Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 685 Guiding the Way
"Card divination."

Chloe took out a deck of divination cards from her small bag; the edges of each card were slightly worn from years of use.

She explained with a smile:

"It's not a formal prophecy or prediction, just a little game to play over tea."

Dyer curiously leaned closer, staring intently at the deck of cards:
"I've heard that tarot card spreads are very magical; can they really reveal the future?"

"It's not that magical."

Chloe shook her head and chuckled:
"Divination, to put it simply, is probability plus psychological suggestion."

"The cards themselves are nothing special; what truly matters is how the interpreter connects the symbolism of the cards with reality."

Her fingers lightly traced the back of the cards:

"Especially for fortune telling for important figures..."

Chloe "looked" at Ron, her eyes, hidden behind black silk, seemingly able to see through everything:
"The higher the status of an existence, the more difficult it is to discern their destiny."

"Because their 'ego' is too strong, they will instinctively reject any external 'observation'."

"Someone like Professor Ralph..."

She spread her hands:

"To be honest, my divination skills are probably less than one percent accurate in comparison to his."

"Then what's the point of playing?"

Eve tilted her head in confusion.

"Just treat it as entertainment."

Chloe began shuffling the cards, her fingers deftly flipping, interlacing, and rearranging them:
"Moreover, divination can sometimes serve to 'inspire thought'."

"By interpreting the symbolism of the cards, we can examine our current situation from another perspective."

Even if it's only 1% of the information is relevant...

Her fingers gently traced the cards: "It's better than being completely blind."

Ron nodded, showing some interest as well.

"That's right."

Although the other party repeatedly declined, I had actually benefited from divination countless times.

"Then let's give it a try."

Chloe nodded and began to formally set up the formation.

She had Ron silently recite a question in his mind, and then drew three cards from the shuffled deck.

"This is a classic 'past-present-future' three-card spread."

She placed the three cards face down on the table, one in each order:
"The first one represents the past trajectory, the second one represents the present situation, and the third one represents the future direction."

"Although this tarot spread is simple, it can outline the basic trajectory of a person's life."

"Let's look at the first one."

Chloe reached out and turned over the first card.

[The Chariot (Upright)]

On the card, a warrior clad in armor is driving a chariot drawn by two horses, one black and one white.

The soldier's expression was resolute, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

He gripped the reins tightly, taming the two horses completely.

The chariot sped through the clouds, and wherever it passed, the wind and clouds changed color.

"Chariot, upright."

Chloe's fingers lightly touched the card, and the sound became distant:
"It represents conquest, breakthrough, and victory of will."

"The core image of this card is 'taming opposing forces'."

"The black horse and the white horse symbolize the two contradictory aspects of human nature—reason and emotion, light and darkness, order and chaos."

"And the chariot driver can unite these two forces and drive them forward in the same direction."

She "looked" at Ron:

"Place it in the 'past' position..."

“It’s clear that you’ve been ‘moving forward’ over the years.”

"Continuously break through limitations and conquer difficulties."

"From the Black Mist Forest to where I am today, from apprentice to great wizard..."

Chloe smiles:
"This card can be said to be a reflection of your past life."

Eve rested her head on her husband's shoulder, feeling equally proud:

"Indeed, my mentor has encountered many difficulties along the way..."

She recalled various experiences, some recounted by her husband, and others she witnessed herself:
Black Mist Jungle, Kingdom of Farouk, Central Land, Great Abyss, Vinard's Colony, Mirror Kingdom of the Perfect King, Stoker Star, World of Chaotic Blood, Paradise...

"But every time, he manages to find a solution."

"And the second one?" Dale asked impatiently.

Chloe turns over the second card.

Then, her expression became subtle.

The Gate of Chaos (Upright)

On the card, a gate floats in the clouds, with four creature reliefs at the four corners—a dragon, an eagle, a lion, and a bull.

The door was covered with cryptic texts and alchemical symbols, with a six-pointed star array in the center.

The door was half-open, revealing boundless darkness inside.

"The Gate of Chaos..."

Chloe rubbed her temples:
"The meaning of this card is complex."

"It represents cycles, changes, turning points, and also the intervention of fate itself."

Her fingers tapped lightly on the cards:

"Placing it in the 'now' position indicates that you are currently at a critical 'node'."

"The gates of chaos will open fully at a certain moment... The causes of the past are bearing fruit in the present."

"And the choices we make now will determine the future."

“What node?” Ron asked.

“I’m not sure.” Chloe shook her head honestly.
"The Gate of Chaos is one of the most difficult cards to interpret in the Major Arcana."

"Because it represents not 'fixed events', but 'change itself'."

"It tells us that everything is in flux, everything is changing."

"Those who stand at the top may fall to the bottom in the next moment."
And those who are at their lowest point may suddenly be lifted to the top by the hand of fate.

"But one thing is certain..."

She looked up: "The choice you make now will have a profound impact on the future."

"The door is slowly opening, and you are standing... in front of the door."

"Left or right; forward or backward; persevere or give up..."

“Every choice can change when the door opens and what might be behind it.”

A brief silence fell over the room.

The sunlight outside the window was still warm, but the atmosphere in the tea room inexplicably became heavy.

"And what about the third one? What does the future hold?"

Eve gripped Ron's hand nervously.

"I'll take a look right away."

Chloe reached out and turned over the third card.

Then, she froze.

The Tower (Reversed)

On the card, a towering building is struck by lightning.

A raging fire was burning at the top of the tower, bricks and stones were falling, and smoke and dust filled the air.

Two figures fell from the top of the tower, their postures contorted and their expressions terrified.

Moreover—this card is upside down.

"This……"

Dale's voice trembled slightly: "It doesn't look very auspicious..."

Chloe's finger hovered above the cards, as if she was hesitating about something.

“Chloe?” Ron noticed her unusual behavior.

"……Feel sorry."

Chloe withdrew her hand, her tone tinged with helplessness:

"I can't interpret this card."

"What do you mean?"

"It means exactly what it says."

Chloe smiled wryly:
"When I tried to use the power of the [Weaver Girl] to interpret the deeper meaning of this card..."

All I could 'see' was fog.

"A fog so thick it's impossible to dispel."

Her voice became somewhat conflicted:

"This is not normal."

“Even if a regular divination is inaccurate, it can at least reveal some vague images.”

Even just some scattered images, fragmented scenes...

“But now…” Chloe shook her head: “I can’t see it at all.”

"It's like..." She hesitated for a moment:
"It's as if something is deliberately obscuring your future."

Eve gripped her husband's hand tighter, making Ron somewhat exasperated: "Could it be that the divination went wrong?"

"No, there's nothing wrong with divination itself."

Chloe examined the cards closely; the exquisite designs shimmered slightly in the sunlight.

"The problem lies with... the person being divined."

She "looked" at Ron:

"Your position is too high; you are already at the 'upstream' of the river of destiny."

"And I..."

Chloe chuckled self-deprecatingly:
"At best, he's just a fisherman watching from the riverbank; trying to peek at what's happening upstream is indeed a bit presumptuous of him."

She put away her cards: "Sorry, it seems I overestimated myself."

“However…” she thought for a moment, then added:

"Although I can't see the specific content clearly, I can give you some... intuition-based advice."

What suggestion?

“The Tower card, even reversed…” Chloe’s voice softened:
"The core meaning remains 'collapse,' 'mutation,' and 'the end of the old order.'"

"This card symbolizes sudden, unpredictable changes."

"It reminds us that some things that seem solid are actually incredibly fragile."
Some of the established orders we take for granted can crumble at any moment.

“Reversed…” She pondered for a moment:

"The reversed position means that this change may not be as sudden or drastic as the upright position."

"The power of change has been delayed or dispersed."

"But change itself will still occur."

"Just in a slower, more covert way."

She looked at Ron: "And in conjunction with the 'Gate of Chaos' mentioned earlier..."

"My gut tells me... you need to be prepared."

"Prepare what?" Eve pressed.

"Prepare for...a change."

Chloe's words became indistinct:

"It could be external or internal."

"It could be an opportunity, or it could be a crisis."

"It may come from a field you are familiar with, or it may come from a completely unexpected direction."

"But in any case..."

She said earnestly:
"The Tower card is never simply a bad card."

"It represents both destruction and 'rebirth'."

"Only when the old tower collapses can a new tower be built."

"Only when the old order collapses can a new order be born."

"sometimes……"

Chloe's voice became meaningful:

"We need to tear down the towers that bind us with our own hands in order to truly gain freedom."

After a brief silence, Ron spoke:
"Could we have another divination?"

"can."

Chloe reshuffles the deck:
What do you want to ask this time?

"I want to know..."

Ron pondered for a moment:

"In the near future, in which direction should I focus my energy?"

"understood."

Chloe nodded.

She made Ron draw the cards again.

This time she used a more complex tarot spread – the “Pentagram Guidance Spread”.

The five cards are arranged in a five-pointed star shape, with each position representing a possible direction of development.

"This spread is specifically for 'direction selection'."

Chloe explained:
“The five positions represent: academic research, expansion of influence, interpersonal relationships, skill improvement, and exploration of the unknown.”

"The meaning and strength of each card will tell us which direction deserves the most attention."

"First position: Academic research."

Chloe turned over the first card.

The Hermit (Upright)

On the card, an old man in a gray robe stands alone on a mountaintop, holding a lantern.

Behind him was a sky full of stars, and beneath his feet was a winding mountain road.

The light from the lantern was faint, but enough to illuminate the road ahead.

"The hermit...represents solitude, contemplation, and introspection."

Chloe's interpretation:
"This card symbolizes those endeavors that require quiet contemplation and solitary exploration."

"Academic research is precisely this kind of field—it requires patience, focus, and distance from the hustle and bustle of the world."

"Placing it in the context of academic research indicates that this is a 'steady' path."

Her fingers lightly traced the surface of the cards:

"You can continue to delve deeper into narrative potionology and refine the theory."

"With your current academic standing and resources, this path will be very smooth."

"But... the Hermit card isn't very powerful."

"It represents 'stable accumulation' rather than 'breakthrough progress'." "If you choose this path, you will have results and gains... but you may not have the kind of groundbreaking discoveries that change the landscape."

Ron nodded, signaling to continue.

"Second position: expansion of power."

Chloe turns over the second card.

Eight of Arrows (Upright)

On the card, eight arrows are shot into the sky, their posture fierce.

The background is a vast plain, with sunlight streaming through the clouds and illuminating the earth.

"The arrow eight... represents rapid action, expansion, and advancement."

Chloe's tone became more lively:

"This is a card full of energy!"

"It symbolizes that things are developing rapidly and are gaining momentum."

"Placing it in a position of expanding influence indicates that this direction will be very successful."

She leaned slightly forward:

"With the development of Twilight City, your influence in the main world is growing..."

"Progress will be rapid in all areas."

"If you focus your efforts in this direction, you are likely to see significant results in a short period of time."

"but……"

She cautioned, "While the number eight represents speed, it also implies 'haste'."

"Rapid expansion means that the foundation may not be solid enough."

"When you go too fast, you sometimes overlook some important details."

"A balance needs to be found between speed and stability."

"The third position: interpersonal relationships."

The third card is turned face up.

The Lovers (Upright)

On the card, a man and a woman stand embracing.

Behind them were lush fruit trees and babbling streams.

The sun shines warmly, and all things grow.

"Oh?" Eve swallowed the snack that the person next to her fed her and smiled sweetly: "I like this card."

Chloe nodded to the black-haired princess as well:
"The Lovers card represents harmony, connection, and cooperation."

"This is one of the 'warmest' cards in the Major Arcana."

"Placing this in the interpersonal relationships section indicates that you've been getting along very well with people lately."

"New partners will emerge, new allies will join..."

"It could also be a deepening and consolidation of existing relationships."

She "looked" at Eve:

"However, Your Highness, this card doesn't necessarily refer solely to love."

"It represents more the power of 'choice' and 'connection'."

"When we make genuine connections with others, both of us become stronger as a result."

"It is a mutually beneficial and symbiotic relationship, not a one-sided giving or taking."

"The fourth position: skill enhancement."

The fourth card is turned face up.

When Chloe saw the cards, her expression beneath the silk became subtle.

The Alchemist (Upright)

On the card, an alchemist wearing a lab coat stands in front of a workbench.

On his table were tools symbolizing the four elements: a scepter, a chalice, a sword, and a coin.

His gaze was focused and profound, as if he were performing some kind of sacred ritual.

"The Alchemist...this is a very special card."

Chloe began to offer her interpretation:

"It is the first card of the Major Arcana, numbered one."

“Represents the ability to ‘create,’ ‘transform,’ and ‘master tools.’”

"If the hermit is 'thinking,' then the alchemist is 'doing.'"

"He didn't just sit in his study researching theories; he personally turned his ideas into reality."

Her fingers tapped lightly on the cards:

"Place it in the position of skill improvement..."

"This means you have a lot of room for improvement in a certain skill."

"What skill?" Ron asked.

Chloe remained silent for a few seconds.

Her "eyes" seemed to be trying to catch something, and her delicate eyebrows were slightly furrowed.

“I saw some…vague images.”

Her voice became dazed:

"Gears... intricate gears... countless gears meshing together to form a vast mechanical network..."

"A maze... a complex maze... the corridors kept branching, extending, and twisting before my eyes..."

"And... a certain pursuit of 'perfection'..."

"A yearning for the 'ultimate'..."

She shook her head:

"Sorry, it's too blurry."

“I can only see these peripheral images; I can’t get to the core.”

"But I can be sure of one thing..."

Chloe said seriously:
"This card has the strongest power."

"Of the five cards, it is the 'brightest' one."

"It suggests that the path of 'skill enhancement' may be your most important direction at present."

"The Alchemist is the first card in the Major Mythic deck, symbolizing 'beginning' and 'possibility'."

"If you achieve a breakthrough in a certain skill area... it may open a 'new door' for you."

Ron seemed lost in thought, gears, maze, doors...

These images reminded him of the story the King of Absurdity had told not long ago.

And that artisan's labyrinth, the testing ground left by the Creator.

"The final destination: Exploring the unknown."

Chloe turned over the last card.

Everyone held their breath.

[Traveler (reversed)]

On the card, a young man stands on the edge of a cliff.

He carried his backpack, and a small dog jumped happily at his feet.

The traveler's eyes were fixed on the sky, a carefree smile on his lips, seemingly oblivious to the bottomless abyss beneath his feet.

Moreover—this card is upside down.

"Traveler..."

Chloe frowned:

"This is the most special card in the deck."

"It is numbered zero, or rather, it transcends the concept of numbering."

"In the entire deck of divination cards, the Traveler is the only card that has 'no fixed position'."

"It can appear anywhere, representing infinite possibilities."

She paused:

"The Traveler in the upright position represents 'innocent adventure,' 'leap of faith,' and 'courage to face the unknown.'"

"The traveler dares to stand on the edge of the cliff not because he is foolish..."

"It's because he believes that a miracle will happen after he jumps."

"But reversed..."

Her tone turned serious: "The reversed Traveler card represents 'recklessness,' 'blindness,' and 'ignoring danger.'"

"It warns us that sometimes, excessive optimism can make us ignore the precipice beneath our feet."

"Place it in a position of exploring the unknown..."

Chloe "looked" at Ron: "It's warning you..."

"If you want to explore the unknown, you must be very careful."

"We cannot be like the traveler in the picture, who only looks at the sky and ignores the ground beneath his feet that may collapse at any moment."

Her tone turned serious:

"This road... could be very dangerous, requiring great preparation and vigilance."

"but……"

Chloe's voice softened again:

"The Traveler card also has another layer of meaning."

"It represents 'possibility' itself."

“Represents a future that has not yet been defined or limited.”

"The reversed card may be saying... this path requires immense faith and preparation."

"You need to make thorough preparations before taking the risk."

"But if it really works, it might lead to the most incredible places."

After putting away the cards, the group continued drinking tea.

The atmosphere eased somewhat, but a hint of doubt remained in everyone's eyes.

"So, to summarize..."

Eve counted on her fingers:

"The mentor is currently at a critical juncture."

"There will be changes in the future, which may be opportunities or crises."

"The area we should focus on most is improving our skills."

"Especially skills related to gears and mazes."

She looked at Ron:
Do you have any clues?

Ron pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded:

“There are some clues that should point to the ‘craftsman’s labyrinth’.”

His voice became distant:

“That is the second demon god after the ‘Ancestor’, and also the trial ground created by the ‘Creator’ who was the founder of the Second Era.”

"The King of Perfection has resided there for many years, guarding what his teacher left behind. It is said that it contains the secret of 'the ultimate'..."

Chloe "looked" at Ron:

"So, the images I saw today... might be pointing to that?"

“Very likely.” Ron nodded.
"Although you can't 'see' it directly, the image of the maze should be a reflection of the 'craftsman's maze'."

"That's how divination is sometimes—it can't get to the core, but it can capture some echoes on the periphery."

"So, are you planning to go?"

Eve asked worriedly, her purple eyes filled with concern:

"The Traveler reversed... sounds dangerous."

“I should go.” Ron looked at the cards that had already been put away on the table:
"The Alchemist's Card, placed in that spot, exerted such a powerful force..."

"This means that this path may indeed be the most important direction for me at present."

"and……"

He recalled the story the King of Absurdity had told—about the threshold, about the price, about the four visitors:

"Some things are better prepared for than waited for passively."

"Like the driver in the chariot... if you can't take control of the direction, you can only be swept away by the torrent of fate."

Chloe nodded:
"A wise choice."

"However, I have another suggestion."

What suggestion?

"Before going..."

Chloe said seriously:
"It's best to be fully prepared beforehand."

"The Traveler reversed in that position is a warning."

"It's saying that this road is dangerous and we shouldn't go blindly forward."

"The reason why the traveler in the picture gets into trouble is sometimes simply because he ignores the importance of preparation."

"Only by making thorough preparations can there be any possibility of success."

Ron nodded solemnly:
"I see."

Eve, who was listening from the side, was completely confused and couldn't help but ask:

"So... how accurate are fortune telling methods?"

"allow."

Ron said it with certainty.

"But it's not accurate in the sense of 'predicting the future'."

He looked at Chloe:

"Through today's divination, I have obtained at least three important pieces of information."

"First, I am now at a critical juncture and need to make prudent decisions, as every choice could affect the future course of the business."

"Secondly, the direction of skill improvement deserves the most attention, especially those fields related to 'creation' and 'transformation'."

"Third, exploring the unknown requires thorough preparation. We cannot be reckless and impulsive. We must be like the driver of a chariot, remaining vigilant as we move forward."

"This information..."

Ron smiled:

"It's valuable enough."

Chloe laughed too:

"I'm glad I could help you."

"Although my divination skills are indeed somewhat inadequate for someone at your level."

Her tone carried a hint of self-deprecation, but also a sense of relief:

"But at least, it's enough to provide some reference."

　[Gate of Chaos] → [Wheel of Fate]

　　[Arrow Eight] → [Wand Eight]

　　Alchemist → Magician

　　【The Traveler】→【The Fool】

　　
　
(End of this chapter)