That is a palm-sized crystal ball, originally transparent as water, now gradually condensing into a silver-white glow, and starting to slowly rotate.
"This is..."
Trish widened her eyes, almost unable to believe what she saw.
This was the "Magic Resonance Ball" she and Ron had agreed upon.
Once someone becomes an official wizard, the ball will automatically sense the changes in the person’s magic power and react.
Her heartbeat accelerated, a complex emotion difficult to describe surged in her chest.
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
How could Ron have been promoted so quickly?
Trish approached the ball, and carefully touched it.
The surface of the ball emanated a subtle energy fluctuation, a purity she had never felt before, like starlight converging into a river.
Upon contact, her fingertips felt a tingling sensation, as if countless tiny currents passed through her skin to her soul.
"According to the procedures of the Key Potion, how could he possibly..." Trish murmured, starting to sift through the strict rules of the Crystal Tower in her mind.
Every candidate wizard applying for the Key Potion must first submit an application, accompanied by a mentor’s recommendation letter and a Sequence Assessment Committee’s evaluation report.
Then follows a three-month background check, ensuring the applicant has no adverse records or potential risks.
After initial screening, the applicant must attend a formal evaluation meeting, interviewed and tested on-site by a committee consisting of at least three Moonlight Wizards and one Dark Sun Wizard.
Only after passing through layers of scrutiny can they gain the exceedingly precious privilege of using the Key Potion.
Moreover, once any candidate wizard gains the right to use the Key Potion, this information will be communicated to all major schools through special channels.
"If Ron had applied for the Key Potion to prepare for a breakthrough, there’s no way the master wouldn’t have told me..." Trish pressed her fingertips tightly against the crystal ball, her brows furrowed deeply.
Corina, with her intricate network of connections within the Crystal Tower, would always obtain such crucial information immediately.
She would never let her student remain unaware of such key intelligence, especially when it involved someone Trish once cared about.
"Unless..." Trish’s heartbeat nearly halted for a moment, a bold speculation swiftly formed in her mind:
"Unless he didn’t follow the conventional methods at all."
Her thoughts returned to the ancient records she had seen in the archives of the Crystal Tower, describing a dangerous path almost discarded—Path of Truth.
An archaic method that bypassed the "Key" Potion, directly achieving breakthrough through spiritual power metamorphosis.
"Path of Truth..." Trish’s voice was almost inaudible, and she felt a chill run up her spine as she uttered the words.
She remembered a cautionary case her mentor had once used to warn her, a tragedy that occurred twenty years ago.
The first in sequence within the Crystal Tower—Greenwater, possessing "Anchor of the Heart" and "Frost Affinity," two second-tier special talents, was hailed as a century-rare prodigy.
He attempted the Path of Truth and ultimately failed.
It was not a simple failure, but a catastrophic collapse.
Greenwater’s spiritual world completely disintegrated, leaving him a hollow shell lying in bed, needing assistance even for the most basic eating.
Twenty years have passed, and he remains quietly in the special ward of the Crystal Tower infirmary, showing no signs of awakening.
Trish’s fingers trembled involuntarily.
The last recorded successful promotion through the Path of Truth dates back to a hundred and eighty-seven years ago, and that individual is now the current Tower Master of the Crystal Tower.
His achievement, taking just over a hundred years to break through as a Great Wizard, stunned the entire Ring Abyss Continent Group.
"But that was an exception, an extreme exception."
Trish bit her lip, her heart swirling with worry for Ron and a slight jealousy she didn’t want to acknowledge.
"It’s said that the successful one had three special talents, ranking among all geniuses of the ages."
Yet, the crystal ball before her silently announced a fact—Ron had indeed succeeded.
He not only attempted the Path of Truth but successfully completed the promotion, becoming a true official wizard.
"Madman..." Trish murmured, uncertain whether she was condemning or admiring: "A true madman..."
On one hand, she felt an admiration for Ron’s courage and achievements, a genuine respect;
On the other hand, she couldn’t suppress her jealousy and bitterness.
They were of the same age, her talent was not poor, yet she had already been left far behind.
"If we meet again, it’s likely we’ll be people from two different worlds."
Trish sighed softly, her eyes slightly warm.
The gap between official wizards and apprentices isn’t just about power, it’s also a vast difference in status and perspective.
In the world of wizards, there exists an insurmountable chasm between two major tiers.
Even though she has already gained some mentors’ attention in the Crystal Tower, and might earn the right to use the Key Potion in two or three more years.
But by then, Ron may have already stabilized at Morning Star Level, and could be advancing to even higher levels.
At this moment, the door was gently pushed open, and a silver-haired witch elegantly walked in.
She removed the mask from her face, exhaling with a slight sense of relaxation.
Corina casually kicked off her boots and lazily leaned against the sofa; the distortion marks on her face seemed to have improved considerably:
"Trish, I have an external mission in a month and need you to accompany me."
The brown-haired girl paused her movement of arranging her mentor’s boots upon hearing this, looking over with some doubt in her eyes.