Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 584 Expert Characteristics

On the sixth floor of the observatory, in Ron's private laboratory.

The aftershocks of his record-breaking performance hadn't completely subsided, but he had already focused all his attention on something more important at hand.

On the lab table are all the materials that were taken out of the storage bag.

On the left is the ancient recipe for "Dew of the Soul," a gift from Mrs. Allen.
The yellowed parchment was densely covered with notes detailing the proportions and refining steps of various rare materials.

On the right are the various substitutes he has collected during this period:

Some were redeemed from the observation station's resource vault;
Some of them are exotic items obtained from the Nari Palace.

In a corner not far away, Selna's ethereal remains floated silently.

The crimson crystal emitted a faint light, and the starry sky pattern inside slowly rotated.

Ron began to understand; no wonder so many people were so eager to possess the legacy of the great wizard.

Simply leaving it alone allows the flow of magic throughout the laboratory to become more stable and orderly.

"let's start."

Once ready, he placed his hands on the edge of the lab bench and closed his eyes.

Consciousness sank into the "sand table" bestowed upon it by Saint Hephaestus.

The world changed at that moment.

Those things that were originally just "materials" now seem to have come alive.

Ron can "see" that each material tells its own story:
The Void Flower Stamen—it comes from the edge of a rift in the fifth layer of the abyss, and has struggled to survive for a thousand years at the boundary between nothingness and reality.

It yearns to be filled, to gain a sense of "reality," yet instinctively rejects any force that attempts to give it form.

This is a paradox: wanting to be defined, yet fearing the loss of fluidity.

The Order Crystal—it was born from the ruins of a collapsed civilization, where a perfect system of rules once existed.

It records that "absolutely correct" memory, and is therefore hostile to anything that does not conform to its standards.

It believes itself to be the only truth, and anything that conflicts with it should be corrected or expelled.

When the two materials came close together, Ron could clearly feel the jarring disharmony.

"It's like... two completely opposite worldviews colliding."

He made a mental summary.

Traditional potion-making methods involve using more powerful third-party energy.

For example, rare stabilizers like "Sands of Time" can forcefully suppress this conflict.

By using absolute force, both sides were silenced and forced to merge together.

This method is effective, but it is crude.

Not only is it costly, but it can also damage the original properties of the materials to some extent.

It's like forcibly gluing two completely different puzzle pieces together.

On the surface they appear to be joined together, but the internal texture is broken and distorted.

"But what if we look at it another way..."

In Ron's mind, the scene that Saint Hephaestus had once shown him resurfaced:
The secret of alchemy lies in the art of understanding the "story" of things.

Every material has its own "narrative".

About where it came from, what it has been through, and what it aspires to become.

The essence of potion making is to use the "stories" of these materials to weave a new "narrative".

"The Void Flower yearns to be filled, and the Order Crystal firmly believes in its own truth..."

His mind was racing:
"Their conflict stems from their differing 'narrative goals'."

"One wants fluidity, the other wants solidification."

"One seeks possibility, the other seeks certainty."

"It's like a 'dissonant interval' in a piece of music—each note sounds beautiful on its own, but when put together, it sounds jarring."

He recalled the concert that the "concept mentor" from "The Extraordinary Ones" demonstrated.

When a major second and an augmented fourth occur simultaneously, the sharp conflict makes everyone instinctively want to escape.

But the little white sheep did not resolve this conflict.

It merely introduced a "transitional note"—giving the conflict a "direction for resolution."

"Therefore, what I need is not 'suppression,' but 'guidance.'"

Ron opened his eyes, his gaze refocusing on the materials:
“I need to find a ‘bridging narrative’ that makes the Voidflower and the Crystal of Order realize that they can have a common goal.”

"A standard goal that can both satisfy the desire to be 'filled' and conform to the 'order'."

His fingers lightly traced the list of materials.

Stargrass—one of the most common potion ingredients, is cultivated in large quantities in the plantations of various major schools.

Its nature is gentle, neither forceful nor weak, like a mediator who listens attentively.

The "resonance fluid" extracted from Star Grass can synchronize the magical frequencies of different materials to a certain extent.

Although its effects are far less than those of expensive stabilizers, it is cheap, readily available, and has very few side effects.

"perhaps……"

“I can make the ‘resonance fluid’ become that ‘transition note’.”

He took out "The Complete Guide to Extraordinary Things" and gently stroked the cover.

The book warmed slightly, as if sensing its owner's call.

“I need the assistance of a ‘mentor’.”

Ron conveyed the request in his mind:

"Help me build a mental stage to make the conflicts between materials visible."

The pages turned automatically, and golden text appeared like flowing water:
"Oh? The little guy finally remembered me?"

"Last time you forcibly 'called' my great master, you even attracted that annoying King of Records. Now you're scared?"

The tone of "The Complete Guide to Extraordinary Things" is clearly sarcastic:
"However, since you're genuinely working hard to build your own 'narrative potion science,' I'll give you a hand this time."

"Remember, you're being 'watched' right now."

"Therefore, what I show you is the knowledge you 'deserve' to, the knowledge you have come to understand through your own efforts."

"Absolutely, absolutely not, I'm not 'instilling' any forbidden secrets in you."

"Understand?"

Ron nodded knowingly.

The gaze of the King of Records certainly makes many things more nuanced.

Any knowledge imparted without effort may be seen as "altering the normal growth trajectory".

But if it's just to "aid understanding," allowing him to grasp things that are already in the direction of exploration more quickly...

That is a reasonable "teaching aid" that conforms to the proper process of knowledge transmission.

The pages of the book emitted a soft glow.

The little white sheep leaped off the paper and landed on the lab table in front of Ron.

It shook its fur, patted its chest with its little hooves, and let out a confident "baa!"
Then, the entire space of the laboratory began to change.

The walls became transparent, revealing an exquisite concert hall.

The floor transformed into a smooth stage, the ceiling vanished, and in its place lay an endless void studded with stars.

Selna's ethereal remains seemed to sense this peculiar fluctuation as well.

The starry sky pattern inside spun faster, as if curiously "observing" the performance that was about to unfold.

The little white sheep hopped to the center of the stage and pulled a baton from its tiny scholar's cap.

It turned around to face the "audience".

There sat countless abstract conceptual entities, including "harmony," "conflict," "resolution," and "tension"...

"What-!"

The little white sheep waved its baton, signaling the start of the performance.

The Void Flower Stamen and the Order Crystal transformed into two "musical instruments" on this spiritual stage.

The ethereal flower stamen transformed into a harp whose shape constantly changed.

The strings were sometimes taut and sometimes slack, producing notes that rose and fell, full of uncertainty.

That was the sound of "wanting to be filled"—empty, echoing, with a kind of sorrowful beauty.

The Crystal of Order transformed into an intricate pipe organ.

Each pipe is arranged strictly according to mathematical proportions, ensuring that the notes produced are absolutely accurate, without the slightest deviation.

That was the voice of "upholding the truth"—grand, solemn, and beyond question.

When two sounds occur simultaneously...

Harsh!
sharp!

Like fingernails scratching a blackboard, like metal rubbing together, like countless discordant frequencies colliding wildly in the air!

Ron could clearly "see" the sound waves forming distorted patterns in the air.

The patterns tore at each other, canceled each other out, and in the end, only a chaotic noise remained.

This is the true conflict between the Void Flower and the Order Crystal.

Their "story frequencies" are completely different.

The little white sheep exaggeratedly covered its ears, making a painful expression.

Then, it pointed to the side of the stage with its little hooves.

There, a third "musical instrument" appeared, a "tuning fork" formed from the resonating liquid extracted from star grass.

The little white sheep hopped over to the tuning fork and gently tapped it with its baton.

"Om..."

A pure, gentle note echoed across the stage.

This note is special.

It lacks the emptiness of the Void Flower Stamen and the absoluteness of the Order Crystal.

It was simply... listening.

Like an understanding mediator, its frequency swings back and forth between two extremes.

Sometimes the hollow notes, close to the ethereal flower stamen, offer resonance and understanding;

At times, the grand voice, close to the Crystal of Order, expresses recognition and respect.

The little white sheep waved its baton again.

This time, it did not have all three instruments played simultaneously.

Instead, it was a carefully crafted "gradual harmony":
First, the tuning fork emits a basic note, establishing a "common frequency reference".

Then, the harp of the Void Flower Stamen slowly joined in.

Its notes are no longer random variations, but rather an "exploration" around the frequency of the tuning fork.

Like a lost child who has finally found a lighthouse to rely on.

Then, the organ of the Order Crystal began to play.

Its notes remain precise, but they are no longer isolated and grand; instead, they form a "counterpoint" with the tuning fork.

Like a stern elder, willing to temporarily set aside his status and sing with young people.

The most amazing thing happened.

When the three sounds blend together in a specific rhythm and order, as directed by the little white sheep...

Disharmony has been transformed into harmony!

The emptiness of the hollow flower stamen, guided by the tuning fork, found the direction of being "filled";

That is, combining it with the "certainty" of the Order Crystal.

The absoluteness of the Order Crystal, harmonized by the tuning fork, reveals the value of "fluidity";
That is the "possibility" brought about by the illusory flower stamen.

They transformed from opposing poles into two complementary voices in a symphony.

Emptiness and certainty, fluidity and solidification, possibility and truth...

Guided by the "resonance fluid" as a "bridging narrative," a common goal was found: to stabilize the spirit.

The empty flower stamen provides "inclusivity," allowing the spirit enough space to accommodate pollution;

The Order Crystal provides "purifying power," giving the spirit enough strength to expel pollution;
The resonance fluid, on the other hand, prevents these two forces from canceling each other out, instead creating a stable cycle.

The little white sheep nodded in satisfaction.

It put down its baton and bowed deeply to Ron.

It's as if it's saying, "See, it's that simple!"

The stage of the spirit slowly faded away.

The laboratory was restored to its original state.

In Ron's mind, the complete picture of "material harmony" was already as clear as a brand.

He opened his eyes, which burned with fire.

"I understand."

His voice trembled with excitement and anticipation:

"Traditional potion-making treats materials as inanimate objects and categorizes them simply by energy level and attribute counteraction."

"But materials are never static!"

"They have their own 'stories,' their own 'desires,' and their own 'fears'!"

"The process of concocting potions is essentially about weaving a new 'narrative'."

"These materials need to 'believe' that they can set aside their individual obsessions and merge for a common goal!"

"This is the true essence of Potions!"

He stood up and began the actual refining process. This time, there was no hesitation, no trial and error.

Because he has already "rehearsed" it countless times on the stage of the spirit.

Ron took out the special crucible issued to him by the observatory.

It was made from stable rock from the third layer of the abyss and can withstand extreme temperature changes and magical impacts.

He first added the resonance fluid.

Let it establish a basic frequency field in the crucible.

Then, the ethereal flower stamen.

Ron did not throw it in roughly; he used his mental power to "listen" to its rhythm.

When you sense its "hollow notes" and it begins to resonate faintly with the resonating fluid...

He gently placed it into the crucible.

Enveloped in the resonance liquid, the Void Flower Stamen did not exhibit the violent repulsion reaction it usually did.

Its energy began to be released in an orderly manner according to the frequency of the resonant fluid.

Next up is the Order Crystal.

The same approach—listen first, then guide.

Ron only added the "Absolute Note" of the Order Crystal when it was willing to "talk" to the Resonance Fluid.

Inside the crucible, the three energies began to intertwine.

Ron could clearly feel that the "harmony" was forming.

He controlled the temperature and adjusted the stirring rhythm...

Every movement was like conducting a symphony.

Under the guidance of the resonance fluid, let the "desire" of the Void Flower Stamen and the "truth" of the Order Crystal gradually find a balance.

ten minutes.

thirty minutes.

One hour……

At the 90th minute.

The liquid in the crucible began to emit a pale golden light.

The light was like the dawn, gentle yet resolute.

Inside, ripples, like sound waves, echoed continuously—proof of the perfect fusion of the three energies.

Ron carefully poured the medicine into the crystal bottle.

The liquid flowed slowly in the bottle, each flow creating subtle ripples, as if telling a story that had just come to an end.

【Echoing Dew】.

A brand new magic potion has been created.

It retains the core effect of [Dew of the Soul]—resisting mental pollution.

However, the cost is only one-tenth of the original formula.

Ron recorded the entire refining process in its entirety.

He did not use any "secret techniques" or rely on any "genius intuition".

Every step can be standardized, taught, and replicated.

He constructed a completely new framework – “Materials and Acoustic Spectrum Analysis Framework”.

Within this framework:

Each common potion ingredient is labeled with its "story frequency".

For each common type of material conflict, a corresponding "bridging narrative" solution is provided.

Furthermore, detailed standard operating procedures are provided for different levels of refiners.

This means that even an apprentice with average talent can significantly increase the success rate of concocting complex potions by following this framework.

"This is the true value of the 'Potion Professor'."

Ron gazed at the bottle of [Echoing Dew] in his hand, a deep sense of accomplishment welling up within him:

"Make knowledge easier to spread."

"Make the threshold no longer insurmountable."

"To enable more people to embark on this path."

He took out the communication crystal and began contacting the Potions Review Committee of the School Alliance.

As a candidate preparing for promotion to "Potion Professor", he needs to formally submit his original recipe and related theoretical framework.

Crystal connection established.

The person who appeared opposite was an elderly woman with gray hair and kind eyes.

She wore the potion master's signature green robes, with a gold badge pinned to her chest.

"Instructor Ralph?"

The old woman raised an eyebrow slightly, her tone tinged with surprise:

"It's unusual to contact the review committee at this time. Have you encountered any difficult problems?"

"Good evening, Master Merlin."

Ron bowed respectfully:
"I would like to submit an original potion recipe, along with a related theoretical framework, for the evaluation of potion professors."

Master Merlin paused for a moment in mid-air with the teacup he was holding.

"Unique formula?"

She put down her teacup, her expression turning serious:

"Young man, are you planning to become the Potions Professor? Let me see how old you are again?"

“Twenty-nine years old,” Ron replied calmly.

"Twenty-nine"

Master Merlin shook his head, but a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes:
"Compared to my generation, today's young people are truly more capable than the last. Back then, it took me seventy or eighty years to even qualify for the review."

Her tone became serious:
"However, Professor Ralph, the evaluation of the Potions Professor is not just a formality."

You should know that an original formula must possess three core elements: 'practical value,' 'theoretical innovation,' and 'transferability.'

“I understand,” Ron nodded. “That’s why I prepared extra carefully.”

"very good."

Master Merlin nodded in satisfaction:

"Then send over the materials."

I will conduct a preliminary review first, and if it meets the basic standards, I will then convene a full review panel for a formal evaluation.

This process may take one to two weeks; be prepared.

"clear."

Ron meticulously recorded the recipe and crafting process for the [Echoing Dew].

The "Materials and Acoustic Spectrum Analysis Framework" and all others were transmitted via an encrypted channel.

Across from the crystal, Master Merlin began to browse the materials.

Her expression gradually changed from calm to focused, her brows sometimes furrowing and sometimes relaxing.

A moment later, she looked up, a questioning look in her eyes:

"Ralph, is this concept of 'materials and acoustics' your original idea?"

"The core concept comes from my comprehensive research across multiple disciplines."

Ron answered truthfully:

"Alchemy, astrology, history, and even music theory are all connected in some underlying logic."

I was simply trying to piece together these connections and apply them to potions.

Master Merlin paused for a few seconds, then slowly said:
“Interesting. Very interesting. This kind of interdisciplinary thinking is not common among the younger generation.”

She picked up the teacup again and took a small sip:
"However, no matter how ingenious the theory is, it still needs to withstand the test of practice."

I need some time to study your framework carefully, and I might try to refine [Echoing Dew] a few times myself, following your method.

“That’s only right,” Ron said, expressing his understanding.

"so be it."

Master Merlin stood up:
"If the initial review is successful, I will get back to you within three to five days. At that time, you will need to come to the review committee for an on-site presentation and Q&A session."

"Okay, I'm ready to go anytime."

Communication is interrupted.

Ron put away the crystal and let out a long breath.

Submitting is just the first step; the real test is yet to come.

However, he is confident.

at this time.

A warm energy suddenly surged from the void!
That was a response from the collective subconscious of the wizarding civilization—"blessing"!
When a wizard makes a significant contribution to the progress of civilization, the "will" of the entire civilization will reward him.

This reward is the purest and most essential enhancement of power.

Ron could feel his spiritual power becoming more solid and profound under the baptism of this blessing.

Those once vague pieces of knowledge have now become clear.

Those bottlenecks that once plagued us have now become clear.

The most important thing is...

A new notification appeared on the job panel:

[Skill fusion opportunity detected: The establishment of the "Narrative Potions" concept]

[Advanced Potions (Mastery MAX) and Extraordinary Identification (Mastery MAX) skills are being fused...]

The light from the two skills intertwined, collided, and merged on the screen...

【Fusion is successful! 】

[New skill acquired: Narrative Potions (Expert 1/500)]

[Gained Expert-Level Trait: "Understanding All Things"]

Ron was startled.

Expert-level features!
This means that he has already touched upon the rudiments of the "Tao" in a certain discipline!

[Interpreting All Things (Expert Trait)]

[Feature Description: The world is woven from countless stories.]

Once you master the skills of identification and the methods of reconstruction, everything will open its heart to you, telling you its experiences and desires.

Core Competencies:
1. Deep Listening: When you encounter any material, you no longer just see its objective attributes, but can directly perceive its "subjective experience"—what it has experienced, what it desires, and what it fears.

2. Concept Substitution: Based on a deep understanding of "story frequency", you can substitute materials in the recipe.

As long as you can find a combination of materials with similar "story frequency," even if the attributes are slightly different, you can achieve a similar effect.

3. Conflict rehearsal: Before the formal refining, the "story conflict" between materials can be simulated on a mental level.

Finding the optimal fusion path greatly reduces failures and resource waste in experiments.

Ron carefully experienced the changes brought about by this new expert trait.

The difference between proficient and expert levels becomes crystal clear at this moment:

Mastery level represents the pinnacle of skill.

It allows you to do your best within established rules, pursuing increased efficiency and optimized success rate.

Like a skilled craftsman, able to polish every movement to perfection.

However, the expert level is already the prototype of "Tao".

It changes the very way you interact with the world.

The shift is from "operator" to "communicator," from "conquering" to "understanding."

The expert level teaches you "how to do it".

Expert-level instruction helps you understand "why do it this way" and "how else can it be done"

This is a paradigm shift, a fundamental change in perspective.

Ron stood up and walked to the window of the laboratory.

Through the glass made of special crystal, he could see the abyss outside the observatory.

Those things that he once saw as merely "dangerous," "chaotic," and "indescribable"...

At this moment, under the influence of [Interpreter of All Things], they begin to tell their own stories:
The distant, drifting, chaotic clouds whisper of longing for "freedom";

The eerie moss growing on the rocks in the abyss seems to be telling a story of searching for "belonging".

Even the free-floating energy particles in the air are singing about the meaning of "existence"...

In the corner, the illusory remains of Selna also "tell a story".

It is a story about protection, about inheritance, and about the expectations of a great scholar before his death.

It is waiting, waiting for a suitable successor to complete its unfinished mission.

"I see."

Ron muttered to himself:

"This world has never been silent."

"But we've lost the ability to listen."

"And now..."

He clenched his fist:
"I've learned it all over again."

　My keyboard broke from typing too much, it's a bit malfunctioning... Replacing it took some time. I've also been experiencing writer's block lately; building the expert traits and figuring out the various bonuses after the Potions Professor's advancement is proving quite difficult. Please bear with this chapter for now; tomorrow's chapter should be around 10,000 words.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)