Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 555 "Suspension" ends

"And I am walking on such a path."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ron stopped hiding and slowly opened his palm.

A blazing silver light rose from his palm, illuminating the entire conference hall like a newly born star.

The [Key to the Craftsman's Labyrinth], eternally reconstructed and radiating the supreme aura of creation, silently floated before everyone.

Each of its faces undergoes endless geometric transformations.

The internal light points collide, coalesce, and separate like stardust, calculating the complete cycle from creation to end.

Simply gazing at it instilled in everyone present an indescribable sense of awe in the depths of their souls.

That was the tremor when facing "creation" itself, the shudder of mortals touching the edge of miracles.

Vinard's mechanical eye experienced an instantaneous overload of data stream, emitting a slight popping sound.

As a great wizard, he could sense the terrifying power contained within this key better than anyone else.

That wasn't a simple energy fluctuation, nor was it a powerful magical effect.

That was a kind of "conceptual pressure" that transcended individual power:
The imprint of will from one of the greatest beings of the Second Age.

"The legacy of the 'Creator'... the ancient alchemist's... successor!"

At that moment, the entire conference hall fell into a deathly silence.

Gregory was struck dumb, standing there frozen in shock.

He finally understood what kind of existence he had just questioned.

This is an ancient alchemist candidate who has been recognized by the "Creator" and is qualified to explore the ultimate mysteries!

Faced with such an identity, all talk of "personal metaphysics" and "unreplicable" seems insignificant and laughable.

Ancient alchemists were essentially the "rules of writing".

Their methods inherently transcend conventional knowledge systems.

To question them is tantamount to questioning the very foundation of wizarding civilization itself.

Ron slowly closed his palms, and the key disappeared again.

The oppressive atmosphere in the conference hall dissipated, but the way everyone looked at him had completely changed.

“Now.” Ron glanced around indifferently; no one dared to meet his gaze.

"Does anyone still question the 'rigor' of my methods?"

Gregory silently sat back down in his seat, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

At this moment, Ron's "hanging period" was completely over.

All doubts and provocations appear insignificant and laughable in the face of the legacy of the "Creator".

He no longer needs to prove his worth or seek the approval of others.

His very existence is the most perfect proof.

Like a candle suddenly lit in the darkness, it doesn't need to explain why it shines; the light itself is the answer.

Vinard slowly rose from the chairman's seat, his semi-mechanical face filled with unprecedented solemnity.

"Ron Ralph, Instructor".

His voice echoed in the silent meeting room, each word as heavy as cast iron:
"Your identity is enough to redefine our partnership."

"The problem with the Resentment Vein is just the beginning. The secrets hidden on this planet are deeper than anyone can imagine. We need true unity and true trust to face the challenges ahead."

A day later, a meeting on "Industrialization of Mineral Purification," personally chaired by Vinard, was held in the colony's highest-level council chamber.

The round conference table is carved from a single piece of transparent crystal, with densely packed data charts and technical parameters projected onto its surface.

Those attending the meeting were all top experts in various fields of the colony:

In addition to the core technical team, it also includes more than a dozen key figures such as mining engineers, safety supervisors, and resource allocation managers.

The air was filled with an optimistic atmosphere of success.

Everyone present agreed that now that the first experiment had been successful, the remaining task was to scale up the experiment and improve efficiency.

However, when Ron stood up to speak, his first action was to pour cold water on the idea.

"Distinguished professors and experts,"

His voice echoed clearly in the Crystal Council Chamber:
"Before we begin discussing industrialization plans, I must correct a dangerous misconception."

Ron flicked his finger, and the projection system on the conference table responded immediately, displaying the complete data record of the purification ceremony from a few days ago.

"Our success a few days ago was at best setting up a stage where we could 'play a requiem' and successfully complete the 'trial performance' of the first movement."

His tone was as sharp as a scalpel:
"This is far from a victory that can be considered a one-time solution."

These words struck everyone like a heavy hammer blow.

The previously heated discussion came to an abrupt halt, and everyone looked nervously at the young successor of the "Creator".

Ron retrieved the analysis data of the "Resentment Crystal" and the residual resentment fluctuation diagram of the processed "Silent Mineral Salt".

"We must be keenly aware of two core issues."

He held up one finger:
"First, dynamic sources of pollution."

“The ‘resentment vein’ is by no means a static source of pollution.”

As mining progresses, we will encounter mineral layers that carry different historical periods and different 'stories'.

The projection displays a three-dimensional cross-section of the vein, with different layers of rock at different depths marked in different colors, like a history book written in blood and tears.

"Today we are comforting the cries of the 'first generation of slave laborers,' tomorrow we may face the anger of the 'suppression of the rebels,' and the day after tomorrow we may encounter the eerie energy left over from the 'priest's spellcasting.'"

His voice grew even more solemn:

“Each layer of ore is a completely new ‘movement’ that requires entirely different ‘playing techniques’.”

The 'guiding runes' we've designed now may be completely ineffective for tomorrow's ore.

This analysis turned the engineers present pale.

They originally thought they could process materials in batches using a fixed production line, but now they've discovered that each batch of materials needs to be "custom-made."

Ron extended his second finger:
"Second, a long-term symbiotic relationship."

"My in-depth research confirms that resentment and the magical enrichment properties of mineral salts are inseparable, like twins."

The waveform graph shows the correlation curve between resentment energy and the magic gathering effect, with the waveforms of the two being almost completely synchronized.

"Our goal should never be to completely eliminate it—that would be tantamount to destroying the value of the salt itself."

The real challenge lies in maintaining a long-term, stable level of contamination below the safe threshold of 5%.

"This means that the cleanup work must be carried out in parallel with the mining project and for a long period of time."

We need a dynamic system that can accompany the mining cycle of a ore vein for decades.

The mining engineer at the conference table couldn't help but speak up:
"Ralph, based on your analysis, this project will be far more complex than we anticipated. Costs and risks will both increase significantly."

“That’s true.” Ron nodded in agreement.
"That's why we need a more comprehensive and long-term plan."

He waved his hand and brought up a brand new project architecture diagram:
"Based on the two core issues above, I propose a long-term project plan that consists of three phases and lasts for at least three months."

The architectural diagram unfolded in the air, resembling a meticulously crafted battle map:

"In the first phase, we have completed theoretical verification and framework construction."

The initial purification ceremony a few days ago proved the feasibility of the 'Symphony of Souls' theory and laid a solid foundation for subsequent work.

"The second phase is currently underway—establishing a regular 'database of resentment'."

The diagram shows a data collection network:
“A special monitoring team composed of elders of the Three-Eyed Clan conducts ‘emotional spectrum’ analysis on each batch of newly mined ore and establishes detailed classification files.”

"We need to understand the condition of each ore by 'observing, listening, inquiring, and palpating', just like a doctor diagnosing a patient, before we can prescribe the right 'remedy'."

Ella nodded in approval from the side.

As the ecological manager of the colony, she was keenly aware of the importance of data collection.

"The third phase will be a long-term task—establishing the 'Improvisational Fugue Rune Iteration Group'."

Ron looked at Silas, his eyes showing no reproach, only a sincere invitation to cooperate:
"I will serve as the theoretical advisor, and Associate Professor Silas will serve as the technical director."

Silas was startled.

I never expected that after all those underhanded tactics I had made, the other party would still be willing to give me such an important position.

"Our responsibility is to continuously adjust, optimize, and iterate the design of the 'Guiding Runes' based on the latest data provided by the monitoring team."

Ron's tone was full of anticipation for the future:

"Let the purification plan evolve from a 'fixed score' into a 'living movement' that can be improvised and varied according to different 'themes of resentment'."

"In this way, no matter what new situation we face, we can quickly adjust our strategy and maintain the stability of the purification effect."

After hearing the entire plan, Vinard fell into deep thought.

A moment later, he looked up:

"The plan is approved. Resource allocation will be executed with the highest priority." He looked around at everyone present:

"Ladies and gentlemen, what we are about to participate in is not just a technological project, but an experiment concerning the future of the colony."

Let's join hands and make history.

In the evening after the meeting, the orange-red light of the twin stars shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the office and onto the floor.

Ella gently knocked on Silas's office door; her expression was unusually serious today.

"Please come in." Silas's voice sounded tired.

Since the project started, he has devoted almost all his time to the technical research and development of rune iteration, wanting to prove his value through his actions.

Ella pushed open the door and entered, but did not sit down; she simply stood quietly in front of the desk.

Her tone was the same as always, nothing different.

But the moment the words left his mouth, Silas froze, unable to put down his pen:
“Silas, I’ve come today to talk to you about the Meditation Dome.”

These words pierced Silas's heart like an icicle.

His hand jerked violently, and the quill pen left a long ink mark on the paper.

Do you really think nobody knows?

Ella's voice remained as calm as ever, yet it was more terrifying than any roar:
"The artificially lowered fault tolerance threshold, the pre-prepared mental damping field, and even that so-called 'Emergency Plan No. 7' were all fabricated by you on the spot."

Silas's face gradually turned pale.

“Ralph is a historian. He only needs to glance at the ‘remnants of history’ to turn your little tricks into evidence in court.”

Ella took a step forward, her voice becoming clearer:

“Every detail of the entire plan, every calculation, and even every dark thought in your mind becomes as clear as day in the face of historical perception.”

Silas was already sweating profusely.

He wanted to explain, but found himself unable to utter a single word.

He didn't do that.

Ella's tone suddenly softened:
"He can easily put you on trial and make you lose face in front of the entire colony."

However, he chose to give you a chance to become a hero, a chance to fight alongside him.

"That's his magnanimity."

She stared at Silas's deathly pale face:

"Now you are the technical director of the 'Improvisational Fugue Rune Iteration Group,' a position that will surely make you a part of the history of colonial technology."

"I hope you will take care of yourself."

After saying that, Ella turned and left, leaving Silas alone in the office, slumped in his chair.

Her footsteps faded into the distance, but the weight of that warning pressed down on Silas's heart like a mountain.

He bowed deeply to Ella's departing figure, even though she could no longer see him.

Time flies, and the day of the quarterly evaluation has arrived in the blink of an eye.

The three stars of Emerald Ring II rose in succession, bringing a new day of light to this alien colony.

In the conference room, all members of the quarterly evaluation committee gathered together.

On the table lay a detailed report, hundreds of pages thick, with the words "..." written in gold lettering on the cover.

Ron Ralph Instructor's First Quarter Performance Evaluation Report

Vinard slowly turned to the first page of the report, his mechanical eyes scanning the dense data and evaluations.

Teaching Achievements:
1. All twelve mixed-race apprentices achieved breakthroughs in their core skills, with an average improvement of 47.3%;

2. Lila's three-eyed perception ability has improved by two levels, approaching the level of an adult three-eyed person;

3. Three apprentices awakened new bloodline traits, adding a valuable asset to the colony's talent pool.

Technical Contribution:
1. Successfully resolved the long-standing problem of mineral vein pollution that had plagued the colony for decades;

2. The groundbreaking "Symphony of the Soul" theory has opened up a completely new direction for the field of spiritual energy processing;

3. The established purification system can generate enormous economic value, and is expected to save the colony over 100,000 magic stones annually.

Every member of the committee signed their name on the report.

The final evaluation result was as expected.

As the evaluation concluded, the crowd in the conference hall gradually dispersed, and the enormous crystal round table returned to tranquility.

Only Vinard and his chief disciple Alistair remained, the air still thick with the lingering warmth of their heated discussion.

In the great wizard's electronic eyes, countless data streams were flashing and recombining at an astonishing speed.

He didn't speak, but simply stared quietly at the distant mine where the commotion had just subsided.

There, a silvery light was slowly rising from the depths, like the first rays of dawn on the horizon.

That was the light emanating from purified, dormant mineral salts, gentle yet full of power.

Alistair broke the silence, his voice carrying a hint of awe that had not yet fully dissipated:

"Teacher, is it time for us to discuss the specifics of the 'technology partnership' contract with Lecturer Ralph?"

Vinard slowly turned around, his electronic voice revealing neither joy nor anger:
"contract?"

He chuckled softly, a laugh as crisp as metal scraping against metal.
“Alistair, to deal with an eagle, you can’t use chains, you have to use the sky.”

His gaze seemed to pierce through time and space, landing in the direction of that young figure.

In his mind, Ron had long transcended the category of talent that could be "hired" or "bound," becoming a precious "variable"—a "catalyst" that could break his century-old deadlock.

Vinard walked to the window, his mechanical hand gently stroking the crystal glass.

Through the transparent barrier, he could see the entire colony operating in an orderly manner:

Engineers were busy at their posts, wizard apprentices were conducting their routine training, and the Three-Eyed Elders were meditating in the meditation garden.
Everything worked perfectly as he had planned.

But it was precisely this perfection that made him feel a deep sense of weariness.

“Alistair.” Vinard’s voice deepened:
Do you know what my biggest problem is?

The chief disciple waited respectfully for his master's instructions.

“Order,” Vinard sighed softly.

"My path is order, logic, and a clockwork-like precision."

This path made me strong, enabling me to build such a colonial miracle.

The light in his electronic eyes dimmed slightly:

"But it is precisely this order that has led me to a similar bottleneck as you—we both lack 'spirituality' and 'unexpectedness'."

Alistair nodded as if he understood.

As Vinard's most outstanding disciple, he inherited his mentor's rigor and precision, but he also faces the same innovation bottleneck.

"Remember, a low-level ruler binds behavior with contracts, while a wise collaborator binds ambition with interests."

Vinard's voice carried a profound wisdom:
"What is Ron's ambition? It is power, it is knowledge, it is the path to a higher realm."

We don't need to give him a contract; we just need to pave the way for him.

He turned to face Alistair:
"He's like a ravenous gourmet right now."

Don't talk to him about ownership of the kitchen; let him taste the finest feast we can offer first.

Once he gets used to the taste, he'll find a way to become one of the masters of the kitchen.

Alistair's heart stirred, and he immediately understood his mentor's intention.

This strategy is superior to any contract.

Instead of forcing the other party to make a commitment, let them experience the sweetness of cooperation.

Once you've tasted the finest delicacies, who would want to go back to simple meals?

“Go,” Vinard commanded Alistair.
"Give him everything that the 'excellent' rating can deliver, without reservation."

Let him stay in the best laboratory, let him see our most crucial data, and let him enter the 'magic pool.'

In the end, even Vinard's words surprisingly took on a certain poetic quality:

"Once a person has touched the stars with their own hands, they can no longer bear to return to the ground."

The next morning, just as Ron finished his morning exercise, Alistair appeared in front of his dormitory right on time.

This technical director, known for his meticulousness, was in exceptionally high spirits today.

His dark blue robes were ironed to perfection, and even his usually serious expression had a touch of warm kindness.

"Congratulations, Instructor Ralph, on receiving an excellent evaluation this quarter."

Alistair's opening remarks conveyed genuine respect:
“In accordance with the regulations of the colony, I am here today to transfer to you the range of privileges and resources that you are entitled to as a ‘technology partner’.”

(End of this chapter)