"By the way, according to the records, you must have read ’Abyssal Creatures Atlas’, right?"
The Great Wizard seemed to know his research content inside out.
"Yes, Professor. I obtained an engraved copy while at the Black Mist School, which was very helpful for abyss research."
"An engraved copy? That’s far too inferior."
Uther waved dismissively:
"I have an original written by Audric himself. If you’re genuinely interested in abyss research, perhaps you’ll have a chance to read this true treasure."
The difference between a manuscript version and a circulated version is often not just in the amount of content but in that the most core and dangerous knowledge often only exists in the original manuscript.
"I very much look forward to that day, Professor," Ron could only say, which might have been the response the other party desired to see.
Uther smiled:
"Alright then, I won’t disturb your continued tour. The world of young people is always full of possibilities. I look forward to seeing your growth on the wizard’s path, Ralph."
The portrait returned to a static state, and the magical fluctuations within the room gradually reverted to normal, as if everything just now was a mere illusion.
Reynolds still looked somewhat surprised, as if still digesting everything that had just happened:
"The Professor rarely initiates conversations with newcomers, let alone promise to impart knowledge. It seems he holds you in very high regard."
Ron smiled humbly:
"I think it’s more out of respect for my mentors, who were all once his students."
Reynolds shook his head:
"No, the Great Wizard would never do anything out of favoritism. If he shows interest in you, it’s because he sees some quality in you."
He glanced at the time:
"The tour is about to end. Consider my suggestion; joining the observation station would greatly aid your research. But for now, you might need to go back and prepare for your trial lecture?"
Ron nodded, indeed, tomorrow would be his first trial lecture at the Crystal Tower.
This was an important opportunity for him to showcase himself in the new environment, and he could not afford to be careless.
"Thank you for your guidance, Wizard Reynolds."
Ron rose to take his leave: "I will seriously consider joining the observation station."
Back at his residence, Ron checked the Contribution Points system of the Crystal Tower via the magic terminal.
The terminal screen displayed a complex list detailing various items and knowledge available for exchange, along with the corresponding Contribution Points requirements:
[Magic Power Amplification Crystal Blueprint] — 1000 Contribution Points
A tool that can temporarily enhance a caster’s magic output.
...
[Thought Expansion Potion Formula] — 2000 Contribution Points
An advanced potion formula that can briefly expand mental capacity.
After use, it allows for the simultaneous processing of more information, suitable for complex magic research and multithreaded thinking.
Derived from an ancient alchemist’s legacy formula.
...
[Spatial Device Construction Technology (Improved Edition)] — 5000 Contribution Points
Advanced technology for creating a personal exclusive space storage device.
With a larger capacity and greater stability than the common spatial bag on the market, customizable and expandable according to personal needs.
...
[Potential Awakening Stone] — 10000 Contribution Points
An extremely rare extraordinary item.
Can help the user awaken hidden talents.
Success rate is about 30%, and each person can only use it once in a lifetime.
The awakened talent level cannot exceed Middle of the Second Tier.
...
[Soul Purification Ceremony] — 12000 Contribution Points
An ancient ceremony capable of temporarily removing spiritual contamination.
The duration of the effect is proportional to the caster’s spiritual power.
Derived from ancient wizards’ research outcomes against abyssal contamination.
...
[Bloodline Ancestor Return Ceremony] — 20000 Contribution Points
A special ceremony to awaken dormant talents deep within the bloodline.
The success rate varies with individual bloodline purity, and one can only attempt it once in a lifetime.
Possible to awaken any talent within three direct ancestors.
...
[Soul Anchoring Technology - One] — 60000 Contribution Points
Allows anchoring part of the soul in a safe place before exploring dangerous areas to prevent the soul from completely falling.
Requires Dark Sun Level spiritual strength to attempt.
Ron carefully studied these options he was most interested in, marveling at the value they held.
Especially those technologies related to the soul and bloodline, each of which could potentially be the key to breaking through bottlenecks.
But accumulating Contribution Points was not an easy task.
Those truly core knowledge and technologies required thousands to tens of thousands of Contribution Points.
At the bottom of the list, Ron saw a passage about Contribution Points calculation and title evaluation:
[Contribution Points and Title Evaluation]
Contribution Points are an important standard for measuring a wizard’s contribution to the Crystal Tower.
Title evaluation is based on the total accumulated Contribution Points, with specific standards as follows:
Teaching Assistant: No accumulated Contribution Points required
Lecturer: 5000 accumulated Contribution Points
Associate Professor: 30000 accumulated Contribution Points and recommendation from over ten Vice Tower Masters
Full Professor: 100000 accumulated Contribution Points and approval from half of the Main Tower Masters
[Primary Ways to Earn Contribution Points]
1. Teaching: 100 - 500 Contribution Points per academic year based on course difficulty and student evaluation
2. Research: 100 - 3000 Contribution Points based on the value and innovation of research results
3. Training Outstanding Students: 500 - 3000 Contribution Points for each student trained who enters the Crystal Tower’s talent pool
4. Special Contribution: No upper limit, evaluated by the review committee, for solving significant problems for the school or bringing back rare materials
Ron contemplatively closed the terminal.
This system was quite ingeniously designed to encourage wizards to actively contribute to the school, while the differentiation in Contribution Points allocation guided them to focus on truly valuable research and teaching.
For him, the trial lecture starting tomorrow became even more important.
After all, joining the Abyssal Observation Station required at least a Lecturer title.
"The most efficient source of Contribution Points is training outstanding students and creating academic achievements." Ron calculated in his mind:
"If this week’s trial lecture can attract a few truly talented students, it might provide me a shortcut."
.........
The dawn light barely illuminated, and the peaks of the Crystal Tower were already dyed golden by the newborn sun.
The teaching building of the Central Academy—an impressive structure made of blue and white crystal, resembling a giant open book.
Each floor represents different academic fields, ranging from basic Elemental Theory to advanced Plane Research, all-encompassing.
Today, this building, usually quiet year-round, was unusually bustling.
The corridor leading to the third-floor "Integrated Application" classroom was crowded with apprentices, who were focused and quietly discussing the upcoming course.
"Look at that crowd!"
Jack stared in shock at the crowded entrance of the classroom and couldn’t help swallowing:
"The last time I saw such a scene was at last year’s guest lecture by the ’Astrological Prediction’ master!"
Liss also seemed surprised but quickly realized:
"Indeed, a Treasure-level Genius, and a Primordial Wizard—this combination certainly has great appeal."
However, it was not these ordinary apprentices that really caused the commotion, but rather a special group of individuals who arrived a few minutes ago.
Golem caretakers dressed in Crown Clan-exclusive attire escorted a young girl in a light purple long dress slowly forward.
Wherever they went, the apprentices stepped aside, eyes full of curiosity and reverence.
"Her Highness Eve..." Liss whispered in shock, quickly bowing her head in salute:
"She actually came!"
Eve, accompanied by her maid Franka, quietly walked toward the classroom.
Her demeanor was elegant and reserved, exuding a maturity beyond her years.
The most striking feature was the delicate crystal bracelet on her wrist, emitting a faint blue glow.
With the arrival of Eve’s group, the atmosphere in the classroom became tenser.
The ordinary apprentices dared not get too close, yet couldn’t help but gaze curiously at this princess, rarely seen in person.
"I heard her magic pool is many times that of an ordinary person, able to cast first-circle spells directly without meditation."
"At five, she could recite all the contents of ’Elemental Convergence Theory’ and point out seven errors in the book."
"Too bad about that ’Demon Devouring’ symptom, otherwise she might have become an Official Wizard long ago."
"Mother and daughter are both geniuses. It’s said that although she’s only fourteen, her estimated talent ranking is close to the top hundred, higher than the Main Tower Master at the time."