CH114

“Is this what it’s going to be like every time I leave for a bit?” Will asked after he finished delivering all of Ben’s kills to Wedrow, only to find he was being healed again and his arm was covered in blood.

“Never get engaged Will. Sure things may seem nice at first, but before you know it they’re asking you to bleed just so they can test their skills on you. The whole thing is a scam.”

“Pretty sure that’s just you buddy.”

“And we agreed to finish when he came back anyway,” Thera said in her defense before turning to Steph and giving her a small nod of gratitude. “I think I was able to get a fair bit from that, thank you.”

“No problem, I’m going to focus on regaining my mana a bit more, but if you need anything else just let me know.”

At that, Thera and Steph both left to sit by themselves, Steph to relax and Thera to practice and reflect on what she’d just felt from the connection. Ben was planning on going back to his carving but Will was still standing above him, looking like he wanted to ask something.

“What’s up man?”

“I was just curious about that mind skill of yours, wanted to see if you’d use it on me.”

“Connect?” He asked, getting a nod in response. “Sure, but any particular reason?”

“Just curious.”

He didn’t know why, but something about Will’s attitude made it so he couldn’t completely believe that, but there was also no harm. Any chance to practice one of his main skills was valuable after all and he didn’t intend to pass it up. He held out his hand and when Will took it he connected.

Surprisingly, Will’s mind seemed unusually disciplined, even more so than Thera’s, who at this point had plenty of experience trying to keep her thoughts under control. There were a few thoughts and feelings leaking from his friend, but he wasn’t letting everything out like Steph. However, he was unintentionally letting Ben be completely aware of the main thing he wanted to talk about.

Hey Ben, so I was hoping to have the chance to talk to you about this earlier, but seeing as how you already… Wait. He stopped his train of thought for a minute and looked around to confirm something. Sorry, before that, do you pay attention to where Thera is at all times?

Oh, you could feel that huh? It’s the effect of a skill, I’m aware in the back of my mind but it’s not something I really notice unless I think about it, kind of like breathing.

Sounds handy, don’t suppose you could teach me how to get it?

It was when Will asked that he felt part of his mind go blank, an effect of the covenant he’d made entering the trial. Even mind to mind he wouldn’t be allowed to reveal information about the trial he took, not even its rewards.

At the same time, he didn’t want to just not answer. This was his friend and it was obvious how he would use it if he could get it, the thoughts of the skills potential for keeping Steph safe were leaking from his mind. If he could keep the people he cared about safer by revealing a little, at least enough to be a hint, then he would do it.

As the moment stretched on in silence as Ben’s every attempt to reveal it was blocked, Will spoke up.

If it’s something private just forget I asked.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

No, it’s not that, just give me a minute or two. It would be good if I could tell you anything anyway.

Will could hear the determination in Ben’s thoughts but couldn’t understand the struggle his friend seemed to be going through, but resolved to patiently wait for his answer.

At this point, Ben had activated hidden mind around one of his minds, so that one could think clearly on how to give Will a hint as the other was disrupted each time. The fact he was failing bothered him deeply. He understood he would be kept from talking about things like this when he left the trial, but to be kept from even thinking seemed like a much greater violation of personal freedoms, especially considering that he wasn’t trying to convey anything on the trial itself, just the reward it gave.

Everything I try and tell him is blocked out, what else am I supposed to do? He thought to himself in a blocked-off corner of his mind. I refuse to accept a god dictating what I can and can’t think in my own head, I just need to be indirect maybe? Or vague or broad? There’s got to be an option.

More minutes ticked by as they sat in silence until finally, Ben found a single thought that made it through. Retrace my steps.