Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

The author "Seven Degrees of Sunset" recommends reading "Wizard: My Skills Can Break Through Infinitely" using the "Renren Bookstore" APP. Download and install it.

East City East District.

Edwin sat in the head seat, his body sinking into the high-backed chair.

The firelight from the fireplace cast a dark red glow on half of his face, while the other half remained in shadow.

He held a Thunderhawk badge in his hand, his fingertips tracing the cold metal surface. .

Adrian paced back and forth in the room.

He walked around three times, stopped, walked around three more times, and finally stopped in front of the fireplace, staring at the leaping embers.

"Brother, we can't wait any longer."

Edwin did not look up; his gaze remained fixed on the badge, a flash of lightning disappearing deep within his pupils.

"What's the rush?" he said calmly. "Just wait."

Adrian's face was grim, and he lowered his voice.

"Everything changed after she returned from the far north in search of medicine and brought back that wild wizard."

"First, they tried to probe and assassinate us. We lost a level two wizard, and we didn't even manage to find all his remains."

"Next came the assessment. Relying on that damned bloodline potion, she managed to smash three late-stage second-tier demons to pieces."

"The elders confiscated one of our core assets and placed us under house arrest for three months..."

He paused, his lips pressed into a pale line.

"And now? Edmund is down, the contamination in Titu's body has stabilized, and more than half of the elders in the family... are on her side."

He spoke the last few words very slowly, as if squeezing them out from between his teeth.

Edwin finally raised his head.

The firelight danced in his pupils, reflecting a face somber and gloomy.

"That potion master Ian... have you found out anything about him?"

"no."

Adrian shook his head, his voice filled with barely suppressed frustration.

"Level 2, early stage; born on a small island in the east; knows alchemy and can handle abyssal pollution..."

"That's all?"

"The East China Sea is too far and vast, with countless small islands; these are all the information I could find."

Adrian was somewhat helpless.

"But Edel obeyed him completely, trusting him more than her own butler."

He walked to the window and lifted a corner of the curtain.

The streets outside were deserted in the dead of night, with only a lone streetlamp casting a pale light on a distant street corner.

"Big brother, no matter where he comes from..."

Adrian released his grip, and the curtain fell, blocking out the light.

"He is Adele's biggest trump card."

He turned to look at Edwin, his eyes cold and sinister, like a poisoned dagger.

"If we get rid of him, Idel will lose an arm."

The room fell silent, with only the sound of their breathing.

Just then, the door slid open silently.

The newcomer was dressed in a dark blue robe, was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, had a handsome face, and a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth.

Collins Hawkwood.

He entered the room, his gaze sweeping over the Edwin brothers' faces.

With a gentle lift of her hand, the door behind her closed silently.

"My two elder brothers, you summoned me so late at night... what urgent matter is it?"

Collins walked to the low table by the fireplace, sat down by himself, and tapped the empty wine glass with his fingertip.

His voice was gentle, like an old friend reminiscing, but his eyes were devoid of any warmth.

Edwin sat up straight in his chair and put down the Thunderhawk badge.

The metal fell onto the wooden table with a soft "click".

"I have some good news to share with you."

Collins chuckled, picked up the bottle, poured himself half a glass of dark red liquid, and swirled it gently.

"Oh? Tell me about it first."

He remained noncommittal, but his eyes were fixed on the swirling wine in his glass.

Adrian stepped forward, his voice full of seduction.

"If my brother becomes the patriarch... the Hawkwood family's three trade routes in the East."

"Taxes will be waived for ten years."

Collins paused. "Is there anything I need to do?"

"Cooperate, cooperate fully in the name of the Hawkwood family, and help me win the election."

Edwin looked at Collins. "You don't want... your previous investments to go down the drain, do you?"

Collins was silent for a moment, then looked at Edwin and then at Adrian.

He raised his glass to the two brothers and said, "Deal."

Edwin's pupils contracted slightly; he knew Collins all too well.

This childhood friend never makes a losing deal.

Three trade routes, ten years of tariffs...

It's nothing to the Hawkwood family, but for Collins himself, it's a considerable sum.

But Collins... agreed too readily, as if he had been waiting there for them to speak.

He wasn't this decisive before.

"You've investigated Ian?" Edwin suddenly realized something.

Collins took a sip of his drink and put down his glass.

"We met once a year ago on the Leap, and we had a minor disagreement."

"Later he became Edel's guest, and as for his origins... it seems he came from a small island in the east."

He paused, then tapped his fingertips lightly on the rim of the glass.

"But recently, I discovered that his real hiding place is not on Golden Oak Street."

Adrian leaned forward: "Where?"

"Number 7 Wisteria Lane," Collins said in a low voice.

"It's ostensibly an abandoned old house, but recently, people from Adele have been going there frequently."

"Delia, Nassenger... they all went there secretly."

Adrian looked at Edwin, seemingly somewhat surprised.

This news was unknown even to them, yet an outsider found out everything clearly.

"Second Brother, should we send someone... to wipe out his stronghold?"

From this day forward, no deaths or injuries of wizards of level two or higher are permitted among any of the heirs in line.

That being said, as long as it's handled cleanly and the elders don't find any evidence...

"It's not impossible," Edwin said slowly.

But Collins shook his head in denial, "No, that's too direct."

He got up, walked to the window, and peeked outside through the curtain.

Night was falling, and the streets were deserted.

"Wisteria Lane is in the east of the city, not far from your family. The commotion caused by a second-level wizard will surely alert the elders, and we can't get involved."

He lowered the curtain, turned around, and walked back to the low table.

"I have a better idea."

Edwin looked up: "What method?"

"Start with Chief Titu."

Collins sat down again, leaning slightly forward.

"Although your clan leader Titu's pollution has stabilized, he has not yet awakened."

"What if we use some tricks to make the elders suspect... that there's something wrong with Ian's purification?"

His eyes were dark, and his voice was even lower.

"So... he deliberately caused the pollution?"

The moment the words left his mouth, the temperature in the room plummeted.

It wasn't that it was actually getting colder, but rather that a chilling killing intent permeated the air.

Edwin stared at Collins as if he were a madman.

"Collins..."

He spoke slowly, "Are you serious?"

The Burning Canyon was just polluted by the Abyss two days ago, alarming the entire Eastern Territory.

Now, we're dragging the abyss into this again...

Edwin felt a chill run down his spine and regretted calling the other person over.

"What exactly is this guy trying to do?"

Adrian, standing next to him, also looked grim.

He stared at Collins, his fingertips trembling slightly, as if he were about to make a move.

If he didn't need this "outside help," he probably would have used a spell on him.

Collins noticed their expressions and his face froze.

He then broke into a smile, as if he had just been joking.

"Cough! Don't rush, don't rush."

He waved his hand, picked up his glass, and took another sip.

"I'm just suggesting an idea; if it doesn't work, that's fine too."

He put down his cup and tapped his fingertips lightly on the table.

"Actually... there's an even safer way."

Edwin didn't speak, but just looked at him. "You go first."

"Start with the family election rules." Collins leaned back in his chair, relaxing.

"It's almost time for the second review of the guest elders. Given Ian's abilities and contributions, this review will just be a formality."

"But going through the motions... doesn't mean we can't make a big deal out of it."

He looked at Edwin, "Isn't there an elder behind you?"

Edwin lowered his head in thought. Although Elders Sauron and Darcy favored Edel, there were still seven elders in the family...

One of them had a very close relationship with their lineage.

"We'll submit some materials, and if that elder is willing to step in and 'assign appropriate questions' during the review process..."

Collins spoke very softly, as if he were whispering.

"Edel has the upper hand now, but what if 'there's a problem with her guest'...?"

"Her contributions and reputation will be affected."

He paused, then added, "Of course, she's already in a very strong position; it's impossible to kill her off all at once."

"But slowing her down and diminishing some of her momentum is enough."

Adrian frowned: "What's the use of this?"

"It works." Collins nodded, his eyes full of certainty.

"There are still two years until the final battle, there's plenty of time."

In the competition for the leadership of a large family, no one knows what changes might occur until the very end.

"The only thing you need to worry about is that Chief Titu will wake up early."

He looked at the two of them with a meaningful gaze.

"As long as Titu doesn't wake up, you still have a chance."

A brief silence fell over the room.

The embers in the fireplace had completely died out, leaving only the occasional sound of wind coming from outside the window.

Edwin closed his eyes, his mind racing.

The elders stepped forward to question the review process...

"It sounds feasible, but why is Collins so enthusiastic?"

Is it worth it for him to put in so much effort and take such a big risk regarding the tariffs on the three trade routes?

He opened his eyes and looked at Collins. "And the second step?"

Collins chuckled softly, with a confident air about him.

"The second step... to kill someone with a borrowed knife." He leaned forward, lowering his voice even further.

"If we could get Ian to 'voluntarily reveal' some secrets..."

"For example... he's not actually at the early stage of level two, but is hiding his strength, or... his background is questionable."

Adrian frowned: "How do you know he's hiding his strength?"

Collins sneered, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"Someone who can handle level three abyssal contamination... do you believe he's only at the early stage of level two?"

"Whether he's hiding it or not... it's enough that we let him be 'hidden'."

Edwin's alarm bells rang again; Collins seemed to be paying too much attention to Ian.

From minor conflicts on the Leapfrog to now being willing to go to any lengths to eliminate him...

What happened in between that he didn't know about?

Collins must have known that his behavior would arouse suspicion from his two brothers.

But he did it anyway, and even... he seemed a little eager.

He stared at Collins, trying to read something from the other man's face.

But Collins' expression was natural, his eyes were calm, and he showed no signs of anything amiss.

Collins leaned back in his chair, relaxed, and looked at Edwin.

"A wild wizard of unknown origin, hiding his true strength, is getting close to the chieftain's daughter... What does he want? The council of elders will definitely investigate thoroughly."

He paused, a cold smile curving his lips.

"At that time, we won't need to lift a finger."

Silence fell in the room again. Edwin closed his eyes, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

Questioning the review process, spreading rumors, elders intervene...

The three steps seem interconnected and well-organized, but...

He opened his eyes and looked at Collins. "Explain the specifics in detail?"

Collins smiled, a bright and cheerful smile.

"You are in charge of internal affairs. Spread rumors within the family that Ian is suspicious, and bribe a few servants to testify when the time is right."

He paused, then added, "The key is to make Chief Titu... wake up a little slower."

Edwin's heart tightened. Did Collins mean... that the two brothers should attack the chieftain?

"The last person to do this is still a skeleton in the ground!"

His fingers tightened suddenly, his nails digging into his palms, but his facial expression remained unchanged.

"What about your plans over there?" he asked calmly.

"I am responsible for raising 'appropriate questions' from the outside, in the name of the eldest son of the Hawkwood family."

Collins picked up his glass and swirled it in the light.

"Will the Just family's collaboration with a dubious outsider wizard affect the long-term relationship between the two families...?"

He put down his cup and looked at Edwin.

"Of course, we won't say these things directly to the elders; we don't have that kind of influence."

"But creating public opinion among the lower and middle classes and finding some loopholes... is enough."

Edwin paused for three seconds, then slowly nodded.

"The plan is excellent."

Collins smiled slightly, stood up, and said, "Then it's settled."

He walked to the door, then stopped and looked back at the two of them.

"My two elder brothers, the longer Chief Titu sleeps... the more advantageous it will be for you."

After saying that, he pushed open the door, his figure disappearing into the shadows.

Outside, the footsteps faded into the distance and eventually disappeared.

Only the Edwin brothers remained in the room.

Adrian walked to the window, lifted the curtain, and peeked out.

The night was deep outside, and Collins' carriage had already disappeared around the street corner.

"Big brother..." He turned around and looked at Edwin.

"This guy...something's not right. He wasn't like this before."

Edwin didn't speak, looking down at the Thunderhawk emblem on the table, his fingertips lightly brushing across the cold metal surface.

"Don't believe a single word this guy says."

Adrian's pupils contracted: "Then why are you still..."

Edwin looked up, his eyes dim.

"We have no choice. Adele has already gained a huge advantage. If this drags on, we will definitely lose."

"Collins... is the only strong foreign player we can find right now."

His voice was ethereal.

"As for what he's trying to do... once we become the clan chief, we'll naturally have a way to deal with him."

Adrian was silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

"it is good."

He walked to the fireplace and stared at the last bit of dark red embers.

"Then... let's get started."

Outside the mansion, at the street corner.

Collins got into his carriage, and the smile on his face vanished instantly.

He lifted the carriage curtain and looked in the direction of the Just family's main residence.

In the darkness, the castle's spire gleamed with a cold, hard sheen under the moonlight.

An old voice rang out from the darkness of the carriage.

"Young Master, is it worth it? To take such a big risk for those two good-for-nothings?"

Collins lowered the curtain and leaned back into the soft seat.

"They've been childhood friends since we were little, so it's not right to refuse since they've asked."

His voice was flat, revealing no emotion, but he was inwardly sneering.

Tariffs? Collins Hawkwood didn't even care about that.

What he wanted was internal strife within the Just family; only in chaos would the Hawkwood family's position be secure.

Adele's recent behavior... is too abnormal. If she really becomes the patriarch, it won't be a good thing for the Hawkwood family.

He knew, of course, that his methods were still very immature.

The Edwin brothers will surely see through his motives, but it doesn't matter.

The brutal competition for the position of clan leader can drive them to abandon all moral boundaries.

Perhaps in the end he will gain nothing, but as long as the Just family is thrown into chaos, he will have achieved his initial goal.

"I am the future patriarch of the Hawkwood family, a genius destined to become a Morning Star wizard. I'll use you as practice subjects first..."

"As for that wild wizard Ian..." Collins's eyes darkened slightly.

He hadn't taken the conflict on the Leap to heart.

A second-level wizard from a remote island, an insignificant figure, not worth his trouble.

But later, Ian repeatedly defied his expectations.

Refining second-tier bloodlines and purification potions, dealing with the abyss pollution, and helping Adel turn the tide...

Even Edmund, whom he couldn't see through, fell into their hands.

This wild wizard... is becoming more and more mysterious, and more and more unsettling.

"We must eliminate him before he fully matures..."

Collins muttered to himself, tapping his fingertips lightly on his knee.

"Such an existence is not allowed in the Eastern Territory."

Inside the carriage, the old man remained silent for a moment.

"Young Master, your blatant interference in their competition is damaging our relationship with the Just family..."

"Nothing will happen."

Collins interrupted him, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"My grandfather was a fourth-level Morning Star, my father was the clan chief, and in the future... I will definitely be the clan chief as well."

He was filled with pride, and a look of disdain appeared on his face.

Even if this scheme fails and the Just family is dissatisfied... at most, they'll just get a few words of reproach from their parents.

"I didn't do anything myself, I just offered a few ideas, it's not a big problem."

The old man stopped talking; he knew his young master too well.

The young master is incredibly talented and has exceptional abilities. He is also gentle and generous in his dealings with others.

But... these are all just appearances, something put on for others to see, and the image the clan leader wants to see.

It's just a facade.

He never revealed his true nature. Having followed the young master for over thirty years, he had long since figured out that the man was outwardly lenient but inwardly suspicious.

This time, getting involved in the internal strife of other families is extremely unwise.

I wonder... what kind of trouble this will cause...

The carriage moved slowly through the night, its wheels making a rhythmic "click-clack" sound as they rolled over the stone pavement.

Collins closed his eyes, mentally reviewing the conversation.

If Edwin still wanted to be the patriarch, the two brothers had no choice.

"This is the position of clan chief... Are you really willing to give it up? I don't believe it."

Next, as long as things proceed according to plan... Ian, Edel...

The curve of his lips grew colder as he muttered to himself.

"Just wait and see."

Then, the carriage completely disappeared into the night.