The Magician of Sound

The next day, Kai brought his family to Miami, using the special service that Nathan and Ria gave for his effort in every mission. He and his family deserved that much.

His parents were obviously overwhelmed by the service because they could enter the first beach opened in the world after the apocalypse. And the service provided by the government was everything but ordinary.

Staying at the finest hotel and the top floor to boot, getting all services the hotel and the beach management provided, and many things else. The only instruction from the government was to make sure the family had an enjoyable vacation.

It started getting chilly, so they didn't go to the beach that much. Instead, James Carter rented a car and toured around the city, enjoying delicacies and attractions.

The family trip lasted for three days before returning to their home. Kai always smiled when he saw his parents laughing or smiling. Everything was worth it.

As soon as he returned home, he found Evan had messaged himself.

'Can you call me when you have returned?'

He read the message and immediately called him.

"Hello, Captain."

"Yep, you need something from me?"

"One thing."

"Ho? What is it?" Kai thought for a moment as an idea flashed in his mind. "Do you want to quit the group?"

"What did you think to even reach that conclusion?"

"Nothing. It's just you seem to be a bit different when you return from your mission, so I thought something must have happened in that mission. But considering there is no injury or whatsoever, I guess you may want to switch teams."

"Nope. You can't be more wrong than that, Captain. I have owed you many things since the first time I joined the group. Nonetheless, I want to inform you that I will always be with this group until graduation. As for after that, I am not entirely sure, considering I am someone who can heal. My power might be needed somewhere else."

"I understand." Kai nodded. "So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Can we meet up?"

"Sure. When and where?"

"How about today? I will let you decide the place."

"Sure enough. I have just come back, so only you have school today. Considering you want to meet me like this, it must be something important, so I guess it's fine. Let's talk in a coffee shop near the school, how about that?"

"Alright."

"We will meet after school ends."

"I understand. Thank you."

He then hung up and let out a long sigh. So many problems needed to be solved, and he couldn't handle anything easily.

Kai stared at an empty space, sorting all the thoughts he had. After that, he went toward the school and waited for Evan there.

Half an hour later, Evan walked inside and found Kai inside. He immediately approached him and sat before him. When he saw the half-empty cup, he apologized. "Sorry for making you wait."

"Nah, it's fine. I am sorting my thoughts this whole time, so it doesn't feel like I have been waiting for long." Kai waved his hand as if it was not a big problem. "So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Actually, I want to discuss our next mission."

"Next mission? It's going to be a month away, you know?"

"I know. Because of that, I need to inform you first."

Kai frowned and realized it must be something that would take a long time to process, so he nodded. "Tell me."

"Sure." Evan hesitated for a second before saying, "Actually, I want to request to participate in the next mission."

"Eh?!" Kai tilted his head in confusion. "Isn't that given?"

"No, what I mean, the mission is only for two of us." Evan dropped the bomb, shocking Kai.

He fell silent for a minute and asked. "Why?"

"As you know, I have started practicing my shooting skill. I am planning to polish it even further on the battlefield. However…"

"However, you won't have that chance if others are participating." Kai continued Evan's sentence.

"As much as I don't want to say it, then yes." He nodded. "And I want to show you my progress, so you can see whether it's alright to let me wield a gun or not. After all, we are going together for another year.

"If you tell me it's going to be a mess, it's better to seal it and only use it when I have come to the army. If it's otherwise, I can start using it to support the team. My position won't be the furthest one again. Instead, I will be moving along with Sofia to support you.

"That's why I would like you to see it beforehand." Evan looked down. The main reason for this was that he didn't want the girls to get involved. Remembering the last mission, he realized how much he improved his strength when he was alone with Isabelle.

The dangerous situation from back then was a reminder to him as well, so he asked Kai instead of Isabelle.

Kai pinched the bridge of his nose, looking troubled. "Asking Isabelle might be the best way for this, but she is from another group. Michelle and the others can't do missions as well if I agree to your terms. On the contrary, I can give them precious time to catch up with whatever they are working on.

"The advantages and disadvantages for this are equal, so I can't really decide. And since you ask me personally, it means you don't want to involve the girls in this situation. I can understand that, but I really need to think about this.

"In fact, I need to discuss this with my teacher because she is the one giving me the mission. Her original plan would be calculating the strength of our six, so it will be very different if we are going without the girls…" Kai thought for a moment and asked. "Do you mind if I ask my Teacher first?"

"Then…" Evan widened his eyes as his expression brightened.

"Yeah. Personally, I agree with your request. I would like to see your potential in a fight, and there might be a huge leap in our combat prowess as a team. Sacrificing this month's mission is just a small price to pay. I will tell the girls about this, but I need to get confirmation from my teacher first."

"I understand." Evan repeatedly nodded, staring at Kai with a happy expression.

Kai smiled and called his teacher.

"Yo! You are calling me? Such a rare occasion? So, what do you want? If you want the medicine for pregnancy, I haven't made it yet since you say you want to graduate first. I am working on your new sword right now. I even halt the progress for the medicine to stop your berserk state when activating your blood."

"No, no. There is an issue I want to address."

"Sure. Just tell me. Who do you want to beat up?"

"Do you want me to become a violent person?"

"Gahaha… Don't mind me then. So, what is your problem?"

"My next mission… I want to participate with only me and Evan."

"Hoh?!" Her voice sounded amazed, not surprised or shocked. In fact, she found this amusing. "Sure."

"You don't want to hear the reason?"

"Nah. Your judgment ability is not something I should bother anymore. I don't mind hearing it though."

"Well, it's for Evan's improvement as an attack magician."

"Alright. I understand that well, I will approve it. Is Evan with you now?"

"Yes. Why?"

"No one told this to him yet, but do you know the reason he got a mission with only Isabelle?"

"For his improvement, right?"

"Yeah. But the real reason is to prepare him for his training during the three months holiday. He is going to train with a renowned magician from EU Base who specializes in poison."

"I have put this in a speaker, so he can hear it too, you don't mind, right?"

"Sure. So, brat, now that you have listened to the plan, what is your thought?"

Evan blinked his eyes a few times, thinking the matter seriously. "I appreciate your efforts. Since it can make me stronger, I won't say much about it. And there is one thing that I find strange. This is also another reason why I want to take a mission with only both of us."

"Ho?! Tell me."

"Apparently, my healing effect grew stronger during the last mission. I didn't know the reason though. At least, I knew that the usual time got halved because of this."

"Hmm… You brat. From what I know, this might be your awakening. You know about Michelle's Darkness Element that transformed into Shadow Element, right? This is a similar case. The magician that I will introduce you to is the same as well."

Kai and Evan exchanged looks and kept listening.

"From what I know, your Water Healing Magic has transformed into a complete Healing Magic. In this case, healing can also be interpreted as medicine. There are many medicines that can give you strength for a period of time, so I believe your ability is similar to this one.

"The condition of awakening is different from person to person, so no need to think about it. As for your new magic, you need to experiment with it yourself, but since your base magic doesn't really harm people, I believe this one is the same. Just make sure you don't overdose someone, alright? Well, you can save the overdose symptom with your basic healing magic, so I won't say much."

"I understand." Evan nodded.

"Since we have finished here, I will hang up this call."

"Before that, I have something to say, Teacher." Kai stopped her.

"What?"

"I will come to your place during the holiday to train."

"…" She fell silent for a few minutes before a loud shout burst out the speaker. "Hoooooray! I shall make a party for myself!"

"…"