The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 149: Better than anticipated

Chapter 149: Better than anticipated

Hex’s interest peaked when he heard Laila call the young man the Duke’s heir. This was one of the people eying the land around Grindeston.

’His energy is more abundant than other Knights I have encountered. Even Laila’s energy seems a bit weaker than his.’

The Commander mentioned the Duke wished to acquire more Fiend crystals to increase the chance of his son being taken in by the Paladins. This helped Hex understand how high the requirements of the three factions were if even a half-step Refinement Knight wasn’t guaranteed entry.

"Adept Mike, I am Tarquin Tauriel, son of Theonin Tauriel, Duke of the North. I would like to invite you as a Refiner of my family. I assure you, we will have plenty of resources for you to hone your craft."

Laila cursed the Tarquin on the inside but didn’t dare to show it. The Tauriel family wasn’t one the Union liked to offend. They were easily angered and held grudges for as long as they lived. But she couldn’t let an Adept Refiner fall through her grasp.

"Adept Mike, the Tauriel family is the most renowned in the north but seeing you came to us first, I would still like to extend an invitation to join us. We don’t lack resources either."

Tarquin squinted his eyes but couldn’t find fault in her words. His father wouldn’t have cared and shut the lady up but as a young man, he still cared about public opinion and didn’t wish to be seen like a brute.

Hex laughed inwardly seeing them fight for him. He didn’t expect a Supreme quality but was glad he achieved it. An Adept Refiner could handle Demon crystals effortlessly and achieve up to B-quality with Fiend Crystals. But his Supreme quality meant that he could refine Fiend crystals up to A-quality and even retain a part of the elements inside them.

’Master Refiners probably can do it effortlessly but they require a higher price and take a share of the refined crystals. Tarquin wants me because he doesn’t need to offer me the same rewards.’

Seeing both look at him to make the decision, he scraped his throat and spoke up. "Miss Laila, I am glad you brought me here so I could take the test. And young lord, I am grateful for your interest in my skills. I am a wanderer, so I don’t wish to be bound by contracts. How about this, I will refine it for both of you but only Fiend crystals. And in exchange, I won’t take any of the crystals. I only require Sterren, so I can pay for my food and travels."

Laila didn’t like the proposal. It could be seen on her face. But before she could negotiate, Tarquin spoke.

"I agree but we will decide the amount of Sterren to be paid. If your work is subpar we will pay less or even ask you to compensate for ruined Fiend crystals."

"Deal!" Hex said immediately. He then turned toward Laila, who squeezed a forced smile on her face.

’You brought this on yourself. If you didn’t drag me here to take the test before making a deal with me, you would have more room to negotiate.’

Hex was happy with how things worked out. He had prepared himself to spend days proving himself and in negotiations.

"We accept but as the young lord said, we hold the right to decide the payment. I don’t underestimate you but we can’t afford to squander Fiend crystals."

"I understand. I have no problem. I still need to find a proper place to stay. Once I have it, I will drop by to let you know. And you...?" Hex looked at Tarquin, asking how to give his contact information.

"Once the Union knows, we will know," Tarquin said matter of factly.

After finishing a few details, Tarquin nodded to Laila and Hex and left with his small group. Hex heaved a sigh of relief.

’At least two people in that group are Refined Knights. No wonder no one wishes to cross the Duke.’

The crowd in the Temple had already dispersed. Delia and the others left. They were upset with how things turned out and questioned their abilities. If a person with no teacher could surpass them so easily, didn’t it mean they had wasted their lives?

Laila invited Hex back to her place but Hex declined politely. Her soft skin was alluring but Hex finally felt some fatigue creep up. His first two days in Notrelune were spent training, testing, and cultivating. He had barely slept.

He greeted Laila politely and exited the Temple. Laila frowned displeased but stepped into her coach, returning to the Union. Neither of the two noticed the three ladies wearing wide robes, amidst the crowd.

"Mistress, you were right. He is the one who influences other’s fate," the slightly older woman said, her eyes glistening with interest.

"Indeed," chimed in the young girl. "Why else would a manager accompany a nameless fellow to the testing area? And that too when the young lord of house Tauriel happened to be in the Temple?"

The person in the middle was their mistress. Her face was partially hidden by the large hood, covering her head. Only her full red lips were seen beneath the robe and even the shadows of the robe couldn’t change the hue of her fair neck.

"It’s interesting. It doesn’t seem like an ability to influence fate. It’s something that happens naturally."

"But how can a human affect the strings of fate?" The young girl asked curiously.

"It’s it his doing or Heavens? It could be temporary. Sometimes people just have dumb luck. And does it affect the flow of events or does it coincide with events already in motion?"

The woman heard the excitement concealed in her mistress’s voice. A High Oracle like her mistress wasn’t easily interested but once she was, she would focus entirely on this. The woman couldn’t help but feel a bit worried.

’Things were already bound to become hectic but with the mistress interested, it might spiral out of control.’