It’s a pity that he encountered a monster like Ron.
Such a peerless genius had never appeared since the establishment of the Black Mist School, as if born to align with the Path of Transcendence, every step as smooth as walking on flat ground, without any hindrance.
Faced with such a prodigy, even a genius like Holt could only look dull in comparison.
However, what Hayek admired was that Holt did not fall into depression or resentment because of this, but chose to accept the fact, drawing motivation from it to keep moving forward.
This mindset, perhaps, is more precious than talent itself.
"Then, it is decided."
Hayek announced, his gaze sweeping across everyone present: "Ron Ralph will officially become the first in the candidate wizard sequence."
.........
"No need to be overly modest."
Hayek withdrew his thoughts, looking at the young man in front of him:
"You completely deserve this position. In fact, with your talent and speed of progress, many masters believe that you are likely to reach the level of an official wizard in the future, possibly even higher."
Ron nodded slightly, neither too modest nor appearing arrogant: "I will continue to work hard, not to disappoint the school’s expectations."
"Alright, let’s get back to business."
Hayek stood up, walked to a cabinet on the other side of the room, and took out a metal box glimmering with faint light:
"This is a special medium material I have prepared for you, to be used in practice and experimentation with the ’Flowing Shield Wall’. It includes some rare metal powders and crystal stone fragments, each with its unique energy traits."
He handed the box to Ron: "Make good use of them, I look forward to seeing your unique interpretation of the ’Flowing Shield Wall’."
Ron accepted the box with a slight stir in his heart, as these rare materials were something that could not be purchased on the ordinary market:
"Thank you, Vice Dean. So with these materials, how much do I owe for this consultation?"
"Two magic stones will do, no need to be so polite, we each take what we need."
The old man nonchalantly quoted a number.
Combining the consultation and material costs, it only took two magic stones; Ron was not unaware of the market and knew that he was given a bargain price.
Hayek took the magic stones, then seemed to remember something:
"By the way, there’s something about the special application of the ’Flowing Shield Wall’ that I haven’t mentioned."
Ron looked up, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.
"If you can find suitable Abyssal material as a medium..."
Hayek’s voice suddenly turned low and mysterious:
"The shield wall will gain a new trait—activation. It will no longer be merely a defensive tool but a semi-living entity, capable of autonomous defense and flow, even possessing simple erosion abilities."
Ron’s eyes widened slightly: "Abyssal material... as a medium?"
Hayek nodded, suddenly extending his right hand, where a peculiar energy fluctuation flowed from his sleeve, forming a miniature vortex in his palm.
At the center of the vortex was a mass of inky black material, exuding an unsettling aura.
Under his control, this black mass rapidly expanded, forming a thin shield wall around him.
This shield wall was completely different from before—it seemed to have its own will, constantly changing shape, with strange patterns flowing on the surface, like the skin of some otherworldly creature.
Ron held his breath, the aura emanating from this shield wall made him feel a trace of unease, yet simultaneously he was attracted by the terrifying power contained within.
"What... is this?"
"Secretion of the ’Gazing Giant Frog’ from the Abyss Fifth Layer."
Hayek explained calmly, while dissolving the shield wall.
At this moment, Ron noticed an obvious mark of mutation on the Vice Dean’s right arm.
His skin appeared an unnatural blue-gray, covered with tiny scale-like bumps.
These scales seemed alive, pulsing slightly, like breathing.
"Vice Dean is also... an Abyssal Explorer?"
"That’s right." Hayek admitted candidly, seemingly unperturbed by displaying his aberration marks in front of Ron:
"In fact, most wizards who reach the Moon Level and above have explored the Abyss. There is knowledge and power that cannot be obtained through conventional means, tempting every cultivator who pursues the extreme."
He pulled down his sleeve again, covering those marks of aberration:
"Of course, the cost is equally significant. Many wizards have paid dearly, and some have even become completely lost in the Abyss, never to return."
Ron listened quietly, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
To wizards, the Abyss is both a source of power and a treacherous mire.
"You seem very interested in the Abyss." Hayek keenly observed Ron’s reaction, a hint of inquiry flashing in his eyes:
"The harvest from your journey to the Bloodline Altar should be quite substantial, I presume?"
Ron was slightly startled, but quickly composed himself: "I gained some small insights, but it is far from enough."
"No need to rush, with your talent, there will be ample opportunities for deep exploration in the future." Hayek said meaningfully:
"Valen thinks highly of you as well, you know, we used to be a team."
"Master Valen?" Ron was slightly surprised, not expecting this connection between the two of them.
"Yes, in the early years at the Crystal Tower, we formed a team specifically responsible for Abyss exploration missions."
A hint of reminiscence flashed in Hayek’s eyes:
"During that time, Valen was a few years younger than me but incredibly gifted, and fortunately, he married his mentor’s grandniece, gaining more resources and guidance."
At this point, Hayek’s voice carried a barely detectable complex emotion:
"In the end, he successfully broke through to the Dark Sun Level, while I... remained at the peak of the Moon Level."
Ron did not respond, simply continued to listen silently, he was not foolish enough to express an opinion on these matters.
"It’s getting late." Hayek glanced at the twilight outside the window, ending the topic:
"I hope today’s exchange has been helpful to you."
"I have benefited tremendously."
Ron stood up and bowed deeply to Hayek: "Thank you, Vice Dean, for your guidance and generosity."
Hayek nodded slightly, watching Ron leave.
As the door closed, he took a deep breath, feeling the pure force of ’grace’ within his body.
This power was far stronger and more enduring than he had anticipated, almost instantly purifying some of the spiritual contamination he had accumulated recently.
"No wonder he has the potential of a Primordial Wizard’s seed..."
Hayek muttered to himself, a glimmer of expectation in his eyes:
"If he truly succeeds in advancing to a Primordial Wizard, the Black Mist School will usher in an unprecedented glorious era."
He walked to the window, gazing at the Black Mist Jungle gradually being swallowed by darkness, silently praying in his heart:
"Hope history does not repeat itself. Hope that this time, the dangerous path can indeed bring success, rather than another tragedy."
.........
Leaving Hayek’s office, Ron’s mind was still resonating with those advanced theories and application methods about the ’Flowing Shield Wall’.
He glanced down at the metal box in his hand, containing the precious medium materials Hayek had traded to him, feeling somewhat tempted.
These rare materials would provide ample substance for his experiments, especially for advanced research on the ’Flowing Shield Wall’.
But what excited him even more was that, through ’Thousand Transformations’, he had successfully recorded several variants of the ’Flowing Shield Wall’ demonstrated by Hayek.
Though limited by the complexity of magic, he could only record the first three applications:
"Multiple Media Integration," "Structural Differentiation," and "Active Counterattack," yet this was already enough to surprise and delight.