Wizard: Unlimited Profession Slots Chapter 887 - 390: Star-forged Titan

"Alright, that concludes the fundamental theory."

Vinard finally summarized, "Practical operation demands specialized alchemy equipment and a sterile atmosphere. Begin by securing ten complete Magic Stones and converging at my private laboratory in the Central Lands by eight tomorrow morning."

His demeanor shifted to formality, saying, "A consultation fee is mandatory; while I hold you in esteem, we haven't yet established a formal master-disciple connection. The transfer of knowledge inherently requires suitable remuneration; this is a widely accepted principle."

Upon hearing Vinard broach the subject of fees, Ron inwardly felt a wave of relief. Though ten complete Magic Stones represented a significant sum, such transparently priced exchanges were far preferable to incurring personal debts of gratitude. At least he understood the expected cost and the means of repayment.

"Certainly, that is entirely reasonable," he replied with deference. "I shall present myself at your laboratory tomorrow to settle the fee."

"Excellent," Vinard affirmed with a nod of approval. Then, as if recalling something, he added, "Ah, since we've made contact, it would be remiss not to allow you a glimpse of true alchemy."

He expertly manipulated several mechanical appendages, working swiftly on the console within the colossal statue. "My routine maintenance is nearing its completion. This magnificent construct has remained dormant for nearly a decade; today marks its grand reawakening."

"Why are you reactivating it?" Ron inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"A minor celestial body is traversing the skies of my Otherworld domain," Vinard stated nonchalantly, as if discussing trivial matters. "Its size is inconsequential, but a direct impact with the surface would precipitate considerable disruption. Consequently, preemptive measures are necessary."

He gestured towards another projection, saying, "You may insert this insignia into your portable simulation device for a more immersive experience."

Ron promptly complied, placing the silver insignia into the laboratory’s simulation apparatus. The instant he activated it, his consciousness was engulfed by flowing silver luminescence. He sensed his spirit traversing the boundless expanse, piercing through multiple planar boundaries, finally arriving in a distant Otherworld.

As the light subsided, he found himself ensconced within an overwhelmingly vast structure. This edifice served as a control hub, meticulously engineered for an entity that defied conventional comprehension. The ceiling soared to unimaginable heights, interwoven with innumerable illuminated conduits and circuits, reminiscent of a colossal life form's vascular and neural networks. The atmosphere was thick with the distinct aromas of ozone and molten metal.

"How does it feel, little one?" Vinard's voice resonated within his mind. His tone, transformed from its usual pragmatic cadence, now brimmed with a childlike exhilaration. "This is the pinnacle of my centuries-long endeavor – the ’Star-forged Titan’. You are currently situated within its central command nexus."

Ron slowly rotated, his senses struggling to acclimate to the incomprehensible scale surrounding him. Before him lay a circular console, sprawling across an area equivalent to a basketball court, intricately adorned with thousands of diverse control interfaces. Some presented as traditional crystalline buttons, others as pulsating biological conduits, and a few appeared dynamically sentient, constantly shifting their forms.

Most awe-inspiring were the colossal displays suspended from the canopy above. Each screen, spanning scores of meters, showcased streams of complex, dazzling data in real-time: depictions of energy distribution, assessments of structural integrity, environmental analysis reports, threat identification matrices... The sheer volume and intricacy of this information surpassed the cognitive limits of even a seasoned Official Wizard.

"These control mechanisms..." Ron stammered, attempting to process the overwhelming influx of data, his voice laced with profound astonishment. "What level of spiritual diversion mastery is requisite to orchestrate it all? I suspect even a Great Wizard would falter under such a simultaneous informational burden, wouldn't they?"

"Ha! You've struck the very essence of the matter!" Vinard's laughter echoed, tinged with a subtle undercurrent of melancholy. Countless minute, precise mechanical filaments extended from his being, forming an intricate, octopus-like network with various control nodes. "In truth, my direct command extends to mere forty percent of the system's functions; the remaining sixty percent is managed by auxiliary artificial intelligences."

As he articulated this, those mechanical filaments began to move with astonishing rapidity, darting between the myriad control devices with the practiced elegance of a concert pianist. "Do you comprehend the immense cost associated with fabricating these auxiliary intelligences? Each unit represents the cumulative wealth of a Wizard Clan over a decade! And I have integrated thirty-seven such entities!"

Vinard's voice escalated, a palpable excitement, bordering on boastfulness, infusing his words. "This control interface alone depleted my modest coffers on multiple occasions! And yet, this constitutes merely a fraction of the overall expenditure..."

He deliberately paused, as if anticipating Ron’s question.

"What costs the most?" Ron blinked, sensing he'd taken the bait and satisfied the other's need to brag.

"Hahaha! Excellent question!" Vinard proudly proclaimed:

"The highest priced item is the energy core! Do you know of a Demon Crystal?"

"Demon Crystal?" Ron inquired, shaking his head in ignorance.

"Ah, my mistake, you haven't reached that level yet."

Vinard's pride swelled further, though he feigned a pained expression: "A Demon Crystal is the very essence of a Magic Stone. Within a massive Magic Stone vein, where hundreds of thousands of complete Magic Stones can be mined, one Demon Crystal naturally forms!"

His voice began to waver, shaking with either excitement or sorrow: "Its energy concentration is thousands of times that of a regular Magic Stone!"