CH317

Eventually, they heard a knock on their door as their meal arrived, though in a way neither of them would have anticipated. Plates were stacked on the wide flat back of a six-legged creature that walked in as soon as they opened the door for it, making it perfectly clear that they were supposed to treat it as a table to be used.

“Okay, even for me this is a bit messed up,” Ben muttered as he stood by it to begin eating, Thera seeming much more hesitant. “There’s no way this thing is natural, right?”

“Absolutely not. I’ve only seen a few of the things she’s made, but in the past they at least seemed practical. I can’t begin to guess what the point of this thing is.”

“Maybe another way to shock guests? Or maybe she really does just think it’s useful to have a moving table. Either way, the food isn’t bad so you should have some,” He told her as he munched away, though unable to keep himself from a single bit of curiosity as he reached down to touch the beast.

As odd as it had been to realize that he didn’t practice his connect with many animals, it wasn’t exactly unexpected either. He kept no pets and didn’t know anyone who did, and the creatures they hunted were typically dead by the time he got his hands on them. Still, it showed a very clear hole in the way he trained his skill, especially since his goal was to awaken it, so taking the opportunity in front of him he did just that, linking with the creature to see what was within, only to find nothing.

When he’d connected to the obbles, even if he didn’t feel distinct skills the way he did with people, he’d at least felt something, but that wasn’t the case here. It was like the creature was empty, nothing to grab on to. That didn’t mean connecting to it was pointless though as a far more unexpected effect came through as he found himself seeing through the creature’s eyes and experiencing its other senses.

It was just like when he’d experienced it in the trial of Anailia, maybe even to a greater degree. He hadn’t been able to think with its mind the way he had when he’d connected to the copy of himself, but in exchange he could tell instantly that for as long as the connection held, he could move the creature’s body to his whims as its eyes shot around to examine the room under his will, moving it’s feet up and down as Thera jumped back, not trusting any creature her aunt created.

“Sorry, that was me,” He admitted, breaking the connection and making it go still once again. “I just wanted to check something, but this thing is… well, it’s real weird on the inside.”

“I’m sure that would describe anything Vividus makes,” She said dryly, already feeling sick of being there and dreading the idea that they had a week to go. Still, a week was a small price to pay to learn what Ben’s skill was doing to him. “Anyway, I’m already exhausted so I’m going to turn in.”

“Sounds good, I need to talk with Myriad so I guess I will too. Want me taking the ground?”

They’d been forced to share quarters for a lot longer than either of them had planned these last few weeks and since she’d tried and failed to get a second room he didn’t want to leave her uncomfortable. However much they cared for each other, the romantic aspect of their relationship was still new and he had no interest in rushing things when he got the impression she’d rather take things slower.

Despite that she shook her head, pulling him along and resting her head on his chest as he went to rest. “I’m not making you sleep on the ground, just don’t get used to this yet. I’d never hear the end of it from aunty if she ever found out.”

“Works for me.”

With that he wrapped an arm around her and closed his eyes, forcing himself into Myriad’s realm.

“‘Sup Myriad, your favourite mortal’s here to- Oh, hey Helori,” He said in greeting, seeing his god wasn’t alone. “Hope I’m not interrupting.”

As with any time he went to his god’s realm and found her there, she was using his favourite cube as a seat, leaving him unsure of just how he should be reacting and ultimately settling on ignoring the act altogether, minus the minor curiosity of how comfortable his god was.

“I heard that, and testing it out won’t get you to the third tier of sacrilege so don’t even try.”

“Hey, I wasn’t even considering the sacrilege angle, although now that you mention it-”

“So what brings you here today Ben?” His god asked, forcibly changing the topic.

“Oh you know, this and that. Connected to a creature that the great life spirit made, pretty sure it doesn’t have a soul. Was wondering how that works.”

It was Helori who answered, doing her part to fulfill the role she’d agreed to in answering all of his questions. “It’s likely a homunculus, a form of artificial life. The way they’re made typically doesn’t result in an ensouled creature. In fact, that would be an undesirable outcome since it would make it harder to obey orders.”

“Huh, neat. How hard would it be to make one of these things?”

“For you? Impossible. You usually need an awakened life magic to have a chance, and even then it isn’t quick with lots of potential for failure. Typically only the longer-lived races bother to make them so they can use them for basic work and chores, but any shorter-lived race would be wasting too much of their time trying to get it right to make it worthwhile. Of course, there is also the option of just buying one to use, though it will still have the basic requirements of any living thing so it’s not necessarily worth the effort.”

“Seems like it would be easier to just hire a servant in that case.”

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“Having one can act as a way of showing off the maker’s skill in magic or the owner’s wealth to be able to afford one. Besides, they have other uses too, you’re basically one yourself.”