Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Deep inside the laboratory, Ron sat alone at his desk.

A thick stack of documents lay spread out on the table—population statistics, resource lists, industry distribution, and clan relationship diagrams of Twilight City.
Every document was covered with his annotations.

But at this moment, he did not look at these documents.

Instead, he closed his eyes and let his consciousness sink into the depths of his memories.

Those are memories from Earth.

This is about a red giant that once created a miracle—transforming a backward agricultural country into an industrial power capable of rivaling the world's superpowers in just a few decades.

Its success is built on a simple yet powerful idea: concentrate resources to accomplish great things.

While other countries were still experiencing repeated economic crises, it had already completed the construction of its basic industrial system;
While other countries are still arguing over their own interests, it has already mobilized the entire nation to build one mega-project after another.

That efficiency, that mobilization capacity, that magic of "turning the impossible into the possible" once shocked the entire world.

Ron also remembered how this giant, one of the two poles, slowly and painfully suffocated to death in the shackles he had woven himself.

"Therefore, we cannot simply copy it."

He opened his eyes:

"The plan has its advantages, but it also has fatal flaws."

"Markets can stimulate activity, but they can also easily lead to chaos and injustice."

"What I need is a balance point."

He picked up a pen and wrote the first line on the blank sheet of paper:

The core principle of the "Twilight Mode" is to adopt different resource allocation methods in different areas.

Then, he began to analyze the problem in detail.

"First, let's analyze the unique characteristics of the chaotic blood world."

Ron drew a complex relationship diagram on the paper:
"This is not Earth as it was before. Here there are extraordinary powers, vampire bloodlines, and wizard civilizations."

"Different bases of productivity, different social structures, and different cultural traditions"

"If you mechanically apply your past experiences, you will inevitably fail to adapt."

He paused writing and thought for a moment.

"Secondly, we need to clarify the core contradictions currently facing Twilight City."

Ron continued writing:

"The vampires are facing the threat of madness; this is a matter of survival and has the highest priority."

"There is a deep-rooted conflict between humans and vampires. This is a stability issue that must be resolved."

"A weak industrial base and outdated technology are development problems that require long-term investment."

"Surrounded by external forces, including the hostility of conservatives and the wait-and-see attitude of reformers, this is a security issue that cannot be ignored."

He prioritized these issues: survival > stability > development > security
"Therefore, the first phase of the grand plan must revolve around 'survival' and 'stability'."

Ron drew a big circle on the paper:

"Project Daywalker - Solving the problem of vampires' berserk tendencies, which is the foundation of their survival."

"Social integration—breaking down clan barriers and establishing a unified identity—is a prerequisite for stability."

"Infrastructure—streetlights, roads, water supply, energy—is the starting point for development."

But how can we avoid repeating the same mistakes?
Ron fell into deep thought.

The lessons learned from our predecessors can be summarized in three points:

First, excessive concentration of power leads to a lack of mechanisms to correct decision-making errors;
Second, neglecting individual needs leads to a loss of enthusiasm among the people;
Third, excessive isolation leads to disconnection from the world.

"Therefore, the Dusk Mode must avoid these three pitfalls."

Another lesson from the Red Giants is that they relied too much on coercion and indoctrination in their later stages.

"Therefore, the twilight mode cannot just be a set of systems, but also a 'narrative'."

Ron thought of his breakthrough in potion science—narrative potion science.

The same logic can be applied to social governance.

"What people need is not just material improvement, but also a sense of meaning in their lives."

"They need to know that they are not cogs in a machine, not tools, and not appendages of the rulers."

"They need to know that they are participants in this great transformation, creators of a new era, and masters of the future."

Ron picked up a pen and wrote a line of large letters at the top of the paper:
[The core spirit of the Twilight Mode: To let everyone see and believe that their efforts can change the world.]

He stared at the words for a long time in silence.

Then, a smile appeared on his lips.

"That's why the first project had to be streetlights."

"Because it allows every ordinary person to see with their own eyes when night falls..."

Ron stood up and walked to the window:

"The darkness is being dispelled."

"And what dispels the darkness is not some high and mighty savior, nor some unquestionable dictator."

"It was them."

"It is every worker who participated in the construction, every guard who maintained order, every teacher who educated children, and every ordinary person who silently contributed to their post."

"They are the true lamplighters."

Outside the window, the city was still shrouded in eternal twilight.

But Ron knew that the twilight was about to be broken.

He turned around and sat back down at his desk.

I picked up the sheet of paper filled with deductions and began to organize, refine, and detail them.
Transform all your thoughts into a complete, actionable, and world-changing plan.

The pen tip scratched across the paper.

Like the first bird song at dawn, gentle yet full of hope.

Central Square of Twilight City.

This place, which was once only open to secret gatherings of vampire nobles, has now been redesigned as a "People's Assembly Square".

The stone pillars that were originally decorated with the emblems of various clans have been removed and replaced with rows of neat rune-lit streetlights.

The streetlights were not yet lit, but each lamp base was engraved with the same inscription: "Dawn will eventually come."

In the center of the square, on a makeshift stage, Ron was adjusting the parameters of the amplified text.

Below the stage, a massive crowd of over a thousand people had gathered.

There were vampires, humans, wizard apprentices, and even a few steam engineers from the Industrial Alliance.

Their expressions varied:
Some people are full of expectation, their eyes burning with a desire for the future;

Some people looked doubtful, wondering whether all of this was real or an illusion;
Others stood there expressionless, seemingly just fulfilling some kind of obligation.
"Are you ready?"

Silas asked in a low voice behind Ron.

There is never such a thing as being 'ready'.

Ron chuckled and straightened his collar:
"Either do it now, or you'll waste time forever in the 'preparation' phase."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the sea of ​​people below the stage, and strode to the very front of the podium.

The megaphone text automatically activated, clearly transmitting his voice to every corner of the square:
"Everyone."

The simple opening and calm tone gradually silenced all the noise.

Ron waited three seconds to make sure everyone's attention was on him before continuing:
“I know that many of you have questions about today’s gathering.”

"You're all probably wondering, what gives an outsider wizard the right to boss around Twilight City?"

Does this so-called "grand plan" truly mean providing opportunities, or forcibly depriving people of them?

"What if all of this is just another scam? Wouldn't all the time and effort I've invested have been for nothing?"

His voice was calm and unhurried, yet every word he spoke was like a scalpel, precisely cutting through the doubts in the hearts of those in the audience.

Some people started whispering among themselves, clearly Ron had hit the nail on the head.

"These questions are reasonable."

Ron nodded:
"In fact, it worries me that you don't have these questions, because it means you've become so numb that you've given up on even thinking."

"So I'm standing here today for only one purpose!"

He stretched out his right hand, palm up, as if supporting something invisible:

"I will answer your questions, present my plan, and let you decide for yourselves..."

"Are you willing to participate in this change?"

Ron turned around, and the huge projection screen behind him lit up.

That was a three-dimensional map of Twilight City, with every street and every building outlined in runes.

What was vampire society like in the past?

He pointed to the areas on the map marked with different colors:

“Each clan ruled its own territory and was wary of each other.”

“Each nobleman only cares about the profits of his own territory, and each clan only cares about its own interests.”

"Resources? Scattered across countless warehouses, they are mostly idle."

"Technology? It's hidden away in everyone's secret rooms, for fear that others will learn it."

"Talent? Limited by bloodline and background, no matter how strong the ability, they can only stay in a fixed class."

Ron's voice gradually rose:

"This model has a nice-sounding name—'free competition'."

"Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?"

"Everyone can earn a living through their own abilities, and every clan can develop freely."

"But."

He turned abruptly and stared at the audience:

"The price of freedom is the loss of efficiency! Competition often results in a quagmire of internal friction!"

"When everyone is fighting their own battles, who will build the infrastructure that requires a century of investment to see results?"

"When everyone is keeping their own ideas to themselves, who will push forward the technological bottlenecks that require collective wisdom to overcome?"

"When everyone is only focused on immediate gains, who will plan for strategic goals that require a long-term perspective?"

Every question he asked struck people's hearts like a heavy hammer.

These problems are the very knots that the chaotic world has been unable to untie for thousands of years.

The answer is—nobody.

Ron spread his hands:

"Therefore, the chaotic world has come to a standstill."

"The vampires clearly have the advantage of extremely long lifespans and should be the race most capable of long-term development, but instead they have wasted thousands of years in internal strife."

"Although the industrial alliance has developed rapidly, the lack of coordination among its members has led to a lot of duplication of construction and waste of resources."

"This is the inevitable fate of the 'decentralized model'..."

His voice deepened:

"Everyone is working hard, but the overall progress is stagnant."

pause.

The three seconds of silence allowed this conclusion to be deeply etched into everyone's consciousness.

Then, Ron's tone suddenly changed, from low to high:
"But Twilight City will take a completely different path!"

On the projected map, the colors of all areas began to merge, eventually turning into a uniform dark gold.

"We will adopt a model of 'concentrating resources to accomplish major tasks'!"

Ron's voice boomed like thunder:
"All resources should be planned holistically! All projects should have clear priorities! Every individual should find their place!"

"Some might ask, doesn't this mean depriving individuals of their freedom?"

He shook his head:
"On the contrary. True freedom is built on the diversity of choices."

"A blacksmith who can only work in his own workshop, and a blacksmith who can enter the central alchemy plant and access the most advanced equipment..."

Who is more free?

"A commoner who, due to his lineage, is destined to be a servant for life, and a commoner who can change his fate through education..."

Who is more free?

Ron's finger traced through the air, and a series of data appeared on the projection:

"Concentrating our efforts means we can build a city-wide rune energy network within a year, ensuring a stable supply of magic to every household."

"Concentrating our efforts means that we can establish a comprehensive education system within five years, giving every child the opportunity to learn literacy, arithmetic, and basic magic."

"Concentrating our efforts means we can complete the industrial transformation within ten years, allowing Twilight City's productivity to surpass that of any other vampire settlement!"

His voice grew louder and louder:

"Isn't this kind of freedom enough?"

"Isn't such a future worth pursuing?"

A commotion began to break out in the audience.

Some began to discuss it in hushed tones, some saw a glimmer of hope in their eyes, while others remained full of doubt.
Ron waited a moment to let these emotions fester.

Then he raised his hand, gesturing for quiet:

"Of course, I know that talking the talk is useless if you don't walk the walk."

"So, the first project of the first five years."

He pointed to the streetlights around the square that were not yet lit:

"The Rune Streetlight Network is complete."

"Tonight, for the first time, Twilight City will..."

Ron snapped his fingers.

Around the square, one rune-lit street lamp after another began to light up!
The warm yellow light spread like ripples from the square, extending to the surrounding streets and then to the more distant residential areas.
In just thirty seconds, the entire Twilight City was lit up!
Those streets that once seemed dark and oppressive under the eternal twilight now appear as if draped in a warm golden veil.

People looked up at the neatly arranged, gently glowing streetlights, and many had tears welling up in their eyes.

Because at that moment, they truly felt that dawn might really be coming.

Ron's voice rang out at this moment, like a final declaration:

"This is the power of 'concentrating resources'."

"This is the beginning of 'Twilight Mode'."

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to..."

"The New Era".

One week after the speech.

On the outskirts of Twilight City, a "Technical Exchange Center" that had been temporarily converted.

This place was originally a private estate of a small clan, but it has now been requisitioned as a place to receive visitors.

Inside the hall, Gaetano, whom Ron had "paid a fortune" to invite, stood on the podium, facing more than fifty representatives from various factions.

There are reformist vampire nobles, technical experts from the Industrial Alliance, and even a few observers who "remain neutral."
"You have all come from afar, and I'm sure you are all very curious about the 'twilight mode'."

The old dwarf got straight to the point:
"Then I'll be frank today—what is the Twilight Mode, how does it differ from the system you're familiar with, and why can it work miracles?"

He turned around, and a chart appeared on the projection screen behind him:
"First, let's clarify a core concept..."

"The twilight mode is neither a purely planned economy nor a completely laissez-faire market."

"It is a hybrid system of 'layered governance'."

Gaetano points to the first layer of the diagram:
"The core industries—energy, military, and transportation—adopted a planned economy approach, with the state coordinating all aspects."

"why?"

"Because these industries require huge investments, have long payback periods, and are of great strategic significance, private capital alone is neither capable of undertaking them nor reliable."

He gave an example:

"The construction of the Rune Energy Network requires an initial investment of at least several thousand magic stones, and the payback period is more than ten years."

"Which private business owner would be willing to invest this kind of money?"

"Even if he does, what will he do after he builds it? He'll monopolize pricing and rake in money like crazy!"

"When the time comes, the poor can't afford magic, while the rich squander it recklessly. Is that development? That's exacerbating the divide!"

Some people in the audience nodded, clearly agreeing with this logic.

Gaetano continues:

"The second layer is the people's livelihood industry, such as food, clothing, and daily necessities, which are regulated by the market and subject to free competition."

"why?"

"Because the demand for these things is diverse and changes rapidly, the planned economy cannot keep up."

"You can't expect the government to mandate that everyone wear the same clothes and eat the same food, can you?"

"Therefore, in this area, we should open up the market and let businesses compete, allowing the best to survive."

"The government is only responsible for regulation—no fraud, no monopolies, and no exploitation of workers."

"The rest? Play with them however you like."

He pointed to the third layer of the chart:
"The third layer is high-tech industries, such as alchemy, enchanting, and potion making, which all adopt the model of 'government guidance and private operation'."

"This is the most delicate balance."

"The government provides funding for basic research, builds public experimental platforms, and cultivates professional talents."

"Private companies are responsible for application development, marketing, and profit distribution."

"Technological achievements? The basic part is open and shared, while the application part is protected by patents."

"Military technology? Sorry, it's strictly confidential and a state monopoly."

Gaetano took a sip of water:

"There is only one core concept in this system."

"Let every resource flow to where it is most efficient."

"Every talented person can realize their greatest value."

"Every decision serves the overall interest."

He looked around the audience:
"Sounds idealistic, doesn't it?"

“Some people will surely say that this requires tremendous execution, an efficient bureaucracy, and a selfless leadership.”

"But I tell you..."

A glint of light flashed in the old dwarf's eyes:

"This must first be based on supporting institutional safeguards."

He pulled up another chart:
"Talent cultivation system – basic education is free and universal; "
Vocational education with partial subsidies, and targeted training;

Higher education admits students based on merit, regardless of their background.

What are the key principles?

"Ability determines status, and only ability defines value!"
Bloodline? In Twilight City, that stuff only proves who your father is, not how much you're worth!

A burst of laughter came from the audience, and the atmosphere eased a little.

Gaetano continued: "As for external relations—internally, eliminate clan divisions and establish a unified identity; externally, unite with the reformers and isolate the conservatives."

"Long-term goals?"

His voice suddenly turned serious:

"It's about outputting 'Twilight Mode' so that all vampires understand that berserk mode is no longer unsolvable, the hierarchy is no longer a given, and being backward and vulnerable to attack is no longer a given."

"By then"

Gaetano paused:
"Only then did the world truly have the possibility of change."

After his speech, the audience fell into a long silence.

Everyone was processing the information they had just heard and mentally assessing the feasibility of this system.
Finally, a vampire woman dressed in a dark blue uniform stood up.

“Your Excellency Gaetano, I am Claudia Melville, a reformist foreign affairs technician.”

Her voice trembled slightly:

"I originally thought that industrialization was just as simple as buying a few alchemy machines."

"But I only understood after arriving in Twilight City."

Claudia took a deep breath:

"Industrialization is a complete system, from energy supply to talent training, from technology research and development to industrial support, and every link is indispensable."

What shocked me the most was

She looked at Gaetano on the podium:
"Sir Ralph is actually willing to share these experiences free of charge."

"This is simply unimaginable in vampire society."

After Claudia sat down, several other people stood up and spoke.

The representative of the industrial alliance, a steam engineer wearing goggles:
"Our alliance's proud development speed is actually slower than that of Twilight City."

"Everyone is fighting their own battles, but Twilight City is able to concentrate its forces."

He shook his head:

"That's the gap."

However, there are also dissenting voices.

A vampire dressed in a simple black robe sat in the corner, his voice calm yet sharp:
"Dusk mode is indeed efficient, but it is also dangerous."

"It concentrated all power in the hands of Ron Ralph alone."

"If he becomes a dictator, the entire Twilight City will become his private property, and we must be wary of the spread of this model."

These words created a tense atmosphere in the hall, and everyone looked at the black-robed vampire.

Gaetano laughed:
"you're right."

"The concentration of power does indeed pose risks."

"But have you ever thought about..."

The old dwarf walked to the edge of the podium:
“If ‘democracy’ continues, the clans will fight each other forever and nothing will change.”

"Rather than slowly waiting to die under a 'perfect system'"

Gaetano spoke slowly and deliberately:
"Why not take a chance on a future under a risky system?"

"As for whether Ron will become a dictator?"

The old dwarf laughed heartily:
"If that kid really wanted to be a dictator, he would have done it long ago with his abilities. Why would he need to come up with any grand plans?"

"What he's after has always been different from what you think."

The seminar lasted until late at night.

The news of the twilight mode, like a stone thrown into a pond, stirred up ripples.

Soon, the entire chaotic world began to talk about this "suddenly rising" city.

As the discussion deepened, various voices began to emerge.

In particular, the opponents began to use their most proficient method—making up political jokes.

At a salon gathering of a conservative clan:
"Have you heard? The streetlights in Twilight City are on."

"Yes, that's amazing. After all, it took them a whole year to finally learn how to light a lamp."

"Haha! Lighting the lamps only once a year, that's really efficient!"

"I heard that Ron Ralph personally inspects every single street lamp every night."

"why?"

"Because he was worried that if the lights weren't on, people wouldn't be able to see his statue!"

"Hahahaha!"

Amid the laughter, a young vampire nobleman, holding a wine glass, added:
"I also heard that in Twilight City, you have to queue up and get a ticket even to buy things now."

"What ticket?"

"Ration coupons! Want to buy bread? Get a bread coupon first. Want to buy clothes? Get a fabric coupon first."

"My God, isn't this treating everyone as slaves?"

"That's right! I heard that a merchant went to Twilight City to do business, only to be told that 'private trade' was illegal."

"Illegal? On what grounds?"

"Because all goods are subject to 'nationally unified pricing,' raising prices privately is speculation and profiteering!"

"Hahaha! What's that? I've heard even more absurd things..."

Another nobleman leaned closer and lowered his voice:
"In Twilight City, there was a vampire who turned off the light in front of his door because he thought the streetlights were too bright and disturbed his sleep."

"and then?"

"Then he was arrested the next day!"

"What crime?"

"He was sentenced to three months of hard labor for 'damaging public property'!"

"My God! Is there any freedom left?"

The laughter in the salon grew even louder.

The break room at a large factory of an industrial consortium:

Do you know the difference between Twilight City and a prison?

"I don't know, what's the difference?"

"At least the prisoners in jail know they're locked up, but the people of Twilight City still think they're free!"

"Hahaha! Yes, yes, I heard that the humans and vampires there swear allegiance to Ron Ralph's portrait every morning."

"Swear an oath about what?"

"Thank you, great Sir Ralph, for giving us the right to work!"

"Hahaha! The 'right' to work? Doesn't that just mean 'must work'?"

"That's right! And I heard that their salaries are all paid in a uniform way, no matter how much they work!"

"Then who would be willing to work hard?"

"So, the Twilight Mode was destined to fail!"

An old worker with a gray beard sneered in the corner:
Do you know what the most ridiculous thing about Twilight City is?

"where?"

"They built so many streetlights, only to find that many places didn't need them at all!"

"How to say?"

"Because the vampires of Twilight City are born with the ability to see in the dark! Streetlights are just decorations for them!"

"Hahaha! Isn't this a waste of resources?"

"Absolutely! I reckon it won't be long before Ron Ralph discovers that his so-called 'grand plan' is nothing but a farce!"

At a tea party of a neutral clan:

"Have you all heard? Twilight City is now implementing a rationing system."

"Rationing? What does that mean?"

"It means that the government distributes the supplies uniformly, and each person can only receive a fixed amount of food and daily necessities each month."

"Oh my god! Does that mean we won't even have the freedom to buy things anymore?"

"That's right! And I've also heard that their 'education' is standardized."

A well-dressed vampire lady set down her teacup:
“All children should learn the same curriculum, read the same books, and receive the same indoctrination.”

"This isn't education; it's brainwashing!"

"That's right! I bet that in ten years, all the children who leave Twilight City will become puppets without the ability to think independently!"

These jokes and rumors spread throughout the chaotic world at an astonishing speed.

Even some forces that were originally relatively friendly to Twilight City have begun to waver.

"Perhaps we had too high expectations for Twilight City."

"It sounds like life there is much worse than we imagined."

"Perhaps free competition is slower, but at least we still have the right to choose."

However, just as these jokes and rumors reached their peak...

Ron's reaction once again surprised everyone.

He neither suppressed the jokes nor sent anyone to refute them.

Instead, they took the initiative to hold a grand "joke contest" within Twilight City.

When the news broke, everyone who followed Twilight City was shocked.

"Is he crazy?"

"Would you voluntarily share those jokes that make you laugh?"

"Isn't this self-humiliating?"

But they soon realized Ron's true intentions.

More people gathered in the central square than during the last speech.

Not only residents of Twilight City, but also a large number of outsiders who came specifically to "watch the excitement".

They wanted to see how this young wizard would handle things.

Ron himself presided over the event, standing calmly on the podium:
"Gentlemen, I know that many people outside are making jokes about us."

"Some people say we are inefficient, only lighting up streetlights once a year."

"Some people say we are like a prison, depriving people of their freedom."

"Some people say we are brainwashing people and cultivating mindless puppets."

He surveyed the entire room:
"So today, let's take a look at these jokes and see what's so funny about them."

The first joke appeared on the projector:
[It took Twilight City a year to finally learn how to light lamps.]

Ron laughed:

"The author of this joke obviously doesn't know what 'infrastructure' means."

"Lighting a lamp is easy; even an apprentice can do it."

“But to build a city-wide, stable, and sustainable street light network, a complete energy system is needed.”

He pulled up a set of data:
"This year, we built twelve rune energy stations, laid hundreds of kilometers of magic transmission lines, and trained three hundred professional maintenance personnel."

"This system can supply 30,000 streetlights at the same time, with a failure rate of less than 0.1%, and the average operating cost per light per night is only 3 copper coins."

"Excuse me, is this called 'learning to turn on a lamp'?"

Laughter and applause erupted from the audience.

Ron continued:

"As for the issue of 'efficiency,' I'd like to ask..."

"Those clans that mock us, do you have streetlights?"

"Would you dare go out at night in your neighborhood?"

"Do your civilians have access to stable lighting?"

He spread his hands:

"If you don't, then what right do you have to laugh at us?"

"If so, you are welcome to visit Twilight City for comparison and see whose system is more advanced, more stable, and more beneficial to the people."

A second joke appeared on the projector:

The difference between Twilight City and the prison is that the prisoners in the prison know they are locked up.

Ron's expression turned serious:
"This joke exposes how superficial the creator's understanding of 'freedom' is."

"They think that freedom means 'doing whatever you want'."

"But I want to ask..."

"Who is freer, an illiterate person or an educated intellectual?"

"Who is freer: a blood slave who can only rely on his bloodline for a fixed profession, or a commoner who can change his fate through hard work?"

"Who is freer: someone living in a dark, chaotic, and violent neighborhood, or someone living in a bright, orderly, and safe community?"

His voice rose:

"The person who made up this joke is clearly used to the reality that 'choice is a privilege of the few'."

"So when they saw that Twilight City gave ordinary people the ability to make choices, they panicked."

"Because it disrupted the hierarchical order upon which they depend for survival!"

The applause was thunderous.

After the applause from Ron and the others subsided, he continued:
"Furthermore, I want to correct a fact..."

"Twilight City did not implement any 'rationing system'."

“We have a completely open market where anyone can freely buy and sell goods.”

"As for 'uniform pricing,' it only exists in the two public service sectors of energy and transportation, and its purpose is to prevent monopolies and price gouging."

"The prices of all other goods are determined entirely by the market."

He pulled up another set of data:
“Over the past three years, the inflation rate in Twilight City has been only 2%, while the average increase in other surrounding cities has been 15%.”

"The income inequality index (Gini coefficient) in Twilight City dropped from 0.65 to 0.42, while the average for surrounding cities was 0.81."

"Who exactly is restricting freedom?"

A third joke appeared on the projector:

The education system in Twilight City is brainwashing, producing puppets incapable of independent thought.

Ron laughed: "That's the funniest joke."

"Because the fabricators obviously don't know what 'real brainwashing' is."

"Let me tell you."

“When a society tells you that ‘bloodline determines everything,’ that’s brainwashing.”

“When a society tells you, ‘Commoners should obey nobles,’ that’s brainwashing.”

"When a society tells you, 'The status quo cannot be changed,' that's brainwashing!"

He pointed to the audience:
"What does education in Twilight City teach?"

"Teaching literacy enables you to read and acquire knowledge."

"Teach arithmetic so that you can calculate and avoid being cheated."

"Teach you basic spells so that you can protect yourself and master the tools to change your destiny."

"Teaching history lets you know what happened in the world and helps you avoid repeating the same mistakes."

"Teaching logic enables you to think independently and distinguish between truth and falsehood."

Ron's voice was full of sarcasm:
"Excuse me, is this what you call brainwashing?"

"Or are those systems that maintain policies of keeping the people ignorant, monopolize knowledge, and pass on privileges to their descendants the true 'freedom'?"

The audience erupted in even more enthusiastic applause.

[Twilight City built so many streetlights, only to find that the vampires didn't need them at all; it was a complete waste of resources.]

Ron shook his head:
"The author of this joke doesn't even have basic sociological knowledge."

Who are the streetlights for?

"It's not just for vampires, it's for humans too!"

"The city of Twilight, including its surrounding area, has a total of 300,000 residents, of whom 80% are humans and only 20% are vampires."

"Don't those 240,000 humans need lighting?"

"Moreover, the function of streetlights is not just 'illumination'."

He pointed to the brightly lit streets outside the window:

"It represents order, security, and the presence and commitment of the government."

"When a vampire sees a streetlamp, he will think: This city takes care of everyone, including those humans who are weaker than him."

"When a human sees a street lamp, he will think: This city protects me, and I no longer need to live in fear."

"Isn't this psychological effect a 'resource'?"

The audience fell silent.

Many vampires lowered their heads, because they had never thought about the problem from this perspective before.

"Of course, the creators of these jokes may not actually be stupid."

"They're just scared."

"They fear that the success of the twilight mode will cause the collapse of the old order on which they depend for survival."

“Once the people awaken, they will question the legitimacy of their rule.”

"The wheels of time keep rolling forward, and they can only be crushed in the dust of history."

He surveyed the entire room:
"So let them keep making up jokes."

"We just need to do our own thing."

"Five years from now, Twilight City's productivity will leap forward, people's living standards will improve, and the education coverage rate will reach 80%."

"By then, these jokes will automatically become..."

Ron flashed a bright smile:
"Their own self-mockery."

The applause was thunderous and lasting.

The content of this "joke contest" quickly spread through various channels.

Surprisingly, the results were excellent.

Many neutral parties who had initially adopted a wait-and-see attitude began to lean towards supporting Twilight City.

Because they discovered that Ron did not avoid the issues, but instead took the initiative to lay them out for discussion.

This confidence itself is the best form of advertising.

Meanwhile, the conservatives who made up the jokes found themselves in an awkward position:
Keep making things up? They don't care at all; instead, they'll use your jokes as anti-propaganda material.

Stop making things up? Doesn't that mean admitting that the "twilight mode" is indeed effective and that you have nothing more to say?
Thus, a subtle "propaganda war" unfolded among the various forces in the chaotic world.
Throughout this propaganda war, Twilight City maintained the upper hand.

Time marched forward amidst these minor skirmishes, but in a relatively stable situation. (End of Chapter)