Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 549 The Three Layers of Colonial Secrets
By the time Silas arrived at Ron's dormitory, night had completely fallen.

Three stars twinkled in the emerald sky, bringing a serene and mysterious light to this otherworldly realm.

He took a deep breath and then knocked lightly on the door.

As Silas knocked on the door, Ron immediately heard Nari's alert voice in his mind:
"Honey, a jerk with ill intentions has arrived."

Her tone was clearly hostile:
“I could sense the hypocrisy about him—he was respectful on the surface, but full of scheming in his heart.”

Like those deep-sea piranhas that bite you from behind, they have a cute appearance but their mouths are full of sharp, saw-like teeth.

“Mom, don’t say that,” Ron whispered in his mind.
"While Silas has his own stance, he is not necessarily entirely our enemy."

"Hmph!" Nari let out a dissatisfied hmph, her tone carrying a childlike stubbornness:

"Mom has lived for so long, what kind of guys hasn't she seen?"

This old fox is a master of deception; you mustn't be fooled by him!

Acelia's voice also rang out at this moment:
"From a strategic perspective, this could be an opportunity."

If he really is here for help, then we have the upper hand in controlling the situation.

Dragon Soul's analysis is always rational and insightful:
"Our dragon race's survival philosophy is: never refuse opportunities that come to you, but never completely trust the other party's motives."

"What's your suggestion?"

Ron was already used to the other party always using phrases like "we dragons xxx" as a catchphrase, and continued to ask questions in a very cooperative manner.

Listen to what he has to say, but keep the initiative firmly in your own hands.

Acelia's tone became sharper:
"If he really needs our help, we should make him pay the price."

After this brief exchange ended, he began to answer the door politely.

"Please come in."

Pushing open the door, Silas saw the other person sitting at a desk with several thick books spread out in front of him.

The warm yellow magic light shone on him, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

"Associate Professor Silas, you must have something important to discuss with me so late at night."

Ron looked up, a polite smile on his face:
"Please have a seat. Would you like something to drink?"

This calm attitude made Silas, who was initially a little nervous, relax a bit.

“Thank you, but no need.” Silas sat down in the chair opposite him.

“Lecturer Ralph, I’ve come today to…make a proposal to you.”

He explained in detail to Ron the situation of the "industrial catalyst" project and the technical bottlenecks his team had encountered.

"Industrial catalyst"—this is their official explanation, used to cover up the real problem that has plagued the technical team for decades.

That special vein containing "silent salt" appears on the surface to be just an ordinary industrial raw material.

In the external technical report, it is described as "a rare mineral with unique catalytic properties that can be used to improve the efficiency of magic arrays and the stability of magic conduction".

This statement is neither a complete lie nor a complete lie; it successfully conceals its true potential for terror.

"So, you mean..."

Ron nodded after listening:
"I hope that, as a special advisor, I can try to solve this problem that has plagued the colonies for decades using the 'Symphony of Souls' theory?"

“Yes.” Silas’s voice was sincere:

“I must admit that my team has reached the limit of traditional methods.”

"...So, the technique you demonstrated in your cooking demonstration may be the key to solving this problem."

He concluded:
“We need a completely new approach, a way to engage in dialogue with these ‘pollutations with stories’.”

“See!” Nari’s voice was filled with the smugness of “I told you so!”

"This old fox really does need our help! Now he knows to beg for our help in a humble manner? Wasn't he so arrogant before?"

"Calm down, Nari."

Acelia stopped her from having an emotional reaction:

"Now, the most important thing is how to maximize the value of this opportunity."

"This project has great strategic significance," Longhun continued his analysis.
"If what he says is true, then successfully resolving this issue will bring about a qualitative leap in your status in the colony."

"This is indeed a...extremely challenging question."

After a moment of contemplation, Ron slowly spoke:
“Associate Professor Silas, I need to confirm a few key pieces of information first.”

“Please speak.” Silas immediately sat up straight.

"First, if I join this project, how will the specific decision-making power be allocated?"

Ron's eyes sharpened:
"I need to know who has the final say in choosing the key technology route."

This question surprised Silas, but he quickly understood the other party's intention.

“You will serve as the project’s chief consultant,” he replied sincerely.
"When it comes to technical solutions related to 'spiritual resonance,' you have absolute decision-making power. My team will fully cooperate with your guidance."

"Very good. Second question: Project timeline and resource allocation?"

"With Professor Vinard's approval, this project will receive the highest priority in resource support."

Silas's reply was even more respectful:

"We will do our best to meet your needs for any equipment, materials or personnel."

As for the timeline… frankly, we hope to see a substantial breakthrough within three months.

"Three months?" Acelia's voice was laced with sarcasm.

"They couldn't solve the problem in ten years, yet they expect you to solve it in three months?"

This unrealistic expectation demonstrates their insufficient understanding of the difficulty of the problem.

"But this is also a good thing." Her tone changed:
"If you can really achieve a breakthrough in the short term, then your value will be maximized."

Everyone will realize that this problem cannot be solved without you.

Nari's voice was filled with worry:

"Honey, Mommy has a feeling there's a trap here."

If you fail, all the blame will be placed on you;
If you succeed, they'll say it's the result of 'teamwork'.

"I've seen this kind of political game all the time. You have to be careful!"

Ron mentally comforted Nari.

On the surface, he stared silently at Silas, as if trying to read deeper information through his eyes.

This was a negotiation skill he had already mastered; when he held the upper hand, this silent gaze was the greatest form of pressure.

This gaze made Silas feel somewhat uncomfortable.

This also made him realize that the other party might have seen through his true motives.

“Associate Professor Silas, I can join this project.”

He finally spoke, but his tone carried an undeniable condition:
But I have a few requirements:

First, during the project, all experiments involving resonance technology must be personally led and monitored by me.

Second, I need complete project history data, including detailed records of all failures over the past ten years.

Third, if my method yields a breakthrough, I request to be listed as the first author in the academic publications.

The last request made Silas hesitate.

But he quickly nodded in agreement:

“Your request is perfectly reasonable. In fact, given your importance in this project, first authorship is only fair.”

“Then,” Ron said, extending his hand.

"I hope we have a pleasant collaboration, Associate Professor Silas."

However, I need to understand more technical details before I can develop a specific solution.

"Of course, that's completely understandable."

There was a hint of relief in Silas's tone:
"In fact, due to the special nature of the project, you will need to sign a confidentiality agreement first, and then we will show you more detailed information."

"Confidentiality agreement?"

"Yes, I will contact Associate Professor Alistair right now to handle the relevant procedures."

Silas took a communication crystal from his robes:

"Because it involves sensitive information, we need to sign the agreement in a dedicated, confidential environment."

The crystal lit up, and Silas whispered a few words into it.

A few minutes later, he looked up:
"Associate Professor Alistair will be here shortly. Please wait a moment."

Less than ten minutes later, there was a regular knocking sound from outside the room.

“Please come in,” Ron replied.

Alistair pushed open the door and entered, his expression as calm and focused as ever.

“Ralph, I heard that you have agreed to participate in our project.”

He nodded briefly in acknowledgment.

“It’s an honor to be a part of this project,” Ron replied, standing up.

"Due to the special nature of the agreement, we need to sign it in a more suitable place."

Alistair said, "Please follow me."

The three left the dormitory and walked down the spiral passage inside the crystal tree.

After passing through several barriers that required identity verification, they finally arrived at an area that Ron had never seen before.

Located deep within the roots of the Crystal Tree, the surrounding walls are all made of native crystal, emitting a faint blue glow.

A special energy field permeated the air.

Alistair explained simply: "This secret room is an isolated space designed by the teacher himself, where any form of information transmission will be completely blocked."

Silas stopped outside the door:

“Lecturer Ralph, the signing of the next agreement only requires your and Associate Professor Alistair's participation. This is standard confidentiality procedure.”

As the door to the secret room slowly closed, only Alistair and Ron remained.

The surrounding crystal walls began to emit a brighter light, and Ron immediately felt a strange sensation.

All his connections with the outside world, including the most subtle spiritual resonances, were isolated by some powerful force field.

"Baby? Baby, are you still there?"

Nari's voice became intermittent deep within his consciousness, like a communication device with a poor signal:

"This...where...Mom feels...very uncomfortable..."

Acelia's voice also became muffled:

"Be careful... this isolation... is too powerful..."

Ron reassured them in his heart, then turned his attention to Alistair in front of him.

"Now we can discuss the real business."

Alistair took a document from his robes:
"This is a confidentiality agreement regarding the 'mineral salt purification' project. Please read each clause carefully."

"Mineral salt purification?"

Ron noticed the new name: "Isn't it an industrial catalyst project?"

"That's just a code name used to outsiders."

Alistair's answer remained concise:
"The real name of the project is the 'Silent Salt Purification Project,' and that's the first secret you need to know."

“You must have used a trace sample that was available through public channels. Now, let me explain the true nature of ‘dormant mineral salt’ to you in detail,”

He took out a sealed container and showed Ron the pile of salt inside, which looked quite familiar:

"The most unique property of this mineral is its 'aggregation resonance' effect."

When large amounts of mineral salt accumulate, its magical density increases exponentially, but it also amplifies the mental pollution it contains.

After understanding the situation, Ron began to carefully read the terms of the agreement.

This document is written in ancient wizarding script, and every word exudes a powerful magical aura.

But as he read on, he began to discover some confusing details.

The agreement is indeed very binding, with penalties for betrayal and leaks that would deter any rational person.

However, some subtle "gray areas" have emerged regarding the confidentiality clauses for technical details.

For example, there is an exemption clause regarding "academic discussions of theoretical principles";
There are also exceptions to the provisions regarding "emergency assistance in life-threatening situations".

This agreement did not adopt the most stringent form of "soul binding," but instead used the relatively milder form of "will contract."

With the power of a Grand Wizard, one can completely help the signatory find various breakthroughs.

"Associate Professor Alistair."

Ron looked up, his eyes filled with confusion:

"This agreement... doesn't seem 'absolute' enough."

Logically, such an important project should have been sealed off using the most stringent soul contract.

"Furthermore, why doesn't Professor Vinard handle this level of confidentiality himself?"

Alistair watched him silently.

“You’re very perceptive, Instructor Ralph.” He nodded.

"The reason this agreement is like this is because it doesn't protect our most core secrets."

As he spoke, he placed a small 3D projection device on the crystal table in the center of the secret room.

As magic was infused, a hierarchical structure began to appear in the air.

"Our security system employs a triple-secrecy structure."

He began to explain in detail:
"First layer of secrecy - outer layer: "
The research focused on the colony's routine development of the Stoker Star, as well as on exotic power systems such as 'Ghost Gold' and 'Gold Burning Technique'.

We intentionally leaked this information to the outside world to attract talent and confuse potential spies.

The projection displays the contents of the first layer:

Various common colonial construction projects, basic resource extraction, and some research directions that seem valuable but are not actually core technologies.

"Second layer of secrecy - middle level: the purification plan for 'dormant mineral salt'."

Alistair's tone became more formal:

"This is one of our trump cards, and also a secret that most spies believe we are hiding."

You've already reached that level.

The second layer of projection displays more technical charts:
Regarding the special properties of mineral salts, the progress of purification technology research and development, and related theoretical studies.

"But actually."

Alistair's eyes revealed a look of admiration that only appeared when Vinard was mentioned:
"We also have a third layer of secrecy—the core layer."

This secret is currently known only to the teacher, Ella, and me.

His tone became extremely serious:

“Purifying the ‘dormant mineral salt’ is not the ultimate goal; it is merely the ‘fuel’ needed for that core plan.”

The real reason why the teacher has been so busy lately is precisely this.

The third layer of the projection is shown as an area shrouded in thick fog, where only blurry outlines and flickering points of light can be seen.

"The teacher believes that you may be the one qualified to access core secrets."

Alistair puts away the projection device:
"This less stringent agreement is both a sign of trust in you and a test for you."

If you prove your worth in this project, we will consider inviting you to join that program.

Ron quietly processed this information.

The triple-secret smokescreen strategy is indeed a clever design.

Most spies are content with obtaining second-level information, believing they have already figured out the bottom line.

The true core secret is hidden at a deeper level.

But at the same time, this also means that one is being drawn into a vortex that is far more complex than it appears on the surface.

"Associate Professor Alistair."

He spoke slowly:
“I am honored to have this level of trust.”

But because this matter is so important, I need to know more before I can make a final decision.

"Understandable."

Alistair nodded, his tone devoid of any displeasure:
"My teacher once said that a true wise person is never in a hurry to make a promise."

You can first participate in the second-level purification project to demonstrate your value.

If everything goes well, the teacher will personally discuss the specifics of the third level with you.

"If you still choose to withdraw by then, we have also prepared harmless memory processing methods."

Your safety and right to choose will be fully guaranteed.

This candid attitude allowed Ron to gain a deeper understanding of Vinard's character.

"Then, I will sign this agreement."

He picked up the specially made rune pen:
"However, I have one condition—if I discover any situation during the project that may endanger my personal safety or violate my personal principles, I reserve the right to withdraw."

"of course."

Alistair's answer was without hesitation:

"Teachers never force anyone to go against their principles."

True cooperation can only be built on the foundation of mutual respect.

As the contract was signed, the energy field in the secret room began to weaken.

Ron could sense that his connection with the outside world was gradually being restored.

"Honey! Are you alright?"

Nari's voice immediately echoed in my mind, filled with worry:
"Mom almost broke through that barrier just now! That feeling was terrifying!"

"I'm fine, Mom."

Ron reassured her in his heart, "It's just a work agreement."

………………

After leaving the core area, he sat alone at his desk, staring at the technical documents about the dormant mineral vein in front of him.

The thick parchment was densely covered with records of failures over the past ten years, and every page exuded an aura of frustration.

Hundreds of purification solutions, thousands of experimental records, and the culmination of countless sleepless nights of hard work.
However, these "scientific" efforts appear so pale and powerless when faced with the resentment that contains thousands of years of suffering.

"The Tao alone is not enough."

Ron gently stroked the edge of the document, the conversation from earlier echoing in his mind:
"I have the theory of the symphony of souls, which allows me to perceive and understand the 'stories' of those resentful thoughts."

However, understanding alone is far from enough—I need a set of 'techniques' that can translate this understanding into practical application.

He recalled the precise glint in Vinard's mechanical eyes, and Alistair's rigorous demands for data.

These technical experts don't need poetic philosophical speculation.

What they need are specific solutions that can be quantified, replicated, and controlled.

"An artist's intuition must be combined with an engineer's rigor; emotional resonance must be contained within a rational framework."

(End of this chapter)