Chapter 373

"I have been marginalized."

Chester's voice carried deep helplessness:

"Those potential juniors who once asked me all sorts of questions now avoid me like the plague.

Those previously stable cooperative relationships have also begun to encounter various problems.

Even my family has begun to endure pressure from all sides."

He took an exquisite sandalwood box from his bosom and stroked its surface with his fingers:

"This is the 'Eye of True Knowledge' amulet that the Black family has passed down for five generations."

The box was opened cautiously, and a primitive-looking amulet lay inside.

It was a deep blue crystal about the size of a thumb.

Something seemed to be rotating slowly inside, emitting a mysterious and powerful magical fluctuation.

"I would like to present it to you as... a gift of apology and reconciliation."

Chester's voice became more sincere:

"At the same time, I hope to convey my remorse to the Tower Master through you, as well as my... re-understanding of the conquest policy."

Luo En watched the amulet quietly, activating "Extraordinary Identification" to feel the power contained within it.

This was indeed an extremely precious alchemical item, and it possessed sufficient historical traces.

The fact that Chester could take out such a family heirloom showed that he was truly at the end of his rope.

However, asking him to go directly to Cassandra to plead for mercy, wasn't that a bit too...

"Professor Black, I must tell you honestly."

His tone became serious:

"I do not have the kind of influence you imagine with Tower Master Cassandra."

As soon as these words were spoken, Chester's expression turned pale instantly.

"The relationship between us was mainly established through Princess Yi Fu and Professor Youteer acting as intermediaries."

Luo En continued to explain, not caring at all about the other party's extremely ugly complexion:

"Besides that, there might be the factor of my mentor, Lady Ailan.

But direct communication is actually very rare; we haven't met more than a few times in total."

"As for the matter regarding Professor Frederick..."

He paused deliberately for a moment to let Chester digest this information:

"That was just a coincidence.

At that time, before Tower Master Cassandra left the main world, she asked me if I had any recommended researchers, and I just went with the flow and mentioned his name."

Chester's complexion turned even paler, and the fire of hope in his eyes was rapidly extinguishing.

"And now, you want me to take the initiative to run over and plead for you..."

Luo En's words became more direct:

"I'm not sure what she would think, and frankly speaking, I think that would be taking myself a bit too seriously."

These extremely honest words struck Chester's heart like a heavy hammer.

Despair began to spread in his eyes, as if the last straw had also been snapped.

"However..." Luo En changed the subject: "I can help you forward this apology and this gift to Tower Master Cassandra."

This sentence caused the sparks of hope to reignite in Chester's eyes.

"As for what her final reaction will be, I cannot provide any guarantees."

"At the same time, to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, I will try my best to distance myself from this matter."

Hearing Luo En's final summary, Chester felt a mix of emotions.

Although the development of the matter was far from his initial expectations, at least there was still a glimmer of hope.

"I understand." He could only nod:

"Even so, I am very grateful that you are willing to help me. Under the current circumstances, this is already better than I expected."

He was silent for another moment, then took a bag filled with magic stones from his space bag.

"Here are fifty complete magic stones."

Chester gritted his teeth, but said with an unusually serious tone: "Please be sure to accept them; this is my personal gratitude to you."

"Even if the pleading is ultimately unsuccessful, you do not need to return them; I, Chester Black, keep my word."

"And..." His eyes reignited with confidence:

"In the future, if you have any questions related to enchantment or alchemy, you can consult me at any time.

Although I may be... not sharp enough in terms of politics.

But academically, I consider myself to still have a place in the Central Lands."

Luo En looked at the bag of magic stones in front of him, and his heart stirred.

Fifty complete magic stones was definitely not a small amount.

Moreover, establishing a cooperative relationship with a senior scholar like Chester would also be of great help to his future research.

"Then I will accept them." He nodded and accepted the gratitude fee:

"I will find an opportunity to forward your apology and gift to Tower Master Cassandra as soon as possible."

Seeing the other party accept the magic stones, Chester showed his first real smile of the night.

Although the road ahead was still unclear, at least he had taken a key step.

The two then exchanged views on some academic issues.

Chester indeed demonstrated the level that a senior scholar should have.

His understanding of alchemy and enchantment was much deeper than Luo En had expected.

Especially in terms of theoretical foundations, his knowledge accumulation was quite solid.

"Living mechanical fusion... this is indeed a frontier field."

Chester's tone became professional:

"The key lies in finding the balance point between the biological organism and the mechanical structure; one must maintain the precision of the machine while maintaining the activity of the organism."

"Do you have any specific suggestions?"

Luo En asked, very interested in this kind of professional exchange.

"I suggest you start with the blood circulatory system."

Chester pondered for a moment before continuing:

"Blood is the most important information carrier for a biological organism. If you can make the mechanical part perfectly fuse with the blood system, you can achieve true living mechanical integration."

This level of professionalism made Luo En rate Chester even higher.

It seems that although this traditional scholar is lacking in political sense, he is indeed not undeserving of his reputation in terms of academic ability.

An hour later, the conversation between the two drew to a close.

"Thank you for your help tonight, Lecturer Ralph."

Chester stood up to take his leave: "No matter the result, I will remember your kindness."

"It is my duty, Professor Black." Luo En also stood up to see him off: "I will handle your commission as soon as possible."

After seeing Chester off, Luo En stood alone in the reception room, thinking about everything that had happened tonight.

The Storm Clan's cooperation proposal, Chester's plea for help, and the goodwill released by those ancient clans...

All of these were reminding him that his influence and status were growing at a speed that exceeded expectations.

But at the same time, he also realized the complexity behind this growth.

In this world full of danger and opportunity, every choice could bring unexpected consequences.

"A game of power..."

He looked out the window; the night view of the Central Lands was still dazzling.

………………

After Chester left, Luo En was arranged to stay in the guest suite in the east wing of the mansion.

This was a luxurious residence consisting of three rooms.

The decoration style of the master bedroom was elegant yet luxurious, and the walls were built of moonstone, which would emit a soft luster at night.

"Master, the environment here is indeed quite good."

Ailan's branches gently stroked the various decorations in the room:

"The concentration of elements is well-regulated, which is very beneficial to plant-type life."

Daier was stretching her body in the crystal bathtub specially prepared in the suite.

"Master, the water quality of this bathtub is much better than the one at the Observatory."