The Magician of Sound

"That's how it is." Kai rested his head on the table, saying nonchalantly.

The girls and Evan couldn't say anything after listening to his story.

After getting an agreement with the people, Sofia decided to return to the EU Base, leaving Julia together with the other Zodiac subjects. She was going to prepare everything for the next two months, where she enrolled in the Magic Academy.

"This is going to be troublesome." Evan sighed.

Kai shrugged as he already decided to do it. Of course, he didn't tell the girls about their exoskeletons, so they only knew that he would most likely get an exoskeleton, increasing his strength even further.

"What can we do other than accept it?" Michelle thought for a moment and said, "Besides, the mission gives you the exoskeleton. If I am not wrong, there will be another big mission not long after we become second-year students."

"That's right. It's the Raid Mission. Albeit, I don't think I can tell anyone about this until I receive permission from Sir Nathan." Kai shrugged.

"Seeing the Raid Mission come this soon…" Tasha narrowed her eyes as the girls' expressions turned serious. They needed to speed everything a bit.

"There is nothing for us to do anyway, so it's better to increase our training in the meantime." Ayaka let out a long sigh.

Evan looked down as if he gathered his resolve before he stared at Kai for a minute.

"Hmm? Do you need anything from me?" Kai asked.

"If you don't mind, I would like you to teach me how to fight in close combat. I don't really have any special weapons, so I think I will do it with my fists."

"Ho?!" Kai smirked, planning to tease him since he must want to increase his strength because of Isabelle. However, the thought disappeared the moment he saw his determined expression. "Sure. I will be your practice partner. I don't really have any advice about this, since I am using swords, but I know you will improve as long as we keep fighting. Besides, I also need someone to test my new magic, and with your healing ability, isn't this perfect? If you don't mind being my punching bag, sure, I will do it."

"Haha… This is give and take. I have taken your time by asking you to train me. That's why I will also be your training partner. I will do it." Evan laughed and shook Kai's hand with a serious expression.

"Then, it's a deal." Kai nodded with a smile.

"I don't know if you have known this, but the school doesn't have a vacation." Michelle suddenly interrupted them.

"I know. We are a kind of soldier, so it's normal to not have a vacation like this unless we apply for it or something special happens. Luckily, the school gives us a rest period of two months where we don't need to go on a mission." Kai recalled the guide book about the school and nodded. "Seeing that we have fought in Miami, the school makes an exception and treats that one as our mission this month. In other words, June and July will be the perfect time to get stronger."

"That's good." All of them shouted in unison, pumping their fists.

"Now that I think about it, Tasha's and Evan's birthday is coming soon, right?" Kai glanced at both of them. "Do you want anything? Ah! This is not a question for Evan. I will just buy a movie ticket for a couple."

He didn't forget to add another teasing in his serious question.

"Oi!" Evan looked away with a tinge red on his cheek. He always thought about Isabelle first, but after the battle, they had a good talk. At that time, he realized that he never considered Isabelle's feelings in his actions and felt guilty. That was why he started becoming conscious of this girl, and Kai couldn't help but tease him.

On the other hand, Tasha grinned as if she had a perfect wish. "I also want something like Michelle. I mean, she got a date with you for a whole day, so I also want the same."

"Is that all? You can ask me anything." Kai tilted his head in confusion.

"Fufu… That is all." Tasha smiled gently. "I just want to spend time with you alone. Is that not possible?"

"If that is what you want, sure, I will make time on that day."

"Great!" Tasha pumped her fist before she smirked at Ayaka and Michelle. "That's right. I will also request the medicine from Professor Ria!"

"!!!" Michelle and Ayaka realized her plans and stood up. Michelle even slammed the table and shouted. "That's not fair. I didn't go all the way back then!"

Meanwhile, Ayaka looked away and muttered to herself. "My birthday is coming soon as well… Last year was a hell mess, so I forgot my birthday…"

She kept glancing at Kai, embarrassed to say her request out loud.

Kai gently smiled. "Well, I will simply make space on that day. It's nothing to worry about."

"That's right. My brother will be born soon. I think it's after Tasha's birthday." Michelle added with a pout. "I think you want to come with me to the hospital and meet my parents."

"Of course." Kai nodded. "He is my brother-in-law soon, and he even saves me from trouble in Graham Family."

"True enough. Still, to think you have become bolder." Michelle made a smug face.

Kai shrugged.

The group chatted for another half an hour before they started doing their own training.

When June came, Evan's birthday came, and he, of course, spent it with Isabelle. Tasha's birthday also came two weeks after. Kai accompanied her from morning to night, from house to hotel, from happy to super happy. It was already rare for them to enjoy their day like this due to their current situation, especially since Kai sometimes got flocked by people. As expected from the little hero of US Base.

In the end, Kai decided to go in disguise, making sure that they had no problem spending their day in leisure. On the other hand, Michelle and Ayaka didn't really care about this, respecting each other. It wasn't like they were not jealous of seeing something like this. They simply knew that Kai wouldn't differentiate them from their status. The only thing they could do was to make sure he didn't have too many women, making their private time with him lesser and lesser.

Their training also went pretty well. Evan usually got beaten by Kai and needed to heal himself from time to time. Unlike Ria's ruthless training, Kai only beat Evan black and blue, not killed him. The purpose was just to get him stronger anyway, so Kai proceeded with the training he was comfortable with.

Evan could fight back for a few rounds after a full month of training. Kai felt happy as well since he was his teacher. This was the first time he felt like this, and it might also be the reason why Ria always said those words to him.

In the end, Evan decided to buy a gauntlet as Kai suggested, and their fight lasted even longer. Although he wouldn't go to the front line himself, it was still necessary to know fighting skills to protect himself.

In July, Kai rushed to the hospital along with the girl after getting the news from Michelle's father.

"Uncle!" Kai ran toward him without creating a loud noise. He had been trained.

"Oh! Your group is the last one." Michael tried to keep calm. However, Kai knew that he was clenching his fist on the back, and his heart beat rapidly.

"That's right. If possible, I want you to give me a name for my child. My wife and I have talked about it. Since he is going to replace your position as the family head of my Graham Family, you are responsible for giving him a name. Besides, with your age difference, it feels weird to see him calling you brother instead of uncle…" Michael let out a long sigh.

Kai's response was unexpected. He stared at Michael like looking at a fool. "Are you sure you want me to give him a name? I mean, my naming skill sucks."

Michael suddenly fell into silence, looking at Michelle for confirmation.

"Ehm… His naming skill is simple, and it sucks because of that." Michelle shrugged. "I don't think my little brother will like his name."

Michael scratched his head, not knowing what to do. Since he had given the opportunity to Kai, he decided to hear his opinion first. "Anyway, how about giving a name suggestion? I will think about whether I will give it to him or not."

Kai thought for a moment and said. "Since Sir's name is Michael and your daughter is also from M, Michelle. How about Manley? I hope he can be manly in the future."

"…" Michael was stupefied while Michelle had the urge to laugh. She said, "This is why you are never matched against Mother!"

"What do you mean?"

"I have talked to Mother about this and prepared another name. Knowing your personality, you must haven't thought of a single name for my brother." She shook her head in disappointment.

"Ehm…" Michael couldn't say anything as she was right. He always thought that this was a great idea, considering Kai would be his brother-in-law.

"His name is Anthony, Anthony Graham. Mother and I thought that. He is our priceless one, thus his name."

"That's a good name." Kai also approved. "It's far better than mine."

"I know. Just look at your magics, Sound Blast, Lullaby, and other things… Ugh." Michelle teased him before a loud crying noise echoed through the hallway.

"!!!" All of them widened their eyes and rushed inside the room.