Wizard: Unlimited Profession Slots Chapter 684 - 323: If Only Sooner_2

Previously on Wizard: Unlimited Profession Slots...
Cassandra approached the podium in the Hall of Falling Stars, her composed steps syncing with the glowing Time Crystals and plunging the hall into tense silence as thousands of wizards watched breathlessly. Ron observed the crowd's reactions, from the young wizards' excitement to the elders' worry, especially the morbid resonance in those scarred by abyssal corrosion. Responding to Professor Edgar's defense of their conservative strategy, she projected a multidimensional map comparing the Wizard Civilization's slow growth to the explosive trajectories of others, warning that stability means vulnerability against superior foes. When Master Lianna questioned the lives lost in conquests, Cassandra acknowledged the pain but countered with the toll of abyssal deaths and medical failures in their era of peace.

With a wave of her hand, she revealed a series of staggering figures:

"Over the last hundred years, Wizards lost in Abyss expeditions: 2,847.

Researchers perished in lab mishaps: 1,923.

Scholars succumbed to deadly ailments and erosion damages: 4,651.

And that's without counting those left crippled forever by Magic Overload or Spiritual Contamination."

Lianna's face betrayed a faint change, yet Ron saw her vital signs stayed remarkably steady.

"Such losses mark the cost of our 'Peace Policy.'"

Cassandra pressed on:

"If we'd seized the life recoding tech from the 'Decrypted Civilization' a decade sooner, those scholars felled by untreatable illnesses would breathe today.

Should we have grasped the Time Manipulation skill from the 'Reaper Civilization' five years ahead, the Abyss mishaps during explorations might have been undone."

Her tone grew fiercer:

"Lady Lianna, pray tell, is it more ethical to let 2,847 Wizards perish gradually in the Abyss, or to lose 200 warriors in a swift takeover to gain lifesaving tech?"

This stark contrast plunged the crowd into hush.

Numbers wield a brutal force, turning vague ethical arguments into stark tallies of souls.

Yet Ron sharply detected that the Magic Power ripples from a few 'doubters' up front hinted at hidden sync.

Despite their varied parts, their energy vibes shared a subtle harmony.

"These folks were probably planted beforehand..."

He cautioned inwardly, starting to scrutinize the speech's overall setup more closely.

Sensing the doubts softening, Cassandra forged ahead with her case:

"I understand some fear that conquest might corrupt our core, making us the tyrants we once scorned.

That's a valid worry, and I've wrestled with it myself."

Her look turned intricate and deep:

"Yet in conquering the Otherworld, I uncovered a grimmer fact—in this cosmos, no one is truly 'blameless.'"

The display shifted once more, revealing faint points labeled 'extinct civilization.'

These spots had lost their glow, mere shadowy traces lingering like cosmic graves.

"The 'Harmony Alliance' in the Fourth Quadrant, a union of societies built on harmony and teamwork."

Cassandra's words flowed like a mournful dirge:

"They built an flawless democratic order, where every choice passed through endless talks and ballots.

They deemed war savage, saw power as proof of folly."

The screen captured the alliance's final throes:

Elegant Crystal Cities crumbled in a flash, engulfed by writhing limbs, myriad souls vanishing amid agony.

"As the 'Walker' struck, they debated endlessly on fighting back with arms.

Once the talks ended, the whole coalition lay utterly devoured.

Scores of realms, trillions upon trillions of beings, erased from history's flow by too much 'benevolence.'"

From the crowd, a middle-aged Wizard's voice quivered:

"But... but couldn't we settle disputes via talks, gain wisdom through deals, why pick war?"

This asker's feelings rang truer this time; Ron sensed his real dread and bewilderment.

Cassandra faced him, a spark of empathy in her gaze:

"Master Harvis, you're spot on in perfect scenarios.

Talks and pacts are truly more refined paths to wisdom, and that's my choice too."

She halted, then her voice weighed down:

"Trouble is, Master Harvis, when they refuse fair exchange with you, does your diplomacy hold sway?"

The projection unveiled yet another downfall of a society:

"The 'Scholar Republic' in the Seventh Quadrant obsessed over gathering and probing knowledge, their archives brimming with wisdom gems spanning ten million eras.

As the 'Mechanical Federation' assaulted, they dispatched top envoys, bearing the richest lore as bargaining tools."

The scene depicted robed academics arrayed against the metal horde, clutching radiant lore orbs.

"How did the Mechanical Federation reply?"

Cassandra's tone dripped with mockery:

"They slaughtered the envoys, grabbed the lore orbs, and pushed their invasion onward.

In their cold calculus, why barter for scraps when conquest yields it all?"

This tale thickened the tension in the hall.

Master Harvis parted his lips but held back any counter.

"This is the grim truth we confront."

Cassandra went on:

"In this unforgiving universe, only mighty realms earn the say in ethics and talks.

The mercy of the frail often seems a farce to the mighty."

Then, a youthful, furious shout rose from the seats:

"Does that mean we toss aside our values for it?

Turn into the invaders we once condemned?

What's the worth of triumph like that?"

Ron glanced at the voice's origin and spotted a fresh-faced man, barely elevated to Official Wizard rank.

Unlike prior 'doubters,' this novice Wizard's aura pulsed with pure emotion.

His rage, doubt, and ethical turmoil shone plainly in the Magic Power waves.

Cassandra regarded the youth, her eyes softening with a tender gleam: