The Stonehearted Knight

The plaza was packed with people by the time Hex made it back to the platform. Their group was complete.

Hex looked around and immediately noticed four other groups close to the platform.

"Let me give you a quick intro to each team you see." Vitor stood beside Hex and noticed his gaze.

He pointed at a group clad in dark green leather armor with an emblem of a bird. The bird was depicted with sharp talons and its wings spread wide open.

The men had short hair and seemed all lean and muscular. The girls had shoulder length hair and looked lean. Especially the girl standing just behind the Knights. Her long legs and curvy figure was accentuated in the armor she was wearing.

"Those are the Northern Hawks. They are under the banner of the northern commander. They will be tough. They have a few Squires with two Blessings. And do you see that girl with those long legs at the front? She is Althea Thunderhawk. Rumors have it that she has already acquired her third Blessing."

This information stunned Hex. He was confident in dealing with Squires who had one or two blessings. But an army girl with three Blessings would not be easy to deal with.

'And that's just one group of opponents,' he thought wryly.

He turned towards the other group. They were easily recognizable. Their blue robes with silver linings were seen everywhere on the plaza.

"The Merchant Union's Silver Serpents," Vitor continued to explain. "They are a bit weaker in terms of raw power but their strength lies in the endless potions and high quality equipment they have. Fighting them is hard and depressing."

"There is even a tale that the silver haired boy at the front once sold his opponents weapons and potions whilst fighting them. Not only did he still win, his opponents owed him large amounts of coins."

'Vicious and cunning,' concluded Hex. He could tell that the handsome boy was already a silver haired fox.

"The third group belongs to Viscount Liam Moorsen. I only know the twins at the front. They are the viscounts niece and nephew. They should have double Blessings."

The third group looked similar to their own group. They were not in uniform and seemed carefree. What Hex noticed though was that they were the only group where the Knights stood behind the twins.

He didn't need any introduction to the fourth group. He knew quite a few of them. Coincidentally, when he looked toward them, his gaze met Clannad's. They just stared at each other and then looked away.

'He is already a double Blessed and we belong to the same group, representing Grindeston. But if I get a chance, I am going to punch that ugly face of his.' Hex hated the smug look on the face of his old rival.

He knew about his advancement thanks to Allie. She had told him the day he attended the ritual. The moment he thought about Allie, the memory of her death resurfaced. Hex quickly shut his eyes.

He tried to throw the memory out his brains and stood silently for a while.

DONG!

At last. It had taken a while but the loud sound welcoming the council and dignitaries sounded. Like everyone else, Hex eyes followed the group that walked up the platform. To his surprise he saw the priestess and his master with them.

He should have expected the priestess, but his master's presence stunned him. According to Hestia he never participated in these events.

An old man walked to the front of the group and stood facing the crowd, Conrad Glaciaborn. For as long as Hex could remember the old man had been the head of the council. He also was Clannad's grandfather.

"Everyone," Conrad said loudly. Even as an old man he had a strong and loud voice that thundered through the plaza.

"I am grateful to everyone who is able to attend and participate in our festivities. Some time ago we, the people of Grindeston, experienced a horrifying event."

Conrad's thundering voice became soft and sounded grief stricken.

"We lost many brethren. We lost many children. We lost many brave souls."

"BUT…"

"Let's not weep and lose ourselves in grief. We will avenge each fallen member of our family. We shall lay waste to the beasts who forgot their place and dared enter our lands."

"People of Grindeston. Friends of Grindeston. Use your valor and avenge our fallen. Let's not mourn the deaths of the fallen but let us celebrate their lives and their bravery."

Old man Conrad pulled his sword from its sheath, his old hands steady and quick as ever.

"For Grindeston!"

"FOR GRINDESTON!"

The crowd shouted in unison.

Conrad walked back to the group and a mature looking woman took his place, addressing the crowd.

"As you know we have organized a tournament to test Grindeston's brave sons against the cold mountains and their fellows from the cities down south."

"There are fifteen Knights participating in the tournament this year, with each faction having three participants."

The crowd started to murmur. Even Hex looked strangely at the woman.

"Yes, we have five factions this time. The baron has pulled his team apart from the town's faction.

'What?' The revelation shocked Hex and those around him. He felt the gazes of everyone turn towards them.

He looked toward the baron but his master stood on the platform without even the slightest display of emotions. Hex noticed that the council seemed unhappy with the baron and distanced him.

'They can stand on the other end of the world and the baron wouldn't notice it,' Hex lampooned after calming down. He knew that once the baron decided something no one would be able to change his mind.

The woman allowed the crowd to calm down and continued.

"There are thirty nine Squires participating in the tournament."

This was within the range of expectation. Hex himself was number thirty three.

"The tournament will consist of two rounds. This applies to both the Knight and the Squire divisions."

"The first round will happen in the mountains and will last three days. Individuals will be scored on the amount of points they earn through gathering of materials and kills. There is a list describing the worth of different items."

'That sounds more like being a Crevice Hunter,' Hex mused in surprise. Once again his experience could come in handy. 'I need to check the list later.'

The woman wasn't done. There were still some rules to follow.

"The top 10 Knights and the top 20 Squires will go through to the second round, which is a knock-out battle competition."

The crowd cheered hearing the format for the second round. The first round was interesting for the participants but the crowd wouldn't be able to see each thing happening inside. The battles could be witnessed in the arena.

"And now to the rewards."

The plaza once again fell silent. They had heard the rumors that this year the rewards would be far greater. This caused the anticipation to be high.

"The top twenty Squires will be rewarded with a C quality grade pill of their choosing. The top ten will each get a monetary reward of five thousand coins. The top five will get ten thousand coins and a B grade quality pill. The top three will each get twenty thousand coins and another B grade quality pill. And finally, the winner will get a high grade refined Fiend offering crystal!"

Each reward elicited loud cheers but the loudest could be heard at the price for the first place. With a high grade offering the chances of reaching the Knight stage was assured.

Aside from Hex, the other Squires seemed delighted. Even Vitor and Aran cheered wildly. A high grade crystal offered even them a chance to improve further.

The woman smiled warmly, expecting the crowd to go loud and wild. After all, the council wished to distract the grieving and panicking townsfolk. But the best had yet to come.

"The top Knights will all receive ten thousand coins, the top five will receive twenty five thousand coins. The top three will get an additional fifty thousand. On top of that the top three will each get a custom made weapon. And the winner…the winner will get a high grade refined Disaster offering crystal!"

The crowd exploded. A high grade refined Disaster crystal could help a Knight towards the Refined stage. Hex saw even Knights like Hestia trembling with excitement.

"During the tournament each faction will have a captain and a vice captain. Their task is to keep their people in line," the woman said.

"The names for each faction have already been submitted."

"For the Northern Hawks the captain and vice captains will be Sir Ivran and Lady Briella."

"For the Silver Serpents, Lady Dollaire and Lady Rublena."

"For the Viscount's palace, Sir Ewain and Sir Iwain."

"For Grindeston's children, Sir Callum and myself, Lady Audre."

"And for the baron's castle, Lady Hestia and…Hex Darkenmane."