“Is it even possible to tell the exact properties of a spirit ore before its extracted?”

While the others were dumbfounded with this miracle before their eyes, a look of pure fright crept onto the shopkeeper’s face as he realised something far more ominous.

“T…this boy… if he really can tell what is within the stone eggs, he will grasp the entire spirit ore business in his hands! And… if he could teach others to do so… Saint Empire will become unchallenged on Gaia.”

The Snowdrifts taking over the mining industry is only a matter of time. With such an ability, why would there be a need for appraisers?

While the Snowdrifts’ business will certainly flourish, and the other stores can only bow down to survive.

Cold sweat rolled down the shopkeeper’s cheeks.

If this boy wants to wreck his shop or any other stone egg gambling shops, all he needs to do is to waltz in and purchase all the profitable stone eggs leaving only the empty and worthless ones. Do that a few times, and the other patrons will catch on. At that time, no more gambling shops can sustain their business; they might as well crack open their stone eggs and sell the extracted ores instead.

Regardless of what Kairos choose to do with his power, even if it is impossible for him to always be there, and pick out the best stone eggs, there is one thing certain. The mining sector must bend to his will.

When all the extracted spirit ores were consolidated, the shop keeper’s guesses were confirmed. The stone eggs selected by Kairos had a hundred percent accuracy, all of them valuable and of the exact element that he claimed.

The shopkeeper paled. Just a moment ago, he was trying to teach these kids the vices of betting. Now, instead of showing how merchants will take advantage of people’s greed, this can’t even be called gambling. Kairos indeed held an uncanny ability to hear the voices of these spirit ores. More than just knowing their intents, he discovered he could hold a conversation with them. Although he started off like a bumbling idiot he quickly learned the language and came to a shocking conclusion. The words they used was the Heavenly Language – Runes.

From those voices, he picked out the stone eggs for his group and were glad to find that it indeed yields them worthy purchases.

The shop keeper’s face turned from amazement to speechlessness.

“All… all of them…? Hahahaa… Er Tian, your student is truly amazing. Looks like you lost the bet this year eh?”

“Hmph, it’s not like I win every year. With my luck, scoring the best find out of all the students in the class is impossible. It’s just more fun with a bet and it makes these younglings work harder”, he said with tongue-in-cheek, “Kairos, good job. I don’t know how you did it, but that’s amazing.”

“So, I won the bet?” Edward asked.

Because the archer did not have any tremendous find from the troll lair, Kairos had purposefully given him one stone egg with the strongest voice, and another with the clearest.

The voice that was filled with vigour turned out to be a Demon Lord Jewel. A crystal ore that is so powerful that it almost reached Immortal rank.

By embedding it onto a weapon, the wielder will have a heightened clarity of mind that helps in mastering techniques in mere days that would’ve otherwise taken weeks. Although the effect only works on weapon arts –hence its name – it is heavily sought-after as a training supplement. Furthermore, in a high-tension fight-to-the-death situation, the clarity provided by the crystal ore is invaluable. Sometimes, due to the accelerated learning speeds, one may even gain inspiration towards the next weapon mastery in a fight and overturn a deadly situation.

Because of this, the supply of Demon Lord Jewels is always in the deficit. Even with money, it is hard to buy one, and many noble families would only loan it to their most talented member in the younger generations.

On the other hand, to find such a treasure in this place is, in fact, unsurprising, since shops make far more purchases of stone eggs than individuals.

The identity of the second find, the egg that could be heard above the noise despite having a soft voice, was a tiny little black gem.

Just like Kairos’ CF Ninety-Eight before, none of the experienced miners could identify it, making it just as mysterious. But, with a glance, Kairos could tell that it is similar to the Origin of the Land, albeit of a slightly lower grade; even still, that makes it an item as valuable as the Lightning Core Fruit and the true jackpot in this shop.

Aisa who saw this excitedly told him that it is something called a Wind Seed, and once planted, it will draw wind elements over. Of course, regardless of the Wind Seed or the Demon Lord Jewel, there is no doubt Edward holds the best items among those who joined the bet.

When the shop keeper saw these treasures appearing from his stone eggs, it is commendable that his expression of wonder remained the same. It did not escape from Kairos’ eyes that there wasn’t even a tinge of greed that crossed the merchant’s eyes, and a smile appeared on the boy’s face.

“It seems what I previously deduced were correct.”

Granted, if the shop keeper, weren’t a trustworthy person, Er Tian wouldn’t have allowed his students to break open the stone eggs in this place.

For a business owner who couldn’t even afford to repair his roof, or hire a shop keeper, it was an amazing thing. A trader with ethics that get in the way of money is perhaps a failed merchant, but it was because of his character that he gained the respect of Kairos today.

Arriving at such a result – where the Snowdrifts completely shredded all competition, the other students are also amazed. To pick out a good stone egg may be luck, but to pick three hundred and sixty good ones out of over ten thousand on display, only exceptional skill could explain it.

Many of them were not convinced with Kairos’ abilities before and openly voiced out, saying how arrogant the young earl was, but now not only must they eat their words, they have to pay their dues for the lost bet.

“J..just how did he do it? Can he see into the stone eggs?”

“No, it’s impossible, there isn’t any martial technique to look through the surface.”

“I’ve heard that the Immortals could do that.”

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“What a joke, he isn’t even A ranked.”

“Then, you explain how he knows which to choose?”

The discussion grew louder and more intense until Er Tian had no choice but to interfere.

“Ahem, there’s no use trying to wiggle out of it with prattle. The winner for our bet is Edward Alfonso, pass your spirit ores to him.”

“Instructor! He must have cheated somehow. How can we follow the bet when he already knows what to pick for the win?”

“Yeah teacher, it’s totally unfair! I’ve gotten into a large debt thanks to this, and to find out that I didn’t have a chance in the first place is too cruel.”

Even the newcomers from Kairos’ group protested, rousing a series of grumbles and criticism from the other students.

“What are you all young fellows complaining about,” this time, even the shopkeeper spoke up, “Regardless if your opponent had cheated or even purposely out to swindle you, if you don’t have the money to lose, should you take the bet? So what if it is your Academy’s instructor brought you here, so what if it is a test? If you vehemently refuse, at most you lose some grades. In the end, it is the other person’s ability to pull the win off, and none of you have solid proof he cheated.”

Hearing his old friend’s outburst, Er Tian laughed heartily, but when he turned back to his students, his eyes were filled with fire, “If you had the guts and the resoluteness to refuse to partake, I would have given you pretty good character-grades. On the other hand, having a mouth that only complains after losing, not only will you lose the money you placed on the bet, you can expect to get a bad score from me.”

Not only are the instructors here to grade their ability in a course, but they also have to consider the students’ behaviour. The guidelines are rather generalised, and each professor determines what attributes to look for from the students. They did not expect that today’s exercise not only judged their ability to pick out stone eggs but also scrutinised their characters this way and just like previous years, many sore losers received a red mark. Everyone looked as though their pet goldfish had died – at the same time.

They already lost face with Kairos proving them wrong, then they lost a lot of money from the bet, and now they’ve even lost their grades. No matter how disgruntled they feel, few students of the academy are foolhardy enough to clash with their instructor and let their score pummel further. After all, whichever manner Er Tian wants to carry out his ethics grading is up to his freedom.

Today, Kairos has truly revealed a hidden card, and it is enough to shake the entire empire. The young ones might not yet notice and only felt heartache over their losses, but the spectators were not directly involved and could see a far wider picture.

“This boy…,” a miner whispered to the shop keeper.

“Yes… don’t say any more, I can see it too.”

“What monstrous ability,” Er Tian had a crooked smile on his face.

He was just told that today would be the rise of Snowdrifts, but at that time he had thought little about it. In fact, it seemed to be a silly thing to do, revealing a gigantic spirit ore that no one can identify. Such actions may not bring much trouble for a while, but should it be authenticated to have a desirable trait, all the wolves and foxes will come out of their holes as greed overtakes them. But now, the Head of Logistics Instructor – who have ample experience on the value of spirit ores - can only make a helpless face.

The rumours were wrong.

This boy is not the Earl of fortune to possess all the luck in the world. He is more than that. It isn’t a stretch to call Kairos the Earl of artistries and the absolute ruler of treasure troves. The boy could probably walk into an enemy palace and somehow found his pockets filled with riches. Moreover, Talismans, Stratagems, Runic Research, Inscription, Sealing – which class had he not aced already?

The other instructors had already discussed up a storm in the staff room. Er Tian blushed slightly as he recalled how he had proudly claimed that such a feat would not be reproduced in his class. The blacksmiths require years of experience – besides talent – to forge a keen edge.

However, before the boy even started blacksmithing, Er Tian already have the impulse to beg him to teach his stone egg appraisal technique. He sighed a deep breath. Indeed. Just like Kairos said, the Snowdrifts will shake Gaia before long.

Utterly defeated, the other students were crestfallen. For some of them, the money they lost may not be a big deal, but the face they threw away today is irreplaceable, yet none were able to refute what their instructor and the shopkeeper said.

They unhappily passed the archer their extracted spirit ores. A few secretly tried to break apart the transparent film that seals up their ore to destroy it but were quickly found out. Er Tian only had to give them a hard look and their immature actions ceased.

Since Edward won the bet, it is now up to him to see fit what to do with the loots, and he wasn’t a forgiving person. After taking what he needs, he gave the rest to his captain, while whatever the rest of Snowdrifts found, he did not touch. After all, he only won because Kairos helped him.

With only the eleven of them celebrating their results, those that had lost their materials can only return to the Academy emptyhanded. In their next lesson, they must forge their weapon or armour with the spirit ores they already found, or use those provided from the school’s storage. Those that have spare cash went to purchase extracted ores. Those that need cash sold what they found previously.

Toprak, the senior who uncovered the Unending Dust Ore sold it to an enthralled Flora. The Blue Frost family of blacksmiths had long been searching for something that could prevent dust from landing on their red heated metals. Most dust will burn into soot and change the metal’s purity, thus the Unending Dust Ore that could still the air had always been the perfect safeguard against the unending dusts in the forges.

With the lesson over, the students were ushered back to the academy, but before they left, Kairos did not forget to talk to the shop keeper privately. The man received a calling card from the boy who introduced himself as the leader of the Snowdrifts. After a short discussion, a pouch landed in the man’s hands.

“This is the initial investment. As promised, you can continue running your shop the same way you did, and we will get you the fame you need. Soon, you’ll see the way to make money while helping even more people than now.”

The shopkeeper stared at the departure of the cadets unable to close his mouth. His jaw had fallen out of its sockets from shock, but he felt no pain. He had expected the boy to become rich from reading stone eggs. What he did not imagine was that he would receive the money worth ten of his shops from Kairos as an investment. Clearly, the child – no, his new boss - is far more capable than he could conceive. He did not know that the feeling was mutual, and Kairos was just as impressed with him. Money could always be earned, but a resolute attitude towards good is something not many have.

After everyone returned to the Academy, Kairos immediately received a summon. His face turned into a frightening grin before he promptly left for the appointment.

….

A little while later, at the biggest office in the Academy, two people sit across each other with a long table between.

“Principal Gai,” Kairos greeted.

“You’re finally here. An intelligent boy like you should have guessed the reason for today’s meeting, no?”

“The Dark Gods Family.”

“Yes, indeed. You have taken many liberties from me and the Fifth Prince, yet you presume it is okay to join our rival, the Third Prince? Tell me, what made you believe you will be spared from a crushing downfall?”

“You disappointed me, Principal Gai. And, I would say, your master, the Third Prince, would also feel this way for losing the Snowdrifts because of you,” Kairos said boldly without a hint of amusement.

“You Dare!?”

“Let me finish,” he paused.

Furious, the Principal gritted his teeth, but curiosity eventually won him over, and he waited to hear what this impudent boy has to say.

Kairos did not show any reservations.

“You allowed vermin to chew the foundations of your school. The unnecessary deaths during my first year mock battlefield examination caused me to hesitate joining your faction. The Blue Blood’s continued existence confirmed my choice.

And, you underestimated me.

I dare presume to join whichever faction I wish. The Snowdrifts are greater than you think. Before asking if I am above defeat, first considered if your demise will come should you raise your weapons at us.”

The self-made Earl stood up after he finished, without caring for a reply from the other party. Despite the strength and ferocity of his words, instead of a fearsome scowl, there was only a gentle smile on his face. But it drove deep into Principal Gai’s heart and planted a seed of doubt within.

Doubt quickly turn into fear, and fear into rage.

The principal slammed his hands on the table even as the boy’s back is turned towards him, but Kairos did not halt his step. When he opened the door to leave, he left a final piece of advice for the pudgy principal.

“If the Fifth Prince wishes to do business, the Snowdrifts will always welcome him. However, he should find another intermediary. One that will not leave us a bad name to partner with.”