When a wizard does it, it isn't called cheating.
It's called using unconventional-perhaps slightly unorthodox-methods to ensure a necessary outcome.
Noah hadn't expected Odin to openly encourage foul play, but he didn't see it as a problem.
He didn't think much of Hela anyway.
Giving her a hard time felt justified.
The simplest solution was obvious.
Pull them into the Mirror Dimension.
A fight like this shouldn't tear Asgard apart.
Noah shifted his attention back to the ceremony.
The scene felt strangely familiar.
After a brief pause, he realized why.
This was basically the coronation from the first Thor movie.
A few differences. Many more guests.
But at its core, it was the same.
Odin sat upon the throne, voice calm yet majestic, asking Thor whether he had the strength and resolve to lead Asgard, and whether he could be a worthy king.
Thor's reply was firm.
He had the power.
He had the faith.
And he would be even better.
Compared to Noah's own inauguration-where he'd had to recite endless vows-this was refreshingly simple.
Once Thor finished, Odin didn't delay.
He declared that Thor had completed the legal and traditional rites of succession.
And then came the critical moment.
Now that Thor had technically inherited the throne, this was exactly when something would go wrong.
"Father."
As expected, Hela stepped forward.
She ignored the murmuring crowd and walked straight up to Odin, lowering her head slightly.
"As the firstborn of the House of Odinson, I request a fair duel."
The crowd erupted.
Aside from Thor, Loki, Fat Thor, and Noah-who had all expected this-the rest of the Asgardians and guests were stunned.
Hela's story belonged to ancient legend.
Many had only recently learned she even existed.
And now she was openly challenging Odin's will.
Odin looked calm.
He didn't appear angry at all.
"Would you defy my will, Hela?"
"I am also your daughter," Hela said, lifting her head, eyes unwavering.
"I have the right."
"And a King of Asgard must never fear a challenge. His strength must be enough to protect Asgard from any invader. As a member of the House of Odinson-"
"You believe you are capable?"
"I know I am."
That settled it.
Odin glanced back at Noah.
Noah gave a subtle nod.
He had been ready for this.
Ready to pull something off without anyone noticing.
Seeing the nod, Odin felt at ease.
Even if things went wrong, Noah could always step in.
Odin turned back to Hela, then looked at Thor.
"Thor. What is your decision?"
Before Thor could speak, Fat Thor stepped forward.
"Fath-Your Majesty..."
"You are also my son," Odin said calmly, cutting him off.
"Though you come from a parallel universe, my blood flows in your veins."
"Call me Father. What do you wish to say?"
"I want to fight," Fat Thor said earnestly.
"Hela and I have a very bitter history. I want my revenge."
The details of that history hadn't been shared, but Odin knew enough.
More importantly, his words formally acknowledged Fat Thor's status.
The murmurs grew louder.
So the rumors were true.
He really was a Thor from another universe.
Odin spared our Thor a brief glance, then spoke before he could object.
"Go, my son. You come from the future. You bear deep grievances with your sister."
"Settle them."
What an old fox.
Noah shook his head internally.
Power aside, Odin's wordplay was impeccable.
In just a few sentences, he had confirmed Fat Thor's identity, granted him the right to duel Hela, and avoided any political fallout.
"Take notes," Hermione whispered, poking Noah's palm.
"You're going to deal with plenty of wizards who talk like that."
Noah rolled his eyes but didn't respond.
Odin's conversational skill was worth learning.
But Noah had work to do.
As Fat Thor and Hela stepped forward, Noah moved.
Before Hela could say another word, Noah opened the Mirror Dimension.
Hela hesitated.
She knew exactly who this wizard was.
But she wasn't about to give up this chance.
She took a breath, glanced at Fat Thor-already inside-then at Odin.
Odin nodded.
Hela entered the fractured space, jaw clenched.
At that moment, Noah smiled.
It was shameless.
He didn't care.
He was going to cut off Hela's connection to Asgard entirely.
If you were going to cheat, you might as well do it properly.
Watching the duel begin inside the Mirror Dimension, Noah closed his eyes.
Mana flowed silently through space.
Maintaining the Mirror Dimension while two Tier-10 combatants fought was difficult.
Severing its link to Asgard was even harder.
But it wasn't impossible.
It was tedious.
And absolutely worth it.
The moment Fat Thor entered, he unleashed everything.
Lightning erupted around him.
His eyes glowed like arc reactors.
The pressure alone was overwhelming.
When he raised Stormbreaker and swung at Hela, even Noah felt the Mirror Dimension shudder.
Damn it-couldn't you start with a test strike?
Noah cursed inwardly, forcing more mana into the structure to stabilize it.
The Mirror Dimension reflected reality.
Those outside could see everything.
Those inside couldn't affect the outside world.
Fat Thor's brutal opening drew gasps.
Then silence.
Hela's hair flared like a hedgehog as she countered.
Pure power met deadly precision.
Lightning clashed with necro-swords in a violent storm.
Outside, Thor watched closely.
His eyes followed every movement.
Without realizing it, silver light flickered in his own gaze.
A faint lightning aura spread around him.
Inside, the fight was already tilting.
Fat Thor was back at his peak.
If not for the need to distinguish between the two Thors, he probably wouldn't have kept the extra weight.
Every blow forced Hela back.
Noah sensed the strain on the Mirror Dimension and stopped holding back.
With such a perfect excuse, he could do whatever he wanted.
As long as Odin didn't call him out.
Mana flooded the space.
The Mirror Dimension stabilized-and under Noah's interference, began to isolate.
More.
Further.
Finally, it separated completely.
Hela was cut off.
No connection to Asgard.
No reinforcement.
The battle intensified.
Fat Thor looked comical at a glance.
But he was a monster.
His experience and instincts completely overwhelmed Hela.
Everyone watching could see it.
Then, after another brief separation, both sides began to gather power.
In the next instant, Fat Thor moved.
Silver lightning streaked through space.
He appeared behind Hela before she could react.
Stormbreaker, wrapped in devastating lightning, rose high.
Poised to split her head clean open.