"I understand your choice." He eventually replied:
"Simply as a mother, your actions are completely understandable."
Cassandra nodded with satisfaction:
"I knew you would understand, and that’s one of the reasons I admire you; you have a maturity beyond your years."
She stood up and walked towards the window in the dining room, gazing at the starry sky outside:
"In this universe, each civilization struggles for survival. Survival of the fittest isn’t a rule set by us, but a fundamental law of the universe."
"All we can do is choose which part of the food chain we wish to be. And I choose to be at the top."
As dinner was nearing its end, Cassandra finally said:
"Tonight, I hope you take away not just a fine meal, but also a completely new way of thinking."
"When you stand high enough, you’ll find that those moral dilemmas that once troubled you actually have simpler solutions."
She turned to Eve, her tone becoming gentle again:
"How are you feeling now, dear?"
"Much better, Mother," Eve replied weakly, though still shadowed by fear in her eyes.
"That’s good." Cassandra nodded with satisfaction:
"See, Ron? Sometimes temporary pain can lead to lasting happiness. It’s the wisdom a leader must possess, knowing when to persevere and when to compromise."
"Speaking of support, I think it’s time to fulfill my promise from this afternoon."
Cassandra retrieved a lavish storage box from her space equipment:
"300 full Magic Stones, my personal sponsorship for your Simulation Battle Device project."
When the storage box was opened, the neatly arranged Magic Stones emitted dazzling light.
Each one was the highest quality Energy Crystal, valuable enough to make any researcher go mad.
"Additionally, here are technological data I’ve collected from Otherworld civilizations over the years."
She also took out several data Crystals:
"Including transformation technology from the ’Mechanical Federation’, cultivation methods from the ’Biological Factory’, and application theories of ’Energy Integration’."
"The value of this information... cannot be measured in money."
Her eyes were filled with pride for her conquests: "Any one of these technologies is enough to spur revolutionary progress in a particular field."
Ron accepted these precious materials.
Merely a quick browse revealed dozens of never-before-seen technological concepts, each enlightening his research ideas.
"There’s another piece of good news," Cassandra continued:
"After discussions with Master Uther and several expedition team captains, we’ve decided to grant you some special research freedom."
Her tone became more formal:
"Firstly, you can relocate your mobile workshop to the Abyssal Observation Station. The environment there is more suitable for experiments on special materials and allows first-hand Abyss samples to be obtained."
"Secondly, you will enjoy independent research permissions. Ensuring basic safety, you can autonomously decide your research direction and experimental contents without going through cumbersome approval processes."
The generosity of this treatment surprised Ron.
Independent research permissions are a privilege at the level of an associate professor in the Crystal Tower, and he’s just a lecturer now.
"Of course, certain necessary regulations must still be followed," Cassandra added:
"Periodic Abyss erosion checks cannot be omitted; they’re for your safety. Besides, important research results must be reported periodically to meet academic exchange needs."
Her eyes became deep and profound:
"This freedom is built on trust, and I trust you will wisely use this privilege and not disappoint me."
Uther’s hologram nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with the arrangement:
"The observation station’s research conditions indeed suit your project better. Plus, the active environment there can provide unique variables for your experiments."
"Thanks to the Tower Master and Professor Yutel, these materials and permissions are indeed highly valuable to me."
"Value?" Cassandra chuckled lightly:
"Dear Ron, at my level, there’s no need to discuss value exchange anymore. Among true strongholds, sharing knowledge is a natural duty."
"I hope one day you can also stand at such a height, overlooking the whole universe."
As dinner concluded, Cassandra finally said:
"Ron, you should be able to feel it yourself."
The witch stood and walked to the window, gazing at the night sky illuminated by Magic Power:
"We are standing at a pivotal moment in history. Perhaps in the next few decades or hundreds of years, the final direction of our civilization will truly be decided."
"And you will play an important role in this process. Your choices, your growth, your contributions will all become vital parts of this history."
She turned to face Ron, her purple eyes like a deep whirlpool:
"I’ve given you knowledge, resources, and freedom. Now let’s see how you will use them, don’t disappoint me..."
As night deepened, walking alone on the way back, the scenes from tonight kept echoing in Ron’s mind.
Cassandra’s generosity was genuine, and her support was solid.
She isn’t a traditional tyrant or madwoman, but a practitioner with clear logic and resolute conviction.
Each of her actions has a self-justifying explanation, each decision serves a greater goal.
Yet it’s precisely this rational cruelty that makes her so formidable.