Once Michael managed to get his killing intent under control, Ava made sure that he was alright.
"You can talk to me if something is bothering you."
Michael was surprised by her show of care but didn't think much about it.
"I was just wondering why the so-called reinforcements would bother showing up if all they are planning to do is to stir trouble." He said nonchalantly.
'Yeah, right!' Leo, overhearing the conversation, barely suppressed a scoff. 'Just now I felt like an Elite alien had found its way into the vehicle. To think that the youngster had such an intense killing aura.'
A few hours later they reached the base.
'At least the place isn't wrecked. I hope that Bryce just overplayed the events.' Michael thought before entering.
The base was mostly peaceful, with most of the soldiers either out battling the portals scattered around the lands or resting.
"Cadet Michael, happy to see you." Soon after the old man appeared, however, his playful demeanor was gone.
"Sir Bryce." The trio saluted before asking. "You said that there had been a clash between the Immortal Legion and Victoria?"
"Sadly, yes." The old man sighed. "However, it didn't concern the base nor the soldiers. Apparently it had something to do with the Immortal Legion and the Golden Vanguard. Since the former is trying to steal the first spot from the latter, there was a confrontation."
Michael's eyes darkened slightly. He knew better than anyone how far some factions would be willing to go, just for fame and influence.
"Is… Lady Victoria alright?" Michael couldn't help but ask. Even if he ignored his prior life, here he had shared a battlefield with her. Not to mention that she was still his general. If someone were to bother his superiors, he couldn't just let that slide.
"Yes, the clash was relatively verbal. Though at the end Grandmaster Isaac and Victoria exchanged killing intent with one another. Thankfully I managed to intervene before there was anyone seriously hurt."
From Bryce's eyes it was obvious he feared things getting out of hand. Since Grandmaster Isaac was both of a higher realm and had more influential backing, he couldn't do much.
"Oh, but please don't concern yourself with our affairs." The old man waved his hand, not wanting to bother his subordinates.
"You are a simple cadet and still an Apprentice at that. No one is expecting you to involve yourself with the factions. In fact, it will be better if you don't."
Truthfully, Bryce had shared the insider information in order to keep Michael safe. If he knew that the ones higher than him weren't on friendly terms, he would be prepared to get out of harm's way should a fight break out.
"Usually there would be a ceremony for this kind of stuff. But it's better to be kept under wraps. Otherwise, we risk angering the Immortal Legion even more." Bryce winked before giving him a small neon chip.
"The Epic cybernetic…" Michael exclaimed. This little thing held tremendous value. Most would be ready to kill for the Epic technique it contained.
Yet Victoria was giving it as a reward for the one that managed to kill the most aliens with no extra strings attached, and Bryce wasn't having inner thoughts about keeping it for himself.
'People like them are rare and few between. If I wish to become stronger and for humanity to thrive, I will have to gather selfless people like them.'
With a bow, Michael took the chip. "Thank you. I promise I will repay you for your kindness."
Stroking his beard, Bryce chuckled. "Oh dear, if you really want to repay someone, it has to be Victoria… Just don't forget you can join my faction whenever you want. Heavenly Pact will always have our doors open for you."
Despite not even being in the top 10, being directly invited to join the Heavenly Pact was a dream come true for many.
But Michael turned down the offer once again. Causing the old man to chuckle.
"Goodbye, young man. Since the Immortal Legion is here now, they will be taking over my work. I will be needed elsewhere… Remember my warning."
Saying his farewell, Bryce left. Meanwhile, Leo went to restock the vehicle with more supplies, and Ava had to deal with some personal matters.
'Let's insert the cybernetic.'
[New technique comprehended: Blink]
[Rank: Epic]
[Level: 1]
[Description: You can teleport to a 5 meter radius as long as it's in your line of sight. Has a 1 minute cooldown.]
'This could synergize pretty well with Dash. I'll be able to confuse my foes with my positioning without any trouble.' Michael thought.
Just when he was wondering what he should do, he heard a familiar voice.
"Cadet Michael. I require your presence."
Michael frowned slightly. Oliver had approached him out of the blue, almost like he had been waiting for when he was alone.
"Sure." Even if he suspected that Oliver had something hostile in mind, he had to comply, being of the inferior rank. He wasn't afraid of any disciplinary action. He just didn't want to make trouble for his comrades.
'Not to mention that I can deal with whatever he wants to throw at me easily.'
He half expected to be taken to some sketchy corner where he was going to be ambushed. But to his surprise, he was taken to the training ground. More specifically, the duel arena.
'It's awfully quiet around the place.' He analyzed. The place was usually bustling with activity.
He soon found the reason for the eerie quietness. Before the arena there were three chairs where a few familiar silhouettes sat. All members of the Immortal Legion.
In the middle was Grandmaster Isaac. To his right was a beautiful woman with raven-black hair and blue eyes that radiated coldness. While to the left was a short man with an unfriendly expression on his face.
'Aside from Isaac, I don't remember meeting these in my previous life.' Michael's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Sir Oliver, if I may ask, why did you require my presence?"
Wordlessly Oliver took off his upper uniform. Revealing his well-built torso and cybernetic right arm. Making eye contact, he got low, putting his two fists before his face.
"Since, we are going to play a critical role in defending the base, we need to know the general level of our troops, right?" Grandmaster Isaac sneered before taking a sip from the cup filled with whisky.
'So this is what it's all about.' A few things became clear to Michael as he observed the soldiers next to the arena, all lying either unconscious or in pain.
With a sigh, he removed his upper suit, showcasing his superior physique to Oliver's. His eyes grew cold as he got into a fighting stance.
"Bring it on."