Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 531 Three Kinds of Cleverness
After Cassandra's projection faded, the room returned to silence.

Ron walked to the window and gazed at the dazzling sight of the Emerald Ring II in the night.

The crystal tree looked like a dream under the afterglow of three stars, with countless luminous plants dotting its branches and leaves like stars.

Such beautiful scenery, which usually brings peace of mind, could not alleviate his inner tension at this moment.

He slowly took out the mysterious paradoxical die and placed it in his palm.

The surface of the dice changed dazzling colors under the magic crystal lights.

"I remember making two wishes at that time..."

Ron began to review all the "lucky" events that had recently occurred.

The first instance was its use before the public lesson.

He recalled his conversation with Sackran and the results of his divination.

The warnings and astrological divination from the [Chaotic Bloodline] clearly point to a threat—the Web Weaver is at the zenith, and the Hidden Eye is rising in the east.

Logically, Silas's technological trap would create strong ripples in spacetime during the projection of history.

This ripple is like a campfire suddenly lit in the night for the Time Hounds; it is almost impossible for them to go unnoticed.

Sackland has also explicitly warned that those young, radical hounds are looking for such opportunities.

However, throughout the entire Meditation Dome incident, apart from the system's carefully orchestrated malfunction, there was no spying or interference from the time dimension.

"So, the first function of the paradoxical die..."

Ron nimbly spun the dice:

"It doesn't create good luck out of thin air; it just 'erases' certain negative probabilities."

"It reduced the probability of being discovered by the Time Hound, which was originally high, to zero."

This understanding gave him a deeper comprehension of the mechanism of dice.

The paradoxical dice is not an omnipotent wish-granting machine, but an extremely sophisticated "probability manipulator".

It created a "stage" for itself that was undisturbed by the outside world.

This allows him to focus on dealing with Silas's "performance" without worrying about unexpected variables from other dimensions.

The second effect was even more pronounced—Eve's sudden communication.

The coincidence of this timing was so great that it aroused Cassandra's suspicion.

"The paradoxical die is at work again, but this time it chooses not to 'erasure,' but to 'introduce.'"

Ron began to understand the deeper logic behind the dice reversal effect:

"It introduces an 'optimal variable'—Eve."

"This variable is Cassandra's only weakness, and the only person who can make her pause the pressure even in her rage."

The dice turned what was originally a "dead end" into a "pause," giving him valuable time to think.

It also allowed him to see how dice work.

"The paradoxical dice never directly solves the core problem..."

Ron put the dice away again:
"It's more like a probability actuary, leveraging reality in the most ingenious and imperceptible way."

"But it will never make choices for me, nor will it spare me from the consequences."

Cassandra's dilemma remains, and the deadline is still the arrival of the caravan next month.

The dice only bought him time; the real answer still needed to be found by him.

Moreover, the answer cannot be a simple choice between two options.

Choosing Vinard means completely offending Cassandra and losing opportunities for development in the main world;

Choosing Cassandra means giving up the unique resources of Emerald Ring II and even the Stoker Star.

Either choice would transform him from a relatively free collaborator into a vassal of one side.

"What I need is not to choose one side, but to become someone that neither side can give up..."

Ron made up his mind:
"I need a completely new strategy, a strategy that will allow me to transform myself from a pawn into a player."

With that thought in mind, he slowly sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and entered a meditative state.

Deep within his consciousness, he activated his bloodline resonance, summoning his "family meeting."

"my darling!"

Nari's voice was the first thing that echoed in his mind, filled with the anxiety unique to a mother:
“Cassandra is too dangerous! Her tone just now clearly indicated that she wanted to use you as a pawn!”

Countless tentacles throbbed anxiously in the space of consciousness:

"Let's go back to the abyss. Your mother's palace will always be your safe haven! There, you won't find any of these schemes and plots, only your mother's protection!"

Nari's suggestion represents the purest form of emotional protection.

As an apostle of the abyss, she certainly understood the cruelty of the struggle between wizards.

But the mother secretly hoped that her child could stay away from these dangers and rely more on his own strength.

“Running away won’t solve the problem, Nari.”

Azalea's dragon shadow also slowly appeared in the consciousness space:

"Moreover, the current situation is far less dangerous than you imagine."

Her dragon tail drew a pattern in the air:
"While Vinard and Cassandra are competitors, they both belong to the upper echelons of the wizarding civilization."

Their struggle has clear bottom lines and rules; it's more like a 'business war' for dominance than a life-or-death battle.

"You mean, they won't actually kill Ron?"

Nari's tone was tinged with suspicion: "That wicked woman with purple eyes, I feel she smells strongly of blood."

“Of course not,” Acelia explained patiently.
"Killing a valuable Moon-level wizard, especially a historian with unique knowledge, is a serious waste of resources in wizarding civilization."

"Moreover, Ron's current value comes from the fact that he is needed by both sides at the same time."

Killing him would benefit neither side; on the contrary, it would give the opponent a greater advantage.

Dragon Soul's words reassured Nari somewhat, but she was still somewhat unwilling:
"But what if that woman really goes crazy? She doesn't seem like a rational person."

"Cassandra may be radical, but she is by no means crazy."

Acelia shook her dragon head:
"Although her background can be attributed to the legacy of her ancestor, the Witch King, her ability to emerge victorious from internal strife must demonstrate that she possesses basic rationality and self-control."

“Her threats were more of a ‘pressure tactic’ aimed at getting Ron to make the choice she wanted.”

"So the key is not who you choose, but how to make them all unable to leave you."

Dragon Shadow turned to Ron, his silver eyes gleaming with intelligence:
"Your biggest problem right now is not being threatened by both sides, but simply being 'used' by both sides."

"What do you mean?" Ron and Nari asked almost simultaneously.

“It’s very simple.” Acelia’s voice became more serious:

“The strategies you proposed to Vinard and Cassandra—'indigenous god concept conversion' and 'peaceful evolution'—are essentially top-down designs.”

"You provided valuable insights that showed them entirely new possibilities."

But at the same time, you've also exposed a fatal weakness: you're just an 'idea provider.'

These words pierced Ron's heart like a sword.

“Your ideas are like castles in the air, Ron,” Acelia continued her sharp analysis:

"They are magnificent and stunning, but they have no foundation."

Vinard admires your 'blueprints', while Cassandra wants to turn your 'blueprints' into her 'new weapon'.

But in either case, once they master the construction methods, you, the 'designer,' will immediately become worthless.

Nari's tentacles lashed out angrily:

"That's how those old monsters are! Honey, you've told them such a great idea, they'll learn it and then kick you aside!"

“Nari is absolutely right about that.”

Azalea, unusually, agreed with Nari's point of view:
"A wizard who only offers ideas will always be nothing more than a high-level tool. The fate of a tool is to be discarded once it loses its value."

This harsh analysis of reality instilled a deep sense of crisis in Ron and also made his thinking clearer.

"So, what should I do?"

"To become an irreplaceable existence." The two ancients gave their answer almost simultaneously.

"You need to master the core technology behind those ideas."

Acelia's voice became firm:
"We must not only propose strategies, but also become the only way to achieve these strategies."

Let them understand that without you, those grand plans will forever remain just empty words.

"And it has to be fast!"

Nari added, "Master the core technology before they fully understand your approach!"

With reminders from his two "family members," Ron finally clarified his strategic priorities for the future:
1. Short-term goals:

He maneuvered between Vinard and Cassandra, leveraging information asymmetry to maintain his uniqueness and value, and ensuring his own safety.

2. Medium-term goals:

To become the "sole technological authority" of the strategy it proposes.

It's not enough to just come up with ideas; you also need to master the core technologies to realize those ideas, and these technologies must be ones that others cannot replicate.

He needs a foundational technology that can be applied to both "peaceful evolution" and "concept shift".

3. Long-term goal: Strength is fundamental.

While mastering core technologies, we must break through to the Dark Sun level as soon as possible to gain real influence.

Only by becoming a Dark Sun-level being can one maintain independence in the high-level power struggles among great wizards.

"Thank you." Ron expressed his gratitude to his two "family members" deep in his mind:
"Your reminders saved me from a huge strategic mistake."

“This is what a mother should do.” Nari’s voice softened again: “Protect my baby and don’t let him be bullied by those bad people.”

"Actually, we don't need to remind you. You should be able to figure it out yourself after a while."

Acelia also offered her advice:
"In this world, ideas are cheap, technology is precious, but what is truly priceless is 'irreplaceability'."

As his consciousness returned to reality, Ron slowly opened his eyes.

The night was deeper, and the three stars had all sunk below the horizon, with only the Crystal Tree's own light shimmering in the darkness.

But his mind was clearer than ever before.

He needed an answer, an answer about "how to maximize one's own interests in a precarious situation".

The best way to find this answer is through divination.

After all, divination, besides predicting future signs, is essentially a quest for one's inner self.

Ron took out the divination cards and carefully shuffled them under the magic lamp.

With each shuffle, he infused his own thoughts into it:

How can one find their optimal position in the game between Vinard and Cassandra?
How can we turn the current crisis into an opportunity to take control of the situation?

How can we transform from passive choosers to proactive rule-makers?
After the deck was completely shuffled, he began to draw cards.

This time he chose the "Three-Element Stable" arrangement, a divination method specifically used for analyzing game theory.

The first card represents Vinard's essence and needs.

The second card represents Cassandra's essence and needs.

The third card represents his own position and opportunities.

The first card revealed: [The Net] (Upright)

The card depicts a vast network of runes covering the entire planet.

Countless rays of light intertwine to form complex geometric patterns, with each intersection shimmering with a different color of light.

At the center of the network floats a giant crystal ball, reflecting the universe.

The symbolism of this card is exceptionally clear: Vinard is a system builder.

He was focused on creating a perfect, self-consistent, all-encompassing grand system.

Whether it was the design of the Emerald Ring II colony or the development plan for Stoker Star, both reflected his persistent pursuit of the "perfect system".

But at the same time, this card also reveals Vinard's fundamental need:
"What he needs is not a simple executor, but a special being who can breathe life into this 'network,' fill the gaps, and make it perfect."

Ron analyzed the information on the cards in his mind:

“Vinard’s ‘web’ is intricate, but lacks real vitality.”

He could design perfect mechanical structures, but he couldn't create a civilization with flesh and blood.

That's why he values ​​my 'resonance method' so much.

The second card revealed: [Gem Sword] (Reversed)

The card depicts a magnificent longsword, its blade inlaid with countless gems, radiating a dazzling light.

But the sword was deeply embedded in a black swamp, its tip pointing downwards, and could not be pulled out.

The surface of the swamp was covered with countless eyes, each one staring intently at the sword.

The reversed "Gemstone Sword" symbolizes obstructed power, failed strategies, and the loss of existing advantages.

"Cassandra's 'sword of conquest' has been thwarted by the collective consciousness of the Vital civilization."

Ron thoughtfully analyzed the cards:

"Her direct approach has stalled; what was once an invincible method of military conquest and coercive control has proven clumsy and inefficient in the face of genuine collective wisdom."

The Gem Sword reveals Cassandra's current urgent need:
"She needs a 'new weapon,' a more covert, more efficient weapon that can dismantle the enemy from within."

"That's why she was so interested in my 'peaceful evolution' strategy as soon as I brought it up."

It wasn't because she suddenly became merciful; it was simply because she realized that pure violence could no longer solve the problem.

The third card revealed: [The Bridge] (Upright)

A magnificent bridge spans two vastly different worlds.

The bridge itself is not made of ordinary stone or metal, but is woven from countless luminous runes of knowledge and threads of truth.

The world on the left is filled with mechanical structures, operating with the precision of a clock.
The world on the right is engulfed in the flames of war, where swords and magic clash fiercely.

The upright position of the bridge represents connection, communication, balance, and harmony.

“My role isn’t to take sides, but to ‘connect.’” A strong resonance rose within Ron:

"I need to be a hub that both sides must pass through, a necessary condition for achieving their respective goals."

The essence of a bridge is not about choosing which side to cross, but about ensuring that both sides need to pass through it to reach their destination.

Vinard's "net" needs a soul, and the skill of infusing that soul is in Ron's hands;

Cassandra's "sword" needs a new edge, and only Ron knows the method to forge that edge.

"As long as I can become the only way for them to achieve their respective strategies, I can take the initiative in this game."

Ron rearranged the three cards and stared at the complete picture they formed.

The network needs bridges to connect different nodes, giving the system true vitality.
The Gem Sword needs a Bridge to be reforged and gain the ability to break through new types of defenses;

A bridge, on the other hand, needs to bear two different forces simultaneously, and find its value in balance.

I understand completely now.

He slowly put away the divination cards: "The meaning of '[Bridge]' is to make yourself a key figure that they cannot bypass."

………………

In a certain "gap" dimension, infinitely far from Cuihuan No. 2 yet also very close.

Three distorted figures are gathering in a void composed of fragmented time streams.

There is no fixed spatial concept here; everything is constantly changing in all directions.

Fragments of the past and the future fall like meteors, each reflecting the light and shadow of a different era.

In the center of this chaotic spacetime turbulence, three elite hunting dogs of different shapes are having a tactical discussion before hunting an important target.

The leader, "Carlos," has the most stable form among the three.

It has a basic outline similar to a wolfhound, but its body is made of translucent time crystals.

Four eyes gleamed with a cool blue light, like sophisticated computers.

Whenever it thinks, the fragments of time within its body rearrange themselves to form complex deductive patterns.

"The area where the target is located is shrouded in a powerful energy field."

Carlos's voice was as precise and indifferent as the turning of clock gears:
“I sensed a wizard stronger than us, and more than three others whose auras were no less powerful than ours.”

Its four eyes simultaneously project a three-dimensional energy analysis diagram:
"That great wizard Vinard, his two Dark Sun-level students, and other hidden beings..."
Even if we succeed in a frontal assault, it will inevitably alert them, and we might not be able to escape unscathed.

"Then let's finish this quickly!" the second hound, Fenrir, roared impatiently.

Its form is the most violent, its body like a burning storm, surrounded by countless fragments of shattered time.

These fragments collided repeatedly in its rage, producing a thunderous roar:

"Tear his timeline apart and devour his existence! Who cares if he's a great wizard or not!"

Fenrir's six eyes burned with scarlet flames:
"We are hunters of time! Everything that exists is our prey!"

"madness."

The third hound, "Layla," let out a soft but dangerous growl.

Its form is the most ethereal, like flowing light and shadow, sometimes coalescing into the outline of a wolf, sometimes dispersing into countless points of light.

When it speaks, the sound seems to come from all directions:

"Fenrir, your recklessness will kill us all (dogs?), the scent of this prey is too chaotic."

Laira's form began to shift, mimicking the various marks it had sensed from Ron:

“Blessed by chaos, possessed by the dragon soul, blessed by ‘divine revelation’, approved by the ‘creator’, and also traces of ‘absurdity’ and ‘illusion’.”

Its voice grew even more solemn:

"His very existence is a collection of paradoxes, and a forceful attack may trigger unpredictable backlash."

"And," Laira paused for a moment:
“That old bastard Sackran has cast a ‘time fog’ on him. Our senses have been severely disrupted, and a direct assault would be very disadvantageous for us.”

Carlos raised his head and gazed at the world shrouded in mist in the distance:

“Since we can’t hunt in the conventional way, we’ll hunt his ‘cognition’.”

Fenrir's rage subsided slightly: "What do you mean?"

“Laira is best at weaving illusions.” Carlos turned to his companion, whose appearance shifted like light and shadow.
"We turned the tables and used Sakran's fog to mislead him about our intentions."

"Then, we disguised ourselves as his most trusted source of knowledge—the book 'The Complete Explanation of the Extraordinary'—and lured him into our allegorical story woven from 'fragments of history'."

Laira's luminous body began to rapidly change, simulating various different forms:
“A very good idea. Mental hunting is indeed more covert, and if he voluntarily steps into our territory, then all the risks will be transferred to him.”

“But,” it said, a hint of caution in its voice.
"Disguising it as 'The Complete Guide to the Extraordinary' is also very risky. That book bears the imprint of an 'absurd' will, and if it's exposed..."

“No, that won’t happen,” Carlos calmly analyzed.

“The focus of ‘absurdity’ is not here.”

Moreover, we don't need to perfectly disguise the entire book; we only need to provide a sufficiently enticing 'bait' at crucial moments.

A cunning glint appeared in its eyes:

“A parable about ‘ultimate technology’ that fits his current psychological needs. He won’t refuse it.”

(End of this chapter)