nyslfriends Chapter 193 A New Choice
Chapter 193 A New Choice
Chapter 193 A New Choice
As the light from the teleportation dissipated, the unique air of the Holy Tower headquarters, mixed with elemental dust and energy echoes, rushed into my nostrils.
As Rowling stepped out of the teleportation room, the corridor was brightly lit, with energy circuits embedded in the walls emitting a steady glow. Compared to the tranquility of Blackrock Town, the atmosphere here always carried a tense yet orderly rhythm.
Without delay, he went straight to the Department of Visions and Relics Analysis.
Duden's lab was even more cluttered than when he last visited. Several long tables were piled high with crystal plates covered in data and disassembled unidentified metal components, while the walls were covered with newly drawn energy trajectory comparison charts.
Duden himself was buried in a buzzing analyzer, his hair disheveled, and the dark circles under his eyes showed that he had stayed up all night again.
Hearing footsteps, Duden looked up, pushed up his glasses that had slipped down to the tip of his nose, and when he saw it was Rowling, his face immediately showed a mixture of fatigue and excitement.
"You've come at the perfect time!" He put down his tools, strode over, and glanced at Luo Lin, his eyes behind his glasses brightening.
"Hiss—it feels different now. Congratulations, it seems you've successfully overcome that hurdle."
Luo Lin nodded slightly: "It was just stabilized a few days ago. The new discovery you mentioned in the message?"
"Yes, this way." Duden led him to a large crystal panel, which displayed several complex energy spectrum waveforms and some abstract structural diagrams side by side.
"We carefully analyzed all the residual energy traces left by those non-human visitors, especially the residual characteristics of the scanning beam emitted by their polyhedral device."
He pointed to one of the waveforms: "Look here, this is a deep analysis of the energy structure of the beam."
"This is unlike any other application of ordered energy that we know of."
"It's not simply about detection or analysis; it's more like—well, how should I put it—a highly integrated process of information reading and rule verification."
"Rule verification?" Rowling caught this key phrase.
"That's right." Duden pulled up another image, which showed several basic energy circuit symbols commonly found in the Observer's Relic.
"The underlying logic of their energy encoding is highly similar to that of the observer runes, but on this basis, it has been simplified and functionally integrated to the extreme."
"It's like—refining a thick ancient book into the most concise operation manual."
"Furthermore, we have extracted extremely faint location information from the residual scanning beams, pointing to specific scars and energy node distortion points in the spatial structure of the Scorching Hell fragments."
He turned to Rowling, his expression serious: "They're not scanning aimlessly."
"They have a very clear list of goals."
"The targets on the list are all the places that were most severely impacted by that overload decompression incident and experienced rule-level anomalies or damage."
"They are recording and assessing the nature and extent of this damage, as well as—potential evolutionary trends."
Luo Lin stared at the location information and remained silent for a moment.
"In other words, they viewed that event as a stress test or destructive experiment on the underlying rules of the Scorching Hell fragments, and our actions caused the observable experimental phenomenon."
"They are currently conducting post-experiment data collection."
"Very close to my guess." Duden nodded.
"What's even more noteworthy is their technological approach."
"This highly integrated, function-oriented approach to energy application is extremely efficient, but its flexibility seems relatively limited, giving it a kind of cold, tool-like feel."
"This is completely different from the path that we wizards take in pursuing an understanding of the essence and building personalized spell models."
"I suspect this may be a technological characteristic of a highly specialized civilization or group whose core function is observation and recording."
"Tools—" Rowling mused.
This reminded him of the emotionless behavior of those non-human visitors and the programmed restraint in their final replies.
"What Master Veranica wants to talk to you about is probably related to this," Duden said.
"You are now in the second ring, and you have been deeply involved in the events of the Scorching Hell and the Observer's Ruins. The Holy Tower may adjust its assessment of you."
"Of course, ultimately it depends on your own choice."
Just then, the communication array in the research room lit up, and the voice of Master Veranica's assistant came through: "Wizard Rolin, the Master requests that you come to the top-floor study when it is convenient for you."
"I'll go right away," Rowling replied.
After saying goodbye to Duden, Rowling walked through the intricate corridors and suspended staircases inside the Santa Claus Tower to reach the top floor.
This is the area where the core administrators of the Holy Tower reside; the environment is quieter and more solemn, and the air is filled with the scent of ancient parchment and fine ink.
The door to Master Veranica's study was ajar.
Luo Lin knocked on the door, and a calm female voice came from inside: "Come in."
Upon entering, the study is spacious and bright, with a huge bookshelf occupying an entire wall and reaching the ceiling, filled with books and scrolls of various materials.
Master Veranika did not appear in projection form, but was sitting in her real form behind a large desk.
She appeared to be a middle-aged woman with a serious face and sharp eyes. Her long, silver-gray hair was neatly tied back, and she wore a simple, dark purple robe. She had no extra ornaments, except for a few antique-style rings on her fingers that occasionally flashed with a faint magical light.
"Sit down, Roland." Master Veronica gestured to the high-backed chair opposite the desk, her gaze calmly sweeping over Roland before she nodded slightly.
"His aura is calm and his mental strength is restrained; it seems his advancement is very solid."
"Duden should have already spoken to you about it."
Luo Lin sat down in the chair, his back naturally straight.
"Yes, Master. Regarding the energy analysis of those visitors."
"What do you think?" Master Veranica placed her fingertips together on the table, a typical gesture of listening and scrutinizing.
"The objective is clear, the technical approach is unique, and the actions follow a certain established agreement. There is no direct hostility at the moment, but the potential threat is very high," Rowling answered clearly and logically.
"They view the Scorching Hell as an observable sample, and we are the partial variables within that sample that generate anomalous interactions."
"The binding force of the agreement is unknown. Once they believe that the observation value outweighs the constraints of the agreement, or the will behind it changes, their attitude may change immediately."
"A very clear-headed judgment." Master Veranica's eyes revealed a hint of approval.
"After several rounds of consultations, the high-ranking officials of the Holy Tower and the Empire reached a basic consensus:"
Before the other side reveals explicit hostility, the strategy should primarily focus on defensive monitoring and limited technological countermeasures, while simultaneously accelerating our own assimilation and absorption of the observer's legacy.
"Only by becoming strong ourselves can we cope with all uncertainties."
She paused, her gaze falling on Rowling: "This is the main point I want to discuss with you."
"Rolin, you have been promoted to the second ring. Given your age, experience, and demonstrated potential, the Holy Tower is willing to provide you with more resources and support."
You have several options.
"First, remain in the research department as a core researcher in the field of ancient civilizations and the nature of energy, leading or participating in major projects, such as the in-depth deciphering of civilization stelae and the reverse engineering of observer network repair."
"This will be a relatively pure research path, which will allow you to make the most of your talent in analysis and understanding."
"Second, transfer to the special operations department or technical support department under the War Affairs Office."
"Your combat experience, spell creativity, and especially unique abilities like Harmonic Disruption and Disorder Disruption are invaluable when dealing with high-value targets or complex tactical missions."
"This path is more challenging, but it also offers a greater chance to acquire resources and achievements that can only be obtained through actual combat."
Third, relative independence.
"As a senior advisor or special researcher, you retain considerable autonomy and can undertake research or operational tasks for both the Holy Tower and the Empire simultaneously, but you are not subject to the jurisdiction of a fixed department, and your schedule is more flexible."
"Of course, the corresponding allocation of regular resources will be less, and more resources will be needed from task rewards and project funding."
After Master Veranica finished speaking, she looked quietly at Rolin, waiting for his response.
Rowling did not answer immediately.
He tapped his fingers lightly on the wooden armrest of the chair, making a soft tapping sound.
The study was quiet, with only the faint sound of the wind from outside the window, filtered through a magic array.
Studying roads allows for in-depth exploration of the mysteries of civilization's monuments and observers, which holds a natural attraction for him.
However, studying behind closed doors may cause one to miss out on external changes and opportunities in real-world practice.
The path of the War Affairs Bureau is fraught with danger and uncertainty, but it is also the best way to hone one's skills and quickly acquire scarce resources.
However, this will inevitably involve more conflicts and tasks, greatly reducing the time available for oneself.
The role of an independent consultant offers the greatest flexibility, but in the initial stages, there may be a lack of resources, and one needs to balance relationships with various parties.