Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

The nine heirs outside the door simultaneously composed themselves and stepped inside.

The council chamber was more spacious than I had imagined.

Twelve stone pillars support the dome, each covered with ancient runes.

Deep within the runes, faint golden energy flowed slowly.

In the center of the hall, there was a huge round stone table.

Five figures sat at the edge of the stone table.

They all wore long, greyish-white robes, their faces were withered, and their eyes were sunken.

But when those eyes opened, the air in the entire council chamber seemed to freeze for a moment.

Five level-three archmages, and several elders have not yet appeared.

They simply sat there, making no move, yet their immense spiritual pressure enveloped the entire area.

Adele's breath hitched slightly.

She felt that the pulse of the earth beneath her feet became blurred and sluggish in front of these five people.

It felt like being forcibly separated by some higher-level force.

This is the domain suppression of a level three wizard.

"sit."

The old wizard at the head of the group spoke, his voice calm yet clear to everyone.

He pointed to the three stone chairs opposite the stone table.

Adele, Edwin, and Adrian sat down in turn.

Aisha and the other heirs sat in the audience.

The stone chair feels cool to the touch, and its surface is engraved with simple patterns.

The moment Adele sat down, a gentle yet resilient energy seeped into her body from the back of the chair, forcefully calming all the restless magical fluctuations.

"We are already aware of what happened last night."

Another old wizard spoke slowly; his face was even more aged, with wrinkles so deep they could hold a piece of paper.

But those eyes were as clear as a newborn baby's.

"Five level-two wizards have perished, and two are seriously injured."

"The core area of ​​the battle was completely destroyed, with buildings within a radius of 300 meters."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three of them.

"What...do you have to explain?"

The air was deathly still.

The candlelight cast flickering shadows between the stone pillars, making the faces of the three people appear and disappear in the light.

Edwin spoke first, his voice low.

"Elder, please understand, what happened last night... was truly beyond our control."

He looked up, a perfectly timed hint of heartache flashing in his eyes.

"Delia went to the East District without authorization and traded illegal drugs with unknown forces."

"I received intelligence and was worried that the family's interests would be harmed, so I sent Grover with a team to investigate."

"I didn't expect this..." He sighed and shook his head.

"Seventh Sister's men overreacted."

Adrian took over the conversation, his voice as soft as a viper's tongue.

"Maurice just happened to be passing by and saw Grover in danger, so he stepped in to help."

"Who would have thought... that we would suffer such a severe blow?"

The two of them, working together, completely shifted the blame for last night's conflict onto Adele.

Adele listened quietly, her face expressionless.

Only after the two finished speaking did she slowly raise her head and look at the five elders.

"Second and third brothers really know how to talk. It's a pity they don't go into opera."

Her voice was soft, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"I am also heartbroken about what happened last night; it really shouldn't have happened."

Edwin and Adrian were both taken aback, a look of doubt flashing in their eyes.

They didn't expect that Adele would admit it so readily.

But the next second, Adele changed the subject.

"But I would like to ask the elders..."

She paused, and silver patterns flickered deep within her dark blue eyes.

"When did the family come up with the rule of 'unauthorized assassination of confidants of other heirs'?"

"And when... was it permissible to use the 'Hate Guiding Array' and 'Bloodlust' against one's own sisters?"

Her voice remained calm, but every word was like a cold nail.

It pierced the eardrums of everyone present.

Edmund's pupils contracted slightly, then quickly returned to normal.

Edwin abruptly stood up and stared at Adele.

"You're talking nonsense!"

"Sit down," the leading old wizard said calmly.

A heavy aura pressed down on Edwin's shoulder.

He stiffened, sat heavily back on the stone chair, his face ashen.

The old wizard looked at Edel, a strange look flashing in his eyes.

"Go on."

Edel took a deep breath, took out a roll of parchment from her dimensional ring, and spread it out on the stone table.

The paper was filled with detailed records of every aspect of last night's conflict, including traces of witchcraft used by Grover and Morris.

And... the guiding runes left underground during her initial assessment, and the "Bloodlust" component detected from the fragments of those monster corpses.

The evidence is conclusive and the reasoning is clear.

The five elders passed the parchment around, their expressions gradually darkening.

When the last elder put down the paper, the atmosphere in the council chamber had become extremely tense.

"Edwin, Adrian."

The old wizard at the head of the group spoke, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Do you... have anything to add?"

The two remained silent.

Some things weren't done by them at all, but they can't say it out loud.

Edwin stared intently at the edge of the stone table, his fingernails digging into his palms until they bled.

Adrian lowered his head, his face grim.

"Since there isn't..."

The old wizard slowly rose, his greyish-white robe fluttering even without wind.

"Then I will announce the elders' decision."

His gaze swept over the three of them, finally settling on Edel.

"All three parties bear responsibility for last night's conflict."

"But given that Edwin and Adrian used forbidden magic first, and provoked us first..."

He paused.

"You two are to be punished by handing over one of your core assets to your families for one year."

"At the same time, he is confined to his residence for three months and is not allowed to leave his home even for a moment."

Edwin's body trembled, and disbelief flashed in his eyes.

Adrian's tapping fingers suddenly stopped, his knuckles turning white from the force.

A core industry... that's the foundation they've cultivated for over a decade.

A year of temporary management is enough to completely remove those industries from control.

Not to mention three months of confinement... that's enough time for Adele to do so much.

"As for Idyl," the old wizard turned to look at her.

"Although you were acting in a passive counterattack, your methods were excessive and caused significant losses to the family."

You must understand, every second-level wizard is a valuable asset to the Juster family; they... it would be utterly pointless for them to die.

"You are hereby punished to... hand over all the potions you obtained last night and pay for the repair costs of the damaged buildings."

Adele lowered her head, a sense of relief washing over her.

"Yes, ma'am."

As for the medicine, that was just a conciliatory excuse; she would never actually hand it over.

The old wizard nodded in satisfaction and sat back down on the stone chair.

"in addition……"

He paused, his gaze becoming deep.

"Given the recent severe internal strife within the family, which has affected the normal operation of the city."

"After deliberation by the elders, it has been decided that... from this day forward, no deaths or injuries of wizards of level two or above are permitted among any of the heirs in line."

"The final assessment of the ruins... has been postponed to two years later."

The moment the words left his mouth, Edwin and Adrian looked up simultaneously, their pupils shrinking sharply.

Two years...

This is enough time for Adele to make up for all the shortcomings that were exposed last night.

That's enough for her to cultivate more core players like Carl and Crowlind.

"Elder!"

Edwin couldn't help but speak, his voice hoarse.

"this……"

"This is the final decision."

The old wizard interrupted him, his eyes calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"Anyone who objects...may withdraw from the competition for inheritance rights."

Edwin's throat bobbed, and he finally bowed his head heavily.

His fingernails dug deep into his palm, and blood dripped from between his fingers, spreading dark red spots on the stone bench.

Adrian closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling slightly.

Three breaths later, he opened his eyes again, his face now calm.

He even managed a smile.

"I will obey the elder's command."

The old wizard nodded and waved his hand.

"In that case... let's disperse."

"Remember, if what happened last night happens again within two years..."

He paused, his voice suddenly turning cold.

"Regardless of who is right or wrong, both parties involved... are disqualified from inheritance."

The last few words not only pierced the hearts of the three men, but even Edmund in the audience twitched at the corner of his eye.

Edwin shuddered, and Adrian's smile froze on his face.

Edel also felt a chill rise up her spine.

Only Aisha was an exception; it seemed that this news had nothing to do with her.

Her attention was entirely focused on Edmund.

When we left the ancestral hall, it was already dark.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the group, which intersected and overlapped on the stone slabs.

Edwin stopped at the door, turned around, and looked at Adele.

The setting sun cast a dark red glow on half of his face, while the other half remained in shadow.

"Seventh Sister..." He grinned, his smile twisted into a sinister grin.

"Two years...that will go by quickly."

After saying that, he turned and strode away, while the Thunder Eagle on his shoulder glanced back at him.

In his crimson pupils, Adele's serene face was reflected.

Adrian slowly walked to her side, twirling a withered leaf he had picked from who-knows-where between his fingers.

"Seventh Sister really has some clever tricks up her sleeve."

He spoke softly, his voice devoid of emotion.

"However... a couple of years is a long time, and many things can change."

He gently placed the withered leaf on Adele's shoulder, as if he were placing a precious jewel.

"Be careful... lest the boat capsizes halfway there."

Adele raised her hand and brushed the dead leaves off her shoulder.

The leaf fell to the ground and was crushed under her foot, making a slight cracking sound.

"Thank you for the reminder, Third Brother."

She raised her head, and deep within her dark blue eyes, dark gold veins slowly flowed.

"I will... walk this path well and clear away all obstacles."

Adrian's smile remained unchanged as he turned and left.

The dark green robe swayed gently in the evening breeze, like a venomous snake diving into deep water.

Adele stood there, quietly watching the two figures disappear into the distance.

Today, however, Edmund did not greet her and strolled away with the other heirs.

After Aishia and Edel nodded in acknowledgment, they quickly left.

Only after their figures completely disappeared around the street corner did Adele slowly exhale.

The tension in my chest finally eased for a moment.

But she knew it in her heart.

The real storm... has only just begun.

"Miss."

Nassenger emerged from the shadows and reported in a low voice.

"Based on the information we've received recently... Edmund's manor... has been eerily quiet lately."

Adele frowned slightly.

Throughout the entire conflict and mediation process, the older brother remained silent, and his previous insincere greetings were nowhere to be seen.

It's like... completely detached.

But the quieter it is, the more uneasy it makes people feel.

Like the still, lifeless sea before a storm.

"Keep an eye on it."

She said softly, then turned and walked toward Golden Oak Street.

The setting sun dyed her deep purple wizard robes a dark red, casting long shadows on the stone path.

Like a colossal beast slowly awakening from the depths of the earth.

She raised her head and looked at the stars that were gradually brightening in the distance.

"Two years... is enough."

Suddenly, Gaga poked its little head out of the shadows, its silver-gray pupils shimmering slightly.

"Edel, Ian said... he's waiting for you in the lab."

Adele paused, a hint of warmth flashing in her eyes.

"Okay, I was just looking for him too."

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