The walk home afterwards was thankfully uneventful, leaving him to do what he wanted. Which just so happened to be to produce footwear for everyone who needed it.

He made the same styles for the new younglings as he’d made for the first ones, then left them in the mess hall the same way he’d done the first time. After that, he went off to the bathhouse and had a good, hard look at it.

Given that he now had 101…. Wow. He’d probably get sued or something if they’d all been dalmatian dogkin. Anyways, taking into account their numbers, he wondered if he’d need to make another bathhouse since the apartments didn’t have their own tubs or showers installed in them.

“Hmm, I’ll have to put up a sign,” he muttered, thinking that the renovations would be best done overnight.

“Good thought,” Asami said from his side, nodding.

“Given what’s coming, I’ll prepare a bit more,” he said, looking towards the now nine-story apartment building.

“Yup. You’ll probably have to build a few more of those. Maybe make them big enough for families, too,” she said, nodding, then explained when he gave her a weird look. “Some of the younglings might want to stay close to each other. Letting them share an apartment would help them relax.”

He nodded at that as Avi came over.

“Need any help?” she asked with a grin that he couldn’t quite ignore.

“I always need help,” he said with a sigh. “Thank you. Do you need any… I don’t know, tips? Advice?” he asked, not quite sure how to phrase his question given that she had access to the same knowledge that he did.

“Thank you, but I’ll manage,” she said as her grin widened. “Are you sure you want to continue buying up slaves like you’ve been? The way you’re going, you’ll be starting your own city within a year,” she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

“Good point,” he said, thinking about it. “I guess that I’ll just have to build a whole city out here,” he finally said, getting a blink from Avi and a laugh from Asami.

“You know that you can’t have a viable population without an even distribution of genders, right?” Avi asked, giving him the side-eye.

“This’ll be the orphanage, and I’ll get permission to start a settlement further west for the city. I’d like to have them separate, for now. Though, given how large a city can get, I don’t know how Kirkwall will feel about having one pop up right on their doorsteps…” he said, rubbing his chin in thought.

“Then don’t build here,” Asami said, shrugging. “It’s not like you can’t build anywhere you want to.”

Avi nodded, turning more serious. “Besides, with everything that you can do, I don’t think that distance will be an issue.”

“True…” he said, nodding as well. “I’ve also been thinking about building a remote base,” he said, then motioned for them to follow him, only continuing when they got to his study.

“I’ve been thinking about the issues between the Demon Continent and this one. I’m not sure what kind of trade there might be, or even if there is trade, between the continent, but I had an idea about that.

“With how well I’ve been progressing with [Dimensional Manipulation] and [Spatial Manipulation], I’ve been considering creating… a tower. A Dungeon Tower, to be exact,” he said, then went on to explain the concept.

It would basically be like those tower dungeons you’d find in various manga/manhwa and light novels. It was a popular trope before he’d arrived on Iria, and one that he’d thought about more than once since getting [Create Dungeon] a few months ago.

Now, given the limits of building materials and, well, basic physics, he was planning on doing the whole “bigger on the inside” bit. Now that he could use [Genesis, True], he suspected that he could go a bit wild with how he laid-out everything.

As they talked, they snowballed ideas back and forth. Anything from just making the bounds of each floor larger with [Spatial Manipulation] all the way to attaching a demiplane to each floor. Which was throwing him for a loop trying to reconcile what all of that would entail.

Given that Asami could just read his mind, making it basically impossible to keep anything from her, he veered off to discussing more technological things. He really wanted to get transports for everyone. Be they a land vehicle or an air vehicle, it would make things much easier for him and the girls if something like that were in place for when he wasn’t around.

Which also led to them discussing [Fission] and what could be accomplished once he was able to have more than one clone running around to help.

“The major limitation right now is that all of my resource pools are evenly divided amongst us,” he said, frowning.

“Well, why not increase your resource pools, then?” Asami said, not seeming to see the problem.

“Well, I agree with Asami,” Avi said, shocking him more than a bit. “You can only live a free life if you’re strong enough to stay free. Getting stronger would certainly help. And if you’re worried about droves of ‘demon’ women flocking to you because of your crazy mana, then just make another clone,” Avi said, handily wrapping up his worries and tossing them out the window.

Well, not completely.

Power attracted envy and fear, no matter what planet or universe you found yourself on or in. He’d have to see if Erys’ trick of hiding his mana aura, or whatever it really was, would help. If it did, then he wouldn’t have any issues dumping a whole bunch of Dust Crystals into [Mana Well] and [Source of Power]. Probably some into [Toughness] and his various elemental resistances too….

“Well, I guess that’s settled then,” he said, getting smiles from the could-be sisters. “Then once I’ve got an augment figured out that’ll let me make more clones, I’ll start exploring more,” he said with a smile, one that they both returned.

“Speaking of,” Asami said, then laid out her plans for levelling up with Myra. “I don’t know what you’ve got planned Avi, but I’m sure that you also wish to keep up with Joram,” she said, giving her a serious look.

“That’s true,” Avi said, glancing at him briefly before returning her full attention to Asami. “There are a few Paths that I already qualify for, but I want to see if I can unlock something a bit more… versatile.”

“Are you thinking of [Creationist] as well?” he asked, now more curious than ever.

“That’s at the top of the list,” Avi said, nodding once. “But I’m not sure if having two [Creationist]s is better than having one and another Class that might compliment it.”

They both nodded, understanding where Avi was coming from.

His strength came from the versatility of the Class, not it’s ability to blow things up. Or to heal. Or to protect.

Well, with his various Skills, he could do most of that, but having a Class that was focussed on one of those things was probably better in the long run. But he didn’t want her to choose a complimentary Class just because they might need it in the future. So, he said as much.

“Don’t worry,” Avi said, giving him a smile that nearly stopped his heart. “I won’t choose something that I’m not drawn to.”

Asami’s look of awe as she stared at Avi nearly made him laugh. If Asami learned to smile like Avi, well…

“Exactly!” Asami exclaimed as she turned to him with eyes wide. “Do you know how many tea biscuits I could get?!”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Not expecting that answer, he burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that he nearly fell out of his chair. Even Avi joined in, but he couldn’t be sure if it was due to the same shock or if she was laughing at him.

After that, they discussed how best to get Asami and Myra the levels they yearned for. The solution wound up being the addition of another few levels in the dungeons he’d made. Which he couldn’t quite get to yet, given the stuff he had on his plate already.

But it was put on the To-Do list, along with a few other things like adding more psionic class features to his repertoire. And trying to get new elements unlocked in the “kinesis” line. And many other little things that he’d been meaning to do.

“Yes, it’s a good idea to clear things up,” Avi said, pre-empting him. “Out of everyone else, we two know you best. Which is why we understand. But you’ll need to talk with the others so that they’ll also understand,” she said, patting Asami’s leg as she spoke.

He just nodded, once more not trusting his voice. But also fearing that he’d say something incredibly stupid, which got him a pair of sympathetic smiles. He nodded again, then got up and left the study, intent on figuring out the whole storage ring issue before bedtime.

* * *

“Do you think he’ll be able to do it?” Asami asked, still staring at the door.

“He’ll figure out the storage ring issue,” she said, then went on after getting an annoyed backhand to the arm. “I’m also sure that he’ll firm up and clear the water. It’s been on his mind for a while now, after all.”

Asami nodded, likely having already noticed Joram’s internal dilemmas.

She found herself envying her other self, the one paired with Joram Aneath, for he’d had Altaea to help him through… everything. For as much knowledge was crammed into her head, she wasn’t Altaea. Nor did she have all of her life experiences to help in navigating… everything.

She just wished that the stubborn man would get rid of his useless attachment to stoicism. Wished that he’d open up. Wished that he’d trust more. Ask for help when he really needed it.

It was a minor miracle that he’d asked her to help him by using [Psychic Chirurgery] on him. But he’d been putting it off since, still conflicted by “taking the easy way out”, as he’d put it. He knew that he had time. He didn’t have to worry about a finite lifespan. His, anyways.

Which was the problem. Time would continue to flow for everyone else around him, making his decision harder again. If he stalled too long, a century could easily pass before he noticed. Especially with how deeply he could enter meditation.

“He won’t do that, though, will he?” Asami asked worriedly, bringing her out of her thoughts.

“He…” she started, remembering Aneath as he sat in his rock garden after Altaea had left him. “It’s not out of the realm of possibility,” she finished and saw how wide Asami’s eyes had gotten.

“He’s really…” Asami trailed off, likely trying to come to grips with what she’d ‘overheard’.

“Yeah, he’s a bit special,” she said, feeling a bit bittersweet about it. “That’s why he needs our help,” she said firmly as she reached over and placed a hand on Asami’s shoulder.

“Wow,” Asami said, shaking her head. “Does he know… what you know?”

“No, not yet. But it’s only a matter of time before the memories start coming for him,” she said, shaking her head. “That’s why we need to make sure that he’s good before that happens.”

Asami gulped at that, looking a bit lost.

Avi could understand that feeling. It had been hard enough for her when her Prime’s memories had started leaking through, mostly because she’d been nowhere near as… mature as her Prime when it happened.

She wasn’t sure how it would be for Joram, but hoped that it was similar to what Altaea was experiencing as her individual selves gained power. For her, it was… worse.

It wasn’t just a sharing of memories. It was much more. More profound. As the memories came, so too came the various emotions, thoughts, and feelings that her Prime had experienced. And was still experiencing. She felt… as though she was becoming more like her Prime self every day. Which, as thrilling as it was to gain all of her knowledge and experiences, was also terrifying in its own right.

Would she just become a clone of her Prime in the end? Or would their two selves merge like Altaea was doing? What she hoped would happen with Joram. Or would the various Jorams rejoin like the various Altaeas were doing? Could they?

Altaea had the advantage of being a goddess, while Joram had started off as a mortal. Still a mortal, even with the infinite lifespan he now enjoyed. Was the spark of divinity what made it possible to rejoin like Altaea was doing? Or was it something else?

“Don’t torture yourself,” Asami said as she took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Only fools worry about things they cannot know. You’ll know in time, and that’s enough,” she said, sounding much older than her youthful face gave credit for.

“True. But I can plan,” she said, nodding to herself. “If you’re truly serious about staying with Joram, then you’ll also have to take on some of his burdens,” she said seriously.

“Like I said, I like him,” Asami replied with a smile. “I’ll help how I can.”

“Good, because we’ll also need to speak with the others,” she said, then explained what was on her mind.

* * *

Kasumi looked around the strange little room that she’d been shown.

Most of the other younglings had decided to pair-up with others of their race, or just those close enough. Like the goatkin going to stay with the sheepkin, or the sea elves with the other elves she’d seen.

The other “demons”, though, had joined her on the top floor of the odd looking building that the “first” younglings had shown them all. She had no idea what she was supposed to do with… almost everything inside of the small apartment. At least they’d shown her how to use the odd toilet….

Not knowing what to do, she just dropped the two boxes of shoes on the table in the… eating area? Living room? But it was also attached to the small kitchen-like area, so she really didn’t know what to call it.

She looked down at her hand again and wondered if it was a coincidence. The white metal ring had a dull shine to it that made her smile a bit as she thought of her old family name: Shirogane. The ring wasn’t silver, but instead suited her name better than its actual meaning. And it was… warm.

Not… physically, no. But she could feel the warmth in it, like a hug from her parents, or the feeling of knowing that she was safe in bed. She couldn’t explain it, but nonetheless took comfort from the feeling.

She reached up and touched her neck again and wondered. Wondered just who the young man was that had bought them all, along with the rest of the slavers’ company.

But with how even the dark elf, succubus, and erynese had spoken of the young man, let alone the animal-kin and other humans, she wondered if she- and the others she’d been with- hadn’t had a fortuitous encounter on the level of legends.

Then she frowned as she felt warm air begin to blow across her brow and looked up. She stared for a minute before deciding that she had to do something about it. But what?

She looked around for something to cover the odd grate with, but couldn’t find anything that would work. Frowning, she wondered if it would just be better to sleep outside, then jumped when a knock came at the door.

Looking around in a bit of a panic, she belatedly remembered that she was ostensibly in her own apartment now. So, she firmed up and slowly made her way to the large door and paused.

*Knock-knock*

She just about jumped again, but was better able to clamp down on her fright that time.

“Wh-who is it…?” she asked, shamed at how she’d stuttered.

“Joram.”

She gulped, not knowing what to do. She was about to run when she remembered that she couldn’t escape even if she wanted to. She took another moment to collect herself before she reached out, turned the door handle, and pulled the door open.

And there stood Joram Smith, a very large human who dwarfed her slight frame. She took in his stony face, beard and all, and wondered if the “first” group had been lying about him. He was tall, big, and incredibly intimidating to look at, especially only a few feet away.

“May I come in?” he asked as his expression softened, revealing a kind smile.

“Please,” she said as she stepped back and bowed to him.

Through the corner of her eye, she saw one of his eyebrows twitch before he stepped in and took off his shoes, surprising her with the courtesy.

“You don’t need to bow,” he said before she felt hands on her shoulders inexorably lifting her back to a normal standing posture. “You’re really as cold as I thought, aren’t you?” he asked, a curious expression now replacing his smile.

“I’m sorry,” she said as she reflexively tried to bow again but was stopped by his wall-like hands.

“You don’t have to apologize for being you,” he said, frowning slightly. “Also, I don’t mind the cold, so you’re fine,” he said, then stepped further inside before going to the odd eating room.

Curious, and a bit frightened, she followed him and saw that he stopped in front of a small… panel of some sort on the wall and was tapping away at some small buttons. She blinked, then leaned forward to get a better look at what he was doing. Unfortunately, he seemed to have finished at that point, turning to regard her once again.

“I turned the heat off,” he said, pointing at the odd panel. “I don’t have a… cooling system… made yet, so that’ll have to do.”

She blinked, then blinked again when she realized that he was looking her in the eyes. She quickly dropped her chin to her chest, looking at her feet again. Then she heard a sigh.

“Kasumi,” he said as she watched his hand come up to her chin, then felt as he gently, but inexorably, lifted until she was once more facing him. “Don’t do that. Your eyes are beautiful, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” he said softly, nearly causing her heart to stop.

As he pulled his hand away, she couldn’t help but wonder again just who the strange young man was.

“I’m just me,” he said with a lopsided grin. “And you’re just you.”

Clasping her hands together tightly against her chest, she looked up at Joram Smith and realized that she was comfortable for the first time since she’d been taken away. Then she blinked when she noticed that his breath was misting in the air as he breathed.

“What…?” she asked, not quite understanding what she was seeing.

“I told you, I don’t mind the cold,” he said as she felt the temperature drop further. “I’ll be back later to make sure that everything will survive the cold. In the meantime, feel free to cool down your bedroom as much as you need,” he said, nodded, then bade her a good night.

She was still standing there, mind blank, long after the door closed, and night fully upon her.

Kasumi looked down at her hand and touched the white ring on her finger and wondered if her being taken as a slave had actually been a blessing in disguise.