The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 389: Becoming a member (2)

Chapter 389: Becoming a member (2)

"Hex Darkenmane?" Trid’s father repeated, looking questioningly at the Elder and the Dryad. "Never heard the name."

The Dryad shook his head in confusion too. The Elder gave Hex a deep stare before addressing the others.

"If I am not mistaken, Hex Darkenmane is close to the Silver Serpents of Asterella. He is also linked to High Elder Elize."

"High Elder?" Trid’s father gasped. "He is close to a High Elder?" As a ruler and frequent visitor of Wrixia, he was familiar with the rank signified. Any thought of exerting pressure on the guy disappeared at once from his mind. He could earn back the million Wrixian coins or even more but mending the relationship between his Isle and Wrixia after offending a High Elder would turn impossible. He knew how to choose.

"I never heard he could split a fused element," the Elder continued. The reaction of his old friend didn’t surprise him.

Hex felt pleased. So far, everything had been going according to plan. Not only would he earn a million coins, but he could also gain additional benefits for the same thing. And...everything would appear natural.

"Well, I am not sure if he can do it," Hex replied. He sounded a bit hesitant. "The only reason I am mentioning him is because my bosses on the Continent said he is the only student the baron had taken. And the baron is, well, perfect. Isn’t he?"

’Master, I hope your reputation is spread wide enough. Everyone praises you, even when I am not even asking them to. This time, I am banking on it.’ Hex prayed to his master in his heart.

’The baron? Which baron?" Trid’s father was a little slow on the uptake. For a second Hex thought his master had failed him when it mattered. Luckily, the Elder helped.

"The baron, Mikhael Lichtenmane," the Elder reminded his friend. "I did read in his file that bit."

"Mikhael...HIM?" Trid’s father exclaimed. "T-Then it makes sense. I heard his control was perfect. Not even Gods could rival him if they had been around. If he is Sir Mikhael’s student...then...ok. Let’s go."

"It’s just past midnight," Hex shouted, stopping the ruler. If he let the guy go, wouldn’t he be expected to join them? He could alter his appearance but splitting himself into two wasn’t something he was capable of. Yet.

As per his plan, he convinced the people to allow him to go and invite Hex. He claimed he had some dealings with him in the past. In the meantime, they could set up everything so the process would flow without hiccups. The Dryad, although not skilled in splitting the fused variants, was still knowledgeable enough to know what had to be done and how to proceed. Or so he claimed.

’Damn. There is an established process for this? I don’t know what it is.’ Hex knew how to split it. By using his heart and its abilities. He didn’t know the correct process. ’Fuck it. I will claim my master taught me some super Technique I am not allowed to show the world.’

...

Hex took an hour to return. He had sensed the people following him, so he had no choice but to first go to his own room, change, and come back. Thanks to Sterling booking all the upper floors of the Inn none of the followers were able to enter the Inn. They didn’t dare to.

"The other guy hasn’t returned?" Surprisingly, Trid’s father asked about the spy first.

"No. He said the deal was done. And he is counting on the Elder’s Mark to take his money." Hex, looking like his usual self with the scarf tied around his head, replied. He looked a bit irritated and sleepy. A detail he had to train to get it well.

The father looked convinced.

"Please check if you can heal my son," he asked Hex.

"I can," Hex replied. Trid was lying on a bed not far from him. They had arranged everything neatly enough. The Dryad had set up several tools, and equipment, and even brought several food and drinks. In his words, Hex would need it as the process would take days.

Hex had no intention of staying more than an hour. And he didn’t need the setup.

"I will heal him. But in my own way. My master’s Technique can’t be disclosed." This caused the Dryad to look crestfallen. Hex suspected the guy was holding back his tears. Thankfully, the father and Elder took it better. They agreed at once.

"Hold up," Hex said, when he saw everyone was about to leave the room. "I said I can heal him. But why should I? You can’t seriously think I will do this for free."

To Hex’s irritation, they all looked surprised. It was as if they had indeed assumed he would do it for free. Hex nearly left at that very moment.

"W-What is your price?" Trid’s father asked, swallowing a little. The one million had certainly put a large hole in his pocket.

"You will pay for three trips of mine to the Oldest Store. I assume that you are familiar with it?"

"The Oldest Store? But they have several Tiers –," the father started to complain fearfully. His complaint did confirm Hex’s assumption of him being familiar with the store.

"Don’t worry. I will take three items without any Tier requirement on each visit," Hex assured him. "If you agree, we can request these two to oversee the deal."

Left without a choice, the man agreed. Hex didn’t feel bad for him. He hadn’t poisoned Trid. He was helping. Without him, Trid would have died without the father ever discovering the cause or the culprit. His help came with a price tag.

...

Hex sat beside the bed, holding Trid’s hand. The process was simple. First, he drained the water elements out of his body, absorbing every drop of it. Then, he let the element enter his heart where the crystals were divided and regrouped. And finally, under his control, only the elements that were in synchronization with Trid’s body flowed back to his core.

Twenty minutes. That was how long it had taken Hex to complete the process. In the end, due to the crystals going through Hex’s heart, Trid’s element had undergone a cycle of refinement, making his path forward smoother.

’They should be happy I only requested money,’ Hex grumbled. He wanted to save him, not help him grow stronger. ’Anyway, I guess I am becoming a member of that store very soon.’

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