Chapter 534
On the final day of teaching his students, Ben couldnt keep from clicking his tongue in disappointment as he finally freed them from his mind for the last time.
So you guys only managed to get to the seventh level of connect in the end, huh? A shame, but nothing we can do there. When Im gone, make sure you all keep practicing, alright?
He got nods from the two girls, but they and Zallith were all teary-eyed in their relief. After the worst week of their lives, they were finally going to be free of him.
Saying it was just a week didnt even do it justice. They all felt like theyd been forced to spend at least a year in his head by the end of things, having knowledge shoved into them as they were either forced to practice connect or stuck helping Ben with training his. But it was finally over, how could they not want to shed some tears?
If you assholes keep thinking like that Im pulling you back into my mind for another hour of practice. An hour of real time to be specific. When I came here I had fully planned on being a very nice teacher so all of you make sure you remember that for anyone you guys meet in the future, understood?
Again his question was met with swift nods while the only three others in the room looked on.
These are your friends? Insia asked Thera, both her and Rocky feeling unsure after what they were seeing, only for her cousin to try and paint a brighter picture than what was really there.
Oh, dont worry. Bens just a bit of a tough teacher. They all get along very well otherwise, isnt that right everyone?
She shot them all a murderous look as Insia was turning to see their reactions, getting to watch all of them fall in line.
Hes really a great guy!
Hes worked really hard on teaching us this entire time too!
Hes definitely a sane individual and not a danger to society!
Good enough I guess.
It seemed like enough reassurance for the small fairy at least and she went to fly around them, letting her curiosity take over as Ben continued his last lesson, handing both Nati and Xilly knives while signaling Zallith that his feet were getting tired, letting Ben enjoy his footrest one final time.
Okay you two. Your last project is going to be applying the stuff Ive taught you to those knives the best you can. Both of you make something interesting for me to judge. Oh, and its good to test your multitasking too, so Insia, do you think I could ask you to chat with them while they work? Just to be sure they can handle juggling a couple different things?
Can do!
Excellent, thanks. And that just leaves me with one final thing. Nare, what do you think?
The god said cautiously.
I would like to remind you I literally almost died.
With them only hearing half the conversation, it wasnt hard for the three to figure out that Ben was talking about them from that sentence alone, even if the sudden eyes on him were waved away as he tried to make them focus on their work.
Hmm, I still hate all of them but on the plus side theyre all afraid of me now and even if they sucked, only one of them was actually in a position to help me but didnt
Fine, that works, their fate is sealed.
He felt Zallith clench under his feet while the other two froze briefly, again needing to be waved back to work after that misleading statement.
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Youll clear it up later, its fine. Aside from that, any complaints with how Ive done?
It wasnt that sadistic.
Fine, fine, my title of monster is well earned but my students leave fully educated, its worth the trade. So if youre that worried about their mental state, does that mean you dont want me teaching them again in the future?
Its not something I would go out of my way for but if Im ever in the city again Id do it for a couple hours to try and push them up a level, or if they ever get to the ninth if you let me know Ill come back and try to awaken then. Of course, since the only way I can really think to do that would be to expose them to a significant portion of my mind, wed need to make sure theres healers around in case that ends up being a bit too much for them.
Sounds like a plan.
With that done he got up and walked over to where the two worked, both of them having a spirited conversation with Insia as they did, trying to put on the friendliest moods they could as they answered the girls questions and explained what they were doing while Ben peeked at their work, pleased at what he was seeing, even without then being finished.
While they werent using his complex system to its full potential, both of them limited by the more normal way they each thought, they were making use of it, pushing their minds to place down blended weaves and rings while applying the enchanting modifier to each, giving it that extra boost of power.
Hmm, but they are both a little strained by it. It would be good if they could also get some mind skills but with Zandale so busy they might just need to hope they can gain them themselves.
Nare chimed in.
And that means another problem solved. Okay, everything looks good.
No matter how rocky it had been, in the end he couldnt help but feel just a little satisfied at having taught them both so much, hopefully leaving the world just a little better off for it too.
After the two finished their enchanting, Ben looked over the final results one last time, commenting on where he thought they could improve but largely giving praise as his last bit of teaching finally came to a close.
With it done they moved on to a bit of lighter conversation, trying to make sure Insia opened up to them while watching to be sure theyd behave themselves, but after a few hours of that passed with things moving in the direction they wanted, it was finally time for the two to say their goodbyes and go home.
While Thera focused on her cousin and Rocky, Ben looked at his three, with Nati managing to come off as genuinely sincere at the end of it all.
Thank you for all youve done for us, She told him, bowing her head and thinking less about the horrors that were his lessons to instead focus on the way hed helped improve her relationship with her grandfather. Even if it was hard, I appreciate it.
Dont worry about it, and if any of you guys have any questions about anything, just pass them on through Nare. No matter how it turned out, Ill at least answer the best I can.
It was a far less sentimental goodbye compared to what Thera got to enjoy, but it was appropriate. They werent leaving as friends, he still didnt even particularly like them, but they had all officially learned from him which was good enough.
It was only a few words, but with that they parted, Ben and Thera walking back to the gate, one seeming a lot more depressed about it than the other.
You think shes going to be okay? Thera asked him. If those three actually do anything to hurt her then Im going to be going to jail for murder Ben, I hope youre prepared for that.
It will be fine, He laughed. And if it's not then shell have the rest of your family and you too. With the two gates in your parents place, you can visit as much as you want to make sure things are going okay.
Mmh, Im going to have to, She sighed before focusing back on him. Actually, are you okay? You seem tired.
I am tired. Teaching was exhausting, Im so glad to be done.
Ha, well you can rest when were back home.
Oh, your uncle is going to wish Id be willing to do that, Ben told her, wearing a wide grin as he imagined everything hed be doing soon. The man is never going to know peace from me now that Ive got him as a resource and Ive got a lot of plans for him.
You do remember that youre the student in your relationship, right?
Of course, a fantastic, wonderful student whos ready to learn everything he can.
And test everything too.
There was always more to try and with the time Ben had, he fully intended to get as much explored as he could.
Even if I might make time for a small nap first.
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