Mola’s voice carried a hint of anticipation:
"For countless epochs, we’ve watched repeated dramas unfold within these crystal sacs.
Most so-called ’geniuses’ follow predictable paths... discovered, cultivated, controlled, ultimately becoming a cog in the system, just like us.
But this young man... he seems to be treading a different path."
"This so-called ’different’..."
Varian responded coldly:
"Is nothing more than the brief radiance of a lucky one. Don’t forget, he’s already been marked by the Abyss.
How many prodigies have perished in history?
Those arrogant ones who thought they could challenge the rules inevitably went mad, got crippled, died, or became Awakened... puppets controlled by the Abyss."
On the surface, his words stated objective facts, yet the subtle pleasure hidden beneath his calm demeanor was perceived by the other two present.
"Varian, you seem to always have a special... view of him."
Karen keenly pointed out, with a teasing gleam in his silver eyes:
"Is it because he follows the Path of Truth?"
"Pure statement of facts," Varian’s voice was devoid of any emotional fluctuation:
"The dividends of the times are not necessarily symbols of true strength."
Despite his calm exterior, the Dragon Scale within Varian’s sac emitted a faint dark sheen, a silent reflection of his emotional turmoil.
A Great Wizard walking the traditional path, how could he not harbor complex feelings towards a road he could not tread upon?
"Back to the topic."
Mola skillfully shifted the subject:
"Why haven’t the ’Anomaly Catchers’ reacted to this anomaly?
Any phenomenon that can influence rule rebound, no matter how minor, should have caught their attention."
This question cast the three suspended beings into contemplation.
"Perhaps they are already observing in secret." Karen finally spoke slowly:
"Our sources of information are, after all, limited. The upper echelons of the Court of Truth, even to us inverted ones, have many blind spots."
"Or perhaps..." Mola’s voice grew deeper:
"The Catchers have seen something we haven’t perceived, some... grander vision."
The liquid within the crystal sacs rippled slightly, the outward manifestation of the inverted beings’ mental waves.
"No matter what, this play is far more fascinating than we imagined."
Karen concluded with a voice tinged with indescribable complex emotions:
"A Primordial Wizard from a Marginal School not only evaded the control of the Crystal Tower but might impact a fundamental rule phenomenon...
Such a developmental trajectory is rare in the past millennia."
"More interesting is the Abyssal Observation Station he is about to visit."
Mola picked up the thread of conversation:
"Uther personally stationed there, clearly this Abyssal anomaly is no small matter. If that young man can seize some opportunity from it..."
"It would further break conventions." Karen nodded:
"The Abyss has always been a place where opportunity and risk coexist.
Once entered, the scales of fate tilt dramatically. Rise to glory, or plunge into eternal damnation."
"Usually the latter." Varian added in a bland tone: "After all, the Abyss favors no one."
"Well, all we can do is observe." Karen’s voice carried a hint of helplessness:
"That is the fate of the inverted ones—eternal spectators, flies trapped in amber, unable to return to reality."
This statement drew the three suspended beings into a brief silence.
A profound melancholy enveloped the entire Specimen Library, a silent protest against eternal captivity.
"Master Drake did not partake in this discussion."
Mola suddenly said, altering the heavy atmosphere: "He must be concealing information unknown to us."
"Master Drake knows too much." Engaging with that venerable ancient one, Varian could only comment simply:
"He has lived longer than all three of us combined, and if he wills, can divulge many astounding truths."
"But he chooses silence." Karen said softly:
"Perhaps because he knows too much, he is more cautious. Within this Court of Truth, perhaps the walls really have ears."
This remark again led the three inverted beings into silence, as the light of their respective crystal sacs gradually dimmed.
The Specimen Library returned to its usual tranquility.
Those inverted figures once again became static specimens, suspended in the eternal void.
Only on the Wizard General Record Projection Platform, Ron’s name still emitted a faint golden glow.
Like a distant yet bright new star in the night sky, silently heralding the prelude to a new Chapter.
In the deepest part of the Specimen Library, within Drake’s transparent skull, the brain tissues flickered slightly and then returned to silence.
If someone could read his thoughts, they would find a startling conclusion:
"Interesting... his soul does not belong here... traces of crossing boundaries and some deeper connection..."
......
The Crystal Tower bathed in golden morning light.
Ron strode with the morning light, crossing the Central Square towards the School Alliance’s assessment place.
He wore a long black robe, pinned with the badge of a Crystal Tower Assistant, exuding a calm and confident aura.
Passing apprentices greeted him reverently and admired him in their eyes.
"Mentor Ron, we’ve finally been waiting for you!"
A young face emerged from the crowd, it was Herman.