The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 345: Understanding Elemental Mastery

Chapter 345: Understanding Elemental Mastery

Hex stood at the back of the row, waiting to descend to the ground. The many twists and turns in their journey caused Hex to lose track of the high they were above the land below.

The way down was slow. Only two to four people could descend in one trip. And it took each group a few hours to complete their journey. Jonathan and Elize had decided to divide themselves for this part.

After some discussion, much to Hex’s dislike, they decided to let Elize take charge of the two most dangerous prisoners, and for Jonathan to close ranks. As such Hex would end up with Jonathan and one more person in the last group.

Luckily, Medina managed to end up being that one person. Hex marveled at her ability to pull that off. After all, judging by the worried expressions on Jade and the mother of the girl Medina possessed, it should have been impossible. Yet, she did it.

While waiting in line, Hex decided to discuss his experience with the elements. Even the looming prospect of traveling with Jonathan didn’t diminish the pride and joy he felt about having completed several elemental circles.

"You think you mastered the elements just because the circles are completed?"

The raised brow on Medina’s face, however, wasn’t the reaction he hoped for. Not able to understand her less-than-proud-of-him response, he urged her to explain herself better.

"Isn’t that how it works? When you master an element, the circle on the back of the hand gets completed?"

He whispered, though, it did sound more like a hiss, eliciting a chuckle from Medina.

"You know you act like a child sometimes, don’t you?" She asked, shaking her head a little. Hex fell silent. He wanted to deny but realized, to his embarrassment, that she was right. It was similar to how he lost control over his emotions when reading the diary or hearing about her past from other sources.

Perhaps if I had a mother and had a real childhood, I wouldn’t be reacting like this. That was what he wished to shout but he didn’t. That would be acting up again.

"I don’t mind," Medina said, her expression softening a little. Though it embarrassed him how easily she guessed his thoughts, his heart still felt warm when she consoled him.. Weird how someone could affect him so much.

"You are right," Medina continued, pulling Hex out of his thoughts. "When someone masters an element, the element circle completes itself."

Right. That was what he knew.

"But," she stressed, "the reverse isn’t necessarily true."

Hex frowned. "You mean, I haven’t mastered the elements even though the circles are completed?" He couldn’t help but feel disappointed. And confused. The idea behind his tries came from her, his mother. If it didn’t really help, why would she let him waste his time on it?

’But was it a waste, though?’ At the same time, his mind questioned. The effects and abilities were facts. He had experienced them.

"True and not true at the same time," Medina explained. "You have to understand that your situation is unique. There is no one, not in the past, present, and maybe future, with a similar situation like yours. What you sensed is true. And that is what true mastery looks like. But can you claim to have mastered something if you haven’t applied it or haven’t even understood every aspect of it?"

Hex listened attentively. He mulled over each word, gradually understanding what she was telling him.

Medina, seeing him grapple with the concept, continued.

"Let me explain with analogies. Consider mastery to be the entire path an element can offer. Normally, people discover the path a step at a time. They can only see the path up to where they have reached it. So the entire path only becomes visible when they have taken the final step. And this is where your case is different from the others. Does it make sense now?"

Hex nodded slowly. "I...guess. Basically, in my case, completing the circle is like seeing the entire path from my current position. I don’t need to feel around in the dark. It’s laid out before me. But to truly master the path, I need to actually walk till the end of each path. Right?"

"Right." She nodded in affirmation, giving him a warm smile. "So there is no need to feel disheartened. You are already progressing at a rate no one has ever done."

She leaned a little closer and grinned cheekily. "From what I learned studying ancient scriptures, not even those with Divine Bloodlines could achieve something like this."

Hex smiled. He felt a little proud. But it didn’t get to his head. It never would perhaps. His achievements stemmed from all the preparations and assistance from giants like his master, his mother, and his other mother. Even with his unprecedented speed, he was still coming up short.

His opponents weren’t those Divine children lost in history books or even his peers. His opponents were the divinities themselves and other monsters that existed before history books were written.

"Up next."

While discussing the ways he could walk the path – combat was the fastest way to cover a lot of ground – they reached the ladder.

A few people, clad in high-quality gear stood on either side of the ladder. An elderly man in robes gestured to them to get closer.

"You grab here," he said, pointing at the stick acting like the step, " and hold on tight. This thing might be called a ladder but we don’t actually climb down. It would take ages to do so." Hex detected a hint of pride in the way the man explained the process. This man’s life had perhaps existed for years here and somewhere during that time his identity intertwined with the ladder’s existence. Anything less than enthusiasm toward it would cause him to feel offended.

"So, how do we get down then?" He asked, showing proper interest.

"Well, you will be lowered, my dear lad," the old man chuckled, giving Hex a set of eye protection and some sweets. "Enjoy the sight as you descend. I assure you, the sight will be unlike anything you have ever seen."

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