The next morning Hex woke early.
"Where have you been, brat?" On his way to the training groundl, he encountered Briella, who had many bruises on her face and arms.
"Lady Briella, what happened to you?" Hex asked in shock. He had only gone for two days and she looked beaten.
"You forgot, didn't you? Oron and I were still in the Knight division of the tournament?" She replied, punching Hex in mock anger.
"Ow…that. Yes, sorry about that," Hex smiled apologetically.
Seeing his sheepish smile, Briella laughed. "Don't worry about it. You didn't miss much. Knights battle with more caution and patience. It was more walking on the stage and feeling each other out."
"So who is in the finals?" Hex asked curiously. He doubted Briella was strong enough to make it to the top two.
"That boar Oron and old man Callum," Briella said, visibly annoyed by being outdone.
Hex chuckled dryly, unwilling to upset the female Knight. Inwardly he was happy for Oron. The guy truly wished to become the winner, unlike all others who had different goals under the farce of the tournament.
"Are you guys going to the arena?" He inquired curiously. He had been absent the last two days so he still didn't know what the latest developments were.
"No, I have to guard here with Hestia and Ivran. Adgar and Orvyn will remain near the Temple," she said with a cute pout on her face.
They talked a little bit more about the tournament and the powers of the other participants. It seemed everyone was more or less at the same level, except Callum. The old man was close to Adgar's level.
Hex didn't know whether Oron could counter that but he didn't worry about it. The big Knight didn't strike him as someone who would go down easily.
After a while, Hex greeted the female Knight and reached the area behind the castle.
Althea was already waiting on him. In the two days he had not seen her, her wounds seemed to have healed. She looked even more beautiful than before, if that was even possible.
"Lady Althea," Hex greeted with a teasing smile on his lips. He even performed an exaggerated bow, earning him a knock from her spear.
"You seem too cheerful for a person about to face four opponents. I think you need a reminder to not underestimate others," Althea said in a threatening manner. Her eyes, however, were sparkling playfully.
She didn't wait for Hex's response and launched a flurry of attacks. The spearhead became a blur.
There was no way Hex would be able to block it in time, using his sword. Hex was aware of that. He activated his mark instantaneously.
Ding!
The spearhead hit against his glyph cloak, producing a sharp noise and creating a spark. But the cloak remained intact.
"Your light armor seems to have improved. It can withstand multiple attacks with Squire-ranked power. But we knew that. Let's see what happens when the power surpasses that," Althea said, becoming serious.
Hex nodded. He too wished to see how his newfound powers would hold against attacks. Facing multiple opponents, he was sure some attacks would land on him.
The next two hours they spend sparring intensely. Althea was the perfect partner to stimulate battles with unexpected angles and focussed attacks.
Sparring with her, Hex quickly adjusted to his increased power level. He also gained a better idea which attacks he could ignore and which not.
These were things the testing tool wouldn't be able to measure. He knew his strength output under ideal conditions had surpassed the twenty one crystals but that wouldn't help him much in actual battle.
Only a spar session with a good partner would give him the best insight in his strength and defense. By the time they were done, he had a good grasp on both.
"Anything above Squire-ranked should be intercepted. I think only Clannad can apply such strength," Althea said after they were done.
"Clannad should have some trump cards, yes, but I think Ericka has some things she hasn't shown us so far," Hex said, not having forgotten the way she had defended her brother. He suspected her to become a secret weapon, waiting to be used by Clannad.
"She seems indeed stronger than that idiot brother of hers. Maybe you can focus on attacking him first. She will be focussed on defending him rather than attacking you," Althea said after some thought.
Hex liked that idea but he knew the opponents would try to prevent any good strategy he could come up with. They had the advantage of numbers.
"We will see what happens. At the very least I am confident in defending myself."
They talked a bit more and discussed possible scenarios. It helped Hex be more aware of certain attacks.
The remainder of the day he spent resting and going over his techniques.
By evening almost the whole squad gathered on the castle ground. None of them would be able to cheer them on in the arena. They all had guard duties.
"Kiddo, no matter what happens, try to remain safe," Hestia said, wrapping Hex in a tight hug. "It seems like yesterday when I oversaw you pushing boulders. Now you are stronger than most people your age."
Hex felt embarrassed but also warm. He had come to see her as a big sister, who protected and helped him. He was truly grateful to her.
The others wished him also, albeit less emotional than Hestia. He appreciated it nonetheless. Finally, he stood in front of Althea.
"I will go now. See you when I return…," he said but stopped suddenly when the girl grabbed him and gave him a hug.
Before he could say something, she loosened her grip and looked at him.
"Good luck in killing them," she said and then leaned in.
Hex only heard sniggering sounds around him as his hand went to the slightly damp spot on his cheek. The place Althea's lips touched him was burning.
The girl let him go and pushed him toward Oron. The big guy wrapped his arm around his shoulder and spoke boisterously.
"You already won more than I did, boy. I don't think winning the tournament will get me something as precious as you got."
"That has nothing to do with winning or losing. I doubt a woman would be willing to kiss that boarish face even if you won the royal tournament," Briella sneered from the side.
"You…," Oron was ready to snap back at her but right then the baron appeared before them.
"Are you guys ready?" He asked, not even looking at any of them.
"Yes," Oron and Hex replied in unison.
"Come. I will be coming with you today," the baron said, stepping in his coach. The others looked stumped but Hex had an inkling to why he wanted to come.
'There is no way I will return safely after killing Clannad. Only with him there will Conrad be afraid to attack.'
The coach drove off under the stunned gazes of the others.
Lira, standing on the balcony, was the only one happy to see the baron leave.
"Time to start."