0600H

War Tent, Red Camp

On the morning of the ninth day, Kairos joined the other captains in the war tent to discuss the attack scheduled two hours later. To prevent information leakage at such a critical step, George is only releasing the name list right now. Two pieces of paper with everyone’s roles are placed on the table of the War Tent.

As George briefs them, the team captains took turns to check the list for their assignments.

"As you know, the assault team will be heading out in a while with twelve teams. It will be made up of fifteen F and forty-five E rankers. This is our strongest fighting force, and we are facing weakened foes, so I expect a swift and complete victory.

We expect Luciette will attack us in the rear during our operation, so three G ranked Teams will be assigned under Kairos.

Are there any questions?"

The war tent immediately fills up with murmuring. The attacking force is far stronger than necessary.

"George, Kairos' team are all injured! And you have G rankers to defend our base?"

No one expected almost all the higher ranks to be on the offence, especially when George is a defence-centred tactician. In that case, can Kairos really protect their backs?

“That is why,” George warned, “we need to accomplish our task quickly, so we may turn back and assist Kairos.”

None of the captains appeared to be less grim than before. How long can a group of weak and wounded soldiers resist Luciette’s main forces? Their own camp might be overwhelmed by the time they finish, and at that time, they will be in the same situation as those they had trapped in the hill.

"How strong is Kairos’ group anyway?"

"Kairos, explain to them your status," George says confidently.

"Roger that. Ahem… uhh…

Currently, in my team, the bulk of us are no doubt injured. Our recovery is at 60% combat efficiency as of now.

The additional teams assigned to me have been practising the formations since the day I've returned to camp.

No doubt all of you have heard about our Bagua formation by now. It is well-suited for defence so by using that we will be able to cover your backs for at least half a day, which I'm certain is enough to execute the commander's plans.

George took over with a nod, “Speed is vital to the success of this mission, if we tarry we will surely fail. You should already know that on average, the Blue Team are superior to us in cultivation.

The truth is, the academy arranged for us to be their sparring partner.

Of course, there are some among us, like me, that already earned our way to the second year, but it’s been a long time since I’ve found a worthy opponent on the battlefield. So what if they have the advantage, let’s give them a fight they have never known before, and snatch the victory from them!"

All the captains that heard of this nodded in agreement. It is no secret that the academy had set up the red team to lose every year.

Except a few on their team that are merely here for the experience, most of them are on the verge of being expelled from the school, while the other side is mostly filled up with nobles and those with vast talents.

At the start of the exam, the captains did not respect George, thinking that he is like any other noble. An heir from a famous family that is here to use them as practice.

Almost all the red team’s commanders from the previous years would fight in a textbook style and then lose after giving a good show. Since he can pass no matter what, they couldn’t think of any motivation for him.

But when they saw him staking his reputation on Kairos, they became convinced, even glad that he is their commander.

They are quite confident with Kairos' abilities by now. Especially the ability to protect his friends and extracted the Dracula team despite overwhelming odds is something that had won over every captain here.

Perhaps, there are a few that secretly thought that they are idiots for going back and trying to help someone else in that situation. And, there are others who envied Kairos for striking a good relationship with the nobles by saving their lives.

However, none brought it up. It is in the students’ rulebook to prioritise human lives when confronting monsters. It is the case even for rivalling armies on the battlefield, no less for students.

Their achievements sounded rather inhuman since everyone could imagine just how serious the situation was back then. Long, John, Silvers and Sasha looked especially proud of their leader and friend, beaming openly.

No matter if the other captains are secretly jealous of his sudden rise to fame or not, they admired how calm and cool-headed Kairos is during crucial times. Therefore, even if it sounds alarming to use thirty-six men with lower cultivation to defend against fifty-five, if he says he will be able to do so, they actually believe him.

"What are your team's ranks?" One of the captains asked curiously, and those around started murmuring their interest. After all, not many people can defeat massive amounts of Orcs and people from the Devilheart family.

"My teammates are F rank, while I have recently risen to Entry E."

Although Kairos said it as if it is not a big deal at all, those that heard gasps in shock without fail.

With bewildered faces, they couldn’t help but check the badge on Kairos' shoulders to affirm that it really is J rank. If he is truly E rank now, like he said, then he has jumped six whole ranks from his last official grading. That is at least fourteen grades!

But thinking about it, they quickly calmed down. There is no way it is possible for anyone to increase ranks that quickly, and for it to happen to all five of them is unthinkable.

It’s more likely that Kairos’ group had somehow managed to learn a complicated technique that suppresses their true combat abilities like what Calculus did. But, to be able to suppress six ranks, it must be a powerful skill that would make even the best covert teams envious.

But, even without suppressing their power, it is astonishing he could defeat Calculus who is at Peak E rank when he is only at Entry-Level E rank. Even forcing his opponent to use a forbidden technique.

After their meeting, the other captains left to make their final preparations. Kairos hurried to assemble the guys, with the four captains following behind him from a short distance.

"You guys already know our orders are to defend this camp.

We will be doing one last formation practice starting from now until 0800.

Just like yesterday, grab your partner and have them shadow you, if they are unable to catch up, you lot will be getting no dinner!"

He had paired up the two new groups with the rest to learn the Bagua formation properly. As the saying goes, soldiers can’t fight on an empty stomach. However, winning or losing, Kairos is rather confident that this battle will not last until evening.

The guys groaned immediately, but having been through several difficult battles in the past, they understand well how important it is to strengthen themselves quickly.

To prepare for this operation, George had meticulously ensured their fortifications are of a quality that would make defending easy. Therefore Kairos' initial strategy is to spread his forces around the camp. Those too injured to participate in direct combat will be situated on top of the arrow towers or the crow's nest.

"Is there anyone of you that is unable to withstand six hours of shooting arrows at our enemies?" He asked.

Those that were badly wounded from the previous battles had recovered enough, and all of them shook their heads in response. The archer's towers are placed strategically around the base near the moat, allowing them to safely pick off the students who are slowed down by the water.

"Very well!

After your practice, assume your turns in guarding the archers' towers. I want two up on the crow nest to report any enemy movements, at all times."

The group split up as Kairos ordered.

At this time on the other side of the camp, George and his twelve teams have just assembled to siege the East hill base.

Their target, the thirty elite E rankers, had fortified themselves within by barricading the sole entrance. With such defences, they would normally have no problems even against a hundred enemies of their own rank. But right now, it is only a matter of time.

As long as Kairos can deliver his promise, breaking through the gates and finishing off famished opponents is not a problem.

They already predict that their losses will be high, and each of them stood nervously held their weapons. Of course, if George waited another day, these thirty opponents might even fall without a fight, but without knowing what Luciette is planning, there is greater risk in delaying.

In the hope that by carrying out their plans by a day early, they would be able to gain a pre-emptive advantage, the sixty practitioners from George side engaged in combat.

At this very moment, from the forest west of their camp, Luciette's forces appeared with incredible timing, as if they had been lying in wait.

Out of the main party, a small detachment of scouts rushed at the camp. Obviously trying to measure their defences.

Kairos easily repelled this attack, and as soon as the blue team sensed they are in danger, they quickly fell back.

But soon another wave came.

“They are probing at our armour,” Kairos muttered.

At this time, a messenger rushed over, pushing past everyone and repeatedly yelled, “Urgent Report! Urgent Report!” when he came closer to Kairos, he cried out, "The north ramparts are under siege by the blue team!"

"What?"

“Did they already find some hole in the defences? Or... was this probing simply to distract us.”

Because of his inexperience as a defence commander, Kairos lacked the confidence, even though with his soul perception he ought to have an advantage.

"Luciette have been spotted, personally leading the blue team into our defence boundary!" the messenger continued his report and broke Kairos’ thoughts. The atmosphere instantly turned anxious. If the enemy’s leader is on the north side, then most probably, their target isn’t here.

"How many of them!"

"We estimate they number around fifty," the messenger says.

"That many?"

That number is more than the total defenders they have, while to protect the North, West and South fronts, their own members have been split up. Out of curiosity, he retracted his limited Soul Perception that was covering the west ramparts and stretches it to reach further west and check the enemies hiding in the woods.

“Only thirty!” Kairos exclaimed the enemy had brought straw dummies dressed in armour and made it look like their main party. It was a mistake to think that he could see his enemies with his eyes, and had spread his limited Soul Perception ability across to prevent any enemy from sneaking in.

In a hurry, Kairos left the command to Alan and rushed over to the north side where Edward, John, and Long are taking command.

And to ensure each front has a Soul Force User, he posted Tommy, Silvers, and Sasha at the south.

As he reached the north defence ramparts, he could see with his own eyes a large amount of blue team students gathered. With a quick scan, Kairos detected fifty-two of them and instantly concluded that Luciette had gone all out. Even bringing the guards of the west base here.

The captains had all assumed that Luciette would only have a maximum of fifty-five fighters. Not even George would expect her to leave the West Hill undefended because if their team had sent a small group to conquer it, they would leave the blue team stranded without a base.

However, Luciette knows that George as a defence-centred tactician will never be taken down with weak attacks.

They were mistaken. This isn't an attack to raid the east hill. It is a siege intended to win the match!