Her tone became more intimate, as if she were just discussing everyday matters with a friend:
"Many people think I would immediately enforce a strict rule, forcing everyone to participate in the conquest. But in reality, I am quite a patient person."
Ron maintained a polite listening posture but activated "Hermit’s Knowledge" to perceive the true intentions behind her words.
"Reform takes time, and so does the human heart to adjust."
Cassandra chuckled softly:
"I have prepared a three-year transition period for the School Alliance. During these three years, traditional academic research will continue, and the existing management system will remain stable."
"Only when people gradually realize the superiority of the new system will deeper reforms take place."
Her fingers gently stroked the rim of the wine glass:
"After all, forced change often triggers unnecessary resistance. Voluntary transformation can bring higher efficiency and less internal friction."
Eve quietly listened from the side, occasionally casting worried glances at Ron.
Uther’s silhouette maintained its observer stance, with the silver light appearing particularly profound against the reflection of the Starlight Crystal.
"Speaking of which, I recalled something interesting."
Cassandra suddenly changed the topic, a sly gleam flashing in her eyes:
"Before today’s meeting, I mentioned a handling plan for you during an internal high-level meeting."
Ron’s heartbeat quickened slightly, but he remained outwardly calm.
"At that time, some suggested imposing special restrictions and supervision on you, given the unpredictability of a Primordial Wizard. Others suggested that you should immediately join the core circle to prevent other forces from recruiting you."
She chuckled and shook her head:
"The suggestions varied widely, with some even quite extreme. But my response was simple—’treat normally.’
"’Treat normally?’" Ron repeated the words, trying to understand their deeper meaning.
"Yes, treat normally." Cassandra nodded in confirmation:
"Neither offering special care nor deliberately suppressing. Provide treatment based on your actual performance, just like any talented young wizard."
Her gaze became meaningful:
"Of course, this ’normal’ standard might be higher than most people imagine. After all, your talent is indeed outstanding."
"The expressions on the high-level members’ faces were quite interesting when they heard my answer." She continued:
"Some were confused, thinking I was being pretentious; some tried to decipher deeper meanings; and some simply thought I was lying."
She took a small sip of wine, a trace of pride appearing in her eyes:
"But in reality, I was speaking the truth. I indeed intend to treat you normally—according to the normal treatment a Treasure-level Genius should receive."
"Today’s appointment and rewards are precisely the embodiment of this ’normal treatment.’"
Ron began to understand her intention.
Cassandra was actually suggesting that she knew he had learned about that high-level meeting through some channel.
"The Tower Master is quite frank." Ron cautiously responded: "This transparent communication does indeed offer reassurance."
"Frankness is the privilege of the strong." Cassandra nodded satisfactorily:
"Only when you are strong enough can you bear the consequences of speaking the truth. This is also an important principle I hope you understand."
She put down the wine glass, her tone becoming more serious:
"In the next three years, you will have many choices. You can continue to focus on academic research, or you can try to participate in some conquest projects."
"I won’t force you to make any decisions, but I hope you can keep an open mind. After all, only through personal experience can you make truly wise judgments."
At this moment, the butler Sebastian entered with a delicate tray of potions in hand.
"Tower Master, Miss Eve’s potion is ready."
Ron noticed Eve’s complexion suddenly became pale, and her body began to tremble slightly.
"Thank you, Sebastian." Cassandra took the tray, her tone still gentle:
"Eve, it’s time to take your medicine."
The tray held three small bottles of potion, each emitting a different glow.
But through "Extraordinary Recognition," Ron immediately noticed the unusual nature of these potions.
They were not ordinary Healing Potions, but some extremely special substances.
Each drop of potion contained intense soul waves, those waves carrying the emotional characteristics of despair, pain, and fear.
"Mother..." Eve’s voice trembled slightly: "I already feel much better today, could I..."
"No." Cassandra’s tone, though gentle, was undeniable:
"Your ’Demon Devouring’ symptoms have alleviated, but the root issue still exists. These potions are necessary to maintain your stable state."
She gently stroked Eve’s hair, her actions filled with maternal love:
"I know the taste is bad, but you must persist for the sake of your health."
Eve glanced at Uther, a look of plea in her eyes.
But the old professor only shook his head slightly, signaling her not to resist.
With no other choice, Eve could only take the first bottle of potion.
As she brought the potion to her lips, her whole body began to shake violently.
The reaction was not one of resistance to bitterness but rather an instinctive fear from deep within the soul.
The moment the potion entered her mouth, Eve’s face turned ashen, nearly causing her to vomit immediately.
She bit her lower lip tightly, forcing herself to swallow the potion, but tears uncontrollably flowed down her cheeks.
Ron observed the process through "Extraordinary Recognition," a deep shock welling up within him.
The essence of these potions reminded him of some forbidden Alchemy records—soul condensate.
Through the deep perception of "Hermit’s Knowledge," he could even vaguely hear the silent screams of those refined souls.
Uther’s silhouette suddenly transmitted a Spiritual Power message to him:
"That is the ’King of Absurdity’s’ technique... compressing and refining the souls of living intelligent beings to create a universal potion that suppresses various spiritual symptoms."
"Every drop of potion represents the dissipation of dozens of complete lives."
The old professor’s spiritual message carried deep pain:
"Cassandra has been using this method to maintain Eve’s condition for years."
Ron felt a chill rise from his spine.
If what Uther said was true, then Eve’s daily sustenance involved the forcible ’consumption’ of countless lives.
And all of this was happening under Cassandra’s gentle smile.
"The second bottle." Cassandra maintained her motherly tone.
Eve’s body shook even more, but she still obediently took the second bottle of potion.
This time the reaction was even more intense, she could hardly control her gag reflex.
But under her mother’s gaze, she forced herself to complete the ingestion.
"The last bottle, dear."
The third bottle of potion was darker in color, emitting a more potent soul aura.
Eve’s hand was trembling uncontrollably, and the potion bottle wobbled in her grip.
"Do you need my help?" Cassandra asked with concern.
"No... no need." Eve shook her head, using all her strength to take the last bottle of potion.
After the process was over, she slumped into her chair, her face pale as paper, breathing rapidly.
But strangely, her Magic Power wave indeed became more stable.
"Do you see?" Cassandra turned to Ron, a twisted sense of pride in her voice:
"Sometimes saving a person requires sacrificing something else. But as long as the outcome is good, the discomfort in the process is all worth it."
Her gaze became profound:
"This is the responsibility of the strong. We must make difficult decisions, bear the moral burden, and sacrifice certain things for the greater good."
"Eve’s life is more important to me than any moral principle."
If sacrificing the souls of some lesser beings could save my daughter, I would not hesitate to make that choice."
Ron watched the scene unfold, his complex emotions reaching a peak.
Cassandra was not displaying simple evil but a twisted logic.
In her value system, the needs of the strong took precedence over everything, and the safety of loved ones outweighed moral codes.
This logic was in some ways reasonable, yet its consequences were so unsettling.