Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

Three days later, there was a knock on the door of Ian's temporary residence.

The voice was neither too loud nor too soft, carrying a familiar restraint.

"Ian...sir, Kenna has come to visit." Kenna's voice came from outside the door.

His tone was more formal than ever before, and even hinted at nervousness.

Ian remained seated in the living room chair, without getting up, and simply said, "Come in."

When the door opened, Ian sat inside, dressed in dark casual clothes.

The energy field naturally emitted by a first-level wizard caused the air to stagnate slightly.

The four men felt a chill run down their spines and filed in, moving with far more caution than ever before.

This wasn't the first time they'd heard that Ian had been promoted to a first-level wizard.

The news that the Demon Hunter War had ended and the main force had returned to Shadowmoon Tower had already spread throughout the outer tower area and the apprentice area.

They had heard rumors such as "Shadowmoon's new first-tier potion master" and "Top ten on the Eastern Theater Command's merit list".

Robert was underground. He witnessed firsthand Ian's transformation as he emerged from the central fortress.

But actually standing in front of this "Wizard Marcus" and feeling that absolute difference in the level of life is a completely different thing.

"Sit down." Ian gestured to a few chairs nearby, his tone devoid of warmth.

The four sat down, their backs straight, daring to sit only on half of the chair.

A brief silence.

Kenner took a deep breath and spoke first, his voice half an octave lower than usual, filled with obvious reverence.

"Lord Ian, what brings you here?"

He didn't ask questions like "Are you okay?" or "Long time no see".

The gap in strength and status is already there; to use the old language would be ungrateful.

Wade and Monica kept their heads down, while Robert looked straight ahead, but his eyes were focused on the ground at Ian's feet.

Ian's gaze swept over the four of them, lingering briefly on Robert.

Robert felt the weight of that gaze and lowered his head even further.

That meeting outside the underground stone house marked the finalization of their relationship.

The investment has been settled, and we owe each other nothing. Now that we meet again, it's a new beginning.

"I've called you here because I have something for you to do."

Ian spoke, his voice calm and direct, without any pleasantries or reminiscing, "Of course, it's not free."

He paused, letting his words settle in the hearts of the four.

"I need manpower to handle some miscellaneous matters that I am not comfortable with personally or do not have the energy to deal with."

Ian leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on the four faces as if it were solid.

"Establish a network, both inside and outside the tower, in places like Dusk Town, or even in more distant mortal towns, to collect resources and transmit messages."

Which factions are active, what are the resource prices like, and are there any rumors that interest me...?

I need someone to keep an eye on these trivial but important pieces of information for me.

"In addition, the acquisition of certain materials, the establishment of specific channels, or even just running errands also require reliable people."

He paused for a moment, watching the light gradually ignite in the eyes of the four people.

It wasn't the joy of a reunion, but the longing to see an opportunity.

"These tasks are miscellaneous, tiring, and may even be a bit dangerous, but if you do them well, you won't be let down for nothing."

"Magic stones, potions, some basic cultivation knowledge, and even, within my capabilities, I will offer you some protection and guidance."

Ian’s voice wasn’t loud, but every word struck a chord in the hearts of the four.

"Are you willing to be my hands, feet, and eyes and ears?"

This is not a discussion; it is an inquiry that gives an opportunity while clarifying the superior-subordinate relationship.

Kenner stood up almost immediately, kneeling on one knee.

He had considered this action countless times under immense pressure: "My lord! I, Kenna, am willing!"

Wade stood up immediately, his movements somewhat flustered but urgent.

"Sir, I, Wade, may be straightforward, but I'm good at gathering information, running errands, and fighting. From now on, whatever you say goes!"

Monica quickly stood up as well, her voice soft but firm: "Monica... is willing to obey your orders, sir."

Robert was the last to stand up. He did not kneel, but instead bowed deeply to Ian.

He bent very low, his voice deep and powerful.

"Robert, I am willing to serve you, sir. I will do my best in intelligence gathering and analysis."

Follow the pen of Seven Degrees Sunset Red and embark on an adventure in Cola Novels titled "The Wizard: My Skills Can Break Through Infinitely".

The four people's excitement was genuine.

Ian still feels indebted to the investors of Rockbear Potion and Tranquil Water, but his deeper motivation lies in his yearning for the future.

Apart from Robert, who had just entered the senior level, the others were only intermediate apprentices, struggling in the war and at the bottom of the academy.

Now, a first-class wizard they know well and have witnessed firsthand his terrifying rise has given them an opportunity to attach themselves and pledge allegiance.

This is no longer an equal "cooperation," but a "defection" that can change their fate.

Ian watched their reactions without any change in expression.

This is the effect he wanted.

In the wizarding world, strength reigns supreme, and clear hierarchical relationships are far more stable than ambiguous friendships.

He needs tools, while they need backers and pathways to advancement.

"Get up." Ian raised his hand to help him up.

"Here, the rules are simple: do things, get paid; make mistakes, be punished; betray, die."

For now, intelligence will be transmitted through channels you are familiar with. Once the intelligence is compiled, it will be sent to me using a mark.

The specific actions will still be coordinated by you, and must be carried out discreetly.

He then took out four inconspicuous gray stones and gave them to them.

"Input a wisp of spiritual energy, in case you encounter a situation that you cannot handle, or that is life-threatening."

Crush it, I can sense it. Remember, don't use it unless it's a matter of life and death.

It was straightforward and direct, without any unnecessary consideration or warmth.

This is how a typical wizard treats his subordinates.

Provide tasks and resources, and clearly define rules and bottom lines.

"Yes, sir!" the four replied in unison.

Taking the magic stone and the rock, I felt their weight in my hands.

"You can go down and discuss the specific details yourselves."

Ian waved his hand, indicating that they could leave. "Go on, set up the network infrastructure first."

"yes!"

The four bowed again, carefully left the room, and gently closed the door behind them.

The four of them only relaxed a little after they had left the small building quite far away.

Wade clenched his fist and suppressed a growl.

"Damn! Another five hundred magic stones! And with the protection of a formal wizard, our luck is about to change!"

Kenner touched the cloth bag, let out a long breath, and had a complicated look in his eyes.

He looked at Robert. "When you saw him underground, you knew this day would come, didn't you?"

Robert nodded and gripped the gray stone tightly.

"I knew, but I didn't expect it to be so fast, so... direct."

He recalled the calmness with which Ian told him to "take care," and the nonchalant way he had assigned the task earlier.

This is the official wizard Ian Marcus.

Monica was still somewhat dazed: "Lord Ian... seems more... than before..."

"He's more like a real wizard now," Kenna interjected, his tone resolute.

"Remember, from now on there will only be 'Lord Ian'."

Doing the things the adults tell us to do is the foundation for the four of us to establish ourselves in Shadowmoon.

Looking at his teammates, full of fighting spirit and discussing enthusiastically, he felt both anticipation for the future and a touch of melancholy.

The roads that once briefly intersected have now completely diverged.

They embarked on a thorny path of clinging to the strong and yearning to climb higher.

Ian, on the other hand, was already standing on a cloud they could only look up to.

Inside the house, Ian stood by the window, watching the four people disappear at the end of the road.

"Gah, are they reliable?" Gah emerged from the shadows.

"Right now is the best time," Ian said calmly.

"I'm familiar with them, I have basic survival skills, and most importantly, they need me."

He needs some covert "hands and feet" to handle miscellaneous tasks and gather resource information.

Kenner's team filled that gap perfectly; as for extra attention? Not necessary.

Clearly defined exchanges of benefits and hierarchical relationships are often more reliable in the wizarding world.

"Let's go," Ian said, turning and entering the potion room to continue refining the Starlight Potion.

"Won't the 'erosion' on the Gray Falcon's side reach a critical point soon?"