The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 127: Unfurling the scroll (2)

Chapter 127: Unfurling the scroll (2)

The scroll contained a lot of information. Hex knew he wouldn’t be able to finish everything in one sitting.

He skipped the general section and went straight for the Techniques. Although the Bearhanded Sword Technique and the Flex Step were still usable at the Knight stage, he was eager to learn new skills. Especially techniques that helped utilize the elemental powers.

’I have access to the earth element, the ice element, and the nature element, and indirectly to the water and wind element. Yet, except for some burst damage and occasional self-healing, I am unable to fuse them in all my attacks.’

He skimmed through the texts until his gaze fell on the Techniques section. There were many Knight-grade techniques listed with a brief description below each of them.

Skull Smash

This technique uses the earth element, providing increased strength to the user. Concentrating the element on the point of contact will enable the user to bash the opponent’s head with the slightest touch.

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Swift Strike

This technique fuses the wind element into the user’s weapon, making it faster and more agile. The user can attack from any direction instantly.

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Aquaflex armor

This is a defensive type of technique, fusing the water element or other water-related elements to create armor around the user. Depending on the mastery of the element, a certain percentage of the received damage can be reflected upon the opponent.

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Blizzard Strike

This technique uses the ice and snow elements to unleash a storm upon the opponent. The storm impacts sight and movement and numbs the senses. The greater the difference between the user and his opponent, the more pronounced its effects.

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The list was quite long. The more Hex read, the more he wished to learn everything. Each technique was good in its own right. It was hard to make a choice.

’I can’t believe the baron prepared all this for me. There are techniques for each element. I remember him saying I would be able to refine all elements. Does it mean I need to learn all these?’

Suddenly, as he was going through everything, he saw one technique circled with a red light. Curious to see what it was, he read the technique.

Frost Dragon Technique

This technique is derived from the powers observed by the ancient frost dragon. The technique utilizes strength, ice, and natural elements to provide the user with abilities like ice control, frostbite, frost breath, ice guard, and ice healing. It can be fused with all other techniques. If the user has a dragon or frost-related constitution, then the effects can be increased almost twofold. Full mastery will allow the user to manifest ice wings, unlocking the ability to take the air.

Hex’s breath quickened as he read the description. The technique seemed to perfectly utilize all of his current affinities and attributes.

’The baron circled it. He probably believes that this one would fit me perfectly. How far did he plan? I didn’t even have Clannad’s Kobold soul at the time he drew up this scroll.’

The baron seemed to have prepared everything down to the tiniest detail. Hex was glad that his master had truly considered him a student. Why else would he go to such lengths for him?

Below the technique, Hex noticed a few scribbles left by the baron.

Techniques requiring a certain constitution or soul are rare and provide more abilities than any other technique. This technique emphasizes control, especially elemental control over the ice element. Training in this technique provides triple benefits. One, it gives the user a variety of abilities, ranging from attack to defense, from crowd control to healing. Two, it increases the user’s control over the said element. Third, it’s a rare technique that allows flight. The wings are formed due to the user gaining the ability to transform partially into a Frost Dragon.

The Knight stage is about mastering an element. Although having as many elements as possible lays a firm foundation for the other stages, it is important to master at least one. Although having a lot of elements can strengthen someone to face a Refined Knight, it won’t be enough to defeat someone with a refined element circle.

’Basically, he is saying to refine more elements but focus on mastering one first.’

Hex understood the underlying message his master left for him. With his Dragon Bear Soul, he had an innate affinity with ice and earth. It made sense to prioritize one of these to quicken his rate of mastery.

Without wasting more time, Hex focussed on the Technique. The Frost Dragon Technique utilized the limbs and the mouth the most.

According to the technique, the user had to focus an amount of ice element in the spot it would use to attack. The bigger the amount, the greater the effect of the ability. Hex noticed that the baron had commented hands first in tiny letters.

’What does he mean...?’ Hex looked at the scribble for a brief moment when understanding dawned on him. The baron’s advice was to start with the hands to focus his ice element on, because of his experiences with the bearhanded sword. It had given him excellent control over his hands and fingers.

Hex remained seated in the chair behind the desk and put his hands on the desk. He followed the direction of the technique to stir up the ice in his inner space. But nothing happened.

Hex wasn’t dispirited. He knew it would take time and training. But even after hours, he didn’t manage to stir up the ice.

’I am missing something but what?’ Hex remained calm, even after failing many tries. His willpower had increased after the ordeals he went through.

’Why is nothing happening though? Normally, I can let the ice burst out if I am not controlling it,’ Hex thought, rubbing his chin. But as soon as the thought appeared, an idea struck him.

’What if I focus on controlling the uncontrolled burst?’ With no one to guide him, Hex learned through experiments.

He opened his hands and let his senses meld with the dragon bear. Instead of thinking about it, he let his intuition be in control. Immediately, the ice in his inner world started to swivel and rise.

It wished to burst out of him. But when the momentum was enough, Hex let his mind take over. He moved his hands in accordance with the technique and controlled the upward-spiraling stream, focussing it on a single point.

Zing!

Hex opened his eyes. The first rays of the sun glistened on the frozen desk before him. It hadn’t spread out anywhere else, contained within the space he envisioned.

Hex smiled at his tiny success. ’The first step is the hardest. Now I have a direction to work on.’

Knock. Knock.

"Hex, are you in there? Are you ready? We leave in one hour."