Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 684 Grant

Chapter 684 Grant
The applause came like a tide, and then receded like a tide.

Pandora gently raised her hand on the platform, instantly silencing the entire hall.

"I believe you all have many questions about the research that Professor Ralph just presented."

"Now, please feel free to ask questions."

As soon as he finished speaking, countless hands were raised.

Some hands were raised eagerly, as if a second's delay would mean losing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity;

Some, however, acted with composure, displaying the reserved demeanor characteristic of seasoned wizards.

Ron surveyed the entire area, his gaze finally settling on a tall figure.

"Sir, please."

A burly Moon-level wizard stood up excitedly.

His skin had a strange dark red color, as if flames were flowing beneath his skin.

"Professor Ralph!"

"I am a bloodline wizard, and through a modification surgery, I have fused one-quarter of the Fire Dragon bloodline into my body!"

"But my bloodline has always been very unstable, and I often fall into a berserk state!"

“Every time I have an episode, I lose my temper, destroy the environment, equipment, and even hurt the people around me…”

His voice lowered, and deeper lines appeared on his dark red skin, clear evidence that he was suppressing the turmoil within him.
"Excuse me... can your technology help me?"

This question reflected the sentiments of many bloodline wizards present.

They all face similar dilemmas to varying degrees.

Those who fuse with different bloodlines in pursuit of power must bear the shackles that come with it.

Ron looked at the young man intently.

He could "see" the surging bloodline power within the other person's body.

It was a sub-dragon imprisoned, yearning to break free of its cage, yet only able to roar in vain within its confines.

"Theoretically, it is entirely possible."

He nodded:
"The 'arrogance' and 'tyranny' of dragon blood are essentially the same kind of obsession."

"They are engraved in every drop of dragon blood, and will continue to be passed down from generation to generation with the bloodline."

Ron sketched a runic structure in the air:
“Through the ‘Obsession Harmony’ technique, we can retain the power amplification brought by our bloodline—stronger physical attributes, higher magical affinity, and more terrifying regenerative abilities…”

"At the same time, it weakens those negative influences—rage, arrogance, and the instinctive contempt for the weak..."

"in other words……"

He looked at the young wizard, his gaze carrying a certain understanding:

"You will still possess the power of the dragon race, but you will no longer be enslaved by its instincts."

"When anger rises, you will have a choice—to release the anger or to suppress the flames."

"This right to choose is the core value of this technology."

"Thank you, Professor."

His voice sounded somewhat doubtful:
"You don't know, I've tried so many methods over the years..."

"I know."

Ron interrupted him:

"This requires targeted formula design; we can't just apply the vampire formula directly."

"The extraordinary factors and genetic structures of dragons and vampires are completely different, and the risks and costs of the modification process will also be different."

"If you are interested, you can contact my assistant after the ceremony and we can discuss it in detail."

The young wizard nodded repeatedly and sat down with a face full of gratitude.

The second hand was quickly targeted.

This time, it was an old alchemist with gray hair who stood up.

His body was covered in various metal powders and traces of alchemical potions, clearly indicating that he had come directly from the laboratory.

"Professor Ralph."

The old alchemist's voice was hoarse:
"I'd like to ask a question that's slightly off-topic."

"If the 'obsession reconciliation' technique is applied to alchemical creations, such as puppets and golems... could it break through their intelligence limits?"

This question made Ron's eyes light up.

"A brilliant idea! A puppet's 'obsession' is often engraved in its core—to protect its master, to carry out orders, and to complete its mission..."

"These obsessions are too rigid, causing the puppet's behavior patterns to never meet the designer's expectations."

"They can execute instructions to a certain extent, but they cannot truly 'understand' the intention behind the instructions."

Ron unfolded a series of deductive formulas in the air:

"But what if we use the power of chaos to reconstruct the puppet's core..."

"In theory, we can give them more 'possibilities'."

"From 'executing commands' to 'understanding commands'."

"From 'protecting the owner' to 'determining the best way to protect the owner'."

"This will be a completely new research direction..."

His gaze swept over the alchemists below the stage:
"Perhaps this is the true gateway to 'artificial intelligence'."

The old alchemist's hands trembled with excitement.

"If...if this direction is feasible..."

He muttered to himself:
"Our research on puppet intelligence over the years has been going in the wrong direction..."

“It’s not wrong,” Ron corrected, “it’s not enough.”

"Academic research always builds upon the work of predecessors."

The old alchemist nodded and sat down.

Several more questions were raised and answered—some about the success rate of the modification, some about long-term side effects, and some about the feasibility of technology promotion…

Ron answered each question in detail, and for some questions he provided detailed explanations.

Some frankly admitted that there are no answers yet and further research is needed.

Just as the atmosphere was beginning to ease, a voice rang out from a corner of the hall.

"Great Wizard Ron."

Everyone turned to look.

The speaker was a highly respected and venerable wizard.

His hair was completely white, and his face was etched with the marks of time, but his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's.

"IMHO……"

The old wizard slowly stood up:
"The technology you just demonstrated is truly breathtaking."

"However……"

His tone suddenly turned serious:

"Could this technology trigger...some deeper dangers?"

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.

"Rewrite bloodline memories, adjust the direction of obsession..."

The old wizard said, enunciating each word clearly:

"What is the fundamental difference between this and the 'mind control' spell?"

"If this technology is misused... its subtle influence will be far more difficult to guard against than those 'mind control' methods, just like Cedric's 'mind virus' back then!"

His gaze was fixed on Ron:

"Haven't you considered these possibilities?"

This is a sharp, almost jarring question, yet it is one that cannot be avoided.

The wizards below the stage looked at each other, and some of them became serious.

They were so caught up in the excitement of the technological breakthrough that they momentarily overlooked the hidden danger that made them all feel uneasy.

Ron did not answer immediately.

He paused for a few seconds, seemingly carefully considering his words.

The silence that lasted only made those present more nervous.

"This is indeed a very important issue."

His voice was steady:

"Thank you for reminding me, senior."

"My team and I have discussed this issue repeatedly since the beginning of our research."

He walked to the edge of the platform so that he could look directly at the old wizard:
"First, I must emphasize the following volunteers."

We will only perform modifications if the patient is fully informed and gives their complete consent.

"This is the first line of defense—informed consent."

"Secondly..."

His expression became more serious:

"This technology is only effective on 'bloodline memory' and not on 'personal consciousness'."

“We are simply removing the constraints so that they can be free to be themselves.”

"for example."

Ron's tone softened:
"Imagine a vampire who struggles daily between 'having to drink blood' and 'not wanting to harm the innocent'."

“Ayden’s curse told him: You must crave blood, you must obey the king’s will.”

"But his own conscience told him: I don't want to become a monster, I don't want to hurt anyone."

"This tearing apart continues day after day, year after year..."

"And then what?"

"He will still have a need for blood—after all, it is a physiological characteristic of vampires."

"But this need is no longer a 'must,' but a 'choice.'"

"He can choose to drink the blood, or he can choose to endure it."

"He can choose to obey or he can choose to resist."

"The choice... has returned to his own hands."

The old wizard remained silent for a long time.

"Informed consent and boundaries of action... these two lines of defense can indeed prevent the misuse of technology to a great extent."

"but……"

He added:
"I still recommend that a complete regulatory system should be established before the technology is promoted."

"Any technology that involves 'rewriting the nature of life' should be subject to rigorous review and oversight."

"I totally agree."

Ron nodded solemnly:
"In fact, I have already drafted a draft of the Harmony and Technology Implementation Guidelines."

"Once the document is completed, I will submit it to the academic alliance for review."

"I hope to receive guidance from senior colleagues at that time."

The old wizard's expression softened considerably.

"The younger generation is truly formidable..."

He sighed softly and sat down.

Another half hour passed, and the Q&A session finally came to an end.

Pandora stood up from the podium, her shimmering long dress rippling with her movements.

"So... let's move on to the final step."

The dome of the main hall slowly opened, revealing the deep starry sky outside.

Countless starlight fell down, gathering around Pandora and forming a hazy halo.

She took a badge out of the halo.

The front is engraved with an open scroll, with burning flames floating above it.

Books symbolize the transmission of knowledge, while flames represent the illumination of wisdom.

The badge has two small inscriptions engraved around its edge:
"Use knowledge as light to illuminate the darkness."

"It is our responsibility to spread the word and enlighten future generations."

Pandora, carrying the badge, walked toward Ron.

"Ron Ralph".

She stopped in front of him:
"You created Narrative Potions, breaking down the barriers of traditional understanding."

"You pioneered and built the chaotic world, extending the boundaries of civilization."

"You developed obsession-modifying technology, bringing hope to countless lives bound by curses."

"At less than a hundred years old, you have accomplished what many wizards cannot achieve even in their entire lives."

Pandora's voice echoed in the hall:

"Today, under the witness of the School Alliance and the Court of Truth."

"In the name of illusion, I bestow upon you the title of 'Professor'."

She personally pinned the badge to Ron's chest.

May your wisdom illuminate the path for those who follow.

May your legacy endure through the ages.

The entire audience stood up and applause erupted.

Ron looked down at the badge on his chest, the scrolls and flames reflecting each other.

This small badge represents the highest recognition of his academic standing by the academic alliance.

"Thank you."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the faces below the stage—faces filled with excitement, admiration, and complex emotions.
"This honor does not belong to me alone."

"It belongs to every researcher who has dedicated their efforts to the 'Daywalker Project'."

"as well as……"

His voice paused slightly: "Everyone who believes in 'possibility'." Applause erupted again, even more enthusiastic than before.

Amidst the commotion, Ron caught something out of the corner of his eye.

At the very back of the crowd, near the exit, stood a figure wearing a gray robe and a hood.

That figure did not clap.

He just stood there quietly, watching everything on the stage.

That tranquility stood in stark contrast to the surrounding fervor.

When Ron's gaze fell on him, the figure sensed the gaze and turned to walk towards the exit.

It was fast, yet carried a certain composure.

The purpose of this trip has been achieved; there is no need to linger any longer.

Ron subconsciously activated his [Observation] ability.

Starlight swirled in his eyes, and the power of his ethereal body extended his "observation" further, attempting to discern the true identity of that figure...

Then, he froze.

Nothing could be seen; that figure... was like a blank space.

There was no magical fluctuation, no life force, and not even any trace of what "existence" should have.

It's like a "nothingness" that shouldn't exist in this world.

Ron's heart sank.

With his current level of cultivation, he can completely shield himself from the existence of "observation"...

They are either powerful figures far surpassing the Great Wizards, or mysterious individuals who have mastered some special means of concealment.

The figure had already disappeared at the exit.

Ron suppressed his doubts and turned his attention back to the ritual itself.

Today is not the time to investigate.

Whoever the mysterious person is or what their purpose is, we'll have to wait until after the ceremony to find out.

The ceremony concluded amidst jubilation.

Countless wizards rushed forward, hoping to exchange a few words with the newly appointed "professor".

Some asked for autographs, some offered collaborations, and others simply wanted to catch a glimpse of this legendary figure up close.

Ron handled the situation with ease, but a sense of unease remained lingering within him.

The image of that gray-robed figure was like a thorn stuck deep in his consciousness.

All the social engagements finally came to an end at sunset.

Ron declined the invitation from several great wizards to dine with him and returned to the northern manor alone.

The study door closed behind him.

A soundproof barrier quietly unfolds, shutting out all external sounds.

He walked to the window, looked at the garden outside that was gradually being tinged with twilight, and remained silent for a long time.

"Still thinking about that gray-robed man?"

A cool female voice echoed from the depths of her consciousness; it was Acelia.

You noticed it too?

Ron was not surprised.

Although Azalea does not have an independent body, her perception is astonishingly sharp.

Especially when it comes to things that might threaten Ron's safety, she is even more vigilant than he is.

"of course."

The dragon soul's voice was solemn:

"That feeling of 'blankness'... I've only seen it in a very few beings."

"Either they are at least top-tier archmages who are deliberately concealing their aura."

"Or..."

She paused for a moment: "It's something that 'shouldn't exist here'."

Ron remained silent for a moment.

Do you have any guesses?

"I have a few guesses, but I'm not entirely sure about any of them."

Acelia's voice carried a thoughtful tone:
"However... the Witch King himself attended today's ceremony."

"Don't you find it strange?" Dragon Soul's tone became subtle:

"The conferment ceremony of a 'full professor' is important, but it does not require the Witch King to preside over it personally."

"Her presence there was suspicious in itself."

"And that gray-robed man... just happened to appear when she was present."

Do you think this is a coincidence?

Ron fell into deep thought.

Azalea makes a good point.

Pandora's appearance was indeed somewhat abrupt.

Although her stated reason was "to witness the beginning of an era," great people never do things without meaning.

Her true purpose... may not be as simple as it seems on the surface.

“Speaking of Pandora…” Ron asked tentatively:

"Acelia, how did you feel about seeing her today?"

A brief silence fell over the depths of his consciousness.

When Acelia spoke again, her tone was filled with extreme inner conflict:
"……good."

"good?"

Ron laughed:

“I remember when you woke up in the quicksand, you came out and chatted with me and started making vows.”

"When the opportunity arises in the future, I must make her experience being vivisection."

"That was before!"

Dragon Soul's voice was somewhat annoyed: "I...I don't think that way anymore!"

"Oh?" Ron asked with interest, "So what do you think now?"

After a longer silence, Acelia spoke softly:
"...Just have her sincerely apologize and ask for my forgiveness."

This answer surprised Ron.

He also recalled that Azalea's "revenge plan" against Pandora had been "downgraded" over the years.

The original intention was "to let that stinky woman experience the taste of live dissection."

Then it became, "You can spare my life, kneel down and beg for mercy before me, and be a slave for ten thousand years."

Later it came down to "being a slave for five thousand years is enough".

Then it became "slaves for three thousand years", "slaves for one thousand years", "slaves for two hundred years"...

Now, it's actually been downgraded to "a sincere apology is enough"?
“Acelia…”

Ron's voice was tinged with laughter:

"You wouldn't have...forgave her, would you?"

"I didn't!" Dragon Soul's voice suddenly rose:

"I will never forgive her!"

"She used me as experimental material, dissecting me until nothing was left!"

"Extract my blood, scales, bone marrow, and even fragments of my soul..."

"If you hadn't run into me, I'd still be buried beneath the quicksand!"

"How could such hatred be forgiven!"

Her voice rose higher and higher, but then suddenly fell low at the end:
"only……"

"Just what?"

"...I just didn't want to cause you any trouble."

Acelia's voice became extremely soft:
“Pandora is the Witch King, and you are only a Grand Wizard right now.”

“If I insist that you help me take revenge, then you must become His enemy.”

"That's too dangerous."

"I don't want to... drag you into danger because of my personal grudges."

Ron was stunned.

The study fell into a long silence.

Outside the window, the last rays of the setting sun sank below the horizon, and night slowly descended.

"Acelia".

Ron spoke softly.

"...What are you doing?"

"Thank you."

"Thank... thank you for what..."

Dragon Soul's voice sounded somewhat flustered:
"I... just made a rational judgment."

"I know how to weigh the pros and cons, and it has nothing to do with feelings. I just don't want to lose a useful host..."

Her voice grew softer and softer until it became a mumbled, indistinct murmur.

Ron didn't call her out on it.

He knew Azalea's personality—proud, stubborn, and never willing to admit defeat verbally.

But her actions often speak louder than her words.

From the initial "live dissection" to the current "sincere apology".

The magnitude of this difference cannot be explained by mere "rational judgment".

She is gradually letting go of her hatred.

It's not because I've forgotten, nor is it because I've let go.

She simply felt that... she shouldn't let her obsession become a burden on Ron's path forward.

………………

In the tea room of the northern manor, sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in a warm amber hue.

Eve, Chloe, and Ron sat around a round table.

The table was set with exquisite afternoon tea treats—rose macarons, lemon tarts, and raspberry mousse stacked on a silver three-tiered tray.

The scones baked by Ailan themselves exuded the aroma of butter, and paired with a pot of freshly brewed black tea, the entire tea room was filled with a leisurely and comfortable atmosphere.

"Congratulations, Professor Ralph."

Chloe raised her teacup, her "eyes," veiled in black silk, facing Ron directly.
"A professorship, bestowed upon him personally by the King of Illusions."

Her tone was filled with sincere congratulations, but also contained a hint of teasing.

"Speaking of which, the Witch King personally presided over the bestowal ceremony..."

Dyer leaned closer curiously, her eyes full of wonder:

"This must be very rare in history, right?"

“Very rare.” Chloe nodded, her fingers lightly tapping the rim of her teacup.

"The last time the Witch King personally presided over the conferment of a full professorship was when Cassandra Tower was in charge."

Eve pouted, somewhat displeased:

"Why do I have this feeling that these witch kings are all trying to steal people?"

She counted on her fingers:

“Our ancestors had long ago designated our mentor as ‘one of their own,’ and they started giving me all sorts of hints about it when I was still an apprentice.”

"The King of Records always gives his mentor all sorts of conveniences, such as file access, database access, and whatever he asks for."

"Now even the King of Illusions has made a move..."

She gave a soft hum, her tone tinged with a hint of coquettishness:

"I feel like my position as his wife is in jeopardy."

"Your Highness, are you jealous?"

Dyer covered her mouth and laughed:

"Jealous that the Witch Kings are getting too close to their master?"

"No way!"

Eve turned her head away haughtily:

"I'm just... just stating objective facts."

Ron chuckled and reached out to ruffle his wife's hair.

"You're overthinking it. What those witch kings value is only my potential and worth."