n

n

n

"Avalon, prepare a VR Pod for me.

"

nWallace went inside the Virtual World after a while as he would like to see for himself the progress of these gamers.

nHe made some arrangements for them to receive valuable rewards if they passed several conditions. This would help them increase their strength and slowly influence the real world.

n

"Let's see how far did they reach this time...

"

nHe wasn't gone for long but because the game's reward system was fast except for getting the Terminal for Freya, the gamers should've uncovered many secrets already. He didn't ask Avalon about their progress as he wanted to see everything while inside the virtual world. It would be easier for Avalon to present all the information.

nHe cannot be hasty on introducing a groundbreaking technology as many people would be too suspicious and won't be open to accepting it. He was actually starting to introduce a technology that wasn't too far ahead for them like engines for vehicles that would help them in reaching the speed of sound.

nAt the moment, this world doesn't have the concept of mach speed.

nWallace has been thinking before how he could announce to the whole continent about the impending threat without causing panic, that his words wouldn't be treated as a joke, and his life would also be in safety.

nWell, he doesn't want to be the second Aeolia.

nIf the country judged that he was a threat to the peaceful humankind and trying to cause chaos among the public, his words would no longer weigh that much and he will even be targeted by the government's magicians.

nThe worst-case scenario was that his family would also be affected by his actions.

nThat was why he was trying to gain a reputation and earn the trust of the people. Although this can easily be done by a Celebrity Idol, as someone who specialized in artifact forging at the moment, he has his own ways.

nLuckily, he recently learned that the Grand Arcanists were doing something on their own to increase the power of mankind, he was considering whether to just cooperate with them depending on their actions.

nApparently, aside from Lacus, Veda confirmed this bit of information as well so he was waiting once his Master returned from the northern continent.

n

"Oh... So you already rewarded that bottle? Impressive... This is Hilda's team, correct?

"

nWallace was satisfied seeing that the students from Leonhearts Academy were doing good. Their performance and way of accepting a quest were efficient.

nThey weren't randomly accepting quests from NPCs and they were mostly taking missions that can be done by a group. This can trigger a lot of opportunities for them since that is the concept of this game.

nThis is the correct way to easily increase their chances of obtaining valuable quests and rewards. After all, Wallace wanted to promote unity in this game making the game very difficult to be played solo. He wanted them to realize the importance of working together and finding people with the same goals.

nWallace remembered that he still has three mystery boxes that he hasn't open yet. So he was hoping that it would be something that can be given to others.

n'Maybe, I can try gifting a few berserk potions this time?'

nThe problem was that his potions weren't registered yet so he might be questioned by the authorities.

n'I'll ask Yumi later...'

nWallace continued his observations at the players and noticed that the previous student council president seems to be an amazing solo player. Although it will be very difficult in this game to play that way, it was up to the person on which path they will take.

n

"Oh, he learned ancient martial arts?!

"

nIt was the technique that Aaron showed to his parents to let him play the game. It was called Ten-Fold Palm, a martial art that utilizes the vibration to defeat an armored opponent. It was a common art developed by the Galactic Federation to be used by foot soldiers.

nWallace hadn't fully learned this technique as he studied more about Mech Frames and other highly advanced weapons. He was aware of many combat techniques but it was mostly for fighting in space using tools or weapons.

n

"Avalon, how many Combat Arts did you place in the game for a reward?

"

n Sixteen Martial Arts developed by the Federation and Two Martial Arts developed by Fyoran's Race.

nThe Fyoran was a Minor Race allied with the Galactic Federation. They have the same build as humans but has blue skins and some yellow spots on their body.

nWallace remembers that they have stronger physical potential since even a one-year-old Fyoran can grasp a stone and turn it into dust without much effort.

n

"Did you find individuals that have the same level of physique inside the game?

"

n Yes. A group of twelve.

nThis piqued Wallace's interest. These people must be absurdly strong if they also possess unimaginable control of mana. A magician with a strong physique was an ideal combat magician as they could fight both in close combat and in ranged.

n***

nOn the next day, Wallace went to the academy to meet with his classmates and to avoid being suspended. He also wanted to experiment with his Divine Sense.

n

"I'm sorry for being absent at that time... I got caught up in something.

"

nWallace halfheartedly apologized to Miss Chamber. She was requesting his presence to announce his support with her when the representative arrived here a few days ago.

nBut because he was in seclusion, he missed that time and came to apologize.

nLuckily, even without his formal announcement, Miss Chamber was still appointed as the new Headmaster.

nIt seems that she pulled other strings she could while he was out. An instructor of various popular Celebrity Idols was truly influential if they tried.

n

"That's fine now. You already announced that before the representative came so I just let him know that...

"

nThe lady smiled as she even offered him to have tea with her. It was her way to celebrate her appointment as the new headmaster.

nWallace took the invitation since she also helped him with his constant absences. He was a bit thankful for this.

nAnyway, Miss Chamber was aware that being an apprentice of a Grand Arcanist would guarantee the young man's future. He will surely surpass his classmates today even though he fully stopped attending classes.

nBut because the young man wanted to graduate with certificates to present it with his presents, she didn't mind it and even encouraged him to do so.

n

"How was your master? I heard that he went to the northern continent?

"

n

"Yes... He hasn't returned yet...

"

n

"Mhm... It should be very dangerous in that place. I hope that they can return safely...

"

n

"I hope so...

"

nWallace chatted for a while to satisfy the lady since he also has plans to use her influence someday.

nBut she kept asking about the situation of the Cloud Hawk Manor.

nHe didn't mind at first but because she was hinting that she wanted to get close to other apprentices of the Grand Arcanist, Wallace excused himself and went to see Miya.

n***

nMiya ended her practice earlier this time since she wanted to play with her new friends in the virtual world.

n

"Ahh... Avalon is so kind... I hope I can play together with him.

"

nMiya muttered as she already gave Avalon a gender. Apparently, Wallace instructed Avalon to take care of this model inside the game so Avalon did.

nMiya requested to Avalon that she wanted to play the game without anyone knowing that she was Miya Linus.

nIt wasn't that hard for Avalon since it only needed to adjust her appearance to what she desires.

nThe A.I. recognizes the girl's importance as it remembered that Wallace even customized a VR Pod for her. A model that was completely different from their concept.

nWith that as a reference, Avalon didn't mind taking care of her when inside the game and while Wallace was in seclusion.

nThere was only one request that Avalon didn't grant to her, it was for Avalon to take a human form and play the game with her.

n

"Miya!

"

nThe lady was surprised to hear a man's voice as it interrupted her thoughts.

n

"Oh, did I startle you?

"

n

"Wallace? I heard from Avalon that you were out for several days. What happened?

"

n

"I was busy with something...

"

n

"Mhm... Studies are still important... I hope that you won't be blinded by money. Anyway, Why are you here?

"

n'Eh? What do you think I'm doing? What did Avalon say? Oh well...'

nWallace thought for a moment.

n

"I just want your help with the second version of the VR pod...

"

n

"The second version?

"

n

"Yes. The one that non-magicians can use...

"

n

"Oh... What about it?

"

n

"I like to advertise that differently. Do you have any ideas? I want your image as advertisers to our fellow magicians but for this version... I'm thinking of hiring a non-magician as well. What do you think?

"

nThe two were still within the academy grounds. They were not far from the gate as the two were walking side by side. They were like in their own world and not caring about the stares coming from the students around. After all, Wallace was a celebrity in his own way because of his status as an apprentice.

n