Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 218 Chief
Ron gazed at the tower bathed in a pale gold glow from the morning light.

As one of the top ten candidates in the wizarding hierarchy, he has a certain priority in seeking guidance from any mentor, but he doesn't often take the initiative to ask for advice.

Although he kept comforting himself that relying too much on his mentor's guidance was not as solid as learning by himself.

Every bit of knowledge gained through self-exploration is more deeply ingrained than any amount of instruction.

But in reality, the things he had researched before were always too unconventional, directions that only he himself could try.

As for the "flowing protective wall", its plasticity and potential far exceeded his expectations.

But since it was a mature spell model with precedents for reference, he certainly couldn't waste the opportunity to consult with the pioneers.

"Let's take it one step at a time," Ron sighed softly, stepping into the tower.

The apprentice guarding the entrance saw the badge on his chest, a hint of awe flashed in his eyes, and he quickly bowed respectfully.

"Lord Ralph, are you here to see the Vice Dean?"

"Yes, please inform them."

Ron nodded, his tone calm yet dignified.

Without realizing it, he had become accustomed to the tone and manner of this superior.

"No need, I already know." A deep voice came from above.

Ron looked up and saw Hayek standing on the second-floor corridor, holding a large book in his hand, his eyes showing a mixture of surprise and joy.

"Come on up, young man, I happen to have a few free moments."

Ron bowed slightly and went up the spiral staircase to the second floor.

"Come with me." Hayek said nothing more and led Ron straight through a long corridor decorated with various antique tapestries to a spacious reception room.

The interior furnishings are simple yet stylish, featuring a long ebony table and several carved chairs.

Several landscape paintings hung on the wall, depicting scenes from some otherworldly place:

Beneath the pale sky, countless enormous rocks floated, each covered with strange vegetation, while in the distance, a blood-red sun slowly sank.

Ron’s gaze lingered on the painting for a moment before he looked away and focused his attention back on Hayek.

"sit."

Hayek gestured for Ron to sit down at one side of the long table, while he himself sat opposite him.

"You were too busy to attend the last sequence evaluation meeting, so why are you looking for me now?"

Hayek was actually quite pleasantly surprised.

Recently, due to the restrictions of the "equal training system," he has been unable to give Ron special attention, which has caused him some distress.

After all, a genius like Ron is simply unheard of in the history of the Black Mist School.

If it weren't for the restrictions, he would even be willing to take Ron as his last disciple and nurture him with all his might.

Not only for the future of the school of thought, but also for that precious "favor"...

Since their brief encounter, he has clearly felt that the mental pollution that has accumulated in his body over the years has been significantly reduced.

Such a blessing of purity is extremely rare, even in the Crystal Spire.

Now that Ron has taken the initiative to seek advice, this is undoubtedly a win-win opportunity.

This would not violate the "equal training system" regulations, and would also give him the opportunity to get close to this young genius and receive more benefits.

"Dean, I would like to ask about the advanced applications of 'flowing wall protection'."

Ron got straight to the point, his voice calm and respectful:
"In recent live-fire exercises, I discovered that the potential of this spell far exceeds my imagination, but it seems there are still many applications that I haven't explored."

Hayek's eyes lit up; this was exactly his area of ​​expertise.

"'Flowing Barrier' is indeed an underrated spell."

He nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes:
"Most wizards only see it as a simple means of protection, but in reality, its application and depth go far beyond that."

He stood up and walked to the center of the room: "Since you've come to ask me for advice, let me demonstrate it for you."

Hayek's movements were calm and unpretentious, without any fancy gestures; he simply raised his right hand slightly, palm up.

A cloud of silver powder appeared out of thin air in his palm, then dispersed in the air, forming a semi-transparent barrier about two meters in diameter.

This barrier is unlike any "flowing barrier" Ron has ever seen before.

Its surface is not simply a uniform texture, but rather presents a water-like pattern that is constantly flowing and changing, giving people a strong sense of life.

"The first layer of application combines multiple media."

Hayek explained:
"This protective barrier combines silver powder, quartz sand, and trace amounts of crystal powder, with each medium responsible for a specific defensive function. Silver powder resists energy erosion, quartz sand provides physical defense, and crystal powder is responsible for energy conversion and redistribution."

Ron focused intently on his observation, while secretly activating the "Thousand Transformations" recording ability.

He could sense that the protective barrier formed by combining multiple media was much stronger than that formed by a single medium, and that the energy flow was more harmonious and stable.

Hayek, unaware of Ron's subtle actions, continued his demonstration:
“Observe this.”

He flicked his finger lightly, and complex energy patterns immediately appeared on the surface of the protective barrier, like a precise network.

"The second layer of application involves structural differentiation. The interior of the protective barrier is no longer homogeneous, but forms a multi-layered defense system."

The outer layer absorbs the impact, the middle layer converts energy, and the inner layer is the last line of defense.

In this way, even if the outer layer is breached, the inner layer can still provide protection.

Ron nodded in understanding, but in his mind he was quickly analyzing how this structure was constructed.

This layered defense is not just a simple superposition, but more like an organic, synergistic system, with each layer supporting and complementing the others through specific energy channels.

"The third layer of application is proactive counterattack."

A sharp glint flashed in Hayek's eyes, and dozens of spikes suddenly extended outward from the surface of the protective barrier, like the defensive mechanism of some dangerous creature.

“The protective barrier should not only be a passive defense, but can also be used as an offensive means.”

When an enemy comes into contact with the protective barrier, these spikes immediately pierce into the enemy's body, injecting specific energy and causing internal damage.

As he explained, the spikes slowly retracted and re-integrated into the protective barrier.

"The fourth application is space distortion, which is the advanced part, but since you're already here, I'll show it to you first."

Hayek concealed his deep-seated eagerness; he couldn't wait to impart all his knowledge to others.

As it moved again, strange ripples immediately appeared on the surface of the protective barrier, as if a mirror had been distorted.

The entire protective wall appears more three-dimensional, even giving the illusion of being larger than its actual size.

"This layer of application requires a deep understanding of spatial science. Through a specific energy distribution, a weak spatial distortion field is formed around the protective barrier. In this way, enemy attacks will be partially diverted to other spaces, reducing the pressure on the protective barrier itself."

Ron's eyes narrowed slightly. This was far beyond the application of ordinary "flowing protective barrier," almost transforming it into a small-scale spatial spell.

He attempted to record this energy structure, but found that its complexity was already close to the upper limit of "mysterious illusion".

Hayek, seemingly unaware of Ron's ongoing recording attempt, continued his presentation:

"The fifth layer of application extends perception."

Countless tiny points of light appeared on the surface of the protective wall, twinkling like a starry sky.

"These light spots are actually the sensing nodes of the protective barrier, which can capture changes in the surrounding environment and the movement of enemies. In this way, you can not only defend passively, but also actively predict the enemy's attack route."

He waved his hand gently, and the protective barrier immediately contracted, reforming into a ball of silver powder that fell back into his palm.

"Of course, these are just basic applications."

Hayek sat back down, his gaze fixed intently on Ron:

“A true master can develop more unique variations of ‘flowing shield’, and even form a defense system that is completely their own.”

Ron nodded respectfully, a thoughtful glint in his eyes:
“I benefited greatly from the vice president’s demonstration. I am particularly interested in the two applications, ‘structural differentiation’ and ‘sensory extension,’ which seem to perfectly compensate for the deficiencies in my current wall construction.”

Hayek nodded in satisfaction; Ron’s learning attitude and keen insight had indeed impressed him.

"Then, let me explain the key points of these two applications in detail."

Over the next two hours, Hayek explained in detail the advanced construction methods and theoretical basis of "flowing wall protection".

From the principles of energy distribution to the selection and ratio of different media, and how to adjust the structure and function of the protective wall according to actual combat needs, everything is packed with practical information.

Ron listened intently, occasionally asking sharp and insightful questions, demonstrating a level of insight far beyond his years.

Just as his explanation was nearing its end, Hayek suddenly changed the subject:
"By the way, I have some good news to tell you."

Ron raised an eyebrow slightly, waiting for what would happen next.

"In view of your outstanding performance in all aspects recently, coupled with Master Varen's high praise, the school has decided to promote you to the first position in the sequence ranking."

Ron was slightly taken aback. Although he had a feeling he would eventually get this position, he didn't expect it to come so soon. "It's my honor," he replied cautiously.

Hayek chuckled softly, recalling the scene from the sequence meeting not long ago.

………………

When he suggested promoting Ron to the top during the sequence meeting, the entire room fell silent.

Holt sat in the head seat, his expression unchanged, but a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes.

The blow to a genius who had held the top spot in the rankings for years, suddenly being surpassed by a newcomer who had only joined a few months earlier, was self-evident.

"Ralph has indeed shown amazing talent and a rapid pace of progress."

Yuni spoke calmly from the side, her purple eyes gleaming with agreement:
"His recent progress in elemental science is remarkable, especially his control over the element of light, which is almost at the level of a Dawn-level wizard."

Soren nodded in agreement:
"His mental strength improves much faster than that of ordinary people, and the precision of his spell construction is perfect, which is extremely rare among young apprentices."

“I have no objection.”

To everyone's surprise, Holt himself spoke calmly, his voice devoid of any dissatisfaction or jealousy, only displaying a detached and magnanimous quality:

"Ralph truly deserves it."

Hayek gazed at the young apprentice and a sense of regret arose in his heart.

Holt's talent was already top-notch in the Black Mist School, and his diligence was unmatched.

Under normal circumstances, given his talent and hard work, he would definitely be a star in the public eye.

Unfortunately, he encountered a monster like Ron.

He was a peerless genius unlike any he had ever seen since the establishment of the Black Mist School, seemingly born to be in harmony with the extraordinary path, taking each step as if walking on flat ground without any hindrance.

Faced with such a prodigy, even a genius like Holt could only pale in comparison.

However, what Hayek admired was that Holt did not become discouraged or resentful because of this, but chose to accept the fact and draw motivation from it to move forward.

This kind of mindset is perhaps more precious than talent itself.

"Then it's decided."

Hayek announced, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: "Ron Ralph will officially become the first in the candidate wizarding sequence."

………………

"There's no need to be overly modest."

Hayek snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the young man before him:

“You are fully deserving of this position. In fact, given your talent and rate of progress, many mentors believe that you are likely to reach the level of a formal wizard, or even higher, in the future.”

Ron nodded slightly, neither overly humble nor arrogant: "I will continue to work hard and live up to the school's expectations."

"well, let's get back to business."

Hayek stood up, walked to a cabinet on the other side of the room, and took out a metal box that gleamed faintly:

“These are some special mediums I have prepared for you, which can be used for the practice and experimentation of ‘flowing protective walls’. They include some rare metal powders and crystal fragments, each with its own unique energy properties.”

He handed the box to Ron: "Make good use of these. I look forward to seeing your unique interpretation of 'flowing protective barriers'."

Ron took the box, a slight thought crossing his mind. These rare materials were simply unavailable on the ordinary market.
"Thank you, Vice Dean. So, including these materials, how much will my consultation cost?"

"Two magic stones will suffice. There's no need to be so polite. We're just taking what we need."

The old man casually gave a number, seemingly unconcerned.

The consultation and materials costs only two magic stones. Ron wasn't unaware of the market price; he knew the other party was offering an absolute steal.

Hayek took the magic stone, then seemed to remember something:
"Oh, right, there's one more special application of 'flowing wall protection' that I haven't mentioned."

Ron looked up, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

"If you can find suitable abyssal material as a medium"

Hayek's voice suddenly became low and mysterious:
"The protective barrier will acquire a completely new characteristic—activation. It will no longer be a simple defensive tool, but a semi-living entity capable of autonomous defense and movement, and even possessing simple erosion capabilities."

Ron's eyes widened slightly: "Abyssal matter... as a medium?"

Hayek nodded, then suddenly extended his right hand. A peculiar energy fluctuation surged from his sleeve, forming a miniature vortex in his palm.

At the center of the vortex was a mass of inky black matter, emanating an unsettling aura.

With his control, the black substance rapidly expanded, forming a thin protective barrier around him.

This protective barrier is completely different from the previous ones—it seems to have its own will, constantly changing its shape, with strange patterns flowing across its surface, like the skin of some otherworldly creature.

Ron held his breath. The aura emanating from the protective barrier made him feel uneasy, but at the same time, he was drawn to the terrifying power it contained.

"what is this?"

"Secretions from the 'Gaze Frog' on the fifth level of the Abyss."

Hayek calmly explained, while simultaneously removing the protective barrier.

Just then, Ron noticed obvious signs of mutation on the vice dean's right arm.

The skin had an unnatural bluish-gray hue and was covered with tiny, scaly bumps.

These scales seemed to be alive, constantly trembling slightly, as if they were breathing.

"The vice dean is also an Abyss Explorer?"

“That’s right.” Hayek readily admitted, seemingly unconcerned about displaying his abnormality in front of Ron:
"In fact, most wizards who have reached the Moon Rank and above have explored the Abyss. There lies knowledge and power that cannot be obtained through conventional means, tempting every cultivator who pursues the ultimate."

He pulled his sleeve down again, covering up the deformed marks:

"Of course, the price was also high. Many wizards paid a heavy price for it, some even getting completely lost in the abyss and never being able to return."

Ron listened quietly, his mind racing with thoughts.

For wizards, the abyss is both a source of power and a dangerous quagmire.

“You seem quite interested in the Abyss.” Hayek carefully observed Ron’s reaction, a hint of inquiry flashing in his eyes:
"The trip to the Bloodline Altar must have yielded very good results, right?"

Ron paused for a moment, but quickly regained his composure: "We've made some small gains, but it's far from enough."

“No need to rush. With your talent, you'll have plenty of opportunities to explore further in the future,” Hayek said meaningfully.
"Varen also has high hopes for you. You know, we used to be on the same team."

“Master Varen?” Ron was slightly surprised, not expecting that there was such a relationship between the two.

"Yes, back in the Crystal Spire, we formed a small team together, specifically responsible for exploring the Abyss."

A hint of nostalgia flashed in Hayek's eyes:
“At that time, Warren was a few years younger than me, but he was incredibly talented, and luckily, he married his mentor’s grandniece, which gave him access to more resources and guidance.”

At this point, Hayek's voice carried a subtle, complex emotion:

"In the end, he successfully broke through to the Dark Sun level, while I remained at the peak of the Lunar Radiance level."

Ron didn't respond, but listened quietly; he wasn't foolish enough to dare to express his opinion on these matters.

"It's getting late." Hayek glanced at the sky outside the window and ended the conversation.

I hope today's conversation has been helpful to you.

"I benefited greatly."

Ron stood up and bowed deeply to Hayek: "Thank you for your guidance and generosity, Vice Dean."

Hayek nodded slightly and watched Ron leave.

As soon as the door closed, he took a deep breath, feeling the pure "blessing" power within his body.

This force was far stronger and more enduring than he had anticipated, and it almost instantly purified some of the mental pollution he had accumulated in recent days.

"Truly worthy of being a great wizard seed with the potential of a primordial wizard."

Hayek muttered to himself, a glint of expectation in his eyes:
"If he can truly succeed in becoming a Primal Wizard, then the Black Mist School will usher in an unprecedented golden age."

He walked to the window, gazing at the dark, misty forest gradually being swallowed by darkness, and silently prayed:
"Hopefully history won't repeat itself. Hopefully this time, that dangerous path will truly lead to success, and not another tragedy."

………………

Even after leaving Hayek's office, Ron's mind was still replaying the advanced theories and applications of "flowing shielding".

He looked down at the metal box in his hand, which contained the precious mediums that Hayek had traded to him, and he couldn't help but feel tempted.

These rare materials will provide him with ample material for his experiments, especially for advanced research on "flowing walls".

But what excited him even more was that he successfully recorded several variations of the "flowing wall" demonstrated by Hayek using the "Thousand-Change Illusion".

Although limited by the complexity of the spells, he could only record the first three applications:
The combination of "multiple media", "structural differentiation" and "proactive counterattack" is already quite surprising.

(End of this chapter)