Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 521 The Value of Hybrids

Ron had just finished his morning classes.

He was preparing to return to his office to organize his teaching notes.

A thin figure appeared at the classroom door.

That was Kyle, one of his key targets, a second-generation hybrid of human and Danasan.

Compared to his classmates, Kyle always seemed unusually quiet.

He rarely spoke up; more often, he would sit in a corner of the classroom, listening intently with an almost painful expression.

“Mentor Ralph…”

Kyle's voice was as soft as a breeze rustling through leaves:
"May I have a few minutes of your time?"

Ron noticed that the apprentice was in worse condition than usual.

His skin was the pale green characteristic of the Danasu people, but now it had an unhealthy grayish-white tinge.

His hands were trembling slightly, as if resisting some unseen force.

“Of course, Kyle. Please have a seat.”

Ron gestured for him to sit down in the chair in front of him, while carefully observing the apprentice's condition.

Through the Observer's Eye, he could see dozens of tiny energy threads surrounding Kyle.

These threads connect every plant in the classroom.

Ferns in the corner, moss on the windowsill, and even the remnants of life in wooden tables and chairs.

Each thread conveys different emotional fluctuations:
Hunger, satisfaction, fear, anticipation...

For a mixed-race person with plant-like empathy, this constant bombardment of information is enough to drive them crazy.

“I’ve lost something.” Kyle’s voice was filled with despair.
"The amulet my mother left me was carved from moonwood."

Three days ago, I remember putting it on my desk in my dorm room, but now... it's gone.

His hand unconsciously stroked the empty area of ​​his chest:

"Without it, I can't... I can't stop their voices."

Ron immediately understood the seriousness of the problem.

For individuals with extraordinary sensory abilities, certain objects often serve as "mental anchors."

They are not only emotional support, but also key tools for maintaining psychological balance.

"Does this amulet mean more than just a memento to you?"

“Yes.” Kyle nodded in confirmation:
"It has a certain...isolating effect on me."

When wearing it, the emotions of the surrounding plants become blurred and distant, like listening through a thick smog. But now…

He closed his eyes in pain:

"Now I can hear the longing of every tree in the college, and the sorrow of every flower."

The willow tree near the fountain is weeping for its lost companion, and the roses in the garden are angry because of over-pruning…

"These sounds never stop, I'm about to..."

Ron patted Kyle on the shoulder, interrupting him:
"You've persevered for three days, which shows your willpower is stronger than we thought. Now, let's focus on solving the problem."

He stood up: "When was the last time you saw the amulet? Where exactly was it located?"

"Three days ago, in the evening, in my dormitory."

Kyle tried hard to recall:

"I remember taking it off before going to bed and putting it in the small box in the upper right corner of my desk."

That's my habit, because wearing it to sleep gives me nightmares.

"The next morning, the small box was still there, but the amulet was gone."

"Are there any signs that the room has been ransacked?"

"No, everything is tidy." Kyle shook his head.
"I checked every corner, even crawled under the bed."

My mentor, Ella, also helped me search, even using magical detection, but to no avail.

This detail made Ron frown.

The disappearance of a small item with no magical properties into a closed room could be considered a headless mystery.

By this point, Ron had already formed a preliminary judgment.

An object that has been imbued with strong emotions for many years will not simply "disappear".

It is more likely that it was "attracted" by something sensitive to emotional energy.

"Kyle, I have a question that might be a little sensitive."

Ron's tone became more cautious: "How did your mother die?"

This question caused Kyle's body to visibly stiffen.

“She died when I was ten years old.” His voice became even softer:
"Nominally, it was old age, but in reality... she died of heart disease."

"Mixed-race people are considered outcasts in both worlds. Human society does not accept her plant-like features, and the Danasu tribe does not recognize her union with humans."

"She spent ten years making that amulet, pouring all her love and blessings into it."

That was the last gift she could give me, and her only protection.

Upon hearing Kyle's words, Ron couldn't help but recall the historical documents he had been reviewing in the archives a few days earlier.

Those records detail the establishment of the second colony in Tsui Wan, as well as the initial contact between the first generation of immigrants and the three major ethnic groups.

In stark contrast to the apparent harmony of today, early race relations could be described as tense and fraught with danger.

Although the Three-Eyed Clan is gentle in nature, their powerful sensory abilities make humans uneasy.

Nobody likes having their emotions constantly monitored.

The Danasu people deeply resent the environmental damage caused by human resource exploitation and have repeatedly engaged in "purification conflicts."

The refugees from the furnace star, having been initially placed in the dark and gloomy mining area, harbored widespread resentment among the lower classes.

The racial conflict incidents documented in the archives are shocking:

Anthropologists are attempting to forcibly dissect the third eye of the Tri-Eyed Tribe;
The Danasu people "purified" the drinking water of an entire human settlement, causing dozens of people to experience adverse reactions.
The refugees from the Stoker planet organized three large-scale acts of sabotage...

The real turning point came ten years ago.

Vinard enacted the Racial Harmony Act, which established strict oversight mechanisms and severe penalties.

Any form of racial discrimination would result in expulsion from the colony, and racial violence was a serious crime.

Under the suppression of strong policies, the apparent conflict did indeed disappear.

But as Ron observed the colony's life over the past few days, he discovered another problem.

Interactions between different races have become exceptionally "deliberate" and "careless".

When humans communicate with the three-eyed people, they control their emotional fluctuations, fearing that the other party will perceive their inappropriate thoughts;
When the Danasu people come into contact with humans, they always maintain a safe distance to avoid accidental energy resonance.

The stokers further isolate themselves in their work areas, rarely interacting with other races except for necessary technical exchanges.

The apparent harmony masks a deeper divide.

Each race prefers to stay within its own "comfort zone," communicating with its own kind and handling internal affairs.

This is why there are a considerable number of human immigrants and people of other ethnicities here.

But the reason why, over the years, only a little over three hundred mixed-race wizards have emerged.

The probability of producing a wizard prodigy when humans and other races are mixed is an astonishing 50%!
It's important to understand that among offspring born from the union of humans without extraordinary powers, the chance of having the potential to become wizards is less than one in a thousand.

Moreover, even if they have the qualifications, most of them are relatively weak.

The Black Mist School initially targeted royalty and nobility—those whose ancestors possessed extraordinary bloodlines—as potential wizards.

"Kyle's mother's tragedy is not an isolated case."

Ron continued to analyze:

"Under Vinard's iron-fisted policies, people dare not openly express their prejudices."

But those prejudices didn't truly disappear; they were merely suppressed at a deeper level.

"This 'passive harmony,' while maintaining a superficial stability, also creates a more subtle kind of suffering."

“Those individuals who truly attempt to cross racial boundaries often find themselves in a more isolated situation.”

Just then, light footsteps came from the classroom door.

Lila and several other apprentices came in; they had clearly heard about Kyle's predicament.

“Mentor Ralph, we would like to help find Kyle’s amulet.”

Lila spoke up, her third eye on her forehead glowing slightly: "Perhaps my ability can come in handy?"

Ron looked at the apprentices who cared about their companions, and an idea came to mind.

This was indeed an excellent opportunity for hands-on teaching, especially for Lila.

"A very good suggestion." He nodded in agreement.

"But before we begin, I'd like to give you a brief overview of the relevant information."

Ron walked to the blackboard and drew a simple timeline:
Most astrologers and prophets are accustomed to focusing their attention on the 'future'.

They tried to anticipate what was about to happen and predict the possible outcomes.

"But truly brilliant prophets understand that the past is often more valuable than the future."

He drew a circle at the left end of the timeline:
"The future holds countless possibilities, and every choice will lead to different paths."

But there is only one truth about the past, and the traces it left behind are real and enduring.

Lila nodded thoughtfully:
"You mean, instead of predicting where the amulet is, we should trace how it disappeared?"

“Absolutely correct,” Ron said approvingly.

"Lila, I want you to try a completely new way of perceiving things."

Don't look at what you'll find in the 'future,' but rather feel what the 'past' has left behind.

Half an hour later, the group arrived at Kyle's dormitory.

This is a simple but tidy single room, with the furniture arranged in a very orderly manner.

The small box on the desk was still in its original place, but it was indeed empty.

“Lila, try to observe this room with your third eye,” Ron began to instruct.
"Just do what I told you to practice repeatedly before, to seek the 'echoes of history' and perceive the remaining traces of the past."

"Emotions are a form of energy, and when they are strong enough, they leave a lasting mark on the environment."

Lila nodded and cautiously opened her third eye.

At first, she saw a familiar scene.

The flow of energy within the room, the magical glow of the objects, and the emotional fluctuations of the people.

"I see a lot of current information, but the traces of the past... are very blurry."

She shook her head in confusion:

"It's like looking at distant mountains through fog; you can sense something there, but you can't make out its exact shape."

“That’s normal,” Ron encouraged.

"Historical perception requires a different 'focus'."

Try slowing your breathing and letting your awareness extend backward, like turning the pages of a book in reverse chronological order.

Lila adjusted her perception mode as instructed.

Gradually, the room began to change in her third eye.

The scene now becomes translucent, and behind it, even more ancient images begin to emerge.

"I saw it!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"Kyle did indeed remove the amulet here three days ago."

I could see a...golden light move from his chest to above the desk.

“Very good, continue tracking that light.” Lila’s senses extended forward, following the golden trajectory.

"The amulet remained in the box all night... but by the early hours of the next morning, the light began to move."

Her expression turned confused:

"Strange, it wasn't taken by someone, it looks like it just... floated out of the room on its own?"

This discovery surprised everyone.

"It floated out on its own?" Garen asked in confusion.
"Amulets aren't living things, how could they move on their own?"

“In the wizarding world, objects imbued with strong emotions can indeed exhibit ‘quasi-life’ characteristics.”

Ron explained, "Especially when there are energy sources around that resonate with it."

"Lila, continue tracking the direction of that light."

Lila focused her mind, trying to follow the fleeting golden light.

The trail of light traversed the dormitory corridors, passed the back door of the library, and finally…

"It has entered the core area of ​​the ecological park." Her voice was uncertain.
"But there, the trail became confusing."

The plants in the ecological park were too intensely expressive, interfering with my senses.

Kyle's expression grew even more pained.

Ron knew that the eco-park was the area where his emotions were most disturbed.

"It's okay, let's go and see for ourselves."

He quickly made a decision: "Theoretical analysis is sometimes no match for field investigation."

The ecological park at No. 2 Tsui Wan is the heart of the entire colony.

This place brings together exotic plants from more than a dozen different worlds, each radiating a unique life energy.

The air was filled with the scents of flowers and resin, and an indescribable sense of vitality.

For Kyle, this place was like a noise hell. Countless plant "sounds" simultaneously flooded his consciousness:
The deep whispers of ancient oak trees, the joyful laughter of colorful flowers, the murmurs of vines.
"I'm not sure how long I can stay here."

Kyle's voice was already trembling: "They're so noisy."

"Lila, in this environment, can you still sense the amulet's presence?"

Ron asked.

Lila opened her third eye again, but was immediately shocked by what she saw.

The entire ecological park is like an ocean of emotions.

Countless different energy fluctuations intertwine to form a complex and dizzying energy network.

"It's too complicated," she said, shaking her head.

"There are too many energy levels here, and I cannot filter out the specific trajectory of the amulet."

Just as everyone was confused, Garen suddenly pointed in one direction:
"Did you hear that?"

Everyone listened carefully, but apart from the sound of the wind and birdsong, they heard nothing unusual.

“Not by listening with your ears,” Garrenne explained.
"My metal arm is feeling some kind of call? Like something is asking for help."

This phenomenon caught Ron's attention.

Each mixed-race apprentice possesses a unique perspective on perception; perhaps Garen is able to sense information that Lila missed.

“Take us there to have a look,” he decided.

Garen closed his eyes, letting the metal arm's sensors guide his direction.

They walked through a fern grove, bypassed the central fountain, and finally arrived at a huge ancient tree deep inside the ecological park.

This tree is over fifty meters tall, and its crown resembles a natural green dome.

In the middle of the tree trunk, there is a naturally formed cavity, from which a faint light shimmers.

"The light comes from there."

Garen confirmed:

"Moreover, I feel that 'calling' has become stronger."

However, the hole is more than 30 meters above the ground, and without Ron's help, no one can easily get there.

“I can try to encourage some vines to grow to help it climb.”

Kyle suggested that, despite his poor condition, he still wanted to contribute to the search for the amulet.

“It’s too dangerous.” Ron shook his head and refused: “Forcing your ability in your current state could cause a backlash of magic.”

Just then, Lila opened her third eye again.

This time, however, she did not try to perceive the past or the future, but focused on the flow of energy in the present moment.

"I saw something strange." Her voice was filled with surprise.

"The light from the amulet wasn't the only thing in that hollow space."

There were also many other shiny items, gathered together like some kind of collection?

"Collect?" Ron frowned:
What kind of creature would store shiny items in a tree hollow?

Suddenly, a possibility popped into his mind.

"The spirit of emotion!" The light bulb of inspiration lit up his mind.

"What is an emotion spirit?" Lila repeated the unfamiliar term in confusion.

"An elemental creature that feeds on pure emotional energy, one of the companion creatures of the Danasu people."

Ron began to explain, while carefully observing the direction of the tree hole:
"In the legends of the Danasu people, emotion spirits are the 'cleaners' of the plant kingdom. They specifically absorb negative emotions that may pollute the ecological environment."

"But at the same time, they also have a natural desire for items that contain strong positive emotions."

Lila began to understand:
"So the strong maternal love on the amulet attracted this creature?"

“That’s very likely.” Ron nodded in confirmation.
“The ‘borrowing’ behavior of emotion sprites is usually harmless; they are simply attracted by pleasant feelings.”

The problem is that they lack the concept of 'ownership'.

"Then what should we do?"

Kyle's voice trembled: "Take it back by force?"

“Absolutely not.” Ron refused outright.
"Although the Emotion Spirits are gentle, they are closely connected to the entire ecosystem."

Moreover, violence would taint the amulet's purity, rendering it meaningless even if it were retrieved.

He glanced around at the anxious apprentices:
"What we need is an exchange, to trade another equally beautiful sentiment for the amulet."

"But what emotion can compare to a mother's love?"

Garen asked, puzzled.

Ron didn't answer directly, but turned to Kyle:

"Tell me, what are you conveying when you use plant empathy?"

“I…” Kyle hesitated for a moment:
"It's mainly about understanding and empathy? I can sense their needs and then try to offer help."

"More than that."

Ron said softly:

“When I observe your interaction with plants, I see that you are conveying a pure sense of ‘acceptance.’ You are unconditionally accepting their existence, regardless of whether they are beautiful or ugly, good or bad.”

"This kind of acceptance has the same essence as maternal love: both are unconditional care and protection."

Upon hearing this, Kyle's eyes showed a look of understanding.

"You mean, I should create an equally pure emotional energy to exchange with the emotional spirit?"

"It is not creation, but manifestation."

Ron corrected, "That feeling already exists in your heart, it just needs a vessel to carry it."

He took out an ordinary seed from his storage bag:

"These are evening primrose seeds, nothing special about them."

But if you can infuse your longing and gratitude for your mother, as well as your acceptance and love for all life, into its growth process…

Kyle carefully took the seed, feeling the life potential it contained.

"Let me try."

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and placed the seed in his palm.

At first nothing happened.

But gradually, a gentle energy fluctuation began to permeate the air.

The seeds began to sprout, and tender green shoots emerged from Kyle's palm.

"I thought of my mother..."

Kyle's voice softened:
"The first lesson she taught me was to listen to the voice of plants."

She said that every life has its own value, whether it is a beautiful flower or an ugly weed.

As the memories deepened, the evening primrose grew even faster.

But what's even more astonishing is that the emotional energy emanating from this flower is becoming increasingly pure, warming people's hearts like the spring sunshine.

“Longing…” Kyle continued to murmur:
"Longing for my mother, longing for that warm embrace..."

The flowers began to bloom, revealing their soft white petals.

"gratitude……"

"I am grateful for everything she has given me, and I am grateful that she taught me how to love this world..."

Glistening dewdrops began to form on the petals, each drop sparkling like a diamond.

"besides……"

Kyle's voice almost became a whisper:

"Love for all life, like a mother's love for me, unconditional and unreserved..."

The evening primroses are in full bloom.

Although this flower is ordinary, the emotional energy it contains is so pure that it takes your breath away.

It is a great love that transcends personal joys and sorrows, encompassing both a deep longing for one's mother and a gentle acceptance of all things in the world.

A slight noise suddenly came from inside the tree hole.

A ball of light, shimmering with rainbow rays, floated out of the void and slowly descended to the ground.

This is the Emotion Spirit—it has no fixed shape, and is more like a flowing consciousness composed of pure light.

When it "saw" the evening primrose in Kyle's hand, the entire sphere of light began to tremble violently.

That tremor was not fear, but pure joy and longing.

The mood sprite circled the flower a few times, then floated back into the tree hole and retrieved a small item.

That was Kyle's amulet.

The elf gently placed the amulet on the ground, then looked expectantly at the flower in Kyle's hand.

Its intention is clear: this is an equivalent exchange.

Without hesitation, Kyle gently placed the evening primrose next to the amulet.

The emotion sprite immediately pounced on the flower, and the entire sphere of light was enveloped by the emotional energy emanating from the flower.

The light became even more dazzling, like miniature auroras dancing in the air.

After the exchange was completed, the elf floated back to the tree hole contentedly, leaving behind the amulet lying quietly on the ground.

Kyle carefully picked up the amulet and hung it back around his neck.

His furrowed brows relaxed, and his overall condition improved significantly.

The "sounds" of the surrounding plants became faint and distant again, no longer the painful noise.

"Thanks……"

He sincerely expressed his gratitude to Ron and his companions:
"Without your help and everyone else's help, I would never have found it."

But Lila suddenly reached out her hand:

“Wait, Kyle, let me take another look at this amulet.”

Her third eye opened again.

“Strange…” she frowned.

"I did feel a strong sense of maternal love, but on a deeper level, there was another kind of emotion..."

"What kind of emotion?" Ron asked.

“Worried…” Lila’s voice became soft:

“A deep sense of worry, or even… fear?”

This discovery surprised everyone.

Why is fear sometimes hidden within maternal love?

Lila closed her eyes, pushing her senses to their limit.

Gradually, her consciousness reached the core of memories deep within the amulet.

It was a heartbreaking scene:

A woman is holding a carving knife and is putting the finishing touches on a piece of moonwood.

"My child, because of me and your father..."

The mother's voice was weak but firm:

"This world may be cruel to you. But no matter what, Mom hopes you can have a safe haven of your own."

"When the malice from the outside world becomes unbearable, this amulet will build a barrier for you."

"Mom can't be with you for the whole of your life, but at least..."

She poured her last breath of life into the amulet:

"At least it can protect you from the malice of this world."

When the illusion dissipated, Lila's eyes were already filled with tears.

"She's worried..."

Lila's voice trembled:

She worried that Kyle would be hurt by this imperfect world when he grew up.

The amulet's isolating effect not only blocks the plant's emotional interference, but also blocks all malice from the outside world.

"That was a protective spell forged by a mother with her life."

This truth silenced all the mixed-race apprentices present.

They all understood that fear all too well.

The loneliness and pain of being caught between two worlds, yet unable to be fully accepted by either one.

Kyle gently touched the amulet on his chest. "I see..."

He said softly, "My mother has always protected me, even after she left."

"But now I understand that true growth is not about hiding under a protective umbrella forever."

He looked at Ron:
"Mentor, you taught me to use my own strength to understand and accept this world."

Perhaps it's time to learn to coexist with malice, instead of simply running away.

Ron nodded with satisfaction.

(End of this chapter)