Not only those under the sea were panicking, but everyone in the world just took the news as if a cannonball hit their face.
In United Asia, specifically inside Katsuragi Family's Mansion.
Katsuragi Akagi slammed the table on his right, splitting it into two and letting the cup fall to the ground. The tea inside the cup soon wet the floor. Still, the tea was just a small matter compared to what he saw.
Kai would be the most reliable ally, but if they were on a different side like the Katsuragi Family, he would be a terrifying nightmare.
Ikeda Kenzo looked at Akagi's expressions and shook his head helplessly. He thought, 'Ah. He is indeed a good seedling. I will probably die after everything is over, but I guess my choice of letting him go at that time was the right decision. Earth has hope now. Even if he is on the other side of the Earth, I have no qualm. Please don't return here because the situation here is so messed up.'
"Kenzo. What is your thought about this matter?"
"I am not sure. Even though there are so many testimonies, I haven't seen his fight with my own eyes. Unlike the S Rank Magician, Rain, my ability is leaning to offense, so I might be able to fight him toe to toe." He sighed.
Katsuragi Akagi nodded before falling into deep thought.
'It seems that Kai Carter's strength has surpassed me. However, I need to keep this lie a little longer.' Ikeda Kenzo glanced at Akagi and closed his eyes. 'I can understand his extreme patriotism. However, even if I have the chance to turn back time, I will choose this side again.'
Katsuragi Akagi then called his assistant to the room.
"Sir, how can I help you?" It turned out that the assistant remained the same as the one a few years ago.
"How is the progress of the Yajima Family?"
"We still haven't gotten a single clue other than them suddenly disappearing in one night. I feel like there is another hidden power in United Asia, one that has been outside our awareness this whole time."
"And do you think I will believe that bullsh*t? Who the heck are they? The one from the Government? If the Government had them, they would have enough strength to suppress anyone in United Asia. The same applies to the other leading families. They might have already become the leader of this United Asia. But you can see the proof. There is no one who can rival us. Even the Southern Family has been reduced to half of their original power by us."
Ikeda Kenzo also didn't believe it, considering that even the biggest weapon group, Kudo Group, disappeared, no one came to help them.
"How about the assassins we sent?"
"Unfortunately, Sir. The US Base Government has tightened their securities. None of our assassins managed to get into the Base." The assistant shook her head in disappointment.
Akagi clenched his teeth and pinched the bridge of his nose. He had been sending assassins after assassins to US Base, only to find them failing.
"However, we have gotten another information from our informant, Sir."
"What?"
"Next semester, Kai Carter is to become an exchange student in EU Base. If we go there as soon as possible, we should be able to bypass their security before it gets tightened like the US Base."
"Good! Send our assassins there." Akagi nodded with a serious expression. "Make sure that we all are sending Rank A Magicians."
"I understand. I shall arrange it myself."
"Continue the investigation about the Yajima Family. I don't like how this is going."
"Yes, I shall pass your message."
"For now, let him enjoy the remaining time he has in the US Base."
"But are you sure the assassins can do it?" Ikeda Kenzo suddenly opened his mouth. Kai's strength was far beyond their imagination, so the assassins wouldn't be enough to handle him. That was what he thought.
Surprisingly, Katsuragi Akagi only smiled and explained his plan which made Ikeda Kenzo scared.
At the same time, in a small secret base.
Yajima Haruko was sitting in a room, watching the television. Her eyes were fixated with the news as Kai's face kept appearing.
Next to her was a woman with a mask. She had never taken off her mask this whole time, but if one raised their vision, they would see a pair of white horns coming out of her forehead. She had long, straight black hair that was tied into a ponytail.
"Emma, do you see that?"
"I am watching the news right now." Her tone was flat as if she didn't share the same excitement as Haruko had.
"To think that he already has a star on his shoulder. He is so capable right now." Haruko gently smiled. "I wonder when I can see him…"
"Until he comes here by himself to settle everything. In the meantime, you will be under our custody."
"You said custody, but you are giving me and my family a shelter to wait for the storm to pass…" Haruko narrowed her eyes.
"Unfortunately, I can't say much, but I think it's fine to give you this small hint. I just want you to know that your life might change the direction of this world, so please be careful."
"…" Haruko looked down before sighing. "I still can't understand that. At first, I thought that Kai was a hero or something, but it seemed to be not the case. It's not like I love him because of his status, but this curiosity is killing me."
"I understand that it's hard to contain that curiosity, but everything will be answered when Kai Carter comes here."
"Fine. I will endure myself. Besides, you promise that you are going to train me. When are we going to start?"
"Next week."
"Alright. Do you think I can fight side by side with Kai after finishing the training?"
"No."
"Such a fast response…" Haruko let out a long sigh, feeling slightly disappointed.
"He is built differently, so you don't need to think much about it."
"Differently? Such a weird choice of words." She narrowed her eyes and looked at the girl beside her.
"Still, I am grateful that you are helping me and my family, especially under the continuous attacks from the Katsuragi Family."
"We just want peace, and your life can threaten that peace. Those who share the same opinion as us will certainly do the same. However, you don't need to worry, you won't be at the same level as him, but you can reach the level of those around him."
"I will be looking forward to it." Haruko smiled, feeling pretty fired up. "By the way, are those horns real?"
Just like the usual, every time Haruko uttered that question, she would stop answering all her questions.
…
Meanwhile, there was another family that looked at this news in a positive light. It was the Campbell Family. Yes, Sofia's family.
Her grandfather, who taught her during the three months of training, watched the news in his study room. Subconsciously, a smile appeared on his face when he confirmed everything the soldiers said with the report he had in his hands.
"It turns out that I have underestimated him. If his strength can be considered higher than an S Rank Magician, his future is really limitless. There is no doubt that his teacher will lose against him in the near future. After that…Things will start to revolve around him."
After contemplating this matter for a while, he opened his mouth, calling someone's name. "Nestar. You there?"
"Yes, Chairman. Do you need something?"
"I want to abuse my position right now."
"Sorry, Sir. I think I've heard it wrong."
"As I said, I want to abuse the power I have right now."
"Asking for your confirmation, Sir. Are you—"
"I said this for the third time. I won't say it anymore. I want to abuse my power."
"This…It will seriously create—"
"You don't need to worry about that. If they come, just tell them to come to me."
"Then, may I know what you are planning?"
"I am going to become the principal in my beloved daughter's school."
"Are you implying the Royal Magic Academy?"
"Exactly. Just for a few months. That's all. You can give the current principal a vacation while I am there."
"This is going to be hard, Sir."
The old man let out a long sigh. "It's easy. You don't know anything. Even if you tell the others, they will let me do this. Just shut up and tell them. Besides, I am going to create a big welcome for an exchange student next year."
Suddenly, something clicked in Nestar's mind as he asked. "Are we discussing Kai Carter this whole time?"
"You just realized it? You need to study more."
"I apologize. It was planned that he would come three months later, so it slipped past my mind."
"Anyway, tell those people that I want to do it."
"May I ask two questions, Sir?"
"Sure. Just don't make it too long."
"How far are you planning to go?"
"I have my own report about his personality from my daughter. You don't need to worry, I will just play it safe. Whether Kai Carter will stay here or not, it's not in my mind right now. What I want to know is if my daughter will be with him or not in the future."
"But I thought, Miss Sofia has gotten pretty close to him."
"That's not enough. I want more." He shrugged. "Alright. I don't want to be bothered with you. Your last question!"
"Your actions…Is it related to the news?"
"Yes."
"…" Nestar fell silent for a minute before saying, "I understand. I shall inform everyone involved."
"Good. I will be waiting for good news." He nodded with a smile before looking back at the news. "Things will become interesting soon."