The Magician of Sound

After clearing their bodies, Kai and the others flew back home. Rick was grinning the entire time, confusing them, except Kai, who heard how he wanted to boast about this to his daughter. He didn't say anything about it though. 

On their way home,

"Say, Kai… What are you going to do after this? We wouldn't have any more missions until the new year, so are you going to stay in our usual place or research the Sound Levitation?" Michelle asked while looking outside the window.

Before Kai could answer, Tasha said, "I will be staying in room 420. I don't know why, but I can concentrate more there." 

"Isn't it usually reverse?" Michelle couldn't help but comment. Usually, one couldn't concentrate when they were around many people, especially when they were talking and disturbing her concentration. 

"That's why I said I don't know. Besides, I can ask Kai to give me some music to change my brainwave to Alpha state." Tasha shrugged. 

Kai shook his head helplessly. Alpha State brainwave meant to be a relaxed focus state where they usually had the most concentration. If it was compared to the people on a sport, it was the same as someone saying they were in the zone. 

"Then I can stay there too. I don't have anything to do anyway, and I can completely isolate myself with the Sound Insulation Room." Kai shrugged.

"I… I will come every other day to do some research on fighting video to polish my style. While I want to have some time to do some physical training since my family is going to help me with that." Ayaka also answered the question even though Michelle only planned to ask Kai.

"I don't have anything to do, so I will drop by every day. I hate my house anyway since they are pretty strict on me." Evan also joined the conversation.

Kai looked at them for a few seconds, wondering whether he should let them know about the raid mission.

In the end, he only asked Michelle, "Do you know about the Raid Mission that will happen once a year?"

Kai's question made Michelle and Evan dumbfounded, not expecting Kai to ask such questions. Michelle had a puzzled look on her face as she asked slowly, "Why do you know about the Raid Mission?"

"From the student council," Kai answered honestly. 

Michelle fell into silence, and this silence made Tasha ask, "What is this Raid Mission?"

Looking at Michelle's troubled expression, Evan decided to answer that question. "Raid Mission is a mission that will only happen once a year. Only the top 100 groups will participate in this mission as it will be a joint event between Magic Academy, Military Academy, and the Army. 

"The government makes this mission because they want the top 100 groups to become an elite amongst the elites. They expect us to learn under the professional about their tactics and other things." 

"Top 100 groups?" Ayaka narrowed her eyes because he found this one to be strange.

"It's normal for you to have some suspicion. The biggest reason why it's only for the top 100 groups is because of the difficulty. Last year, we needed to deal with a war bigger than the one we had in Cuba… around twice as big if I am not wrong. Of course, there were many intelligent magical beasts, which caused many casualties on our side… and I needed to heal them." Evan let out a long sigh as he remembered how he was covered in blood for a full day because of the number of casualties.

After hearing that much explanation, Michelle took over. "We don't know about this year's target, and I might be asking about it later to my grandfather… but the time is random, so you need to be prepared. Of course, I also participated in last year's mission, since I was an S rank magician even though I didn't have a group. As for this year, I would surely be counted as a part of the Lion Group… I am still surprised to hear that question from Kai though."

"Actually, I already know about the mission." Kai made a weird smile as he informed them. Their explanation made him decide to inform them because there was no point in hiding it. In fact, if they knew and had more time to prepare, it would be better.

This statement stunned Evan and Michelle, wondering what kind of mission they would have this year. Surprisingly, Evan was the one who asked instead of Michelle. "Kai, what is the mission this time? Ah, I am going to be covered with blood again this year."

"It's a raid on an underground nest, hosting many insects… but ants took the most population there." Kai shrugged.

Michelle gulped down and asked, "I am wondering… No, I am convinced that my grandfather has stretched his hand on this matter, right?"

"I don't know what to answer. He indeed has a connection to this matter, but it's not as simple as stretching his hand." Kai made a troubled look, wondering if he should explain it or wait for Nathan.

"What do you mean?" Michelle gritted her teeth as she knew this matter wasn't simple.

"He is going to be the one in charge of this operation, or so the information says…" Kai let out a long sigh.

"It seems that old man has lived long enough… Should I send him to the afterworld?" Michelle clasped her hands in anger.

"Don't say that. Although he wants a mission like the previous one in Cuba, he is taking charge of this operation himself, showing us how he wants to be responsible for this." Kai said with a gentle smile. He knew that this was the only way for Kai to be recognized by many people despite the risk of this mission.

And the end goal of this operation would be becoming famous and having a good rank in the military faster than anyone could. If he reached a high enough level, he could stay at home while enjoying the time with his family like Nathan. 

"I know that… but this is overboard." Michelle had a difficulty to let go of this matter in her heart.

"Oh, right. I also need to visit my teacher after the new year." Kai let out a long sigh. Every time he mentioned his teacher, the terrible memories of the past resurfaced in his mind.

"By the way, do you know about the timing?"

"After the new year, it seems they want to weaken the ants first with the winter. Although it might not be very effective, considering they are magical beasts now."

"Indeed. It's still plenty though." Michelle nodded while pondering over a matter. "Still, seeing your teacher first before going for a raid mission, I am wondering if this is another scheme or just a coincidence…"

Kai also wished for the answer, but it shouldn't be related since his teacher wanted him to go there badly. If they were connected, it would be different. 

"Anyway, this is what the student council said to me…" Kai began explaining what happened when he filled the form for the helicopter. All of them listened to him attentively, not leaving any single detail behind. 

It took him a few minutes to explain everything before everyone's communication device rang at the same time. 

Seeing how they got the notification at the same time made them exchange looks with each other for a few seconds before checking the message.

Raid Mission: Underground Nest (Canada)

General in Charge: Nathan Graham

Mission: Cooperate with the Army and Military School to conquer this Underground Nest. The details will be sent later.

Michelle sighed after seeing her grandfather's name, "Haiz, this new year is going to be a special new year."

Evan was also disappointed with this as he didn't like participating in this big-scale battle.

"What can we do now other than preparing?" Kai shrugged as he was already resigned to his fate.

On the other hand, only Ayaka had a certain determination. She was eager to use this new prowess to help Kai but remembered what Ria Ross said and quickly shook off the thought. She thought, 'I can't be impatient… I need to be careful.'

As if he didn't notice Ayaka's change of expression, he said, "I'm going to my teacher's house after the new year, so who wants to come with me? Ayaka must come though."

"I will follow you," Tasha said while Michelle nodded in agreement.

"I am curious about the genius who created the Zodiac Power, but I think I will pass. I have another plan on that day." Evan shook his head. 

"Sure. All of you then… Somehow I can see what she would say when I come…" Kai shook his head and looked down.

Kai's depressed look made Michelle a bit sad, so she decided to change the topic to liven up the mood. "Kai, how about a date tomorrow? There is nothing we need to do after this, so we can have some relaxing time once in a while."

Kai looked up and locked into her eyes for a few seconds before nodding. "Yeah. You are right."

"I'm the second then." Tasha rolled her eyes away while crossing her arms.

Ayaka didn't say anything, but she kept glancing at him, hoping for the same thing.

On the other hand, Evan whispered to him, "Kai, I have meant to ask you this, but how many women are you going to have?"

"Eh? I don't know… though I really don't want too many." Kai sighed. "How about you?"

"Hmm… I don't have attack ability, so if I have too many and those women bullied me, I would be in a bad spot. I will only have one to protect myself." Evan said realistically.

Kai and Evan locked into each other's eyes for a few seconds before shrugging.