The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 148: The Crystal Refiner (4)

Chapter 148: The Crystal Refiner (4)

The first person undergoing the quality inspection was Delia. The crowd and the other test takers watched excitedly, believing her to be the best among the eight.

The clerk pulled a tool out. The tool was built like a spoon with a wide bottom and thin handle. Seven gems were embedded in the handle.

"The inspection is simple. We will place each crystal in the little bowl. The tool will suck a bit of energy feeding the gems in it. These are sensitive gems. They require little energy. The higher the quality of the gems, the smoother the flow towards the gems. No light means Ruined, one light means F quality, six means A quality, and seven lights means Supreme quality."

The clerk patiently explained the way the tool worked and how the score was determined. The citizens were either familiar with it or heard about the tool but Hex saw it for the first time. He was impressed out of his mind by it.

’Humans truly are great and terrifying. The things they come up with are worthy of Heaven’s envy.’

The clerk inserted the crystal, and with a buzz, the gems lit up.

"Six gems. A quality."

Even before the clerk announced the result, the crowd cheered and clapped. Delia looked calmly. The clerk didn’t stop. He continued to insert crystals, all lighting six gems on the tool.

"All ten of Miss Delia’s crystals are of A quality. She is qualified to wear the title of Adept Refiner."

The clerk’s announcement made it official. People clapped. Some tried to talk to her but Delia didn’t react. There was a smile on her face but her eyes wandered to Hex’s box.

Those who noticed it understood her intention. As the student of a Master Refiner, she couldn’t afford to lose to some unknown gray-haired man.

"Mister Olic, Mister Bristol, and Miss Gwen failed to finish in time, so there is no need to test the quality of their crystals. The Temple accepts their unrefined crystals as compensation."

Hex watched the clerk stow away the crystals without even asking whether the three agreed or not. It was like a mandate from Heaven everyone had to follow.

The three looked dejected but didn’t protest. Hex didn’t expect them to. As long as they wished to undergo the test, they had to go with the Temple’s rules.

’Moments like these make me wonder whether Grandpa was wrong to create the Dawnbringers or not.’

The clerk continued with the test. The fifth person finished in time but only four were A quality. As soon as the fifth one turned B quality, the clerk stopped the test and pocketed the other crystals as compensation.

The sixth person lost at the first crystal. Similar to the previous cases, the other nine crystals were pocketed by the crystal.

The seventh person was Beron, the old man who seemed against Hex so far. His crystals performed well. When the ninth achieved A quality, he turned toward Hex.

"See that? It takes years of dedication and great teachers to create Adept Refiners. As an elder, I advise you to get a teacher and train for a few years. Try again and I am sure you will achieve your dreams. And if you don’t find a teacher, you can apply to me. I will teach you well."

The man’s words sounded well-meaning and like that of an elder but Hex’s sharp mind knew the hidden meaning. He basically told Hex that he didn’t have the talent and that no teacher would accept him.

"C quality. Failed!"

Beron’s smug look disappeared like snow in the sun. "No, that can’t be. There should be some mistake. Please retest?"

He stumbled as he cried and pleaded. His pride disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Mister Beron. Don’t disturb the Temple. Otherwise, I will have you thrown out and ban you from taking the test for a year."

The clerk’s harsh words silenced him. Dejected, he walked back to stand beside Hex and the others. He was still trembling and shaking his head though.

"Now, the last person."

The clerk walked to Hex’s box. Although no one believed he could achieve a similar result to Delia, everyone still looked interested.

As soon as the clerk inserted the first crystal, six lights lit up, indicating the crystal achieved A quality.

Seeing the result, everyone turned to look at Hex. They hadn’t forgotten that he was the fastest to refine the crystal. Delia clenched her fists. She wasn’t pleased.

The following six crystals achieved a similar result. The crowd was stunned. No one talked. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the tool in the clerk’s hand.

The manager felt worried but, at the same time, happy. She took a chance and ended up recruiting an Adept Refiner.

The blond-haired man eyed Hex with interest. He seriously considered offering Hex a contract.

But when the clerk put the eighth crystal the gems lit up, one after the other, reaching the seventh gem.

"Supreme quality." The clerk didn’t shout or call the result out. He was so stunned that he only managed to mumble. But in the silence, the words thundered in everyone’s ears.

"Impossible," Beron muttered.

"Incredible," the manager cheered softly.

Hex heard all the mutterings and saw the eyes of the people around. Some looked with shock, some with admiration, and one challenged him. Deloia stared openly at him. Her jaws were shut so tight that Hex doubted her teeth would survive or not.

With trembling hands, the clerk inserted another crystal. The crystal barely entered the socket, and seven lights shone on the handle.

"Supreme quality...again," the clerk said with a heavy breath.

The tenth crystal was inserted and again...seven gems shone with light.

"Mister Mike has passed the test, granting him the right to call himself an Adept Refiner."

There were no cheers or claps. People were too stunned to react. Somehow, the manager regained her bearing the quickest. She ran up to Hex and put her arm in his, leaning heavily against him.

"You surprised me greatly. We can return to the Union now. The sofa is soft. We can comfortably work out the details of our partnership."

Hex hadn’t known her for long but he hadn’t heard her speak in such a tone so far. But before he could react, someone else spoke.

"Miss Laila, don’t be so quick to drag this friend away. I also wish to make acquaintances with such a character."

Laila turned, ready to snap at whoever wanted to butt into her deal but when she saw the blond-haired man, she swallowed her words.

"I didn’t see you here. If the young master wishes to learn about this man, I won’t stand in your way. After all, who in the north dares to cross the young heir of the duke?"

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