than ten hours and need to take a break."

Ron shook his head and continued preparing the potion he had previously interrupted:
"There is no time. The trial of the Bloodline Altar is just around the corner. I must complete all preparations."

"Do you really think Prince Andrei can succeed?" Lilia couldn't help but ask.

Ron stopped what he was doing and pondered for a moment:

"It depends on him. All I can do is give him the tools and motivation. Whether he can seize the opportunity is up to him."

"What if he fails?"

"That proves I misjudged him."

Ron said coldly as he resumed his work: "Everything is a matter of natural selection, but I've already swept away the confusion in this guy's eyes."

He stopped what he was doing, looked up at the deep night outside the window:
"He has been on the verge of death. Once such a person is determined to move forward, he can often unleash unimaginable power."

Lilia glanced at her teacher's pensive profile and quietly left the laboratory.

(End of this chapter)