Wizard: Unlimited Profession Slots Chapter 1283 - 514: The Book and the Mirror (2)

He suddenly brought up a topic unrelated to the present:

"Speaking of which, Professor Yutel once mentioned that the replica of the ’Extraordinary Comprehensive Guide’ holds the greatest value for us Moonlight Level Mages who have yet to coalesce Void Remains and are still shaping our worldview, offering revolutionary insights."

As he spoke, he began to observe Vinard’s reaction:

"For someone like you, who has reached the pinnacle and can visit the original at the ’Court of Truth’ anytime, the replica’s significance might be more commemorative."

Ron’s voice carried a tone of probing yet maintained respect:

"So, Professor Weinard, with the talent you possessed in your youth, I presume you too received the favor of the King of Absurdity and were granted a replica of this tome? How does your replica differ from mine?"

Ron’s words were like the most precise dissection knife, cutting open the "scar" Vinard was most reluctant to mention within his heart.

The entire body of the mechanical Puppet became as rigid as a sculpture, and all calculation modules fell into a deathly silence.

The internal cooling fan emitted a painful buzzing sound akin to overload.

This reaction said more than any words.

Ron immediately realized his guess was correct.

His mind worked rapidly, gradually deducing the hidden truth:

Vinard’s character—extremely rational, upholding order and technology, disdainful of all ambiguous philosophical inquiry.

This was precisely the type the King of Absurdity "disliked" most.

The Witch King, known for jest and chaos, would inevitably choose an exceedingly absurd manner to "educate" this seeker excessively obsessed with logic.

Vinard likely experienced the King of Absurdity’s mockery as he attempted to "Inquire" in his youth, leaving him with a psychological scar that could never heal.

This explained why a Great Wizard would display such complex emotions towards a Moonlight Level Mage’s "replica."

It was not merely jealousy but a painful memory of rejection and ridicule.

It took a full ten seconds before Vinard regained control over his mechanical body.

The light of the core Crystal stabilized but remained somewhat dimmer than before.

He emitted a mechanized sound akin to clearing his throat, attempting to obscure the deadly silence moments ago:

"Hmph..."

The sound was as stiff as rusted gears, carried by forced arrogance:

"The King of Absurdity... His path is indeed unique, but not the sole truth."

"My pursuit is based on absolute order upheld by data and formulas, fundamentally ’theoretically incompatible’ with His chaotic philosophical system."

"For me, forcibly accepting His ’gift’ is more of a ’logic virus’ that would contaminate my computational core."

His tone became more resolute, as if convincing himself rather than Ron:

"Rather than pretending with an incomprehensible toy, one should focus on their true area of expertise."

Ron quietly listened, not exposing the other’s statement.

"Speaking of which..."

Yet he made no further reaction, while Vinard himself began desiring to confide:

"Yes, I indeed... once met that Witch King.

At that time, I encountered an almost unsolvable technical problem.

Every calculation model pointed to failure, every logical deduction led to a dead end."

The mechanical head slowly rotated in the air, as if savoring that distant Memory:

"In desperation, I sought out the King of Absurdity, pleading for His wisdom.

He agreed to my request, on the condition that... I must relinquish my ’attachment to home’."

"I accepted."

This sentence was as heavy as a lead block, bearing a soul’s irretrievable loss.

"In exchange, He indeed provided the core inspiration for Space Folding, allowing me to successfully break through the technical bottleneck."

Vinard’s voice grew even darker:

"After the transaction was completed, He ’additionally’ gave me a gift—a replica of the ’Extraordinary Comprehensive Guide.’"

"But it wasn’t a book."

The core Crystal of the mechanical Puppet began to dim:

"It was a mirror, a mirror that forever reflects only my deepest fears."

His mechanical hand trembled, as if recalling some dreadful experience:

"Every time I gaze at that book, what I see is not knowledge, not wisdom, but a lonely soul that has lost its ’home,’ a ghost forever wandering the endless cosmos."

"The King of Absurdity told me: ’Child, you seek answers, but I give you questions. Once you truly grasp the essence of the question, the mirror will revert back to a book.’

The air was pervaded by an indefinable melancholy:

"But even today, that book remains a mirror. It only reflects my pain, never providing answers."

Vinard once again gazed at the ’Extraordinary Comprehensive Guide’ in Ron’s hand:

"And you, a young man who has just advanced to Moonlight Level, can easily obtain such a vivid, vibrant ’book’..."

This instance stirred a peculiar understanding within Ron’s heart.

The King of Absurdity’s replicas for different individuals apparently varied significantly.

Books symbolize the acquisition of knowledge and dissemination of wisdom.

Mirrors represent self-examination and inner inquiry.

Vinard was given a mirror because the King of Absurdity believed he needed not more knowledge but profound self-reflection.

A being that forsakes emotions for power most needs to confront the consequences of such choices.

While he received a book because the King of Absurdity deemed he still retained sufficient curiosity and growth potential, worthy of ’education.’