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“Okay, it was nice seeing you guys but it looks like I actually need to go test something real quick,” Ben said as he jumped up and started

“Okay, it was nice seeing you guys but it looks like I actually need to go test something real quick,” Ben said as he jumped up and started rushing away, back to the guild master’s office where he kept his personal gate and only stopped as he reached the door, looking behind him as he did. “Did you two need something else or is there some other reason you’re following me?”

Both Abel and Foast looked at one another before shrugging, the other summoned speaking first.

“Come on, even if you won’t let me have another bite, it’s been a while. I wanna hang out!”

“And I actually have a real reason,” The shifter said. “The few times I’ve seen him, your teacher sings your praise so I was hoping to see if you’d be possible to commission for a, well, admittedly difficult piece.”

“Ooh, I’d commission you too if you’d be down to play a bit,” Abel said as she jumped. “Come on, just a spar or two or twelve?”

“...Okay, not twelve but fine I guess. Can I meet you both tomorrow to discuss it?”

“I’m on a bit of a tight timeline,” The shifter told him. “I don’t mind if we start tomorrow but I’d rather have the conversation tonight.”

“And I don’t want you to try and escape!” Abel added, both leaving Ben to sigh.

“Okay, fine, come on and just try not to be too surprised, they’re going to start spreading soon but they aren’t exactly on the market yet.”

Letting himself in, he walked up to his mini gate and activated it, watching as both of them reacted to its presence, with Foast seeming more shocked than anything while Abel displayed nothing but plain excitement.

“So you were important enough to get your hands on one of these then?” The shifter said, having some experience with them from the second wave, used to connect invasion points for some of the more powerful of the world to fight, same as Thera had dealt with. “I suppose it makes sense, someone able to help finish jobs like that’s going to be a treasure.”

“Well, thank you and I am but I’m also the guy who made these. You’ll probably start seeing more of them soon once my factory starts picking up but either way, come on and take a seat. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can pick up my kid and turn in.”

“You already have a kid?” Abel asked him in surprise. “Pretty crap timing to be doing that, don’t you think?”

“He’s adopted. Anyway, come on and take your seats.”

He pulled out some chairs at the same time he slipped on his jacket, overfilling his soul to the tremendous new volume he could after his awakenings and instantly began the process of converting all of that mana into new souls for the experience, casting glances at his card while he did as the constant process was repeated but motioned them to go on, with Foast speaking first.

“What I’m looking for is armour,” The shifter told him, instantly catching Ben’s interest.

“So not a weapon then?”

“I am the weapon.”

“Fair, okay and seeing as how you aren’t going to some well-renowned smith or even my teacher, you must be looking for something a little special. Armour for a shapeshifter? Something that will change with you?”

“Ha, the soulsmith said you were clever. Yes, When everything about me can change on the fly, it can make being outfitted a bit of a challenge.”

“But don’t you heal super easily? Can’t you shapeshift away your injuries?”

“Done your research on me, have you?”

“Eh, I just pick things up here and there,” Ben evaded, acting like he hadn’t already torn through entire swaths of the other man’s memories while Foast nodded.

“Well, you’re right but you’re ignoring one major thing. No matter how well I’m able to heal myself with my power, it still hurts every time. Just because it won’t kill me, doesn’t mean it’s not something to try and manage if I can but alas, to this day, none have been up to the challenge.”

And what a challenge it would be. Ben could already feel himself going over the problem. He’d need to confirm the full scope of Foast’s shapeshifting but he knew how great a range that was, from insects to leviathan. Making something that could cover all of that felt practically impossible but he instantly wanted to try for the challenge it presented, with Abel jumping up with the answer.

“Oh, me too, me too,” She said. “Getting stabbed too much kind of sucks so having a better option than just taking it would be great!”

Yeah, I guess she’s kind of a shapeshifter too, even if she has a lot less options. I guess that making her an armour would be a good starting point for making Foast his.

“Okay, sure. Commissions accepted, since you’re both third tiers I’m sure neither of you are low on funds but we can discuss payment tomorrow. For now, I’ll let you guys back through and then if you want to meet me at the guild again in, let’s say ten hours, I’ll let you both through and we can work out some of the finer details, okay?”

“I was just going to stay in town if it’s all the same,” The shifter said. “Like I said, I’m on a bit of a tight timeline, if it’s not done in it, well, that’s really to be expected but I am allowed hope before I go off for an expedition.”

“Ah, your hunt in a week?” Ben asked, being regarded by the shifter through narrowed eyes.

“Why do you know that?”

“Because he’s a peeker,” Abel chimed in, being waved off by Ben as he made up a lie on the spot.

“Because I’m the one who discovered the presence of stronger demons on the world and I’m both an apostle and a third tier now, it’s easy to stay informed.”

“So you really are one then?” He muttered. “Mind if I ask what for?”

“My mind skills.”

“Suppose that’s why the little girl got so many to that attribute from eating you. The name?”

“Eldritch mind.”

“Sounds spooky.”

“Yeah, I have a long history of issues with how the system goes about naming my mind skills when they awaken. I’m on the fence if it’s currently more or less offensive than it used to be but I’m leaning to just barely less.”

“Oh? What did it grow from?”

“Unnatural mind.”

“Ha, currently it’s far better, the name gives a better feeling of power worthy of a third tier,” He mused. “I suppose if there’s ever going to be another meeting where you’ll be properly introduced then you’d be the eldritch mind holder. Not bad as far as titles go.”

“Was I supposed to get a title for awakening it?”

“Oh no, but when word spreads about it among the masses then you’ll probably get one and it’s for the best to try and make sure it’s directly related to your skill, helps make sure the bonuses are related.”

“Huh, good to know. Then Abel, I’ll let you back through in the morning-”

“I’ll stay too!” She yelled out. “I came to hang, not to be sent off!”

“Okay, but I don’t really have room to host you, it’s not even my home in the first place, I rent.”

“What, is this place so small it doesn’t even have an inn?”

“Alright, fair, in that case, I guess I can send you two to a good one,” He said, materializing two maps that would direct them to the one he’d stayed at when he’d first moved to Stonewall from where they were in the shop. “Just head on that way but now I really need a bit of time to myself to finish some things up.”

“Boo, I’ll make sure you actually play with me tomorrow then!” Abel called out as she and Foast walked off, Ben calling back as they did.

“You hired me to work, I need to get that done first!”

With them gone though and a bit of peace regained, he was rewarded with just a little time. Thera was still off giving just a bit of help at the hospital and Mora was with Delair and her mother, he’d be safe while Ben took some time to continue on with his soul production, staring at his card and waiting for the level on it to finally tick up.