Night had fallen.
After the elite team of students left, the vast workshop fell into silence once more.
The floating magic lamp automatically dimmed its brightness, casting a hazy glow.
Ron stood alone by the window, gazing at the dazzling night scenery of the Central Lands through the crystal window.
Those towering mage tower spires glittered under the starlight, like inverted stars.
Yet at this moment, this beauty could not calm the turmoil within his heart.
He gently caressed the exquisite rune gloves in his hand, Liss’s earnest and focused expression still vivid in his memory.
Three months of time, every stitch and thread, each rune imbued with the girl’s entire devotion.
That pure admiration and attachment, so clear, yet so fragile.
"In the face of the tides of time, individual will always seems so insignificant."
Ron sighed inwardly.
He understood that with his transfer to the Abyssal Observation Station, such warm teacher-student gatherings would become a rare luxury.
The nature of the work at the observation station meant he could only return to the Crystal Tower infrequently each month,
with most of his energy devoted to those dangerous and mysterious abyssal studies.
Cassandra’s return would also completely alter the power dynamics of the Crystal Tower.
In such a turbulent situation, the peaceful academic atmosphere of the past would likely be hard to maintain.
Ron turned and walked towards the desk, his gaze falling on the theoretical manuscript presented by Herman.
The silver-haired youth’s pure yearning for knowledge, along with the excitement after receiving recognition as a candidate wizard, reminded him of his own initial days in this distinguished place.
Yet in this cruel world, innocence often means vulnerability, and kindness often equates to danger.
"What I can give them, I have already given."
He gently stroked the manuscript’s cover: "The road ahead can only be walked by themselves."
These elite team students, in a sense, have already completed all the content he can currently impart.
Herman has reached the pinnacle of advanced apprentices in theoretical derivation, Liss’s talent in magic potion making has been fully developed, and the others also have their own strengths.
But because of this, the reason for gathering no longer exists.
They all have their own cultivation directions and academic pursuits, all striving to advance to official wizards.
In this competitive world, time is the most precious resource, and none can waste it on meaningless socializing.
Perhaps years later, when they have all grown to become independently capable wizards, there will be a chance for reunion.
But will they still be as pure as they are now?
Ron shook his head, suppressing these sentimental emotions.
As a rational researcher, he knows that being driven by emotion will only affect judgment.
In the looming storm, protecting oneself is the primary task.
.........
The next morning, as Ron was organizing the various precious gifts received last night in the laboratory, there was a polite yet slightly urgent knock on the door.
The knocking rhythm was very regular—three short knocks, one slightly longer, then a brief pause.
This is the established "formal visit" signal within the Crystal Tower, indicating that the visitor has important matters to discuss.
"Please come in."
Entering was Lecturer Frederick Levin.
This enchantment expert clearly had exceptionally thorough preparation today.
He wore a brand new wizard’s robe, holding a lavishly decorated storage box.
The box itself was a fine piece of art, made from Abyssal Black Wood, with its surface inlaid with intricate silver runes, emitting a faint magic ripple.
The value of this container alone is worth several complete magic stones.
What truly caught Ron’s attention was the barely concealed urgency in Frederick’s expression.
This middle-aged wizard had faint traces of fatigue at the corners of his eyes, clearly he didn’t sleep well last night.
His left ring finger also bore a piece of an ancient-style ring.
That was evidently not a decorative item, but a protective alchemy tool, usually worn only when facing potential threats.
"Lecturer Ralph, first let me congratulate you on your successful promotion!"
Frederick’s voice carried genuine congratulations, but Ron keenly sensed an underlying tension.
"Thank you for your congratulatory words, Lecturer Frederick."
Ron rose to greet him, polite yet maintaining a sense of distance:
"Please have a seat. But judging by your appearance, there seems to be something important to discuss?"
"Indeed." Frederick didn’t deny it, carefully placing the expensive storage box on the table, then used magic to check the room’s soundproofing.
After confirming it was secure, he took a deep breath:
"In fact, I want to establish a deeper... collaborative relationship with you, especially in this special period."
When he mentioned the words "special period," his voice noticeably lowered a few degrees.
Ron noted this detail, gaining a deeper understanding of the upcoming changes.
"As a token of sincerity, I have brought some small gifts."
Frederick said as he opened the storage box, and what it contained made Ron raise his eyebrows slightly.
Inside the box, velvet divided it into three sections, each area containing a valuable item.
The first item was a hefty handwritten tome, with a gilt lettering cover titled "War Rune Enchantment Manual."
"This is the collection of weapon and armor enchantment schemes I’ve compiled over many years."
Frederick’s voice carried clear reluctance, evidently, this book held significant meaning to him: