The Crystal Refinement (2)

Hex felt the chaotic energy enter his body. Having experienced it once, he was more attuned to the energy. 

The Demon crystals were smaller and had rougher edges compared to the Fiend crystals. The clerk had given Hex five Demon crystals and three Fiend crystals. Hex started again with the Demon crystals.

The chaotic energy was volatile but thanks to the world stone in his chest, Hex converted the energy quickly into a form his body could handle. After an half hour, Hex put the crystal aside. 

'The last time I spent an hour refining a Demon crystal and its quality improved to C - grade quality. I assume a half hour is good for an E or even D grade. I should only refine two out of five to a C grade.'

Hex wasn't a fan of wasting energy but he also didn't wish others to know about his true capabilities, especially not the Temple of the Heavens. According to the baron, the Heavens would do everything to destroy him. 

Hex didn't pause after putting the first crystal aside. He immediately picked the second Demon crystal and started to refine it. 

As more energy coursed inside him, he started to sense it being absorbed by his body. But to his dismay, the absorption was very slow. 

'At this rate, it will take at least two weeks instead of two days to saturate my body,' Hex thought. 

After pondering a bit, he decided to finish refining as much as his body could hold. Only then would he focus on the absorption part. He refined the second and third crystals, spending an hour on each. 

By the end of the third crystal, he felt a soft stinging pain in his chest. 

'That should be my cue to pause the refinement and start to focus on letting the energy fuse with my body.' 

Hex sat on the ground and focussed on the easiest part he could control…his muscles, especially the bigger muscles. 

The muscles inside his arms and legs were the easiest ones he could feel and flex. With great focus, he started to actively guide the energy towards his limbs. 

At first, it was hard to control the energy but it became easier as he continued the process. He sensed his muscles absorbing the energy in greater quantities. They were like hungry beasts, swallowing it with greater speed as time went on. 

It was hard to explain but Hex felt some changes occurring, little by little. The changes weren't visible. He was still as tall as before and his muscles were still the same size but he felt more…powerful. 

'It's as if the density and structure of these parts have been improved. If before they felt vulnerable, now they feel like made of steel.' 

Hex marveled at the changes inside his body. He lamented the fact there wasn't any equipment inside the Temple to test his newfound powers. But then again, no one else improved their powers during the refinement. They used the refined crystals to improve their powers. 

Just as he was about to continue, he felt his stomach growl. Confused, he peeped outside the chamber to estimate the time. Seeing the sun on the side of the room, he was shocked.

'A half passed just like that?' 

Hex arrived at the temple at the first ray of the day. So far he had only refined three Demon crystals and it was already noon. The sense of urgency intensified. 

He hurriedly filled his stomach and continued with the remaining two Demon crystals. Having refined three of them, he started to pay more attention to the amount of chaotic energy left in the crystals. He was trying to estimate the quality grade. 

'It seems my speed is improving. I feel like this one has a similar amount of chaotic energy left inside as the first one but I spend five minutes less on this.' Hex was pleased with the improvement. He put the fifth crystal aside. 

'Fiend crystals should have more chaotic energy stored inside them. Let's see how long it takes to refine these.' 

Hex eagerly picked the Fiend crystal and placed his hand on top of the monolith. But as soon as the process started he discovered the difference between the two stages.

'It's not the quantity that is different but the potency. The chaotic energy inside the Fiend crystals is almost explosive.' 

Hex paid great attention to the energy flowing into him. To compare, the energy in the Demon crystal gave a sensation akin to a lukewarm liquid whereas the energy coming out of the Fiend crystal was like boiling liquid. He felt his insides heat up quickly. 

It was also harder to control the flow of the energy towards his heart. The heat inside and the great focus required to maintain a steady flow, made Hex perspire. 

His chest was beating harder to process the chaotic energy. Toward the end, he was even gasping for breath. When he was done, he fell on the ground, exhausted. His chest was stinging intensely. 

'It hurts,' Hex groaned but he quickly sat up and began to direct the flow of the energy towards his limbs. This time it took far longer to finish absorbing all the energy. 

Laying on the cold floor, Hex looked warily at the remaining two Fiend crystals. One had pushed him to the brink of exhaustion. An even greater worry plagued him. 

'If I am already reduced to this state by a Fiend crystal, then the Disaster crystal…?' Hex shuddered at the prospect. He had seriously underestimated the toll refinement would take on his willpower. 

"I guess, this is what the baron wished for me to experience. To push myself. To challenge my resolve," Hex said, motivating himself to power through. It was easy to shout about making your path or to say that you would never waver in your determination but it was hard to keep that motivation up every day. 

Hex stood up with a groan. "I need to keep going, even in moments when I don't want to or not feel to do so."

With renewed resolve, Hex picked the second Fiend crystal and began the next refinement. He was determined to finish both of the remaining ones before midnight. Tomorrow, only the Disaster crystal would remain.