The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 146: The Crystal Refiner (2)

Chapter 146: The Crystal Refiner (2)

Bella looked shocked at the lecherous middle-aged man before her. Thankfully, she regained her bearing quickly.

"You honor us, esteemed Refiner. Please follow me to meet the shop manager. She is the one who can properly assist and welcome you."

Her respectful attitude and the reverent gazes from the other assistants confirmed Hex’s guess.

’It’s like the clerk said. Although every Blessed can refine crystals, only a few can do it well. They don’t even know how good I am but their treatment is already as if I am an honored patron of theirs.’

He followed Bella toward the main chamber at the end of the hall. The exquisitely decorated door exuded an ancient aura. Hex couldn’t help but pause and admire the door before him. The decorative carvings depicted a bird-like creature clashing against a snake-like being.

Bella knocked on the door, which opened after a short pause. A woman with ash brown hair appeared. She had light brown eyes, fair skin, and full cherry-shaped lips. Her body-hugging gown accentuated her shapely figure. Especially, the deep neckline left a lot of fair skin, and part of her breast open to sight.

"Ma’am, this esteemed sir wishes to join the Union and refine crystals for us," Bella said politely, explaining the reason behind their visit, to her superior.

"Very well. Please enter mister...?" The manager moved, allowing entry to Hex, while asking his name.

"Mike Northson." Hex gave a name that he came with. The name was false but he subconsciously linked himself to the baron and the place he called his home.

Hex took a seat in her two-seater comfortable chair with cushions. The lady didn’t shy and sat right beside him. When she crossed her legs, Hex realized her gown had a split running up to her thighs.

"Before we proceed, let me make it clear. I am not joining the Union. I am just interested in temporarily lending my skills to earn a few Sterren."

Hex didn’t let the fair thick thighs distract him. He clearly stated his purpose.

"That’s a shame. Hopefully, you will change your mind after working with us," the woman said, looking at him with her bright eyes as if she wished to rely on him. Hex didn’t fall for her act though. He sensed her strength. She was a Knight but her energy fluctuation was near Marzo’s level.

’She should be a half-step Refined Knight. There is no way someone at her level is helpless,’ he mused, remaining alert for any trick she might pull.

"We will see about that," he said, not denying the possibility of him joining. "But I will only refine Fiend or higher level crystals."

Hex didn’t wish to waste his time on Demon crystals. Those crystals had one drop of chaotic energy at most and after returning a part of the refined energy to the crystal, Hex would be left with less than a drop.

Compared to that, a Fiend crystal would result in at least one drop of chaotic energy, after spending a similar period, making it more profitable for him.

"I see. We can arrange that but I wonder what your proficiency level is at? Are you an Adept Refiner?"

"Unranked," replied Hex. He noticed her gaze turning cold immediately.

"Well, that makes it difficult for us to entrust Fiend crystals to you," she started politely but less friendly as she sorted her gown, covering her leg. "Only Adepts and above have the freedom to place demands."

"I see," Hex said, showing no embarrassment. "And how does one become an Adept?"

His question startled the manager. She even stood up. She considered Hex an amateur. A skilled refiner would know such basic information. She still answered politely.

"One has to test at the Temple, refining ten Demon crystals to A - quality. If the person delivers even one crystal at a lower grade, he or she is denied the title of Adept."

"Can I test right now?" Hex asked. He was certain of his ability to refine Demon crystals.

"Right now?" Her gaze lingered on Hex once more. Hex understood her thoughts. She wasn’t sure whether he was serious or not. As such, she didn’t know how to interact with him.

’Keep guessing lady. This is exactly how I want you to behave. You guys think I am average but once I ace the test, it will add a mysterious aura to me. It will make negotiations easier for me.’

After some thought, she agreed to let Hex take the test immediately. Hex knew she was still suspicious but didn’t want to lose acquainting with a potential Adept Refiner.

She quickly arranged a coach, which brought them to the Temple. Notrelune’s Temple was far grander than the one Hex had seen in Grindeston. And livelier. Even at a late hour, the Temple had many visitors.

But the greatest shock was the monolith inside. It was huge. The one in his town was barely a meter tall. But the one before him easily surpassed tens of meters. But that wasn’t all. Hex noticed carvings in the ground, leading to twenty smaller monoliths. Those smaller monoliths were about the same height as the one in his town.

The manager went to the clerks and stated their goal. The clerk nodded and called Hex. It seemed Hex wasn’t the only one willing to take a test. There were already seven others. Some looked old while others looked middle-aged. There was even one young woman who seemed to be in her twenties.

"How long have you been refining crystals?" The clerk asked Hex. He was holding a parchment to note his reply.

"Five years," replied Hex. He disguised as a middle-aged man to avoid too much attention but at the same time, he didn’t wish to be seen as too average.

Still, his reply made some of the people look up. Attaining an Adept level at refining was still considered decent. Only the young woman remained unimpressed.

"Who is your teacher?" The clerk asked after a few other questions.

"No one. I have learned on my own."

This reply garnered everyone’s interest. Some sneered, while others looked with interest. But no one believed someone could reach the adept level without a teacher.

"There is always someone who thinks they can pass the test with luck," an elderly sighed. His tone was of pity but his eyes held contempt as he looked at Hex.

"Some people are always wasting others’ time," a middle-aged man said. He looked at the young woman amidst them and smiled. "Even Miss Delia needed five years under Master Lucas before taking this test."

The people murmured in approval. They held the young woman in high regard since she was a student of a Master Refiner. Hex listened without saying anything.

The manager stood at the side. She was glad she came. Even if Mike failed, she considered recruiting one of these seven people. If she could get Delia that would be for the best. But she knew it was almost impossible to rope in a student of a Master Refiner.

The clerk scraped his throat and spoke.

"There are eight of you undergoing the test to see whether you have reached an Adept level. You will all undergo the test at the same time. You will provide the Demon crystals yourself. The refined products will be the payment for the test. If someone fails to reach at least C - quality, they will provide additional compensation."

Hex rolled his eyes at the blatant greed of the Temple but let it slide. He followed the instructions and took his place at one of the monoliths.

"Be ready to pay the Temple, lad," the elderly figure who had spoken earlier said from the side but was ignored by Hex. Seeing Hex remain calm, he grunted.

Hex pulled ten crystals from his pouch and readied himself. ’No need to hold back.’

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