"The speed of improving Historical Research Skills is faster than expected. Each exchange with Professor Yutel brings significant progress. At the current pace, I should be able to break through to the Skilled Level in about half a month."
He gently flipped through the record book, with densely packed symbols and annotations documenting his research achievements day by day.
From the initial stumbling to now being able to relatively skillfully analyze low-level Memory Crystals, this rate of progress is astounding even in the genius-filled Crystal Tower.
But Ron knew deeply that behind this rapid progress, aside from his own talent and effort, he heavily relied on the careful guidance of Uther, this top-tier Historian.
In every Memory Crystal analysis class, the old professor personally demonstrated the most exquisite techniques.
The practical experiences that absolutely couldn’t be learned from books were the key to his rapid growth.
However, in recent exchanges, Ron keenly noticed some subtle changes.
Uther occasionally showed a faint worry, a kind of expression that never appeared while discussing academic knowledge.
"The professor seems to have something on his mind recently."
Ron recalled the slight fluctuations in Yutel’s imaginary projection tonight:
"And not just him, even Eve has seemed a bit off lately. Although she still actively participates in my classes, there’s always a sense of distraction about her."
As an observant person, Ron found it hard to ignore these details.
Especially when such anomalies appeared simultaneously on two core members of the Crown Clan, it likely indicated some deeper issue.
Coming to this realization, he couldn’t help but remember some rumors he heard not long ago.
In the Crystal Tower’s interior, there seemed to be some sort of distribution mechanism he had yet to fully understand.
Though everything appeared orderly on the surface, the undercurrent of rivalry never ceased.
"Speaking of which, Eve mentioned something to me recently, that her mother, Cassandra, seems to be coming back soon..."
Ron pondered on this information but frowned in confusion:
"But it doesn’t make sense... Cassandra Tower Master’s return from expedition should undoubtedly be good news for both Yutel and Eve. Why would Eve feel unhappy about her mother returning triumphantly from the Otherworld..."
He thought back to an inadvertent observation a few days ago.
At the time, he was heading to submit his new paper to the review committee.
He happened to see several usually stern lecturers gathered together communicating in silence, their expressions unusually serious.
Among them was even the usually calm William, the Associate Professor, showing signs of apparent concern on his face.
"Be more cautious, more dedicated."
Ron warned himself in his heart:
"No matter what changes occur among the high ranks, for a mid-level Wizard like me, the most important thing is still to enhance my own strength.
Only by being strong enough can I protect myself amidst any changes."
He closed the schedule record and took out the silver Pocket Watch from the drawer.
Moonlight spilled through the crystal window onto its surface, imbuing the Pocket Watch with a mysterious and ancient glow.
"Since tonight’s Historical Research training hasn’t been conducted yet, perhaps I should give it a try..."
Ron took a deep breath, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes:
"Last time I failed, let’s try again this time. Once the power of the Time Hound is injected, it feels as if something within the Pocket Watch was awakened."
This idea had been brewing in his mind for a long time.
Since obtaining this Pocket Watch, it had shown abilities beyond imagination, but he knew very little about its origins and creator.
And just now, Yutel’s discussion about the Clock King further ignited his intense curiosity.
"That Time Reset ability, and the time laws contained within the Pocket Watch, truly aligns with the legends of the Clock King."
He carefully placed the Pocket Watch on a specially crafted sensing platform, then began entering a specialized meditation state for Historical Research.
This was an advanced technique taught by Yutel, allowing him to perceive the residual "Time Marks" on objects through a unique operation of Spiritual Power.
As his consciousness gradually sank, the surrounding real world began to blur, replaced by a peculiar state of perception.
In this state, the Pocket Watch was no longer a simple object but a vessel containing countless fragments of time.
Each scratch, every wear, recorded specific historical moments.
Ron’s Spiritual Power extended like a thread, gently touching the Time Marks on the Pocket Watch’s surface.
Initially, only some vague fragments flashed by:
The battlefield of blood and fire, complex Alchemy ceremonies, countless precise adjustments...
But as he skillfully applied his techniques, these fragments began to clarify.
Suddenly, a breathtaking scene appeared in his mind.
It was a magnificent Clock Tower, towering into the clouds, its body cast from some special metal emitting a faint glow.
On the colossal clock face, the hands did not move according to the regular twelve-hour system but followed a complex trajectory, as if documenting the passage of multiple time dimensions.
In the workshop at the top of the tower, a tall woman was working intently.
She had long silver-gray hair, and her eyes appeared in a peculiar indigo color, as if containing the depth of time.
But most striking was the countless translucent clock phantoms surrounding her, each operating at a different speed.