I really thought I’d have more time to figure out how to broach this topic. Ben thought as he put his all into making the best breakfast he could for Sonya and Thera, his headache only growing worse with the knowledge that things likely wouldn’t go super smoothly for the conversation to come. Who would have thought my reading speed would increase so much?

His god sighed.

Uh, teehee?

They continued to talk while he cooked, Thera and Sonya eventually coming in, with his girlfriend going up to him instead of taking a seat as she grabbed his face, running a myriad of healing spells through him before using her mana examination on him to view the strain his body was under.

“Hmm, your brain isn’t as bad as it was yesterday but I’d still be horrified if someone walked into the clinic like this,” She muttered. “I’m going to keep an eye on you of course, but if you can I’d say you should probably force even more of your minds to meditate if you don’t need them.”

“Okay, that’s fair, but for now don’t worry, just take a seat and eat.”

She didn’t look convinced but did as he asked, digging in with gusto after the first bite as Sonya spoke up while she ate.

“Did your crafting level up again?”

“Oh yeah, a few different skills did that I should probably update you all on. How did you know?”

“Ha, I can taste the difference.”

Glad to see there’s a noticeable change in quality.

From there he spoke about the other changes to his status and chatted about the day to come as he watched them eat, waiting for them to finish before he hesitantly brought up the topic he knew might cause some concern.

“So… I finished my job.”

Sonya looked like she was ready to spit out her last bite as a fork fell from Thera’s hands.

“Ben, it’s been a day.”

“Ha, yeah, but it was a job focused on learning and even if I held back a third of my minds, well, it’s a pretty big change. I read a lot with Myriad last night and it just sort of finished.”

“...Alright, so what did you take then?” Thera asked, looking at him with suspicion.

“Ahem, nothing yet. I spoke it over with my god and he was hoping that you’d both stand by for my next one considering how my last went and discuss the option I want with you both first. I was looking at going for an advanced enchanter job called connected enchanter.”

“...And is that not at least partially a mind job?” Thera asked, staring into him as she did while Ben decided that honesty was probably the best policy.

“We think it will have to do more with the way connect interacts with enchanting. In that regard, it’s really more of an enchanting skill and a soul skill than a mind skill. It’s hard to say for sure, but it might get me a lot closer to awakening the skill like I want to. However, if you both are against it I promise I won’t take it, I do have other options.”

Both women just stared at him silently until Thera let out a tired sigh. “Aunty, I don’t think I’ll be at the clinic today, I need to make sure this idiot doesn’t destroy his brain taking this stupid job.”

“I understand. I’ll tell Drari but I’m sure we’ll be able to handle things fine.”

“So you guys mean…?” He started hopefully as Thera shot him an annoyed look.

“Just take it before I change my mind.”

“Yes ma’am.”

All of them waited with bated breaths, but as the seconds ticked by, Thera and Sonya were able to sigh in relief while Ben could only groan in disappointment.

“Was it really too much to hope that the job would push me over into awakening my skill?”

“Just be grateful you’re conscious to complain about it,” Thera told him. “And whether you like it or not, you’re going to be having a very, very relaxed day.”

“Alright, sounds good to me, there’s just one thing I need to do. I promise it won’t put any strain on me or be stressful in any way.”

“Alright, what’s the plan?”

“Just got an order to fulfill.”

“Are you alright?” Kelf asked as soon as he saw Ben. “The town was in an uproar yesterday when you were found.”

“Ha, that sounds like a bit too much of an exaggeration but I’m fine, don’t worry.”

“It’s no exaggeration Ben,” Thera told him, seeming exceptionally tired. “You’re one of the two awakened skill holders this town has. It can be considered a point of pride, of course people would be worried.”

At the very least they were the only two the town was aware of, with Falk managing to maintain his privacy, even if some held their suspicions given the skill of his apprentice.

“Well then, it’s good to be loved. Anyway, let’s head in and make sure the arm worked out.”

They went into the shop and Ben made a mental note to clean up the now dried puddle of blood he was seeing as the other two deliberately ignored it in favour of what was waiting on the table, the now complete arm for Kelf.

The swordsman had been growing used to the prototype Ben had left him to practice with, but with a superior product available Ben helped him take it off and place the new one on, watching the man move it around, bending and flexing it while he’d open and close its artificial fingers, trying to get a sense of it.

“It feels good,” The ghoul told him, a wide smile on his face. “It moves more naturally than the last one and the mana cost is basically nothing. Hell, it is nothing compared to going without an arm again.”

“Most of the cost is being paid with a rainbow mana crystal built into it, all you’re spending is to manipulate the enchantments on it. What do you think?”

Instead of answering, Kelf looked around. “Would you mind if I borrowed a sword?”

“Go for it.”

Walking to the side, he grabbed a long one meant to be wielded with two hands as he stood in the middle of the store. He started with some light swings in front of him, feeling how his arm moved with the blade, eventually transitioning to stabs and slashes, following a footwork Ben didn’t have the training to understand but wove together into a single movement as Kelf eventually stopped and nodded.

“It’s better than I ever could have hoped. I don’t know how to thank you.”

“No need to. This was all a transaction so if your god asks just make sure they know you’re pleased with the work.”

“Of course, but even still I’ll never forget this.”

“Well, if it ever needs some maintenance stop on by.”

With only a few more words between them, Kelf left, needing to return to his homeland to train and share the good news that he’d be able to fight once again, leaving Ben and Thera to themselves as he left.

“Alright, and now you’re officially relaxing,” Thera told him firmly, the only task he needed to worry about officially out of the way and complete.

“Absolutely, we should stop by the clinic so I can broach an idea with Sonya actually. I need to know what sort of enchantments she would want on her home and that should be a nice way to kill a day…” He trailed off as he saw the look in Thera’s eyes and quickly changed direction. “Or we could go out for a romantic lunch, maybe relax at home with some games under some dim light to help with my headache and dancing after?”

“That sounds lovely.”