The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 167: The special request

Chapter 167: The special request

"Lass, who is this boy who doesn’t know how to greet his elders?"

Hex turned and saw one elderly person whose head and face were overgrown with bushy white hair, scowl at him while talking to Bella.

Bella looked chuckled uncomfortably at the man. "Senior Lorenz, he is..."

"I am Mike," Hex interjected Bella, standing before the elderly figure. "And I know to greet, I just don’t care to."

His words didn’t please Lorenz or the others watching from the side. They worked longer for the Union, relishing the attention and respect the position brought. They expected a newcomer to at least act as if he looked up to them.

’None seem capable enough to rival me in the numbers of crystals I can refine. Even if I show them respect, they will be upset once I surpass them. So, there is no need to bother even.’

The good thing about having a fake persona was it could be abandoned at will. As such, Hex didn’t bother with stepping on the toes of others.

"Ow?" Lorenz snorted. "I guess we need to show you the consequences of ruining the team spirit we have fostered. Don’t worry. As an elder, once you repent, I will request you to be given a spot among us."

The others nodded with a sneer. Hex didn’t know they disliked him because of a simple reason. All newcomers were put through an initiation, requiring them to offer their goodwill toward them by giving the others a share in their earnings.

If they ignored Hex’s behavior, their suffering would be for naught. Also, it would create a precedent for others to follow, reducing their income.

"Please don’t mind them," Bella whispered nervously. "They are very loyal to the Union and have worked with us for years. If you could mingle with them..."

"Miss Bella, don’t apologize on their behalf. And don’t worry about me." Hex smiled broadly at the young woman and walked up to the monolith.

"Wait!" The white-haired Lorenz barred Hex’s path to the monoliths. "Newbie, the order is always decided on seniority."

Hex raised his brow and glanced at Bella who nodded. Hex shrugged and took a step back. The refiners chuckled and gave him a nasty look.

He could guess what they were planning. They would rotate, using up most of the time, and only let Hex refine at the end. It wouldn’t reduce the crystals he could refine but it would be late at night. By then, most spectators would have left or have chosen someone to work with.

Although their basic pay wouldn’t be impacted, the bonuses would differ. If their ploy worked, they would attract more customers than Hex, increasing their name and credit. Hex on the other hand would make zero name and earn zero money.

Hex returned their nasty grins with a friendly smile, causing them to frown. They started to question whether his sanity was intact.

Lorenz started to refine the first Fiend crystal, while another old person took the other monolith. The other refiners lined up behind them. They stood in a way that didn’t leave a place for Hex to stand.

Hex looked around. All the monoliths were in use. He saw Delia at the far end working hard. There were many more refiners. Everyone here was at least at the adept level. Only desperate people would entrust a Fiend crystal to someone below that.

Seeing Hex idle and receiving no attention, the others smirked. From their perspective they were shattering the arrogance of a newcomer, helping him to become a better person. Or so they would argue.

Just as they were enjoying themselves at Hex’s perceived predicament a loud shout sounded.

"There you are!"

Tarquin, Elsa, and Gabriella walked through the parted crowd and stepped up the platform. A group of four people - one middle-aged woman and three white-haired men - walked behind them. They were dressed scholarly and exuded a gentle aura.

As the Duke’s son and the current number one, Tarquin attracted everyone’s attention. Those who knew Gabriella’s and Elsa’s identity also paid special attention to their interaction. Seeing all three walk up to an unassuming and unknown middle-aged guy, they paid special attention to Hex.

"Mike, these are refiners connected to our families," Tarquin introduced the four behind them, without wasting any time. "And he is Mike, the refiner I contracted to assist me."

All four gave Hex a polite nod, which Hex reciprocated. Seeing the attention Hex was receiving and his attitude towards others, enraged and stunned the Union refiners. Lorenz lost his composure so much that he lost focus. With a bang, the crystal in his hand shattered.

It was normal for refiners to ruin one or two crystals when refining. Aside from the person who lost his crystal, it wouldn’t attract much attention. But with everyone’s gaze on Hex, who stood right beside Lorenz, everyone saw him ruin a crystal.

The disapproval in people’s eyes almost materialized and stabbed Lorenz in the heart. He knew immediately no one would request his services. The anger and shame caused his soul to burn. He vomited blood and fainted.

"What’s wrong with him?" Tarquin asked surprised. He only spoke a little and a person colored the floor red.

"A weak heart," Hex replied, eyeing the others who shrunk back and didn’t dare to look at him. ’I didn’t even need to do anything. I guess I live up to my name and become the curse in other’s life.’

"When will you start refining?" Tarquin asked, throwing the fainted person beside him to the back of his mind. He didn’t have time to waste on such people.

"I can start with yours and once they are done, I will do the Union’s."

"Are you sure?" The middle-aged woman behind Tarquin asked. "It can be taxing to keep refining and I heard Tarquin say you are willing to do it for days."

Hex didn’t feel like she was mocking or questioning him. She seemed genuinely concerned and showed concern for him if he refined without proper rest.

"Thank you for your kindness but I know what I’m doing."

"Excellent."

Tarquin seemed less concerned about his well-being and happy that Hex would go all out, increasing his strength more than his peers. He knew that being number one was temporary. Many youngsters in the north were monstrously strong even with fewer resources.

Hex was lined up first, together with the middle-aged woman. The Duke had also reserved two monoliths for his son and his teammates. But the other two, fulfilling the support roles, didn’t show up. According to Gabriella they were still resting and relaxing.

’Those two had the least number of crystals. They can come later,’ Hex thought, picking up the first Fiend crystal. He started the refinement, forgetting everything around him. His senses entered the crystal and controlled the energy inside.

The energy wasn’t different. Plus, the crystals harvested from Heartless often lacked elements, making the refinement even easier. He felt the energy enter his heart and be refined into a less volatile state.

’Two drops of energy.’

It took him half the time than usual to finish the process. The middle-aged lady and he had started at the same time. But she was still refining while he was done with one crystal. The other three seemed skeptical. They were familiar with each other and knew the lady was the fastest among them. Did the new guy pay less attention to the quality of the finished crystal?

But a quick test by a clerk revealed Hex reached A quality, shocking them greatly. If he could maintain his speed and the quality of each crystal, he would stand out the most. Even now, with only one crystal refined, many spectators seemed impressed.

On the other side, the Union refiners seemed to have calmed their nerves but when they saw Hex’s performance, they were shaken and nervous. The Union needed them but they needed the Union more.

Hex didn’t know all these things nor did he care to know. He focused on refining and increasing his energy. He finished his allocated ten crystals before others managed to do five to six. There were no discrepancies in the quality of his work.

His speed and progress attracted the attention of more and more people. Even other refiners paid attention to him. Delia gritted her teeth, seeing his speed. She started before Hex but she only managed to do nine so far.

It wasn’t a question of ability only. Refining a crystal burdened a person’s body and mind. Some even claimed it weakened the soul but it had yet to be proven.

Seeing Hex, many believed he had a strong body and mind. Those were things not easily acquired by others. Many people wished to commission him but Hex didn’t forget his other task. He went over to the Union’s side and completed his twenty for the two weeks when dawn arrived.

His performance mesmerized others to the point they forgot to leave. The Temple was still full at dawn.

Tarquin was more than pleased by Hex’s performance. But he still had something else on his mind.

"Everyone!"

"As some may know, I have acquired a Disaster crystal. To refine it, I have invited Master Lucas. He agreed but on the condition he isn’t disturbed during the process. I request everyone to pause their refining and give us space later tonight while the Master refines."

The crowd erupted with murmurs and shouts. Some were excited to witness a Master refiner while others were displeased to lose time. However, the majority decided to accept the request.

"Thank you..." Tarquin was pleased and started to thank the crowd when a voice interrupted.

"Tarquin, why not let me refine it!"