Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 651 Oh, you still know Zhang Lai?

Dusk City, Dawn Tower top-floor office.

Ron glanced at the pocket watch on the table; it was 8:15 a.m.

"Should be arriving soon."

He turned and walked to his desk, took out a blank sheet of paper from the drawer, and began to write and draw on it.

Three minutes later, a series of seemingly unrelated items appeared on the paper:
“Yesterday afternoon, the blood energy lamp at the entrance of the parliament hall was triggered twice—not during the maintenance staff’s working hours.”

“At 3 a.m. this morning, the rune lock in the underground intelligence room was activated once—Miller’s personal access.”

"At seven o'clock in the morning, the cafeteria ordered an extra 'standard meal' - black coffee with meat sauce bread, Miller's standard meal."

“At eight o’clock, the Dawn Tower’s protective array records showed that someone used the ‘emergency passage’ to enter—only three people have this privilege, two of whom are in other locations.”

Ron put down his pen and looked at the paper with satisfaction.

Just then, there was a knock on the office door.

"Dong dong dong."

Three beats, with a steady rhythm.

"Please come in."

The door opened, and Miller pushed it open and entered.

The veteran didn't look well today; he had dark circles under his eyes and his hair was messy, clearly having come straight here after working through the night.

“Ralph, I need to talk to you about the reformists…”

He suddenly stopped talking.

Because Ron was holding up the paper with a smile, and the contents on it were clearly visible.

Miller paused for a second, then couldn't help but burst out laughing:

"You little brat, you're trying to outsmart me using my own methods?"

"It's not called scheming, it's called 'paying tribute'."

Ron handed over the paper:
"Miller, you always say that 'the essence of intelligence work is interpreting information,' isn't this me putting my knowledge to practical use?"

The veteran took the paper, read it carefully, and raised an eyebrow:
"The trigger records of the magic lamp, the access permissions for the intelligence room, the cafeteria orders, and the protection array logs."

"It's quite comprehensive."

He looked up, winked, and said:

"However, you missed one point."

"Oh?"

"My boots."

Miller lifted his right foot:

"The soles of my shoes are covered in volcanic ash unique to Grey Tower Town. The geological formations there give the ash a distinctive sulfur smell."

“Last night I went to Grey Tower Town to see Wizard Gaetano and confirm some information before rushing back overnight.”

"If you look closely enough, you should be able to deduce this from the footprints I left when I came in."

Ron glanced at the faint gray mark on the floor and nodded seriously:
"I've learned my lesson; I'll pay attention next time."

"what!"

Miller burst out laughing, plopped down on the sofa, and completely relaxed.
"Finally, I can see that even you have your imperfections."

"You've had such a smooth five years, so smooth that I almost forgot you're only in your early fifties, several cycles younger than me."

He took the coffee Ron offered and took a big gulp:

"But to be honest, it's already quite good that we were able to deduce my arrival using this method."

"After all, this is an 'intelligence interpretation method' that I figured out after decades of on-site exploration experience in the abyss."

Ron sat down opposite him and smiled:

"Actually, it's not that difficult. You've taught many people that 'a single piece of intelligence is noise, but multiple pieces of intelligence are a signal.'"

"When I connect those seemingly unrelated little things, the answer comes to mind on its own."

Miller put down his cup, his expression turning serious:
"So you know, I didn't come here today just to chat?"

"know."

Ron's smile vanished: "Something's happened with the reformists?"

"It's not that something went wrong, it's that the divisions have intensified."

Miller pulled a document from his pocket:
“The radicals on Allen’s side have begun to openly advocate for ‘fully learning the Twilight Mode’.”

“Elijah’s conservatives are stirring up the ‘twilight threat’ theory.”

"The most troublesome are the centrists—that independent scholar named Flock, who proposed the so-called 'hybrid model' and gained the support of the majority."

“Saville has decided to vote in three months.”

Ron took the document and quickly scanned it:
"A hybrid model. Utilizing the technology of Twilight City while retaining the political structure of the Reformists?"

"almost."

Miller nodded:

“Floch is a smart man. He knows that if he sides with us completely, it will cause an internal backlash, and if he completely rejects us, he will lose development opportunities.”

"So he proposed a 'compromise'—to learn from our strengths while maintaining our independence."

"It sounds ideal, but in reality..."

The veteran's tone became playful:
"This idea of 'profiting from both sides' often ends up pleasing neither side."

Ron pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked:

"Miller, which side do you think I should support?"

"You should ask yourself that question."

The veteran leaned back on the sofa:
"However, if you ask my personal opinion..."

"I don't think we should support any of them."

"Oh?"

"Let them keep fighting."

A glint of light flashed in Miller's eyes:
"The radicals are too impatient, the conservatives are too rigid, and the centrists seem rational, but are actually hesitant."

"Instead of betting on one faction, it's better to let them maintain the status quo."

“The more intense the debate, the more they need a ‘reference point’.”

"And that reference point"

He looked out the window at the city at dusk: "That's us."

Ron shook his head and chuckled:

"Miller, you should really become a diplomat."

"No, I don't want to deal with those guys who only know how to talk."

The veteran waved his hand:
"I'm only good at intelligence work and dirty work."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

The atmosphere became more relaxed at that moment.

This is how they get along—serious and dedicated at work, but in private, they're more like old comrades-in-arms who have fought side by side for years.

"correct."

Miller suddenly remembered something: "Are you really going back?"

“Yes.” Ron nodded.
"Twilight City is on track, there's no point in me staying here any longer."

"and"

His expression softened:

"Some people in the main world have been waiting for far too long."

Miller was silent for a moment, then patted him on the shoulder:

"Then go back soon. His Highness has indeed been waiting for you for quite some time."

………………

Central Square of Twilight City.

At this moment, a human boy of about twelve or thirteen years old is carefully placing flowers in front of the statue.

Young Toby was wearing the uniform of Dusk City Public School—a dark blue shirt with a badge embroidered on the left chest representing the "Third Integrative Class".

The bouquets are woven from local blood roses, a rare variety that once bloomed only in the gardens of vampire nobles but is now found everywhere in public green spaces.

Even though he had seen the statue countless times, Toby still felt an indescribable sense of awe every time he stood in front of it.

It was a massive steel structure, thirty meters high.

Unlike the ornate and elaborate architecture of traditional vampire architecture, this sculpture adopts a rugged, grand, and powerful style.

The entire structure is welded from cast iron and steel, without any superfluous decoration. Every steel beam and every iron plate tells the story of "industry" and "unity".

The main body of the sculpture consists of three giant figures standing back to back:
A wizard in a long robe holds aloft an open book in his right hand, with runes dancing on its pages;

A human in overalls carries heavy industrial parts on his shoulders, his muscles taut and defined by steel.

A vampire with outstretched bat wings holds a vial of faintly glowing potion in both hands; each feather of the wings is composed of precisely cut steel plates.

The three figures each faced different directions, yet they clung tightly to each other, forming an inseparable whole.

Beneath their feet was a massive steel base.

But what is most awe-inspiring is not the three giants, but the base itself:

That was a "lift" made up of 108 hands.

Each pair of hands was cast to life-size proportions; some were rough and calloused, some were slender yet full of strength, and some even bore burn scars.
They extend from the base, palms facing upwards, as if collectively supporting the three giants symbolizing different races.

This is the "People Create Everything" sculpture—a symbol of the new order in Twilight City.

The same sentence is inscribed on the base of the statue in two languages:
"The night will eventually pass, and dawn will belong to everyone."

Toby knew that these hands were not something he had imagined.

Each pair has a prototype.

Those were the "People's Heroes" and "Model Workers" selected by Twilight City over the past five years:
There are veteran workers in a pharmaceutical factory, a maintenance team leader for the underground sewers, a vampire firefighter who rescues people from a fire, and a human teacher who teaches orphans to read and write.
Their hands were all replicated one-to-one and permanently cast onto the base of this sculpture.

Below each pair of hands is a small plaque engraved with the owner's name, occupation, and a brief description of their deeds.

Toby approached the base and stopped at position thirty-seven.

There was a pair of calloused hands there—belonging to a construction worker named John Muller.

The nameplate reads:

John Mueller, a construction worker, risked a building collapse to rescue three trapped workers during a reconstruction project during a major construction period, but his own left leg was crushed in the process.

He said, "Buildings can be rebuilt, but human life is only given once."

Toby gently touched those hands made of steel.

The cold touch, however, made him feel warm.

Because the prototype for these hands—Uncle John Muller—now lives next door to him.

Although he has a mechanical prosthesis on his left leg, the man still goes to the construction site every day to guide the young workers, and always says with a smile, "This leg of mine has saved three lives, it's worth it."

"Toby, are you dawdling here again?"

A woman's voice, tinged with laughter, came from the side.

The boy turned his head and saw Ivy standing not far away.

Today she was wearing the uniform of the Dusk City Council's "Administrative Department," with badges representing different powers on her right shoulder.

The top one is "Vampire Affairs Coordinator", the middle one is "Potion Supply Chain Supervisor", and the bottom one is "Special Advisor".

The three badges stacked together represent her special position in the city's power structure—one of Ron's most trusted executors.

"Sister Ivy!"

Toby scratched his head a little embarrassedly:

"I just... felt I should express my gratitude."

"Thank you, statue?"

Ivy approached, her tone gentle yet slightly teasing:
"It can't talk."

"But it represents change."

The boy said earnestly:

"The school told the story of this sculpture today. The teacher said that these hands represent 'the power of the people'."

Ivy walked to his side and also looked up at the massive steel structure:

"Your teacher is right."

"This sculpture was not originally designed with these hands."

"Only those three giants, symbolizing racial unity."

"But the master said..."

Her voice softened:

"Unity among leaders alone is not enough; true strength comes from every single individual."

"Therefore, the base of this sculpture should not be cold stone, but rather countless hands supporting it."

"Let everyone know—without the people, there is no Twilight City."

Toby listened intently:

"So, that's why there are 108 pairs of hands?"

"Correct."

Ivy nodded:

"These hands were all personally delivered to the foundry by the individuals themselves."

The craftsmen used special magic to record every line and detail of the hand, and then replicated it one-to-one with steel.

"It is said that many people cried at the time."

“Those ordinary people who toil away at the bottom of society their whole lives never thought that one day they would be ‘cast into statues’.”

"And in the very center of the city square, standing alongside those 'great figures' that symbolize wizards, vampires, and humans."

Toby's eyes were a little red.

He thought of his father—an ordinary pharmacy worker.

They leave early and return late every day, doing the most basic work of processing medicinal herbs.

There have never been any "heroic deeds" or he has ever received the title of "model worker".

But my father always said:

“Toby, you must remember, Twilight City is not some big shot’s city.”

"It is the city of each and every one of us."

“Those great wizards, powerful vampires, and sacrificed heroes, they are certainly important.”

"But what supports this city are millions of ordinary people like me."

“Every day we work, every effort we make, contributes to the development of this city.”

At the time, Toby didn't quite understand.

But now, standing in front of this sculpture, looking at those 108 hands that are supporting it—he suddenly understood.

"Sister Ivy."

The boy asked earnestly:

"Will I be able to become that kind of person someday?"

"To become a hero who can be cast into a statue?"

Ivy crouched down to look him in the eye:
"Toby, you already are."

"what?"

"The significance of this sculpture is not to make everyone a 'hero'."

She pointed to the hands:

"It tells everyone that every ordinary person who lives earnestly, works hard, and treats others kindly deserves respect."

"Uncle John was able to be on the sculpture because he made a brave choice at a crucial moment."

"But your father works diligently every day to process medicinal herbs and ensure the quality of the medicine. Doesn't he deserve respect?"

"You go to school diligently every day, help your classmates, and respect your parents. Don't you deserve recognition?"

Ivy's voice was gentle yet firm:
"This sculpture supports more than just those three giants."

"It supports everyone in Twilight City."

Toby stared at her blankly, then nodded emphatically:

"I understand."

"I will study hard and contribute to Twilight City in the future."

Even if you can't become a 'hero,' you should at least be an ordinary person who deserves respect.

"now it's right."

Ivy ruffled his hair:
"Go to school, don't be late." "Okay!"

Toby waved and ran to the end of the street.

Watching the boy's figure disappear into the morning mist, Ivy sighed softly:

"The master will be very pleased to see this."

She looked up at the steel sculpture.

In the light of eternal twilight, those supporting hands are shining brightly.

………………

Dawn Tower, a laboratory on the third basement level.

When Silas pushed open the door, Ron was standing in front of the control panel, his finger swiping across the virtual projection, adjusting some parameters.

"Are you tinkering with your 'dynamic balancing system' again?"

The enchanter walked to his side and glanced at the projection:
"I've been studying this thing for five years, and I still don't fully understand how it works."

"Because it wasn't 'designed'."

Ron didn't even look up:

“It is ‘grown’.”

"What do you mean?"

"Look at these rune circuits..."

He zoomed in on one of the sections:
"On the surface, it seems that I set up the basic framework."

"But in actual operation, whenever the system encounters a new situation, it will automatically generate a new 'branch loop' to deal with it."

"These branches will be recorded and integrated into the main framework, making the entire system more and more complex and complete."

"So, it is essentially a 'self-evolving' rune network."

Silas gasped.
"Self-evolution? Isn't that it?"

"Yes, the prototype of artificial intelligence."

Ron smiled faintly:
"Of course, it's still a long way from true intelligence."

"But at least it has already demonstrated some kind of 'learning ability' in specific fields."

He turned off the projector and turned to look at Silas:
"You didn't come to see me just to discuss technical issues, did you?"

"of course not."

Silas pulled a wine jug from his robes:
"I'm here to see you off."

"Although you said you were going to 'leave quietly,' at least let me, the 'laborer you've cheated for five years,' raise a glass to you."

Ron chuckled: "Alright, let's have a drink first."

The two walked to the rest area and each poured themselves a glass of wine.

"to be honest."

Silas raised his glass:
"I have learned more in the past five years than in the previous decades combined."

"Although I'm exhausted every day, dealing with countless messy things, and my face is almost stiff from smiling so much."

"But I really don't regret it."

He downed the drink in one gulp: "So, thanks."

Ron also raised his glass: "I should be thanking you."

"Without you as the technical director, Twilight City could not have developed so smoothly."

The two of them clinked their glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

"correct."

Silas suddenly remembered something: "Did you see that sculpture?"

“I saw it.” Ron nodded. “I glanced at it from afar when I passed the square.”

"How about it?"

"It was more shocking than I imagined."

Ron's voice lowered:
"To be honest, when I first designed it, I just wanted to create a symbol that represents 'unity'."

"You can see the finished product afterward."

He frowned and pondered for a moment, but couldn't find the right words to describe it:
"The shock was so great that I can't even describe it in words."

"Especially those hands that are lifting up."

Silas also fell silent.

After a long while, he finally spoke:
"I've been to many places and seen quite a few sculptures."

"Some sing praises to heroes, some commemorate great figures, and some promote faith."

“But there has never been a sculpture built for ‘ordinary people’.”

"The Sculpture of Twilight City"

He raised his head:

"In the future, it may become an iconic symbol."

"Because the ideas it represents are so ahead of their time."

Ron laughed:

"Ahead?"

"maybe."

"But someone always has to go first."

The two chatted for a while longer, and the topic shifted from sculpture to future plans.

Silas gave a detailed report on the upcoming work arrangements, while Ron offered some suggestions and additions.

Finally, as Ron got up to leave...

"Ralph".

Silas called out to him.

"Ok?"

"Be careful in the main world."

The enchanter's expression was extremely serious:

"Although you are already considered an absolute powerhouse at the Dark Sun level, the waters of the Wizarding World are far deeper than those of the Chaotic Blood World."

“I will.” Ron patted him on the shoulder. “You too, take care.”

"Ah."

The teleportation array lit up, and the black-robed wizard's figure gradually disappeared in the light.

Silas stood there, watching the light fade away:

Five years have passed.

"We've finally accomplished something big."

"Next"

He turned to look at the mountain of documents:

"Time to get back to work."

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

Inside the teleportation tunnel, Ron's body was enveloped in a torrent of magic, and his consciousness fell into a peculiar "semi-dormant" state.

In this unique space, he finally had time to calm down and think.

Five years—more than five years in the chaotic world—is roughly equivalent to less than three years in the main world.

The difference in the flow of time gave him more room to develop in this other world.

Now, it's time to take stock of what we've accomplished.

First and foremost is the most direct improvement in strength.

Ron lowered his consciousness and sensed his ethereal state.

The projection of the [Threshold of Darkness] slowly unfolded in the sea of consciousness.

That "door," outlined by starlight, shrouded in chaos, and mysteriously sealed, has now become much more solid.

The "concealing" effect of the door is even more ingenious, extending its ability to interfere with "thought" to "perception";
Although the "mysterious door" itself was still tightly closed, the power emanating from the cracks was much stronger than it had been five years ago.

One of the crowns atop the veiled figure's head has now been successfully lit.

"The completion rate of the 'hollow' has increased from 12% to 20%."

Ron silently recited it in his mind.

This number may seem small, but it's important to understand that the 15% to 20% range is a "bottleneck" that is difficult to overcome in the entire Dark Sun phase.

Countless wizards were stuck at around 19%, and it took them decades to break through.

He crossed this gap in just five years.

"If this speed is maintained..."

He was calculating:
"In another thirty to forty years, the completion rate of the Void Body will reach 60%, meeting the first standard for challenging the Great Wizard."

"At that time, all that will be needed is a trigger, a complete transformation."

A look of anticipation flashed in his eyes:
"Then you can truly step into that level."

Secondly, there is the accumulation of resources.

【Shadow Sentinel】—A puppet created by Alex, now the most powerful deterrent force in Twilight City.

Although he cannot bring it back to the main world for the time being, the eighty-year right to use it means that as long as nothing unexpected happens in Twilight City, he can always have a marquis-level combat force as a "strategic reserve".

As a rapidly developing city, Twilight City is gaining increasing influence as the "Harmony Potion" industry becomes more commercialized and the "Twilight Mode" is exported.

With the Marquis-level warrior [Shadow Sentinel] stationed there, he felt much more at ease after returning to the main world.

There's also the breakthrough in personal connections.

Gaetano—this dwarven wizard—has now become one of Ron's more reliable allies in the Bloodbath world.

Connections with various factions—the Industrial Alliance, Grey Tower Academy, the Reformers, and the neutral clans of the Thirteen Clans.
The relationship wasn't particularly close, but at least a "foundation for cooperation" was established.

These forces will become important allies in the future when fighting against the various clans of the "royalist faction".

Although some are temporarily neutral, he has in any case built a vast network of relationships in the chaotic world.

This network will become key to his intelligence gathering, resource mobilization, and even intervention in the overall situation.

As for Ron of the Heart Clan, his expression became subtle.

On the surface, the two sides signed a "cooperation agreement" and entered a state of "peaceful coexistence".

But in reality?
This is only a temporary balance; undercurrents are still surging.

Alkadi will not truly accept defeat; he is simply waiting for an opportunity to "turn the tide."

The "Ya" clan, on the other hand, will certainly not give up easily.

Finally, there are research breakthroughs.

The development of the "Harmonizing Agent" allowed him to gain a profound understanding of the physiological mechanisms of vampires.

This is not just a technology, but a key—a key to unlocking the forbidden realm of the "limiter".

Through his research into the relationship between pollutants, chaotic power, and bloodline characteristics, Ron vaguely touched upon a deeper truth:
Extraordinary characteristics are essentially a kind of "memory".

Blood "remembers" the power of our ancestors, which is why it can be passed down from generation to generation;
The soul "remembers" the fear of death, and therefore instinctively avoids the end;
When you interfere with this "memory" with external force
"It can change the essence of life."

Ron muttered to himself.

This discovery had a profound impact on his future research direction.

If "memory" is the core of the extraordinary.
Is that illusory body also a kind of "memory of the soul"?
If it were possible to "edit" this memory.
"Am I able to break through the inherent limitations of the nascent form of the ethereal being and create entirely new possibilities?"

The moment the thought arose, it took root in his heart like a seed.

The light began to change.

Ron could sense that the teleportation was about to end.

Before his consciousness could re-establish itself, he looked at the oath ring on his hand, his thoughts drifting to the person who had always been waiting for him.

Five years have passed since we last met—or rather, three years since we last met in the main world.

How is she now?
Has it already broken through to the Moon-level?
Were the "rituals" of the Wangguan clan carried out smoothly?
And will she be angry?
After all, they said they would "come back soon," but it has been so long since they left.

Thinking of this, Ron couldn't help but rub his temples.

He seemed to have already foreseen Eve's feigned indifference:
"Oh, Professor, you actually know to come back."

"I thought you'd forgotten about me, your top student and fiancée, and were planning to settle down in the Chaotic Blood World."

“When I get back,” Ron sighed, “I’ll make sure to spend some quality time with her.”

Not just Eve, but also Dale's side.

She successfully helped her grandniece, who was also the granddaughter of her old friend Andrei, to determine her mental aptitude.

That child was quite talented; in just three years, he progressed from an ordinary person to an intermediate apprentice, a speed that surprised everyone.

Andrei attached great importance to this and even personally developed a training plan for the little princess.

"A princess of a kingdom, and a sorceress."

Ron pondered:
"This means that I have another potential 'anchor' at the level of secular monarchy."

Although he doesn't really need worldly power now.

However, at certain times, the influence of secular forces can also play a role to some extent.

Especially when you need to mobilize a large number of ordinary people, acquire specific resources, or operate in certain "gray areas".
"perhaps."

Ron suddenly had an idea:
"When the child is a little older, we can arrange for Lilia and Herman to teach him."

"That child possesses both Andrei's Crimson Dragon bloodline and wizard aptitude, and seems to have awakened a talent for puppetry as well. He should have good potential for future development."

The light reached its zenith.

The exit of the teleportation tunnel is just a stone's throw away.

Ron could sense that the "rules" of the main world were once again enveloping him.

It was a subtle sense of oppression—more "heavy" and more "complete" than the chaotic world of bloodshed.

After all, the main world is the core of wizarding civilization, and its strict rules and stable order are far superior to those of the peripheral otherworld.

"Coming"

He took a deep breath and composed himself.

The dizziness from the teleportation gradually subsided, and my vision began to clear.

The first thing that catches the eye is the familiar array pattern.

That was the protective array of the "Rainbow Gate." Every rune was precisely calculated to ensure both efficiency and security and secrecy.

Just as he was about to step off the platform of the "Rainbow Gate," a petite figure suddenly rushed over from the side!
He wasn't moving fast, but when he sensed who it was, he didn't dodge.

then……

"boom!"

Ron was hit squarely in the face.

Her soft body bumped into his arms, carrying a familiar scent and warmth.

Immediately afterwards, she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

The force was so great that he wondered if the other person was trying to strangle him.

"Liar! Big liar!"

A trembling voice came from her arms.

With a sob in her voice, with grievance in her voice, and with long-suppressed longing in her voice:
"You promised to come back soon."

"You promised 'I won't have to wait too long'."

Ron was stunned.

He looked down and saw that familiar head of long black hair.