The Stonehearted Knight

After the announcements and speeches the people on the platform had left. But the crowd dispersed slowly.

Hex could feel the gaze of the crowd on him. He was the only Squire chosen for a role of authority. Even the geniuses of the other factions weren't put in those roles.

The other factions eyed him with curiosity before leaving the plaza. Only Clannad with Born behind him, gave him a mocking look.

"Congrats dude," Vitor cheered with enthusiasm. He and Aran beamed at him with smiles on their faces. Hex wished they were less loud about it, but at least it broke the silence around him.

The others looked at him with smiles and even joked with him.

"So," a grumbling voice said behind him, "this brat is better than us, Adgar?"

Oron's massive figure overshadowed Hex. He seemed pissed. The Squires around Hex quietened down.

"Should we test him?" Adgar said, staring intently at Hex.

"I have no interest in the post. You guys can take it," Hex said with a frown. He was caught off guard by the announcement but he didn't really care for it.

"Are you showing pity, boy?" Oron growled. He and Adgar stepped towards Hex.

'I can't beat them but if they think they can push me around, they are mistaken.' Hex preferred avoiding fights, but he wouldn't cower from it if he had to fight.

"Quit fooling around you oafs." Hestia pushed Oron and walked to Hex. "Hex, don't mind these two idiots. They are just wasting everyone's time."

"Hestia…can't you let us have our fun?" Oron growled begrudgingly.

"Then you should have taken the roles," Hestia snapped back. "Hex, these two are the strongest Knights employed by the castle. If they really wished, they would have become the captain and vice captain."

"Yeah. But we don't want the hassle," Oron guffawed.

"It's better to have Hestia act as our mommy," Adgar nodded with a sly grin.

Hex was surprised by how childish these two Knights acted. Hex had assumed they were like Duter and were mature and reliable.

"Mommy my ass. If you guys fool around during the tournament I will have you plough all the fields." Hestia's scowl indicated her irritation with the two men.

The road back to the castle was filled with discussions about the opponents and possible strategies.

…

It was late at night.

"The tournament starts tomorrow. I will try these tonight." Hex sat in the middle of the training room, looking at the flask with four red pills. He had gained mastery over the technique.

Hex took one pill and swallowed it. The pill had barely any taste. For a while nothing happened. Hex even started to wonder whether he was conned. But then it happened.

Boom!

His heart throbbed loudly in his chest. It seemed to almost burst inside his chest.

"Argg!"

Hex groaned. It was too painful. His face flushed in agony. The energy burnt him on the inside. It was as if he was on fire.

As time passed, the pain increased. It was too much to bear. He buckled over on his knees, crying and shouting in pain.

At some point Hex even lost consciousness. After what felt like ages, he became aware of himself.

The pain had subsided but he felt hot. On the floor where he had laid down, he saw a puddle of saliva and blood.

"This was only the first one. I still have three to go."

Hex wanted to give up. His body screamed to leave it all behind and lay down. But Hex's eyes blazed with unwillingness. He knew he was behind everyone. If he didn't put more effort he would never be able to catch up.

"I am lucky to have been born with the greatest treasure in this world. If I don't make use of it properly then I might just have remained in the slums."

Hex gritted his teeth and pulled another pill out of the flask. Determined to never back down, he put the pill in his mouth and swallowed.

.

.

.

Boom!

Hex doubled down on his knees. Somehow it was even more agonizing now than the first one. But Hex didn't give up. He cried, shouted and even screamed. But he didn't lose consciousness.

.

.

.

Boom!

After the third one Hex didn't have even a sliver of energy. He could not even sit on his ass. His entire body was hurting like hell.

.

.

.

Boom!

No matter how strong his willpower was, Hex was knocked unconscious after taking the fourth pill. A small stream of blood trickled down his lips. Luckily for him he was unconscious to experience the pain.

…

"Urgh."

It was already morning when Hex started to regain consciousness. The first rays at dawn fell on his face, illuminating traces of dried up blood stains.

"That was nearly as painful as having my entire body in tatters by the Disaster," Hex murmured with a grimace.

Strangely, he didn't feel any pain after waking up. On the contrary, he felt his body brimming with energy and strength.

As he moved, he felt the power contained his muscles. Even the burning sensation in his chest had disappeared. It was replaced by a warmth that made him feel alive and full with vigor.

"The best way to be certain whether my strength really has improved or that I am imagining it, is to test it."

The first time Hex tested his strength on the equipment he managed to light up three crystals with white light and after maxing his efficiency he could manage till four crystals.

After returning and healing from his mission he could easily light up four crystals with red light. The staff had twenty one crystals.

'I might be mistaken but if the staff has twenty one crystals then it should mean that a person should be able to achieve filling them all up with light.'

If Hex was right he still had a long way to go, but he was convinced that he would be able to achieve such a feat.

Like he had always done, Hex would first try his physical strength first. After that he would empower his punch with Blessed energy.

Hex stood in front of the equipment. He focused on contracting his muscles to the maximum. Then he punched.

BAM!

White light shot out from the bottom of the staff. The crystals started to shine with bright white light. The first five crystals lit up one after the other. The light slowed only after the fifth one.

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

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Six

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Seven

Hex stared agape at the staff. His strength increased by leaps and bounds. It was as if he had been reborn. He would be able to beat newly Blessed Squires without activating his mark. And he reached this level by swallowing four low quality pills.

"Let's see what happens if I add energy to my punch."

Red light appeared and swirled around his fist. Hex focussed once again on contracting his muscles. Then he punched.

BAM!

Red light shot out from the bottom this time.

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

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Six

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Seven

Seven crystals shone brightly with red light. This was usually the strength of someone with two Blessings.

Hex continued to stare at the staff. This was his power with one glyph only. What if he absorbed more energy, activating a second Blessing?

"I need beast crystals. More than a few."

He already had a place where he could earn coins and harvest beast crystals. He grinned. His eyes were blazing with newfound interest.

Hex was ready for the tournament.