บท 72: Returning to the City
Early in the morning, the Leonhearts Academy students returned to their city. The bus traveled for a few hours before arriving in the city.
Some of the students weren't aware at first about the recent incident related to the mutated magicians that had attacked a government facility in Tanza City. But due to the informed students, the news was quickly spread to everyone.
"What happened while we're gone? It wasn't even a complete week since we left the city." Alice asked worriedly as she was unclear about the relayed news.
"I hope that it's still safe in the city. Have they apprehended the criminals?" Escanor asked as well since aside from the news he heard from his seniors, no other news can be found even in the online news portal or newspapers. It seems that news was being suppressed no information can be found at all regarding the details of the crime that have occurred.
"I believe that some group of mutated magicians had tried to steal a Sealed Mana Artifact from a government facility in the city. It was said that the presence of that artifact in the facility was a top-secret and should have been concealed to others." Ross said as if the news weren't critical. This news tells a lot already, it seems there could have been spy or internal dispute that has occurred.
"Eh? Is that OK for you to divulge such information?" This time, it was Samantha who asked the question. Ross only chuckled at this and continued.
"Although the news was suppressed at the moment, it will only last within 72 hours. Later tonight, the news or details will surely be all over the media." There are plenty of occasions that Ross could think of about similar events where the government had tried to suppress the news but that wouldn't last long and will be revealed sooner. After all, it is impossible to completely suppress the media.
Their bus stopped at the academy. There are barely any students in the academy as it is 6th day of the week. There are no classes during weekends and only students who require the facility to improve themselves were present. It was like when Wallace still doesn't have his own high-grade artifact forging and still borrowed one from the academy.
The group of students separated from here and went back to their homes. The instructors remained as they were still required to make a report to the headmaster.
Wallace informed his parents about his safe arrival and once he rested a bit, he checked the notification from his Pathfinder. It was related to the reward he should receive as per his mission.
[ Congratulations User! You have completed your mission and proven yourself in the whole nation!
You have successfully achieved the 2nd rank in the Artifact Forging division.
You will now receive your rewards. ]
[ Your have received x1 Large Potion of Divine Sense ]
Now that Wallace receives another potion of this Divine Sense, he believed that he would be able to use this ability more safely not worrying about high-level magicians to detect his scanning process during its activation. By using it more covertly, he would be able to do a lot more things and gather more information, especially about higher-level magicians.
Wallace consumed the potion and spent the evening in his abode and did not tinker any mana artifacts at the moment. He would like to settle his mind about his next plans. He noticed as well that side effects after consuming the potion given by Pathfinder has lessened a bit. He was no longer fainting and could endure the changes that occur in his body. His physique may be getting used to the changes.
Unfortunately, around 7 PM, he was interrupted by a call. He checked the caller display and noticed that it came from his mother.
"Hello. What made you call, mom?" His parents wouldn't normally call him if it is not important, especially if they've already talked with each other just a bit earlier.
"Well, I just had a visit here as some group of people were requesting to purchase the manufacturing rights together with an order for the main magic structure of your mana artifact. Their identity is a bit troublesome to decline." Her mother did not beat around the bush and directly told him her reason and concern.
Of course, Wallace was aware of what mana artifact she was referring to. It was his Float Drive System that requires his creation of the main magic structure. The production was stopped because of the recent TMAC where he had been so busy helping the student council in gathering information about the opponents, coming up with strategies, creating original magic structures and practicing artifact forging.
"Who requested the magic structures?" Wallace asked at first as he was curious about the identity that his mother seems to be wary of.
"The request came from a 1st-rate businessman, but as a standard process, I investigated his background and found out that he was a direct subordinate of Prime Minister Halevey. They were offering a large amount of compensation for it and even willing to triple the price. It seems that they needed it as quickly as possible." Elaine finished explaining to her son and waited for his response. She wouldn't force her son to create the magic structure if he refused them. She was letting him decide about this instead.
Wallace thought for a bit before he answers.
"I don't mind selling it to them. As long as they will use the artifact for legal purposes."
"Yes, they have shown documents that it will be used by a private security company to protect VIP's and they even guaranteed that if we found out that it was misused, we can reclaim the mana artifacts."
Wallace sighed as he replied to his mother.
"Alright then, since they are being generous in their offer, we'll take it. But due to time constraints, I can only make 5 magic structures for them in 5 days." He can, of course, create these magic structures faster since he already improve himself. But he wouldn't like to make the number of this artifact to be abundant. He remembered that the Float Drive System was only sold before to the government's military, then to the Golden Trident Group, and another private company. Their client has increased a bit. If Wallace will accept more requests, he'll earn a lot but wouldn't have time to look for a chance in retrieving his spaceship.
Wallace ended the call and proceeded to rest instead. Anyway, he still has 5 days to complete the order and has plenty of time to finish it.
***
In a location outside the Tanza City.
"Did we secure a contract?" A man sitting in his study room seemed to be talking to himself in the darkroom. He's wearing a black suit and looked clean without any beard or mustache in his face. He had well-combed blond hair and a sturdy build for a man in his fifties.
"Yes. We'll receive 5 main magic structures in a week but the price negotiated was higher due to the urgency of our request." A muffled voice answered in the shadows, their gender couldn't be identified due to this reason.
"The price doesn't matter. I didn't expect that Lucent Force would hit us hard due to this mana artifact." The man paused a bit before continuing. He looked sinister after remembering the battle last night. "They've utilized the artifact to its full potential. Once we have this, they won't be able to pull the same trick on us."
***
On that same evening, as Ross predicted, the news about the recent attack was partially revealed to the public.
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