CH942

Walking up the last flight of stares, Ben found Verbum exactly where he expected, his face buried in a book too deep for him to notice the other’s approach until he joined him at the table, the record holder giving a pronounced sigh.

“What do you want, Ben?”

“How did you know it was me without looking?”

“One, not many people have access to this floor which makes it a great area to get some nice, private work done and two, anyone else who could come up here would take a different table,” Verbum told him, finally taking his eyes off his book to look at his companion and was left giving a shrill scream for what he saw, right until Ben materialized a gag around his mouth and ropes to bind his limbs to keep him from throwing himself down the staircase in a panic.

“Okay, just try to relax. Everything is fine, buddy.”

Still, he tried to scream through his gag, impressing Ben for the fact that he managed to keep conscious despite his obvious fear, with the first bit of the outburst being enough to drive the closest guards up the stairs to check on them, finding Verbum trapped while Ben sat across from him, trying his best to seem innocent.

“So, I know this looks bad, but Verbum’s just having an episode. I’ll release him when he calms down.”

The two briefly met eyes before one shrugged, the entire library having seen that third-tier’s reactions before and by that point was well familiar with the one with him, Ben’s reputation being one that would last for a while to come.

“Alright, let us know if you need a hand with him; we know he can get feisty when he’s like this.”

“Appreciate it.”

Comfortably resolved in a way that left a look of betrayal in the other summoned’s eyes, Ben watched him struggle for only a bit longer until giving up, flopping face down on the desk in defeat for Ben to release.

“Feeling better?”

“Words can’t properly express how you make me feel.”

“Very romantic of you.”

“So you’re a third tier now? For four fucking horrific things? And at the third level for one of them?”

“I personally wouldn’t describe eldritch mind as horrific, but otherwise, that about sums it up, yes.”

“That’s… wait, did you make me pass out at that job thing so I couldn’t see this?”

“Verbum, that is kind of a hurtful accusation. If I’d done that, then why would I be revealing myself to you now?”

“… Okay, then what do you want?”

“Just a few little checks as to what some of the stuff in my status does. Nothing too deep, we look and then I’ll get out of your hair, easy peasy.”

Narrowing his eyes, Verbum stared at Ben for a moment before giving in. “Fine, which bits?”

“Multiversal inclination, a few of the bonuses different jobs got me, and my blessing, child of chaos.”

“Wasn’t that last one called something else before?”

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

“Hence why I want it checked out.”

Another look, far more judgemental than the last that ended up followed by a deep sigh.

“Fine, give me a bit and let’s go through it because I have plenty of work still to do.”