Wizard: My Skills Can Infinitely Break Through

How would he respond to such unreasonable provocation?

Would he endure it? Would he fight back? Or would he reveal the trump card I suspect he’s holding?

Edwin needed to know. He needed to gauge Ian’s true depth.

’And the best way... is to let Collins charge ahead.’

’While Adrian and I hide in the back.’

’If the plan succeeds, and Ian really is hiding something, Aidele will suffer a setback.’

’The credit will go to the Justice Clan.’

But if the plan fails, if Ian turns on us on the spot, or if Aidele uncovers the truth...

’...then the one who takes the fall... will be Collins. The Hawkwood Clan.’

’What does that have to do with us?’

Edwin repeated this to himself.

He recalled the scene from a few days ago, when Collins had first come to him.

That fake smile on his face, everything he said hinting at a "win-win partnership."

But Edwin hadn’t believed a single word.

’I may have invited you, but since you’re so enthusiastic, I’ll naturally grant your wish.’

If it succeeds, he benefits. If it fails, the Hawkwood Clan suffers the consequences.

Edwin picked up the teacup from the table.

The tea was completely cold, but he took a sip anyway.

He set the cup down and looked at Collins.

"So, what’s your plan? Let’s hear it."

Collins walked back to the low table, picked up his glass of wine, and downed it in one gulp.

"My plan...? Well, you and I both know that woman, Aidele."

"Give her an inch, and she’ll take a mile. We need to hit her hard."

Adrian’s brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Collins ignored him, staring at Edwin.

"At the audit, besides the three Apprentices, I’ll arrange for one more person to be there."

"A Level One Peak Guard."

A flicker of light danced in the depths of Edwin’s eyes, but his face remained calm.

"Go on."

Collins took a Deep Red Crystal Core from his robes.

It was the size of a walnut, its surface covered in fine cracks. A dark red light swirled slowly within, like a solidified heart.

"The Heart of Fury." Collins placed the Crystal Core on the low table.

The moment the Crystal Core touched the wooden tabletop, it let out a soft HUMMM.

"It’s a Disposable Witchcraft Tool. Within three seconds of activation, its power is comparable to a Level Two Late Stage."

Adrian gasped.

"Are you insane? Using something like that at the audit... The Elder Council will never let you get away with it!"

Collins glanced at him as if he were looking at an idiot.

"It’s an ’accidental loss of control.’ A Level One Peak Guard happens to be carrying a Witchcraft Tool he came across by chance."

"During his testimony, the Witchcraft Tool suddenly malfunctions and ’accidentally’ attacks an Honored Guest Elder."

"Not that big of an incident, right?"

Edwin was silent for a moment, his gaze deep as he stared at the Heart of Fury.

"As long as Ian doesn’t die, the death of a Level One Guard... won’t trigger the rule from last time."

Adrian nodded.

"The death of a Level One Guard certainly won’t alarm the members of the Elder Council, but if you do this, the Elders’ reputation..."

"At a time like this, you’re still worried about so many things. You’ll never get anything done."

"If Ian can survive an attack from the Heart of Fury..."

"Do you think the Elder Council will still believe he’s ’just a Level Two Initial Stage’?"

"So what if Ian isn’t in the Initial Stage? What does that prove? This is ridiculous. I think you’re just trying to stir up trouble."

Adrian’s expression was grim. He looked at Edwin.

"Brother, this is too risky..."

Edwin raised a hand, cutting him off, and turned to Collins.

"This guard you’ve arranged for—what’s his real identity?"

"He really is just an ordinary guard from the Justice Clan," Collins answered quickly.

"I’ve already made the arrangements. On the day of the audit, he’ll enter with the three Apprentices."

’Even if they investigate afterward, they won’t trace it back to my Hawkwood Clan,’ Collins thought.

Silence fell over the study again. Outside, the wind picked up.

Lightning tumbled through the clouds, and the first drop of rain finally fell.

PAT.

The raindrop struck the glass, bursting into a small splash. It was followed by a second, then a third...

The sound of the rain grew denser.

Edwin finally spoke. "And if it fails?"

Collins shrugged, his smile tinged with nonchalance.

"If it fails, it fails. No great loss. At worst, we’ll just prepare more thoroughly next time."

Edwin said nothing, staring at Collins for a long time.

Adrian felt something was wrong and secretly prepared a Witchcraft spell.

After a while, Edwin nodded.

"Alright. We’ll do it this way."

Collins’s smile blossomed fully. He sat back down by the low table and poured himself another glass of wine.

"Then it’s settled."

"You execute the public-facing plan. I’ll arrange my own contingency."

Adrian wanted to say more, but a single glance from Edwin silenced him.

After Collins left, only the sound of the rain remained in the study.

Edwin sneered inwardly.

’Collins thinks no one knows about his dirty trick.’

But he didn’t know... Edwin had sensed something was off about him long ago.

From the very first time Collins came to him, Edwin had secretly placed a spy near him.

The existence of that Level One Peak Guard... and the Disposable Witchcraft Tool.

It wasn’t a Heart of Fury at all, but a disposable explosive Witchcraft Tool: the Blast Core.

After much consideration, Edwin had decided to secretly pass the information to Aidele’s confidante, Delia.

This would let Aidele prepare in advance, and also... put her in his debt.

If his own bid for power failed, at least... he would have built some goodwill.

Unlike Edmund, he and Aidele had no personal grudge against each other.

Edwin’s real plan was... to cooperate with Collins on the surface, executing the so-called "public-facing plan."

While secretly revealing Collins’s underhanded scheme to Aidele.

If Ian was actually blown to bits... the Justice Clan wouldn’t suffer any real loss, and Aidele would lose a powerful supporter.

If Ian survived and turned the tables... then Aidele would owe him a favor.

Because he was the one who gave her the "early warning."

’No matter the outcome, I’ll be in an invincible position.’

And that fool, Collins, actually thought he could exploit my lingering frustrations.

’Little does he know, he’s the knife being held in someone else’s hand.’

The rain fell harder and harder.

Thunder rumbled through the clouds, occasionally cracking with a boom that made the windowpanes tremble slightly.

Adrian was still anxious. He kept looking at Edwin, wanting to speak but holding back.

「No. 7 Purple Vine Lane.」

The Laboratory was lit by the soft glow of a Crystal Stone Lamp.

Ian sat before a stone table, organizing the materials for the Water of Balance.

Silent Jellyfish Condensate Core, Void Crystal, Turtle Dragon Snake Hide... he carefully inspected each item, sorting and storing them properly.

’I can still Refine two more portions. Maybe Gaga can use one to break through to Level Three Extraordinary.’

His expression was calm, his eyes filled with Concentration.

Gaga perched on his shoulder, its little head nodding as it dozed off.

Its silver-gray eyes were closed, and it let out a soft purr.

Its wings were tucked around its body, making it look like a small, Dark Silver ball.

Ian raised a hand and gently stroked its head.

Gaga made a gurgling sound, nuzzled into the crook of his neck, and went back to sleep.

Outside the window, the rain continued to fall, and flashes of lightning occasionally illuminated the night sky.

The light from the Laboratory seemed especially warm on this rainy night.

Outside, the rain grew heavier.

Thunder rolled.