He took a deep breath and forced a smile:
"Alright, let’s not dwell on these depressing matters. Let’s talk about something relatively...light-hearted."
His tone carried a sense of admiration:
"Speaking of the New Star Plan, your performance is truly...how should I put it, it makes everyone else seem dull in comparison."
Eliot took out a recording crystal from his pocket, which, when activated, displayed detailed ranking data in the air:
"Inclusion in the core journal ’Deconstruction’, Great Wizard Weinard’s public acknowledgment, and the practical application value of that technology for Abyss exploration... Combining these achievements, your points after this settlement are enough to secure the top position."
The data projected was indeed exhilarating.
Ron’s total points reached 9847, while Uphemia who followed only had 5921 points.
"Look at these gaps."
Eliot pointed at the detailed analysis within the projection:
"In terms of academic achievements, your thesis was rated as ’breakthrough research’, earning a full score of 5000 points. Meanwhile, Uphemia’s research on bloodline modification was only rated as ’improvement’, scoring just 1200 points."
"Regarding practical ability evaluation, your performance record in the Abyss also received extremely high praise."
He started detailing the circumstances of other competitors:
"In sixth place, Draco, the heir of the Bloodstained Clan. He indeed has some talent in bloodline modification, inventing a new ’Dragon Blood Fusion’ technique that allows ordinary wizards to temporarily gain some capabilities of the Dragon Species."
"But this technique has severe side effects. Users will temporarily exhibit some characteristics of the Dragon Species, such as an excessive desire for treasures and an uncontrollable impulse to destroy."
Eliot’s tone carried a hint of sarcasm:
"The funniest part is, he himself became a victim of these side effects.
Last month, he suddenly barged into the academy’s treasury, claiming he wanted to ’collect everything shiny’.
Although it was later explained as experimental side effects, it turned out to be quite the laugh of many."
"In eighth place, there’s Zora from the Dark House. She specializes in shadow magic and invented a ’shadow double’ technique, capable of creating shadow replicas with independent thought."
"But the problem with this technique is that sometimes the shadow double exhibits completely opposite personality traits to the original."
Eliot’s expression turned a little strange:
"Zora herself is an extremely introverted and shy girl, but her shadow double is exceptionally bold and uninhibited.
Last week, at an academic exchange meeting, her double confessed to three different male wizards in front of everyone, making the scene quite awkward."
"However, there is one person’s situation that’s more special."
Eliot’s tone turned mysterious:
"Though Chloe ranked only twenty-third last time, her recent ’special project’ scores are unusually high."
He called up the detailed records for both:
"Her research project was flagged and received an additional 1800 points."
"Actually, according to my father’s suggestion, I was also planning to publish some papers and participate in this New Star Plan."
Speaking up to this point, Eliot looked directly at the Communication Crystal:
"But two weeks ago, the Storm Clan received a ’cooperation invitation’. The inviter was the Crown Clan."
His voice carried a certain bitterness:
"Of course, using the word ’invitation’ is to maintain a surface politeness. In reality, it’s more like an irresistible summons."
Eliot took out a silver letter from his pocket, embossed with the Crown Clan’s insignia.
Even through the Communication Crystal, Ron could feel the imposing aura it contained.
"The content of this ’invitation’ is quite simple: the next heir of the Storm Clan — which is me, will be incorporated into Cassandra Tower Master’s think tank, taking up the position of Intelligence Wizard."
Eliot added with a bitter smile:
"They gloriously proclaim it’s to better utilize my ’Wind of Listening’ talent, contributing to the development of civilization."
He sat back down, and the fatigue was obvious:
"As soon as my father received this invitation, he immediately convened an emergency family meeting, with all elders of the clan participating in the discussion."
Pain was evident in Eliot’s eyes:
"You know the result of the discussion? Unanimously passed, accept this ’invitation’."
His voice began to tremble:
"Not because we are willing, but because...we don’t have any other choice."
"Though the Storm Clan has a long history, the strongest existing wizard we have is only at the Dark Sun Level."
"Facing the Tower Master’s invitation, if we choose to decline..."
He didn’t finish, but the implication was clear.
"However, it’s not all bad news."
Eliot tried hard to adjust his mood:
"My ’Wind of Listening’ talent is highly valued by Cassandra. She directly appointed me as the Intelligence Wizard of the command center, and the level of this position is quite high."
He introduced the specific benefits of this position:
"I don’t have to participate in the brutal competition of the New Star Plan, but automatically receive resource distribution and knowledge authority among the top twenty."
His tone turned mysterious:
"If you need to know certain important information, especially regarding Cassandra or the movements of the high-ups, I am now capable of providing assistance."
"Of course, this assistance must be approached very cautiously, but at least...our information channel won’t be cut off."
The glow of the Communication Crystal slowly dimmed, and the Observatory returned to its silence.
Ron remained seated, and the information Eliot had just revealed hammered heavily in his mind.
The entire wizard civilization was slipping into the unknown Abyss at an unprecedented speed.
And those within it, like little boats in a storm, could only drift along.
"Master."
Ailan’s gentle voice interrupted his contemplation.
The green figure of the Tree Spirit floated in from the entrance of the Observatory, her leaves gently sway in the night breeze, emitting a natural fragrance.
But tonight, even this usually soothing scent could not dispel the gloom in Ron’s heart.
"Miss Franka outside, has been waiting for a long time."
Ailan said cautiously, with a kind of empathetic tenderness in her voice:
"Judging by her expression, she seems to have some urgent matters to report to you."
Ron sighed softly in his heart.
No need to ask, he already knew that Eve was impatient.
The final confirmation of the treatment plan would change the entire life trajectory of the Black-haired Princess.
Success would mean she gains true freedom, freeing her from the torment of Demon Devouring;
Failure, the consequences would be unthinkable.
For a girl tormented by illness for fourteen years, this kind of wait is undoubtedly agonizing.
"I understand."
Ron stood up and tidied his Wizard Robe:
"Get ready, we’re going there now."
He didn’t keep Franka waiting for long.
Although he was still digesting the various information he had just acquired, Eve’s matter was equally important.
In fact, the success or failure of this treatment is related not only to the girl’s future but also to his relationship with the Crown Clan.
As he walked down the spiral staircase of the Observatory, Ron saw the figure of Franka through the crystal window.
This half-dragon maid still maintained that iconic graceful posture.
But upon closer observation, her tail patting the ground rhythmically was an unconscious action of nervousness.
If even Franka felt apprehensive, one could only imagine Eve’s state of mind at this moment.
"Lecturer Ralph."
Upon seeing Ron appear, Franka immediately greeted him respectfully:
"Miss... she has been waiting for your news all day; please make sure..."
"Understood, I’ll head over right now."