Wizard: Unlimited Profession Slots Chapter 697 - 327: Manipulated... (Part 3)

He calculated the advancement in his thoughts:

"Lighting the Scholar Star will cause my study speed to surge dramatically.

Then, both theoretical studies and skill training will progress more swiftly."

Even more vital, igniting the Scholar Star pushes him nearer to finishing the Wisdom Constellation.

As noted in "Star Eater’s Ravings":

Once the Hermit Star, Scholar Star, and Observer Star align in a Three-Star formation, they form the full "Wisdom Triangle," resonating together, centered on the Hermit Star to boost powers.

By then, he won’t gain just one star’s unique powers, but a whole constellation’s enhancement of intellect.

......

On the following morning, Ron examined the Otherworld tech files given by Cassandra.

The Tri-Element Communication Crystal on the table’s edge suddenly glowed on its own.

Its pulsing blue glow stood out sharply against the morning sun, showing an incoming call.

"Lady Allen?"

He felt a bit startled.

Normally, he would start talks with the mentor; Lady Allen seldom reached out first.

As the old woman’s image showed in the hologram, Ron spotted the oddity in her look right away.

Faint red traces lingered at her eye edges, proof of a restless night.

"Ron, we must talk openly."

Lady Allen’s tone dropped unusually low, laced with an uncommon quiver:

"About certain decisions I made, you deserve the full story."

She drew in a steadying breath, steeling herself for her words:

"As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve hidden far too much from you, and this lie weighs heavier on my conscience each day."

Ron stayed silent, listening attentively:

"When I decided to hand you ’Star Eater’s Ravings’, it wasn’t solely due to admiring your skills and morals."

Lady Allen met Ron’s gaze directly, her words heavy with regret:

"While those played a big role, a more pressing factor existed: Cassandra required a check."

"Cassandra and I studied under Master Yuter, once as tight as siblings."

Lady Allen’s tone softened dreamily, lost in old recollections:

"Yet as she delved into ’Star Eater’s Ravings’, I watched her change.

That hunger for domination and consumption gradually wore down her once-kind nature."

She halted for a moment, sorrow crossing her features:

"It grew more tangled when my push to Dark Sun Level failed; Cassandra supported me in my darkest hours.

She provided rare recovery rites, set up a soothing recovery spot, and covered much of my treatment costs."

"She even told me once..."

Lady Allen’s voice faded:

"’Allen, you’ll rise again someday.

I’ve glimpsed your path ahead; you’ll raise a disciple mighty enough to reshape the world. That disciple will become our civilization’s beacon.’"

Ron’s eyes narrowed slightly.

These weren’t mere consoling lines; they resembled a foretelling or a subtle nudge.

Given Cassandra’s cunning and skills, she could easily sway decisions with offhand remarks.

"Thus, upon encountering you..."

Lady Allen’s words barely rose above a murmur:

"I believed it was destiny at work, that Cassandra’s ’vision’ was unfolding.

I gave you Cassandra’s meticulously crafted ’Star Eater’s Ravings’, swayed by her statement and eager to settle my debt to her."

"However, over time, I’ve come to suspect it was her elaborate scheme from the beginning."

A profound dread flickered in the elder’s gaze:

"She may have predicted our paths crossing ages ago, aware of my moves. I was merely a figure in her grand strategy."

This idea chilled Ron to his core like never before.

Should Lady Allen’s theory hold, his whole development path lay under her foresight.

From first meeting Lady Allen, acquiring the Meditation Technique, to stepping into the Central Lands—each move could follow her plan.

"Worse still, I now question if my bond with you was tampered with by her."

Lady Allen’s tone shook:

"As your teacher, my care and advice ought to be sincere.

Yet I can’t tell anymore if these stem from true emotion or from implanted cues."

Silence stretched across the room.

Ron watched the aged, tormented visage of the old lady in the display, a storm of feelings rising inside.

Rage, letdown, pity, and a profound helplessness.

In this realm of Wizards, even heartfelt ties could fall under the sway of the mighty.

Pawns such as they might never confirm the authenticity of their sentiments or decisions.

"Madam."

Ron broke the quiet at last, his voice eerily steady:

"Why share this now? What’s your aim?"

"I seek release."

Lady Allen replied bluntly, her eyes alight with almost frantic hope:

"For me, and for you.

If our teacher-pupil tie is truly forged by deceit, persisting will bind us tighter in its web, with no escape."

She inhaled deeply, reaching a tough resolve:

"Therefore, I’ll break the Favor connection between us once you reach Dark Sun Level.

Thus, no matter the past, your path forward stays free from my shadow."

This offer stirred even more tangled thoughts in Ron.

Lady Allen’s candor caught him off guard.

Yet in a realm rife with plots and strings, even candor might mask another ploy.

"I get your decision, Madam."

He responded evenly, his words free of wrath or excess mercy:

"At least you chose to reveal the facts, far preferable to blind ignorance."

Yet inside, Ron began scrutinizing his life’s entire course anew.

If his origin itself was plotted, which decisions were truly his own?

This notion sparked profound terror in him, not of demise, but of losing his autonomy.

"Maybe this captures the world’s core."

He pondered coolly within:

"Against overwhelming might, the notion of free will is just a facade.

The truly dominant not only rule the now but craft tomorrows, convincing pieces they choose freely while following a scripted path."

This insight fueled Ron’s hunger for strength.

Only by growing mighty could he shatter this scripted destiny and seize control of his existence.

Until then, he had to navigate this perilous board with utmost caution.

Building strength while seeking cracks for escape.

Once the talk concluded, Ron remained in the study by himself, staring at the soaring towers of the Central Lands beyond the pane.

Those structures of authority and lore gleamed grandly in the dawn, yet now struck him as foreboding.

Each pinnacle could hide myriad plots and mysteries; each apparent coincidence a calculated maneuver.

Amid this web of deceit and schemes, he needed to observe all with sharper, icier clarity.