"Regarding the choice of Meditation Technique," Ron continued to ask, "Is there any arrangement from the Tower Master?"
Mentioning this topic, Eve sighed softly:
"Mother gave me a Gem Level Meditation Technique—’Absurdity’s Gaze’."
Her tone carried a sense of regret:
"It’s the Crown Clan’s legacy Meditation Technique, directly visualizing the ancestral King of Absurdity."
"Of course, the main reason is still..." Eve lightly bit her lip:
"Mother said it’s safer this way, avoiding the terrifying alienation risks of Crown Level Meditation Techniques."
Ron nodded in understanding.
Crown Level Meditation Techniques are powerful, but their side effects are equally terrifying.
Cassandra herself is a living example, the ’Star Eater’s Ravings’ is gradually changing her essence.
Letting Eve choose the relatively safe Gem Level Meditation Technique was indeed a wise decision.
"Directly visualizing the Wizard at the source of one’s bloodline..." He mused.
"Yes." Eve nodded in confirmation:
"Just with the initial contact, I could already feel the vast and profound power of the ancestors."
The young girl paused for a moment before explaining:
"Moreover, since I have direct lineage from the Crown Clan, visualizing the ancestral King of Absurdity will produce Bloodline Resonance.
In terms of effect, it won’t be much worse than Crown Level Meditation Techniques, and all kinds of risks have been minimized."
Dale asked curiously from the side, "What is Bloodline Resonance? It sounds so mystical!"
Eve gently looked at her:
"Bloodline Resonance refers to a special reaction that occurs when someone with a specific bloodline visualizes a related existence.
It’s like... like the resonant strings of a piano, where the resonant strings vibrate in response to the main string’s vibration."
But then, Eve’s expression turned somewhat somber as she lightly stroked her neck.
There was an almost invisible silver thread there, shimmering under the light of Magic Power.
"However... Master, I must confess something to you." Her voice grew heavy:
"Mother set a monitoring rune on me. In name, it’s to ensure my safety, but in reality..."
She didn’t finish, but the meaning was already clear.
Franka sighed softly from the side, this kind of restriction was undoubtedly another form of cage for Eve, who longed for freedom.
Ron carefully observed the silver thread on Eve’s neck.
In his view of Extraordinary Recognition, that thread showed a complex rune structure.
It was a comprehensive construct integrating monitoring, protection, and constraint.
"The precision of this rune... is quite impressive." He evaluated objectively:
"It can monitor the wearer’s location, vital signs, emotional fluctuations, and even casting behavior in real-time.
But at the same time, it does indeed have a strong protective function, able to fend off most attacks."
"Yes." Eve smiled bitterly:
"That’s mother’s style, giving you what you need, but never letting you be completely free."
Speaking of this, although there was some resentment, she wasn’t overly dejected:
"Mother also set conditions—the stronger I become, the less control I’ll face.
When I become an Official Wizard, the monitoring will reduce by half;
When I reach Moon Level, only basic safety protection remains; and if I can become a Great Wizard..."
She didn’t finish, but the implication was clear.
"I can understand the Tower Master’s concerns." Ron said after pondering for a moment: "This sounds like a... motivational mechanism."
"I certainly understand mother’s intent," a faint yet determined flame ignited in Eve’s eyes:
"But... Master, I want true freedom. Not the freedom given, but the freedom earned through my own strength."
Her words carried the idealism unique to youth.
But in this cruel world, such idealism often appeared both precious and fragile.
Ron didn’t respond immediately, instead falling into contemplation.
He understood Eve’s longing, and also Cassandra’s worries.
In an era of conquest and subjugation, a Great Wizard’s daughter was indeed a valuable piece in the eyes of all factions.
"Freedom comes at a cost, Eve." He eventually spoke:
"In this world, freedom is not a fundamental right, but a privilege. Only those strong enough have the right to speak of true freedom."
......
Late at night, after Ailan and Dale had returned to their respective rooms, Eve remained at the Observatory in her residence.
The night sky over the Central Lands was exceptionally brilliant, countless stars studded the velvet-like canopy like diamonds.
The high concentration of magic power in the atmosphere also formed aurora-like ribbons.
Ron quietly approached her, the two of them sitting side by side on the stone observatory chairs.
The night wind tenderly caressed their faces, bringing the fresh scent of the strange plants in the garden.
"Master, sometimes I wonder, what would my life be like if there weren’t the troubles of Demon Devouring?"
Eve’s voice was as light as the night breeze, carrying a deep longing and reverie.
Her gaze extended towards the distant starry sky, as if searching for some kind of answer in the endless depth.
"Perhaps, under mother’s arrangement, I would have married some political alliance target, then spent an empty life in luxury."
She chuckled lightly and shook her head:
"Or, I would have learned magic earlier and engaged in some trivial research safely within the Ivory Tower."
Ron quietly listened, without interrupting her contemplation.
This late-night confession was a necessary emotional release for Eve, as well as a process of rediscovering herself.