"This was not something I could agree to on the spot," Odin explained.
"It's understandable, you can think about it slowly, but please make sure it's within a reasonable time frame," Ian nodded.
"What other preparations do you suggest we make?" Frigga asked.
"My plan is very simple and straightforward: become powerful. So, you do whatever is necessary to increase Asgard's military strength, train Thor to truly develop his potential, and increase your allies," Ian explained. "However, I do recommend that you let me train the second prince."
"Loki?"
"Yes, he is a very talented mage, and I can mold him into a real strong man." Ian did not ask to train Thor, because the latter is the next heir to the throne, and Odin may suspect that he is trying to brainwash the future King of Asgard.
However, Loki - who had been secretly groomed to be Thor's advisor all his life - was a different story. Of course, it's also possible that Odin didn't want anyone to interfere with his son's training.
"It might be a good idea to give him a change of scenery," Frigga commented, but Odin did not share his thoughts on the matter.
"Finally," Ian added. "Is there any way to get Hela to join our side?" The room suddenly became quiet.
Frigga has nothing to say, because Hela is her stepdaughter, and she left not long after she married Odin.
"I'm afraid that's impossible," All-Father replied. "She has an insatiable thirst for power and only cares about the throne."
"But deep down she also has a high level of pride, and a respect for strength and the strong," Ian explained. "So, we can seduce her. We seduce her with the promise of freedom and the throne, as long as she can defeat Thor. However, if she loses, she must serve him without complaint or disloyalty. We use magic contracts to ensure that everyone abides by the rules."
Odin's eyes lit up. If this plan works, his son will have a brother as a tactical advisor and a sister as a powerful general. Then, he no longer has to worry about Asgard's future.
"It does sound tempting, but you also saw what she did to him."
"You also know that Thor has the potential to win," Ian countered. "With the right training and preparation, he is guaranteed to win."
"Ready?"
"I have a very advanced Illusion Magic at my disposal that can perfectly recreate all of her powers and abilities. He can be trained to prepare for a battle with her."
Odin frowned. He had to admit that he was tempted, not only because his son was expected to have such a capable companion, but also because of this idea - this might be the only way for his family to reunite and become whole again.
"But what if he loses?"
"With all due respect, All-Father. If he still loses despite having so many advantages, considering the crisis the world is about to face, it might not be a bad idea to hand the throne to her."
Odin resisted the urge to refute these words. In times of peace, his daughter would have been a terrible ruler. But in an era of chaos, war, and uncertainty, her ruthlessness and brutal methods were perfectly suited to rule Asgard.
"This needs to be digested, so we'll call it a day," Odin announced. "I trust you'd like to use our the Library?"
"Of course."
"It should be fine."
Ian left shortly after, thinking to himself that Odin was indeed old, which was reflected in his indecisive character, although one might view it as wisdom and maturity.
"What do you think?" he asked his wife.
"I don't see anything wrong with his plan," Frigga replied.
"Aren't you worried about revealing the power of Odinforce?"
"You should have noticed that he was able to formulate such a complicated plan to cure you, which shows that his scans already have a basic understanding of Odinforce," Frigga explained. "How many people in the vast universe do you think can do this?"
"Not much," Odin replied. Odinforce is his masterpiece, his life's work, and his highest achievement in the fields of magic and technology. So, when he said that not many people can understand it, let alone copy it, he is not bragging.
"I suggest we do what he says," Frigga continued. "If you're worried about Odinforce, you just need to upgrade it once it's back to peak condition. With your experience and knowledge gained from him the Library, that shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"I'm glad you have so much faith in me, but I don't know."
"Is there any reason for your hesitation?"
"I saw my younger self in him," Odin explained. "Ambitious, ruthless, powerful, with unbridled desires. I didn't know if trusting him was a good idea."
"I understand how you feel, but I also see other positive traits in him that are similar to yours: your intelligence, desire to innovate, and protectiveness," Frigga stated her point of view. "More importantly, I agree with what he said: In order to deal with the coming chaos, we need people like that."
"Are you saying I'm old and dim?"
"Maybe." She chuckled, showing off her charming and elegant nature.
"What about the children?"
"We have prepared a feasible plan for Thor. As for Loki, I will ask for his opinion."
"Very good. I'll go talk to Hela."
After entering the Library, Ian used a device to scan and record each book, and then Morgana understood them and instilled the knowledge into his mind.
Asgard's magic follows the same rules as Kamar-Taj mages, except that they combine technology and magic. No, for Asgardians, technology and magic are the same thing.
Their technology tree is built on machines or objects that can use different energies in the universe to produce different effects or be used in various aspects of life. This is the product of a mage civilization developing magical technology.
'Why would Asgardians be considered a god? By all definitions I know, they don't fit the criteria,' Ian thought to himself as he walked out of the Library. There wasn't anything top secret about Asgard here, so he didn't need to stay long.
'I want to know what qualifications make them gods?' Asgardians is regarded as a god, not because the local people worshiped them so much when Odin visited the Scandinavia peninsula. In the Omnipotence City that appears in <Thor: Love and Thunder>, they are regarded as gods only after they have been recognized by other pantheons.
Frigga's bedroom:
"Mom, what do you want from me?" Loki asked while holding her arm while walking.
"Your father and I have something we would like to ask your opinion on?"
"Father?"
"Yes, we would like to know if you are interested in receiving magic training at Midgard?"
"Midgard?" Loki frowned. He was trying to find an excuse to approach the mage and steal his source of power. Now, success could be said to have fallen into his arms, but he still couldn't help but have doubts.
"Is this some kind of punishment? Father is going to exile me? Have I done something wrong?"
"No, no, dear. This is just a suggestion. If you don't want to go, you don't have to go," Frigga explained quickly, then stopped and faced him.
"What about Thor? Is he going to Midgard too?"
"Your brother will face his own challenges and training."
"Training? What happened?" This God of Mischief was not stupid, he noticed something. Frigga sighed, "Something did happen, but it has nothing to do with you."
"Mother, you make me very worried."
"Don't worry."
Loki has known his mother for so long that he knows when she will be soft on him and when she will make a decision that cannot be changed. Unfortunately, this time it is the latter.
"As you wish?"
"So, what's your decision? Or do you need some time to think about it?"
"It's okay for me to go to Midgard," Loki replied after thinking briefly.
"That's good." Frigga could see what her son was planning, and usually, it was nothing good. But this time, she could only say in her heart: 'My dear, you are going to suffer.'