Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 575 Narrative Potions

After the small celebration ended, the students left one by one.

After everyone left, Ailan floated out of the kitchen and began clearing the table.

"Master seems very happy today."

"It is gentle," the tree spirit said.

“Really?” Ron stroked his chin.

“Yes.” Ailan nodded firmly:

"Although the master maintained his usual expression, Ailan could sense that the master was in an exceptionally relaxed mood today, just like..."

She thought for a moment and then used a peculiar metaphor:
"Like the 'moonlight vine' in the garden, the sense of satisfaction when it finally blooms."

Ron chuckled: "That's quite an apt analogy."

"Then Master, please continue with your work. You can leave this to Ailan."

The tree spirit said softly:

"Dair is asleep, Master can work in peace."

Ron nodded and went to the study alone.

But he didn't open the career panel immediately.

Instead, he first projected his consciousness through bloodline connection to the distant Stoker Star.

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

Stoker Star, the city where the Walker family resides—"Heartheart City".

This is a city built entirely of metal.

Towering spires, wide streets, exquisite sculptures... everything gleams with a cold metallic sheen.

In the past, this city was always full of vitality.

The high-ranking nobles rode in levitation vehicles made with molten metal, traversing the high skies;

Merchants shouted loudly in the market, displaying a variety of exquisite metal products;
The furnaces in the artisan district burn day and night, their flames illuminating the entire sky...

But now, everything has changed.

Through the perspective of "Karen," controlled by "Ink," Ron can clearly sense that the entire city is shrouded in an indescribable atmosphere of oppression.

There were noticeably fewer pedestrians on the streets.

Those nobles who were usually so arrogant were now in a hurry, and even their usual glamorous attire had become somewhat toned down.

Most shops are closed, with only a few barely managing to stay afloat.

Even the furnaces in the artisan district were mostly extinguished.

The entire city, like a monstrous beast about to erupt in fury, was holding its breath.

Karen stood by the window of the Walker family mansion, withdrawing her gaze from observing the outside scene.

He could "hear" the servants whispering:

"Have you heard? Three more elders from the Luger family were summoned by the priest yesterday..."

"It seems something terrible has been discovered at the temple..."

"I heard it's about the forbidden technology of 'mineral salt catalysis'..."

"Shh! Keep your voice down! You can't say things like that!"

Not only the servants, but even the higher-ups in the Walker family have been appearing anxious and uneasy these past few days.

The clan chief convenes a meeting every day to discuss countermeasures.

Those elders who usually fought for power and profit have now put aside their ambitions and are only thinking about how to protect themselves in this storm.

Even more bizarrely, starting three days ago, “Iron Slaves” have been appearing in the sky above the city from time to time.

They flew by silently, casting shadows over the street and sending shivers down everyone's spines.

This was a "patrol" by the priestly class.

Every inspection means someone is going to be in trouble.

Karen could sense the presence of all the residents of the city.

Whether they were high-ranking nobles or the lowest commoners, everyone was waiting for a certain "judgment" to be delivered.

That feeling was like being a prisoner standing under the guillotine.

They didn't know when the axe would fall, yet they couldn't escape.

And the source of all this was the sample of mineral salt that was sent to the temple.

Through his perception of "ink," Ron can even "taste" the fear, anxiety, and despair that permeate the air.

These emotions are like an invisible net, enveloping the entire city.

"Four more days..."

Karen silently calculated the time in her mind.

Four days later, it will be the day the priests have agreed to "report back".

At that time, this undercurrent of storm will finally erupt completely.

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

Regaining his senses, Ron slowly opened his eyes.

He sat in the chair for a moment, trying to pull himself out of the oppressive atmosphere.

"The essence of theocracy is absolute deterrence."

He concluded in his heart:
"There is no need to actually take action; simply showing a posture of 'potentially taking action' is enough to plunge the entire society into panic."

This method of governance, while efficient, is also extremely fragile.

Once the authority of "God" is challenged, the entire system will collapse like dominoes.

But these are all things for later.

Now, he has more important things to deal with.

Ron took a deep breath and opened his class panel.

[Potion Master (3-star) Advancement Requirements:]

【1. Prerequisite job for starting this job - Potion Master (2 stars)√】

2. Master-level professional core skills

[3. Create at least one original potion recipe]

[4. Train at least five students to the level of professional potion masters (4/5)]

Upon seeing this number, Ron fell into deep thought.

For the fifth candidate, he originally considered Lucia from the elite team.

That red-haired girl definitely has potential.

With another six months of targeted coaching, there is a good chance of meeting the standard.

But the problem is...

"The time has to be delayed again, which is a bit troublesome..."

Ron muttered to himself.

He could sense that his knowledge of potions was approaching a critical point.

The second condition is "achieving an expert level in core professional skills";
The third condition, "creating at least one original potion recipe," actually complements the first condition.

Just like when you break through from "skilled" to "proficient", you need a catalyst.

The breakthrough from "proficiency" to "expert" also requires a grander opportunity.

This opportunity likely stems from the process of "creating a unique magic potion".

"Dew of the Soul..."

Ron remembered the ancient recipe that Mrs. Allen had given him.

After a long period of research and improvement, he has gained a deep understanding of the formula.

He found relatively mild alternatives to the extreme ingredients in the original formula.

In helping Eve and Lilia through the "Triple Trial," he also gained a new understanding of the three concepts of "listening," "resonance," and "integration."

This realization made him start to think about a question:
"If I were to create my own magic potion, what qualities should it possess?"

Simply saying it has a powerful effect? ​​That's too superficial.

The recipe is exquisite? That's just technique.

True "originality" should be a breakthrough in concept.

Just like the core concept of "Dew of the Soul," which is to "reduce spiritual pollution";
Just like Eve's "Key Potion" core concept, it is "integrating contradictions".

What should be the core concept behind his unique potion?
Ron closed his eyes and began to recount all his experiences over the years.

From the Black Mist Forest to the Crystal Spire, from the Abyss Observatory to the Alien Colony…

He had come into contact with countless kinds of potions, concocted countless recipes, and witnessed too many successes and failures.

And what runs through all of this?
"story."

Ron suddenly opened his eyes.

He recalled the "true knowledge" bestowed upon him by Saint Hephaestus:
The secret of alchemy lies in the art of understanding the "story" of a thing.

The same applies to potion-making.

Every material has its own story:
About where it came from, what it has been through, and what it aspires to become.

Every potion, in essence, uses the "stories" of these materials to weave a new "narrative".

"So... if I were to create an original potion, the core concept should be 'narrative reconstruction'."

Ron's thinking is becoming clearer:
"A magic potion that can rewrite the 'story' of materials."

"It doesn't need to change the physical properties of the material, it only needs to change what the material 'thinks it is'."

"To allow contaminated materials to 'remember' their original state of purity."

"To give materials that have lost their vitality the belief that they can still grow."

"Let conflicting materials re-understand that the other is actually a reflection of oneself..."

Once the idea appeared, it spread like wildfire in his mind.

He immediately took out paper and pen and began frantically writing:

"Basic material: memory moss."

Plants capable of storing information are used to 'record' the original state of materials.

Catalyst: Sands of Time.

Collected from time rifts, used to 'retrace' the history of materials.

"Stabilizer: Narrative Crystal."

It can materialize abstract concepts to 'fix' new stories.

"Harmonizing agent: resonance liquid."

Extracted from the tears of stars, used to make all materials 'believe' in the new narrative…

The initial form of the formula gradually took shape under his pen.

But at that moment, he suddenly stopped writing.

"wrong……"

Ron frowned:

"This recipe relies too heavily on rare ingredients."

“Memory Moss and Narrative Crystal are fine, but the Sands of Time… that’s a treasure that even Dark Sun-level wizards crave.”

“If my original potion requires such rare materials, then it loses the meaning of ‘inheritance’.”

"Truly great potions should not be concocted by only a few geniuses."

It should be able to be widely disseminated so that more people can benefit.

"so……"

Ron re-examines the recipe:

"I need to find a more common alternative, or... change my approach."

Just as he was hitting a bottleneck, a gentle fluctuation suddenly appeared on the career panel.

[Host detected attempting to create an original magic potion]

[Recommendation: The current experience points for "Advanced Potions (Mastery 199/200)" are nearing their limit]

Successfully crafting an "original potion" will simultaneously satisfy conditions 2 and 3.

[Hint: Original potions don't need to be perfect; what's important is that they embody a unique "concept"]

Upon seeing this prompt, Ron fell into deeper thought.

The panel is right.

His current bottleneck is not in technique, but in the final leap in "concept".

Just like when he broke through to "mastery", he needed to understand the dialectical relationship between "harmony" and "conflict".

To break through the "expert" barrier, what he needs now is...

"Create your own language."

Ron suddenly understood.

"It is neither about learning the theories of predecessors nor imitating the methods of masters."

I want to redefine the concept of 'potion' in my own way.

He picked up his pen again, but this time he wasn't in a hurry to write down the recipe.

Instead, he wrote down a question:
What is a magic potion?

Then he began to answer:
"Potion is a combination of matter and meaning."

"It is not merely a product of magical reactions, but also a 'narrative act'."

"The process of making potions is like telling a story with the ingredients."

"About transformation, about growth, about the journey from one state to another."

Ron stopped writing at this point.

He closed his eyes, letting these thoughts settle and ferment in his mind.

After a long while, he opened his eyes again, a relieved smile on his face.

"I understand."

“My ‘original magic potion’ does not need to pursue powerful effects, nor does it need a complicated formula.”

"It only needs to fully reflect my understanding of potions."

"That is, 'narrative potion science'."

With this core concept in place, the rest is just a technical matter.

And technology is precisely what he has in abundance.

However, before he could officially begin the refining process, he still needed to resolve the fourth condition: the fifth "student".

Just as he was preparing to develop a detailed plan to train Lucia.

Suddenly, the job panel burst into a dazzling light!

[Trained at least five students to the level of professional potion masters (5/5) - Achieved!]

Ron was stunned.

He examined it carefully and discovered that the fifth one displayed on the panel was the one with whom he had established a mystical "master-disciple" relationship.
It wasn't Lucia, nor any other human student.

But...

"Nari?!"

Almost subconsciously, Ron's consciousness crossed the dimensional barrier and descended into that familiar chaotic palace.

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

The sight of the palace left him completely stunned.

The once empty central area has now been transformed into...

How should I put it? It's a pharmacy workshop full of "chaotic aesthetics".

But what puzzled him most was not the workshop itself, but what was happening within it:

Hundreds of tentacles of varying thicknesses are simultaneously processing dozens of different potion ingredients in a dazzlingly precise manner!

Some tentacles were grinding the "abyssal moss" with a gentle touch, like stroking a baby;

Some tentacles are cutting the "Starlight Vine," their knife skills so precise that each cut follows the energy pathways;

Some tentacles were stirring the liquid in the crucible, their speed, direction, and force all changing, yet maintaining a certain rhythm...

The most terrifying thing is the coordination between these tentacles.

They are like a symphony orchestra, each movement perfectly executed, both independent and coordinated.

"baby!"

Nari's voice was filled with childlike excitement:

"You've finally come to see Mom again!"

"This is……"

Ron opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

"Hehe, Mom's been practicing lately!"

Nari said proudly:

“When my baby was making ‘Dew of the Soul’ last time, I watched from the side and thought it was so interesting!”

"So Mom thought... Mom can learn too!"

As they spoke, the hundreds of tentacles simultaneously retracted, each taking out a bottle of potion from a different crucible.

The quality of these potions... is surprisingly consistent!

Each bottle exudes a stable energy fluctuation, and although they are all different in style, they all meet the "qualified" standard.

"Mom, when did you reach this level?"

Ron asked incredulously.

"Hmm...it probably started around that time in the 'Mirror Kingdom' adventure with you and Little Ice Cube, when you taught Mom to 'listen' to the materials?"

Nari thought for a moment:
“You said that time that we should listen to the ‘heart’ of the materials and not just use brute force to control them.”

"Mom thought this made a lot of sense! So she tried to 'listen' to it."

Her voice sounded somewhat surprised:

"Then Mom discovered that those materials were actually 'talking'!"

"They will tell their mother how they like to be treated, what they hate, and what they want to become..."

"Mom can easily turn them into magic potions just by doing what they say!"

Ron was deeply shocked by these words.

Nari's "learning" process is completely different from that of humans and other sub-human species.

A typical potion master needs to learn the theory first, then the skills, and finally understand the true meaning of "listening".

What about Kona?

She skipped the first two steps and used her innate, chaotic instincts to get straight to the core of "listening"!

"Mom has also invented a lot of new magic potions!"

Nari continued to excitedly demonstrate:
"Look at this, Mom calls it 'Nebula Potion'!"

A crystal bottle was handed to Ron by a tentacle.

The liquid had a nebula-like color, with countless points of light swirling, colliding, annihilating, and then being reborn within it...

Ron activated "Supernatural Recognition," and a moment later he gasped.

The effect of this potion is to allow the user to "experience" a very simplified version of the Big Bang on a mental level!

"And this, the 'liquefaction potion,' will temporarily turn you into a liquid if you drink it!"

"There's also the 'Star Language Potion,' which allows people to understand what the stars are saying!"

"There's also the 'Shadow Potion,' which can bring shadows to life and make them helpers!"

Nari showed off her "works" one by one.

Ron was increasingly shocked as he listened.

These potions all have some kind of effect, but these effects... are full of "chaotic style".

Unpredictable, dangerous, yet full of possibilities.

"Mom, how did you come up with all these magic potions?"

"It's just... a feeling!"

Nari said matter-of-factly:

"When Mom sees those materials, she can 'sense' what they want to become."

"Then Mom helped them become like that!"

Ron remained silent for a long time, then said softly:

"Mom, do you know... what you're doing now has surpassed most senior potion masters, and many potion professors may not even be able to reach your level."

"Really!"

Nari's voice was full of joy:
"Isn't Mom amazing?"

"superb."

Ron said sincerely.

After regaining consciousness, he fell into deep thought.

Why is Nari recognized by the panel?
She neither participated in the assessment nor obtained certification...

“It’s possible that she did learn the ‘Tao’ from me.”

Ron slowly came to a conclusion:

"Moreover, her understanding of this 'Tao' is more profound than that of most formal potion masters."

"What the career panel recognizes is never that piece of paper."

"What is recognized is true 'inheritance'."

Once Ron understood this, he felt relieved.

Now, only the last step remains.

Having figured out the essence of "inheritance," Ron originally planned to devote himself entirely to the creation of his own unique potion.

After all, this is the key to his breakthrough to the "expert" level, and also the final hurdle to overcome for the "Potion Professor" advancement.

However, just as he was preparing to go into seclusion to conduct his research, Eve's urgent call came through the communication crystal.

The image of the girl projected into the crystal showed an unusual expression of anxiety.

"Mentor, I... I've run into some trouble."

Eve's voice was somewhat hesitant:
"Regarding the question of breaking through in meditation. I know you're very busy right now, but I really don't know who to talk to."

Ron noticed the unease on her face and a thought struck him.

Given Eve's personality, she would never bother him at a time like this unless she was truly desperate.

"Tell me, what kind of bottleneck have you encountered?"

Yi Peng took a deep breath and sorted out her thoughts:

"As you know, I practice the gem-level meditation method 'Absurdity and Tricks,' which involves visualizing the ideas of the ancestral king of absurdity."

"Because of my direct lineage in the Crown Clan, this meditation method resonates with me very well."

Theoretically speaking, even if it can't compare to those legendary meditation methods, the difference won't be too significant.

Her brows furrowed even more:
"But that's the problem. Precisely because of the high bloodline compatibility, the requirements for breakthrough are also more stringent."

"I must truly understand and agree with the 'absurdity and deconstruction' concept advocated by the King of Absurdity, deep in my soul."

It's not just about superficial learning and memorization, nor is it simply about academic understanding; I want to deeply comprehend and strive to put this philosophy into practice.

After hearing this, Ron thought for a moment before saying:
"Your current situation is that you understand rationally, but your soul cannot resonate with it?"

"exactly."

The girl gave a somewhat awkward, wry smile:

“I have read all the relevant books in my mother’s collection and studied countless theories about ‘absurd philosophy’.”

I know the King of Absurdity believes that the essence of the world is meaningless, and that all seemingly serious order and rules are actually just an absurd game.

"But."

Her voice became somewhat helpless:

"But I can't really accept that."

My upbringing, my education, and my identity as the heir to the Crown Clan.
All of this tells me that order has meaning, responsibility is real, and everything we do has value.

“I instinctively resist when I try to ‘deconstruct’ these beliefs in meditation.”

Ron remained silent for a moment.

He suddenly realized that Eve's problem and the challenges he was facing now had a striking similarity.

Eve needs to get her soul to "believe" in a new philosophical framework.

His "narrative potionology" is essentially about making the material "believe" in a new story.

The core difficulty for both lies in:

How can one change their perception of their own nature?

"let me help you."

Ron made a decision.

Eve hesitated for a moment: "But mentor, aren't you busy with other matters? I don't want to hold you back."

"Quite the opposite."

Ron interrupted her:

"It will help you break through the limitations of meditation and will also be helpful to my research."

"A great help."

In the reception room of the Emerald Mansion, Ron carefully examined Eve's condition.

"Your problem is not that you don't understand deeply enough."

Ron said slowly:

"The point is that you are trying to achieve 'acceptance' through 'understanding'."

"It's like trying to make yourself immune to burning by studying how flames are generated."

Eve blinked: "What does the mentor mean?"

"True absurdity is not a concept that can be 'understood'."

Ron walked to the window and looked at the bustling street scene outside:
"It is a feeling that needs to be 'experienced'."

"No matter how many theories you read, you will never truly 'feel' that... when you think you are acting in a tragedy, you suddenly find that you are actually in a comedy;
Everything you take seriously suddenly becomes ridiculous; all the meaning you build up collapses into meaninglessness in an instant.

He turned to look at Eve:
"This feeling can only be truly understood through personal experience."

Eve seemed thoughtful: "So, mentor, what are your plans?"

"Let me take you into my 'sandbox'."

Ron's lips curled into a smile:
“There, I will create a series of 'tragicomedies' for you.”

They look comical, absurd, and even a little silly.

But at the same time, they are incredibly serious, profound, and soul-stirring.

Subsequently, under his deliberate guidance, purple magic surged out of Eve's body like a tide, establishing a connection with the sandbox world she had constructed.

The girl's breathing became rapid.

"Relax, Eve."

His voice was as steady as the undercurrent of the deep sea:
"Absurdity is not chaos, nor is it the same as disorder."

It is a higher-dimensional 'awakening'.

The courage to continue moving forward even after you've seen through the true nature of the world.

The black-haired princess nodded and closed her eyes again.

The next moment, her consciousness was absorbed by the sand table, and the whole world flipped and reassembled before her eyes.

This is a plaza paved with obsidian.

In the center of the square stands a towering courtroom, upon which sit three “judges” dressed in judicial robes.

Their faces were obscured by deep hoods, with only occasional glimpses of cold light visible in the shadows.

Eve looked around and found that the square was full of "spectators".

They were all blurry figures, faceless, silently "gazing" in the direction of the judge's bench.

“Eve von Mange”.

The judge in the middle struck the stone slab heavily with a hammer:

"You are accused of committing the sin of existence."

Eve paused for a moment.

The sin of existence? What kind of sin is that?
"Your crime is: being born."

The judge on the left opened a thick file:

According to Article 1 of the Cosmic Order Code:
Anything born into the world without permission is illegal.

"When you were born, you did not fill out an 'Existence Application Form,' did not pay 'Life Tax,' and did not obtain a 'Breathing Permit.'"

The judge on the right then said:
"Therefore, your very existence is a desecration of order."

Eve opened her mouth, wanting to refute.

But she suddenly realized that she didn't know what to say.

This accusation is absurd.

But... if she says it's absurd, wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting that she "broke the law"?
"Now, defend your crimes."

The judge in the middle coldly announced:

You have thirty seconds.

"and many more!"

Eve finally regained her voice:
"This is completely unreasonable!"

How can being born be a crime?
This is a natural right for every life!

"Natural rights?"

The judge on the left let out a cold laugh:
"Please show me your 'Certificate of Natural Rights'."

"what?"

According to Article 2 of the Cosmic Order Code:

All rights must have a clear legal basis.

If you cannot produce a certificate, then the so-called 'natural rights' do not exist.

Eve felt a wave of dizziness.

She simply couldn't refute this logic!

Because under the rules of this world, everything must have a "certificate" to prove it.

But "natural rights" themselves transcend certificates—which is precisely the evidence that they "do not exist"!

"time up."

The judge in the middle raised his gavel:
"According to the Code of Cosmic Order, we sentence you—"

"Wait!"

Eve suddenly shouted:

"I want to appeal! Your legal code is wrong!"

All three judges looked up at the same time.

"You're saying... our legal code is wrong?"

The impartial judge's tone turned dangerous:
"Please provide evidence."

"The evidence is..."

Eve took a deep breath:

“Your code stipulates that ‘anything created without permission is illegal.’”

Then I ask you, where did the first person get permission from?

"If no one gives him permission, then he is breaking the law."

If he is breaking the law, then he is not qualified to draft a legal code.

If he is not qualified to draft laws, then the laws you are using to judge me are themselves illegal!

Her voice echoed in the square:

"Therefore, either the existence of the first person is legitimate, then my existence is also legitimate!"
"Either admit that your legal code itself is based on illegality, then you have no right to judge anyone!"

Deathly silence.

The three judges began to tremble violently.

then……

"Warning! Logical paradox detected!"

"The system cannot handle recursive contradictions!"

"Initiate emergency shutdown procedure!"

The figures of the three judges began to disintegrate, turning into countless points of light and disappearing.

The judgment bench began to crumble, and huge cracks appeared in Obsidian Plaza...

Eve thought she had succeeded.

But the next moment, she realized something was wrong.

What emerged from the crack was not light, but a deeper darkness.

The blurry figures of those "audience members" began to become clear—they were all shadows of "her".

Countless Eves von Mange, with the same expression, saying the same words:

"You think you're so smart?"

"You think you've won just because you've found the paradox?"

"You're just using a ridiculous question to cover up another ridiculous answer!"

"You have no idea what the real meaning of this trial is!"

Countless accusations from "themselves" came flooding in.

Eve felt suffocated.

She wanted to explain herself, but she suddenly realized that she had no idea how to explain herself.

Because what "they" said is true.

She did indeed use logical tricks to break through the surface dilemma, but she did not truly understand the essence of the trial.

The absurdity of the "sin of being" lies not in its violation of logic, but in...

But what is it about?
Eve didn't know.

Darkness engulfed her.

When Eve opened her eyes again, she found herself back in the study of the Emerald House.

She was breathing heavily, her forehead covered in cold sweat, and her heart was pounding wildly.

"tutor……"

Her voice trembled:

"I...I failed..."

"fail?"

Ron simply looked at her coldly:
Why do you feel like a failure?

"Because I failed the trial!"

Eve's voice was tinged with frustration:

“Those things ‘I’ said were right. I was just being clever; I didn’t really understand at all…”

"Then tell me."

Ron interrupted her:

"What do you think that trial was really trying to teach you?"

Eve opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.

she does not know.

Ron stood up, walked over to her, and gently placed his hand on her shoulder:

“Eve, you’ve fallen into a misconception.”

"You think 'absurdity' is a problem that needs to be 'solved,' so you desperately try to find the 'right answer.'"

"But……"

His eyes deepened:

What if I told you that 'absurdity' is not a question with an answer?

"The significance of that trial lies not in whether you can defeat it with logic."

"But what do you do when you discover that logic itself has fallen into absurdity?"

Eve was stunned.

"Try again."

Ron patted the girl on the shoulder again, encouraging her:

This time, don't think about 'winning'.

Try to 'feel' the absurdity itself.

Eve bit her lip and nodded.

Purple magic surged once more, and her consciousness sank back into the sand table...

It's still that Obsidian Plaza.

There are still three judges.

It's still that absurd accusation.

But this time, when the judge declared, "Your very existence is a crime"...

Eve suddenly laughed.

It wasn't a mocking laugh, nor an angry laugh; it was a wonderful, relieved laugh.

"you're right."

She casually said:

“My very existence is indeed a crime.”

The three judges were stunned.

“I admit that I did not fill out any application forms, pay any taxes, or obtain any permits.”

Eve continued, her tone as casual as if she were talking about the weather:

“According to your code, I am indeed a criminal.”

"So……"

The judge in the middle asked hesitantly:
"You plead guilty?"

"Confess?"

Eve tilted her head:

"No, I'm just acknowledging a fact."

She looked around:
"But I want to ask—who wrote your legal code?"

"This is a law that has existed since ancient times!"

The judge on the right gave a firm reply.

"Since ancient times?"

Eve's smile grew even brighter:
"Then let me ask again—what about before 'since ancient times'?"

Before the existence of a legal code, who decided that a legal code was necessary?

"If the code of law is not eternal, then by what right does it judge eternal 'being'?"

"If the code is eternal, then how can it have a 'first article'?"
How can something eternal have a beginning?

A look of sudden realization flashed in her eyes:

"Therefore, the key issue is not whether I am guilty or not."

"And the truth is—your trial itself is an absurd joke."

"but me……"

Eve took a deep breath:

"I choose to accept this joke and continue my existence."

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole world stood still.

The figures of the three judges, like candles, slowly flowed into pools of colorful liquid.

The figures of those "spectators" also began to change.

They removed their blurry masks, revealing all sorts of faces—some laughing, some crying, some clapping…

Then, everything disappeared.

Eve found herself standing in the void.

Ron's voice came from all directions:

“Very good, Eve.”

"When a system tries to prove itself with itself, it falls into a dilemma of inconsistency."

All 'absolutes' are built on quicksand; this is absurdism.

"But the key point is..."

"Even knowing this, you still choose to continue to 'exist.' That is true courage."

"Then, continue your journey; absurdism is more than just this."

The void began to reorganize, and a new scene took shape in the light...

This time, Eve arrived at a library that seemed to stretch endlessly.

"This is the 'Hall of Answers'."

An elderly man with white hair, dressed in a librarian's robe, emerged from behind the bookshelves.

"What do you want to know, kid?"

"The meaning of life? The truth of the universe? The direction of destiny?"

He waved his hand, and countless books flew out of the bookshelves, hovering in mid-air.

"As long as you can find the corresponding book, you will get the answer."

Any answer.

Eve looked around and was drawn to the books.

She saw countless tempting book titles:
How to Become the Perfect Ruler

One Hundred Ways to Conquer the World

The Absolutely Correct Moral Code

A Guide to Never Failing in Life

The Ultimate Answer to Life

……

She hesitated for a moment, then reached out and picked up the last book, "The Ultimate Answer to Life".

The book is very thin, with only one page.

The page only displays one number: 576
"What does it mean?"

Eve asked, puzzled.

"This is the answer."

The old man smiled and said:
"The ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything is 576."

"But……"

Eve frowned:

"This makes absolutely no sense!"

"that is because……"

The old man said meaningfully:
"You don't know what the problem is."

Eve was stunned.

She suddenly realized that she had fallen into another trap.

This library is full of "answers" but not a single "question".

Or rather—all the answers are waiting to be activated by the “right question.”

But if she doesn't know what the problem is, then no amount of answers will be of any use.

"So……"

She took a deep breath:

How can I find out what the problem is?

"It's very simple."

The old man pointed deeper into the library:

"In the innermost reading room, there is a special book—'The Book of All Problems'."

"Once you find that book, you'll know the answers to all your questions."

Eve walked deeper into the building without hesitation.

She walked past row after row of bookshelves, through archway after archway, feeling as if she had been walking for a very, very long time…

Finally, she arrived at a huge door.

A line of words was engraved on the door:

"The truth is here."

Eve pushed open the door.

Inside was an empty room.

In the center of the room, there was a lectern.

On the podium, there was a thick book.

The book's cover gleamed gold, with the words:

The Book of All Problems

Eve excitedly ran over and opened the book.

The first page reads:

What is the meaning of life?

She eagerly turned to the second page, wanting to see the answer.

But on the second page, it says:
Why search for the meaning of life?

Page 3:
Who decides that life needs meaning?

Page 4:
Does the concept of 'meaning' itself have meaning?

Page 5:
If 'meaning' has no meaning, then does 'meaninglessness' have meaning?

……

Eve flipped through the pages faster and faster, becoming increasingly flustered.

The entire book, from beginning to end, is full of questions!

There is not a single answer!
Moreover, each of these questions is more absurd and more perplexing than the last!
"What...what is this?!"

She slammed the book shut in anger.
"You say this contains all the questions! But where are the answers?!"

"Answer?"

An old man appeared behind her at some unknown time, his smile mysterious.

“I said ‘the book of all questions,’ not ‘the book of all answers.’”

"you……"

Eve felt she had been tricked:

"Where is the answer?!"

"The answer lies in..."

The old man pointed outside the library:
"The answer is outside."

"In your own life."

"In every choice you make."

"In every action you take."

His voice became distant:

"This library has collected all the 'answers,' but not a single 'question.'"

"Because what really matters is never the answer, but the question itself."

"Who is asking, why are they asking, and—"

His eyes sharpened:

"Do you have the courage to accept the answer 'there is no answer'?"

Eve stood there, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her.

She suddenly didn't want to continue.

It took me a lot of effort to understand "absurdity".

Now, are we going to accept the so-called "no answer"?
"I'm tired……"

She felt utterly exhausted.
"I really... don't want to continue anymore..."

Just then, the library began to collapse.

The bookshelves collapsed, books turned into paper scraps and flew everywhere, and the entire space began to collapse inward...

"and many more!"

Eve exclaimed:

"How is this going?!"

"this is your choice."

The old man sighed:

"When you give up asking questions, the truth disappears."

"When you stop thinking, this library loses its purpose."

His figure began to fade:
Goodbye, child.

"Perhaps I will remain asleep until the next seeker of truth arrives..."

"No! Wait!"

Eve tried to grab him, but she only grasped at thin air.

The old man disappeared.

The library has disappeared.

All is gone.

She was left alone, standing in the endless void.

lonely.

silence.

dark.

"tutor……"

Her voice echoed in the void:

"I...I can't do it..."

"too difficult……"

"I really... can't do it..."

no respond.

It was as if even Ron, whom she trusted most, had abandoned her.

The girl crouched down, hugged her knees, and tears silently streamed down her face.

"I'm a loser..."

"I don't understand anything..."

"I……"

(End of this chapter)