George and the others went forward to congratulate Kairos. Seeing that even Luciette has come over, Edward immediately hid his face with embarrassment. When she saw that, sparks shot out from her eyes.

*Hmph*

A single huff from her sent a tremble flying down his spine like lightning.

Except for Luciette, the others chatted like old friends. As befitting her status as the heir of a large family, she only spoke a few words to remain polite.

After they mingled for a while, the group soon disbanded. The hours for the trade fair were becoming short, and many had left their stalls untended.

After the visitors left, the six were revved up and ready to rush through the trade fair, but before they could set off they saw some familiar faces nearby, those who had joined the Snowdrifts as members.

“Snowdrifts!” with a grin on his face, Kairos beckoned them to come over, “You have all did well during the exam. I know that we have unanimously decided to split up all the gathered crystallised essences for the families of those who had fallen, but since now we have more than enough as replacements, please call all who are manning their stalls to gather here!”

They had taken part in slaying the Orcs but promptly given up their spoils. Now, thanks to the profit that they had gathered from this trade fair, Kairos decided to open the coffers of Snowdrifts and hand each person a small share, no less than what they ought to receive after repelling the Orc army.

Soon, everyone gathered at their booth and received their share. These children from the most common backgrounds looked at their leaders with gratitude. The money will be helpful for their families when they bring it home during the holidays.

In fact, for most of them, even the demonic crystal essences that Kairos had given them after saving Alucard’s group have been preserved instead of using it on themselves. Just so that this paltry sum might alleviate their financial situation at home, even if it only helps lighten the burden a little.

How would Kairos and his friends not know this when they are also from a similar background? Although the five of them had used their own share for cultivation, it is only because they are forced to, as the leaders who have to fight at the front. Otherwise, they too would have made the same decisions as their subordinates.

After giving out their members’ share, they still have above a thousand White Gold left for the trade fair. While this amount is plenty, it is barely enough for running an organisation.

At this time, a few of the elders from the Trade Federate came over and talked to them.

“Young master, we are very interested in your talents. To be able to refine a weapon so quickly to counter another weapon is pure genius!”

“Genius! A total Genius!!” Another elder says with excitement.

“Just two short hours to refine a weapon this way? Isn’t he a master inscriptionist?” Someone from the crowd chimed in. Until now, a sizable group is still around them, waiting to talk to the group. Many of them are also from impressive backgrounds and are not afraid to join the conversation.

“Young master, why don’t you join our Trade Federate? It will surely benefit you.”

“No, that is such a waste, didn’t you old fellows saw how talented in combat young master Kairos was, during this year’s exam?”

“Young master, how about we give you an honorary position in our Trade Federate? You don’t need to pay anything or have any obligations and still free to use our facilities. We will also groom you in any craft you wish to!”

Everyone that heard, including Kairos himself, was completely surprised by this privilege that was offered to him. Without waiting for him to reply, the elder pulled out a special token.

“I am Grand Elder Feng of the Trade Federate. I represent our establishment to invite you over. Just show this token to anyone from our organisation, and they will confer on you the same treatment as our core craftsmen.”

The core craftsmen is a similar position as core disciples of a large clan. Usually, those that have raised to this level are granted many benefits but have to fulfil many assignments.

Kairos, however, is free from such obligations. Thinking about it, there is nothing bad about accepting this offer.

“Then what do you want in return?” he asked straightforwardly.

The elder looked at him and smiled. Even at such a tender age, the boy already recognises that there is nothing truly free in this world. Every benefit is built on the basis of gains and relationships, and since Kairos did not know Grand Elder Feng, he wants to hear the reason, and the latter was more than happy to comply.

“We highly value your ability to forge a high-quality weapon. You might be worried that we want you to divulge your runes and crafting methods, but as an establishment that is built on longstanding trust within the empire, we will not do something like stealing from a young boy.

Once you accept the honorary position, you may make use of the benefits we offered you as you pleased. But, if you decide to join as a full member afterwards, then we will be most happy to welcome you in!”

Kairos nodded from hearing that. It was just like a trial membership that allows him to enjoy the full benefits, though if he wishes to raise his status to an elder or beyond, he would have to join them. Inversely, even if he only makes use of the honorary status as a core craftsman, the cost wouldn’t be too high, and the Trade Federate could earn his favour.

Kairos could see that the Grand Elder is sincerely in inviting him, and it would be a waste to turn it down.

Since the offer has been made in public and with such advantage to Kairos, almost as much as the Trade Federate could afford, it would be rude not to accept.

“I will take up on your offer Grand Elder. Your junior thanks you for appreciating my talents.”

Kairos cupped his hands respectfully at the Grand Elder.

Immediately, the aged man with a large puffy beard laughed heartily, pleased with his manner.

“Great! Great! Child, you have a great future ahead of you. Hahaha! I hope to see you at our compound soon!”

The Grand Elder and those that are following behind him bided them farewell and went on their way. They would love to stay and talk to the young genius, but they could see in the eyes of his friends that the boys are eager to peruse the fair already. As adults, they know to take the hint and restrain themselves to let the kids play.

“Let’s go!” even before their figures left, Jim called out immediately. His patience has already disappeared long ago. In his mind, it is all about the thousand White Gold they have in their pockets and what they can use it on.

“Quick!!” Jones called out as well. This is the largest sum of money any of them have seen so far.

Almost drooling, the six of them rushed down the street, their eyes ogling at each stall. If people did not watch carefully, they would’ve thought that a hungry pack of wolves had been released into the crowd.

Despite their unsightly manner, the students that saw them greeted them politely. As the stall keepers are students from the same year, everyone knew them.

Although their handicrafts on display were not fantastic, there are still many objects that were brought from home that the boys have never seen before.

The six of them swooped up many medicinal herbs, precious ores and beast parts.

“Bwahaha! Frost Wolf fang, Wind Hawk Talon, Lightning Wyrm’s tooth! Perfect! They are the same attribute as my secret arts,” Tommy held the items he bought with trembling hands.

He had searched through the place and were surprised to find these precious materials. By themselves, they are hardly useful, but once he melds them together with his knuckles guard, his elemental potency will increase two-fold.

Like him, the others have also split up to find what they need. While they were roaming aimlessly, only Kairos walked through the trade fair with confidence. No treasures could hide from Aisa. With her help, he went directly to everything that has value.

As a divine being, her ability to pick up the strength of each object’s existence is extremely sensitive and a talent beyond mortals. Especially items with a greater fate has a presence more powerful than the others. Without exception, these items are treasures.

It was using this same ability that Aisa noticed the magical egg hidden on Calculus body. In fact, the glow of its fate was like a searing light that could lit up the sky. The tiny dragon is still happily chirping how foolish Calculus was.

Just a short hour of walking through the different stalls, quite a few special items landed in his pouch. A time-space ring, a Beast ranked herb, a Xuan grade skill book and a few monster cores. Besides this, he also found a few other mysterious things that looked plain and normal, but trusting in Aisa’s advice, he quickly purchased all of it.

Within the first few hours, the best items that are still on display in the fair have already entered his pockets.

In fact, if not because of the crowd that comes to this fair every year, many of these treasures will still be sitting untouched in the homes of the students.

It is a tradition for parents to give their children the things they would like to sell when they enrol in the school. Regardless if their child successfully enters the following year in the academy or not, the trade fair at the end of the first enrolment year will be a good place to get a good selling price.

Since the academy will audit the value of objects to be slightly higher and many buyers still show their support, most families will prepare beforehand a few good items for their child to place on this fair, and some even went as far as bringing out their family heirloom. Although counterfeit items may oftentimes sneak through, there are plenty of genuine goods.

The boys were overwhelmed by the selections, especially since the stalls will usually display their biggest guns on the first day when there are the most people. Afterwards, for the next few days as the crowd thins, the bargains will begin.

At the end of the day, the six headed to the gathering spot, exhausted.

The last to arrive was Jim with huge bundles from the candy stores, strapped to every part of his body and a wide smile on his face.

“You rascal! You’re dead meat!” Kairos called out to Jim.

"No mercy!"

"Death to the sinkhole!"

"No candy for a year!"

"Phew, nothing to do with me this time."