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[ okay that is a considerably less good answer and he does tense up, it's obvious there's not as much approval of THAT ]

Of course. Your all-powerful god.

[Sorry they be like this]

Yes. Our all-powerful god. You disapprove.

Is that surprising? I understand he had to serve its purpose and that he's necessary to stop whatever it is that destroyed your world in the first place.

But I dislike that you've been tempered.

[He refills his coffee with a tap of his finger to it, gotta love dreams, and takes another sip.]

I suppose from your perspective it would seem we are thralls to His will. But His will is our own. We created Him with a singular purpose and with our thoughts and desires aligned. Surely Emet-Selch told you this?

He did, but you'll forgive me for being skeptical given that you're bound to him.

I've had the pleasure of experiencing the tempering myself, in one of Emet-Selch's dreams. Suffice it to say I haven't exactly been enthusiastic about it ever since.

Interesting. How would you describe the experience? You may well be the only being in existence to experience tempering without then... Being tempered. Academically I would find your perspective on it fascinating.

It felt like shit.

[ that's it that's how he sums it up. But he'll finish his coffee, and then put the cup down like he's expecting Lahabrea to refill it ]

I tried to resist it at the start of it, the moment I felt something in my head insisting everything would be all right. But I couldn't. I couldn't tell whether all my thoughts were my own or if some of them were suggested by it. And at the time I didn't even care.

Even now I don't know what part of it was me and what part of it was him. Not that it matters - all I did after was look for Emet-Selch.

[He does in fact refill the cup. Listening with interest at least.]

And then?

Nothing else of interest happened. It was Emet-Selch's dream and it isn't as if I was given direct commands. I suppose it was simply as if I was trusting your God and truly believing that initial promise. That everything would be all right, and I was safe, and all I had to do was believe in him.

And now you do not.

I have no reason to trust him. Quite the contrary, in fact.

I cannot stand the idea of you reclaiming your world, only for it to be taken by you again. And this time you'd be unable to do anything about it.

[He smiles just a little.]

I do appreciate your sentiment. But that would not happen.

So you say, but I have no way of knowing whether that's you talking, or your god. And judging by my experience, I know you can't tell either.

I don't oppose what you're trying to do, or even your god existence by itself. But I will not approve of your will being taken away, regardless of how many times you say your will is one and the same.

[ there's a sigh at that, and he takes a sip of his coffee ]

I suppose I'll have to hope there will be a way to keep an eye on you two, after all of this.

[He laughs.]

I would call you sentimental... But I suppose we all are. I shall accept your concern in the spirit it is meant, needless as it may be.

You definitely are in no position to call me sentimental.

[ maybe he won't mention that he's trying to find ways to undo the tempering, but it's good to see he at least doesn't mind his disapproval ]

[He's logically detached enough not to care that Five hates it. After all, tempering in general is in fact bad! He's well aware primals warp the intentions of their summoners, and corrupt the existences they touch. Lahabrea more than any of the other ascians may be aware of it in fact.

But that doesn't mean he's capable of seeing his own existence is corrupted. He just understands that objectively it would seem that way, while subjectively he thinks he's fine.]

Well, we both pale in comparison to a certain someone.

[ I WONDER WHY YOU THINK THAT, HUH, LAHABREA!!!!! ]

Fair enough.

[ going to finish his coffee though ]

I do believe that's enough resting. I am here to train, after all.

[There is no was in ba sing se--]

Indeed. Let us return to the task at hand.

[ We all hate walking in this house so teleporting away, and immediately casting another ward then, so they can keep testing until he gets BETTER ]

[He will be pretty merciless in unleashing high level spells inside each barrier Five erects. After all it's not good if he holds back.]

[ Lahabrea was right in guessing his stubbornness would get him through the process, even if it's not about reading basics now. He keeps casting new barriers each time Lahabrea destroys them, tweaking things here and there to make up for prior failures, and obviously putting quite a bit of effort into understanding what worked and what doesn't. It might not be giant leaps, but each barrier does show improvement ]

[It takes a while before he holds a hand up after dispelling the latest barrier.]

You improve. Slowly, but steadily. More of this and you will get there. But that is enough for now. Replenishing mana is one thing, but mental reserves are another. Reflecting on what you've learned in practice will give you greater improvement next we try.

[ he frowns at that, and crosses his arms at his chest afterwards ]

... Fine. I suppose with a set schedule now I can be certain I won't waste time.

It does help the mind to rest on a topic a while. We can cover something else if you wish but the practical is over for now.

I'd like to see one made by you, if you don't mind.

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