The Snowdrifts gathered urgently by the sub-leader Alan’s summon. Every member rushed to the meeting point, hoping that their leaders have come up with a resolution for the Blue Blood’s malicious attacks.

Their group, along with the other commoners had been taking a beating and quite a few of them were severely wounded after they unknowingly accepted duel requests.

Their leaders did not disappoint them, and quickly over a hundred space-time ring was given out, one for each person.

Each person took their gifts excitedly into their hands. Even their own parents could hardly afford to give them any gifts, but this guild they joined treats them this kindly. Unable to hold back, they curiously scanned through the contents of the container, finding a myriad of items within that would protect them during their upcoming challenges during this tournament.

There are spirit stones, spiritual herbs and all kinds of resources for training. There are talismans for combat, the weapon each individual is proficient in and even some Blue Silvers for them to spend. Other than this, everyone found a beautiful emblem with the words ‘Snowdrifts’ beautifully engraved on it. They could feel a strange but calming energy emitted from the cool metal.

Now that the Snowdrifts has taken over most of the markets, training resources are easily affordable, but Kairos ensured that each person is only given a small amount. Having too much on their persons will only invite trouble.

“There is a month’s worth of cultivation supply in your ring. The weapon and talismans in your pouch will be useful for your current battles. For now, just use everything to make yourself stronger and don’t worry about taking a cut out to send home for your family. I have created a stash for each of you, enough to take care of your loved ones.

The Snowdrifts’ emblem that you hold reacts only to your unique Ki frequency. Within it, are the information of the resources assigned to you by the Snowdrifts.

You can take it to any of the shops belonging to our guild, or the Trade Federate to withdraw any spare cash and items, and it will update accordingly.”

“Boss, I’ve been meaning to ask. These talismans have symbols that I’ve never seen before, where did you find them?”

“Oh, now that you’ve mentioned it, I’ve not seen them before either. What do they do?”

“Multiple Barrier talismans, they will form a few Ki shields that will protect you from every direction. Each individual shield each can block a B ranked attack, and if combined they can defend against an A ranker’s full powered blow once. Don’t waste it. You can only use this three times before its exhausted,” Alan holding up a talisman introduced it with a smile.

“Ki Burst talismans, it will form a wave of absolute impact. It can be used a dozen times,” Tommy nodded. It was a very simple explanation as expected of him. The way to use it will still need the members to discover it themselves.

“Homing Ki daggers talismans, you can use it five times before it disintegrates! Over twenty daggers that will track your target are summoned upon each activation. Although it is only at C rank attack value, you can use it to overwhelm your enemy easily,” Jim said while flexing his arm. The other four boys rolled their eyes; they couldn't believe he really picked this name for his first talisman. Jim, on the other hand, prided it for being informative.

“Death Spike talisman. It has three uses. Be very careful when using this. It can only activate when you touch the target with it, and it will form a runic circle which fuses onto the surface. A sharp spike with powerful penetration force will be summoned from the runes and impale the target,” Edward said with a brilliant smile, but his words chilled all that heard to the bones.

“T…these are the talismans made by each of us for you,” Kairos said while feeling a shiver down his spine as well after the chilling statement his friend made, “My talisman is called the Absolute Void talisman. Like its namesake, it will disrupt all the Ki around you for a moment. Though it only is for a single use, you will certainly find it useful.”

For the past week, the leaders of the Snowdrifts had been working hard to reproduce these items. Making use of Kairos’ Veritable Sight that could read the meaning of the runes, each of them came up a type of talisman. After that, it was a simple matter to draw them out.

Without stopping, they drew countless talismans, and at the same time practising the Breath of the Ancients. No matter how much Jim complained, all of them had not ceased.

By the time each of them succeeded making over a hundred talismans, they have already vastly improved. They developed better control not just in their brushstrokes, but maximising the efficiency of their breathing, movements and even their Ki circulation have become second nature.

“Each of us had worked our hardest to make these for you. So do not waste the talismans. Only use them when you absolutely need to, however, if you ran out we would make more for you,” Kairos promised.

“We… we are?” Alan asked in utter shock.

“Whaaaa…. But we already drew these talismans until our hands are sore, look my wrist is swollen, isn’t it?” Jim complained while shaking his arms.

“That’s because you took eight hundred tries to get them right,” Tommy laughed, “I needed only half of that. Haha!”

“Alan took a thousand tries!” Jim protested.

"Ah, that's why Alan looks so dejected."

“Hey, what about me?” Edward cut in with a grin. Except for Kairos who already mastered The Breath of the Ancient and did not have to practice, he definitely comes close as their second best with only a hundred failures before he started succeeding.

Though they used the same technique, everyone’s speed of picking up is different.

Fortunately, because Aisa taught him directly, Kairos, who had the worst talent, actually had an advantage. Otherwise, he shudders to think how many times he will fail before he managed to pick up talisman creation.

"Thank you, Aisa!"

Unfortunately, none of them is immune to human mistakes, once a while, they will still make a mistake, and their creation will end up with failure. Even with better control over their paintbrush than others, they are not yet immortals, of course still far from becoming divines; in other words, they are still at the initial phase of learning the celestial realm's technique, The Breath of the Ancients.

With the Snowdrifts’ funds now, the time spent to create these items are more valuable than the cost.

“You guys better not misuse these talismans we gave you,” Jim enforced again, but seeing how preciously each member looked at what they are given, he did not mind as much as before.

“Well…. I guess I could make more if anyone really needs my Homing Ki Daggers talismans.”

At this time, the Blue Blood started becoming more active than before.

Besides attacking the commoners who are participating in the tournament, they started a series of severe bullying during class that goes against the traditional noble code.

The Snowdrifts began inviting everyone who wanted to join, no matter if it is the first years or their seniors, the commoners or even nobles that disagreed with the Blue Blood, they did not reject a single person.

The rank and file of Snowdrifts were starting becoming concern about having newcomers with ulterior motives, but Kairos quickly assured everyone that this is within his calculations.

Of course, the new members were not given the same privileges as those that fought alongside in the past, but Kairos gave them equal chances to prove themselves. He had set up a meritocracy system for their group.

However, the moment a person is found to be in disagreement with the Snowdrifts’ values, they are all removed without question.

As their group grow from a hundred members to double in size, the Blue Blood felt threatened, and they secretly sent spies into the Snowdrifts.

Most of those people were found and ejected almost immediately, a few managed to slip through, but none fooled Kairos’ eyes.

Those that he allowed staying were all those that were good at pretending to follow suit with the others in the group. Thanks to this, the Blue Blood thought their ploy had succeeded and gained a false sense of security.

It is a simple lure that Kairos had set up, a direct invitation for the enemy to join their ranks. And, a bold move to keep enemies right in their midst that shows the complete confidence that Kairos has.

Following that, by controlling the information given to every Snowdrifts’ member, the Blue Blood began receiving whatever news Kairos wanted to give them through the spies.

For now, the seeds have been sowed.

Class continued as per normal for them, while the battles between the Blue Blood and Snowdrifts are waged in the shadows.

Kairos went to his next lesson, the Combat Class. A requirement for every student to take. It is the only course that separated the students by their year, and the first class he saw familiar faces are all around.

Unexpectedly, when Edward saw Luciette, it was him who shy away. Now that he had calmed down from his initial worries that they had not made an enemy of the powerful White Snow House's heir, the archer once again realise how pretty she is. The moment she walked into the class with a large group, every muscle in his body tensed up.

When the girl noticed him, however, she smiled cheerfully.

“Hello Edward,” She said sweetly, but when she saw the rest of the team, she looked at Kairos and squinted.

After Edward had explained that their situation to her, Luciette had already forgiven them for stealing the flag and taking victory for the mock battlefield examination.

She even heard about how the whole ploy was concocted by Jim and Alan and carried out by the rest without Kairos’ knowing. But until now, their leader, Kairos, had not apologised formally. Raised in a good family, Luciette is quite adamant on having proper manners.

Seeing her reproachful gaze, Kairos approached with a small smile and a red face, then he said, “Hey, umm, I’m sorry for stealing your flag during the exam.”

Kairos did not feel an actual need to apologise since all is fair in war and games, but Edward had been nudging him to do so, and he conceded.

For his brother’s love life, the sacrifice one makes!

The young heiress of the White Snow family lit up immediately, glowing like the sunlight fell on her, saying, “I accept.”

Then, she stretched her arm forward, offering a handshake of peace.

The two leaders shook hands firmly before she contentedly returned to her group.

It was as if such a simple gesture had made her forget all the reprimanding she suffered from her grandfather

The archer went forward and grabbed Kairos’ still outstretched hand.

“Whoa, what are you doing Edward?” Kairos asked, almost freaking out at his friend’s out-of-character behaviour.

“Ahahaha! He couldn’t shake hands with Luciette, so he is doing the next best thing!” Tommy who is in a similar situation immediately deciphered the situation.

“Gah, letmego,” Kairos sputtered so quickly his words melded together. Without hesitation, he pulled his hand back and rolled his eyes.

“A girl’s charm is more dangerous than a triple S ranker…”

The archer continued staring at Luciette, as though time had frozen.