84 Arrival
The two arrived at the academy and headed to the headmaster's office to meet with Percival.
The morning class had already ended but there are still many students left in the academy participating in their club's activities, borrowing academy's facility for learning and practice, or just playing around enjoying their youth.
As soon as the door opened Percival saw Wallace together with a young woman. He looked at the woman and blinked twice before comprehending the situation.
"Good afternoon, Headmaster." Wallace greeted Percival not noticing any abnormalities as he noticed that there are two unfamiliar people within the room.
'Another Battle Mage? Are they the security personnel Yumi mentioned?' Wallace inwardly thought.
"It's good indeed. Have a seat." Percival replied and gestured for the two to take a seat opposite the two suited men.
"This is Lucian and Max that will be escorting the two of you. You can assume Yumi as your manager in Montego."
Wallace glanced at the two guys wearing black suits and looking competent with their body build. Lucian was in his thirties that also looked like a rich business instead of a bodyguard. He had blond hair and a handsome face while Max is a bald middle-aged man and had a scar on his forehead. Scars can easily be healed by utilizing Mage Doctor's ability and if the wound is just recent, there's even a potion that can be used to avoid having a scar, so he assumed that the scar may have a deeper meaning for Max.
Wallace greeted the two but noticed that Yumi did not react at all.
"I know them." Yumi said as if she read his mind.
A few more minutes had passed as the five of them discussed the arrangements that will happen in Montego.
"You've been made aware of the rules in the competition. So I have nothing more to say. You can always ask for her help if you needed." Percival said as he glanced at Yumi.
"Alright. I will do so." Wallace replied. All his thoughts were looking for possible loopholes while in their guard that he could use to escape. Luckily, they already discussed the arrangements today so he could make further plans.
"You three can head out first and meet with the driver at the carpark. I'll talk to Yumi first."
Percival instructed.
The three men stood up and didn't ask any more questions as they headed outside to meet with the driver Percival mentioned. They needed a service to bring them to the airport.
"Yumi, you have to make sure that you won't lose sight of him there." Percival had a serious look on his face as he faced Yumi. The latter also no longer wore a cheerful face but now smirking like she's telling that she all understood and there's no need to remind her.
"I know. Isn't that the reason why you selected me for the mission?" Yumi replied.
"Yes. Once Wallace left the country, only the three of you would be his protection aside from the ministry's given security. Just always be on your guard." Percival had left other words unsaid. The two already learned the news that quite a few Battle Mages from a certain organization went ahead to visit the country of Montego, there's even an Adept Mage together with them.
This organization was suspected to have dealings with the Cryptic Link Project but no solid evidence could be discovered by the police. It is suspected to be the organization that had produced mutated magicians and possesses several Magic Jammers in their usage.
Unfortunately for them, the Lucent Force from the government had its canceller that is why their movement was very minimal at the moment.
They learned last month how this Magic Jammer Canceller magic structure heavily affects their operations when they tried to steal a Sealed Mana Artifact here in Tanza City. This made them desperate to crack the magic structure. They spent decades slowly collecting a number of Magic Jammer but suddenly, an unknown student created something that could disable them.
With this in mind, there will be a high chance that Wallace would be targeted once they've seen an opportunity. If they successfully captured him, they'll be able to use him and learn all things about the canceller.
Yumi's team in NMTI made sure that the structure itself wasn't leaked. Only three trusted people in NMTI are aware of the complete structure including Yumi herself, the Magic Engineer who approved the structure that Wallace submitted and reported to Yumi, and another Magic Engineer who created the canceller for Lucent Force's usage.
Yumi understood her cousin's concern, as someone who had some connection in Lucent Force, Ministry of Magic Education, and NMTI, she was aware of how the upper society works and how these malicious people could not be easily removed. The most they could do right now is to have the strength to protect themselves.
"Even though it's been a while and I've been mostly stuck in my laboratory, Remember that I'm still an Adept."
Yumi proudly said. Her confidence stems from her powerful strength and long experience in her path as a magician. She was also the best person that Percival knew in terms of covert operations.
With that having said, he trusted that this cousin of his was capable of protecting Wallace in the background.
"Good! Have a safe trip." Percival smiled as he let Yumi take over the responsibility.
He could only hope that everything there would go smoothly and for them to return safely.
***
The Ministry had arranged all the requirements for their trip. They will even use a private plane to bring them to the island country which is more convenient than traveling on a passenger plane.
As Wallace's group arrived at the airport's lobby, he met some familiar faces, they were also the selected participants in the upcoming international competition.
He noticed Aria Scott and Vanessa White from Skywalker Academy smiling at him. But he couldn't remember any interaction between them so he treated it as them being kind to their juniors. Unlike Avery from Isolde and Hector from Stoneheimer who only glanced at him, it seems that the former couple was more approachable. He also saw Nyla Lawson from Odrexelt whom eyes were closed while seated. Each one of these elite magicians was accompanied by 3 personnel as well like Wallace.
He carefully spread out his Divine Sense to peek at the strength of these individuals.
'It seems that the spring was mystical.' Wallace said in his mind after quickly scanning the group. This time, he didn't notice any response from these third years when he scanned them due to the improvement of his Divine Sense as well.
These third-year students from Skywalker and Isolde had only experienced the spring for one day and six hours respectively but their mana fluctuation had an immense improvement compared to last month. He presumed that the spring is highly effective towards magician in any path he'd chosen.
Wallace looked around and noticed some missing people.
'The three representatives from Mystic Gate isn't here yet.'
The three were Kyla Rogers, Jun Richardson, and Sheryl Vermont.
As soon as he thought of this, he saw a representative from the Ministry approaching their group. He ushered them to a private place where the other delegates of Ministry and student of Mystic Gate Academy is located.
'She's Erza if I remember correctly.'
Wallace saw another individual whom he noticed during the closing ceremony of the TMAC. He remembered that she's looking for someone during that night and later found out that she's acquainted with Shirley.
Including the people from the Ministry, there were a total of 68 people who boarded the private plane and headed to Montego.
It only took them 9 hours of travel as they arrived in the country early in the morning the next day.
Wallace closed his eyes as he silently prayed for his success in his escape later.
