Wallace was silent after receiving the mission as he clearly understood what the Pathfinder wanted him to accomplish.

A Celestial Fragment was now in his possession and this item could either help him learn Chasm Trample or Astral Core Formulation. Unfortunately, the fragment was not enough to complete the learning process. It is only capable of triggering the method to learn the skill. For Chasm Trample, he still needed to be in a special place to fully learn it while the Astral Core requires four other types of immensely powerful energy so he could form the core.

That's right, aside from the power coming from the fragment, he planned to use thermal energy, mana force, nuclear energy, and aether force.

Apparently, he already made huge progress in creating a field where nuclear fission is possible, although the field was small with a size of a room, it was enough to create a space for nuclear energy. For thermal energy, he could easily manage to prepare one using his Laser Focus. Then for the Mana Force, it would be quite easy for him. Ever since his Arcane Baptism, he already had a very strong foundation with regards to Mana.

With that in mind, the missing Aether was the only one left. He wanted to use a bit of Aether to complete the formulation of the Astral Core that he wanted. Right now, within 19 AU as Avalon said, no other source of Aether can be found aside from the remaining Aether within the spaceship.

"I guess... I'll delay the blueprint for the artifact for now... or should I postpone this mission for next week instead?"

Wallace was feeling a bit undecided on what to do first but after he carefully weighs the situation, he decided to immediately visit the Araceli Island. He was worried about what could happen in his spaceship in the next several days. Who knows if the Aether would just suddenly run out?

It would be a tragedy if something unexpected happens while he was trying to create an artifact that should not really be his focus.

He then contacted the Headmaster about his changes in schedule advising him about his disappearance in the next few days.

After this, he immediately sorted out all his necessary equipment and weapons that he should bring in his journey. His Lotus Mech Frame was also included.

He considered for a while and decided to bring four Elysiums with him.

"Mhm... This should be enough for now. Anyway, I should try to avoid fighting head-on."

Wallace looked at the case containing several explosives that originally came from his spaceship. He still had a lot of them left so he decided to maximize its usage in this operation.

It seems that everything was settled.

'Did I forget something?'

In truth, Wallace was a bit nervous since he didn't have that many battle experiences. His experience was more on a simulation program and using drones to fight enemies. His real tough muscle fight was here in this world. Although he knew that he was strong, he was aware of his lack of strong battle sense that can normally be seen from only the battle-hardened soldiers.

Sigh~

He had one more check within his Spatial Bag and after confirming that nothing was missing. He quickly disappeared.

Void Phasing Step!

Through the help of this skill, he sneakily smuggled himself to Montego. Though he still took about four hours before he arrived at the soil of this country, he felt that it was worth it. He didn't officially use his travel documents since he wanted to keep this journey a secret. He doesn't want anyone to find out that he went back to this country.

After a few more usage of his Void Phase, he arrived near the Araceli Island. He didn't dare to physically appear on the island yet so he appeared on a nearby island just about 500 meters away. He wanted to make sure about the status of the island first.

His Divine Sense was carefully sent out to determine this and soon, information about the island came to his mind.

"That guy is no longer here, huh."

Wallace felt that it was a shame since he wanted to compare his strength to that man. After all, that guy was so difficult to face the first time they met.

'Urgh... I shouldn't think about that. It's good that there are less troublesome people here.'

In exchange for that man, Wallace noticed that the number of Battle Mage and Adept Mage had increased.

From their ranks, four of them had a mana fluctuation that tells that they weren't ordinary Peak Adept Mages. Although the young man couldn't clearly tell the difference, he was sure that those four were the standing leader of this place.

For his spaceship, it was still safely covered within the dome and spherical glass.

'Eh?'

Wallace was a bit surprised that he could clearly see everything using his Divine Sense. Before, this skill was being blocked by the dome itself. But now, it feels like there was barely any obstruction from him to the Spaceship.

"Was my Divine Sense really that strong now... Or perhaps, is this a trap trying to lure me in?"

He couldn't remove that from the possibility since someone had already infiltrated this place before. They surely made some improvements in their defensive traps given the time they had to prepare in the past few months.

'Tsk, there's no time for second thoughts... Let's do this...'

***

Geno has been assigned to govern this island and protect the aircraft together with the researchers studying it.

The job looks to be very simple since, in the past few months, no one had even tried to fight their way on this island.

They spent a lot of money to enhance this place's defenses and he was sure that even he himself would try to infiltrate this fortress island, it would be a matter of seconds before he will be caught.

Geno was drinking his coffee and reading the report of the researchers about the abnormality of the aircraft.

Today seems to be the same as usual until suddenly...

Boom! Boom!

Explosions in four different directions were heard followed by a low magnitude earthquake.

"What?!"

As soon as he planned to move out and go to the nearest site of an explosion, he suddenly remembered the previous assault they experienced.

He read in the reports how the enemy managed to successfully infiltrate this place by causing a large explosion of mana outside.

He immediately reminded the people to stay on guard and keep reporting about any other abnormalities.

The sound of the alarm can be heard within the whole island as everyone braced for the battle that was about to ensue.

Soon, Geno heard the reports of the guards outside.

"This is Creed One. There's only one enemy at the southern shore. Our team is about to engage. Over."

"This is Creed Six. I can see an automaton causing havoc at the eastern dock. It doesn't seem to have plans on targeting humans but only wanted to destroy the docked ships."

"This is Creed Eight. One armored man-- No, it is an automaton, was trying to destroy our aircraft at the eastern hangar. It's very fast! We need backup! I repeat! We need backup!"

"This is Creed Four. The explosion was caused by an automaton. It was holding six more of those grenade-like objects. We need confirmation to destroy the enemy."

Geno immediately gave instructions to the guards and quickly called out his three other subordinates in this place.

"Trisha, Arnold, and Greg! Hurry over here. Make sure no one slips in."

These four including Geno himself were the strongest magicians assigned in this place. They were all wearing Black and Gold robe showing their status in their organization. They also show excitement within their eyes as the battles seem to be approaching them.

Trisha, the only female in the group, quickly tried to have a good grasp on the surrounding areas as she silently seated outside the spherical glass covering the spaceship.

"You guys... Hide in the nearest shelter..." Trisha was talking to the researchers who hadn't left the place yet.

"Yes ma'am. Please be careful."

"Mhmm..."

Half a minute had passed and not a single good news was heard as the guards confronted the automatons.

"Greg! Aren't you the one assigned in training those guards?"

"I already tried teaching them. They're just not diligent enough!"

"Haha... An excuse..."

"Shut it!" Geno shouted as Greg and Arnold stopped bickering.

"This is weird... The enemy should try to attack head-on after those four tried to get our attention." Geno muttered softly as he analyzes the situation.

The other three understood what their leader wanted to say as they activated their probing skills to make sure they protected every corner of the place.

"Find the main culprit!!" Geno shouted to his communicator device to instruct the guards.. It wasn't a sudden instruction since everyone was already aware that the automatons wouldn't just be here without someone's instructions.

As soon as he said this, a cold wind brushed past behind him and noticed that Trisha and the others had horrified looks on their faces as they stared at the entity behind him.