But at the same time, he also noticed some unusual glances among the crowd.
Some were curious, some were scrutinizing, and others were filled with barely concealed jealousy and hostility.
The growth of power always comes with increased attention and the creation of enemies.
This is an unchanging rule in the Wizard Society.
Ron maintained a calm expression, politely nodding to his supporters, and then walked into the building.
In the corridor, he opened his Communication Crystal.
Chester’s message slowly appeared on the crystal surface in flowing text:
"Lecturer Ralph, because your paper was recommended by me to the core journal ’Deconstruction’,
due to conflict of interest principles, I cannot participate in today’s review.
But as a gesture of support for you, I provide the information of the review committee members:
Chairman: Vinard Schmidt (Great Wizard, Full Professor)
First-generation Abyss simulation device designer, Alchemy Master and Rune Expert.
Extremely serious technocrat who despises all political opportunism.
It is said he was originally unwilling to participate in this review, but Professor Yutel personally recommended you to him, so he reluctantly agreed to attend.
Vice-Chairman: Alicia Brown (Dark Sun Level, Senior Associate Professor)
Authority on Spiritual Force Field research, with a temper as volatile as a volcano, but her academic achievements are indisputable.
Her Phantom Skeleton Prototype is said to be a never-extinguishing flame of anger.
Member: Calvin Jones (Moon Level, Associate Professor)
An expert in Combat Magic who lost his left arm in the Otherworld War, with a complex attitude towards the Conquest Faction.
His severed arm is grafted with an Abyssal Creature’s tentacles, reportedly sensing killing intent.
Member: Minne Wiseman (Moon Level, Associate Professor)
An old acquaintance of mine, and also the chair of your last review, you should have some impression of her.
Like me, she is also a representative of pure theory.
Member: August White (Moon Level, Associate Professor)
Astronomer, neutral yet conservative.
Please be careful, Professor Vinard, although not as powerful as the previous Tower Master Professor Yutel, his status in the field of Alchemy is unparalleled.
Gaining his approval is more valuable than any political support.
——Chester Blake"
Ron tucked the Communication Crystal into his sleeve, feeling the lingering anxiety in the words.
Even someone as seasoned as Chester being so nervous speaks volumes about today’s review’s importance.
The door to the conference room was an unsettling work of art.
Forged from living blood iron, its surface was covered with densely packed perceptual tentacles.
These tentacles wriggled like capillaries, continually tasting the magic power and emotional fluctuations in the air.
As Ron approached, the tentacles excitedly gathered towards him like parasites smelling fresh blood after days of hunger.
This detection program was added solely for him today, as he had just returned from below the fourth layer of the Abyss.
"Identity confirmed: Ron Ralph"
"Level: Lecturer, New Star Plan Second"
The sound emitted by the door was like metal scraping against flesh, each syllable accompanied by a teeth-clenching screech:
"Spiritual state: exceptionally stable, suspected of possessing Special Talent"
"Abyssal aura concentration: Level four warning... Entry allowed, but will continue monitoring"
As Ron pushed open the conference room door, he immediately felt the spiritual pressure from the High Tier Wizards.
The feeling was like being simultaneously gazed upon by several ancient giant beasts.
The air became extremely thick, with each breath a struggle against some invisible resistance.
The design of the conference room was filled with the Wizard Civilization’s unique cruel aesthetics.
The circular space was divided into inner and outer circles, with the outer circle’s review seats towering like a courtroom, and the inner circle’s defense platform resembling an ancient altar.
The walls were inlaid with dozens of "surveillance eyes."
Those were surveillance devices made from the eyes of High-Level Creatures hunted from the Abyss, currently glaring at every entrant.
But what most drew Ron’s gaze at this moment was undoubtedly Vinard Schmidt sitting in the chairman’s seat.