Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 539 Corridor
Ron sat at the lab table, looking quite exhausted.

"Baby, are you okay?"

Nari's concerned voice echoed in his mind.

"I'm fine, Mom."

Ron gently stroked the silver pocket watch on his chest, adjusting his breathing:

"It just takes some time to sort out our thoughts."

Carlos's reminder was already quite clear.

However, he inexplicably felt a bit resistant, thinking that he had to verify the inference himself to make it reliable.

"Perhaps... I should analyze it more carefully."

Ron took a deep breath and activated the [Historical Research] skill.

The "Time-Knowing Eye" glowed faintly on his chest, and the scene around him began to slowly reverse.

This time, his goal was quite clear—the exact details of the explosion.

The world begins to rewind.

The scattered fragments reassembled, the smoke swirled back into the test tube, and the flames reversed into nothingness.

Time rewinds frame by frame, like a film reel, until the very last instant before the explosion.

Ron activated [Essential Insight], focusing all his attention on that crucial moment.

In his unique perspective, the entire explosion process was slowed down to the extreme.

The trajectory of every molecule and the direction of every energy flow become clearly visible.

Just 0.1 seconds before the explosion occurred.

Two originally unrelated material remnants resonated with each other under the disordered catalysis of chaotic forces.

The stability of earth and the fluidity of wind achieve a delicate balance through the medium of chaos.

It is this establishment of balance that triggers the dramatic release of energy.

"I see……"

Ron slowly opened his eyes:

"The key has never been the 'formula'; the real core lies in the 'resonance' between the materials themselves."

This discovery illuminated his thinking like lightning.

He immediately recalled his experience cooking the Multi-Element Soup in the main world.

At that time, "The Complete Guide to Extraordinary Things" told him a crucial piece of advice: "Form is the surface, essence is the core."

The sentence became clearer in his mind than ever before.

The "form" of the scorching mushroom is that of a special type of fungus, but its "essence" is the quality of "passion and transformation" in the element of fire.

Deep-sea kelp has the "form" of an aquatic plant, but its "essence" is the "encompassing and flowing" characteristics of the water element.

The "form" of the leaves of mountain mint is that of a wind-element herb, but its "essence" is the spirit of "freedom and communication" in the wind element.

Stone radish is a mineralized vegetable in its "form," but its "essence" is the power of "stability and bearing" in the earth element.

Since the key is to create "resonance" between different essences, isn't that a kind of "originality"?

Thinking of this, Ron's heart began to pound.

He recalled one of the core requirements for becoming the Potions Professor:

"At least one original potion recipe must be created."

All the clues converge at this moment, like scattered puzzle pieces finding their respective places.

Ron slowly stood up:
"This trial was a huge 'mental trap' from beginning to end."

He turned to look at the densely packed recipes on the wall:

“All the recipes are ‘noise,’ designed to trap me in a routine mindset.”

"The real test is that I have to give up looking for ready-made answers and turn to independent creation."

Acelia nodded, her eyes showing approval:
"This design is indeed ingenious."

Faced with such a vast 'database,' most wizards would instinctively seek out ready-made solutions.

"Only those who truly understand the essence of potion-making can see through this appearance and find the true meaning of creation."

Nari's voice carried a hint of worry:

"But darling, if this really is a test, then now that you've figured it out, doesn't that mean you've passed it?"

"Mom, I hope so too."

Ron took a deep breath:

"But this is only a theoretical breakthrough. I still need to prove the correctness of this path through practice."

………………

When he announced that he would abandon all recipes and create something original, the atmosphere in the entire Upside-Down Potions Shop subtly changed.

The densely packed formulas on the wall began to fade slowly, like pencil marks erased by an eraser.

Carlos, who had been observing from the sidelines with a "cold eye," revealed an approving smile:

"This is indeed a road full of unknowns, but it is also the only path to the truth. Lecturer Ralph, please proceed."

This reaction did not reassure Ron; instead, it made him even more puzzled.

The entire puzzle-solving process went too smoothly.

Every "difficulty" was exactly within his capabilities, and every "inspiration" perfectly matched his knowledge structure.

This coincidence is so coincidental that it's hard to believe.

"Why did he let me find the right answer so easily?"

Ron pondered in his mind, but his hands didn't stop moving:
"Given the cunning of the Time Hounds, there are only two possibilities: either I haven't found the real answer yet, or..."

"Or this is a trap within a trap."

The second possibility sent a chill down his spine.

If that's the case, then every step he took and every "clue" he discovered was within Carlos's expectations.

He wasn't solving a mystery at all; he was just playing a role in the other person's script.

In fact, the potion he is about to create might not be a key at all, but a bottle of deadly poison that would condemn him to eternal damnation.

This idea is terrifying.

He was unable to be completely certain whether he was being manipulated, or whether every logical deduction had fallen into the enemy's plan, and remained in a state of constant suspicion.

If he continues, he may be heading towards destruction; if he stops, he will be trapped here forever.

This was a dilemma that almost made it impossible for him to continue.

But then he remembered the core creed that had guided him through countless experiments:

Practice is the only criterion for testing truth.

No matter how ingenious the conspiracy or how complex the trap, it cannot distort the objective laws of nature.

If his understanding of elemental harmony is correct;
If his knowledge of potion-making theories is true;
Then he can create truly effective works.

He was going to take a gamble—a gamble that the truth derived from practice would not be distorted.

..............................

Ron walked toward the brand-new kitchen counter and began to draw upon his deep understanding of the essence of the four elements: fire, water, wind, and earth.

This time, he did not use any finished drugs or composite materials.

Instead, he started with the most basic, original crystals that represented pure "concepts," extracting their spiritual core one by one.

First is [dormant mineral salt].

He took out a small piece of dark gray ore and gently stroked its surface with his mental energy.

Through his insightful analysis, he "saw" the true nature of the ore:
It is the crystallization of "patience" and "tenacity" formed under the action of geological pressure over countless years.

It represents the deepest quality of the earth element—bearing everything without complaining, supporting all things without seeking anything in return.

Ron carefully ground the mineral salt into powder, each grinding accompanied by a gentle spiritual soothing.

He wanted to ensure that the spiritual essence of the mineral salt would not be damaged during the physical processing.

Next up is [Resonance Moss].

This translucent blue-green plant, in his perception, exuded a gentle and inclusive aura.

Its essence is "acceptance" and "harmony"—allowing different energies to find the possibility of coexistence.

Ron gently squeezed the moss, extracting a few drops of amber-clear juice.

... (Extraction process omitted)
After the four essential elements were prepared, he began the real creative process.

This is an impromptu performance about harmony.

Despite lingering doubts, his operation proceeded with remarkable ease.

His understanding of the essence of elements allows him to precisely guide different materials to create harmonious resonance.

Every step felt “correct,” and the fusion of each element emitted a stable and beautiful energy fluctuation.

He used the powder of "silent mineral salt" as a base and spread a thin layer of silver-gray powder at the bottom of the test tube.

This represents "the earth's support"—the foundation of all harmony.

Then, he slowly dripped in the juice of the [Resonance Moss].

A remarkable reaction occurred when the blue-green liquid came into contact with the silver-gray powder.

The powder began to glow faintly, like stars in the night sky.

The juice spreads through the powder, forming beautiful, river-like patterns.

This is the first dialogue between "earth" and "water"—an encounter of stability and inclusiveness.

Next, he gently blew the cloud of [Echo Spores] into the test tube.

Slight convection begins to occur in the test tube, and various elements begin to exchange in an orderly manner.

This is the addition of "wind"—injecting the vitality of communication into static harmony.

Nari and Azalea watched the process with bated breath.

They could sense the power contained in the potion Ron had created, which was completely different from all the previous failed attempts.

Those failed attempts exuded chaos and conflict, while this new potion conveyed understanding and acceptance.

Carlos, on the other hand, is like a master who appreciates art.

He nodded occasionally, and even murmured praise when Ron handled a crucial step:

"The exquisite art of balance."

"The true flair of a potion master."

……

These praises sounded sincere and heartfelt, deepening Ron's doubts. But he had come this far and could only continue to trust his own judgment.

Next comes the final and most crucial step.

Ron held a drop of [Sunberry] essence above the mouth of the test tube.

This drop of golden-red liquid, like a hanging sun, radiates a warm glow.

He began to silently sense the "breathing" of the three elements inside the test tube.

When their frequencies were perfectly synchronized, he gently released his grip.

The moment the golden-red essence was dripped into the test tube, the entire Upside-Down Potions Shop was enveloped in a gentle, colorful light.

The essence of the four elements reached harmony at this moment.

There was no violent reaction, no blinding flashes, only a deep sense of tranquility and contentment.

The liquid in the test tube had an indescribable color.

It changes subtly depending on the observer's perspective and mood, sometimes like the dawn sky, sometimes like the lake in late autumn.

[Gaining Insight: The True Meaning of "Potion Innovation"]

Ron named this "potion" "The Corridor".

This name symbolizes building a bridge of understanding and harmony amidst contradictions and chaos, and also represents a channel for communication between different viewpoints.

Once the "corridor" was completely stable, a wonderful change occurred.

The liquid in the test tube began to rise slowly, eventually condensing into a key made of pure crystals.

The key emits a calm blue light, and each facet reflects a different fragment of time and space.

As Ron held the crystal key, looking at the relieved expression on Carlos's face that said, "You finally did it," his doubts reached their peak.

Can a time-hunting hound's mental maze really be cracked so easily?
Or is it that what he holds in his hand is actually the key to a deeper trap?
Just as he was caught in this internal conflict, the entire Inverted Potions Shop began to undergo dramatic changes.

The ceiling and floor began to rotate, and the walls flowed and reorganized like liquid.

Countless clock gears appeared from the void, meshing together and making a "tick-tock" mechanical sound.

Fragments of time fall like snowflakes, each reflecting a historical moment from a different era.

The entire space was reconstructed into a circular arena composed of countless clockwork mechanisms and time elements.

This is Carlos's mental arena.

The stands, made of clock gears, form a circle.

Fragments of time slowly rotated in the air, creating an atmosphere that was both solemn and eerie.

At the center of the arena stands a throne made of obsidian, its armrests and backrest engraved with intricate time runes.

Carlos appeared on the throne and then slowly stood up.

"Congratulations, Ron Ralph."

His voice echoed in the arena:
“You have truly grasped the essence of potions—creating harmony, rather than simply following the recipe.”

His humanoid shell peeled away like a shattered mask, revealing the true form of the Time Hound.

His body was formed from translucent time crystals, and his four eyes shone with a calm blue light like precision instruments.

Whenever he moves, the flow of time around him changes subtly, like ripples spreading when a stone is thrown into a pond.

Ron took a deep breath, bracing himself for a fierce battle.

He had already planned out his tactics in his mind:

First, summon Lyra's projection to probe the enemy, then use Fenrir's projection's time-slowing ability to control the battlefield's rhythm, and finally find an opportunity to use the pocket watch's time-freeze to deliver a fatal blow.

Magic began to surge within him, and the [Radiation Field] was poised to unleash its power.

Nari's chaotic power and Azalea's dragon might also converged deep within his consciousness, ready to provide him with support at any time.

However, at that moment, something unexpected happened.

Carlos suddenly stopped, his four eyes fixed on Ron:

"Let's stop here. There's no need for this battle."

As soon as he finished speaking, the other party actually dispelled the protective force field on his body.

Those fragments of time that had been slowly rotating and forming a powerful defense scattered one after another.

Then, he slowly bent down, fully exposing the core on his chest that was slowly rotating like a cosmic nebula.

This is a completely defenseless and vulnerable stance.

"I surrender."

Carlos's voice echoed softly in the arena:

"According to the rules of the arena, I concede defeat."

This sudden change completely stunned Ron.

How could an elite time-hunting hound, despite having a clear home-field advantage, actually surrender?

What are you doing?
Azalea was equally confused, and she whispered in Nari's arms:
"What...what's going on? Why is he surrendering?"

Nari's voice was filled with vigilance:

"Honey, be careful! This could be some kind of trick! Maybe he wants to lower your guard so he can launch a sneak attack!"

Ron was equally confused by his family's doubts.

But his keen intuition told him that Carlos's surrender was genuine.

That posture, that tone of voice, didn't seem like acting.

Seeing the surprised and uncertain looks on Ron, Nari, and Azalea's faces, Carlos seemed to have expected it.

He spoke slowly, his voice like the low hum of a machine in operation:
"My ability is not combat, but 'calculation'. I can vaguely see the few future paths with the highest probability in the long river of time."

As he finished speaking, the nebula core on Carlos's chest began to slowly rotate.

Countless silver threads extend from the core, weaving into three-dimensional patterns in the air.

The patterns resemble a three-dimensional star map, with each node representing a possible future.

"I calculated all the possible outcomes before you even stepped into my mental domain."

Carlos's voice was devoid of any emotion, as if he were stating a mathematical formula:
"Leira lost because she ignored 'real emotions,' with a 91.7% chance of losing."

"Fenrir lost because of his impatience. Probability of defeat: 87.3%".

The two nodes in the star chart dimming represent the defeat of the two elite hounds.

"I saw what would happen to them after you defeated them."

The core was devoured by your pocket watch, consciousness crushed into fragments, ultimately becoming a historical projection that you can manipulate at will.

This prediction, accurate to one decimal place, sent a chill down the spines of all three.

If Carlos already knew the outcome, then what was the other party's true intention?
"I have also calculated the outcome of our battle."

Carlos continued his analysis:

"In this state weakened by the rules of the 'Mirror Kingdom,' I cannot simultaneously withstand the 'dreamlike mist of the Leira projection' and the 'time tear of the Fenrir projection.'"

And even after that, I still have the strength to defeat you, who wields the power of chaos, the oppressive force of dragon language, and the relics of the Clock King.

The last node in the star chart also began to flicker:
My win rate is 0.0%.

"Since defeat is inevitable, the meaning of the battle changes from pursuing victory to finding ways to maximize the chances of survival with minimal losses."

Therefore, I choose to surrender.

This purely rational decision-making process reminded Ron of the thought patterns of certain advanced artificial intelligences.

But then he realized a deeper problem:
"Wait... if you already knew the outcome, then why did you put those tests through?"

Upon hearing this question, Carlos nodded in satisfaction.

"That's the crux of the problem."

His tone became deeper:

"Since we can calculate the future, we can also influence it to some extent."

By exerting subtle influence at key junctures, I can guide events in a specific direction.

The star map begins to re-demonstrate the scene from the inverted potion workshop.

Ron witnessed his entire journey of finding the formula, being inspired, and understanding the true meaning of innovation.

“I deliberately show a ‘cooperative’ attitude during the guidance process, and even praise you when you succeed.”

Such smooth progress is bound to arouse your inner doubts.

"Doubt is the instinct of the wise, but excessive doubt can lead to mental paralysis."

When you start to doubt every single one of your own lines of reasoning, you've actually fallen into the second trap I've set.

A forked path appears in the star chart, one leading to "blind confidence" and the other to "excessive skepticism".

"If you choose the latter, you will be trapped in a cycle of self-doubt forever."

Even if you have the correct answer, you won't dare to implement it. This mindset makes you most vulnerable to defeat.

Ron felt a chill run down his spine.

This kind of layered psychological manipulation is more terrifying than any direct attack.

Carlos not only predicted his actions, but also meticulously planned his thought process.

Fortunately, you ultimately chose to trust your own judgment.

Its tone carried a hint of regret:
"This proves that you have the ability to remain calm in complex situations, which is exactly the quality I need."

Nari glared angrily at the extremely cunning hunting dog:
"You old fox! You're even more cunning than those politicians!"

Aseria also frowned:

"This level of psychological manipulation... truly makes it the most difficult of the three hounds to deal with."

Thank you for your feedback.

Carlos calmly accepted these "praises".

Moreover, Ron also saw a deeper intention in the other party's actions.

To put it bluntly, all of Carlos's actions have only one purpose:
To find a way to survive, so that even in the worst-case scenario, one can retain some leeway and a way out.

Its actions during the test were entirely in accordance with the rules of the 'Mirror Kingdom,' and there was nothing to criticize.

Regardless of the outcome, the other party was indeed fulfilling their proper duties as an invigilator.

If you can't solve the problem yourself, it means you lack the ability.

If it succeeds, then it proves that the guidance was just right.

This cunning and calculating nature earned Ron's respect for a Time Hound for the first time.

Carlos is indeed a formidable opponent.

The fact that the other party is now surrendering to you suggests that you might be able to win them over as a valuable ally.

(End of this chapter)