Reynolds took a small sip of seaweed wine, a specialty from the Glazed Islands.
The purple-black liquid swirled in the goblet, refracting the light from the crystal lamp, like a starry sky trapped inside.
He shook the goblet, his gaze steady, as if deciding where to start answering Ron’s doubts.
"The situation in the Central Lands is far more complex than what’s recorded in writing."
"On the surface, it looks like a School Alliance co-governing, but in reality, there are undercurrents, and the power struggle never ceases, merely changing to wear more refined masquerades."
Ron nodded slightly, though he didn’t entirely believe it, silently assessing the truthfulness of Reynolds’ words.
The subtle fluctuations in Reynolds’ tone weren’t an intentional concealment but a compression of complicated facts.
Clearly, he was trying to simplify a convoluted system.
"First, you need to understand the Court of Truth."
The man’s voice was somewhat hoarse, as if worried about being overheard by some invisible ears:
"It transcends all systems, like an invisible Inspector perched atop the Wizard World."
He glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention, then continued:
"The Court of Truth is composed of the most powerful Great Wizards and several others with greatness, wielding ultimate decision-making power, but rarely appearing.
Unless there is a major crisis affecting the survival of the Wizard World, they remain distant and indifferent, like those ancient myths’ beings high above the clouds."
"Like researchers observing the ecosystem of microorganisms in a petri dish?"
Ron suggested a metaphor he found fitting.
"Your analogy is uncannily accurate."
Reynolds was surprised, then smiled:
"So, let’s discuss what’s beneath the Court of Truth, mainly the alliances formed by several large Schools. Among them, the position of the Crystal Tower is almost at an unmatched level."
At this point, he pressed the "Automatic Food Delivery" button and quietly set up an Isolation Array.
"Is the disparity really as vast as rumored?"
Ron raised an eyebrow, while recalling the sporadic information he had collected.
"It’s even greater than the rumors." Reynolds said solemnly, with a touch of reverent awe in his voice:
"Other large Schools at most have one or two Great Wizards, while the Crystal Tower has four publicly known Great Wizards, not to mention reclusive scholars who remain hidden, absorbed in research and untouched by worldly matters."
He picked up the wine glass and gently swirled it, leaving thick traces of the purple-black liquid on the rim:
"It sounds like a simple numerical difference, but in the Wizard World, it signifies an insurmountable chasm.
You’ve understood the ecological chain of Abyssal creatures, right?
The gap in strength between the top predator and the next tier down is often insurmountable—this gap between Great Wizards is even more significant."
Ron nodded thoughtfully, aligning with his preliminary judgment of the power distribution in the Wizard World.
The "Library of Consciousness" in his mind automatically integrated new information, constructing a more cohesive diagram of power structures.
In this diagram, without a doubt, the Crystal Tower holds the most prominent position, akin to the brightest star in the night.
"The current status of the Crystal Tower is inseparable from its internal core force—the Crown Clan."
Reynolds continued, with a complex mix of awe and subtle dissatisfaction in his eyes:
"Especially the current person in charge—Cassandra the Great Wizard. She’s a newly risen Great Wizard within the Crown Clan of the past century and is also the present Tower Master of the Crystal Tower.
Under her governance, the power of the Crystal Tower has reached its peak in nearly a millennium."
"Cassandra..."
Ron softly repeated the name, searching for related information in the Library of Consciousness.
He recalled there was a brief mention in the marginal notes, but the content was sparse.
A subtle gleam flickered in Reynolds’ eyes, reminding:
"She is also a Primordial Wizard who advanced through the Path of Truth."
Ron instantly looked up, his eyes sharp as a sword.
Wizards who advance through the Primordial Path are rare, and those who survive midway and smoothly ascend to Great Wizard status are even rarer.
"Thank you, Wizard Reynolds, for sharing such crucial information with me."
Reynolds waved off indifferently:
"In the wizard circles of the Central Lands, this isn’t much of a secret. Even Cassandra Tower Master herself doesn’t shy away from this point, even taking pride in it."
He took a sip of wine, continuing:
"Though Cassandra Tower Master hasn’t been a Great Wizard for particularly long, her strength is remarkably formidable, even ranking among the top in her peer group, which is the fundamental reason she became the Tower Master of this generation."
The two fell into a brief silence, as the Automatic Food Delivery’s tendrils brought a new dish—"Deep Sea Grasp."
It was a piece of deep-sea fish meat treated with special magic, shaped like a grasping hand, coated with crystalline blue sauce, emitting an alluring aroma.
Ron lightly poked the fish with a silver fork, surprised to see it react similarly to a living organism, contracting slightly, akin to real muscle tissue.
This reminded him of those semi-living alchemy materials, maintaining certain Life Traits but stripped of autonomous consciousness.
"Try it."
Reynolds casually suggested:
"After consumption, it can temporarily enhance tactile sensitivity, aiding in casting precision. It is also one of the specialties of the Glazed Islands, the fish is specially treated immediately after being caught alive, preserving primordial ocean energy."
Ron carved a small piece and placed it in his mouth, the fish melting on his tongue, releasing layer upon layer of exquisite flavors.