Chapter 5: Learning to Open Portals

Tax avoidance is something every company in the world strives to achieve legally, as it is permitted by law. If you have the ability, like Apple or Starbucks, to earn billions of pounds in England each year without paying a penny in taxes, and even get tax refunds, why wouldn't you?

Why is this possible?

These companies have found loopholes in England's tax laws, conducting most of their profitable business through companies registered in Ireland or the Netherlands. The English branches only show about 10% profit margins and have to pay their employees in England. Thus, on paper, these big corporations appear to be running at a loss in England, and losses are not taxable; they can even enjoy tax refunds.

In reality, these companies make more money than their turnover. Apple, for instance, has hundreds of billions of dollars in cash held outside the USA, avoiding taxes under current regulations.

William decided he needed to learn from these big corporations because legal tax avoidance is a global practice. Even the English royal family does it, so he wasn't going to foolishly pay excessive taxes either.

That day, William contacted a company specializing in business registrations. Following their advice, he registered two companies with minimal capital: Devonshire Industries in England and Ireland Import and Export in Ireland. Since both were within the British Isles, he received the operating licenses for both companies the next day.

The following morning, he used the Irish company to sign a contract for 5,000 game CDs with the CD pressing company, paid the bill, and waited three days to have the CDs delivered to his dorm.

He then called Robert Carter, asking him to come over to help with some contract-related matters. Not long after, a knock on the door announced Robert's arrival.

"Hey, mate, can you help me draft a few legal documents? I'll pay you for it," William said.

"What kind of legal documents?" Robert asked, curious.

"I took your advice and registered two companies. One is Devonshire Industries in England, and the other is Ireland Import and Export in Ireland. I need you to draft some contracts to transfer the copyright of Plants vs. Zombies to Devonshire Industries and then authorize the Irish company to sell the game CDs for £1 each."

Robert gave William a puzzled look. His friend, who had always been focused on computer technology, had never discussed legal matters with him before. Then it clicked—William was trying to avoid taxes.

"So, your funds won't enter an Irish bank, meaning Ireland won't collect taxes from you, and England won't get taxes on your £3 profit per CD. Smart move, mate. Are you sure you're not studying law instead of computer science?"

William chuckled internally. This was the simplest form of tax avoidance. If Robert knew about Apple's methods, he'd be even more surprised.

"I do some reading in my spare time. I know a bit about legal tax avoidance. Will there be any legal issues with these contracts?"

"Not at all," Robert laughed. "You're not the only one doing this. Many companies in England operate this way."

Once Robert had handled the authorization contracts, William handed him a box containing 50 game CDs. "You know my situation. This is all I can give you as a fee for now. When I make more money, I'll treat you to a big dinner."

Robert joked, "No problem. You're going to be a rich man, and we lawyers serve the rich. Who knows, I might need to rely on you one day."

William knew Robert was joking. Graduates of the University of London wouldn't work for his small, budding company. "Sure thing, Robert. When I make it big, you'll be my personal lawyer."

"Deal," Robert said, shaking William's hand with a smile.

After a few more jokes and discussing some details, Robert left. William began calling the other students who had prepaid for the game CDs, arranging to meet at his dorm for pickup.

It took a day to hand out all the game CDs. After the last student left and William had dinner, he lay on his bed, feeling aimless. After almost a month of constant work, suddenly having nothing to do felt anticlimactic.

He decided to meditate properly for the first time in days. Entering a deep meditative state, he was startled by the sudden surge in his mental power, breaking his meditation and causing him to investigate.

It turned out that if his mental power had been the size of a sesame seed before, it was now as large as a peanut.

Wondering about this sudden change, a 'ding' sounded in his mind.

'Host's mental power has reached the beginner level. All magic can now be learned.'

So this was beginner-level mental power?

It seemed that the silent system had some use after all. Even if he meditated sporadically, his mental power would continue to increase.

Exploring the magical knowledge and spells in his mind, he realized that as long as his mental power could handle a spell and he understood it, he could learn any level of magic without restriction.

Raising his hand, he formed a flame in his palm. With a wave, the flame expanded into a half-meter diameter ring. He maintained it for over ten minutes before feeling slightly fatigued.

Previously, he couldn't maintain such a flame for more than a minute without feeling exhausted. Now, he could sustain it for over ten minutes with only minor fatigue, indicating his mental power had increased tenfold or more.

Wait, he felt short of breath and a bit oxygen-deprived.

Stopping the spell, William opened the window to take a few deep breaths of fresh air. Leaning against the windowsill, he pondered how to use magic without being discovered.

If only he had Mystique's shapeshifting ability, he could change his appearance and even mimic fingerprints, ensuring no one could trace any magic use back to him.

Then he realized that learning the portal spell would make it impossible for anyone to catch him—perfect for both escape and assassination.

Motivated, William closed the window, drew the curtains, and focused on learning the portal spell.

Thinking about learning the portal spell, the knowledge of the spell imprinted itself into his mind from the system.

Following the instructions, he practiced diligently. Perhaps because he was a soul from another world, he had a special affinity for spatial magic.

Soon, he was able to draw a magical portal circle in his dorm. After several attempts, he felt his mental power lock onto the bathroom within the dorm. Suddenly, a portal opened, allowing him to see his bathroom through it.

Excitedly, without considering the potential dangers, he stepped through the portal and into the bathroom.

Seeing the familiar towels and toothbrushes, William excitedly muttered, "Having a system is awesome. I actually learned this so quickly?"

And without borrowing power from dimension gods, the system provided everything directly.

This spell was a must for escape and travel—truly a divine skill.

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