The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 372: Facing the Council (6)

Chapter 372: Facing the Council (6)

"We know about his only student, who just happens to have black hair and eyes." The Sage grinned and gave Hex a wink as he said that.

’They knew? What more do they know?’

It was rare but Hex felt a sense of panic creep up in his heart. He stood in the land created by the Oldest One, before three of its greatest and most powerful Knights.

’Do they know about my Heart? Do they know about my relationship with the Witch?’

These two questions gripped his mind. How would he escape if they wished to harm him?

Despite being on the verge of taking drastic measures – he still had some cards up his sleeves – he put a brave front. Thankfully, rare as it may, he often faced unexpected development. Plus, he had impeccable control over his powers, including his muscles.

"Am I in trouble?" A stupid question perhaps. But he went with it. Acting stupid was often a wise choice to dull opponents. Or so he hoped.

"Why? Because you resemble Lady Medina?" Tectonic asked, still smiling happily.

It struck Hex that none of these people actually referred to Medina as Witch. Not in a hateful way.

"Silly lad," the Sage continued. "Although we are curious about your bond, we also know you never have been in contact with Lady Medina, except briefly when...you know."

"When she caused the baron to be imprisoned inside the Vault," Hex completed the sentence. An awkward silence hung in the air. It gave Hex the time to recover. It seemed that his secrets were safe. For now.

"Anyway," Tectonic continued with sympathetic nod, "about the color of your hair –"

"I already took care of that," Hex interrupted, removing the scarf from his head. His white hair with streaks of crystal blue pulled the attention of the other four people present.

"Partial Transformation," Jonathan mumbled. His expression seemed similar to the other two men. They stared at him.

"Marvelous," the Sage cheered, His eyes twinkling with delight. The gaze was reminiscent of the way He had looked at the rare jet black stone leaning against the wall.

"When did you learn this skill?" Elize was the one who asked. She was her usual calm but Hex had spent enough time with her to detect a slight wariness in her attitude.

’Wait. Is this a rare ability? Forbidden perhaps? Or taught to a selective few?’

"I tried it out while resting," Hex replied, choosing not to lie but also not to disclose everything. "It seemed like the color of my hair would antagonize...or attract people."

He glanced at Elize when adding the last part. She had been open about the reason she had personally intervened in his battle against Queen Bea. She even tagged him along with her, leaving her post at the region, coming as far as the core with him.

"And you just thought about doing something like this? Seems like a stretch?" Schelp clearly had his doubts.

"Is it a stretch?" Hex countered. "I mean, I only thought about changing when the image of myself transforming into my Druid form appeared in my mind. I dismissed it first. Can’t go roaming around amidst people, looking like a bear, right?"

"Right!" The Sage nodded, encouraging him to continue. His curious nature overflowed through His gaze.

"But I couldn’t throw it out of my mind. The white and blue fur seemed to contrast against my dark hair. So, I decided to give it a try."

"And just like that you were able to actually execute it?" Elize asked.

"Well, yes. I am highly skilled at having control over my energy and body. So, yeah. I gave it a try and it worked." Hex shrugged to emphasize how less of a deal he believed it to be.

"Worthy of being Sir Mikhael’s student," Tectonic clapped, wobbling his little head in excitement.

"Your control is beyond extraordinary. For your age," Schelp nodded along, obviously agreeing with the Sage.

Elize looked pensive. "Just so you understand. Not everyone is able to pull something like this. Partial Transformation requires years of training and precise control. Only a few have achieved it. And none pulled it off at your age. They didn’t even come close to it."

Hex felt good about it. He honestly didn’t think it was such a difficult thing. But then again, he reminded himself that very few had a master that emphasized control as much as the baron had done.

’The bearhanded sword was the only technique he believed I needed. Is this what he intended me to achieve?’

The memory of the time he had spent with his master flashed before his eyes. His heart ached thinking about the past. It hadn’t been so long since yet felt lifetimes apart.

He tried not to dwell too long on it. He pulled himself back to the present.

"So. What now?"

He spent some time here but he still didn’t know what would happen with him. Or with Medina.

"Now?" Elize asked. She stood up and after exchanging a glance with the other two High Elders, she explained.

"Now you will be escorted to the place where the other outsiders have gathered, participate in the tournament, and once done, will leave Wrixia. That’s it."

That was it? He honestly expected more. What, he didn’t know. But certainly not only this.

’Perhaps they will continue to monitor me from the shadows and decide their next move after that?’

Realizing that the meeting was coming to an end and that he would be free from all this, he asked the last thing he wished to know.

"What happens to the remnants of the Witchkin?"

"We won’t throw them into prison, however, releasing them is out of the question. We decided to sentence them to forced labor. They will be put into cleaning and maintenance services."

Listening to Schelp, he knew their sentence was final and perhaps the most lenient they could be towards the group.

’It seems I won’t be able to meet my mother for some time.’

He expected such a thing to happen but it still pained him. While they didn’t have genuine mother-son moments, he enjoyed their time together.

Not having family was painful but having and losing them felt even worse.