"With this, we have wrapped out the investigation. I don't think there is anything important we have left behind." Michelle said while stretching her hands.

It had been a week since they started searching around the area. The group didn't find any more evidence that could answer their questions. They also had finished looking into every nook and corner, so they thought it would be better to move on.

At the very least, they had a clue that Kai talked about, so it was already a rewarding mission, especially when they came without any expectations.

After that, they began roaming around Peru, looking at the two Nazca Lines and investigating the stronghold for one more week.

The group left with disappointment because there was no more clue to be found, even though there was some kind of unsolved mystery that had yet to be solved in the previous ruin.

In the end, Kai and the group decided to return to the base, resting their tired body from this long mission.

After getting separated from Isabelle's group, Kai decided to ask the group to discuss something in a restaurant.

The group agreed and stopped by a restaurant.

While waiting for the food to come, Michelle asked, "So, what is this thing you want to talk about?"

"It's about my promotion and next mission."

"Now that I think about it, it's really the time for your promotion. Congratulations, Brigadier General Kai Carter." Michelle smirked.

Sofia blinked her eyes a few times. She remembered how fast he had that one star on his shoulder. Although the top brass was speeding things up and created a few exceptions for him, his ability was a real deal.

As expected, the achievement he got from the Raid Mission where they defeated the protectors and S rank magician beast alone was indeed considerably high.

The chance for him to go to EU Base became even smaller. Even Sofia couldn't know what to do at this point.

"Congrats." The others began congratulating him while Kai only smiled, receiving it.

"So, what is this next mission?" Tasha asked with a serious expression. The celebration was good, but it also meant that Kai would have a bigger responsibility. The job he would do from this point on would be even more dangerous, so she liked to hear it first before getting drunk in the celebration mood.

The rest also decided to follow her while Kai took a deep breath, preparing himself to explain.

"We are going to fight under General Brad Matthew this time to withstand the endless onslaught of the magical beasts."

With this small information alone, the group already understood the mission.

Michelle narrowed his eyes. "Volcano Eruption, huh."

"Yes. I don't know the details, but you can expect at least five hundred thousand beasts migrating to all directions, and we are the ones receiving it."

"The problem will be how many soldiers we can muster at that moment. Because the battlefield will be so big for us to handle." Ayaka let out a long sigh. "This is going to be a big pain in the ass."

"Yes." Kai nodded. "This is the first time I am going to fight in a defensive battle in this massive area."

"Fair enough. From the looks of it, you won't get any help from any other generals as well." Michelle nodded.

"So, we will be relying on the officers there." Ayaka looked down.

The two that had the most commanding ability beside Kai fell silent as they tried to see what kind of trick they could utilize to play a defensive battle like this.

"Well, I will try pulling some strings. Knowing that person, he will surely not believe me that much." Kai sighed. Brad Matthew would surely not let him command the soldiers, so he decided to focus on what he could to help the entire situation.

It would be better if this were unnecessary, but he didn't know how much they would come.

"So, do you have any plans? Maybe a general idea of how you fight them?"

"Only a little. Obviously, I will separate my force into five to receive the enemies while keeping track of each army so that they can help each other out." Kai shrugged. "Anyway, the one who will command most likely not be me, so I will just do whatever I can."

"Well, that's true."

"It's better to wait for the mission detail, so yes."

The group nodded in agreement. They knew how much thought Kai put on this matter, so they only needed to believe him while trying to help him in their own way.

"If that's all, then I guess we can consider this as a small party for your promotion?" Evan stated with a lighthearted tone.

"I guess you can." Kai nodded. "I have truly pushed you guys too hard because of this. Maybe I can make up with something."

"It's fine. We have become stronger faster anyway."

"Yep. The bigger the pressure, the faster someone will grow."

Kai smiled and nodded. "Well, someone from the government will surely come for promotion."

"Probably your grandfather again." Tasha glanced at Michelle.

"Ugh. Now that you mention it, he always appeared at a time like this. Should I forbid him now?" Michelle facepalmed.

"Nah, it's fine. He is better than an unknown guy." Ayaka shook her head.

"True. As much as I hate to argue with him, he is the best." Even Sofia approved this matter.

"Alright. Just be ready that we will go at any moment's notice since the volcano might erupt sooner than you think." Kai mentioned the mission again, reminding everyone that they might not have time to spare.

"Sure, sure."

The group then continued their small celebration, wondering how Kai would face the media after this as the youngest General in history.

…

The next day, he and Tasha walked to the school like usual, but there was a commotion right at the school gate.

A huge number of soldiers were standing in front of the school gate, cheering for someone.

"What is this?" Tasha asked.

They just teleported here, so Kai needed time to see what was going on. There, he heard so many voices.

"Look, General Ria Ross is here."

"Ah, my idol!"

"She is not an S Rank Magician but can achieve the highest ranking among the military, she is practically everyone's idol."

"That's right. I came to this school because she was an alumnus here."

"Why did such a person come to this place?"

"I don't know."

"But if I am not wrong, her student is in this school."

"Right. Kai Carter, isn't it?"

"I am so envious."

"His achievement is also not less than General Ria Ross. As expected from my idol."

"You all are just exaggerating his ability. There is no telling whether he achieved all those."

"Can't you search it on the internet? Even many Generals were testifying his achievement."

"I have never seen him doing that."

"You fool. This is why you are a clueless student. I was among the soldiers he brought in the Raid Mission one year ago. I saw him charging inside the Underground Nest like nobody's business. Back then, he truly kept up with his teacher. His ability is a real deal."

The talk continued, but Kai already grasped what they were talking about.

To put it simply…

"Trouble is coming." Kai twitched his eyebrows.

"What happened?"

"The students' opinions are diversified, which I have predicted, but if Teacher finds me here, they are going to start surrounding me." Kai let out a long sigh.

"Still, to think that Professor Ria Ross is the person coming here…" Tasha narrowed her eyes. "What is she planning?"

"I don't—Ah, I f*cked up." Kai sighed as Ria Ross took a peek as soon as she found Kai's presence.

Everyone immediately turned their head, following her line of sight.

Before they could react, Tasha used her Teleportation Magic while patting his head. "Good luck."

"Oi! Bring me too!" Kai said, seeing how Tasha escaped by herself.

"I have been waiting for you here. Luckily, I have information that you always come through the school gate unless something serious happens." Ria Ross smiled and waved her hand.

"Ah! That's Kai Carter."

"What is this? The meeting between two legendary figures?"

"No, no. This is a meeting between a teacher and her student."

They began spreading the topic of their meeting until it became a complete mess.

Kai scratched the back of his head while saying with a troubled face. "Ya, Teacher. I never thought you would visit me. How are you?"

"I am great!" Ria Ross smirked as if she had a plan behind all this.

"May I know why you visit me? Or are you strictly visiting the school?" Kai asked.

"Of course. I am here to visit you. I was about to sneak inside the school, but I thought this would be more amusing, so here I am, creating trouble for you." Ria Ross smiled. She must be enjoying this.

"…" Kai wanted to smack her head, but he couldn't afford to, at least with so many witnesses.

"Besides, I am an alumnus here, so I thought I needed to show my face around. I am glad the students welcome me warmly." Ria smiled at the students, making them love-struck.

"Yes, yes. I am glad to hear that you are enjoying yourself. So, for what reason do you come for me?" Kai sighed.

"Congratulations on your promotion for becoming the youngest General in history." She smirked, blurting out the thing that would surely baffle every single student in this school.

'As expected…Ah, I am really screwed up.' Kai thought as he looked at the students' dumbfounded expressions.

"Whaaaaaaaaat?!"