The Radiant Wave Shield has similar technology to Wallace's Lotus Mech Frame. The shield it creates wouldn't just protect them from external attacks but it was also capable of counterattacking.

"This should be good enough. We need to have a good rest..."

Wallace said after setting up the machine at the entrance. They've just survived a disaster and the reason they were attacked was most likely due to his actions.

He glanced at a certain direction as if he was observing something from afar.

A while ago, he decided to halt their advance not just because it was about to get dark but he realized that the chimeras hiding in the shadows seem to be very dangerous.

He saw their large and sharp claws that can cause them some serious injuries if they were not careful.

Now, he noticed that they were not moving from their previous location so they can only act that they haven't noticed their presence yet.

'Their claws match that one we've seen at the encampment ruins...'

Wallace thought after he remembers the encampment made by the Cloud Hawks Manor's people. They found it yesterday and they noticed that the camps and vehicles they used were filled with claw marks like they fought a strong beast during their resting period.

The chimeras he saw in the shadows have a similar build with a large sloth but they have steel-like claws and reptile scales covering their bodies. These creatures may be similar to the beasts that attacked the Manor's people.

"We could've lessened our traveling time if we ignored the dangers at night but..."

Hannah softly muttered as although she hadn't sensed the existence of the enemies hiding in the dark, she felt the cautiousness and alertness in Yumi and Wallace's actions.

The existence of such enemies stops them from traveling at night.

Of course, they have been considering traveling even with this obstacle but after they realized that their senses or detection skills have been severely limited during the day as well, they ultimately decided to just make an encampment before the night approaches.

If their vision was also limited, they might just suffer a casualty if they continued.

"Wallace, what probing skill are you using that lets you become unaffected by this place's environment?"

Yumi asked after Wallace took a sit to rest. The latter didn't answer immediately as he thought carefully.

It wasn't really a big secret so he decided to just tell them.

"That's a Soul Art..."

"Just like what I thought..." Yumi nodded after hearing Wallace.

"You realized? I don't think you're practicing a Soul Art as well..."

"No, I realized because I heard within your Academy that you have a good relationship with Miss Chamber. She even helped you to contract with Miya in your project's advertisement... I hear some rumors that--"

"Miya? Advertisement? Are you referring to Miya Linus? That rookie star?"

Hannah interrupted as she perked up after hearing them. It seems that she was updated on the latest news.

"Ah, yes... That's her." Wallace answered and confirmed her thoughts.

"Then, are you working with Traceless Hands? The one who made those VR pods?"

Wallace scratches his head and as he was about to answer, Yumi interrupted and answered for him.

"He's the one who made those VR pods. He was also the 5th apprentice of Sir Slaine Allusia."

"Eh?"

Hannah and Clint who just realized this young man's identity tried processing Yumi's words in a few seconds. They remembered that the Traceless Hands didn't just create the VR Pods but they have also made several other original mana artifacts. Especially the Float Drive System that was used not just by the Lucent Force but even by the criminal organizations.

They also heard about the apprentice thing but because it happened in the capital, they didn't really bother getting into its detail. After all, they were living in the previously quiet and peaceful Tanza City.

"Wait, before that. What kind of rumors have you heard about me?"

Wallace wanted to learn what do people say about him. It made him even more curious since Yumi said that he heard this within the Academy. She even explicitly mentioned that she learned that he has a good relationship with the current female Headmaster.

"Oh, the rumors? Hmm... They said that you're always within the office of this Miss Chamber discussing many things. I've seen her a few times... She deserves to be an instructor of Celebrity Idols... Right, some even said that you never went out in that office for a whole day. You even supported her to become the Headmaster and she also did her best to help you sign Miya as your helper... So there were rumors saying that you're into that thing..."

"What is 'that thing'?"

Screeecchh!

Wallace wanted to clarify her vague words but a screeching noise interrupted their conversation...

"Aarrghh!"

"It's painful... What's that noise?!"

"Bats!"

Wallace said after he probed the surroundings and found its source.

He found that about five hundred meters away from them, a group of flying mana beast was trying to fight a single but large winged horse that was probably taking a nap at the nearby shade of a tree.

'This land was really filled with troubles.'

Sound-based attacks weren't filtered on their constructed shields. It was because they also needed to hear very clearly. After all, their probing magic was limited here so they can only trust their senses.

***

On that same night, Percival and Avery were peacefully having a good rest but they suddenly felt the ground tremble. It lasted for a whole fifteen seconds before completely stopping.

There has never been such an earthquake before. It only means one thing...

"What did that guy do down there?"

He was sure that the earthquake was caused by the Grand Arcanist's actions. It may have found trouble deep underground or he probably woke up someone who had been resting there for a long time.

"If that legendary man was really down there, I don't think he'll be happy being disturbed at this time..."

Percival chuckled before going back to rest while Avery was worrying for any aftershock or incoming beast attack.

"Are you just going to sleep like that?!"

"Mhmm..."

Anyway, the headmaster believes that Aeolia was still alive and he had also found many clues from that man about his true aim for the future. He was even imagining himself meeting with that man.

The Lucent Force possesses some blueprints that Aeolia made that can never be constructed in this generation. It may probably take two or three more generations before their technology could construct such large scale projects.

That man possesses an unimaginable talent that didn't belong to their era. He was sure that this man also has plans for the future and was well aware of the Grand Arcanist's desire to obtain the power to protect the human race.

Percival has many questions about the clues left behind by this man so he really wanted to see him as well, but it was not his priority for now. Three Grand Arcanist was already working on it.

What he has to do is to lead the promising magicians that he found on the right path, so he had to return to the Academy at all costs.

He already found two special students at the Academy, it was Wallace and Hilda. They have a bright future and Wallace had already taken his path but he still has to help Hilda reach the peak of her potential.

"Urgghhh... If I just brought my Arcana, I wouldn't be in this situation..."