CH481 Thera’s Perspective

Having her vision returned to her as they got out of that floor, Thera was greeted with the sight of her aunt carrying both Karly and her mother in one comically large arm while the other held onto Ben’s hand, leading everyone out before letting them down.

“This reminds me, I really hate mind effects,” Karly sighed, remembering her own disastrous attempt at the trial of Anailia. “Maybe I should have considered that before tagging along.”

“It will be worth it when we’re done,” Pelenia laughed. “Though I do feel like I missed something interesting during all of that. Thera?”

She ignored the obvious question about what she’d gone through compared to the rest, instead taking a seat to relax while she could before they went into the next one. The first floor had taken longer than it had needed to, ending up at a couple of hours since they had been walking blind and needed to be aware of anything coming to mess up their footing again after that first incident.

It had still been fast compared to what others might go through though and hadn’t exactly been high-intensity in any way. Even hearing the voices and feeling the occasional grasping hand had turned into nothing but an annoyance by the end, something to be ignored as they made their way. At least it had been for her, but it seemed her mom and Karly were both enjoying their break from the event.

“Man, I’m sure that must have sucked for you guys,” Ben said smugly while he enjoyed the little break as well. “You know, if any of you ever want to have an easier time with these sorts of things I can recommend some excellent mind skills to you all.”

“Pass.”

“No.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Hmph, you could all at least pretend to think about it. They’re super useful!”

“Yeah, but what are the odds any of us are going to be in a situation like this again when we get out?” Karly shot back. “Plus, you’re only free from the mind effects. The moment we get a section with debuffs you’re as useless as the rest of us.”

“Not true, I’ve got my resistances and a couple skills that complement them.”

“Which has nothing to do with your mind ones.”

“Okay, fair. In that case though, what about putting in an order for any of my excellent mind circlets?” He tried. “They should help if you’re ever in a situation like that again and growing another mind or ten is super useful.”

“Nobody’s going to take you up on that Ben,” Thera said, gently patting his arm. She still used the one he’d made her on occasion for training but had a strong desire to never do it again the moment it seemed like her planet would be safe. As much as she liked raising her skills, she had no qualms with taking a slower approach when that was the alternative.

Still, the answer made him deflate. “One day. One day the world will be ready to appreciate the many-minded and all we have to offer.”

She tried to keep the doubt from her face but by all accounts failed, leaving Ben to grumble about the underappreciation of mind skills in the world while he went off to make a light meal for everyone, leaving the rest to talk.

“So Karly,” Her aunt began, going into teaching mode. “Was there anything you managed to take away from that?”

“That I still hate having my thoughts messed with?”

The comment was met with silence as Funa stared at her student, waiting for a real answer.

“I don’t know Funa,” She eventually gave in. “What should I have gotten from that?”

“That you don’t pay enough attention to your mana sense. The easiest way to tell the difference between something playing with your mind and the real deal would be to determine which contained mana.”

“Ugh, you know I’m not good at subtle stuff like that.”

“Which is why you need the practice. Given how you just did, we’ll be upping your lessons on the topic.”

Thera didn’t notice the look of depression taking over the other girl, instead falling into her own thoughts.