“Shall we form a contract?” Kairos asked Tempest after the Greater Spirit had been released from its prison.

The Elemental could not be happier. It is obvious by now that the boy that asked it is the leader of this elite group of humans, and master of the Primordial One. There is no more hesitation in its blazing heart that this is the right choice.

To walk alongside one who is destined to reach the top is a privilege given to few.

It no mattered what the title ‘Great One’ holds, for it is certain that the doors to unthinkable, wonderous sights will be opened by following him.

In the same way as what the others had done, Tempest started forming a pact with Kairos. In its spirit form, it flew towards Kairos, swirling about his body, and cladding him in a layer of mist. The fluffy white gas quickly darkens into a deep violet, as electricity crawled all over him. Then, the mist flew into his mouth as though he had taken a deep breath, and the lightning phenomenon disappeared into him.

The mark of the spirit king glowed briefly, with lightning flickering upon it before settling down, and with it, their bond has been formed.

He had gained fearsome lightning enchantment abilities and needed some time to learn how to use them, but with Tempest’s permission, Kairos gained access to a certain portion of the Greater Storm Spirit’s memories.

Those knowledge shortened the process, immensely, however, he knows that there is still much room for growth. It is up to his creativity to use those enchantment abilities, and as his Greater Spirit grows, it will grant him stronger powers.

The group had an extended training session to discover new ways to use their Elemental’s abilities. Afterwards, he directed the spirits to different tasks. He kept some of them by his side, and a few left for his manor as guards, while the rest went to various corners of Gaia to carry out the Spirit King’s orders. To safeguard the devils’ seal and delay their revival.

The following morning on his way to Seal Creation class, a shadow, unseen by all except those that have Soul Perception, approached him.

After delivering a black envelope with a silver wax seal, it disappeared like smoke without a word.

“Dark Gods family,” Kairos noticed the emblem on the wax and took in a sharp breath.

Kairos immediately went to a concealed location to break the seal. He took out a pristine letter from the envelope and read it with a frown on his face.

“Lord Kairos,

Should you find time in your schedule, I will like to welcome you to my house.

Sincerely Yours,

Yue.”

He sighed. It is already the second time that he has received an invitation from Lord Yue. Though both times, there was no indication of a need for haste, the repeated offers spoke volumes of its importance.

“I wonder what matters between the Dark Gods and the Snowdrifts warrants such repeated invitations?”

Kairos paused for a moment. The two families do not have a relationship to speak of, especially when the Devilheart house that is subordinate to Lord Yue had made multiple attempts to corner the Snowdrifts.

He did not have interest in a meeting, and apathetic to whatever the Grand Duke has to say, however, after braving through so many dangers, he had learned to keep his enemies close; right where he could see them.

Storing the letter away, Kairos already decided that he would indeed meet with Lord Yue, but at a more convenient date.

Even after the detour, Kairos reached his class early. He took a seat by himself, and after a short while, more of his friends arrived and joined his side.

They waited in class patiently, but the class did not start at the scheduled time. It is rare for the instructor to be late. However, they soon found out the reason.

Following behind a lady in brown robes is a young girl that looks too young to be a second year. Though it is rare to have students transfer in during the school term, it occasionally happens when the parent’s work requires a family to move.

The instructor turned crisply to face the class, and when she did, Kairos immediately recognised her as the stern looking woman at the start of their mock battlefield examination in year one, and again by the testing block. Her scrunched up face that seems to portray her permanent disdain is still ever unchanging.

But the atmosphere changed when the girl turned to look at the class. Just a glance at her face made the class paralysed with awe and even adoration. Despite her age, the hints of the beauty that she will grow into are already present. Each of her features was beautiful beyond description. Her eyes that held all the colours of a rising dawn were enough to stun others with a look. And her flawless skin looked so soft and delicate that it might be broken with a touch.

But when all these features that would make others envy appeared on a single person, it made her irresistible to look at. Even Luciette who is a famous beauty in the academy could not cause such an uproar.

It is as though the maker had set her aside and made her perfect.

The instructor cleared her throat for attention, but no one reacted until she had to cough a few times loudly. When the students finally reacted, she adjusted her spectacles and introduced herself steely, “I am Differential Devilheart, your instructor in the Seal Creation Class.”

She paused, then looked at the girl beside her, and changed to a polite tone, “And, this is Relestia. She will be joining our class temporarily. However, I expect everyone to be helpful towards her.”

Those that know Differential, or Diff as her colleagues call her, had never seen her take such a tone with other students in her class.

Like most members of the Devilheart family, she truly believes herself superior to others. When she was called into the Principal office this very morning, she had been exasperated to know that it concerned a new transfer student.

At first, she could not understand why she was summoned for a trivial reason like this, but Gai only said one short sentence to change her mind completely.

“Even young master Calculus has been advised to steered clear of her.”

Though the word he used was ‘advised’, through his tone, it sounded to her that her young master was given a command. It is unthinkable who had the authority to do so, but one thing is certain; this young lady, Relestia, is someone she cannot afford to offend.

She has a feeling that perhaps, even the entirety of the Devilheart family could not risk affronting the girl.

In that was the case, then her identity is certainly a core member from one of the Three Great Nobles, or possibly even more impressive.

When Diff first saw the transfer student, she was utterly shocked by how young the girl was, but at the same time, it confirmed what Principal Gai told her is the truth.

Having the direct assistance of the Principal to transfer into school, was impressive enough. However, Relestia who looked no older than ten definitely is far too young to be enrolled for the second year in the Academy, and it only assured her that her background is indeed special.

After introducing Relestia to the class, Diff directed her to an empty seat. However, she watched in disbelief as the girl went towards a boy she completely detests.

“Are you Kairos?” Relestia asked, bubbling with enthusiasm.

“I am.”

“Oh! It’s really you! I’ve heard so much about you. Can I seat here, please?” Relestia gave Alan, who is seated beside, a small smile.

Kairos wanted to turn her down politely, but Alan smirked and quickly invited Relestia to take his seat.

"Thank you!"

Kairos could only roll his eyes at Alan as the girl cheerfully plopped down beside him. Her legs, being too short for the auditorium seating, dangled uncomfortably but she looked spirited to be here.

“Now, we will be starting Seal Creation Class. Those of you that had missed the previous class, like Mr Kairos and his group of delinquents, know that I do not expect anything from you lot. So, kindly keep any questions you have to yourself,” their instructor said sharply, openly showing her contempt.

Kairos, however, did not bother to satisfy her with any form of reaction but his friends did not think the same way.

In a loud voice, Jim retorted, “I’ve always thought this old lady is really petty for her age. Don’t you think so?”

Alan who is now squeezed into a seat beside him, answered with a dramatic flair, “Truly my brother, make sure you never fall for such grumpy old woman okay?”

“Hah. There’s no way any man would want an old maid like her. With her looks and pettiness, she will be a piece of cow dung for a flower like me.”

“Wait…,” Alan suddenly whispered, “Isn’t this description meant for ladies?”

“I..it..it is?!” Jim turned his head so quickly towards Alan that for a moment the latter feared that his neck would spin off.

“Well… flowers are used to describe… hold on, how did you not know this?”

“I…I didn’t!”

The latter part of their conversation was in whispers that were soft and fast enough to escape the ears of an angry Diff, but Relestia who is quite close by had heard everything, and she immediately exploded with giggling.

Her infectious laughter that sounded like peals of crystal chimes, causing everyone to smile, and even stopping the instructor from an outburst.

Kairos also could not help but laugh, and Relestia immediately gave him a dazzling smile. She could not tell him how she looked forward to hearing his adventures from her father. And, after just a few days, she had made Kairos her idol.

For a princess that was stuck with all the boredom of a cold palace, he was a fairy tale hero that seemed to be able to do the impossible.

Her father, Galahad, knew the ambition of the two princes, but the successor in his heart is the kind-hearted Relestia. Therefore, to protect her, he had so preciously kept her hidden away that only a few knew the face of the Saint Empire’s princess. It couldn’t be helped that she felt locked up.

Kairos in return were too focused on class and too inexperienced with girls to know what Relestia is thinking. However, he liked her the moment he set his eyes upon her. A complete contrast to how he felt about the princess of the Silent Lambs Empire.

She had neither arrogance nor snobbishness that are often traits accompanying a noble of high position. And, somehow, her sing-song voice seemed to lift his laden shoulders for a moment, and he did not know why.

It is a rare, warm, and comfortable feeling that he had not felt since he joined Saint Cadets Academy. And he welcomed it.

Kairos returned her with a genuine smile, then rolled his eyes at Jim, and for the second time today, Alan.

The instructor turned beet red. She never had to suffer such humiliation. In her heart, she had already murdered the boys several times over.

“Get out of my class! Right now!” her sharp voice bellowed across the auditorium, causing the boys to stiffen.

They had been kicked out of class enough times to know that an instructor’s authority in class is nigh absolute.