Chapter 177: Reaching the Middle Region

"Still, I wish I had more magic power in me…"

Ria almost forgot about this. Ninety percent of Kai's magic power was inside Tasha at the moment. If he had that magic power, an attack like this wouldn't even make a scratch. However, Ria didn't say a single compliment or consolation. Instead, she said, "You have chosen this path yourself. That magic power is also a curse like you."

"Yeah." Kai smiled. Even though they were talking, Ria still did the first aid by using her own clothes. Her movement was quick and precise, completing the first aid for all his wounds within two minutes.

"Magic power is giving us superpower strength. They are usually increasing basic human ability. Like me, who is only a normal human, have the ability to be a human weightlifting champion before the Earth transformed. For you, all those powers go toward your ears, enhancing your ears even more. It's even more so with that amount of magic power." Ria looked at him.

Kai sighed. "Indeed. It didn't increase my range, though. Instead, it increased the sharpness as if there was a sound amplifier near my ears."

"I have created the prototype about it after finishing the first ten percent device, the one that you are using right now. I should be able to make it in another one or two months. But are you sure about this?" Ria asked.

"Yeah. I think my limit is thirty percent." Kai nodded. "After all, I have a lot of magic power that gives out a very high volume to my ears, so I think thirty percent is the best. I didn't have this problem when I was a kid since I had no magic, but now… I might go insane if I need to live with it for the rest of my life."

"Luckily, you met Tasha." Ria smiled.

"Indeed." Kai nodded. Just like how Via's Light Magic was different from normal, Tasha's Space Magic was also the same. Her Space Magic slightly leaned to the Sealing Magic and, to his surprise, could also seal his Magic Power. He thanked his parents for adopting Tasha and Tasha herself.

Ria wanted to talk about this, but they had more important jobs to do. She pulled him up and carried him on his back. "Although I want to have a talk with you, we need to search for Evan Young first."

"Wait, Teacher. Let's search for Commander Alicia first and bring her to the Middle Region, so she can set up a defense line." Kai didn't object to being carried on her back since he couldn't move so much with this kind of wound. He just stated his objective.

Ria thought for a moment and shook her head as she began running onward with a sword on her right hand. "No. My first priority will be bringing you to Evan Young. I don't care about your instruction right now."

"Teacher!" Kai furrowed his eyebrows.

"I know what you are thinking right now. Firstly, you must think about dropping you in the Western Region, right?"

Kai couldn't answer her and looked down.

"Without their commander, Alicia, The Support Army will crumble. In other words, one of us needs to stay… Or both of us. After that, there is a chance that Evan can't come to this place or need a long time. And you must think that you can get another aid from the Support Army since it's one of their purposes in this situation. However, your injury is quite serious, and I doubt the first aid will last you that long. The medics won't be enough for me." Ria snorted. "Anyone can tell me I'm selfish, but I won't care about those few hundred soldiers if my student has yet to recover."

"Still…" Kai bit his lips. The plan in his head was the best plan for their current situation, but Ria seemed to be very stubborn on this matter. She taught him to withstand the pain and made a contradictory action herself. Out of frustration, he ordered even though he knew she would reject it right away. "Teacher, I order you to head to the Western Region."

"Have you gone desperate?" Ria snorted. "I am not a part of the army right now. Your order means nothing to me. Besides, you dare to order your own teacher? Do I still need to teach you about respect? I know I am contradicting what I taught you in the past… But you know what, you are the one who actually changed it. You give me the reason to be selfish for my own family no matter how wrong it looks."

Kai gritted his teeth. Ria indeed taught him to make the most rational decision. However, he could only make such a decision when his families weren't involved. In fact, he still held this belief in his heart dearly. That was why he always used his Oscillation Shield and took the full brunt of enemy attacks.

Ria seemed to have adapted this belief. Although it wasn't literally the same, it was still very similar.

Kai struggled a little, but Ria's grip was too strong. If he distracted her more, it would be dangerous as they were in the middle of magical beasts.

They also had passed the thirty men in front who happened to see them. They definitely thought it was weird at first as to why Ria would carry him but dispelled that thought as soon as they saw his wounds.

Ria gave them an instruction to join with the original group as they stormed inside the swarm of Magical Beasts. Knowing it would be best to follow her wish, Kai decided to give her the instruction on where to go.

Ria, obviously, didn't believe him at first, thinking he still wanted to direct her to Alicia. Hence, she took a look at the map and finally confirmed that he didn't trick her.

Kai decided to help as well by throwing spears that Ria synthesized, albeit took all of his energy. His injured body really restricted his movement at this time.

They were going to the biggest group inside the Middle Region since Kai informed her that Yuki was going to construct a sloppy natural stronghold.

After another ten minutes, they finally made it.

"Out of my way!" Ria shouted as she stormed inside the tunnel. They just arrived in the outer ring as they still had a few minutes of running before arriving into the center of this stronghold. However, they suddenly heard a sound echoing from the other side of the tunnel.

"That voice! Professor Ria!"

This female's voice startled Kai and Ria as they recognized it.

"Ayaka, huh…" Ria furrowed her eyebrows and didn't say anything until they arrived in front of them. Yet, she could only see Ayaka and Tasha here, looking a bit tired. "Why are there only two of you?"

"Professor!" A trace of happiness appeared in Ayaka's face as if hope just came in, but it turned abruptly into a shock when she saw Kai on her back. "Kai! What happened?"

"He needs treatment from Evan. Where is he?"

"They are inside." Tasha quickly shouted. She was worried about Kai's condition, but looking at his wounds, she wasn't supposed to halt them any longer. As much as she hated it, she decided to say it. "I and Ayaka are in charge of this tunnel, so go ahead. We will stop every single magical beast here."

"Alright." Ria nodded, noticing around fifty soldiers on their back. She quickly continued her way toward their headquarters in this stronghold.

Meanwhile, Ayaka looked at Tasha with a confused look. "You are not going to do anything? I can stop them here alone."

"No. We need to set our priority right." Tasha shook her head. "Besides… He will be fine within a few minutes and start turning the situation around. Our job is to kill as many beasts as possible."

Ayaka sighed and nodded. "If you say so, I will also help you."

"Haha… Though I hate to admit it, you are also one of us. I want to release this anger to the right place. Can you keep up with me?" Tasha smiled.

"The way I am now, I can definitely say, I will keep up with you." Ayaka smiled.

"Soldiers. March forward!" Tasha shouted.

…

Not long after going through the base, Ria arrived in their headquarters. It was quite a spacious room with around twenty people inside. Four of them were the commanders of their respective armies, and they gasped the moment they saw Ria and Kai.

They quickly saluted to Ria before glancing at the injured Kai.

Evan was already beside them without even getting called. He said, "I will heal him right now. Can Professor put him down?"

Ria nodded and put him down before looking at the four commanders. "We don't have much time. Kai Carter is the highest command of this operation right now. Although I want him to take charge of this, we are in a dire situation, and he doesn't have experience with this. That's why I will take the lead and build a natural stronghold since I have created a few of them in the past. At the same time, he will be my ears and report all the status to ensure you are all informed. Four Commanders, can you obey my orders?"

"Yes, Ma'am!" The commanders answered without hesitation.

"Alright." Ria nodded and glanced at Kai. "Little Hero, give me the status report."

"Little Hero?" Kai was taken aback, confused as to why she suddenly called him Little Hero.

"You have done a great job on this mission. I will explain it later. For now, I want to hear the report first to command the soldiers."

Kai glanced at Evan, who nodded his head, telling Kai that he could talk while he healed him.

"Alright! The situation is…"