Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 525: History of the Years

Ron put the divination tools back into his storage bag, but his mind was on something else.

He was certainly aware of Silas's hostility.

This kind of conflict, stemming from ideological clashes and threats to vested interests, is commonplace in academia.

It's almost inevitable that friction will arise between a seasoned enchanter who insists on traditional standardized teaching and a newcomer who advocates personalized training.

However, this level of hostility is far from sufficient to define him as a superior "web weaver" in his divination system.

Although Silas is a Moonlight-level elite wizard with considerable prestige in the field of enchanting, he is ultimately just an academic technical expert.

His methods are nothing more than academic debate and data questioning.

At most, they might set up some technical obstacles in public lectures to prove the correctness of their views.

This level of scheming can only be considered a "prank" at best, rather than a real threat.

"The true weaver of the web... should be someone with enough influence to plan on a more macro level."

Ron analyzed in his mind:

"They should at least be at the level of a Grand Wizard, or at the level of a Dark Sun with considerable power."

He recalled the competitors that Vinard had mentioned:

"Molten King" Erastos and "Forge Master" Mandela are the true chess players who can manipulate the situation from behind the scenes.

Or perhaps, were they other spies sent by Cassandra?

"In any case, Silas is just a pawn on the stage, not the mastermind behind the scenes."

Ron gently touched the still throbbing spot on his chest:
"The warning from the Chaos Bloodline is not unfounded, but I need to distinguish between direct and indirect threats."

Silas's goal was clear.

By sabotaging his public lecture, he aimed to demonstrate the unreliability of the "resonance method" and thereby re-establish the authority of traditional teaching methods.

While such behavior is abhorrent, it is essentially a struggle for academic interests, not a vicious act of revenge by mortal enemies.

"Therefore, the response strategy should also be adjusted accordingly."

Ron was making a plan in his mind:

"What is needed to deal with Silas is technical preparation and psychological preparedness, not the determination to fight to the death."

"But I must remain at the highest level of vigilance towards the true 'web weavers'..."

Just as he was immersed in strategic thinking, a familiar and warm wave of consciousness suddenly came from the depths of his bloodline.

That feeling was like hearing a familiar accent in a cold, foreign land—both comforting and reassuring.

"My baby! Mommy missed you so much!"

Nari's excited voice exploded in his mind, filled with longing after more than a month apart:

"The star system you're in is so far away that it's only now that Mom can establish a stable way to communicate with you!"

As the bloodline resonance intensified, Ron was able to sense Nari's emotions at that moment.

It was a joy that bordered on euphoria, mixed with deep worry and reluctance.

"Mom, I miss you too."

He responded in his heart:

"How have you been lately? Any new developments in your field?"

"New developments?" Nari's tone became somewhat mysterious:

"There have been some strange changes... but let's put aside those serious matters first. Mom needs to make sure you're not hurt or bullied!"

Her consciousness, like gentle tentacles, wandered through Ron's mental world, carefully sensing his overall condition:
"Huh? Your mental strength and magic compression have both increased significantly."

"And these bloodline auras..."

Nari's voice became even more surprising:
"The dragon bloodline has fused very well, and the Chaos Ram Head is also developing steadily. My darling is getting more and more powerful!"

Just as the mother and son were having a tender exchange of thoughts, a slightly weak voice broke in:

"Ahem... Now that the 'family gathering' has begun, could I, the 'resident', be included as well?"

Azalea's dragon shadow slowly appeared in Ron's consciousness space.

Although it became more transparent due to the low magic environment, the light of wisdom in those dragon eyes remained bright.

"Oh, isn't this our 'noble dragon clan'?"

Nari's tone immediately turned teasing:
"What, you've been in this 'rudimentary' environment for so long, and you still haven't chosen to leave?"

I thought Little Ice Cube would feel this place was 'not worthy' of her status.

"I...I was just fulfilling my responsibility as a guide!"

Acelia's dragon tail thumped in the air in dissatisfaction:

"Moreover, this environment with its low magical energy has had a greater impact on me than you might imagine!"

Being able to persevere this far is already a victory of willpower!

Nari's laughter was as clear and sweet as a little girl's.

"Hehe, it sounds like you're making excuses for yourself."

I thought the proud ancient dragon race couldn't stand this kind of 'injustice'.

"Alright, alright, you two."

Ron couldn't help but interrupt this pointless bickering:

“Acelia, it’s truly remarkable that you’ve managed to hold on until now. I’m very grateful.”

"Mom, please stop teasing her all the time. We're all family."

Upon hearing the word "family," both ancient beings temporarily ceased their argument.

"Please forgive Little Ice Cube this time, for the sake of my darling's pleading."

Nari's tone softened again:
"But to be honest, Acelia, your performance lately has really impressed people."

"Hmph... at least you have some good taste."

Acelia gave a haughty snort, but her tone clearly carried a hint of satisfaction:

"However, since everyone is here, I think there are some important things that need to be discussed."

"Yes, let's get down to business."

Nari's tone instantly turned serious:
"Honey, Mommy has noticed some unusual things lately."

Ron immediately focused his attention: "What kind of phenomenon?"

"The abyss is too quiet."

Nari's voice was filled with deep worry:
"It's eerily quiet. You know, the abyss has always been a symbol of chaos and conflict."

There are always various open and covert struggles between apostles and awakened beings of different levels, and between different forces.

She paused and continued:
"But in the last month, almost all the fighting has stopped."

Even the usually mischievous 'Crazy Bite' and 'Gluttonous Mouth' became unusually well-behaved.

This information made Ron uneasy:
"Could it be that some powerful being is forcibly maintaining order?"

"If that's the case, it's actually a good thing."

Nari shook his tentacle:
"What is truly worrying is that this quiet is not forced, but spontaneous."

It was as if...all the apostles were preparing for some momentous event.

A solemn look appeared in Azalea's dragon eyes:

"If that's the case, then it is indeed an ominous sign."

With so many apostles, the only thing that could simultaneously halt their infighting is a major event concerning the future of the entire Abyss.

"For example?" Ron pressed.

"For example, the signs of the 'mother's' awakening become more obvious."

Nari's voice became even lower:
"Or perhaps, a being of the Witch King level has influenced the Abyss."

Each of these two possibilities is enough to overturn the balance of the entire main world.

"But, baby, you don't need to worry too much."

Nari's tone softened again:
"No matter what happens, Mom will protect you."

Moreover, now that a stable connection has been re-established, it means Mom can project her power in crucial moments.

Her voice became more resolute:

"Therefore, you can be bolder in your recent actions."

Whether it's facing that 'iron-headed' Vinard or dealing with other challenges, Mom will always have your back.

This promise warmed Ron's heart.

"Thank you, Mom. With your support, I can act with more confidence."

He pondered in his heart:

“Now that Nari’s power can be projected, I can explore further…”

Since becoming a historian, I have never used this ability extensively again, except for one historical infiltration when cleaning the feet of Titans.

According to Professor Utter's guidance, the same historical event can be continuously improved in its resolution through repeated exploration.

Each deeper exploration reveals previously overlooked details and clues.

Moreover, as his skill proficiency increases, the historical complexity he can handle will also continue to increase.

“Mom, since your power can protect me, I want to try a deep historical infiltration.”

Ron expressed his thoughts:

“I gained a lot of valuable information from Salin’s historical projection last time, but I feel that there are deeper truths that have not yet been uncovered.”

"Saline? Is that the little bug I dissected?"

Nari recalled his experience of "dismembering the apostles" in the historical projection:
"Her memories are indeed very interesting, especially the parts about the internal structure of the abyss."

If you want to explore further, Mom will definitely give you her full support.

"But you must remember that the danger of historical infiltration increases exponentially with depth."

Acelia reminded her:
“In particular, historical events involving high-level beings often contain an information density that is enough to tear apart the consciousness of ordinary wizards.”

"I will be careful."

Ron nodded:

"Moreover, the previous success has already given me a historical projection of Salin."

This time, no medium is needed; we can directly infiltrate the second historical event.

He took a deep breath and connected to the Salin projection he had stored:
"Then, let's get started."

When the [Historical Research] skill was fully activated, Ron's consciousness was once again drawn into the depths of the river of time.

But this experience was completely different from the previous ones.

If the first historical infiltration was like observing through a blurry glass window, then this time it's like stepping directly into the historical scene.

Every detail becomes exceptionally clear, and every emotion can be genuinely felt.

But as the exploration deepened, a strange phenomenon began to emerge:
The same historical event has been presented in multiple completely different versions.

It's like a painting that's been repeatedly painted over, with each layer of paint covering up what's underneath.

Through the wear and tear of time, all the layers begin to emerge simultaneously.

"This is……?"

Ron was puzzled; this phenomenon was completely beyond his understanding of historical records.

Logically, events that have already occurred should be unique and certain, so why are there so many versions?

"This is the multiplicity of history."

Despite the effects of the low-magic environment, Acelia's voice could still be clearly heard deep within Ron's consciousness:

"When power is strong enough, even the past can be rewritten."

What you are seeing now are different 'interpretations' of the same event.

Her tone became deeper:

“Every interpretation serves a specific purpose and interest.”

The truth was layered and concealed until its original essence was completely distorted.

This explanation reminded Ron of the Winnie the Pooh fable told in "The Amazing World".

He always believed that history was an objective record, an unalterable established fact.

But now it seems that, at least in the extraordinary world, history is also a tool that can be manipulated.

The first layer of the image is the clearest; it's the widely circulated "official version."
Salyn Vistula, a brilliant young talent among the Crystal Spire's younger generation.

But she has a fatal weakness—an excessive craving for forbidden knowledge.

In this version, she is portrayed as a typical academic arrogance.

Not content with a conventional learning pace, they always try to cross established safety boundaries.

She viewed her mentors' warnings as conservative constraints and her classmates' anxieties as the fear of mediocrity.

"I am no longer the naive apprentice I once was."

In the video, Salyn's eyes are full of disdain as she faces her mentor's advice:

"Those 'dangerous' pieces of knowledge are nothing more than excuses used by our predecessors to maintain their authority."

A true scholar should have the courage to explore the unknown.

In this version of the narrative, Salyn's contact with the Abyss Documents was entirely a matter of personal choice.

Without any external inducement or deliberate arrangement, it was purely driven by her own curiosity and thirst for knowledge.

The tragedy was attributed to her "moral failings" and "misjudgments."

"If Salyn had listened to her mentor's advice, if she had maintained the necessary humility..."

The person recording the scene concluded in a sorrowful tone:
"This tragedy could have been completely avoided."

This version always concludes by emphasizing the importance of "academic caution" and "authoritative guidance":
Young scholars should be exposed to dangerous knowledge in a gradual and progressive manner under the strict supervision of their mentors.

Any attempt to take risks alone could lead to disastrous consequences.

Individual intelligence is often no match for the dangerous realm of the occult.

"What perfect educational material."

Ron inwardly sneered at this version:

“Saline was portrayed as a negative example, and her tragedy was used to reinforce the existing system of authority.”

Any questioning of the system can be answered with her example: 'Look, this is what happens when you disobey.'

"This narrative style cleverly transforms structural issues into issues of personal choice."

The system's flaws were covered up, and the blame was entirely shifted onto the victims.

He recalled countless similar cases he had witnessed in modern society:
"It's always the individual's fault, always the person involved 'reaped what they sowed,' while the system itself is always innocent."

But as the observation deepened, a second layer of meaning began to emerge.

This version has a completely different art style, full of cold-blooded rational calculations:
Salyn did not come into contact with the Abyss Documents by chance; she was a deliberately chosen experimental subject from the very beginning.

The entire process of corruption was under meticulous monitoring and recording.

Experiment No.: Analysis of the Abyssal Contamination Mechanism - 027

A research file marked "Confidential" appeared in the video:
Experimental subjects:
Salyn Vestra, female, 19 years old

Mental Strength Level - High, Willpower Assessment: 85/100

"Experimental objective: To gain a deeper understanding of the specific mechanisms by which abyssal erosion affects the human spirit by observing the complete pollution-corruption process..."

In this version, the Abyss documents that are "accidentally" encountered are actually carefully selected and distributed.

Every reaction and emotional change of Salyn was meticulously recorded and analyzed.

Even some of her classmates and friends were specially assigned as observers.

"Day 37: The subjects began to show a questioning attitude towards traditional knowledge, which is consistent with the expected characteristics of the rebellious period..."

"Day 52: The experimental subject came into contact with the abyssal contaminant for the first time. The initial reaction was mild excitement, with no direct hostility..."

"Day 73: The pollution begins to penetrate deeper, and the experimental subjects' value systems show obvious distortion, but they still maintain basic rational thinking abilities..."

Each record is calm and detailed, like observing the behavioral changes of mice in a laboratory.

Salyn is no longer a living person, but a "sample" numbered 027.

The purpose of this version is very clear:
The researchers wanted to fully understand the mechanisms by which deep-sea contamination spread.

How does pollution take root in the human mind?

What are the different reactions of individuals with different personality types to pollution?

How are the transmission routes and transmission efficiency of pollution calculated?
Is there some kind of natural "immunity" or "resistance" mechanism?
Under what conditions can an infected person become a new source of transmission?
How can we effectively intervene and control pollution before it spreads?

"A cold-blooded but rational scientific attitude."

Ron can understand this way of thinking:

"Sacrificing some individuals is an acceptable price to pay in order to gain the key knowledge to fight the Abyss."

From the perspective of overall interests, this choice does indeed have a certain degree of rationality.

"After all, without understanding the enemy's attack patterns, it is impossible to formulate an effective defense strategy."

To understand pollution mechanisms, it is necessary to observe the complete pollution process.

However, this understanding does not mean agreement.

"The ultimate expression of rationality is often the annihilation of humanity."

Ron frowned, but seemed used to it.

I've seen far too many things like this in the wizarding world:

“When people are completely objectified as experimental subjects, any bottom line will be broken by ‘scientific value’.”

The second layer of the image reveals even more chilling details:
Salyn’s agonizing struggles were regarded as “valuable research data” by the experimenters;
Her appeal to her friends for help was interpreted as a "typical behavioral pattern of pollution spread";
Even her final struggle with humanity was recorded as a "stage-specific characteristic of the collapse of her consciousness structure."

In the final part of the experimental log, Ron saw the following summary:

"Experiment 027 achieved the expected results."

Through comparative analysis, we identified three key stages of abyssal contamination: the incubation period, the active period, and the diffusion period.

It is recommended that the relevant data be applied to the design of new protective runes, which is expected to improve the accuracy of contamination detection to 92.7%...

Just as Ron was about to continue his observation, a strong sense of danger suddenly welled up from the depths of his soul.

The "Blessing of Apocalypse" warning signal began flashing wildly, and the "Premonition of Crisis" warning was also issued simultaneously.

A deeper picture is slowly emerging, seemingly involving a higher level of existence and structure.

At the same time, a malicious gaze from the depths of a dimension began to lock onto his consciousness coordinates.

"Enough, baby! Get out of here!"

Nari's voice boomed in his mind, filled with a sense of urgency:
"If you go any deeper, you'll be discovered by something that shouldn't be aware of your presence!"

Without hesitation, Ron immediately halted the historical infiltration process.

When he reopened his eyes, cold sweat was already beading on his forehead.

"What would have happened if... if that had continued?"

He asked, still shaken.

“It will be erased.” Acelia’s voice was unusually solemn:

"Some secrets, knowing them is tantamount to death."

"However, you've already gained enough this time."

Nari's tone softened again:
"The multiplicity of history, the layers of truth... these insights are invaluable assets to you."

"The key point is that you now understand an important fact."

Acelia added:
"In this world, there is no absolutely objective history, only narrative versions that serve different purposes."

Learning to identify the intentions behind these versions is an essential survival skill.

Ron nodded in deep agreement.

[Historical Research (Proficiency) Experience Points +1]

[Historical Research (Proficiency) Experience Points +1]

[Historical Research (Proficiency) Experience Points +1]

……

After the historical infiltration was completely over, Ron was unable to calm down for a long time.

His fingers unconsciously stroked the dial of the silver pocket watch, his mind still replaying the shocking discovery he had just made.

"Power can actually rewrite the past..."

Ron stared at the silver pocket watch in his hand, a longing he had never felt before welling up inside him:
"This ability is almost like..."

He recalled a concept from a famous animation from his previous life—"the history book of time".

It was an item capable of altering the rules of reality.

Whenever the holder modifies the history on it, the reality changes accordingly.

Although it was just a fictional setting in an animation, it left a deep impression on him when he was young:

If history can be rewritten, then what is real? What is false?

Now, having witnessed multiple versions of history firsthand, this childhood question has resurfaced, carrying a deeper contemporary significance.

(End of this chapter)