In the academic review room of the Crystal Tower, an ancient clock emitted a dull ticking sound.
Associate Professor Chester Blake sat at the oak desk.
His fingers unconsciously stroked a dark silver ring on his left ring finger.
It was the "Memory Ring" passed down through the Blake Clan, capable of perfectly preserving all academic materials experienced by the wearer.
At this moment, the ring was slightly heating up, indicating that his emotional fluctuations had reached a dangerous critical point.
Chester’s face appeared weary and anxious.
As the seventh-generation head of the Blake Clan, Chester had been taught from a young age to uphold the purity of academia and resist any opportunistic behavior.
The Blake Clan had, for generations, been the most traditional conservative scholars of the Crystal Tower.
They believed true knowledge should be acquired through rigorous research and decades of accumulation.
Rather than relying on political opportunism or adventurous activities.
"One hundred thirty-seven years..."
Counting from his apprentice days, he had trudged along the academic path for a hundred thirty-seven years.
Through all these years, he had strictly followed the Blake Clan’s tradition—cautious, conservative, advancing step by step in acquiring knowledge and reputation.
But now, this tradition was becoming his biggest obstacle on the path forward.
"Damn conquest policy..."
Chester cursed softly while going through the reports on his desk that complicated his emotions.
Colleagues involved in Cassandra’s Otherworld expedition plan were acquiring rare resources and research opportunities at a jaw-dropping speed.
Whereas traditional scholars like him could only watch as they were marginalized.
Frederick Harvest.
The junior who once sought his advice on the basics of rune magic had recently officially been promoted to an associate professor, standing on equal footing with him.
Chester still clearly remembered that autumn afternoon.
He had just been promoted to Official Wizard, browsing materials in the rune research section of the library.
A young Advanced Apprentice nervously approached him, holding a copy of "Fundamental Enchantment Theory" in his hands, eyes full of thirst for knowledge.
"Mr. Blake, may I consult you on an energy conduction rune question?"
That young person was Frederick.
Back then, he seemed so raw, needing to repeatedly verify even the most basic principles of rune stacking.
Chester remembered his patient guidance.
Remembered Frederick’s humble and teachable attitude, remembered his sincere parting words, "Thank you for your guidance, I will never forget this kindness."
Yet now...
The "Conquest Faction Resource Allocation Report" on the desk emitted a faint bloody smell.
That’s not a metaphor, but because the parchment used for the report was made from a certain abyssal creature, whose blood contained special anti-counterfeiting properties.
The content of the report made him deeply uneasy.
"Frederick Harvest, acquired three pieces of ’Time Resonance Crystal,’ five ounces of ’Void Metal,’ twelve ’Dream Realm Crystals’..."
Chester’s voice grew quieter, the flames of jealousy in his eyes almost blazing up.
Time Resonance Crystal, a rare material he had only seen in books.
Even just one piece might lead to a breakthrough in his research, yet Frederick could casually use three whole pieces.
He took out Frederick’s recently published paper from a drawer, with the headline boldly stating "Research on the Enchantment Compatibility of Otherworld Metals."
The quality of the paper was indeed remarkable, but what truly caused a sensation was the use of those precious otherworld materials within.
The value of those materials nearly equated to the entirety of the Blake Clan’s research funding for decades.
"If only I could access those materials..."
Even more ironically, Frederick’s favor was reported to have stemmed from his past mentorship of a young wizard named Ron Ralph.
Chester certainly remembered Ron.
It was a scene from a few months ago at the academic review meeting; both he and Associate Professor Minne expressed clear skepticism towards the young man’s paper proposal.
Back then, Ron did seem somewhat talented, but in Chester’s eyes wasn’t considered extraordinary, his evaluation then was—even excessively ambitious.
But now...
"Second in the New Star Plan, a key focus for Cassandra Tower Master, a warrior who has confronted the Apostles head-on..."
Chester reminisced about the various rumors heard recently, feeling the irony of fate.
The once insignificant youth had become the hottest new star in all of the Central Lands.
While he was still scrambling over some research grant applications.
"Perhaps..."
A darker thought emerged in Chester’s mind.
Maybe his current predicament wasn’t just due to the overall marginalization of conservatives.
Perhaps there were more personal reasons.
At Cassandra’s conquest showcase, he publicly questioned the validity of the conquest policy.
The scene of that day was still vividly imprinted in his memory.
When Cassandra displayed those astounding spoils of war;
When others were gasping and praising, he stood up, posing a question with the rigor typical of a scholar:
"Great Wizard Cassandra, pardon my bluntness, but does such an aggressive expansion strategy truly align with long-term interests? Historically, those over-expanded civilizations ultimately..."
As soon as he finished his question, Cassandra’s violet eyes flashed with cold light, giving him an instant taste of the pressure from the Great Wizard.