The competition among students had always been fierce, but it is the only way they could advance in this military academy.

Officially, among the 300 first year students,  there are 110 who already reached E rank, with the majority of them at Entry or Mid-grade. Only twenty had reached Peak E rank, but above them, there is one who reached D rank.

When Calculus unlocked his cultivation with a secret technique, everyone was surprised that he is also a D ranker.

Like how George correctly assessed previously, anyone whom hides their true abilities beforehand and is now showing it, is for the purpose of self-serving motives.

Right now Calculus only revealed himself so he could kill Kairos and everyone on Kairos' side.

As his roar ends, a powerful Ki coated him, and a fierce burning anger lights up on his eyes as he looked directly at Kairos.

Watching that sneering, Kairos knew Calculus' target is himself. In that case, he will meet his foe directly in battle.

"The Northern star formation (北极星阵)" Kairos says quietly. His tone steady and clear, without emphasis or emotion.

Of the four formations that he taught the guys, this is the only one where Kairos stands in the forefront instead of at the heart of the formation.

Those in his team took on an uneasy expression when they heard his words worry flitting across many of their faces. After so many battles, their companionship had grown.

Nevertheless, they followed his command. Alan, Jim, Edward, Tommy and the four team captains took their positions at the crucial spots. Tommy stood as their rear guard, Alan in the centre at the heart of the formation. Edward and Jim who could attack from far stood directly behind Kairos as his combat support. The rest of the team protected Alan, the controller of their battle array.

Calculus arrogantly waited for them to take their places, and when they finished getting into place, the instructors could see on their crystal ball that Kairos' team is positioned like a sharp unsheathed sword pointed at Calculus

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Though Kairos' team is hardly a fifth of their usual combat efficiency, the Northern star formation is an array that focuses all the Ki energy in the group and channels them to Kairos. With a single point of engagement, the Northern Star formation made with the purpose of challenging a stronger foe.

Using their accumulated Ki pushing him forth, if Kairos ends up being defeated by Calculus, then like a blade which shattered its edge against a hard rock, the star formation will be broken and everyone in his team including Kairos himself will either be killed or fatally wounded.

They stood grim and unwavering as their fighting spirit rises. They had been pushed to the brink of despair, with nowhere to escape to; this is a battle they cannot afford to lose. The D rank cultivation aura they felt from Calculus demands them to face him with all their might.

As they stood as one, they know, their only path forward has to be carved out by their own hands, and whether it leads them to victory or death, they can only continue moving forward.

Calculus snickered when he saw their unity. Although they outnumber him twenty five to one, it makes no difference to him. In his eyes, seeing a group of peasants challenging him is as hilarious as watching a litter of pups baring their fangs at a majestic lion.

When a cultivator reaches D rank, they unlock the ability to use their Ki as a barrier. This art that is learned instinctually allows him to hold off attacks until his stamina runs out or a particularly strong attack breaks through his defences.

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It is unlikely that Kairos’ side has martial technique powerful enough to harm him, and with a glance, he could see that these poor peasants he looks down upon could not even afford any powerful weapons. Moreover, he is able to defeat an average F ranker within three moves. Stamina should not be an issue.

Calculus is extremely confident to be able to defeat a large amount of G and F rankers.

He stood there waiting, as his foes began channelling the Ki within themselves to restore their paltry energy. Calculus is in no hurry to defeat them, what he wishes for is to bring utter despair to his enemies. Only then will he be able to let them understand the exact extent of their transgressions.

As their internal energy revolves, each cycle that the Ki rotates in the body creates more energy. This is the same method a practitioner uses to naturally generate Ki for cultivation, healing or preparing for battle. The 25 of them accumulated waves and waves of Ki, pointing their weapons forward, they directed it into Kairos.

At the same time, their own fighting capacity slowly returned to a fifth of their usual strength. Kairos who is taking in the bulk of their energy recovered much more, in a short while he reached a third of his full capacity, but it is way too slow and way too little.

"Not a single weapon at Huang grade (黄级) and yet you dare to challenge me" Calculus couldn't help but laugh aloud. He had given them the time to let them recover, while he checked out the weapons his opponents are holding. Pathetic. Only four among them carried steel weapons. A mundane equipment, albeit a little more durable than the copper and bronze weaponry.

…..

Looking at this scene, the instructors' faces all turned solemn. They understand what Calculus means by that. Without a Huang grade weapon or better, the students on Kairos' team will be unable to injure Calculus, and they will definitely lose.

And, if they lose here, there is no doubt Calculus will kill all of them. The lives of commoners are not worth much to the Devilheart house.

"Disciplinarian Head Instructor, shouldn't we stop this exercise?" the other instructors asked.

"I will cease this training immediately. Follow me!" he stood up and tried to leave the room. With someone to lead them, the common instructors followed right behind, but at this moment, the Head of Events moved to bar their way.

…..

Calculus held his Chinese long sword lightly in his hand, his body relaxed but filled with power, his eyes fill with arrogant condescension.

Even if the commoners are at full strength, they are not a match for him. Right now, they are only his playthings to toy with, after they were worn out from a tremendous battle.

“Do they not know a D ranker’s strength, or do they think I really won’t kill anyone? Ahh, I know, I will start with the fool who is his friend. It’s his fault for not knowing his station.”

"You will all die here today. And tomorrow I will still be free to do what I like. Just do me a favour and not die so easily so I can enjoy myself by cutting small pieces out of you.

Don't hope for any help from the instructors. No one is able to save you now.

You can see for yourselves that this is the result of going against the Devilheart family. This is your punishment for offending me," Calculus said with a smirk, right now his heart burned with anticipation and he could wait no longer. His hand tightened on his weapon, and a vicious desire to cut Kairos up into bits burned in his eyes.

Frowning, Kairos replied, "All I see in front of my eyes is trash. You think yourself superior, but without your family's backing, you are nothing."

"You dare call me trash?!" Calculus' eyes filled with bloodlust, in his eyes, he is someone vastly superior compared to Kairos who is from a peasant family. Having someone, he considered a mere animal regarding him as trash is absolutely unforgivable.

"Calculus, do you really believe it was your talent that brought you to D rank? Don't overestimate yourself.

If you are not of the Devilheart's house and able to use their vast training resources, with your pitiful amount of talent you won't even be a match for any of my brothers & sisters!" Kairos said with deep contempt, in his eyes all 25 of them are already his family, and those who try to harm his family are unforgivable.

Kairos thought of the wicked things Calculus wants to do, and he could barely back hold his anger. One must know that the only reason for removing the gel coating in a training exercise is to kill someone and Kairos know that within Calculus' heart is an unforgivable disregard for life.

"You...!" Calculus was fuming with anger. Since when have people dared to be so insolent towards him?

His face turned dark, and he took his Chinese long sword and pointed at Kairos for emphasis, "Mark my words, by the end of this exercise, I will slaughter you, and afterwards I will chase down and massacre your entire family!" As someone with a thick sense of superiority complex, being looked down upon by another is an unpardonable sin.

Calculus, as if trying to fulfil his own prophecy, charged forward and struck at Kairos’ neck.

*Pang*

With a simple twirl of his Swallow, Kairos defended himself from the full power of a D ranker's strike. His low-grade weapon made from poor material expertly flicked away the attack of Calculus' Top tier Huang Grade sword.

If the weapons clashed directly, there is no doubt Kairos' weapon will be in pieces by now, but by striking at an angle against the flat of Calculus' blade, Kairos managed to redirect the assailing slash.

Kairos had made a gamble at when he noticed Calculus’ impatience for battle.

Everyone in his team is dangerously weakened from their battles. To bid for time, Kairos reprimanded Calculus while he hurriedly restored as much stamina as he could. As an additional bonus, Calculus' anger made his attack overly strong and therefore with poor control, making the defence easier.

In Kairos' heart, he sighed, "phew it's lucky that Calculus is such a dimwit."

The two exchanged a flurry of blows in a flash, Kairos only holding up because of his team channelling him energy persistently.

And at every opportunity, Jim shot out some darts from his gadgets, and Edward let loose the powerful arrows from his bow.

Most of those attacks are blocked easily by Calculus and those that penetrated his guard, hitting him, did nothing except stripped off a little of the Ki barrier coating him.

"You dared call me trash! You think I have little talent? I will show you who I am!" Calculus snarled at Kairos in frustration because not just all of Kairos' attacks failed to take him down, Calculus likewise is in a situation that he is unable to defeat Kairos who is a grade lower than himself.