Memorising things is a talent that few are gifted with. At least, not many at the level of Von. There is hardly a word, a pattern, a picture, that he had seen and yet could not recall.

It does not matter how long it had been since he saw something. As long as it entered his eyes, he could recall it as easily as breathing air.

Alas, his test requires extensive knowledge on the use of each rune for him to complete the rune sets, and most of the ones he saw today are a first for him.

He obstinately believes that it is impossible for anyone to piece everything correctly, and at such a speed. Even for those genius blessed by the heavens, even mythical heroes of ancient past… Even reincarnated beings.

There should be none that could come up with perfect answers in such short time. Therefore he concludes that Kairos must have cheated.

In a way, he is correct.

The Veritable Sight is a cheating-level innate ability that allowed Kairos to read the meaning of runes like an open book. Although he could not finish understanding each rune with just a glance, it was enough for him to piece them together quickly.

But cheating?

What he had done is still far from what he would consider as cheating. The things he had seen through his eyes when he glanced at each rune is a chunk of information that would have burnt out any other person without heightened mental capacities. From the knowledge he thus gained, Kairos had to stop the urge of perfecting the awkward runic symbols that he had to work on today.

Besides, in Saint Empire, to get away with cheating is considered one’s ability. And naturally, Von could not find anything on Kairos.

The instructor who was looking has been particularly impressed with this competition in his class. Kairos’ performance, in particular, is truly too remarkable.

When the class ended, he called out Kairos’ name to stay a while and unknowingly helped the boy avoid Von who was waiting with spite.

With the rest of the students hurrying to their next class, the auditorium quickly emptied. Left with only the two of them, the instructor could no longer suppress his own curiosity and asked, “How did you know where to put each rune?”

“Somehow, I have been able to guess where each pattern should go. Just like how some people know what ingredients are needed to cook a dish, and when to put them?”

“Rune Discernment! Lord Kairos, you have the talent of Rune Discernment! Only those born with it may become Grand Masters of Runes and all with such talent must be nurtured,” He paused for a moment, fiddling with his Time-Space ring and took out a small token before continuing, “Lord Kairos, sincerely I invite you to grace our Runic Library. It is a place where only the instructors and selected research students may enter.”

Without even waiting for Kairos to accept, he shoved the library access emblem into his hands, then told him where the Runic Library is. Kairos took it and said his thanks, uncertain what he have just received. Then the instructor continued, “Lord Kairos, in actuality it wasn’t for this purpose that I requested you to stay.

Principal Gai has requested me to pass you a message.

Though I do not understand what he is referring to, he asked if you have made a decision, and he would like to extend the same offer to all your friends.”

Kairos nodded understandably, what Principal Gai meant was not lost on him. He was previously invited to join the 5th Prince, but until now he had not given a reply. It looks like the Principal is losing his patience.

The instructor saw that Kairos had not decided and he said, “The Principal said that whatever choice you make, he will wait. I’m not sure what is he asking you to decide. However, I suggest that you decide after thoroughly thinking things through.

On another matter, Lord Kairos, the Principal have noticed that you and your friends have signed up for all the courses. To help you have more flexibility in your study, he has informed all instructors to take your group off the attendance roll. You are free to join or leave the classes whenever you want.”

This time, Kairos truly appreciated the gesture, it will give them the freedom to pursue knowledge and training with his own schedules. This arrangement is obviously an attempt to curry favour with him, but he knows that he is unable to join the 5th Prince’s faction.

The 3rd Prince, the 5th Prince and the Free faction are the three greatest groups within Saint Empire. Now that Kairos’ fame has spread across the empire, it will be even more dangerous for him to join one of the three groups. No doubt the five of them will gain a lot of benefits, but the drawbacks are also too many to mention.

Furthermore, he still did not like Principal Gai.

Kairos thanked the instructor, promising to go to the Runic Library, and then rushed to his next class. Formations & Arrays.

…..

Because of the delay, he and those that were waiting for him entered class when the instructor is already taking attendance.

The instructor raised an eyebrow at the latecomers but recognising them to be Kairos’ group he did not call them out, just as what Principal Gai had promised.

Beginner’s class began with the introduction of the course by an ancient-looking instructor with buck teeth. Having done Stratagems before, Kairos is more or less familiar with it.

They are formations created for changing the environment or even increasing the amount of Heavenly Energy in an area for cultivation. Making use of its miraculous effect, Stratagems has also been incorporated into combat, usually splitting into 4 types: Destruction, Trapping, Barrier, and Illusion.

“Today, we will be introducing the Starlight Array,” The instructor began, after his introduction of Stratagems.

“The Starlight Array… Isn’t that the weakened version of the Starfire Array?” A student sitting in front of the group whispered.

Her voice was carried across the room, and a few people started turning their heads about to look directly at Kairos.

“That’s him. The one that made the Starfire Array. He is in this class as well!”

“Whoa, seriously? Isn’t that the top-secret stratagem that is used by our army to beat back the Silent Lambs invaders?”

The chattering continued for a while until another rumour started to run like wildfire in class.

It was news so fresh that not many had heard; Kairos is the one that had created a training stratagem in the city’s training hall, and he even made a stronger version for the royal family.

The noise reached the point where the instructor had to hush them up, and only then could the class continue.

The class returned to the Starlight array.

For the general purpose of study, a miniature version of the Starfire array was created, with its activation requirement and its effects weakened to the point it is harmless for students.

The original version which Kairos had created has now been kept under control by the royal family. The royal house of Vestimore.

Now only Kairos and a few special individuals are left with the knowledge on how to direct the Starfire at the formation’s heart.

Class went on rather boringly for Kairos, while most of the Snowdrifts learned quite a few things about formations and arrays, he had not gained much from the first lesson.

At the end of the class, the instructor requested Kairos to stay just like before, though this time, even if he weren’t asked to stay, he would have approached the instructor. The lesson wasn’t particularly helpful, but if he could gain access to the Stratagem Library, he would be able to gain the knowledge he desires.

“Sir,” Kairos walked forward and gave a curt bow.

“Lord Kairos. I have always wondered where you got the Starfire array from. Could you tell me its source?” The instructor of Formations & Arrays asked straightforwardly. He is overwhelmed with curiosity after he found out that such a prominent individual is his student.

He expected to be denied, but Kairos candidly responded to his question, sating his curiosity once and for all, “I entered Selfless Cultivation by accident and saw this formation in the stars.”

The instructor’s teeth began to chatter and his face twisted as he tried to reply but found that he couldn’t properly form a word in his shock.

The experience of a Selfless Cultivation is always unique, but for Kairos to be able to see the stars is an incredible exploit he had seldom heard before.

Selfless Cultivation is when one’s presence fades into nothingness, then the cultivator becomes one with his surroundings.

The greater connection one has with the world, the further the range. It is a rare cultivation state that few has experienced in their lifetime.

Legends had spoken of ancient heroes and great conquerors who coincidentally connected to the celestial stars during Selfless Cultivation, but the records always mentioned merely a glimpse was seen.

Yet, such a quick glance was able to inspire them to gain powerful insights and stand at the peak of cultivation.

There were several myths of those beings, each of them, a god, in their own right.

Enki, Minerva, Bodhidharma, Asmodeus and a few other famous divine ones claimed to have found their path in Dao after experiencing such an event.

The instructor stared at Kairos with stars shining in his eyes.

Fortunately, he did not know that Kairos did not merely have a glimpse, but was beckoned by the stars.

Furthermore, the ancient man might’ve finally succumbed if he had known that there is one other in mortal realms that experienced such powerful vision; Kairos’ brother, Jones, had said once before about meeting with a sword as great as a celestial star when entering the Selfless Cultivation state.

The fact that Kairos founded the Starfire array from a revelation during the Selfless state was a great surprise to the instructor. Kairos had not known it was such a great deal, but on the other hand, he feels that there is nothing that could happen that is worrisome.

The Selfless Cultivation state is something that is generally recognised as a happenstance for practitioners, and the benefits Kairos received from one such experience is his own good fortune.

It had taken a while before the instructor found his ability to speak return to him, “I…I see…

Well, that’s a shock.

Lord Kairos, thank you for sharing this with me.

I took up your time to sate my curiosity, allow me to thank you with this.”

He took out a library access emblem, a different one than the one given by the Runes Weaver instructor, “This is a Stratagem library access emblem. Within it are books, all collections of our Saint Empire. Although our state currently has a pro-cultivator stance, we used to be an empire with diverse trades. I hope you will find the powerful Stratagems recorded in our library beneficial.”

It is a great gift from the instructor. Now with access to two libraries means Kairos could find many runes and rare Stratagems provided by the Vestimore house. He could easily browse through the ancient knowledge and accumulation of ideas collected from every generation of Saint Empire.

The instructor smiled at Kairos and said, “Your talent will one day lead you to the top. I only wish that you will bring Saint Empire together with you. If it will aid you, then please accept it.”

He placed the emblem on Kairos’ palm and bided the young master farewell.