Chapter 691

Chapter 691

“Oh, hell yes!”

Looking at his card early in the morning, the first thing he noticed was that he’d finally got what he’d been hoping for in the form of a single job level. It may have taken ages to get compared to how much he’d usually manage in the same timeframe but it validated the strategy he was operating under, confirming that once he got it done, he’d be flying through the rest of his jobs.

Just three more levels. He told himself. Three more levels and I break the job system in its entirety. Okay, when I get back to Stonewall I’m spending even more hours in the shop with my jacket and pushing my soul to the limits to make as many souls as possible to get through this. If I get another level of soul source too then it will get even faster and then... No, worry about that later. First, I need to finish surviving this meeting which means off to Yuzu.

It was early enough in the morning that he scribbled Thera a note telling her he’d meet them in the meeting before heading off, walking through largely empty streets to the gate before passing through beyond to Allfaith, arriving at a familiar doorstep before being let in.

It was one of the house servants who greeted him and led him to a seating area, letting him wait until Jake and Yuzu came out, looking groggy.

“Buddy, what are you doing here this early?” Jake yawned. “Not that it’s not great seeing you but I haven’t been allowed a ton of rest recently so waking up early isn’t great.”

“Sorry, I’m not sure if Yuzu mentioned it to you but long story short, someone tried to murder me a couple times and I want to borrow your mind and soul quickly to get my revenge.”

“What?”

He turned to Yuzu, watching her give a tired nod as Jake shook off some of his sleep to give in.

“Okay, you got it man, do what you need to do. And do you need any help beyond that? I wouldn’t mind tagging along if you need to beat someone up.”

“Thanks but I want to handle this myself, I’ll be real quick about it.”

Forming the connection and strengthening the other’s mind, Ben materialized the handful of stuff he needed before immediately going to alter the shape of the voidstone he now held, working the material to try and speed up its production of condensed spacetime so he’d be able to begin his main project.

“You’re the best, I’ll get out of your hair for now then.”

“Mmh, try not to get murdered.”

“Hold on a moment, I’ll walk back with you,” Yuzu told him. “I need to go that way anyway, I might as well make sure you aren’t attacked when you get back.”

“In that case, I’ll take you up on that.”

Jake went off to get what bits of sleep he could while Yuzu changed, eventually coming back and letting them head off, chatting while Ben worked.

“So, what are you making this time?” She asked as he shaped his enchantments, watching through her mana sense as he constructed and deconstructed them again and again on the powerful material, trying to shape them perfectly for whatever desires he held.

“Oh, you know, this and that,” He evaded. “Probably something super ethical. Maybe even the most ethical enchantment that’s ever existed.”

“Hmm, just tell me if you're going to somehow murder an immortal with that or not.”

“Murder? Absolutely not. I’m a sweet little peace-loving guy. This is just a handy tool for me to put people who don’t share that sentiment into a timeout.”

“...Okay, sure. And are you doing okay? You didn’t seem great yesterday but you look a bit brighter now.”

“I’m probably fine. I talked about some things going on in life with Thera and it helped, even if she wasn’t thrilled about some of it.”

“Mmh, I can see why you’d stress her out. Things really would be a lot easier if you just went home, you know.”

“Maybe, but easier doesn’t necessarily mean better. Now, just one second, I’m going to concentrate for a bit.”

“My lovely girlfriend and my lovely teacher, perfect timing!” He called out. “Good news and other good news. Rook is sorted out and I also made something new. Falk, come over and give it a look!”

Even from a distance, the yeti’s eyes were telling him the ranking and it only made him quicken his pace as he took the ball from his apprentice’s hand, rolling it around in his own while he looked it over before breaking into a laugh.

“This do what I think?”

“I’d say probably.”

“Well, that’s one way to deal with an immortal, probably the best way too for now, you’ll have to tell me about the details later but for now we should head in.”

“Yeah, sounds good.”

Thera stepped in line beside him as the four went in, looking at the thing he held.

“So what did you make this time?”

“I’ll tell you later. I actually have one more thing I’ll need to do with it after the meeting so be prepared then, you’re gonna love it.”

“...Well, if it got him out of our hair then sure.”

While Falk took his seat and the other attendees began streaming in behind him the room quickly filled up, with Abel wildly waving at them from the side and seeming to pay no mind to what bit of decorum the rest of them showed by the time the last two arrived, with Killi dragging Verbum with her as the other tried to fight.

It was clear it was a losing battle though and eventually he gave in to his fate, instead making his way over to Ben, grabbing his shoulders and giving voice to his displeasure.

“I’ve never been so betrayed.”

“Huh, by who?”

“YOU! How could you just leave me with her yesterday, huh? Do you know how scary she is?”

“Wait, Verbum, does that mean you’re more comfortable with me? Ah man, I didn’t know. Does this mean you’re finally accepting me in your heart as your friend?”

“I’m accepting you in my heart as the lesser evil!”

“Close enough. Either way though, I’m sorry man. I got in a bit of a funk and didn’t think about how you’d feel when you woke up, that was inconsiderate of me.”

The genuine apology seemed to catch the other entirely off guard, stunning him for a second and leaving him to mutter before taking his seat.

“Just don’t do it again then.”

“Got it, I’ll bring you something tasty next time I swing by the library to make up for it.”

“And then I suppose we’re just waiting on one,” Killi said as she looked around, preparing to start things for the day before Ben raised his hand.

“Ah, we won’t be. I guess he didn’t tell you but Rook found me yesterday to say how sorry he felt for his actions and that he was going to be gone for a while to self-reflect on the sort of person he is and wants to be. He won’t be at the meeting today.”

Not one person there believed it and more than a few began to speak up at what a ridiculous notion such a thing was but after looking in his eyes for a moment, Killi only nodded.

“Well then, here’s hoping he takes plenty of time to reflect but since that means he’s not here, let's get started with what should have been the main event of yesterday as we welcome two new members of our tier, being the world’s newest soul smith along with the king of growth. Ask questions, get acquainted, and figure out how we can all work together for the good of the world.”