CH200

After Ben finished up making all of the braces he could, Pelenia led him through town as Thera was busy training with her father. He would have liked her company but it seemed that without her daughter to tease, Pelenia became far more restrained.

“So Ben, I couldn’t help but notice that on your first night here you slept with my daughter, does that mean I can expect grandchildren soon?”

Or not. He thought with a sigh. “Aside from the issues with the phrasing, I would say probably not. You do know Thera doesn’t want kids, right?”

“Oh I know, I know. If that’s how she really feels then that’s fine, but I reserve my right to hope she changes her mind. But what about you? Do you think there are any children in your future?”

It was a question he’d always dismissed growing up when it would be asked, either by his family or amongst his friends. There would always be time to figure that sort of thing out later, especially now given the situation of the world he found himself in. Why think about children when the world might end before he could have any, or worse, have some just so they would die as the world was conquered? Why would he even consider it?

And yet, that wasn’t the feeling he got when he heard her ask it. His family had always been something that was important to him, the fact that he’d never see them again helped change his perspective on the topic, at least a little bit, making him more aware of just what he wanted in the future.

“Not any time soon, but one day I think starting a family would be nice,”

Pelenia had asked the question intent on teasing him for his answer either way, but the look on his face as he thought about it made her put that little desire to the side. She understood the complicated feelings the otherworlders experienced through her interactions with both Karly and Glob, she didn’t want to pick at a sore spot.

Instead, she changed the topic to a different one, bringing up something she’d been meaning to mention anyway when she got the chance.

“By the way, since the last time you were both here, we had another couple humans visit, surprisingly interested in taking the trial. I don’t suppose you know anything about that?”

“If it was a couple named Will and Steph then I have an idea. Did they manage?” He asked eagerly. He made sure to keep in touch through letters, but it wasn’t like they all mentioned everything going on in their lives, and he was eager to hear of his friend’s results.

“They succeeded and managed to get away without injury. Karly is actually off visiting them and some others at the moment. It does get a little lonelier without her around but she’s been in better spirits since she’s been going out into the world.”

“Glad to hear it.”

They continued chatting until they arrived at their destination, an old, ornate building, the front gated to keep out intruders while guards were stationed at it. It was only a few minutes of formality until they were let inside, but when they were Ben felt his jaw drop.

He was immediately greeted with rows of weapons, each kept in immaculate care and of a high quality. Though his crafting wasn’t good enough yet to see each item’s rating, he was certain that the ones closest to him were at the very least rare in rank, and even if he could make items of that quality himself, that didn’t mean they weren’t worth his time. Right off the bat, he was sure that the techniques used to make the closest one he saw, a dark metallic sai, was different from how he would personally approach making such an item and it left him wanting to examine it in closer detail.

Pelenia gave a small laugh at his reaction and gave him a bit of an explanation. “Each item in here should be tagged with some of the more necessary information on it, such as what they’re made of and the enchantments on it, but nothing like the techniques used to make them unfortunately. You can of course inspect them to your heart’s content, but first let’s get you those books.”

She took out a key and went to a back door, unlocking it but keeping him from following her as she went inside. He was able to see a single shelf with maybe a dozen books on it and felt his curiosity nagging at him as she only pulled out three, locking up behind her as he continued to peer at it with curiosity.

“As fond as I am of you, giving you access to even three books that would largely be considered as forbidden magics and spells is already pushing my authority. Of course, if you wanted to come under my nation officially then I might be able to do something.”

A brief moment of temptation flared up before he regained control of himself. “Maybe one day, but I still need to focus on my training.”

It’s a good thing nobody I’ve made braces for has given me an offer like that though.

“Well, if you ever change your mind the option is open. Now I have some work that needs attending to so you won’t be able to leave until I’m back in a few hours, but until then feel free to read through the ones I’ve left you and browse the items if you’d like.”

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With that she left, leaving Ben to start flipping through the books. As much as he wanted to look at the weapons, especially those that were ultra-rare or higher, the chance to read up on some forbidden knowledge seemed like it would be much harder to come by in the future than a well-made item so he didn’t want to miss a second of absorbing the information as he took a seat and leaned against the wall.