Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 240: Kneel down and welcome
He carefully folded the letter and sealed it in a specially made envelope.

The envelope was coated with an anti-peeping alchemical coating to ensure its contents wouldn't be stolen by a third party before being handed to the big-mouthed parrot.

"Fly to the capital of the Kingdom of Farouk and find Andre Farouk."

Ron gave the command in a soft voice, while simultaneously channeling a wisp of mental energy to imprint Andrei's magical mark into the bird's consciousness, ensuring it could accurately locate its target.

The big-mouthed parrot let out a hoarse cry, spread its wings, and quickly disappeared into the horizon.

After sending the messenger away, Ron returned to a meditative state, continuing to draw upon the power of the stars to refine his "Star Projection" technique.

He could feel the magic pool expanding slowly but steadily. Although this growth was not as dramatic as when he broke through, the long-term accumulation would have a very significant effect.

[Experience points for Mastering "The Star Eater's Whispers" (Proficient) +1]

You are currently in the "Star Mapping" state; your magic power is continuously increasing.

………………

The Royal Council Chamber of the Kingdom of Farouk.

The blond-haired Andrei sat at the head of the long table, dressed in a magnificent royal robe, with a gold badge on his chest representing his status as crown prince, engraved with the crown coat of arms of the Farouk royal family.

His transformation was more pronounced than when he left the Black Mist Jungle—not only was his attire more luxurious, but his demeanor had also undergone a metamorphosis.

That ambition, once hidden beneath his elegant exterior, has now fully surfaced, no longer concealed, and has become his most striking trait.

His golden vertical pupils exuded an undeniable majesty, and every glance and every movement carried the air of a king.

The original elegant aristocratic demeanor has now been completely transformed into the composure and confidence of the ruler.

That change was not only external, but also a fundamental transformation of his inner temperament, as if he was born to sit in that position.

"The search of the West District is complete, and no abnormalities have been found."

A captain of the guard, dressed in gleaming armor, bowed his head and reported, his voice respectful and restrained.

His armor was engraved with the insignia of the Knights of the Sun, signifying his elite status.

Andrei's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair:

"What about the South District? That's my elder brother's territory. What's the situation there?"

"The search of the southern area is still ongoing and is expected to take two days to complete," the guard captain replied cautiously.

"The building structures there are more complex, with numerous underground passages, requiring careful investigation. Moreover, the residents there are relatively resistant to our search operations, making the progress slower than expected."

A cold glint flashed in Andrei's eyes:
"Continue the search, and make sure to leave no suspicious place unchecked. In particular, all secret passages leading out of the city must be sealed off. Any residents of the southern district who dare to obstruct the search will be punished for treason."

The captain of the guard stood at attention, saluted, and then withdrew. His footsteps echoed clearly on the marble floor.

After the last official left, Andrei finally breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back in his chair.

He rubbed his temples, his stern expression relaxing slightly, revealing a hint of fatigue.

This was one of the few moments he had alone in recent months, free from the need to maintain that perfect ruler persona.

He has not had a real rest since returning to the kingdom.

The bloody struggles within the royal family were far more intense than he had anticipated, with new crises and challenges looming every day.

Of his fifteen siblings, three have died in assassinations, two have gone missing while on the run, four have been confirmed to be deformed, and the rest are struggling to survive.

The conspiracies, betrayals, and sacrifices involved are far more complex and bloody than outsiders can imagine.

Even Andrei himself was often shocked and uneasy.

Fortunately, Lady Luck seemed to be on his side.

During the most difficult months after returning home, he successfully repelled several deadly assassination attempts thanks to his powerful bloodline and the weapons and equipment provided by Ron.

That longsword, gleaming with a deep red light, had saved his life countless times.

That silver-white breastplate also protected him from countless hidden weapons and magical attacks.

Coupled with his establishment of authority upon his return and the killing of his brother in the imperial confrontation, his arrogance swelled rapidly.

As he gradually gained more military power through this opportunity, the situation began to develop in his favor.

He first won over the generals of several elite border troops, and then used these forces to gradually erode the military power of his brothers.

Finally, in a clever coup, they seized control of the capital.

When news of his father's critical illness spread, he acted swiftly, seizing control of most of the military forces in the capital and beginning a large-scale arrest of his brothers and sisters.

Those princes and princesses who were once high and mighty are now either in exile or have become his prisoners.

“Your Highness.” A deep voice interrupted Andrei’s thoughts.

He looked up and saw an old man in a red robe walking slowly towards him.

The old man's hair was gray, and his face was marked by the passage of time, with deep wrinkles crisscrossing like ravines.

But those blue eyes remained bright and piercing, revealing an extraordinary wisdom.

His eyes seemed to contain insight and understanding of everything in the world.

This was Andrei's grandfather, Auguste Farouk, the kingdom's only advanced apprentice, regarded by the royal family as their most important advisor.

Andrei immediately stood up, his face regaining its calm and composed expression.

Despite being grandfather and grandson, they always maintained a subtle distance and vigilance when it came to matters of power.

"Grandfather, shouldn't you be resting?"

He asked, his voice carrying both concern and a hint of wariness.

August waved his hand and slowly sat down in the chair opposite Andrei.

"What time is it? Why are you still talking about resting?"

The old man's voice was low and hoarse, carrying an undisguised worry:

"I have just received news that there has been a leak of abyssal energy at the Black Mist School. The school has begun to evacuate and is probably in dire need of protection itself."

Andrei's expression immediately turned serious: "What? Is the information accurate?"

He has been preoccupied with the struggle for the throne lately, and his ties with the Black Mist School have diminished.

But this news is of great importance; if the school is truly in crisis, his connection with Ron may also be affected.

Moreover, a crisis of this magnitude could spread to surrounding areas and even affect the stability of the Kingdom of Farouk.

August nodded, a worried look on his face.

His aged fingers unconsciously traced an ancient badge on his robe, a symbol of his identity during his training at the Black Mist School:

"Absolutely. The news came through my old friend Holm, who happened to have left the school just before the evacuation."

According to his description, there are already obvious signs of contamination within the school, especially in the area near the abyss passage, where traces of mutated creatures have begun to appear.

The old man paused, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes:
"Speaking of which, Ron, whom you've always been so proud of, is probably also deeply mired in crisis right now and can't get out."

As an inexperienced apprentice, the chances of him escaping unscathed from such a crisis are extremely slim.

Andrei frowned, but did not refute. He understood that his grandfather had always been skeptical of Ron.

This attitude is not too uncommon for these rigid and aging leaders.

In order to maintain their authority, they often find it difficult to truly recognize the value of newcomers unless they witness their strength firsthand.

“Furthermore,” August’s voice deepened, his tone accusing, “then…”

"Your recent actions have been too radical. The large-scale roundup of your brothers and sisters has driven them to the brink, leading some to even choose a distorted path, bringing shame upon the royal family."

As he spoke, the old man's gaze turned stern, and a sharp, knife-like quality suddenly emerged from his amiable exterior:
"A struggle for the throne is understandable, but to completely sever kinship and massacre the royal family is simply too much."

Your brothers are certainly no good, but at least they know their limits and how to manipulate power without harming the overall interests of the royal family. They merely want to remove you from the picture, not eliminate you completely.

A cold glint appeared in Andrei's eyes, and his facial muscles involuntarily tensed.

He felt a familiar rage coursing through his veins, an instinctive reaction of the Crimson Dragon bloodline.

But he quickly regained his composure and took a deep breath to suppress the impulse.

The facial expression management skills I had specifically trained for were especially useful in this situation.

Emotions are the most unreliable advisors, especially in power struggles; a moment of impulsiveness can lead to irreversible consequences. "Grandfather, I know you are worried about the unity of the royal family, but the situation now allows no room for hesitation."

He explained earnestly, his voice filled with unwavering determination:
"My eldest and second eldest brothers had long begun to plot to seize power when our father passed away."

They secretly bribed the captain of the royal guard and even prepared a forged royal decree.

If I hadn't struck first, one of them would probably be standing here now, and I might already be secretly executed.

Andrei's memories returned to the days when he had just returned to the capital. Behind his eldest brother's warm welcome was a carefully designed trap, and his second brother's kind concern concealed a deadly poison.

If it weren't for Ron's gift and warning, he might have already lost his life.

August sighed deeply, a look of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

His fingers involuntarily traced the outline of his robe:
“You’re too hasty, Andrei. Inheriting the throne requires not only courage and decisiveness, but also wisdom and patience.”

If all your brothers and sisters become your enemies, you will live forever in fear and suspicion, and even if you sit on the throne, you will find it difficult to feel at ease.

The old man's gaze sharpened, staring directly into Andrei's eyes, as if it could pierce through all pretense and reach the depths of his soul:

"Every step you take should lay the foundation for your future rule."

If you continue this bloody rampage now, when you finally sit on the throne, I'm afraid few nobles will dare to express their true thoughts to you.

A king needs loyalty, but he also needs a truthful voice; otherwise, he can easily be blinded by flattery and lies.

Just as Andrei was about to answer, a sharp cry suddenly came from outside the window, interrupting their conversation.

August was startled by the sudden sound and trembled slightly, instinctively raising his hand to prepare to cast a spell.

A black bird, twice the size of a normal parrot, appeared on the windowsill. Its red eyes gleamed with an unnatural light, and its beak was slightly open, revealing a rolled-up letter inside.

Its feathers gleamed with a metallic sheen in the sunlight, and its entire body exuded an aura of an unnatural creature.

Andrei immediately recognized this special messenger bird; it was a communication tool specially bred by the school.

He immediately got up and went to the window, taking the letter from the parrot's beak.

The parrot let out a satisfied chirp, then flapped its wings and disappeared into the horizon.

As he unfolded the letter, his golden vertical pupils quickly scanned its contents, and an undisguised look of surprise appeared on his face.

That joy wasn't a polite smile in a social setting, but a heartfelt ecstasy that even caused his dragon eyes to uncontrollably contract and expand.

"Ron is about to arrive in the capital?"

August noticed the change in his grandson's expression and asked him what was wrong. His voice was calm, but his eyes were unusually wary, as if he were facing some kind of potential danger.

A smile appeared on Andrei's lips, and a triumphant glint shone in his eyes, like a gambler seeing a perfect hand:
"Not only that, he has successfully advanced to become a full-fledged wizard."

"What?!" August jumped to his feet, his face contorted with shock, his eyes wide as saucers.

"Advancement? A formal wizard? Ridiculous! How could he have advanced in such a short time? The school would never so easily bestow the Key Potion; this is simply a fantasy!"

The old man's reaction was somewhat excessive; his voice trembled with emotion, and he even forgot to maintain his usual calm and restraint.

His wrinkled hands clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning white from the force, as if he wanted to grab the letter and check it himself.

As a seasoned senior apprentice, he understood the difficulty of promotion better than most people.

The gap between a formal wizard and a senior apprentice is a fundamental divide, not just an improvement in ability, but a transformation in life form.

Even the most powerful advanced apprentices are still just mortals, while even the weakest formal wizard has already overcome most of the weaknesses and limitations of living beings, and their lifespan, potential, and ability to use magic are worlds apart.

"You must have been scammed."

August shook his head, his tone resolute, his voice carrying the earnest admonition of an elder to a younger generation:
"That Ron probably made up this lie to exaggerate his strength in front of you."

Although I've heard there are special ways to advance besides the key potion, the success rate is practically negligible. Even with exceptional mental strength, without special talent, success is almost impossible.

“No, grandfather, Ron is no ordinary man.”

Andrei said decisively, his eyes blazing with excitement.

The flames were so intense that even August felt a slight unease.

“If anyone else had said that, I would have been skeptical as well.”

Andrei continued, his voice filled with unwavering confidence:

"But I have no doubt about Ron. From the first time I met him, he showed extraordinary abilities and potential."

His golden vertical pupils gleamed with a peculiar light, as if witnessing a great secret:

“He is different, grandfather. From a fringe candidate apprentice of a sixth-rank star, to a senior apprentice, and now to a full-fledged wizard, all of this foreshadows one truth—he is not mortal.”

Auguste was silent for a moment, his brow furrowed, deep in thought.

As an experienced senior apprentice, he had a deep understanding of the difficulty of becoming a wizard.

Reaching the rank of a sixth-level star and becoming a formal wizard is an almost unheard-of miracle, but if it's true...
"I hope so."

August finally sighed, his tone containing both doubt and a hint of expectation:

“The support of a certified wizard can indeed improve our situation a lot.”

As he spoke, Andrei picked up the bell on the table and shook it gently. The bell rang clearly and melodiously, with a very strong penetrating sound.

Soon, an attendant in a red uniform entered the hall, bowed, and awaited orders.

"I will hold a grand welcoming ceremony in three days."

Andrei gave the order, his eyes gleaming with expectation, his voice clear and firm:
"Open the city gates wide and let all the common people in the city come out to welcome a distinguished guest who is about to arrive."

The royal guards were dispatched to kneel and greet the guest ten miles outside the city, with flowers and brocade laid out along the route, receiving this distinguished guest with the highest honors. The entire city needed to know that the kingdom's most powerful ally was about to arrive.

Although somewhat surprised, the attendants respectfully noted down the instructions, clearly accustomed to the prince's recent bold actions:
"Yes, Your Highness. May I ask who this distinguished guest is?"

"Wizard Ron Ralph".

Andrei's voice was filled with pride, as if he were announcing a great achievement:

“A formal wizard, and also our kingdom’s most important ally in the future. I hope this welcome will be one of the grandest welcoming ceremonies in the history of the capital, so that everyone will remember this day.”

A look of surprise flashed across the attendant's eyes, then he bowed and withdrew, hurrying to arrange this unprecedented welcoming ceremony.

Footsteps echoed on the marble floor, gradually fading away, leaving only silence in the room.

August watched all this from the side, his doubts not fading, but rather replaced by a deep worry.

He doesn't believe in miracles, only in the stable forces that have stood the test of time.

"You trust this so-called friend far too much."

The old man slowly rose, his voice low and serious, carrying the unique authority of an elder:
"Don't forget, formal wizards have their own status and principles, and their vision has transcended that of kings and kingdoms."

Once they are promoted to full wizards, their perspective changes completely, and they usually have little interest in the affairs of the kingdom and the mortal world.

You can't expect a newly promoted wizard to devote too much energy to your struggle for the throne; they have a much wider world to explore.

Andrei smiled slightly, a hint of confidence flashing in his eyes:

“Grandfather, Ron is different from other wizards.”

Our relationship is not merely an exchange of status and interests, but a true friendship.

And the fact that he came here also means that he has his eye on some of the things I currently possess…

August shook his head and said no more. He could tell that Andrei had made up his mind, and no amount of persuasion could change his mind.

This young man was too confident and too trusting of the wizard named Ron; such a combination often leads to dangerous consequences in power struggles.

The old man slowly left the hall, his heart filled with worry. He didn't know what kind of agreement existed between Andrei and the wizard named Ron.

But he was convinced that the emergence of a formal wizard would completely change the future of the Kingdom of Farouk, and that such a change might be far beyond Andrei's control.

Whether this change is for better or worse, it will be profound and irreversible.

The will of a wizard is enough to change the fate of a kingdom.

Like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

Even the smallest ripple can gradually evolve into an unpredictable and enormous wave over time.

(End of this chapter)