CH882

“How’s this?” Abel asked, showing her fifth attempt at drawing a small figure Ben materialized and basked in the praise she received as Ben lightly clapped.

“Marvelous, just started and you’re already getting the hang of things.”

Other than showing her how to hold a pencil and give small suggestions to help her along the way, he’d let her figure things out herself, her competitive nature forcing her to try in a way that Ben wasn’t sure equalled to true enjoyment but at the very least seemed to keep her entertained as he watched her with more than just his eyes.

Since she could tell when he was using connect he didn’t peek into her mind to see if she was really liking it or not but he did have a new skill that was taking some getting used to through which other observations could be made, the alien sense he’d gained from taking outsider.

And just how freaking much it’s living up to its name.

In some ways, it was just a minor enhancement to his other senses, both the ones he was born with and the ones attached to his skills. His sight and hearing were both marginally sharper, as were things like his mana sense and how he’d feel the materials around him. Even the slight spatial sense he’d gained from condemnation had improved but all of that was a mere side effect to the true nature of the skill.

Every time he’d connect to someone, the unique natures of their minds were imprinted on his own and in the past, he’d felt himself subconsciously looking for things his body simply wasn’t capable of as a result but with the new skill, that had changed.

The various senses of the spirits, each aligned to their elements, the strange sense of projected touch in place of vision that Onk’s race held, bits of echolocation and so much more, the list running on. Each case was incredibly weakened beyond their true form but he now held them all to some extent, creating a vague awareness around him that extended beyond the limits of the rest he held.

Even Abel herself had left her mark. When Mora had looked at him that morning, he hadn’t realized it immediately but there was a vague impression of being seen that came with his soul being observed that could have come from only one source, leaving a unique new change within himself.

But just because it’s alright now, doesn’t mean it won’t get weirder or harder to deal with as it grows. I should take some time to try and see if I can suppress it at all, but-

But with the door opening, he had other things to worry about as his student made her way inside, Delair regarding Abel with interest the moment she saw her.

“Hey kiddo, meet Abel. I’ll be making her something so she’ll probably be with us for a couple days so try to get along, okay? And if she tries to eat you then just let me know.”

“She doesn’t smell like she’d grow my attributes,” Abel said, not so much as looking up, nor denying that she’d try if Delair had been stronger. “She’s fine. I would take another cup of you though if you’re feeling generous? I’m starving.”

“Maybe later. Now… Delair?”

His student had already made her way over, crouching down by the table where Abel was focused and staring at the summoned in naked interest, not being shy with her questions.

“How are you drawing without eyes?”

“They’re a lot more distracting than other people think,” Abel answered casually. “I’ll grow them back if I ever really need them.”

“Can you? Can I see?”

“Sure,” She blinked, empty sockets being filled with cloudy flesh before disappearing again with her next while Delair squealed in excitement.

“Cool, would I be less distracted without them too?”

“Absolutely not, kiddo,” Ben told her, not wanting any ideas to enter his student’s impressionable, excitable head. “You need yours to work with me so no trying to pluck them out, especially when yours won’t grow back on demand.”

“I was only thinking about a blindfold.”

“Which would be way, way too dangerous if you’re going to be doing anything in the shop, unless you need another talk about basic safety?”

“Mmh, no, I’ll be good.”

“Good, now get to work on stone working today with clone number four. Just because you leveled up recently doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be working to do it again.”

“Got it, Ben!”

With her off to work, he let his main self focus back in on Abel, watching as she worked. At the very least, she was smiling as she drew and seemed focused on it enough that she was no longer asking to spar, managing to both lighten and sour his mood.

…I get that she loves to fight and likes proving she’s strong so maybe this world is perfect for her but a kid needs a chance to act like a kid too, don’t they? Is she getting any of that?

He could see easily that others found her spirit and intensity off-putting and her collection of skills didn’t help either but was anyone even trying to give her a chance at a life before everything would come crashing down? He’d heard her call a few people friends or buddies by that point but in most cases there was either fear or discomfort in the eyes of whoever she was talking about.

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Does she notice? Does she care? Is that why she lit up so much when I said we were friends?

So clearly far from anything that should have been a priority but something that still bothered him. He understood what it was like to be alone after he’d been brought there and even if he’d still basically been a kid himself when it had happened, the fact that it was happening to someone even younger than him couldn’t help but tug on his heartstrings a bit, with the thought only being shoved to the back of his head when Foast arrived.

“Sorry I’m late,” The shifter yawned out, the energy he’d gained the day before gone. “Didn’t sleep well.”

Another thing Ben didn’t know how to respond to. He’d peer through enough of the man’s memories to know that he’d been sleeping worse and worse since the first wave came, undoubtedly feeling the effects of endless battles and bloodshed but what was there to say to it? He was sympathizing with both of them but with at least one more wave to go, could anything be done to help them when they’d both need to go out and fight, maybe even die, for the planet?