The Magician of Sound

"Thus, the details of my plan." Kai ended his explanation. It had already been three hours since then, but no one was actually tired except, of course, Nathan. He hadn't gotten any rest and continued to participate in the meeting while standing. Although he had grown used to the wound, it was still hard to stay wounded like that for a few hours.

As for the other commanders, none dared to talk about anything. They occasionally glanced at Nathan, but still discussed with Kai warmly. Of course, they didn't act like that because of fear, especially on Ria's scariness, but because of Kai's sophisticated plan. 

After an hour, they were dumbstruck and followed his explanation to the end. In the next hour, Yuki, who had the closest relationship with him, began asking about some areas. Kai answered them one by one with patience. 

Ria Ross didn't say a single thing in this meeting because every answer of his was already given by her as homework.

It was only after the last hour, the other commanders began talking. The meeting had been covered within three hours, and Nathan officially stopped the meeting.

"Alright. We have gotten the strategy for this mission. You guys can start preparing the soldiers and your own group. I will search Evan Young." Nathan tiredly said while clutching his broken hand. Via was worried about his condition, so she followed him.

As for the commanders, all of them exchanged looks, having no words to say. 

"Alright, you guys can do your business." Ria Ross waved his hand, gesturing them to go away.

The commanders quickly rose from their seat, saluted to her one last time, and left the room. 

Outside the room, Kai could hear them talking.

"Ah, it's a good plan. To think a student is able to construct such a plan."

"You are right, especially when he is still first-year. As expected from Ria Ross's student."

"Still, how can we actually know nothing about it?" 

"Indeed. Her fame was already resounded throughout the world as the hero of this generation, considering she beat an S rank magical beast."

"True enough. Many actually want to learn her strength, from younger generations to some older men. Yet, no one would be able to put themselves in her eyes."

"No one knows."

They continued talking about Kai, Ria, and the plan before going on their own way at the exit. 

Kai turned his head around and looked at Ria Ross. "Teacher, what are you doing here? I'm sure you are not that petty to come here just to beat Sir Nathan up."

Ria fell into silence, stared at Kai, and let out a long sigh. She rose from her seat and fixed her long green coat. "How about coming with me for a second?"

Kai accepted her invitation. "Where are we going?"

"Rooftop. I want fresh air." Ria walked out of the room and made her way to the top. 

The silence between them continued even though the loud machine and noises from soldiers filled the atmosphere outside. 

After climbing the stairs a few times, Kai and Ria arrived on the snow-white rooftop. Ria walked forth, ignoring the quite deep snow and grabbed the railing, looking down on the soldiers. 

"Teacher…" Kai called her name once again.

"You want to know my reason, right? Actually, there are several reasons and one of them being Nathan."

"Is it too hard to talk about it with me?" Kai asked carefully. 

"Nah, it is not hard." Ria shook her head. "Before explaining myself, how about you answer a few questions from me?"

"Sure." Kai nodded calmly, staring at her back. 

"When are you going to join the battle? I know that you are already excellent enough as a tabletop strategist. However, you still need to know about the actual battlefield." Ria Ross asked. 

"Hmm… I will be going as a part of the Attacker Army." Kai paused for a moment and continued. "As for the timing, I am not sure. Most probably, I will go after two or three hours…"

"Alright. Since you have chosen the timing yourself, I have no qualms about it." Ria nodded. "Then, considering Evan Young is better on the back, will you let him stay behind or still bring him to the front line."

"I will bring him to the front line, and I'm sure Teacher already saw through my intention just by watching my plan," Kai said while narrowing his eyes.

"True enough. You are going to set up a few rally points underground and stationed Evan along with a few medics there, right?"

"Yes. This is going to be a long battle, considering there are around fifty thousand magical beasts inside this nest. The shortest will be three days with a week to be the latest." Kai nodded. 

"Yeah. I can see the timing. At least, it's better than most strategies the army would think up... as expected of my student." Ria chuckled. 

Kai smiled.

"So, have you overcome the trauma of me?"

"..." He fell into deep thought. "I know that you are training me for good back then, but it's really a brutal experience as expected. Though I'm not as repulsed like I used to be, I still need a bit more time."

Ria Ross closed her eyes and smiled, walking toward Kai before suddenly hugging him. "It's fine. I have prepared for such a thing. In any case, you can go whatever you want and just know that I will always be in your back. Just like the situation in United Asia, you could easily solve it as long as you called me. Nevertheless, I was also to be blamed for this." 

"Yes. Thank you, Teacher." Kai closed his eyes and smiled. "Is this all? How about you talk to me about your reasons here, Teacher. After all, you aren't acting normally."

"Sure. However, I want to say one more thing to you. Listen well." Ria's expression turned serious. "This path will require sacrifice, and you shall know that sometimes sacrifices are needed. Whether you are sacrificing ten thousand men to save a single person or sacrificing a single person to save ten thousand men, I will always believe in your choice. We are human, and we will always be bound by selfishness like me, who will abandon the entire humanity just to save my only student and family."

Kai closed his eyes and smiled. "Thank you, Teacher."

After tightly embracing him for a few minutes, Ria released him and said. "The other reasons I'm here… Do you hear anything wrong inside the Underground Nest?"

"Hmm? Anything wrong?" Kai furrowed his eyebrows and tilted his head. "No. I only hear magical beasts footsteps this whole time and some occasional roar from them. Teacher, are you setting up a flag for me?"

"I don't have that kind of attention." Ria shook her head with a serious face. If it were the usual her who would shake her head while joking, Kai wouldn't need to worry so much. 

"Is there something wrong about the mission?" Kai asked.

"You have heard about the SS rank magical beasts, right?" 

"Those humans that had turned into half-beasts and escaped from the base?" Kai's eyes turned sharp.

"Yeah. They escaped to the north, but I was not sure about their position. That's why I didn't participate in the Cuba War unless I knew that the SSS rank magical beast, the protector, would join." Ria Ross said. "I'm here just to check whether they are here or not, especially with my student participating in this mission."

"I see." Kai nodded. "I could understand Teacher's worry. You might probably think they have become that way because of your research, but for me, it's always life-saving research."

"That's right. At least, I want to kill them with my own hands because of this blunder." Ria said.

"Don't worry. I haven't heard a single thing about them in the Underground Nest. Since they are half-human half-beast, they should be able to speak, right? Yet, I haven't heard a single word uttered in this place." Kai smiled.

"Well, I will probably watch your battle on the surface. I have already come here anyway." Ria Ross smirked.

"I will try to not disappoint Teacher." Kai nodded.

"Alright, enough about this serious talk. I also bring good news for you." Ria Ross smirked. "The medicine for that little girl has finally done. And after some tuning… maybe in another year, I can get you medicine to kill the genetic cell during pregnancy."

"That's good news." Kai agreed with the first one. As for the second one, he glanced left and right with his fingers flinching. "I am not sure whether I am prepared to be a father yet. I still have some responsibilities, and the girls are still active at school and mission. Maybe after I graduate, I will think about it."

"Sure enough. Better to be safe than sorry anyway." Ria Ross shrugged. "Besides, I'm not like that Old Fox who was at his death door, hoping to hug his grandchild before he died." 

"Ahaha…" Kai let out a hollow laugh, not knowing what to comment. 

"Anyway, since the medicine is ready, you can use it after this mission. Maybe you want to do it at my house so we can do another test just for precaution."

"Sure. I will bring Ayaka after this mission." Kai nodded.

Ria Ross nodded and began walking downstairs. "I have said everything that needs to be said. The rest is up to you." 

"Teacher," Kai called her name to stop her. "You don't need to come like this again in the future. If I have a mission in Canada, I will surely check whether the place has them or not. And probably, I will finish them for you."

Ria smiled and turned around. "If you can do it, that is."

After saying those words, she walked away, leaving Kai alone on the rooftop.