Chapter 333

Meditation ended, Luo En slowly opened his eyes, feeling the gentle flow of star energy within his body.

The lighting of the Scholar Star brought him unprecedented knowledge integration capabilities and also gave him a clearer understanding of the path ahead.

"Conditions for the Astrologer class change..." He stroked the ancient star chart placed on the desk, his brows slightly furrowed.

The conditions for the Astrologer class change not only require Astrology to reach the Proficient level, but also require the completion of a complete "Star Observation Ritual."

This is undoubtedly an extremely complex and dangerous process.

The ritual needs to be conducted under specific celestial phenomena, using dozens of precious materials including star crystals, astrolabe stones, and spatial stabilizers.

More crucially, during the ritual, the caster's consciousness will be projected deep into the sea of stars, making direct contact with those ancient consciousnesses among the stars.

"This level of risk..." Luo En recalled the spiritual pressure he endured when communicating with the King of Illusions, and a deep vigilance rose in his heart:

"Even existences at the Wizard King level must be so cautious when mentioning certain high-dimensional powers.

Rashly conducting a star observation ritual is very likely to attract attention that shouldn't be attracted."

He got up and walked to the window, staring at the twinkling stars in the night sky.

Every star may hide an indescribable consciousness.

The Astrologer's class change ritual is essentially actively sending a contact request to these existences.

"Better to find an opportunity to ask Professor Yuteer for his opinion before making a decision."

He has to prepare to return to the observation station tomorrow, he formulated a plan in his heart:

"As a mystic, the professor should have a deeper understanding of this kind of dangerous ritual."

On the other hand, the preparation of materials required for the ritual is also extremely cumbersome.

Just the quality requirements for star crystals require finding different crystals corresponding to specific constellations, each of which is worth a fortune.

Not to mention those auxiliary devices used to build spatial stabilization fields.

"Progressing step by step is the correct choice." Luo En finally determined his policy:

"Consolidate current skills and professions first, then consider higher-level breakthroughs."

The next morning, in the administrative hall of the Academic Affairs Office, Evan, the staff member responsible for course management, was organizing the teaching arrangements for this month.

He had a thin build and sunken eye sockets, as well as a look of exhaustion from long-term handling of documents.

When Luo En walked into the office, Evan looked up, a hint of fear appearing in his eyes.

The status of being the second-in-command of the New Star Project made this ordinary staff member feel obvious pressure.

"Lecturer Ralf, is there anything I can do for you?"

Evan's voice trembled slightly, and the quill in his hand swayed uncontrollably.

"I need to adjust the course settings." Luo En said straight to the point:

"Change the existing regular courses to monthly advanced courses, offered only one week per month, but the depth of content and price should be increased accordingly."

Evan was stunned for a moment, and the quill in his hand stopped swaying:

"You mean... one week per month, price increase? How much of an increase?"

"Three times." Luo En answered calmly.

"Three times?!" Evan's voice rose several octaves, drawing side-eyes from several colleagues around:

"Lecturer Ralf, are you sure you want to make this adjustment? This price... I'm afraid it will affect the students' enthusiasm for signing up."

He explained cautiously:

"Your current courses are already quite a bit more expensive than other mentors, and if you increase it to three times the original base... one course would be three hundred magic stone fragments.

This price is not even comparable to the courses of some senior lecturers, and is approaching that of associate professors."

The female staff member in charge of finance next to him also interjected:

"And from the academic statistics, for every 50% increase in price, the number of sign-ups decreases by about 30%. If it goes directly to three times..."

The female staff member didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was already very clear.

She believed that Luo En's pricing strategy was too aggressive and would likely lead to an embarrassing situation where no one signed up for the course.

"The depth and value of the content will also be increased accordingly." Luo En's tone remained calm:

"Students willing to pay for high-quality teaching are usually the most serious students. This kind of screening is good for both sides."

Evan frowned, quickly calculating the possible consequences of this adjustment in his heart:

"Lecturer Ralf, we all suggest that it is better for you to proceed step by step.

You can increase it by 50% first, see the market reaction, and then consider further adjustments..."

Another elderly academic affairs officer next to him also echoed the sentiment.

These academic affairs staff clearly all thought his judgment of the market was too optimistic.

"I understand your concerns." Luo En's tone remained calm:

"But I have full confidence in the value of my courses, and if the number of sign-ups is insufficient, I will bear the loss personally."

Since it had come to this, Victor and his colleagues sighed and did not try to persuade him further.

"Well... since you insist, we naturally have no objections."

Evan could only compromise, but still couldn't help but raise another issue:

"However, according to your requirements, because it is an advanced course, it requires more advanced teaching auxiliary equipment, and you will also need to pay additional venue fees..."

"No problem, just give me the bill."

Evan and several other staff members exchanged glances.

In their view, this young lecturer was clearly blinded by his newly acquired status and had made an extremely unwise decision.

"I will arrange it for you immediately." He sighed: "But have you really thought it through? What if the number of sign-ups drops sharply..."

"Then it means this price point screened out unsuitable students." Luo En turned to leave: "Notify me whenever there is a result."

After watching Luo En leave, Evan shook his head and said to his colleagues:

"Too impulsive, three times the price, I think it would be good if he could fill one-fifth of his classroom."

The financial administrator also echoed:

"The title of second-in-command of the New Star Project is indeed valuable, but not worth that much money.

Students are not stupid, this price is more than enough to listen to the courses of some senior lecturers."

However, four hours after the course adjustment information was released, Evan's magic crystal communicator began to flash crazily.

"Mr. Evan, the sign-up system for Lecturer Ralf's advanced course... seems to have a data failure."

The apprentice responsible for network maintenance reported in a panic:

"The number of sign-ups is growing too fast, no, it seems to be real data... the prepaid magic stone fragments have already been credited..."

"What?" Evan checked the real-time data in disbelief: "This... how is this possible?"

In just a few hours, the number of sign-ups had already exceeded 100, and it was still growing at a rate of 5-6 people per hour.

Even more surprising was that the sign-ups included not only apprentices but also several formal wizards.

"Quick, quick, contact the equipment department and apply to use the large lecture hall!" Evan directed in a flurry:

"Also, add sound amplification equipment and temporary seating!"

That afternoon, Evan had to go to Luo En's residence in person to report the situation.

When he saw Luo En, his face was full of deep admiration.

"Lecturer Ralf, I... I must apologize to you." Evan bowed, his voice trembling slightly:

"I completely underestimated your appeal; the number of sign-ups has already exceeded 150, and it is still growing."

He handed over a detailed report cautiously:

"This includes 8 formal wizards, 67 high-level apprentices, and the rest are intermediate apprentices.

We had to apply to use the academy's larger lecture hall, which has enough seats to accommodate 350 people.

According to your practice, we also provided auditing opportunities for some poorer apprentices, so the number of seats must be set higher."

Luo En took the report and quickly browsed through the data.

The status of being the second-in-command of the New Star Project was a quantifiable resource in his eyes, and its value far exceeded his expectations.

"How much is the equipment fee?" he asked.

"A total of... a total of 50 magic stone fragments need to be paid additionally." Evan's voice was even smaller:

"Used for renting the large lecture hall, adding amplification runes, and temporary seating. This is already the internal discount price..."

"No problem, just deduct it from the income of my first class."

According to what he knew, this was indeed a relatively favorable price, and Luo En was too lazy to haggle with others over this small amount of money.

After Evan returned, several staff members who hadn't left work yet immediately surrounded him.

"Evan, how was the result? Is there really anyone willing to pay such expensive tuition?"

"What was Lecturer Ralf's expression? Was he very disappointed?"

Evan shook his head, his eyes full of awe:

"More than 100 people signed up in less than a few hours, including several formal wizards.

We are not worried about the lack of sign-ups at all, but about the classroom not being able to accommodate them." The office fell into a dead silence, and everyone widened their eyes.

"This... this is impossible." The financial administrator muttered to himself:

"300 magic stone fragments for a course, and more than 100 people signed up?"

"It seems we completely don't understand what 'the value of prestige' is." Evan said with a wry smile:

"The title of second-in-command of the New Star Project is much more valuable than we imagined."

He remembered the calm expression on Luo En's face just now; perhaps the other party had already anticipated this result.

This young man had a very precise judgment of his own influence.

"The reason why a genius is called a genius is because they possess qualities that we ordinary people cannot understand at all."

Evan sighed to his colleagues.

………………

Early in the morning, the large aircraft heading to the Abyss Observation Station slowly started, and the magic engine emitted a low and powerful roar.

The waiting hall was crowded with various researchers preparing to return, each person's face showing complex emotions about the dangers they were about to face.

Luo En stood in the crowd, with the exquisite suitcase containing the compressed workshop beside him.

It drew envious glances from several young researchers around.

"Lecturer Ralf, your space device looks quite advanced,"

A materials analyst wearing thick glasses sighed:

"With this compression ratio, it must be worth at least several dozen complete magic stones on the market, right?"

"It's okay, mainly the craftsmanship is more complex." Luo En responded modestly.

A middle-aged researcher next to him who looked quite experienced shook his head with a wry smile:

"We ordinary people can't enjoy this kind of treatment.

My experimental equipment can only be checked in, and it has to be recalibrated after arriving at the observation station, wasting at least a few days."

After boarding the aircraft, when the captain was confirming the passenger list, his attitude toward Luo En was obviously more respectful than toward others.

"Wizard Ralf, your seat is in the third row of Zone A, which has the best view."

The captain led the way for him personally: "If you need any special services, you can call the flight attendant at any time."

This special treatment drew more attention from other passengers.

Some people's eyes were full of envy, while others carried subtle hostility.

The interior design of the aircraft was full of the cold aesthetic of pragmatism.

Dense protective runes were carved on the metal wall panels, each emitting a faint blue light.

The seats were made of a living material that could automatically adjust its softness and hardness, feeling warm to the touch but with a strange wriggling sensation.

Just about an hour after the aircraft was sailing smoothly, the magic crystal communicator beside Luo En's seat suddenly lit up with blue light.

"Lecturer Ralf, I am Evan," the slightly excited voice of the academic affairs administrator came from the communicator:

"I have good news to report to you.

The final count for your advanced course reached 227 sign-ups, and we have already added a magic amplification array."

Evan's voice was full of awe:

"To be honest, this scale of sign-ups, your influence... is truly unbelievable."

"In addition, several lecturers from other colleges have also sent cooperation invitations, hoping to conduct academic exchanges with you.

It seems your prestige in the academic world is no longer limited to the Crystal Spire."

Luo En responded calmly: "I know, thank you for the notification."

After the communication ended, several researchers sitting nearby heard this conversation, and the complex emotions in their eyes became more obvious.

A young assistant researcher couldn't help but sigh:

"227 sign-ups... I remember that some associate professors' lectures only have a few hundred people attending."

"The title of second-in-command of the New Star Project is indeed not just for show." Another researcher said sourly:

"With political status, even academic prestige can rise with the tide."

Luo En did not participate in these discussions, just looking out the window quietly.

Outside the porthole, the clouds rolled like sea waves, and in the distance, the eerie clouds polluted by the abyss could be vaguely seen.

"Wizard Ralf, your tea." The flight attendant carefully served him a drink.

This flight attendant looked no more than thirty, but her left arm was already completely mechanized, with precise energy circuits carved on the silver metal surface.

After long-term exposure to the abyss aura, alienation of certain body parts is inevitable, and actively replacing them with machinery is a safer choice.

"Thank you." Luo En took the teacup, noticing the awe in the flight attendant's eyes.

He had seen this kind of look too often recently.

In the world of wizards, power is often synonymous with danger.

………………

As the aircraft gradually descended, through the porthole, the full view of the Abyss Observation Station gradually became clear.

Those twisted buildings made of living metal looked particularly eerie against the backdrop of the gloomy sky.

The aircraft opened its cabin door, and Luo En could feel the familiar pressure in the air striking again.

Everything here reminded people that they were on the boundary line between reality and the abyss, a dangerous zone that could be swallowed by darkness at any time.

After leaving the cabin through the VIP channel, Luo En walked into the entrance of the observation station and completed the routine inspection.

"Luo En... sorry, I should call you Wizard Ralf." After the inspection, a familiar voice came from the side.

Supervisor Wei En was walking over from the reception area, his half-petrified face trying to squeeze out a smile.

But compared to before, his address and attitude had undergone subtle and obvious changes.

"Welcome back to the observation station." Wei En's tone sounded polite and distant:

"I heard that you are now the second-in-command of the New Star Project, truly... truly gratifying."

This overly polite tone made Luo En feel uncomfortable.

The previous Wei En, although serious, at least treated him as an equal colleague.

Now this deliberate respect instead widened the distance between them.

"Supervisor Wei En, it's better to be like before." Luo En tried to ease this awkwardness:

"We are colleagues after all..."

"How can that be?" Wei En waved his hands repeatedly, his petrified cheeks making a slight friction sound due to the change in expression:

"Your current status and position are no longer on the same level as us ordinary researchers, and besides..."

He paused, his eyes a bit subtle:

"I heard that you have obtained independent research permission and can report directly to the Tower Master and Professor Yuteer.

How can we small characters still point fingers at you?"

Deputy Supervisor Zeli also walked over at this time, her crystal eyeball flickering:

"Congratulations, Wizard Ralf. Being valued by Tower Master Cassandra is an honor that we people can only look up to."

Her voice sounded like she was congratulating him, but the sense of distance in her tone was clearly audible:

"We were thinking about whether to recommend you to participate in several key projects before, but now it seems there is no need for that.

With your status, you can apply for whatever research resources you want on your own."

Zeli and Wei En were both extremely polite, but the meaning between their words was already very obvious.

"You all misunderstood." He tried to explain:

"My research direction is still material analysis and bloodline modulation, and I have not left the scope of the department's work..."

"Oh, of course, of course." Wei En nodded repeatedly, but the wariness in his eyes did not diminish at all:

"If you have anything that needs our cooperation, just give orders."

Several other researchers also echoed, each person's reaction was exactly the same, superficially respectful but internally distant.

They clearly had already treated Luo En as a superior who needed to be handled carefully, rather than a colleague who could communicate equally.

In this slightly awkward atmosphere, a hearty laugh came from the other end.

"Haha, I said there was a special smell in the air today!"

A somewhat rough voice sounded: "So it's our big shot who's back!"

(End of chapter)