The Stonehearted Knight

"A glyph?"

Hex scrunched his brows. He wasn't familiar with the word. Luckily, his master didn't expect him to know. 

"A glyph is a mark that doesn't provide a specific ability or enhances a particular attribute. Instead it captures the essence of whatever it represents."

"So, in my case it's the essence of a bear?" Hex said slowly as he observed the bear-shaped pattern on the back of his right hand. 

"Yess."

Although this explained the pattern, it also caused a lot of questions. 

"But how did I get it? And is this good or bad? I didn't do anything. In fact I nearly died there."

"I am getting to it. You used a beast crystal. And before you ask, not all beast crystals result in a glyph."

"A beast creates a crystal by condensing all its energy and essence into a tangible object. It has its will and soul."

Hex thought about the bear-like phantom. "Is that what attacked me?"

The baron nodded. "That is one of the reasons people refrain from using the crystals. The other is the chaotic energy inside. Humans can't handle chaotic energy."

"Is that the reason the monolith released so much energy?"

"Yes and no. Normal offering crystals are actually refined and cleansed beast crystals. Less potent and safer to use."

Hex's eyes opened wide in realization. It always baffled him that all the travelers and adventurers came so far to the mountains to gather the beast crystals. Their use was never disclosed. 

"The monolith uses chaotic energy to melt the crystals to take all the remaining energy. Only a small amount dissipates and gets absorbed by people. And that's why affinity is important."

Hex nodded in understanding. It made sense. If you had low affinity and the energy was little, the absorbed amount would fail to create a mark. 

Hex seemed to have forgotten his hate for the baron. Right now they really looked like a master and student. One explained with patience, the other listened with focus. 

"Let's return to the topic. The reason the monolith released so much energy is because instead of melting a beast crystal, it fuses with it. The energy released by fusion is far greater than during the smelting process."

Hex inhaled sharply and tried to comprehend all the information he received so far. "Basically, a glyph is formed by combining a higher energy source and the remnant of a soul?"

The baron blinked a few times and said, "That is a very simple but correct summary. Yes."

Hex felt elated. At least his master wouldn't consider him to be a complete idiot. But there was still something not clear to him.

"But how? I don't mean the process. I understand that. I think…I mean I remember having my heart being pierced by the phantom. My body was burning…outside and inside."

Hex looked at the baron trying to wrap the whole thing. 

"There are things you will learn in time. For now, remember only this. Don't tell anyone, ever, that you nearly died. People will suspect the grade of your affinity. But that might cause other problems."

"What problems? And I don't have a high affinity? Then how did I still survive that much energy?" 

Hex stared incredulously at the baron. 'You are telling me not to tell others, to avoid doubt. But I am in doubt myself right now?' 

"Like I said, you will learn in time."

Hex wanted to protest, but somehow he knew it would be futile. The baron had never been a person who could easily be persuaded. 

The baron rapped on the table, pulling Hex's attention. The baron pointed at his glyph.

"You wanted to know whether a glyph is good or bad?"

Despite his unwillingness to accept the incomplete explanation, he perked up. Even if he didn't understand the exact cause behind it, he still wished to use it. 

"It depends. Like I said, it's the essence. The more you grab the essence, the greater its effect."

"So, if I understand the essence of a bear, it will have a good effect, if not, I will not have much use for it?"

"Yes. If you don't understand it, it will be the same as not having a Blessing. But if you understand it completely and make it your own, its effect might be greater than a Squire with three Blessings."

'What?' Hex looked in shock at his glyph. It was more special than he had thought. It took someone 3 to 10 years to get three Blessings. And here he had a chance to equal their power with one Blessing. 

"What if I get more glyphs?" He asked suddenly. His eyes shone in anticipation.

"Then you will either be the strongest Squire or dead."

The baron motioned Hex to remain silent. "I will explain once you reach that stage. Now…try to activate it."

There were still many things that Hex wanted to know, but he decided to ask them another time. He too wished to know what he could do with this glyph.

"Shut your eyes and try to sense the mark."

Hex shut his eyes, but he couldn't sense anything. 

"Try to wriggle your fingers. It will serve as guidance for your attention."

Hex moved his fingers. Soon it was the only thing he could sense. 

After a while he felt lost in trance. It was as if he was cut off from reality. 

It was right then that he felt something.

A soft prickle at first. But it picked up. More and more prickles followed.

It was like many fiery ants were biting him. 

Hex felt irritated. But he remained in trance.

The prickles intensified. His irritation grew. 

Suddenly, he clenched his fist tightly. 

Boom!

"Arrg!"

A sharp sensation of pain followed. It woke him up. 

As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw red streams of light twirling around him. 

The light flowed out of his mark. Hex's eyes widened when he saw the light form a pattern. "I am stuck with you, huh?"

He smiled begrudgingly at the bear-shaped streams of light floating in front of him.

"Excellent."

Hex turned to look at his master. He felt conflicted. His hatred for him remained. Yet, he felt grateful. In such a short period, he had taught Hex so much. 

"Now?" Hex tried to control his emotions and asked for guidance. The bear looked nice, but what was he supposed to do with it? 

"Now, you unclench your fist." 

The light disappeared. 

"Was that all?" Hex frowned. "What am I going to do with the light? Entertain children?"

"The glyph is an essence, remember? In fact, it's already in effect. Passively."

"How…?" Hex was about to ask but he remembered his encounter with Leem. 

"You mean…the increase in strength?" 

Hex looked at his hands. He didn't feel any different, but he couldn't deny the ease with which he had sent Leem flying.

The baron stood up and pulled a string on the wall. Shortly after that, the door behind them opened and Wallen entered. 

The baron turned to Hex. "Now you will follow Wallen. He will show you around." Then he turned towards Wallen. "Let him train with Greg and Vin. He will also help Hestia around. At dusk he will be at the ground, to spar with the others. He will join me for me dinner."

Hex listened to the arrangements of his master. It would seem his life would be busy, from dawn to dusk. Despite everything he looked forward to his life as a Squire.