After the mock battlefield exam, what Calculus and his group did had been brought to light to the academy board. Unfortunately, only the surface of what happened has been uncovered, which ends up with only three incidents: the illegal drug Berserker’s pill, the raid on the Orc village, and the uncoated weapons.

While each of those charges is reason enough for Calculus’ expulsion from the academy, the case is not easily fought. The first charge regarding the side effect of the berserker’s pill harming the potential of young students was immediately invalidated when all ‘victims’ testified that they are willing partakers.

Even though the judge frowned unhappily, knowing that the victims simply did not dare to go against the Devilheart family, if they are unwilling to testify for themselves there is nothing the law can do.

The second charge was also quickly taken down. It points to how Calculus had needlessly stirred up the Orcs when the hidden flag was planted by the academy outside of the Orc’s village. However, the Third Prince’s men heavily defended his actions by strongly arguing that Calculus’ actions were only meant to earn more points during the exam by suppressing the Orcs.

The final charge is the most transparent of all. Calculus and his group have clearly uncoated weapons that are meant for murder, and they have also initiated several attempts on the lives of Kairos and his teams.

On this account, the Third Prince’s side lost completely. Unable to refute, they know that the verdict for the trial will result in the expulsion of Calculus and several young nobles, and once the judgement is passed even the Devilheart will not be able to change things around.

While this is not like the superior court that holds unlimited power over the nobles, the verdict from the academy’s courtroom is still absolute for it falls within the Empire’s martial jurisdiction and thus is considered a military court.

At the same time, on the other academy’s court, another trial is going on. The Third Prince has placed the three head instructors that were detained on trial for the disruption of the examination by rioting within the academy compound.

The charges they face were rather severe. The first charge is the criminal battery of other instructors and superiors officers, including sending the onsite in-charge, the lady who is head of Events Instructor, to the hospital. The second is a charge of mayhem for crippling several of the staff members that barred their way, and the third is the charge of insubordination for rejecting the orders to be restrained to the staff room.

As the case goes, these three brilliant professors that had made exceptional contributions to the Empire would be kicked out for their reckless behaviours, unless the victims of the trials – all subordinates to the Devilheart family – retract the lawsuit.

And, they had indicated they would pull out for only one cause, that the three of them who each belongs to one of the Ten Great Clans, would join the Third Prince.

Unfortunately, after hours of trying, the three proved to be stubborn in their ways and refused to yield.

As it stands, the same opportunity created by the heir apparent of the Devilheart family would be wasted on him, with no results to show. Nay, there would be repercussions since the Fifth Prince would never let it sit.

Still, the Third Prince begrudgingly ordered his men to withdraw the charges, on the account that the school gives Calculus leeway on his recent action.

Although the two trials finally settled with some light reimbursements from both sides, Calculus’ father had to beg the school to not demerit his son. Only after considering several factors the principal finally accepted this with a wicked glint in his eyes.

From the beginning, the Principal is part of the Fifth Prince’s faction. While the trials these time were between the Third Prince’s faction and the neutral Free Factions, if the Fifth Prince could show support to the Ten Great Clans, they might finally be able to win a few powerful old geezers over to their side.

It is a fact that the strongest force supporting the Fifth Prince right now is only the Angelheart family where Alucard come from, but there is no doubt that they are in a disadvantageous position in this power struggle.

After the case settled, the Devilheart family have been told to lay low for the time being. While Calculus might be young, he is not a complete moron and knows that they have already completely pissed off the Free Factions, and this current situation is merely a temporary truce.

If he had openly rebuked the principal who is one of the Fifth Prince’s men during this unfavourable time, then his faction will no doubt suffer a large disadvantage. Therefore Calculus could only swallow his anger.

Seeing that his attempt to simulate Calculus’ anger has failed, the Principal also did not carry on with his attacks, and instead, he hid his disappointment and walked to Jones’ side on the stage.

“Alright, shall we start on the scoring?”

“Jones. Well done on your performance on the training ground! You score a high rank of ninety out of a hundred. While you have done exceptionally well, please watch out on causing problems to your teammates by your individual actions.

Your recommendation is to join the special combat unit after your graduation, and in fact, I have already received several letters of interests on your behalf.”

With a large smile on his face, he gave Jones a badge and a small pouch that contained the special award for top achievers and then walked to Snow’s side.

“Snow. Well done on your performance as a tactician. Your organising ability, quick reaction and calmness on the field is admirable. While every direction you gave were behind the scenes, none of us old chaps has missed your brilliance.

Your score is a strong eighty-nine. With this score, every military force out there will watch out for you on the battlefield knowing that you have the ability to overturn the tides of the battles by yourself.

Just remember to not delve too deeply into the details and look at the bigger picture more often.”

Just like before, he passed Snow her badge and award and continued over to Luciette’s side.

The young girl looked noble and dignified, yet those that looked carefully could see she is completely exhilarated to be on stage.

“Luciette. You were really bold on the mock battlefield. As your elder, I am proud of you to be able to take actions with swift and precise decisiveness.

Your score is 92 because of your combat ability and leadership. Truly a good general material with your overview on the battlefield and the guts to lead your men in the frontlines. However, watch out for trusting people too much. You can learn much from George mudskipper on this account.”

George’s face blushed red as the Principal walked to him.

“George, you did very well too. Your score is ninety-one even though you exited the training exam early.

You would be able to score much more if you did not expose yourself to danger. I understand that you might want to increase the morale of your men by fighting at the scene, but your martial ability is only at Mid-E rank.

Know that the best defensive strategists can afford to lose a hundred battles but will never ever get himself into danger during the process.”

Finally, after everyone else is done, the principal walked to the Snowdrifts Team.

The applause for each student before them was loud and cheerful, but when it came to the five of them, many shouted words of support and even some that felt it was appropriate to jump up from their seats to clap enthusiastically from the first years.

Soon, one by one – especially those from the red team– stood up.

The other students stared in shock because not only the commoners are giving a standing ovation, but several nobles were in the mix as well.

And within the ranks of nobles, there were even those like Alucard’s Angelheart family, the Autumn Blossom clan, the Mountain Cat clan, the Light Rose family, the Blue Frost family, the Resounding Thunder family, and the Northern Cross family, have all stood up with high acclaim. Even Luciette’s White Snow clan had joined in, causing Kairos and his team to stare confusedly.

As the applause turned into respectful silence, whispers started out from all around the hall asking who those five were; that even before their scores are given, so many shown their support.

“Snowdrifts! Well done! I must say, you guys are truly the hidden gems. This proves that the Empire’s decision to allow the common folk to enter the academy was a wise decision. I daresay what a waste it would have been if you had gone undiscovered?

You did splendidly in your roles on the field, and Kairos especially has astounding leadership talent.

Edward, Tommy, Alan, and Jim, you’ve each scored eighty-eight points due to your impeccable teamwork, but considering your growth, it is impressive beyond words.

On the battlefield, your group displayed exemplary charisma leading the other teams.

Furthermore, Kairos, you did even better, your score is ninety-seven. The highest for this exam, and for the past decade!”

When he spoke of Kairos’ score, the loud cheers that were rampant in the hall suddenly hushed. Even Calculus who was dissatisfied with others being on stage and not him, couldn’t wrap his mind around it.

The scores of the students are extremely harsh for the year-end exams. To acquire a single point is equal to scoring a hundred points on a theory paper. Having ninety-seven points is equivalent to taking a hundred exams and getting a perfect score for ninety-seven of them. Anything less than perfect would not result in a point.

One can see how big a deal it was that students who scored eighty-eight and above are all called onto the stage.

Of course, the assignment of each point is reasonably given with great considerations and also approved by all elders of the school.

The principal seemed pleased with everyone’s reaction, and then he continued speaking without giving them a break,

“Besides this, you have shown incredible combat potential. During the exam, I have seen how fast each of you has improved, your ranks raised from J to G rank within a month. While it is easy to raise ranks during the unofficial ranks, you have surpassed the academy’s expectations and improved from Entry F rank to Peak E rank during the month long’s exam.

No other student improved as rapidly as you and therefore you were also nominated for the best combatant award this year.

It’s simply too bad that your opponent this time, Jones, is too monstrous, but don’t give up!”

By saying this, the entire student cast in the hall that was already silent like mutes opened their mouth wide with shock. Even a pill bottle can fly into their mouths easily.

This shocking speed of improvement is near impossible, yet here Kairos has proven that he can. This achievement will definitely place him in the ranks of the top geniuses. Of course, everyone in the Snowdrifts – including those who unofficially joined later – had greatly improved thanks to his combat trance, but he had the benefit of being the pioneer and made the most progress.

The principal once again looked extremely pleased with the students’ reactions, and he continues with jolly,

“The four great formations that you have shown during the exam, even us teachers could not fully comprehend their full function. I have heard that you have taught some of the formations to the entire red team without reserve. Therefore, I am ordered by the Emperor to thank you on his behalf. The future of our military could be changed simply because of this, and for that, you will receive the status of a Hundred Aristocrats for your exemplary service to the crown.”

After this declaration, not only a few students toppled over from shock. The rest that somehow managed to not blackout were successfully mimicking the rare species of a goldfish after hearing the Emperor given his personal appreciation. It was miraculous, given that half of them haven’t heard of that species of fish before, yet they were perfectly imitating one out without prior practice.

Their amazement was understandable, for, this announcement could only mean that Kairos’ performance has caught the attention of the royal family and will be carefully observed from now on.

The award of the ‘Hundred Aristocrats’ was an incredible, nay, absurd news that no one was able to quickly react to it. The caste of the Empire starts with the Royal family of the Emperor, then Royal Princes, the Three Great Nobles, the Hundred Nobles, the Thousand Nobles, the Hundred Aristocrats, the Thousand Aristocrats, the Ten Thousand Aristocrats, and followed by the commoners that also have a hierarchy of their own.

Being awarded this status means that Kairos is now a part of the top hundred lesser nobility and he is given the right to enter the local presiding court as a member and will be granted land and power.

Power and rights that most commoners could only dream about.

“Finally, I personally want to commend you on your bravery in a battle. You truly fit your title as a noble. Your tactics in the field show calmness and decisiveness in the face of life and death. Your strategy on the overall picture is likewise ingenious. I especially like how you took advantage of Luciette’s naivety and stole the win from under her eyelids.

Your only failure is your disregard for your own position as the heart of your team. Not to mention that you chose to enter the enemy Orc’s camp alone when you are the commander.

Remember, the leader is the heart of the team, should you fall in battle, your overwhelming victory will become a loss because once the heart fails, the entire body will stop functioning.

This time around the board have given you leniency to encourage you to continue striving upwards. Please keep in mind all the experiences you have gained.”

Grinning at those that fainted, the principal thought to finish the rest with the final part of his speech, “This is the end of the award ceremony. And now for the nomination of the Second Year, student president.

Kairos!”

At this point, those students that barely held on their nerves fell over like wooden logs.

“He’s the student president? I didn’t even hear of this Kairos before today!”

“Who the heck is he? Judging from those shabby clothes, he is only a commoner!”

“A commoner as the student president? Who will even listen to him?”

As the academy is a military organisation, the student president is granted powers equal to a commander in the army. At any time in the school, only four student presidents will lead their own age group. Each representing their year for the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Years.