Wizard: Unlimited Profession Slots Chapter 689 - 325: The Truth of Star Eater

Exiting the Hall of Falling Stars, Ron sensed the subtle echo of the "Time Crystals" lingering in his thoughts.

A gentle warmth radiated from the "Eyes of Time" medallion resting against his chest, like the steady breath of some ancient being.

This unfamiliar feeling urged him to remove it right away, yet his logical side warned that the moment wasn't suitable.

Darkness had enveloped the land; the towering spires of the Central Lands slumbered beneath the moon's glow, resembling colossal dormant creatures.

Ron swiftly navigated several well-known paths back to his home.

In the living room, Ailan sorted through experimental notes, her verdant limbs softly moving in the light of the magic crystal lamp.

"Master, you appear somewhat weary." The Tree Spirit noticed the slight shift in his demeanor with sharp intuition.

"Brew a soothing tea and then establish a soundproof ward."

Ron directed concisely: "I have an essential conversation ahead."

Ailan gave a nod, refraining from any questions.

As his aide, she was well used to her master's sporadic enigmatic actions.

After ten minutes, Ron isolated the "Eyes of Time" and settled into the study alone, shielded by the soundproof ward, grasping the trusty Tri-Element Communication Crystal.

The projection revealed Lady Allen's image, and her opening remark caught Ron off guard.

"It looks like my apprentice has stumbled into rather intricate troubles."

Lady Allen spoke with remarkable composure, though Ron discerned profound concern in her gaze:

"Cassandra moved faster than I expected. Allow me to venture a guess—she bestowed upon you a notable distinction publicly today?"

"You're already aware?" Ron expressed mild astonishment.

"My sources of information extend further than you might imagine."

Lady Allen offered a subtle smile:

"Furthermore, I'm intimately familiar with Cassandra's methods. She loves gathering promising individuals through these apparently lavish gestures."

Her voice turned grave: "Share the exact events with me; omit nothing."

Ron described the day's occurrences thoroughly, covering the proclamation of dominance to individual selections, from open praises to confidential invitations to dine.

Lady Allen absorbed the account in silence, nodding now and then, yet her face darkened progressively.

"The interim second position in the 'New Star Plan'..."

She echoed the title:

"At this juncture, your primary worry ought not to be the role in itself, but the reason behind her selection of you."

"I figured it stemmed from my skills and potential..."

"Potential?" Lady Allen denied with a shake of her head:

"Ron, within this realm, potential alone never dictates one's destiny.

Cassandra picked you since you fulfill her three crucial requirements."

She extended three digits:

"Firstly, as a Primordial Wizard, your favor's purity stands exceptionally elevated, offering distinct benefits to her studies."

"Secondly, without strong familial ties, you prove simpler to influence and shape."

"Thirdly, and above all..." Lady Allen hesitated briefly:

"Your Meditation Technique originates from the identical root as hers."

She lingered for a second, as if reluctant to unveil a burdensome revelation.

At last, the aged sorceress inhaled deeply, her stare intensifying with gravity:

"Ron, I'm about to disclose a fact concerning 'Star Eater’s Ravings', a mystery concealed from most official wizards."

The atmosphere in the chamber thickened, the soundproof ward quivering faintly.

"Are you aware of the reason this pattern bears the name 'Path of Truth'? It doesn't stem from preserving the practitioner's authenticity, but rather because..."

Lady Allen's whisper dropped to a hush: "It ultimately transforms the practitioner into the genuine manifestation of the 'visualized presence'."

Though Ron had half-expected it, a shiver still coursed from his back to his mind: "You mean..."

"'Star Eater’s Ravings' isn't a typical meditation method; it's a snare."

A profound dread surfaced in Lady Allen's eyes:

"Any practitioner ascending to the summit of this technique will inevitably be supplanted by the authentic intent of the 'Devourer'.

Their forms persist, recollections persist, and even temperaments stay mostly intact, yet at their soul's essence... they cease to be themselves."

"Throughout history, precisely seventeen wizards have attained official status via this meditation technique."

Her words started to quiver:

"Of those, sixteen vanished under enigmatic circumstances soon after peaking; the sole outlier was the 'Eye of Observation', owing to its nature as an Exotic Realm entity."

A wave of nausea gripped Ron's gut: "What about Tower Master Cassandra..."

"Cassandra hasn't crossed that pivotal threshold yet, though she nears it closely."

Pain flickered in Lady Allen's eyes:

"Master Yuter likely mentioned her experiencing gradual alterations. Her mental framework increasingly mirrors the 'Devourer''s core—insatiable avarice and an unquenchable thirst for dominion."

"Nevertheless..." The elder's voice shifted to optimism:

"Ancient records mention a chance: should two wizards practice 'Star Eater’s Ravings' concurrently, a resonance between them could generate a counterbalancing influence."

Ron grasped it immediately: "Thus, when you decided to impart this meditation technique to me..."

"Indeed." Lady Allen confessed readily:

"I intend for you to serve as the countermeasure should Cassandra veer into loss of control.

Naturally, this also shields you in a way.

Should she alone pursue this technique, the 'Devourer''s focus would fixate solely on her, but with dual practitioners..."