Chapter 8

Half a day later, when the sun started setting, we stopped moving. I was fully exhausted and basically couldn't move anymore. And since we were still in the middle of the desert I formed a temporary shelter using my earth control.

"Haaaa going full force like that wasn't a good idea. I need to sleep, you should get some sleep too."

"Sleeping in the desert with the danger of getting attacked? Sure your shelter is useful, but it still catches a lot of attention. So either you or me, one of us needs to stay awake to keep guard."

Oh, she's right, ever since I left the cave where I arrived in this world I never had a need for shelter. Remembering correctly I also don't think I've slept ever since I left that cave behind. Instead, I meditated every night instead of sleeping. Thinking back on it meditating kind of makes me seem inhuman. Ever since I've been in this world I have not eaten or drunk anything, I also have not slept in over a week. That can't just be the work of meditation though, the system should also be playing a role in it.

If that's the case then I wouldn't want to show Nejime the fact that I can just skip sleep. So I'd have to act like I'm sleeping while she keeps guard. But I'd feel guilty about that. I've already been lying to every single person I've met. I don't really want to lie more and more. But I also don't know what the repercussions would be if the truth was known, by being such as the aspects, the Ascended or the celestials.

So for now omission and avoiding any lies would are the route. Now the question is how do I make Nejime go to sleep without letting her worry about having to keep guard... I know.

"Instead of worrying about keeping guard, I think I have a better idea. Here let me show you"

Nejime did say that slowly casting magic and properly channelling would be much more effective let's see to which extent that goes. So I sat down and meditated. As I felt the earth and sand around me I slowly started moving the shelter below the sand. Once only a little bit of the shelter was sticking out of the sand I reformed the exterior of the shelter to make it look like it was just a small rock protruding out of the sand.

[Magic Channelling learned]

[Magic Channeling lvl 1:

Delaying your magic and casting it more slowly can allow you to cast stronger and more precise magic

Channelling speed +1%]

"From the outside, it should look like nothing more than a small protruding rock."

"Quite amazing, This does make taking a rest much easier than I thought. A stone weavers abilities sure are incredible. The usual struggles of travels really don't apply when travelling with you."

"Thanks. Talking about incredible abilities can you teach me what they taught you at your magic academy?"

"I can try, but your earth magic and my force magic are very different in nature so I can only teach you a few general concepts."

"Who said I can only use earth magic, you seemed to have forgotten something"

Hearing what I said a shocked expression appeared on her face.

"Forgotten something? Ah, I remember you aren't just a stone weaver, just like me, you're a mixling. That does change things. But do you even know which other types of magic you could use?" she asked after she calmed down a bit.

I had a somewhat smug smile on my face, as I was about to tell her all elements I could currently use. But before I did that I quickly stopped myself. I should probably keep sunlight and moonlight magic a secret. The only two places mentioned that had any connections with those magics were the Solari and Lunari of Mount Targon, the Ascended and the Sun Priests of Shurima.

"Other than earth magic I can also use wind and sand magic."

Again a shocked expression appeared on her face, though this time it was not as extreme. She might already be getting used to getting shocked because this time she calmed down much more quickly.

"That's 3 elements, you're really amazing. With the 2 other elements, there are a few more things I can teach you. But since you already know 3 elements let me ask you. Are there any elements you feel attracted to or you feel like you could do?"

Hmm... force magic seems fairly interesting. I think it should be fine to tell her.

"I think there is one more. When you showed me your force magic and pressed me into the ground I could feel the magic pass through my body and I'm pretty sure that I can also use it now, as long as I practice for a bit"

And she's back to a very shocked expression. Seems like she wasn't getting used to it after all.

"Alright, listen very closely. Don't tell anyone else what you just told me. The whole 'feeling magic pass through you' and 'pretty sure you can also use it' parts show that your constitution is very special. If word gets out about your constitution there are 2 fates for you as you are now. The first is becoming a breeding stud and the second is death. I'll be sure to teach you everything I can."

Hmm... guess I was wrong it wasn't fine to tell her. Still, although she freaked out, I guess it's ok, said she would teach me everything she could. She also can't stay here and since I know her secret of being of Shuriman royalty it's not like she can just fuck me over. There is something interesting she said though.

"Alright, I won't say a word about this to anyone else, still though, now we both share secrets. You know I once heard that sharing secrets like this allows people to quickly build bonds. Hahaha" I told her with a smile.

"Sigh... you say it's a bond, but it also feels like we have a knife at each other's neck."

"If that is how you view it then sure. But think about it like this, Exactly because we have a knife at each other's neck and because we don't go for the kill we can build up a mutual trust that we are not going to use that. I mean think about it. It is very similar to having a best friend with whom you share your secrets. You trust them not to tell anyone because of a trust you built up over years. This time it isn't trust built up over years, but instead, trust built up over the fact that you want to avoid mutual destruction. Sure it sounds bleak and depressing, but that's only if you want it to be bleak and depressing."

Hearing what I said, Nejime couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahaha, you know what? Screw it, you're right. I'll trust you, it sounds awful travelling with someone you can't trust."

"Then from today onwards, we shall be friends. And now as friends. Hello, my name is Phesto and it is nice to meet you."

Smiling, I held my hand out for a handshake. And also smiling, Nejime took my hand, shook it and answered.

"Hello Phesto, nice to meet you and just call me Nejime"

"Very well, can you teach me tomorrow then? I want to rest for tonight. Travelling at full speed really was exhausting." I asked.

"I'll also rest then, good night."

Going to different corners in the shelter we both sat down in a comfortable position and rested. From what I could see Nejime fell asleep almost immediately. She must have been mentally exhausted not being able to tell anyone about her secret and finally being able to get it off.

Though now I am in the same position as her. Though I think I'll keep carrying my burden until I get stronger. Still, I also feel much more relaxed now.

After all, I seem to have my first friend here.