A glance is enough to tell I'm back in Alexandra's body again.

It's the real one, not a cheap human-like copy.

It's the Beastman I saw growing up and engaging in a duel with someone. Coming out of her memories has a strange effect on me.

All her sorrow, struggle, victories and frustration feels like my own.

I can understand her a little better now, and I want to give her a warm hug.

It's not impossible while I'm in this body, but where is she? Did she already go back?

The answer is behind me, and it scares me shitless.

"Holy fuck." That's the only thing I can say about this.

It looks like the same granite block, but it's bigger. Much bigger.

It's like a full-size statue now, and it's still featureless.

It's not like a Michelangelo, but rather a medieval mannequin.

Faceless, rough, and most of all: scary. It was much cuter while it was the size of my fist.

"A-are you in there?" I poke the thing, and it slaps away my hand.

It's cold like you'd expect from a stone statue and has quite a powerful slap.

"Ouch."

At last, I didn't have to bear the pain in Alexandra's hands after climbing so much, and now this.

Why would she do that to herself?

"Don't touch it, it's not finished yet." The mannequin has her — our — voice, but it doesn't have a mouth so it comes out muffled. "Did you get your sister to help?"

"Oh, no. Not at all. Didn't even try. You put your money on the wrong horse." I laugh once I manage to calm down. I wanted to hug her, but while she's in that thing, I don't know.

Am I this shallow? Only care about hot girls?

No, it's more like that thing freaks me out.

"You failed?" She asks, and a mental image of her raises an eyebrow.

Boy, she sounds disappointed. I can't wait to rub my success in her face until I realize what it means.

"I found a much better way, but I'm unsure now."

"What do you mean? You succeeded or not?"

"I did, but there are two things you should know." How should I put this? I take my time to think, but she's impatient.

"I have to go back to see what you've got. If it will take long, I won't be able to finish this today, and then you'll have to stay another week or even ten days."

Right, this stupid time dilation. I only spent an hour in my world and it's already dark here. I missed the lunch that I looked forward to so much.

I couldn't make the second crossbow, and the mission to gather ores is still up there.

"Look, um, I succeeded and it should work great for what you want to do, but I hate it so much."

Her mental image raises an eyebrow again.

"I'm listening."

Great. It's still hard to talk about my nudes, insecurities, and the risk I left your body in when you're a faceless statue. Okay. Deep breath, Leona, before the System yells at me.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

This is another thing I'd like to complain about, but it has to wait.

[Notice: I'm online by the way.]

Shit.

"So, uh, I know you're doing all this for me, and I'm thankful." Quick, come on, out with it. It will only get more difficult later.

"The thing is, those images are very embarrassing for me. And my old body in general. I know it's important to ensure I'll look the same, or the people will freak out."

"Well, if you want to start a new life without your family knowing about you I can do whatever you want." She offers with that muffled voice and I'm very grateful but she's right.

"No, I already miss them a lot. I hated that I had to run away from my little sister." And I should have sent her an email while I was at it so she wouldn't wait for me.

I still cut it close, there was no chance to do that.

"So um, could you enhance the new body a little?" Before I forget, I have to add. "And don't judge the images I sent you."

"Haha, I gave you my body to use, it seems unlikely that a picture could be anything more intimate." She has a point, and the System told the same. Did she tell her already?

[Objection: I'm not a spy. I won't tell her anything if you don't complain about me either.]

That's pure blackmail. But I take it.

"You're right, but I'm not as beautiful and perfect as you are. I grew fond of this body and returning to my own would be disappointing." This isn't flirting, right?

"Still, you'll have everything you need to remake it. All I'm saying is, that as long as it won't raise suspicions, you don't have to make it a hundred percent accurate."

"All right. It doesn't have to be permanent." Her nod is all I need.

"And oh, by the way, I climbed up my apartment building from the outside to get to my laptop." Something to add before I forget.

"You might want to get out of there before my roommate gets home."

Again, the statue has no face, but I see her eyes widen.

"Wait a second. You left me in enemy territory?" She asked this after she told me to sort her mess out with my sister. "Can he even go home? He said you had the keys."

"Bullshit. He was the last one to leave the apartment, and even left the balcony open." It looks like he had some plans too. And my sister is together with him?

Knowing her, he has more to worry about.

"Well, in that case, I won't be back soon. I'll have to get away from there, check your stuff, and prepare for tomorrow's lectures." The statue lists what she has to do, counting on the marble fingers.

Now that things get on the right track, I don't mind staying another week. I had plans with the Crafting skill anyway. But I'll have her send that email to Emi.