The 33rd Sun Fox set up its defence perimeters within an hour around the Hongshan Village. Barb wires, instant wall fortifications with five sentry turrets. The Village's barrier crystal was replaced with a stronger crystal by Colonel Bao.
The gadgets that the Sun Fox troops used were state of the art, nothing like the village had saw before. As both Sun Fox and the Village guards took turns to defend the village, they saw a group incoming from afar. They were expecting enemies and not allies especially after the battle report. They got into battle positions the moment they saw a mobile tank walker into position.
In the meantime, Sen and the others thought Hongshan Village had already been conquered by Black Monarch troops. He signalled the conscripts to spread out and get ready to retaliate. Both sides nearly fired without negotiations until Major Takashi Raizan halted the Sun Fox troops.
"Are you all imbeciles? Can't you see some, if not all of them are wearing the Red Sun uniform? Besides, that mobile tank walker would have fire shots from its effective range." Major Raizan looked with disgust to the Sun Fox Captain. The captain realised his mistake as he took his binoculars to confirm and later sent out a messenger with a Red Sun's flag on it while telling his man to stand down.
Sen saw the flag and asked everyone to stand down. They were relieved they were not targets and Hongshan Village was not under Black Monarch command. They would really have been in trouble if they were to fight against the new fortifications. The messenger welcomed them back to Hongshan village.
As the group was passing by the fortified gate, Raizan now cast a Superior Identification spell on his right eye. That magic spell complemented with the Higher Identification spell which he casted previously. He was managed to distinctly measure every conscript and even had their identity revealed via his eye except one.
The one that was driving the mobile tank walker. His identity was revealed stating that he was Hongshan Village tailor's son Sen. He was the only one with a magical aura but it was barely visible and weak. However, besides his magical aura, he sensed another aura that belonged to him that was being emitted too.
This aura was extremely dense if described with current magical standards, way more powerful than the number one elite mage in Red Sun. If not for the modified spell that Raizen had created, he would have thought that Sen was just a person with extreme magical potential.
"Very interesting indeed, to sense the aura of a different plane from the Earth plane. This Sen has probably what it takes to be the best subject for my Saint Project!" Raizan was extremely excited to know things may finally be progressing ever since he found himself to be at a dead end with his Saint Project.
The Sun Fox troops was swift with its rescue response as well. The injured were brought to the village medical center, the rest of the conscripts were given food and water and they all recounted similar stories to the Sun Fox personnels. Sen came out of the Strider after all the injured were brought down from the Strider. He was comforted to be back to his hometown.
"Hey soldier, the one from operating the mobile tank. What is your name?"
Sen looked at the direction of the question and saw a Red Sun officer with a pale skin complexion and a defining face that gleams under the sunlight. He also noticed that the officer had no Sun Fox insignia, no medals but of a rank he dared not refute. Sen came down from the Strider and gave a salute to the Major.
"Sir, Conscript Haruyuki Sen reporting."
"I am Major Takashi Raizan, Vice Chief of Red Sun Military Weapons Research and Development Facility, currently an attache with the 33th Sun Fox. According to soldiers' hearsay, you are the appointed leader. Write a full report to me by the end of the day and pass it to me at the City Hall." Major Raizan's tone was not condescending like the Red Sun superior's that he met. "Wait, you know how to write right?" He questioned before leaving Sen.
"Yes Sir, I do know how to read and write." Sen replied promptly
"Excellent, I am looking forward to it."
As Raizan wanted to move away from the scene, Everyone in the vicinity saw Sen did something miraculous; He was able to make the Strider disappeared into thin air. Sen guessed that this was the researcher that the System was talking about so he decided to show off a little. Raizan was stupefied by such an act. "Major, do not worry this is part of my magic powers. I will write it down in my report." Sen curled his lips a little.
"Now, I anticipate your report with much interest, Conscript Sen." It has been a long time since he got so thrilled to see a new type of magical power before. Most magic were either offensive or defensive based and are elemental in nature. Therefore, the magic society had their own hierarchy. In descending order, the offensive magic types were Lightning, Fire, Wind, Earth, Water and Light.
In terms of defensive magic, only Water, Earth and Wind qualified for it with Water at the top due to its healing properties. Light magic users are the most common awakened mages but they were also considered the most useless.
They were mainly used for shock and awe tactics or for search and rescue missions. Unless they can advance to a higher level where their Light magic can condense into solid form, they will forever be ridiculed. However, having magical abilities is better than none because most advanced technology uses the Fate Crystals.
Only users with magic can operate them. For Raizan to see a new form of magic is akin a child getting a new toy. There were other minor types of magic such as the one Razian had used but not many possessed the capability to harness various types of magic.
Sen, Feng and the others returned to their homes. Their families were relieved to see them again but a majority of the families also mourned the tragic news of the lost of their love ones. Separately, Colonel Bao and Major Raizan came here to complete the initial objective. To see through the 18 kids and see if they have any potential in magic.
Only two were eligible according Raizan's 'broad' considerations and their family was congratulated to have their children of two to sign on into the the Military Mage Academy.
Later in the evening, Sen completed his report and got Feng to accompany him to see Major Raizan at the Village Hall. The guards in the building escorted both of them to see Major Raizan and left them in his temporary office.
Major Raizan coincidentally returned from his dinner with the Village Mayor and Colonel Bao and started to read Sen's report. In less than a few minutes, he put the report down and talked to both of them. "So you were saying that your magic could possibly be a type of possession magic ability? "
"Yes Sir, I felt that I have certain possession capability but the extent of it is unknown." Sen tried to kept it as vague as possible for he did not want to leak the Saviour System out.
"Well, in any case, in lieu of the recent events, Conscript Haruyuki Sen, you are now promoted to lance corporal as your reward for saving the fellow Red Sun conscripts. As for the other conscripts, they will be promoted to Private and shall receive a minor monetary incentive."
Sen was delighted to hear the news, with this promotion, he will be able to provide enough silver coins for his family! Feng was just as happy as being an official soldier of the army had its perks than just a drafted conscript.
"Sen, I have a proposition for you, would you like to be my sub-, I meant join my team? You will be groomed as a proper mage by me and you can trust that I can unlock your potential in magic to the fullest." Raizan proposed to Sen but he became slightly annoyed upon seeing Sen's reaction. This is the first time seeing such reluctance and distraction in a person's eyes. Should it not be a great honour to be a direct team member of the Vice Chief of the Red Sun's R&D?
Meanwhile in Sen's head, a mission actually appeared. "Mission issued, please read the following."
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Mission 3: Assist against the assault on Hongshan village (Middle Age Plane) with your new team: Feng and Raizan. Protect the village from the goblin invasion.
Rewards: Fate Crystals awarded according to performance and the commencement of Saviour Store.
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"Sen, I think it is a great offer, you can be the first famous mage of Hongshan Village!" Feng added as he saw Raizan was a little irritated by the lack of answer. Sen came back from his slight daze and a rifle magically appeared in front of him. Raizan was alarmed and nearly casted his magic until Sen spoke out.
"I like to ask your help and I hope I can explain to you two what is happening once the whole thing blows over." Sen spoke seriously and his eyes had the looks of a predator. The environment starts to flicker in front of them and they felt a shift of forces overcoming them.
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Bells were ringing, screams of fright echoed throughout the village. The smell of smoke were all around them in the night. Suddenly, the sound of a broken glass startled Feng and Raizan. A goblin came jumping in through the window of the office but with a quick aim, it was dispatched to the ground by Sen.
Sen cocked his rifle and released another bullet into the goblin's head to ensure he is dead.
"One down, many to go."