Wizard: Unlimited Profession Slots Chapter 1245 - 502_2

The portrait began to change, the Witch’s gaze gradually turned indifferent, and the innocence on her face disappeared completely.

"She handed over her ’heart of compassion’—not merely simple indifference, but a complete loss of the ability to perceive others’ pain."

"She could no longer truly understand what pain or despair meant.

Others’ screams sounded like birdsong to her, and others’ tears were just ordinary droplets of water."

The light in Cassandra’s eyes on the book page finally vanished, replaced by an unfathomable void.

"In exchange, she gained the ’Eyes of Plunder’—able to permanently absorb Magic Essence from the enemies she killed. The more she killed, the higher the compression rate."

"Do you know why she was so eager to conquer wars? Each massacre was a feast for her power to grow.

Now, her magic compression rate has exceeded eighty times, but the price is..."

The book paused, and its voice turned exceptionally cold:

"She could no longer genuinely care about anyone’s life or death.

Including her daughter Eve, whom she claimed to love deeply.

In her eyes, Eve’s suffering was merely a problem to be ’solved,’ not a heartbreaking tragedy."

This revelation made Ron suddenly awaken.

He remembered Cassandra’s indifference toward the cognitive virus project, and how she looked at Eve...

It turns out that wasn’t the cruelty brought by war, but the price she paid for power.

"Let’s take a look at Great Wizard Vinard."

The pages turned, revealing the image of Vinard.

"To gain top-notch knowledge and technical inspiration in space rules, he forfeited the ’chance to return home.’"

"Home?" Ron asked in confusion.

"Great Wizard Vinard doesn’t originate from the Main World."

The book began narrating this little-known story:

"He came from a colonial plane named ’Emerald,’ a successful colony established by a top Great Wizard in the early Third Era."

"The climate there is pleasant, and the magic abundant; Vinard had a happy childhood with beloved friends and family."

"But the young Vinard was unwilling to spend an ordinary life in a remote colony. He longed to come to the Main World and prove himself, to become a true superior."

A scene of young Vinard bidding farewell to his homeland appeared on the page.

He looked back at that green world, his eyes full of reluctance.

"To acquire the knowledge and skills required to establish himself in the Main World, he found me."

"The cost of the exchange wasn’t simply a geographical limitation.

He forever lost his ’sense of belonging’—no matter where he is, he can only feel endless loneliness and alienation."

"This feeling is more terrifying than simple homesickness; it is a deeper existential loneliness.

Just like a ghost endlessly wandering in an alien land, never finding a true home."

The image of Vinard on the book page began to blur, as if losing its substance.

"His base is a technical masterpiece, but he can never feel the warmth of ’home’ anywhere.

This spiritual torment is more dreadful than death because death is at least an end, while his loneliness will persist forever."

Ron remembered Vinard’s anxiousness during their communication, and emphasized technical authority over everything, always flaunting something.

In hindsight, perhaps it was merely hiding the emptiness occasionally revealed in his words.

Through endless pioneering and research work, filling the blank space always missing in his heart.

"There are more examples."

The book pages continued to turn, displaying a series of familiar or unfamiliar names:

"Alchemy Master Alberto gave up the ’sense of tasting gourmet food,’ in exchange for perfect chemical analysis talent.

From then on, the most precious delicacy is just a stack of chemical components in his mouth.

He can analyze the exact proportion of each ingredient but can no longer experience the pure joy brought by fine cuisine."

"The famous Astrologer Charlotte gave up the ’ability to dream,’ resulting in a significant increase in her prophecy accuracy.

But losing dreams also means losing the source of imagination.

Her prophecies, though precise, can no longer generate expansion possibilities."

"The most extreme is the ’Time Guardian,’ such a top extraordinary group, collectively gave up the ’possibility of aging’ for near-immortal longevity.

But never aging also means never maturing, the mind will forever remain in the state when the trade was made, unable to gain wisdom from the sediment of years."

Each example hit Ron’s heart like a nail.

"Power is never free, child."

The voice of the Extraordinary Comprehensive Guide grew somber:

"The only difference is whether you actively choose the price or passively endure the consequences."

"Those who refuse to exchange often pay a heavier price due to insufficient power at critical moments.

Death, humiliation, watching helplessly as cherished ones suffer without being able to stop it."

"At least, trading with me is a fair transaction with clear price tags.

You clearly know what you will lose and what you will gain."

A balance diagram appeared on the book page, with ’known cost’ on one side and ’unknown disaster’ on the other.

"Do you know why the King of Absurdity is named ’Absurd’?"

The book’s voice carried a deep sorrow:

"Because he discovered the universe’s biggest joke—the ones who pursue power ultimately lose the original intention of using power."

"He has seen too many such stories: