Defying the Fate of Beheading

"Maximizing the effects of magic with [Spell Efficiency]."

"Casting spells instantly with [Spell Quick Cast]."

"Casting spells silently with [Spell Silent Cast]."

"Expanding the area of effect with [Spell Expansion]."

"Hehe, although the effects of these meta-magic feats require additional spell slots as a cost (see author's note), it also means my damage output is now through the roof!"

"As Louis would say in his hometown dialect, Wuhu, we're taking off!"

Beatrice nodded in approval. The Mage Association categorizes 8th level mages as intermediate mages precisely because of this qualitative change.

It's only normal for Olivia to be so delighted.

But suddenly, Beatrice switched her tune:

"However, Olivia, for this trip to the Tunisian Republic, the mage exchanges have already been covered by the White Tower. There's no need for young mages from Saint Louis Academy to participate."

"That means the students accompanying us from Saint Louis to Tunisia are only from the warrior division, more specifically, only those in the Nine Swords profession."

"Olivia, even if you've successfully advanced to an 8th level mage, you should stay in the country."

The little swan was thunderstruck in an instant, and her face took on a mournful expression:

"How can this be?"

Beatrice looked at her sister's pitiful appearance with a twinge of reluctance.

But she quickly made a decision:

"Just stay in Tino, Olivia. You wouldn't want to disturb your sister's honeymoon, would you?"

The little swan, who was originally planning to stay in the country anyway, suddenly widened her eyes.

She stood there going "Aba Aba Aba" for a while before she finally realized why Sister Wang crammed Louis into the academy a month early.

She was unprecedentedly furious.

This is abusing power for personal gain!

This is misuse of public funds!

Most importantly, you went off to have fun and didn't take me along!

The little swan left the office in a dark mood, with anger blazing in her eyes!

In that moment, she seemed to vaguely feel the absurdity experienced by the single Louis in a past life, going out on Christmas to find all the couples around him were like sickening heart thieves.

Inexorably enraged!

"The 'Prince Cultivation Plan' in Huogu Kingdom must be prioritized!"

"Damn it, I can't go have fun, but you guys are telling me you're using the empire's funds for a honeymoon?"

"I admit Sister Wang can't really find the time for a dedicated honeymoon due to imperial affairs."

"But that's no reason to leave me behind!"

"Just you wait, Huogu Kingdom, I'm going to find a way to fill every inch of your body with knowledge so that even when you play, you can't truly enjoy it."

"Kekeke, my little swan's pranks and sabotage are top-notch!"

Uh-oh.

Olivia laughed so smugly that her chin cramped up, and the sharp, painful sensation nearly made her jump.

She sneakily glanced around.

It felt for a moment like she was cursed by some unknown force, almost making her mouth twist.

But, thinking about Sister Wang's mention of the 'Prince Cultivation Plan', Olivia felt a headache.

To be fair, starting from level 5, most professions on the Star Continent entered an explosive power gain phase.

Professions like mages, which require reaching LV8 to become combat-ready, are actually in the minority.

For Nine Swords professionals, even with their extremities, LV5 already provides sufficient fighting capabilities.

That's why people say their growth curve is smoother than that of mages.

"Ordinary students of Saint Louis Academy stand no chance against Huogu Kingdom."

"Even if Huogu is restricted, not allowed to team up with Limuru, nor allowed to use Dragon's Sin arms and spells."

"Even then, his martial skill level far exceeds his current tier."

"Boo hoo, aside from freaks like Alice, how many hero-level people can restrain him... huh?"

The little swan blinked.

She thought of some really fun ideas.

Like having Huogu participate as an instructor.

Or having Alice make a rare visit back to school to join the event.

But before that, the little swan needed to consider another issue.

"Now that I've become an intermediate mage, it seems I can sneak out the grand treasure of Saint Louis Academy!"

"The legendary legacy of the Celestial Destiny Mage, a member of the Hero Squad, hidden in the Ether Plane... is all mine!"

...

While the little swan began her "Unhappy Scheming," Louis on the other side was pondering a serious issue.

Emperor Lao Deng, tried to patch the large hole of the Gate of the Abyss, was stuck on his golden throne, unable to rise.

The various forces were beginning to suspect the Emperor's condition.

So around this event, the Am Empire, the Supreme Forest, the Abyssal Church, Love God's Dark Side, and the Rudelson Organization began a meticulous layout.

From the perspective of the original timeline.

Successively erupting events indeed exposed the current vulnerability of the empire.

The Emperor's news probably leaked, too.

As the empire's strongest, to lose the ability to protect it might have led to a series of issues for the Ense Empire in the past life.

He flipped through the pages of the future diary one by one.

With Beatrice's and his guillotine crisis temporarily lifted, he now had to consider how to best avoid future chaos.

"Oh, Emperor, did you foresee this long ago?"

"The Ense Empire chose to relocate its capital 74 years ago. The outside world speculated it was to avoid falling into a rebellious siege."

"But it now seems it was probably to seal the Gate of the Abyss."

The Gate of the Abyss cannot remain open for long.

The event on the Pirate Islands mentioned in the future diary already demonstrated that if demons are allowed to pass unchecked through the Gate of the Abyss, the entire continent would be engulfed in flames.

Run?

Where to run?

You can't hide in the remote mountains alone, can you?

Let alone the large breach right on Ense Empire's land.

The empire itself would be the first victim.

There's no choice.

Even if they have to grit their teeth, they must find a way to patch up the Gate of the Abyss first.

"With that, my goals are clear."

"Active preparation for war will be the top priority, gathering all the forces that can help."

Louis first wrote on a blank sheet of paper: [Abyssal Four Gods / Gate of the Abyss / Abyssal Army / Abyssal Church].

But after a moment, he shook his head, crossed out the original goals, and picked up his pen again to write: [Demon King Helmer / Underground City Legion].

"Try seeing if we can stop the continent-wide dungeon disaster."

"Emperor Lao Deng is stuck because the Four Gods are keeping a close watch, leaving no opportunity to close the gates."

"But the issue on the Pirate Islands is more because countries can't spare any attention."

"Find a way to contain Demon King Helmer and his Underground City Legion. Then countries can spare resources to suppress the Abyssal Gate."

He first wrote a name on the paper—

Libra Saintess Grace.

Though he quite disliked the blessings of the God of Glory and Justice on her.

In the future dungeon disasters and abyss wars, Grace showed qualities befitting of the Libra Saintess.

Such a top-tier fighter against evil, as long as she doesn't come after him, is actually a great ally.

"Advance the training of Grace. With this relationship, even if she skyrockets in the future, it'll be easier to negotiate collaboration."

Then he wrote down the Tunisian Republic again on the paper.

"This way, in a month's time for the meeting in Tunisia, we need to find a legitimate way to involve the Mayer Commerce Association."

Louis's lips twitched slightly.

Because he had just realized a serious problem.

To get Mayer Commerce Association involved in this two-nation conference, a legitimate reason must be found.

Although he knew it was all for maximizing future interests, watching the money go out was like having someone carve into his heart with a small knife.

Even with the knowledge that it's all for maximizing future interests, he felt the pain acutely!

So painful, unbearable!