After they left, Ron sat alone in the reading room, contemplating the issue of blessing accumulation.
"The current sources of blessings are already quite abundant."
He pondered in his mind:
"Eve’s regular feedback, the growth of several students in the elite team, Lilia far away at the Jade Tower, the academic influence gained through publishing papers, and now Chloe and Uphemia’s learning..."
"All these add up to quite a significant amount."
He could feel the sense of "fullness" continuously growing within him.
"According to Eve, blessings will play an important role in the compression of magic power at the Moon Level."
He recalled the girl’s previous reminder:
"And in the higher-level cohesion of the Void Remains, blessings are an indispensable ’soul adhesive.’
This made him full of anticipation for future advancements.
With such a rich stock of blessings, his advancement process would definitely be smoother than usual.
"Moreover, I have the advantage of the pocket watch."
He gently stroked the surface of the silver pocket watch, feeling the temporal power contained within:
"There is no need to consume blessings to clear pollution, allowing all blessings to be used for strengthening power.
Such an advantage is rare even among historic treasure-level geniuses."
He also had a clear plan for the further enhancement of the pocket watch.
"Hunting the Time Hound is actually the most effective way to charge it."
Recalling the performance of the pocket watch during the previous battles with Time Hounds, its charging efficiency far exceeded that of any artificial materials:
"The Sands of Time, although effective, offer too low a cost-performance ratio."
As one of the most precious materials on the market, the Sands of Time are always priced high.
Not only because of their rarity but also due to their irreplaceable role in various high-end alchemy devices.
Various time magic spells require the Sands of Time as a medium, keeping its market demand perpetually high.
He used his authority and spent dozens of magic stones to buy the Sands of Time, only to increase the limit by five points, which was not very cost-effective.
"When I advance to the Moon Level and successfully transition to a Historian, further in-depth historical research will attract the Time Hound to come my way."
He was making a hunting plan in his mind:
"By then, not only will I gain valuable research data, but I can also charge the pocket watch, killing two birds with one stone."
For him at that time, hunting those Time Hounds would no longer be a dangerous threat that nearly led him to the brink of death.
Instead, they would be—one by one, living "charging stations" rushing towards him.
When Erica forged this pocket watch, she used the power core of a Dog King.
This might be the reason why the core ability of the pocket watch "Time Reset" is the same as that of the Time Hound.
And hunting Time Hounds to charge the pocket watch is like plugging a phone into the original manufacturer’s adapter, inadvertently following this cycle.
A powerful soul anchor combined with abundant blessings in reserve and a continuously growing network.
The vast prospects slightly invigorated him.
Just as he was deep in thought, the door of the reading room gently opened.
Uther’s void projection slowly drifted in, the silver light casting a bright reflection on the obsidian tabletop.
"It seems today’s lesson was successful." The old professor’s voice was filled with satisfaction:
"I can sense the changes in those two children."
"They are truly gifted." Ron commented frankly:
"Uphemia’s learning speed is astounding, and Chloe has an extremely keen understanding of the concept of time.
If given enough time, they indeed live up to their rankings in the ’New Star Plan.’
"Oh yes, there’s one more thing you need to know." Uther’s tone became more mysterious:
"The theoretical data on curse reversal will automatically unlock once you reach a certain level of understanding."
"This approach..." Ron raised an eyebrow: "Is it to prevent information leakage?"
"Exactly." Uther nodded in confirmation:
"As it involves direct actions by two Witch Kings, all risks must be minimized.
You can only access the core when you have sufficient strength and understanding."
As Uther was about to leave, Ron suddenly spoke:
"Professor, I have a question." His tone remained calm, but a hint of confusion flickered in his eyes:
"With your qualifications and capability, wouldn’t personally guiding Chloe yield richer blessing feedback? And I haven’t even officially transitioned to a Historian..."
Uther’s phantom paused, the silver light slightly dimming.
After a long time, he let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
"You are very perceptive, Ron." The old professor’s voice carried a deep fatigue:
"Indeed, with my experience, guiding her would yield better results. But the reality is..."
He slowly turned in the air, his phantom appearing unusually heavy:
"Under my current state, an additional blessing feedback doesn’t offer any substantial help."
This answer instantly made Ron realize something.
"You mean..."
"The extent of my decline has reached a critical point." Uther’s voice turned bitter:
"Like an oil lamp about to go out, adding more oil can only extend its burning time by a few minutes."
His phantom started to drift slowly in the room, leaving a faint trail where the silver light passed:
"Although Chloe is exceptionally talented, the blessing feedback she can provide, given my current situation, would only allow for a few more months to, at most, one or two more years of sustenance.
This meager gain is far less worthwhile than handing her over to someone who needs her more."
"But you are different." Uther looked at Ron with some intent:
"You are about to enter the Moon Level, where the compression of magic power requires a substantial amount of blessing support, and Chloe’s feedback is far more valuable to you than it is to me."
He paused for a moment, a complex look appearing in his silver eyes:
"Moreover, this can also be considered as a form of return to you.
The blessing feedback you previously provided me extended my existence for decades."
Ron’s heart stirred, touched by the other’s almost generous gesture of giving such a precious resource to someone else.
"Professor, thank you so much for being able to..." His voice carried an unusual emotion.
"No need to say more." Uther waved his hand, and his phantom became even more transparent:
"This is the most reasonable arrangement. You gain Chloe’s blessing support, she receives the most suitable guidance, and I..."
His voice grew even more distant:
"I now only need to continue relying on the feedback from you and Eve to maintain my existence, and this balance is the best for everyone."
Ron gave the old professor a deep look.
In the interest-driven Wizard Society, encountering such a selfless elder was indeed a stroke of luck.
"Not only that." Uther’s phantom became bright again:
"Although you haven’t formally transitioned, your actual abilities are already no less than many seasoned historians."
Ron nodded slightly, starting to grasp the deeper logic of such an arrangement.
"Also, having you guide Chloe has another benefit."
Uther’s tone grew even deeper:
"The profession of Historian requires not only technique but also a special... perspective."
"What kind of perspective?"
"An observer’s perspective." The old professor’s answer was profound:
"Historians must learn to remain objective and rational in all circumstances, unswayed by emotions or biases. And in this aspect, you are more qualified to teach than I am."
His phantom swayed gracefully in the air:
"I have lived too long, seen too much, and bid farewell to too many, sometimes finding it hard to remain truly objective.
But you are different; your rationality is innate, pure. This trait is exactly what Chloe needs to learn."