Reynolds was startled, nearly jumping out of his chair, his expression a mix of surprise and embarrassment:
"Professor? Have you been observing us all along?"
"Observing? That’s too stiff a word!"
The figure in the portrait—a white-haired elder with a youthful face—waved his hand with a mischievous smile:
"I was just passing by and happened to hear someone praising me, so I paid more attention for a while. What, Reynolds, does this ’unexpected guest’ make you uncomfortable?"
Although it was just a portrait, Ron could peer through this narrow gap and glimpse a corner of the vast ocean, its profound aura far exceeding any Wizard he had seen so far.
Reynolds quickly shook his head, his expression changing from surprise to respect:
"Of course not, Professor. It’s just that your appearance is somewhat..."
"Sudden? Unexpected? Heart-pounding?"
The elder laughed heartily:
"It’s precisely surprises like these that make life enjoyable! If everything followed routine, wouldn’t this long Wizarding career be incredibly dull?"
His gaze turned to Ron:
"You’re Ron Ralph, a rare genuine path walker of this era, right?"
Ron respectfully stood up and gave a formal Wizard salute to the portrait:
"Professor Yutel, I’ve long admired your name."
Yutel’s portrait looked Ron up and down with a satisfied smile:
"Courteous, extraordinary demeanor, and your Magic Power is...quite good, with real potential."
"Hayek and Allen, those little fellows, have praised you to the skies. They’re usually stingy with compliments. To receive such praise, you truly have something unique."
Hearing Yutel refer to the two Masters so casually suddenly enlightened Ron.
Yutel’s relationship with the ’fringe’ members of the Black Mist School was evidently closer than he had previously guessed.
"Were Madam Allen and Vice Dean Hayek students you trained, Professor?"
Ron asked in succession, a genuine curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"That was a long time ago, so long I’ve forgotten the exact years."
A hint of nostalgia flashed in Yutel’s eyes:
"Before Cassandra took over as Tower Master, I served as the Tower Master for a while."
He stroked his white beard, a gentle smile appearing on his face:
"Cassandra, Hayek, Allen, Valen...those young ones were my students back then, a bunch of lively, talented kids."
Yutel chuckled softly:
"It’s funny, now you see them as venerable seniors, always acting wise. But in my eyes, they’re forever the little brats fumbling around in the lab, getting themselves messy with potions."
Reynolds stood somewhat awkwardly aside, clearly never anticipating Professor Yutel’s sudden appearance and such a cordial conversation with Ron.
His expression was both surprised and perplexed, clearly finding this development unbelievable.
"I heard you recently joined the Crystal Tower and have already set up several courses?"
Yutel inquired with interest:
"Magic Potion Making and Bloodline Modulation? That’s a great idea, it’s exactly the cross-disciplinary thinking many young Wizards lack. Knowledge isn’t an island, it’s a connected network. Those who can see these connections often go further on their quest for knowledge."
Ron could only respond modestly, as everything about him was recorded, which wasn’t too surprising.
Then Yutel’s gaze turned again to Reynolds:
"Reynolds, I see you’re introducing this young Wizard Ralph to the situation at the observation station? Is he interested in Abyss research as well?"
Reynolds immediately straightened up and responded:
"Yes, Professor. Wizard Ralph shows a great interest in Abyss research, especially in the extraction and application of Abyssal Material. I believe he is a talent well-suited to join the observation station."
"I think so too."
The elder’s voice carried a hint of pleasure, his eyes slightly squinting as if he was looking at a precious collectible:
"’Hand of a Hundred Arts’, ’Natural History’, ’Medicinal Body Resonance’, ’Insight Eye’...such a combination of talents is perfectly suited for Abyss research."
"If you decide to join the observation station, Ralph, and meet the Contribution Points requirement, I’d be happy to teach you some Extraordinary Skills related to ’History’ and ’Astrology’."
Yutel suddenly said:
"These skills are just right to suit your ’Hand of a Hundred Arts’ talent."
This promise stirred Ron’s heart.
The abilities of a Historian include directly sensing the past of objects and even briefly ’resonating’ with items involved in significant historical events to obtain firsthand historical information.
An Astrologer can predict energy tides and critical time nodes by observing celestial changes, and under specific conditions, even capture faint fluctuations of fate.
If these two abilities were combined with Ron’s existing Skills, it would bring unprecedented depth and breadth to his research.
And these ancient and powerful skills are often only passed down within specific families or organizations, rarely seen by outsiders.
"It would be my honor, Professor."
Ron responded sincerely, showing an unmistakable longing:
"If given the chance to learn from you, it would be one of the most valuable experiences of my Wizarding career."
Yutel nodded in satisfaction, noting Ron’s response with a knowing look, then shifted the topic: