"Fine... Let's go with that."

Lacus felt conflicted at first when she thought of handing this over to his junior apprentice's secretary.

But since he already left instructions, she can only agree and let the two people know.

After she informed the two, they decided to give their contacts so they can personally speak with Avalon.

Anyway, the task of the lawyer helping them wasn't that complicated.

The most difficult part of the job was to find someone who had a bit of influence in the Congress. But since he was selected by Lacus and even accepted it immediately after knowing the specificities of the job, he must be capable.

As for the Mage Doctor, Wallace was planning to provide half of the Secret Art: Flowing Spirit first to confirm whether the person was truly capable of the job.

Aside from these two, Avalon was also contacted by several people and even the other A.I.

It almost feels like they were waiting for Wallace to go into seclusion before thinking of contacting him.

What a bad timing...

But of course, Avalon didn't complain and answered all of them.

[ When do you plan to start building our agreed space fleet? ]

[ Due to various circumstances, the production was planned to start after we acquire a plot of land. This land will be used as the base of operations. We are currently dealing with the plan to purchase. Do you want to provide assistance to hasten the arrangement? ]

[ No. ]

[ I understand. Then, please wait until we purchased a land. ]

Avalon then ended its conversation with Veda.

Another call came in.

"Hello? I need to speak with Wallace. Please tell him that the temporary Headmaster of Leonhearts, was looking for him..."

"He is unable to speak with you now but I can inform him once he can..."

After acknowledging this, Miss Chamber explained that she was requesting Wallace's presence so he can announce his support for her at the incoming meeting of the faculties and student councils.

Apparently, a representative of the Ministry of Magic Education will arrive tomorrow in consideration of finding the suitable Headmaster of the Academy.

The representative declared that he would like to consider the faculty and the student body's opinion on this subject since if the representative couldn't find the best candidate here, the ministry would be forced to send one of their internal members to be assigned in this Academy.

On the night of the second day of Wallace's seclusion, Yumi came knocking outside of Wallace's villa.

***

Today, Yumi found a clue about her cousin's whereabouts.

"Northern Continent, huh..."

She muttered while planning to follow the lead they got but unfortunately, she can't bring the officers working at the NMTI. They could only entrust the job to a small number of Lucent Force.

The Lucent Force was small in number in the first place.

Since only the elite of the elites can pass its training and examinations. Although she trusted their capability, she can't just stay here and do nothing.

She can call two or three of her friends to accompany her in the location but after remembering that there was someone with a mysterious ability and identity that she can ask, she quickly made up her mind as she went to his property even without an appointment.

'Anyway, he's not attending classes. He should be at home, playing that game he made...'

Yumi was also almost addicted to this game but she learned how to control herself. She recognized the revolutionary idea of the game but in the end, she decided not to play it after learning that she can't shapeshift inside.

'Hmph! All mana-related skills and techniques were working inside but Body's Secret Arts are not...'

While she was complaining in her mind. She already reached the villa owned by Wallace. The latter didn't inform her of his address but she was aware of this, simply because she can just quickly make a phone call to someone working at their intelligence department.

"Ahh... This place is really extravagant, huh."

The aura emanating around the villa wasn't so simple. A while ago, she can feel that even though she was 500 meters away from the place, someone was already monitoring her.

She didn't mind this because there was no ill intention included and was only observing her.

'Well, it doesn't surprise me... His house was somehow hot to the eyes of burglars and criminals.'

The lady tried looking for a doorbell or any way to contact the person inside.

As she didn't notice anything like that, she decided to just call Wallace on his phone. Enough for the surprise... Telling that she was already outside waiting was enough for that.

But before she can make a call, a voice was suddenly heard from the small speaker outside. She thought that it was Wallace at first but she quickly recognized the difference.

"Miss Yumi of NMTI, how can I help you?"

"Eh? Do you recognize me? Uhmm... I would like to talk with Wallace..."

"I'm sorry. He is not available. I would suggest visiting in the next couple of days."

"Really? He's not here?"

"He is here... But busy with something I can't tell."

"Is that so? I can just wait for him..."

The voice stopped speaking. Yumi thought that it was consulting Wallace or probably thinking about what to do. If the person was undecided, she probably needs to say more convincing words.

"I'm willing to wait here as long as he meets me... Or perhaps you can invite me in?" Yumi said after realizing that it was a bit hot outside. There were no clouds blocking the sun as Yumi started to sweat a bit.

Inside the house, Avalon was already preparing to receive the lady. After all, Wallace ordered that if anyone visited him at the house...

"Deal with them..." was his vague instruction.

Now that the lady had said that she was willing to wait, Avalon couldn't refuse since Wallace wanted to create a mutual relationship with this transforming lady that was also his strong connection to the NMTI.

"Come in."

The voice said as the gate of the villa opened. She was then approached by an automaton working as a gardener. It was previously gardening and trimming the hedges when it was ordered to receive Yumi and to lead her in the spacious living room.

***

Yumi noticed that inside the villa was completely different from the outside. It wasn't easily noticed but after stepping into the gate, the wind blows different. The temperature was controlled and unlike her expectation that it was hot due to the burning sun, the breeze that comes and go from time to time was very refreshing.

'Hmmm... I like this place.'

Yumi wasn't surprised at the automaton leading her since although a small number, there were still rich people using it to serve themselves. Automatons that were used to do chores and such wasn't rare but it was very expensive so it can't be seen in the normal household.

She was praising the place but then, she realized that she was left alone in the living room.

'W-wait... Should I really wait here?'

Yumi wasn't sure when will Wallace come as the voice didn't say much. She was even waiting with that person in the gate to speak with her.

'Sigh~ Alright, I'll just wait here... Anyway, I'm the one asking for a favor.'

***

Hilda Calem and her group with other students from Leonhearts Academy were now about to start a high rank quest.

The quest this time was very difficult. Luckily, it can be completed anytime unlike other high rank quest that requires to be completed in a specific time of the day.

There were cases that they had to skip classes to play the game and finish the quest but they don't want to do that again.

Luckily, the game masters or the creator heeds their request and made the quests more accessible.

Hilda was about to meet her team so she checked the mission while she still have some time.

[ Team Quest: Pilot's Final Test

Thanks to Freya, you learned how to pilot an aircraft created by the invaders. This time, find four more people that passed the four pilot examinations and capture one of the invader's spacecraft!

Team: 5/5

Mission Reward: Unknown

Time limit: None ]

She was getting excited just by imagining that they will be flying an aircraft and escape in the midst of the enemies.

If this almost suicide mission was successful, then the rewards will surely be bountiful. She was hoping that she'll receive those Mana Rejuvenation vials that could remove exhaustion and easily be filled with Mana again.

"Here!"

Soon, Hilda saw Escanor, Shirley, and the others as they started to chat a bit.

Everyone already checked their inventories. There were Holy Elixirs, drones, automatons, Mana Artifacts, grenades, top class guns in case they exhausted Mana, and other hi tech devices that only exists in this game.

No one was nervous as even if they failed the mission today, they can just try again.

After all, they learned that they were the first people who received this mission according to the system's announcement.

It means that they will still have the advantage of clearing it first even if they failed once.

Soon, the group set off to start their quest.