Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

People are coming and going on the street.

Young people in apprentice robes were excitedly discussing the latest magical theories;

There were formal wizards wearing the insignia of various schools of thought conversing;
Occasionally, you can see a few floating vehicles passing overhead, leaving faint magical trails...

But when Ron and Eve appeared on the street, the surrounding crowd unconsciously made way for them.

That feeling was very subtle.

It seemed to stem from both an instinctive awe of the strong and the feeling of being pushed away by some invisible "aura".

The very existence of a Dark Sun-level wizard will have a slight impact on the surrounding environment.

"It feels a little strange. Since becoming a Dark Sun-class cultivator, I haven't walked on my own in public for a long time," Ron said softly.

"And it wasn't this exaggerated when we were at the observation station before."

“Of course.” Eve chuckled.
“In places like the Abyss Observatory, everyone is a ‘daredevil.’ Strength and status are important, but what’s more important is ‘whether you have the ability to survive.’”

"But in the central region..."

She looked around at the crowd carefully making way for them:

“Here, people place more emphasis on ‘pedigree,’ ‘background,’ and ‘potential value.’”

“You are now the founder of Narrative Potions, a ‘rising star’ with connections to three Witch Kings, and a Dark Sun-level expert.”

"Walking down the street, you're like a moving 'golden signboard'."

Ron raised an eyebrow: "And what about you? Your reputation shines brighter than mine."

"I?"

Eve's expression became somewhat complicated:
“My signboard…is more of a reminder to others that ‘the Crown Clan still exists.’”

She didn't continue the topic, but instead pointed to a strangely shaped building in front of her:
"Here we are, right here."

It was a... how should I describe it?
It is called architecture, but it is more like a frozen dream.

The entire structure presents flowing curves, and the surface is covered with a hazy mist, like the color blocks spreading in a watercolor painting.

Sometimes it's deep blue, sometimes warm gold, and sometimes it transforms into a dreamy purple-pink...

The most amazing thing is the wall itself.

They are not solid, but rather like a state between "existence" and "non-existence"—when you look directly at them, you can see solid outlines;
But the moment you blink, the outline becomes blurry, as if it will disappear into the air in the next second.

Above the building, a line of text woven from light floats:
【Ideal Theater: Infinite Possibilities】

There is also a line of smaller text below:
[Presented by St. Pandora, the Queen of Illusions]

"Ideal Theater?"

Ron was somewhat surprised:

"I remember this technology... should still be in the experimental stage, right?"

"For ordinary people, it is indeed still in the experimental stage."

Eve pulled him toward the entrance:
"But for those who have 'privileges'..."

She took a card out of her pocket.

It was a card entirely black and gold, with no words on its surface, only an abstract symbol—a closed eye, with eyelashes that transformed into countless tiny tentacles extending outwards.

That was the personal emblem of the King of Illusions.

The two "human-shaped sculptures" at the entrance, made of dream energy, immediately bowed deeply after scanning the card.
"Welcome, distinguished guest."

"Please come with me."

The two followed the "sculpture" into the theater.

The interior view completely overturned Ron's understanding of "architecture".

There are no traditional "halls," "corridors," or "rooms" here...

Instead, there are countless layers of "bubbles".

Inside the bubble, you can see all sorts of different scenes:

Some are medieval castles, where knights and princesses dance in the moonlight;
Some are futuristic cities, with spaceships shuttling between neon-lit skyscrapers;

Some are fantastical forests where elves sing among ancient trees;

In the depths of the starry sea, colossal creatures slowly roam in space...

"These are all optional 'scripts'."

The guard who guided them explained:

"Guests can enter any dream, become a character within it, and experience different stories."

"For VIPs holding 'Black Gold Cards'..."

The guard bowed slightly.

“We also offer ‘customization services’.”

“You can describe the scenario you want to experience, and our ‘dream weaver’ will build a personalized dream for you in three minutes.”

Eve turned to Ron: "Want to try something custom-made, or choose from what's available?"

"You decide."

"Then..."

The black-haired princess pondered for a moment:

"Romantic comedy genre, help us pick one."

She pointed to one of the bubbles.

The guard respectfully guided the two toward the bubble.

As they approached, the surface of the bubbles began to ripple, like waves on water.

"Please go straight in."

"After entering the dream, your 'consciousness' will temporarily override your original character, and your 'memories' will be partially sealed."

There are three ways to exit: first, the storyline ends naturally; second, you actively call out "wake up"; third, if you encounter danger beyond your tolerance, the system will force you to exit.

"Rest assured," the guard added, "This is a 'Black Gold' level dream, with a safety rating of 99.7%."

Ron and Eve exchanged a glance, then took a step at the same time.

The moment you pass through the surface of the bubble, the world spins.

That feeling... was like suddenly leaping from the surface of the water into the deep sea, or falling from reality into a dream.

All senses are briefly stripped away, then reassembled in a completely new way in the next instant.

When his consciousness returned, Ron found himself standing on an unfamiliar street.

No, it should be described as "semi-unfamiliar".

This is indeed the central land, with its towering wizard towers, floating magical vehicles, and streetlights adorned with runes...

Every element reminded him that this was the core area of ​​the main world.

My memories have become hazy.

He remembered his name; he had broken through to become a full-fledged wizard at the "awkward" age of forty, and arrived in this dreamlike metropolis with trepidation and anticipation...

As for more?
Ron raised his hand and looked at the faint scars on his palm left by years of experiments.

These scars tell him that his breakthrough did not come easily.

More than twenty years of apprenticeship, countless failed potion-making attempts, and countless all-night experiments...

He could "feel" the presence of those memories, but he couldn't clearly recall the specific details.

It's like looking through a thin mist; you can see the outline, but not the face.

"strangeness……"

Ron shook his head, dismissing the unease.

He now has a more practical problem to solve—finding a place to settle down.

As a "newcomer" to the Central Lands, he needs to register with the School Alliance first, and then find a place to settle down.

As for the future?

A fully-fledged wizard in his forties is just an ordinary wizard in the Central Lands, a place teeming with geniuses.

Want to make a name for yourself in academia? It's difficult.

Want to join a major power? Even more difficult.

His most realistic option is probably to find a stable job.

For example, you could work as an assistant in a large laboratory or find a potionist job at a chain of potion stores.

Thinking of this, Ron couldn't help but smile bitterly.

More than 20 years ago, when he first started his apprenticeship, he also fantasized that he would be the kind of genius who "soars to the sky".

Reality, however, repeatedly reminded him that talent does indeed exist.

Some people can become formal wizards at the age of eighteen, while others take forty years.

"but……"

He looked towards the tallest wizard's tower in the distance, its spire gleaming golden in the setting sun:

"At least I succeeded, at least I'm standing here."

This thought made him feel a little better.

Ron followed the road signs and headed toward the School Alliance.

The streets were bustling with people, mostly young apprentices, chatting in small groups.

Occasionally, you can see a few formal wizards, each one walking with their head held high and their eyes shining with confidence—the kind of spiritedness unique to young wizards.

And Ron?
He subconsciously slowed his pace, trying not to attract attention.

Although he was in his forties, he didn't look very old because he had broken through to become a formal wizard.

But the apprentice robe he was wearing, which had faded a bit from washing (he had just been promoted and hadn't had time to order his official wizard robe yet), made him look... somewhat out of place.

Just as he was pondering how to phrase his words so that the Moon-level wizards responsible for assessing qualifications wouldn't show that "pity" expression...

"boom!"

A soft body bumped into his arms.

Ron instinctively reached out to support the other person, while taking a half step back to absorb the impact.

"S-Sorry!"

A clear female voice rang out, tinged with obvious panic:
"I really didn't mean to, it's just that the experimental data was so strange, I was walking and thinking about it, and then..."

Ron lowered his head.

What comes into view is a head of long, black hair that flows like a waterfall.

Her hair shimmered softly in the sunset, so smooth that you wanted to reach out and touch it.

Then, the girl looked up.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

Ron saw a pair of amethyst-like eyes.

Those eyes were so beautiful, so beautiful that you couldn't take your eyes off them.

What attracted him even more was the focused and pure look in the depths of her eyes.

Just as she said, she was indeed thinking about some experimental data, so engrossed that she couldn't even see where she was going.

(I'll omit the specifics for now and add a side story later when I have time. Putting this in a paid chapter feels a bit too weak.)
The light suddenly became blinding.

The feeling is like suddenly surfacing from deep water, with all your senses amplified, stretched, and then returning to their original positions.

Ron opened his eyes.

He was still standing in the lobby of the Ideal Theater, with Eve beside him.

The two of them snapped out of their daze and exchanged a glance.

That single glance contained so much.

There was the tenderness and emotion from the dream, the joy of a long-awaited reunion in reality, and a certain unspoken understanding...

"How do you feel, both of you?"

The guide from the Ideal Theater asked respectfully.

"very good."

Ron's answer was concise.

But his hand quietly grasped Eve's hand.

Eve did not resist; instead, she gripped his hand even tighter.

The two walked out of the Ideal Theater hand in hand.

The streets were still bustling with people, but in their eyes, the whole world had changed.

"That dream I just had..."

Eve suddenly spoke.

"Ok?"

"If...if we were really just ordinary wizards."

Her voice was somewhat unsteady:

Do you think we'll ever meet again?

Ron was silent for a moment, then said seriously:

"Will do."

"Why are you so sure?"

"because……"

He looked at her, his eyes filled with certainty:

"No matter what your identity is... I will recognize you."

"Just like you will definitely recognize me."

Eve's eyes welled up with tears.

She didn't say anything, but simply rested her head gently on his shoulder.

Deep within Ron's consciousness, Azalea's voice also echoed softly:

"Tsk tsk tsk, that old hag really knows how to do favors."

"Ordinary dream experiences cannot reach the level of 'immersion' you just experienced."

"It can make you two completely forget your real identities and immerse yourselves in the world of 'what if'..."

Dragon Soul's tone was clearly sarcastic:
"This is the 'Deep Dream Weaving' technique, which is usually only available to high-level wizards."

"A typical example of investing in personal relationships."

Ron did not respond; he knew, of course, that it was a favor.

But some favors are accepted willingly.

Because that "gift" was truly precious, so precious that it could not be measured by anything.

It showed him another possibility: the purest connection between him and Eve, stripped of all the glamour.

Regardless of their identities, they will meet.

that's enough.

It was already afternoon when I left the Ideal Theater.

The streets of the central land gleamed in the sunlight, and the crystals of the magic streetlights reflected rainbow-like light even in the daytime.

"Next stop."

Eve wiped her eyes, regaining her calm and composed expression: "Eternal Gallery."

"What is that place?"

"A place where 'possibilities' can be seen."

The black-haired princess squeezed his hand: "Let's go, you'll like it."

The Eternal Gallery, its architecture is a work of art in itself.

The entire piece is made of translucent time crystals, which refract countless overlapping images under sunlight, as if compressing the past, present and future into one space at the same time.

The guards at the door immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing Eve.
"Your Highness, please come inside."

The gallery's interior space features a spiraling, ascending structure.

The walls are covered with paintings, but these paintings are completely different from "painting" in the traditional sense—they are alive.

Every painting is in motion; the figures in the paintings walk, talk, and live, as if observing another world through a window.

“These are ‘time paintings’,” Eve explained.

"Each painting depicts a possible future at a specific point in time."

"Could it happen?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"The future is always multifaceted and branching."

Every choice you make will cause the timeline to split into countless branches.

"The paintings here capture those scenes of 'what if we had chosen a different path'."

Ron seemed to be deep in thought.

They slowly ascended the spiral corridor, passing by a series of paintings.

In some paintings, young wizards fall on the battlefield;

In some paintings, couples are depicted getting married in a garden;
In other paintings, a solitary old man sits in a laboratory, using the last of his life to complete a research project...

Each painting tells a story, represents a possibility, and traverses a timeline. "Look at that," Eve suddenly stopped and pointed to a large painting on the wall.

Ron looked up.

The painting depicts a cozy manor where sunlight shines on the grass and three children are playing happily.

The older boy had black hair and gray eyes, and looked to be about ten years old.

The second daughter, with amethyst eyes, was running around with her youngest brother.

On the manor balcony, a young couple watched all this with smiles on their faces.
The man's appearance was Ron's; the woman's figure was Eve's.

In the corner of the screen, there is a line of small text: [Timeline A: Choose Calm]

"This is...us?" Ron asked, somewhat surprised.

"Mmm," Eve said softly.

“If we choose to stay away from the strife and settle down in the remote estate of the Crown Clan… that is the possible future.”

"Three children, a manor, and hundreds of years of peace."

Her tone contained both longing and a hint of unspoken resentment:

"You look...very happy, don't you?"

Ron didn't answer immediately.

He carefully observed every detail in the painting:
The "future self" does seem quite content.

The ever-vigilant expression on his face was gone, replaced by a gentle warmth that comes with the passage of time.

However, he also noticed at the same time:
That "future self" lacked something in his gaze.

That kind of... yearning for the unknown, pursuit of limits, and dedication to truth.

Like a once sharp sword, its edge has been worn down by time, and it has eventually become a mere decoration.

“Next one,” Ron said softly.

Eve nodded and led him onward.

The second painting is even grander.

In the image, a coronation ceremony is being held in a vast palace suspended among the stars.

Countless wizards knelt on the ground, while on the high platform, a man in black robes received a scepter.

That face was still Ron's.

Half a step behind him, Eve, dressed in a gorgeous gown, stood with a solemn and dignified expression.

She had no crown, yet she was more eye-catching than anyone else.

The label in the corner of the screen reads: [Timeline B: The Pinnacle of Power]

“In this timeline,” Eve’s voice was calm:
"Although you have become the ruler, you are not powerful enough. I will assist you in handling all government affairs in secret."

"It looks glamorous, but in reality... every day is spent in backstabbing and infighting."

She laughed self-deprecatingly: "I don't want this kind of future at all."

“Me too.” Ron squeezed her hand.

The style of the third painting suddenly becomes depressing.

The scene depicts a desolate wasteland, with a distorted dark red sky and cracked ground.

A woman dressed in a simple long dress stood alone in the middle of the ruins, holding a broken silver pocket watch in her hand.

Her hair was gray, and her face was marked by the passage of time, but her amethyst eyes remained clear...

That was Eve a thousand years in the future, searching for something.

In the depths of the image, a familiar figure can be vaguely seen trapped inside.

Note: [Timeline C: Separation and Search]

Eve's voice trembled:
"In this storyline... you encountered an accident while exploring another world and became trapped in some special dimension."

"It took me 727 years to find your location."

"It took another 383 years to finally find a way to rescue you."

Her fingers gripped Ron's hand tightly:

"For over a thousand years, I've wondered every single day if you're still alive, if you've forgotten me, if you're still waiting for me to find you..."

“This timeline…” she closed her eyes, “is the future I fear most.”

Ron pulled her into his arms: "No, you won't."

They stood in front of the painting for a long time, until Eve reopened her eyes, before continuing on their way.

The fourth painting made Ron stop in his tracks.

It was an endless sea of ​​stars.

Two figures stood side by side on the surface of a giant planet, looking down at the new world that was being born below:

Magma erupted from the Earth's core, the atmosphere began to form, and primitive life was gestating in the oceans...

The two figures were Ron and Eve.

They had all broken through to the level of the Witch King, emanating a powerful aura that made even the stars tremble.

But what's most touching is the genuine smile on their faces.

It's the awe of witnessing a miracle, the excitement of exploring the unknown, and the satisfaction of walking side by side with loved ones...

Note: [Timeline D: Surpassing Together]

“This…” Ron murmured.

"This is the ideal future," Eve said softly.

"We will all break through to the level of Witch King, and then explore the ultimate mysteries of the universe together."

"There is no separation, no regrets, only endless possibilities waiting for us."

She looked up at Ron:

"But this is also the most difficult future to achieve. For both of them to break through to the Witch King level... how much talent, how much effort, how much... luck would be required?"

Ron stared at the screen.

After a while, he finally spoke: "Which future do you hope for for us?"

This is a complex issue.

Timeline A: Peace and happiness;

Timeline B: Power and Intrigue;

Timeline C represents the worst-case scenario.
Timeline D is the most beautiful dream...

"I...don't want any of them."

The black-haired princess gently took his hand, their fingers intertwined:

"Because our future should be created by ourselves."

“These paintings only show ‘possibilities’.”

"The real future lies in the hands of those who make the choices."

She looked sideways into her fiancé's eyes:

"I don't want a predetermined fate, no matter how wonderful or terrible it may seem."

"What I want is to be with you, making our own choices at countless crossroads."

"Perhaps it will eventually lead to a future like timeline D, or it may go in a completely different direction."

"The key point is..."

She tiptoed and gently kissed the man's lips:
“It is truly ‘us’ who came and went, ‘we’ who made the choices, ‘we’ who created.”

Ron was stunned.

Then he smiled and reached out to wipe the warm corner of his eye with his finger.

"You always manage to say things that are...unarguable."

He lowered his head and returned the kiss to his partner.

This kiss was more passionate and lingering than any before.

It's as if this is how they're responding to the vow they just made.

It was dusk when I left the Eternal Gallery.

The sky over the central region was dyed a magnificent orange-red, and the magic streetlights began to light up one by one, enveloping the entire city in a warm halo.

"Are you tired?" Ron asked.

“A little.” Eve leaned on his shoulder. “Let’s find a place to sit down.”

They eventually chose a small café on the edge of Avenue of Truth.

It's quiet here, not many customers, and the window seat offers a great view of the street outside.

The waiter brought over two cups of hot coffee, and the aroma of coffee filled the air.

The aroma of desserts wafting from the kitchen creates a lazy and comfortable atmosphere.

“Speaking of which,” Ron stirred his coffee, “how is Chloe doing now?”

Eve's expression softened at the mention of this name:

"Chloe...she's having a wonderful time now."

"How to say?"

"She went to a very special other world to cultivate."

Eve took a sip of her coffee: "It's called 'The Black Mist Realm,' a bizarre world full of contradictory rules."

"A contradiction?" Ron became interested.

“Yes.” Eve put down her glass and began to describe it in detail:
"The rules of that world... how should I put it, are completely contrary to common sense."

"For example, you must enter during the full moon, but the entrance only opens during the new moon."

"For example, you can't say the monster's name, but you have to call it to escape."

"For example, going east will lead to the west, and climbing up will lead to underground..."

Ron frowned. "This sounds... impossible to explore."

“That’s certainly true for ordinary wizards.” Eve nodded.
"But for a fortune teller like Chloe, it has become the best training ground."

"Because in that world, 'seeing' often means 'deceiving'."

Your eyes will tell you that the East is there, but actually it's the West.

"Your senses will tell you that there is flat ground ahead, but in reality it is an abyss."

"so……"

Eve's eyes were full of admiration: "Chloe's 'invisibility' has actually become an advantage."

"She does not rely on vision, but instead uses divination to perceive the essence of the rules."

"She can 'hear' the flow of cause and effect, 'smell' the scent of destiny, and 'touch' the texture of time..."

"In that paradoxical world, her blindness allowed her to see more clearly than anyone else."

Ron said thoughtfully, "The astrological association must have high expectations for her, right?"

"It's more than just tall."

Eve said mysteriously:
“I heard that the astrology association plans to bring her back to the main lineage.”

"Main vein?"

“‘Hall of Stars’.” Eve’s tone became solemn when she uttered the name:

"The highest temple of astrology is located at 'Stargazer's Peak' outside the main world."

"The Western Astrological Society, where Chloe is now, is just a branch that split off from there."

"If she can really return to the main branch..."

Eve's expression turned complicated: "That means she really could become the next 'Crown of Prophecy'."

Ron laughed: "That's good too. At least among our friends, there will be someone who stands at the pinnacle of astrology."

“Yes,” Eve smiled as well.

"But Chloe shouldn't change."

She was quiet and wise; during the twenty years you went into seclusion in the abyss, she took care of me like an older sister.

At this point, Eve suddenly remembered something:
"By the way, mentor, you should have noticed last night... I've also broken through to the Moon-level."

Her face flushed slightly, clearly recalling certain details of last night's "battle".

Ron raised an eyebrow:

"Congratulations. Indeed, the Moon-level physique and magic control... have greatly enhanced certain aspects of the experience."

"You!" Eve's face turned even redder, and she reached under the table to pinch him.

But soon, she regained her serious expression:

"Let's get down to business, mentor. Would you consider taking me on an adventure to the Chaotic Blood World or the Great Abyss?"

"I'm a Moon-level cultivator, I should be able to help, right?"

Ron looked at her intently, pondered for a moment, and then shook his head: "Dream on."

"Why?" Eve asked, somewhat displeased.

"Because I understand your position very well."

Ron said gently but firmly:
"You excel in auxiliary spells, intelligence analysis, and logistical coordination... These abilities can play a significant role in the Central Lands."

"But in places like the Chaotic Blood World, or in extreme environments like the Great Abyss..."

He held her hand: "If you go, you'll only distract me."

"I have to worry about your safety all the time, worry about whether you will encounter danger, and worry about whether I can protect you in time..."

"This worry will become my biggest weakness."

Eve bit her lip; she knew Ron was telling the truth.

“And,” Ron continued, “…”

"You have more important things to do right now, don't you?"

Eve fell silent.

After a long silence, she sighed, "Yes... I have a lot of things to do now."

She started counting on her fingers:
"First, my great-grandfather's upbringing plan."

Twice a month, I go to Him to learn the transformations of 'mirror magic'.

"There are hundreds of different applications—attack, defense, illusion, clones, spatial folding... each of which requires a lot of practice to master."

"Secondly, awaken the ancestral shamans of the ancestral land."

Eve's expression turned serious:
"I have already awakened two of them—Grandpa Diaz, who is my mother's grandfather and has the strength of the peak of the Dark Sun level; and Aunt Vivian, who is of the same generation as my mother."

"But there are still seven Dark Sun-class crystal coffins in the ancestral land..."

She rubbed her temples:
"Awakening each ancestor requires a massive amount of magic and a meticulous ritual."

Moreover, after waking up, they need time to adapt to this era and they need someone to help them understand the current situation…

"Third, clean up the mess left by my mother."

Eve's tone became somewhat helpless:
"The technology exchange that my mother promised to the 'Tree of Life' school has now expired, and I have to find a way to fulfill it."

"There's also my mother's seat in the academic alliance. Although it's currently being managed by my great-grandfather, I still need to coordinate many specific matters."

"Mother's allies also need to be appeased—some of them are very loyal, but others are watching to see if the Crown Clan can hold on..."

"Fourth, a test by the alliance of opposing schools of thought."

At this point, Eve sighed:
“Some great wizards have already begun to propose to ‘redistribute’ the resource allocation that Mother received back then.”

“There are also some schools of thought that are spreading rumors in the shadows, saying that ‘the crown is dead and the heir is just a figurehead’…”

She sneered, "They think I'm still the naive little princess I was twenty years ago."

"But now..."

She picked up her coffee cup and took a small sip.
“I will show them that the heirs of the Crown Clan are not so easy to bully.”

“So,” Eve put down her glass and said with a wry smile, “then…”
"I now sleep no more than three hours a day."

"These past few days, I've been able to meet with you, and I've squeezed out time from several meetings."

"Tomorrow, I'll be attending the School Alliance's quarterly meeting; the day after tomorrow, I'll be going to the ancestral land to preside over the awakening ceremony; and the day after that, my great-grandfather has a new course..."

Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible:

"So... I'm sorry, mentor, I really can't spend more time with you."

Ron reached out and gently pinched her cheek:

"Fool, why are you apologizing?"

"You've done enough."

He looked intently into her eyes:

“Eve, remember this—you don’t need to prove anything to anyone.”

"You don't need to prove to those who doubt you that you're strong enough, you don't need to prove to your mother's allies that you're qualified, and you certainly don't need to prove to me that you can be of any help."

"You just need to be yourself."

"Grow at your own pace, and protect what you want to protect in your own way."

"As for the rest..."

Ron took her hand: "Leave it to time, and leave it to me." (End of Chapter)