The Magician of Sound

The rumor spread around for a few days.

Everyone, whether they were students, teachers, citizens, soldiers, was talking about this mysterious person that had such a feat. 

However, the people from Prince Rupert, Cuba, or even the subjugation force who saw Kai's performances with their own eyes knew he was the mysterious person. They rejoiced in their own bases. If they were not stuck inside their respective bases, they would tell the story to others.

The whole base rejoiced to have such a person in the future. Yet, only those who purely wished for the better. 

Those who had their own pride as the strongest younger generations, those who thought about the prosperity of their own families or even those who had some problems with this issue, couldn't necessarily smile upon this news. 

And this was how the US base greeted the start of February.

Kai, who was the center of this problem, actually enjoyed his time in their room, doing his research about Sound Levitation. This research took him a very long time due to the complexity that he needed to deal with, especially with the loud sound that would burst his eardrums.

Nonetheless, Kai spent his time leisurely while his group was laughing over this matter.

It was only three days later, specifically 4th February, Kai finally went to Colorado, fulfilling the summon.

The white house had been moved to Colorado due to this catastrophic event. His father and mother obviously followed him. In fact, his entire group, including Evan, had been invited to participate in the ceremony. 

In the morning,

*Ding!*

Someone rang the bell in their room. His family went ahead, so they could talk with those who knew Kai. On the other hand, Kai was still busy with his uniform and stuff. 

"Wait a minute!" Kai shouted from the inside before reaching the door.

"You are ready, kid… No, I should say, Are you ready, Second Lieutenant Kai Carter?" Sherwin was the one waiting for him. 

"Please don't joke about it, Sir Sherwin. You know that I am not good with that formal stuff, right?" Kai shrugged.

"Haha… I am too excited at the moment. This will be the first time I can watch this type of procession. After all, I was only a simple soldier when it was Ria Ross's ceremony." Sherwin couldn't stop grinning. "Anyway, we need to go right now."

Kai nodded and came out of his room before going with Sherwin.

Not long after, they arrived at the building for the ceremony. As expected, there were so many guards nearby, and Kai could hear them. He ignored them and made his way toward the hall, walking through the red carpet.

Sherwin purposely chose the back door because there were too many reporters in front. On the other hand, there were only several media that had the privilege to follow this ceremony. 

Kai arrived on the backstage and waited with Sherwin. 

"We will stand by here and wait for the president to deliver his speech and call you."

"I understand." Kai nodded before turning to a certain middle-aged man that slowly ascended to the stage. 

The middle-aged man had black hair with several strands of white hair in between. His body looked insanely fit. Kai's animal instinct was even roaring inside upon sensing the aura from this man.

Kai was astonished and thought, 'So this is the president? I heard he had served the army in the past, and the report seemed to do justice for him.'

"That is our president, Brent Joseph," Sherwin whispered. 

Kai nodded.

The president looked upon the audience and cameras before saying. "I welcome you to the White House. We are coming here for a single young man that has gallantly commanded the army a few times. His conduct and strength are one befitting the epitome of a soldier. Without further ado, let us call Second Lieutenant Kai Carter with warm applause."

*Applause.*

Kai slowly walked toward the stage and stood a few meters from the president. He looked at the people and cameras with a solemn expression.

Many people gasped at this moment as they found out that this person was actually someone who migrated a few months ago. They knew because they knew his sister, Tasha Carter, as S rank magician. Yet, to think the brother was even more extraordinary from his sister. Many thoughts arose in their head. 

"Out of many things I want to convey, I would first convey my utmost gratitude…" The president continued his speech from his military achievement to Kai's personal information, such as his identity as an immigrant and Ria Ross's student.

"…Hence, as a thank and appreciation of his effort, I, on behalf of the Congress, shall make an exception to raise his military rank despite being a student and raise his military rank as Second Lieutenant. Semper fi." After a long twenty minutes speech, he finally finished and walked off the podium, making his way toward Kai.

Nathan was standing beside the stage all this time, carrying Kai's Medal of Honor. He walked to the stage, stood beside the president, and presented the medal for everyone to see. 

Suddenly, the moderator started his speech.

"President of the US Base, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Second Lieutenant Kai Carter, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond call of duty while serving as a strategist in Quebec, Underground Nest subjugation.

"Without hesitation and with the permission of General-in-charge Nathan Graham, Second Lieutenant Kai Carter took command of the entire army in an attempt to stop a certain annihilation by thirty thousand magical beasts and a Mutated Magical Beast capable of commanding magical beasts with strategies and tactics.

"He managed to kill the Mutated Magical Beast and took command in subjugating the rest of magical beasts with minimum loss. By his undaunted courage, bold fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Second Lieutenant Kai Carter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest tradition of the army." 

As soon as the moderator finished his speech, Nathan and Brent looked at each other as Nathan presented the medal to him. After that, the president went behind him and put the medal on Kai's neck. He then moved to his front and shook Kai's hand.

"I have high hope on you."

"Thank you." Kai nodded with a solemn expression.

Another round of applause filled the room. 

In the back, his father, James Carter, could only shake his head. "I fail as his father. To think I have become his burden this whole time."

"Haha… Don't say that, Father. You have fulfilled your job as a father splendidly, I can vouch for you. Kai is just that different. Yet, he still considered you as the dearest family. Can't you see it from his action? You are the best father he… No, we can hope for." Tasha corrected him before hugging her mother. "Of course, mom is the same."

The two parents couldn't help but smile.

Near them, Ayaka and her parents also attended the ceremony no matter how busy they were. There was also a sense of pride as if Kai was their own son. 

Even Kudo Yoshihiro almost cried and thought. 'Father, Ayaka will be fine. We don't need to worry about her anymore.'

Far from their seats, Roy Fisher and James Young were talking with each other. On the other hand, Isabelle and Evan looked away, annoyed. After all, they were talking about a marriage between the two, considering Isabelle and Evan were childhood friends like them. That was why Evan knew Isabelle and how different Isabelle acted to Evan. 

For Roy Fisher, Evan was already an included package with Kai Carter. On the other hand, James Young only thought about getting Evan a woman to brighten his life. 

"Still, United Asia has lost so much by chasing him away," said James while narrowing his eyes.

"I agree. I wonder what kind of face they put right now?" Roy nodded in agreement.

"Unlike our government system, theirs was worse since they were too useless against the families."

"Indeed. What I want to see is the face of those who chased him away."

Roy and James smirked evilly. 

"Still, they might send an assassin to him." James sighed.

"Don't worry. It won't be too soon. The president should be aware of this situation. By presenting the Medal of Honor and military rank, he could openly protect Kai as well as make him stay in this base."

"True enough. He must have made his preparation to guard Kai Carter… No, it should be his parents." 

They suddenly turned serious.

Meanwhile, in the Student Council Room sat four people astonished by the news. The president and vice-president, Bryan and Mia, exchanged looks and smiled. 

"It seems Michelle's man is one of a kind… It could be said he is a freak." Bryan took a deep breath to calm himself down. He was pretty happy to know that Michelle chose a man that could protect her.

"Indeed. To think he is actually that Ria Ross's student. It's truly surprising." Mia nodded before looking at the other two. "How is it? He is a great man, right?"

"Humph. I wasn't questioning his credibility. I just worried about Michelle's safety." The secretary, Lexis, looked away.

"As long as that little girl is happy, I don't mind." Theo, the treasurer, nodded in agreement.

They first doubted him because he was only a new person in this base. Hence, they followed him in every mission by reading the report and were satisfied.

Mia and Bryan smiled at these two and wished Michelle the best.

The euphoria filled the entire base. The young men were inspired by him, thinking they could impress girls this way. The young girls looked at Kai's face, wondering if there was one like Kai nearby. 

Unfortunately, these were not the end. They sent goosebumps for not only the US base but also the EU Base and United Asia, especially three important people…