The hero's gender is yet to be determined after rebirth.

"Your Majesty the future Demon King, please forgive me for being unable to offer you the highest respect due to my academy affiliation."

The other party's humble tone made Meilan feel very comfortable.

"We, your supporters, are sincerely happy for you. Your Majesty, you have the opportunity to enter the Misty Sea, which gives you a chance to further improve yourself. If you can absorb the immense energy of the Misty Sea, you will surely be able to directly reach the pinnacle of high-magic anthropomorphic arcane arts!"

“Absorbing the energy of the Misty Sea…” Although Meilan was wary of this mysterious organization, she was still interested in this statement.

"The Misty Sea is a cultivation ground built by Saintess Elena after slaying nearly a hundred gods and demons from the northern wilderness and southern swamps. Although energy is not differentiated between gods and demons, as a high-ranking demon and the future Demon King, you will find it easier to absorb this energy. You only need to follow a method we have been researching for a long time..."

"..." Meilan did not express her opinion, but quietly kept the method the other party mentioned in her heart.

She didn't trust this person at all, but that didn't stop her from acquiring a certain skill. The innate abilities of a high-level demon should allow her to fully assess whether the skill was as described.

Upon first hearing it, Meilan sensed that the method of absorbing energy from the Misty Sea was genuine.

"But what is the price?" Meilan asked.

Every shortcut comes at a price.

Just like the Sevi people can obtain a lot of energy to modify their bodies when they reach adulthood, the price is that their gender is yet to be determined, which can also be understood as their strength not being fully utilized before their gender is determined.

If high-level demons rapidly increase their power by acquiring large amounts of energy instead of through cultivation, even with the humanoid magic of high-level demons as a buffer, there will still be sacrifices. However, the magic can mitigate the cost to a certain extent.

"When you complete your transformation into a Demon King, this secret technique will make a request of you. But no one knows what that request will be; it's completely random. It might require you to slaughter 100,000 living beings, or it might just be a few pounds of Sunset Fruit, or it might be to build an altar for the Demon race. But it will definitely be something you can do; it won't be an impossible request."

"What if I refuse to do it?"

The man replied humbly, “I dare not conceal from Your Majesty the future Demon King: the corresponding coercive force will compel you to complete this task. This is the price of energy; once the energy merges with you, you must complete it.”

"I understand. What's your organization called? It's not the Black Robes, is it?"

"The Black Robe is just a branch of our organization; our organization's name is Black Abyss." The man subtly revealed a badge that was very similar to the one on the Black Robe.

"Black Abyss... So what are your wishes?" Meilan narrowed her eyes.

She was simple and honest, not stupid or foolish. Even her grandmother taught her that no one gets up early without a reason.

"We are delighted to hear of Your Majesty's concern for us," the man said respectfully. "Human life is far too short..."

"I understand now, so you wanted to become demonized." Meilan immediately understood.

High-ranking demons, at the Demon King level or above, can take intelligent beings as their servants; this method is called demonization. Humans, through demonization, can gain a lifespan close to that of their masters.

"How wise Your Majesty is."

After asking a few more questions about the details, the Black Abyss Messenger left.

Meilan absentmindedly bought lunch and returned to the small villa.

Tomorrow, the Misty Sea will be open to the Lorenwei team.

Meilan stood in front of the small villa, gazing at the sky, her mind uneasy.

Chapter 280 The Mist Queen, We're Engaged! (Addendum: Not just the two of us, it's us...)

That evening, in preparation for entering the Misty Sea the next day, Lorenwei went to see the headmaster.

Sylph finally stopped clinging to Lorenwei and started looking through the bookshelf, preparing something.

Kurara and Sally are still training, and they know the gap between them and their teammates.

Melan lay on the Slime King in a daze, but at least she didn't seem abnormal to anyone.

Inside the principal's office.

"We waited a whole day! Finally, we're allowed into the Misty Sea," Lorenwei complained to Headmistress Bordonna, clearly dissatisfied.

“The Misty Sea is an energy space created by the Saintess, and opening this door is not easy.” The headmaster explained briefly and then focused on the situation of Lorenwei’s parents. “Your mother wrote to me. She doesn’t know much about prematurely defining races, but she warned you to be careful that too many relatives could lead to premature classification, and said that premature classification has both good and bad aspects for you.”

Lorenwei asked nervously, "What's the bad side?"

"If we were to define it beforehand, it would definitely be female, not male."

"Then I'll have to be extra careful. On the bright side?"

"There won't be any problems with the qualitative energy, and the physical enhancement will still be achieved as expected. After the Sevi people's energy is qualitatively determined, their bodies will be reshaped, and the strength will depend on their talent. Based on your level of talent, the strongest member of the Sevi people will likely emerge. Of course, this is just your mother's speculation."

“Her judgment is usually quite accurate, so I won’t brag about myself,” Lorenwei pondered. “Then I’d better be careful not to make a premature judgment.”

Bordonna jokingly said, "You really want to settle for a boy? That would mean losing a stunning beauty."

“Who cares?” Lorenwei said, but she subconsciously glanced at the mirror.

Bordonna: "There were cases of women living together in your ancestors' lineage, and we don't know how they had children. It is said that high-ranking demons have certain secret methods that allow them to have offspring regardless of gender."

“Hey, is this considered misleading children?” Lorenwei protested.

Bordonna laughed and said no more: "Your parents also said that the Fate Empire is making some small moves, but they have been suppressed by your parents on the surface. However, it seems that the empire's higher-ups have other plans, especially since they have discovered a more hidden organization: the Black Abyss."

Why are there so many mysterious organizations? Lorenwei was taken aback: "Black Abyss... what's its relationship with Black Robe?"

“They’re connected to the Black Robes, but not entirely. I’ve been aware of this organization before, but haven’t made much progress. Your parents are also investigating. They just say something minor is interfering with the investigation and will take longer than expected.” Bordonna frowned.

Lorenwei shared her deduction: "I think it might be some kind of underhanded operation by some country. For example, they might have this kind of mysterious organization do things that are difficult to do openly."

“You and I are thinking the same thing. I didn’t expect someone so young to have such insight,” Bordonna praised. “Have you thought of the Fate Empire?”

“Great minds think alike. I suspect it’s a backup plan left by the higher-ups of the Fate Empire. For example, the old emperor thought unifying the continent was too difficult, so he sought out organizations like the Black Robe to carry out underhanded tactics, or even colluded with the demons. There are so many tricks involved, such as summoning the Demon King to seek immortality, so that he wouldn’t have to worry about not being able to unify the continent even if he died of old age.”

"Haha, what you said makes some sense, but it's a bit too bold."

Lorenwei also felt that her analogy was inappropriate: "Hahaha, how could that be? Humans colluding with demons would only happen if the old emperor was really dying. A dying nobleman would never hesitate to summon the Demon King to save his own life."

After exchanging a few jokes, Bordonna continued, "I told my sister about your situation. It seems she was quite busy and it took her a long time to get in touch. Her assessment of your condition is that if you have a persistent low-grade fever, your body is entering a preparatory phase for sexual activity. If you kiss again, it will definitely accelerate that preparatory phase."

"Huh? Don't scare me." Lorenwei subconsciously touched her wrist and felt that her pulse was indeed a bit fast, which meant that her body temperature was still slightly high.

"Would you like to give it a try?"

Lorenwei said nervously, "Who would dare to do something like that?! Considering what you said about my mother's judgment, doesn't that mean if I kiss someone again, I'll be labeled a woman beforehand?"

“Very likely. I don’t know how you feel, but I see a special charm about you right now, very much like Aise, or your mother Aises’s Flower Festival situation.” Bordonna’s eyes showed a nostalgic look, and she said regretfully, “Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, she was deceived by your father…”

After explaining the situation regarding the joint efforts with the Kingdom of Percy to suppress the Black Robe Organization, Lorenwei returned to the small villa.

However, on her way back, Lorenwei made a simple face mask.

"What's wrong with you?" Kurara and Sally asked curiously when they saw Lorenwei.

Lorenwei said something none of them understood: "Safety first."

Sally whispered to Lorenwei, "Thank you."

"Huh?" Lorenwei didn't understand. Why was she being addressed with honorifics?

“I know some things. Also, I have some ulterior motives, but it’s not appropriate to say them now. Please be patient, I need some time. After the special training in the Misty Sea is completed, I will seriously consider my feelings and tell you.”

Lorenwei was completely confused: "Huh?"

“I won’t reveal anything. I’m truly grateful to you.” Sally bowed deeply to Lorenwei and then ran off.

Lorenwei watched with rapt attention the entire time.

Because it was a training outfit, Sally's neckline was a bit low, and Lorenwei could tell in an instant that she was quite well-developed...

"You're watching very carefully. What do you think? Not bad, right?" Kurara's voice rang out from the side.

"I'm much younger than you, cough cough, let's go back."

Kurara wasn't thinking about jealousy. She sheathed her knight's sword, stroked the spatial ring on her finger, and said as she walked with Lorenvi, "I wonder when your parents will be back?"

"God knows, that overdue newlywed couple is probably having a great time all over the continent."

"Don't speak ill of your parents," Kurara said gently, looking up at the darkening night sky. "My parents sent a letter saying the Kingdom of Posi is under a lot of diplomatic pressure..."

Lorenwei stopped and looked at Kurara.

Kula blushed and turned her head away, unable to meet her gaze.

Lorenwei understood what Kurara meant by urging them to get engaged: "...How about we find some time to announce our engagement?"

"..." Kurara clenched her hands nervously, twisting her body slightly but remaining silent.

Lorenwei asked earnestly, "What time do you think would be best?"

“I… I’m not doing this for the country, I really want to be with you…” Kurara explained in a very soft voice.

Lorenwei took her hand: "Then let's announce our engagement after the Misty Sea."

"We didn't say it was just the two of us..." In an instant, the image of the female elf flashed into Lorenwei's mind.

“Okay.” Kurara also squeezed Lorenwei’s hand.

Just then, a series of "plop plop" sounds came from inside.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Melanie and the Slime King emerged from beside the small Western-style building.

Kula blushed and turned to run into the building.

"Lorenve, I have something to say to you." Melan, having taken in the Slime King, unusually beckoned to Lorenve to go to a secluded spot to talk.

Chapter 281 Lorenwei's Banners Everywhere: All Agreed Upon After the Misty Sea

"Lorenwei, I'm so grateful for your care all this time."

In the quiet forest, Meilan stood under the moonlight and uttered these words.

"Don't scare me..." Lorenwei sounded like something was wrong.

These words sound like something spoken before a life-or-death separation.

Meilan laughed and said, "Haha, actually I was just reminiscing. I met you as soon as I entered the academy, it's quite a coincidence. It's just that you were an average-looking boy back then."

"We met because of a chicken leg, one that had already been eaten," Lorenwei said with a smile as she sat down on a rock and took out a dried chicken leg from her spatial ring. "Here, want to try some?"

“There wasn’t as much meat left on the chicken leg back then as on yours, so of course I’m going to eat it.” Meilan smiled and sat down next to Lorenwei, taking the chicken leg and taking a big bite.

Lorenwei teased, "When I saw the look in your eyes when you threw the chicken bone back, so reluctant, especially that hesitant movement... to be honest, you were..."

“Yes, I really wanted to take a bite then. But eating someone else’s leftovers is only something very close people do. That’s what my grandmother taught me.” Meilan handed her half-eaten chicken leg to Lorenwei.

Lorenwei smiled and took a bite, but Meilan pulled the chicken leg back, saying, "You don't eat much, so I'll eat it."

Neither of them minded food that the other had bitten.