Chapter 169: The refinement challenge (2)
The sun was up but the Temple was full.
Initially, many people planned to watch a part of the competition and then return to their homes to rest and go on with their lives. The only people who planned to remain behind and watch the entire thing were either employed to do so or wished to increase their skills by watching the Adepts.
But the events that transpired, one after the other, kept quite a few in the Temple. Once word spread, even more people arrived hoping to catch a glimpse of Master Lucas. Some even wished to see the person, capable of challenging the Master.
Hex stood at his monolith while Lucas took the one beside him. He didn’t come with crystals but it didn’t matter. Within a second, people lined up to offer their crystals. If Hex won their curiosity then Lucas had their trust.
’What the fuck. I fought an entire week and only then claimed a hundred crystals. This guy has more than that at his feet within a second?’
Seeing how people treated Lucas, Hex marveled at the earning potential of a Master refiner. He was incensed by it to win against Lucas. It would spread his name, earn him a Disaster crystal, and increase the number of refinement requests.
"Ready?" Lucas asked with a smile.
"Always," replied Hex.
Everyone stood aside. The refiners sat and were ready to watch the two go at it. They didn’t think the challenge would last two weeks. The way they saw it, by the end of the day, Hex would have messed enough to decide the winner.
They each picked a crystal and started. Hex didn’t increase his speed. He maintained his steady flow and continued.
"Master Lucas is done!"