Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

When Ron arrived at the "Chaos Palace", he immediately sensed something was amiss.

The once bustling palace is unusually quiet today.

The newborn beasts that usually frolicked around Nari like pets were now huddled in various corners of the palace.

Their eyes were closed and their bodies were tense, as if they were hiding from some unseen threat.

A tentacle emerged from the depths of the palace.

"My baby's back~"

The voice was still Nari's, but it lacked some of its usual liveliness:
"Mom's on the ninth level of the abyss right now~"

"Those annoying guys are causing trouble again..."

A hint of annoyance flashed in the eyes of the tentacle clone:
"Hmph, do you really think Mom is easy to bully!"

"But it's okay, Mom disciplined those disobedient kids~"

Nari's tone suddenly softened:
"Don't worry about Mommy, baby~ Mommy is amazing."

With my "mother's" support, even those two old guys, Charles and McGregor, are no match for her.

"Mom may stay there for a while to completely suppress those old guys."

"Sweetie, please take good care of yourself!"

Ron nodded: "I understand."

"Mom, preparations on the stoker's side are all done."

"The energy guidance of the Chaos Lung has completed its final calibration."

"You can start absorbing it anytime you're done with your work."

Tentacle didn't say anything more, but playfully made a heart shape with its hands.

After explaining things to Nari's tentacle clones, Ron sat cross-legged in the center of a cocoon woven from the power of chaos.

The silkworm cocoon floated in mid-air, its surface flowing with ever-changing colors like the aurora borealis.

Sometimes it's a deep indigo, sometimes an eerie purplish-red, and occasionally a chilling deep black.

Inside the cocoon, Ron's body was almost still.

The originally violent, chaotic, and uncontrollable magic is now being compressed, purified, and solidified again and again.

It's like squeezing a rushing river into a single drop of water, or sealing a howling wind inside amber.

Each time a cycle is completed, the quality of the magic will increase by a tiny level.
With each level advancement, the completion rate of the nascent ethereal form increases by a fraction of a percentage point.

This is a long, tedious, and even somewhat painful process.

For most wizards, this practice requires intermittent exposure in a meditation chamber for hundreds of years.

However, Ron possessed the "Chaos Cocoon" provided by Nari.

This is an accelerated meditation environment specially built for him by the apostles, which can increase compression efficiency by several times.

While compressing, he was also distracted by doing other things.

First, there are two items floating in front of you.

On the left is a palm-sized wooden puppet called a "stand-in puppet".

On the right is a mass of liquid metal that "changes and transforms".

These two items are the core materials for Ron to forge the "Soul Anchor".

According to traditional wizarding theory, when a Dark Sun-level wizard attempts to break through to the Great Wizard realm, he needs to prepare an "anchor" that can hold his complete soul.

This anchor acts like a second body, or a "backup".

When a wizard encounters an accident during his breakthrough.

For example, when the physical body collapses, the soul shatters, or consciousness dissipates, the anchor will automatically activate.

Pulling back the shattered fragments of the soul and piecing them back together gives the wizard a chance to "start over".

Most wizards will choose a precious alchemical item as their anchor.

Some people use staffs passed down for thousands of years, some use ancestral treasures, and some even commission alchemy masters to forge a "custom-made" container.

Ron's choice was destined to be different from the very beginning.

He intends to fuse the two abyssal treasures to create a "composite anchor".

The "substitute puppet" offers the characteristics of "resurrection" and "synchronous growth".

Even if the soul is shattered, the core fragments of consciousness can be preserved through the "substitute death" mechanism, and the growth of the puppet's qualities can be fed back to the original body.

"Thousand Transformations" offers the characteristic of "adaptive evolution".

It can change its form as needed, adapt to any extreme environment, and even "record" and "simulate" the characteristics of other life forms.

The combination of the two could theoretically create a perfect anchor that can both "save lives" and "grow."

The problem is, how can two abyssal treasures with completely different properties be truly fused together?
Ron opened his eyes.

Deep within the pupil, the abilities of [Starlight Observer] are operating at full power.

Every magic circuit, every rune node, and every energy fluctuation was clearly visible under his "observation".

He extended his right hand.

With a light touch of the fingertip, "Thousand Transformations" immediately responded, transforming into a silver thread that wrapped around it.

Cool, soft, and vibrant—like a living snake, tightly coiled around his arm.

"Begin the first phase of integration."

At the same time, raise your left hand and press it on the top of the "substitute puppet's" head.

In an instant, the two abyssal treasures simultaneously unleashed intense energy fluctuations!

The silver liquid metal and the dark red puppet-like luster began to resonate, and the two forces that should have been mutually repelling began to try to establish a connection under Ron's precise magical guidance.

"Whoo, whoo, whoo..."

A piercing friction sound came from the air; it was the turbulent energy flow generated when forces of different attributes collided.

Ron frowned.

This was much more difficult than he had anticipated.

"Thousand-Faced Phantom" is inherently inclined to "change" and "assimilate," and it wants to absorb "Substitute Puppet" as raw material.

The "Substitute Puppet" is filled with the obsession left behind by "Victor," the lingering will of that mad alchemist, instinctively rejecting any force that tries to "modify" it.

Furthermore, Ron's "magic sword forging" enhanced its devouring power, making it constantly trying to take over.

The two sides were locked in a stalemate, and the energy fluctuations became increasingly violent.

"I need to think about it some more..."

Ron let out a soft breath.

The forging of a true "soul anchor" can take years or even decades.

However, he has plenty of patience.

Moreover... Ron's consciousness began to detach from his physical body and shift to another "perspective".

Overcoming countless dimensional barriers, they finally arrived on the surface of a distant planet.

Stoker Star, West City Mining Area.

After the perspective shifted, Ron "saw" a completely different world.

In the office of the mining district governor's mansion, under the eternally shrouded twilight sky.

An elderly man with a hunched back was sitting in a large chair, with a thick stack of documents spread out in front of him.

That once vibrant young face is now etched with the marks of time.

Deep wrinkles were etched on his forehead, his eyes drooped, and his cheekbones were prominent.

His hair was sparse and gray, and even his back was slightly hunched from years of working at a desk.

This is "Karen".

To be precise, it was "ink" that controlled this body for over forty years.

According to the lifespan standards of the locals on the planet Stoker, this age is already considered to be old age.

While ink can regulate physiological functions, it cannot prevent natural apoptosis at the cellular level.

Moreover, this body has been burdened with far too much strain that it shouldn't have had to bear:
The intense operation of magic, long-term exposure to the radiation environment of the mining area, and the physiological adjustments necessary to maintain the disguise...

Each of these factors is accelerating the depletion of this body.

"Owner."

The consciousness of ink resonated in Ron's mind:
"This body can only last for three to five years at most."

"After that, even if I wanted to continue controlling it, it would completely fail due to organ failure."

"It has been eight months and thirteen days since you last directly controlled it in the main world."

"Thanks a lot."

Ron quickly took partial control of the body:
"How's the thing I asked you to do coming along?"

"Everything is proceeding according to your original plan."

Ink begins its report:
"Karen formally submitted her retirement application to Hearth City a month ago."

The reason given was his advanced age and declining energy; he hoped to hand over the position of mining district governor to a younger and more capable person.

"What's the High Priest's reaction?"

"Unexpectedly, there was no reaction."

The ink-like substance sounded somewhat confused:
"He approved the application almost immediately and appointed an overseer priest to personally preside over the handover ceremony."

"Let me report on the recent production data first."

Ron gave a brief instruction.

"Monthly output of mineral salt increased by 17% compared to the same period last year;"
The conversion rate of refined mineral salt is 71.3%, which is close to the theoretical limit.
Worker injury rate: 4%, the lowest in history;
"Radiation pollution index of the 'Chaotic Lungs': Stable within the safe threshold, with no abnormal fluctuations."

The ink reports every data point with mechanical precision.

This mining area is no longer just a "resource extraction base".

It is more like a huge "testing ground," a terrifying creation that perfectly combines industrialization, militarization, and a kind of distorted "belief."

As Ron listened to the report, he manipulated the ink to slowly raise the aging body.

The "crackling" sound from the joints is due to calcification caused by long-term strain.

Walking to the window, you can see the entire mining area through the glass.

More than forty years ago, this place was just a desolate wasteland, exuding an aura of death and despair;

Forty years later, however, this place has transformed into one of the most advanced and prosperous industrial centers on the planet Silu.

All of this was brought about by "Karen".

Or rather, it was the seed that Ron planted on Stoker's Star through his identity as "Karen" that has now grown into a towering tree.

"Reporting to the Governor."

The knocking interrupted Ron's thoughts.

"Enter."

The door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man walked in.

Although he looked quite old, he still maintained a robust physique and wore a badge on his chest symbolizing his status as "Deputy Governor".

Iron Hammer Green—the honest and simple mining foreman from forty years ago—has now grown into a backbone of the mine's management team.

"My lord, news has arrived from Hearth City."

Green's voice carried a hint of seriousness:

“Your family… the Walker family, has already sent people.”

"Walker".

Ron (Karen) repeated the surname, giving a meaningful smile.

More than forty years later, this family, which was almost wiped out and only managed to turn its life around through a divine trial, has finally lost its patience and wants to get a share of the pie.

"How many of them came?"

"Three."

Green opened the intelligence file in his hand:
"The leader is called Crawford Walker, who is said to be your, um... never met nephew, the only son of your deceased brother."

"Currently 28 years old, he studied at the 'Gold Burning Academy' in the Upper District of Furnaceheart City and received the title of 'Outstanding Apprentice'."

"He was accompanied by two attendants, one was the family's financial advisor, and the other was an etiquette teacher."

Green's tone became extremely serious:
"In addition, the high priest has also sent people."

"It's the same supervising priest as last time."

Upon hearing the name, Ron's eyes narrowed slightly.

The oversight priest—the priest who had witnessed the "restricted area stability" incident and had some understanding of the mining area.

The high priest chose this time to summon him again, and he could roughly guess the other party's intentions.

"Where are they now?"

"We are registering at the reception station on the outskirts of the mining area according to the procedure."

Green hesitated for a moment:
"Sir, how should we... receive them?"

Ron (Karen) did not answer immediately.

He turned around, slowly walked back to his desk, and sat down again in the chair he had sat in for forty years.

The withered fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, making a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound.

A brief silence fell over the office.

Only the wall clock emitted a monotonous ticking sound.

After a long while, Ron finally spoke:
"Green, go and prepare the highest-level reception ceremony."

"Flowers, red carpet, band, cannon salute... everything that should be there must be there."

"Let the whole mining area know that the Walker family's 'young master' has arrived."

Green paused for a moment, then realized what was happening:
"Understood, my lord."

"besides."

Ron (Karen) added:
"Prepare for a 'comprehensive tour'."

“Let young master Crawford and that overseeing priest take a good look… at what the mining area has become over the past forty years.”

"Yes."

Green bowed respectfully, then turned and left.

The door closes again.

The office fell silent again.

Ron toyed with the dice on the table. Were the Walker family trying to steal the spoils?
The high priest wanted to investigate the truth.
Very well, let them watch to their heart's content.

Look at this mining area, an industrial marvel shaped by the power of chaos, the technology of mineral salts and nectar, and the magic crystal technology from the wizarding civilization...

Just how much terrifying war potential is hidden within?

He closed his eyes, and his consciousness sank back to a deeper level.

The modified workers, the half-metal corpses hiding in the shadows, and the seemingly ordinary yet deadly automated equipment...

An invisible net is slowly tightening.

………………

At the reception station on the outskirts of the mine, Crawford Walker stood in front of the registration window.

He was dressed in a well-tailored suit, with a badge symbolizing his "noble" status hanging from his waist, and a slightly arrogant smile on his face.

When Karen won the Trial of the Gods, the entire family's noble rank was promoted.

Using this title and the prestige gained from their great victory in the "Trial of the Gods," the Walker family managed the Chamber of Commerce, cultivated relationships with powerful figures, and accumulated wealth, gradually establishing a firm foothold in the Upper City.

Now, his family wants him to come back and "take over" the mining area.

In Crawford's view, this was nothing short of a gift from fate:
A fully mature "money tree" that has been developed over forty years is about to fall into his hands.

His gaze kept drifting out the window.
Before coming here, he had consulted the family archives about this place countless times.

Forty years ago, this place was just a cursed wasteland, filled with toxic gases and mutated creatures. After Uncle Karen took over, he began to carry out sweeping reforms.
Twenty years ago, the mining area's output value exceeded the total output value of all other mines in Hearthstone for the first time;

Ten years ago, this place had already become the most desirable "model industrial zone" on the entire Stoker Planet...

Every report describes the same miracle.

But words are ultimately just words.

When Crawford actually stood there and saw the scene before him, he finally understood:
Those reports were still too conservative.

The architecture of the reception center itself was beyond his comprehension.

The walls were made of a black alloy he had never seen before, with a smooth, mirror-like surface, yet exuding an indescribable sense of weight.

The door frame is inlaid with sophisticated rune circuits that automatically activate an identity recognition program whenever someone passes by.
The ceiling lights emit a soft white light that is close to natural light...

"This architectural style..."

The financial advisor, an elderly man wearing a monocle, lowered his voice and said:
“Young master, I have seen a similar design at the Central Academy of Engineering in Hearth City.”

“But that was a ‘temple auxiliary building’ that the high priest personally oversaw and spent decades completing.”

"And here..."

He looked around, his eyes filled with disbelief:

"The entire reception station, in terms of scale and precision, is in no way inferior to a temple building."

"But this is just an 'outer reception station' for the mining area!"

Crawford's Adam's apple bobbed.

If even the outer reception area is this luxurious, what must the core area of ​​the mining area be like?
"A guest of the Walker family, is that it?"

Behind the registration window, a staff member in a neat uniform looked up.

He was a middle-aged man with a standard professional smile on his face, but his eyes held a certain... scrutiny.

It was as if he were the nobleman, and Crawford was just a commoner seeking an audience.

This subtle sense of "disorientation" made Crawford feel uneasy.

But he still maintained his politeness:

“Yes, I am Crawford Walker, here to visit my uncle, Governor Karen.”

"Please show your family crest and identification."

Crawford took out an exquisite badge from his pocket—the Walker family crest.

This badge is made of "gold" and is quite valuable.

Most importantly, it represents the Walker family's current status in Hearthheart.

However, the staff member only glanced at it before expressionlessly placing the badge on a scanning device.

"drop!"

The machine made a soft sound, and lines of information appeared on the display screen.

"Crawford Walker, 28 years old, graduate of the Gold Burning Academy, outstanding apprentice...identity confirmed."

The staff member looked up:
"However, there is one thing I need to remind you of."

"Within the mining area, all activities must comply with the 'Regulations on the Management of Mining Areas'."

“Your noble status does not grant you any ‘immunity’ here.”

"If anyone violates the regulations, they will be punished in accordance with the rules, regardless of their status."

Crawford was stunned.

His first reaction was that the staff member was joking.

Does noble status not grant immunity?

This is a blatant challenge to the traditional order of the Fireman Planet!
But when he saw the other person's eyes, which were not joking at all, he realized that the other person was serious.

"I...I understand."

Crawford managed to squeeze out those words.

"very good."

The staff member nodded and stamped a document:
"Welcome to the West City Mines, Mr. Crawford."

"Please follow the guide to the Governor's Mansion. Governor Karen is already waiting for you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the doors of the reception station slowly opened.

A deafening sound came from outside the door!

"Boom—boom—boom—"

That was the booming of cannons!
Colorful fireworks bloomed in the twilight sky, like blossoming flowers, adorning the dim horizon with vibrant colors!
The band began to play.

The sounds of metal clanging, steam erupting, gears turning, and a kind of harmonies resembling a chorus...

They merged together in an incredible way, forming an "industrial symphony" that was both magnificent and eerie.

The red carpet stretched from the entrance of the reception area all the way to the horizon.

Both sides were lined with workers in uniform, who all raised their right hands and placed them on their chests in unison.

That wasn't the commoners kneeling before the nobles; it was more like... a completely equal courtesy.

"This……"

Crawford was completely stunned.

He had originally thought that his uncle would send a butler to pick him up, exchange a few perfunctory pleasantries, and then take him to meet him.

But this scene before me... is this really how you receive a junior member of a family?
This is practically a welcome for a distinguished guest of equal status to the governor!
"Master, hurry up."

The etiquette teacher gently nudged him.

Crawford then came to his senses and stepped onto the red carpet.

With each step, the workers on both sides would shout in unison:
"welcome!"

"welcome!"

"welcome!"

The sound waves came one after another, like a tidal wave.

Crawford's heart was beating faster and faster.

He tried his best to maintain the elegant gait of a nobleman, but his legs involuntarily went weak.

He had only seen such a scene once before, during the High Priest's procession in Hearthheart.

That was the highest-level ceremony on the entire planet of Stokers, involving tens of thousands of believers and costing countless sums of money...

Even during that parade, the workers' emotions were only "awe" and "fear".

And the workers here, the emotion in their eyes is... pride.

A genuine and undisguised sense of pride.

It's as if being able to participate in this welcoming ceremony is an honor in itself.

At the end of the red carpet, a uniquely designed "vehicle" was waiting.

It was a box-shaped carriage made of pure black metal, with no wheels at the bottom, but suspended about half a meter above the ground.

"Young Master Walker, please get in the car."

A burly man in the uniform of a vice governor stood beside the carriage and bowed respectfully.

It was none other than Iron Hammer Green.

Crawford looked the man up and down:
They are like both workers and managers;
He possesses both the simplicity of the lower classes and the shrewdness of the upper classes; this guy should be quite difficult to deal with.

"you are……"

"Iron Hammer Green, the current deputy governor of the mining area."

Green introduced with a smile:

"Forty years ago, I was just an ordinary mining foreman."

“It was Governor Karen who gave me the opportunity that made me who I am today.”

His tone was filled with genuine gratitude.

Crawford nodded and boarded the carriage under Green's guidance.

“This technology…”

The financial advisor's eyes widened:
“In Hearthstone, only the High Priest’s ‘Holy Seat’ is equipped with a similar device.”

"And here, they're using it on ordinary reception vehicles?"

Green simply smiled when he heard this:

“There are three hundred of these vehicles in the mining area.”

“Every single one of them is produced in our own factory.”

Three hundred vehicles!
Crawford's heart skipped a beat.

what does this mean?
The mining area has mastered the technology for mass production of advanced vehicles!
If they wanted, they could easily convert this production line for military use...

"Please sit tight, we're about to depart."

Green's voice interrupted Crawford's thoughts.

The carriage began to move forward smoothly.

Through the crystal wall, Crawford was finally able to see the entire mining area clearly.

The first thing that catches the eye is a large residential area.

The buildings are arranged in neat rows, each with a unified style—simple, practical, yet aesthetically pleasing.

The walls were painted a light blue, the windows were bright and clean, and some pollution-resistant ornamental plants were planted at the entrance.

Most surprisingly, warm light shone from the windows of every house.

"This is……"

"Magic Lamp".

Green explained:
“The mining area provides each family with a basic supply of magic.”

"It's sufficient for daily lighting, heating, and basic electrical appliance use."

"Electrical... appliances?"

Crawford repeated the unfamiliar word with a somewhat bewildered expression.

“Oh, this is a new concept invented by Governor Karen.”

Green said with a smile:
"Simply put, they are various convenient tools driven by magic."

"For example, automatic kettles, temperature-controlled refrigerators, and cleaning dolls..."

Crawford couldn't understand a word.

These terms were as obscure and difficult to understand as a book written in a foreign language to him.

But he could sense that the technological sophistication behind these things far exceeded his imagination.

The vehicle continued forward, passing through the residential area and arriving at the industrial area.

The scenery here is even more breathtaking.

Giant factories have sprung up, with chimneys standing tall and machines roaring.

"This is the core production area of ​​the mining district."

Green explained:
"In addition to producing mineral salt every day, we also produce mineral salt."

At the same time, we also produce various ancillary products—refined metals, magic batteries, rune parts…”

"These products are not only supplied to the mining area for its own use, but are also exported to Furnace City, and even the entire Furnace Star."

Crawford was numb.

His brain couldn't process such a massive amount of information.

Every piece of data and every technology is refreshing his understanding of the concept of "mining area".

How can this still be considered a "mining area"?
This is clearly a complete, self-sufficient industrial empire with a technological level far exceeding that of the outside world!
The vehicle finally stopped in front of a magnificent building, the Governor's Palace.

The door slowly opened.

An elderly man with a hunched back, leaning on a cane, stood inside the door.

"Welcome, Crawford."

The old man's voice was hoarse:
"Welcome to my mining area."

Crawford got out of the car and walked over.

He opened his mouth, as if to say something.

But it felt like something was blocking his throat, and he couldn't say a single word.

In the end, he could only give a stiff bow:

“Uncle…no, Governor Karen.”

“This junior, Crawford, has come to pay his respects.”

Karen, the old woman, or rather the body controlled by the ink, smiled slightly.

There was a hint of pity in that smile.

"come in."

"We have a lot to discuss in the time ahead." (End of Chapter)