"Elisa, are you truly certain about your decision?" Wude’s voice carried a trace of worry.

A week had passed since Elisa announced her intent to leave. Alreis and Tini had fully recovered. Elisa had shared her wish to return to the Academy of Life Magic with them.

When it came to the Academy of Life Magic, the situation was undeniably awkward.

Tini’s Nation of Life had a highly unusual political structure—all authority centered within the Academy of Life Magic. There were no nobles; everything fell under the rule of Ascendant Sovereign Tini and Sage Chris.

Political decrees were debated by the Academy’s magic professors before being submitted to Chris or Tini for final approval.

But with one decision-maker vanishing mysteriously and the other meeting an untimely end, the Academy plunged into chaos. By the time Tini reappeared to gather resurrection materials, a quarter of its members had already disappeared for various reasons.

The nation’s functions teetered on collapse. Continuing classes became impossible. Yet as long as Tini remained, the nation would endure.

Then Tini vanished again—this time for a full week. Rumors spread: perhaps the Tini who appeared was already at death’s door, taking those materials in a failed attempt to prolong her life.

No one knew the Academy’s current state—whether order had returned or chaos still reigned. Wude worried deeply about Elisa’s timing.

"Relax! Isn’t *this one* accompanying her?" Tini patted her ample chest, sending a noticeable ripple through her bosom. Wude quickly averted his eyes.

Tini had insisted on leaving with Elisa. She *had* to return and stabilize the nation—countless lives depended on it. And once in control, she could mobilize greater forces to search for Lingyue.

The reasoning was sound. With Alreis by her side, danger was unlikely. And Lingyue had promised elite training to help Elisa grow stronger.

"Tini… are you truly confident managing with only eighth-tier power?" Wude pressed, still uneasy.

"Then why not *release* this one’s Slave Contract?" Tini shot him a disdainful glance, clearly scornful of someone who shackled others yet demanded perfection.

"..." Wude fell silent for a moment. "Fine."

"See? Men like you—*huh?!* What did you just say?!" Tini froze, utterly stunned. She’d expected refusal.

Elisa and Alreis stared at Wude as if he’d grown a second head.

"Hey! Don’t be so dramatic!" Wude’s voice cracked. "Do you really see me as the kind of scum who enjoys enslaving girls?"

"..." All three turned their heads away without a word.

"Stop giving me the silent treatment!!!" Wude exploded.

Half an hour later…

"Uh… Tini?" Wude called cautiously toward the still-fuming Tini.

"What do you want, you scum!" She didn’t even glance back.

"I genuinely didn’t know the Slave Contract couldn’t be *released*…" Wude looked miserable. "Alreis, back me up!"

"I never imagined it was unbreakable. Thought full power would snap it… Though… this isn’t entirely bad… But…" Alreis muttered under the tree shade, pointedly ignoring him.

"Elisa understands, right?" Wude turned hopefully.

"Brother Wude, please stop," Elisa said, tears welling as she covered her face. "I saw those maid-themed picture books under your bed! I knew you had… *interests*… but I never thought you’d be this calculating."

"…Enough." Wude sighed. He was beyond defense.

Truth was, even Alreis couldn’t break the Slave Contract. Temporal Magic *might* reverse it—but the backlash would be fatal. No option existed.

Though Alreis joined the teasing, she was secretly baffled. Her prior spiritual scans suggested her Ascendant Sovereign power should’ve shattered the contract even if Wude reached sixth tier.

But after Wude’s recent power-up, the Slave Contract had subtly changed—undetected by both Alreis and Tini. Only Wude’s attempt to release it revealed the truth.

What happened during his breakthrough? Alreis didn’t know. But it didn’t hinder her abilities—and strangely, she felt a faint, unspoken relief.

*"It’s not that I refuse to release it… it’s simply impossible."* She’d never admit that thought aloud.

"Well… not all bad," Tini finally softened. "At least with full power accessible, we can handle anything."

"True," Wude nodded. A genuine silver lining. He no longer feared for their safety. An Ascendant Sovereign remained formidable—and Tini’s vitality was legendary.

"Still," Tini added coldly, "I hope you turn to ash on the road to Lingyue. Then I’d be free of this cursed thing." Her resentment lingered sharp.

Wude offered only an awkward smile.

Tini tossed her staff skyward. It bloomed into a towering tree, twisting and expanding rapidly until it formed a majestic magical airship.

"Airships are *made* like this?!" Wude gaped. Zero cost? No wonder Tini, Alreis, and Chris hadn’t hesitated to destroy theirs mid-battle.

"Temporary shell. No enchantments. Purely decorative," Alreis sniffed. To a teleporter like her, it was pointless.

"Ho ho! Jealous, Alreis?" Tini swept Elisa aboard and smirked back. "Your spatial magic lacks *aesthetic*. Such barren technique holds no meaning!"

"Alright, you two!" Wude cut in. "Must you bicker even while leaving?"

"Elisa," he turned gently, "I respect your choice. But if trouble arises—*any* trouble—ask Tini for help. Don’t hesitate."

"I know, Brother Wude! I’ll train hard and grow stronger!" Elisa’s eyes shone with resolve.

"And Tini—protect her. And yourself. The world is… treacherous." Wude’s tone turned motherly.

"Ugh! This one needs no lectures!" Tini snapped, impatient.

She stood on the deck, pointed skyward.

*BOOM!* The airship roared to life.

"Goodbye, Brother Wude! I *will* become stronger!" Elisa waved fiercely.

The vessel shot upward with jarring speed, wind whipping Wude’s hair wild. In seconds, it vanished into the horizon.

Wude stood motionless, staring at the empty sky.

Alreis remained silently beside him, sharing the quiet vigil.

"Alreis… it’s just us again," Wude murmured.

"Indeed, my master," she replied softly.

Silence settled. The still air hummed with unspoken emotion.