The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 407: Round One: Results (1)

Chapter 407: Round One: Results (1)

Hex accompanied the two judges to the Challenger Hall. Despite the early hour, a stream of people entered the building in groups. This was where the points would be tallied and the results would be displayed.

Walking through the crowd, Hex listened in to the tidbits of several groups. He wasn’t trying to be a spy or discover some earth-shattering secrets. In fact, he didn’t have a particular goal at all. It was just basic curiosity, trying to learn about the experience of others.

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"I lost only one match. I hope they don’t subtract too many bonus points for that. My matches were difficult."

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"I healed all the elderly people inside the old people’s home. And they said I have a cute smile. I am certain I am scoring most of the bonus points for the Dryad mode."

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"Damn those flying sheep. I tried to tame them but every morning they just flew off. Fuck them. In the end, I shot them down, using their meat to satiate those scavenger birds. I managed to tame them. Ha. Good for those fat, drifting, lazy fucks."

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"How lively," Percy said with a smile. "I wonder how they will react to the results. I am betting on the Feathered Frosts."

"They seem popular," Hex said. He heard that name pop up in almost every other conversation. Apparently, each person in that group achieved a winning streak of ten matches. That was a feat no other group had managed. Hex knew, not even his group had managed to do that.

"The Feathered Empire is one of the strongest forces of the Continent. Their harsh environment forces their people to push their abilities to the limit. And this time, their Crown Prince is a contender. Their Merchant branch achieved their only championship when his father, the current Emperor, had participated."

"A first Father-Son champion?" Donnel chuckled from the other side of Hex. "That would be interesting. But I have gone all-in in favor of the team from Pontiffe. You heard the rumors, right? Their leader is the embodiment of Heaven itself. There is no way someone is triumphing over that."

"True," Percy agreed. "If Prince Orosol Asterio had joined the competition then it would have been more exciting. After all, it’s said, he is the last heir of the line of Kings."

Hex listened with interest to the conversation between the two judges. They didn’t mind his presence. In their eyes, they were discussing things known to the general public. And ’Mister Mike’ was prominent enough to either already know everything they were discussing or would learn quickly enough.

Close to the desk they were approaching, the crowd became thicker. It took quite some pushing and apologizing to reach it. The judges made notes and signed on behalf of their submittals. The purpose of coming with Hex was to ensure all his contributions were listed and tallied correctly.

"We do this only for the candidates eligible for bonus points. The so-called regular points are awarded according to score sheets we fill and deposit at another counter." While Donnel filled in forms for compliance reasons, Percy explained everything to Hex. He made sure to whisper.

"Candidates?" Hex asked with a raised brow. He had expected to acquire more points directly.

Percy smiled apologetically. "That’s the most we can do. We are field judges and referees. Based on scores and our submittals, a group of Elders and representatives will tabulate and award bonus points. I do believe you will get some if not all the bonus points."

"I do too," Donnel whispered, joining the conversation after completing his part of the job. They pulled Hex away from the counter, toward the seating area. "Keep it to yourself but anything that helps order or the prosperity of Wrixia is given special consideration. After all, the merchants’ headquarters and biggest organization is here."

Hex hoped they were right. He really wished to continue. In just one round he developed his abilities more. Without the Druid training, it would have taken him far longer to explore the extent to which he could bond with the Dragon Bear Soul.

...

After a quick scan of the already-filled arena, he found his group. Sterling wasn’t alone. Ella and her group, including Hestia, sat beside them.

Just as he was about to approach them, he sensed a gaze fixed on him. It was an intense gaze. Confused, he turned, only to lock eyes with Althea.

His steps hesitated. ’She seems alright today. Should I–?’

Before Hex could decide whether to approach her, she turned her gaze. For the one minute he stared at her after that, she never looked toward him. Not even a single time. Not even a peek. He, however, was sure she was still looking at him.

’Her senses are at least as sharp as mine, if not more,’ Hex sighed inwardly. Her unwillingness to meet his gaze revealed her reluctance to meet him. At least, not in a public space like this. He shook his head and joined Sterling and the others.

"You disappeared," Dollaire said, not hiding her accusatory tone. Used to her unfriendliness toward him, he only shrugged with a wide grin on his face, receiving the expected glare in return.

"Did you succeed?" Sterling asked. "We are good in terms of regular points. But those bonus points could go anywhere. From what I gathered, those will be distributed today. All Elders and representatives of major merchant groups will gather, discuss, and then reward."

"It’s stupid," Hestia sneered from the side. She had scooted over to sit beside Hex. The nasty glares from her own group and the twins didn’t bother her. Seeing their scowls, Hex nearly laughed. They would need far more to stop Hestia from doing whatever it was she wished to do. Not even the Baron ever interfered in her plans.

"It is," Quid agreed. "But it’s also the most exciting part. It pushes people to come up with new stuff and strategies. In the end, that’s the most important aspect they wish to pull out of every contender for their potential heirs."

Hestia wished to counter but before she could do so, loud cheers and cries erupted in the arena. Hex looked up. A group of people in thick furs and furled feathers appeared inside the arena.