"Storm Horn" arrived at port the second morning.

Leaving the only other school officer besides himself, Milan, to stay on the battleship, Aiven disembarked alone, called a carriage and headed straight for the suburbs of "New Inn Port".

Aiven and his crew have just been incorporated directly under the Kingdom Navy Department, and temporarily have not been assigned any tasks.

Their current status is vastly different from when they served on a Level 6 ship.

To use Aiven and his battleship for ordinary inshore patrol tasks would be akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, an extravagance to the point of wastefulness, even leaving them idle temporarily is unacceptable.

Up until today, for all the officers and men on the "Storm Horn", the "Navy New Star Plan" is formally concluded.

Aiven only needs to wait calmly for the promised rewards from Ilya to arrive, and thanks to him, the crew on board finally welcomed a rare long vacation after several months.

However, Aiven is very aware that after achieving name and fame, it isn't all benefits.

His name must have been sent to the desks of the rulers of all countries in the alliance, along with the confirmation of the "Navy New Star" status, and it's highly likely that Earl Wright has already learned he is still alive.

However, now as a Navy Lieutenant Colonel and a Battleship Captain, he has enough strength to withstand storms and is not afraid of any minor moves from that distant powerful figure.

Wasn't joining the Kingdom Navy in the first place for this very day?

His current abilities, power, and network of relationships clearly demonstrate the correctness of his original choice!

Moreover, Aiven knows that the greater his value, the stronger the protection from official channels of the Kingdom. As long as he is in Phaletis territory, to be honest, he is not afraid of a foreign count.

Although titles are mutually recognized among alliance countries, even if one is flaunting in their own country, it is reliant on their real strength, let alone being abroad?

The only concern is whether he would once again use an "unknown yet at least having two Extraordinary bandit group" to perform backdoor tricks like when Black Stone Town was attacked and directly decapitate Aiven.

However...

His sister Anita has successfully advanced to Great Knight. Considering his understanding of her, it would be truly peculiar if Anita didn't start her sweeping revenge action once she has gained confidence.

For a Count with real power, perhaps a newly entered Tier 3 Great Knight might not take his life, but a period of turmoil is certainly foreseeable.

Whether he would still have the energy to bother Aiven by then is a question mark.

Lost in thought, time always seems to fly by quickly.

Hoo—

When Aiven regained his senses, the carriage had already stopped steadily at the door of Cooper Manor.

Though he returned a bit hastily upon receiving the order, Aiven hadn't given a prior notice. But before coming here, Aiven had already inquired at the port, the "May Wind" hasn't sailed out for a mission, Uncle Gel is likely to be home.

"May Wind" is precisely Gel's current flagship and is also a Level 4 Battleship!

Ding-a-ling—

The servant who came to check upon hearing the doorbell saw the spirited young man in military uniform outside and immediately shouted in surprise.

"Ah! Master Aiven is back!"

This exclamation instantly ignited the solemn tranquility of the manor that resulted from the stern male host being home.

It burst into a commotion from top to bottom.

The clever ones rushed to inform the master, while those with a strong sense of responsibility immediately dashed into Aiven's original room for another round of cleaning, even though this room has been cleaned regularly retaining the appearance from when Aiven left.

During normal times, the servants wouldn't dare to act so arbitrarily. But the servants in the manor all know Aiven's special position in this family, didn't they see even the usually rigid and stern male host smiling broadly?

"Hahaha, Captain Aiven graces us with your presence, welcome, welcome!"

When Aiven stepped into the yard, Gel, dressed in casual home clothing, was already laughing as he proactively came to greet him.

Boom!

Sprint a few steps, and standing before Gel, the two tall and sturdy men embraced each other vigorously. Although not yet seventeen, Aiven was not much shorter than Gel.

Regarding Gel's teasing, he grinned a bit sheepishly:

"Uncle Gel, long time no see!"

Previously, while Aiven was studying at the Navy Academy, the two had already been separated for a full half-year.

Later, when he returned to Gabred to assume the role of Captain of the "Conch", Uncle Gel was almost simultaneously transferred back to the First Fleet to become a Battleship Captain again, the two had a brief encounter until now it has been another half-year.

Adding up the two separate periods, it already far exceeds the time they spent together on the "Silver Wings" after recognition.

Aunt Daphne, hearing the news and coming over, also gently hugged Aiven, pretending to chastise:

"Aiven, why didn't you let us know in advance when coming home? Hoyl, go fetch Young Master Elante back."

"Never mind, Aunt! Elante has just entered Navy Academy, he can't skip classes carelessly, don't ask him to come back for now.

This time I received an emergency order and didn't have time to write to you, now I'm directly governed by the Military Department with the 'Storm Horn', henceforth 'New Inn Port' is my home port, we will have plenty of time to spend together later."

When Aiven left "New Inn Port," Elante had already successfully enrolled in the "Royal Navy Academy." As for how much of it was due to genuine ability and how much was due to connections in the background, well, that's not important, is it?

"That's great, the Beckler Post's 'Navy New Star' news just came out a few days ago, Uncle Gel and I have been waiting for you to come to 'New Inn Port'!

Hehehe, a sixteen-year-old battleship captain, you've already outdone your Uncle Gel's achievements of half a lifetime. When you're not on a mission, come back home to stay."

Daphne, holding Aiven's hand while walking, spoke as the group entered the magnificently decorated living room of the manor and took their seats on the sofa.

"Hahaha, even if you chase me away, I'll stick around and not leave."

Shedding the seriousness and formality of being a captain outside, Aiven immediately felt relaxed here. Home is where family is.

"By the way, Aunt, where's Angie?"

Feeling a bit puzzled, Aiven hadn't seen his student Angie since he arrived, and was about to send sea birds to look for her.

Then he heard Aunt say:

"Angie has been taken by Miss Delis to another one of those salon gatherings, they're always so mysterious.

Since you left, this young lady often comes to find Angie to play with. Since Little Angie doesn't have many friends, it's good for her to have a companion to go out with, which makes us feel a bit more at ease."

Aiven accepted a peeled fruit from Aunt with a nod: "Before I left, I did ask Delis to look after Angie a bit. I didn't expect she'd be so attentive. I'll have to thank her another day."

Known for not being very talkative, Gel finally chimed in at this point:

"The pirate hunting operation was dangerous, wasn't it? Akrawa of the 'Eagle Spirit' and Basem of the 'Skeleton Tomb' aren't small characters. Were you injured?"

Aiven, with a very relaxed expression, said casually:

"The scenery on the open seas is quite nice. You can tell by looking at me now, though it wasn't easy, I was still the ultimate victor. In this mission, the 'Mist Silver Lamp' I got from Sku really helped me a lot."

"That's good! While merits are important, you're still young, so there's no need to rush. Being steady isn't bad!

Laughing last is the best laugh.

You're now the leader among your peers in the Kingdom Navy, hold your position and in less than ten years, becoming the youngest Brigadier General of the Kingdom is within reach."

Gel, having spent half his life in the Navy, understood that what Aiven needed most now was to become grounded. Only by turning previously accumulated honors and fame into genuine strength could he gather power for his next big leap.

"For your Uncle, returning to the position of a battleship captain at this age isn't too bad or too good. But moving up further isn't easy. Before retiring, reaching a Level 3 Battleship is likely my limit.

When I was young, Ferman and I traveled and adventured at sea. Although we made no major discoveries, we were truly young then, daring to fight and venture without knowing the sky's limit.

Your father dreamed of being the first great adventurer to explore the World's End. I was a bit more practical, just wanting to be a mighty General.

However, torches and dreams are meant to be passed on.

Today, Aiven, I think you might realize both of our dreams from back then!"

"Uncle Gel, I understand. Have you ever seen me recklessly act? And you're only just forty, becoming a General might not be easy, but...." Aiven looked around the living room at the standing servants.

Daphne immediately understood: "Everyone follow me to help, prepare more dishes that Master Aiven likes for the lunch standard in the kitchen."

She said, getting up and leading all the servants out. The wise hostess understood that the upcoming conversation between uncle and nephew wasn't suitable for ordinary people to hear.

Ensuring all the servants had gone far, Aiven retrieved a beautiful wooden box from his "Magic Pocket" at his waist and handed it to Gel.

The size of the wooden box didn't seem like it could fit in such a small pocket. Even though Gel had some understanding of his nephew's magical means, he couldn't help but be astonished.

No matter how much strange and peculiar Wizardry or Extraordinary abilities he'd seen outside, watching a family member use such a means felt different.

In fact, Aiven was ready to be candid with Gel at this time.

If his relatives were just ordinary people, Aiven wouldn't involve them in any mysterious events. But Uncle Gel was not only a Peak Level Official Knight but also destined to sail the seas as a battleship captain.

Risk was always around him. Knowing more about secret matters not involving power was actually good for him.

"During my adventures, I obtained a 'Magic Pocket.' Even for Wizards, spatial tools are one of the uncommon rare equipment."

This was Aiven's first time openly admitting his Wizard identity to Gel. As he'd often said, he was no longer what he used to be, and there was no need to worry that his Wizard identity would bring unnecessary trouble to family and friends.

"In fact, many people are aware of the 'Royal Navy Academy' Shadow Library's inside story, and due to confidentiality principles, I can't say much. I can only tell you it's a Wizard Organization led by the Kingdom's officials.

So, my Wizard identity is backed by official support and isn't some shameful ability.

Uncle Gel, having served a long time in the First Fleet, you must have heard about it too, right?

However, today's focus isn't my Wizard identity; it's this!"

Aiven said, pointing with a finger.

Only then did Gel's attention shift from the Wizard secrets to the box in his hand.

"This is....?"