The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 168: The refinement challenge (1)

Chapter 168: The refinement challenge (1)

"Tarquin, why not let me refine it!"

The words, although not spoken loudly, stunned everyone inside the Temple. They looked at each other, ensuring they heard correctly. They looked at the middle-aged guy beside Tarquin, who stared back at them as if he said the most normal thing.

After a few seconds, when the meaning of those words sunk, there was an uproar in the Temple.

"Does he think he is better than the master?"

"He sure is confident!"

"Truly an imbecile. The difference between a Fiend and a Disaster crystal is immense."

The shouts and comments didn’t only come from the spectators. The other refiners were also enraged by his comment. Even those who were slightly pleased and impressed by his performance were frowning.

Delia was fuming. She wouldn’t admit it aloud but acknowledged that Mike was a better refiner than her. But the despicable fellow’s words implied he could refine a Disaster crystal at the same level as her master. That wasn’t something she could ever accept.

The Merchant Union’s refiners stayed silent but rejoiced in the uproar Hex had caused. They too admitted their inferiority to the man’s skills but seeing him being scolded and rebuked by the masses was satisfying.

Tarquin, his teammates, and the four refiners looked at the calm man in their midst. Tarquin felt torn between confusion and fury. He was pleased by Mike’s performance, especially because he considered Mike his acquisition. He didn’t know how to react to his absurd request. And that made him furious. If the fellow made his request silently, it would have been easier to resolve. Now he would be forced to argue in front of a crowd.

Hex looked bored at the people shouting around him. The drama wasn’t necessary as far as he was concerned. ’They react like I asked something of theirs. And Tarquin looks like a dumb fuck right now. Just say yes or no. And I can counter propose.’ He almost rolled his eyes at the crown but didn’t. He knew when to stop.

Tarquin turned and faced Hex. Seeing this, the crowd calmed down quickly. After all, no one wished to miss anything being said.

"Mike, are you seriously asking me or just joking around?"

Although Hex didn’t seem to be joking, the crowd understood why the young dukeling asked in such a manner. He was giving Hex a way out.

"I am serious."

Hex ignored the way out and repeated his words. His expression remained calm and unperturbed.

"But this is a Disaster crystal!"

Tarquin shouted exasperatedly. It was hard to understand why a fresh adept like Mike seemed so confident. Refining a Disaster crystal perplexed even Master Refiners.

"I know."

Hex looked at Tarquin and the people behind him. "I know why you guys are confused and angered. But what is the main difference between an Adept and a Master?"

The middle-aged lady behind them was the one to reply.

"A Master is more experienced and has proven to have a low failure rate. Master Lucas for example has not failed to refine a Demon and Fiend crystal over the last ten years. And his success rate with Disaster crystals has been over seventy percent."

She left out the part where the title was also dependent on the reputation of the refiner. That was the refiners’ main reason flocked to major organizations and figures to gain reputation faster.

"Thanks," Hex nodded. "I have not failed either. Never. And I have refined a Disaster crystal once but I achieved my target. The only reason why I am not a Master is because the clerks and the priests around here have not been given a chance to witness my awesomeness."

Hex’s boastful words irked the people inside the Temple. Delia clenched her teeth, wishing to scream but she lacked the skills with words. Aside from everyone else, his words even irritated the clerks inside the Temple.

He basically claimed that the Temple folk had eyes but failed to assess his skills and talents. The priests who stood inside the Temple, aloof from worldly worries, became part of the world again, looking at him with scrunched foreheads.

"So you are claiming that you are a Master at this but without the recognition from others and can do a job as well as Master Lucas?" Tarquin asked, his disbelief apparent in his tone. He didn’t even bother to hide it. No one would believe something so ridiculous.

"Yes."

Before another uproar erupted inside the Temple, Hex continued.

"And if you don’t believe me, let’s have me go against Master Lucas. We will refine for the remainder of the two weeks and on the last day, the person with the most successful refinements gets a crack at that Disaster crystal."

Silence.

There was no sound inside the Temple. Even the sound of breathing didn’t exist for a second. The silence was interrupted by a scream.

"ENOUGH!"

Delia held her hair and shouted with wide eyes. Blood seeped from cuts on her lips. Her white teeth were coated with a thin layer of blood too.

"YOU.VILE.MAN!"

She enunciated each word.

"WHY WOULD MY MASTER NEED TO PROVE TO YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE."

"ENOUGH!"

She was trembling and shaking. She was at a loss for words but managed to convey her feelings and frustrations.

"He doesn’t need to prove anything. Nor do I. And Tarquin is free to choose him even without a test." Hex eyed her with a calm smile on his lips and spoke. "I just stated my request and volunteered to prove my skills. I just wish to give Tarquin another option. It’s his choice. I am sure the seventy-percent -Lucas person will do his best but I think I can do better."

Although Hex spoke in a calm and even tone, Delia perceived it as a mockery of her master’s skill. She trembled and shook but her head was blank. She couldn’t reply fast enough, increasing her irritation. Suddenly, she spurted blood and fell to the ground, twitching violently.

"She is still too young," Hex said, shaking his head. The people around Delia hurried to help her.

Hex looked at Tarquin, as did everyone. It was ultimately his call. Tarquin didn’t like being put on the spot. If he could, he would beat the shit out of Mike. But the idea that he had a yet-to-be-titled Master refiner on his payroll, made him hesitate. If Mike truly was as good as he said, Tarquin would have nothing to worry about.

On the other hand, if Mike was boasting, he risked offending the most influential Master refiner of Notrelune. Not only would it affect his future but also his family’s benefits.

"I-I don’t know whether Master Lucas will agree to this," Tarquin said shakily. His father always said a good leader needed the balls to be decisive. For the first time, Tarquin understood his weren’t at his father’s level...yet.

"I agree!"

The crowd turned their heads in unison toward the Temple’s entrance. A tall man with sharp feminine features stood at the door, holding a folded hand fan. The fan’s guard glistened in the light, giving a metallic luster.

"Master Lucas?!"

The crowd parted quickly, allowing the Master refiner to walk up to the platform with the other refiners on top.

Hex had never seen the man. Master Lucas wore a silky robe with flower patterns, had long wavy hair, reaching his lower back, and was clean-shaven. Hex heard the man was well into his forties but he appeared like someone in his twenties.

As Lucas slowly walked to the platform, Hex witnessed the public behavior towards the Master. Some bowed while others lay flat on the ground, kissing his feet. The man accepted all greetings with a nod. He patted the heads and cheeks of children brought by some to greet and welcome the Master.

’Sigh. Walk faster man. I am losing time here. At this rate, the gains won’t cover the losses.’

Hex’s desire for the abundant and potent energy inside the Disaster crystal was purely to increase the energy inside him. But now, to get a chance, he was losing time. And less time meant fewer refinements.

Luckily, the people toward the front were more reserved and didn’t delay Master Lucas’ slow pace. The man walked up on the platform, accepting the bows of many other refiners. It took another few minutes before the Master stood before Tarquin and Hex.

Tarquin bowed politely and offered his apology. "Master Lucas, I am sorry this happened. I invited you to refine but as you heard, my friend here wishes to challenge you for it."

While Tarquin spoke, Lucas looked at Hex, without flinching. Hex returned his gaze...also without flinching.

’Are we doing a staring contest instead? Fine with me.’ Even though he sensed the Refinement stage from Lucas before him, Hex didn’t buckle under his pressure. His body was enhanced with pills beyond the stage many people tried. People didn’t waste too many resources on their bodies, choosing to focus on their energy and elements. Hex’s superior physical attributes caused Lucas to frown. But after a while, he smiled and looked at Tarquin.

"There is no need to apologize. I too wish to find out if this friend is as great as he states. It’s been a long time since I participated in a competition. I am in. It’s sounds fun."

Seeing Master Lucas act excitedly calmed Tarquin. The crowd too got stimulated knowing they would witness a Master at work for two weeks. The refiners rejoiced in their luck. Only Hex felt the pressure. Not from the man’s abilities or power but the way he behaved.

’This man is like a snake.’

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