บท 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?'