Chapter 142: Wandering at night
Squires employed by the Northern Hawks had to follow the strict curfew in the nightly hours. Officers, who were Knights or higher, were exempted from this. The Commander allowed Hex and Hestia the same rights as the officers as long as they stayed as guests.
Hestia was too tired in the night and went to bed, while Althea went to hang out with her fellow officers. She had been away for a while and needed to catch up on things happening in the army. Also, her team was wiped out during the attack on the castle, making her the only officer without people to command. These were all things she needed to work out with her peers.
That left Hex alone for the night. He didn’t complain though. Even though he was tired and in pain, he didn’t plan to stay behind closed doors.
’After becoming a Knight, I haven’t checked whether those pills can enhance my physical powers or not. And if Grindeston had people offering raw crystals for refinement, I am certain a large city like this has them too.’
The greatest obstacle people faced trying to reach the Refinement stage was the lack of energy sources to increase their energy reserves while maintaining the purity of their innate element.
Hex had an advantage over others in both aspects. He was probably the only person who could use chaotic energy as an energy source and the element of the crystal didn’t matter to him. His stone heart could accommodate all elements while ensuring their purity without any effort from Hex.
Just before the curfew started, Hex left the barracks. Wandering around, he reached the marketplace. Even from afar his senses prickled, being bombarded with a huge amount of energy fluctuations.
The bustling market district had numerous Squires and Knights walking around. There were some buildings where Hex sensed even stronger fluctuations. He wisely avoided remaining close to those for an extended time.
After making one round he had a general idea about the way the market district was organized. In his mind, Hex divided the district into four areas. The northernmost area - the first place people saw when entering through the gates - sold mostly food, herbs, and other stuff regular people and Squire would need.