Ais didn't know what this skill meant, but she felt that it was not useless.
To understand what this skill was, she began to translate its description. And after a while, she was able to understand what it said:
"You can be whoever you want, but not yourself."
But, after reading this, she became even more confused than before. She didn't understand what this skill did. Its description also didn't give much. But if you think logically, maybe this skill copies something? Maybe it copies someone's behavior?
Someone's behavior… Ais pondered, beginning to understand that perhaps due to this skill, he had changed so much in recent days. All because of this skill, but how then to explain his rapid growth? Is he so talented? But every training session with him made her realize that this was closer to the truth, that his rapid growth was simply a result of his talent, and that's all.
Whoosh.
Kopii stirred.
Without slowing down, Ais jumped away from Kopii, not taking her eyes off him.
Her thoughts were racing at the speed of light. How should she explain this situation to Kopii? What would Kopii think? Maybe knock him out again? Ais thought, looking for the best way to solve the problem, but she couldn't think of anything except to knock him out again.
But time passed, and she couldn't decide to act and kept doubting, until she realized that he also continued to lie unconscious, not moving. Only his chest rose and fell, giving her to understand that he was still alive.
Without thinking for long, she closed the distance, dressed him, and covered him with a blanket. She looked at his deadened face for a couple more minutes.
But her thoughts were far from it. She reflected on Kopii's skill. If her hypothesis is correct, then who did he copy, and has this happened before? And the most important question that interested Ais: how strong is his skill, or is this his limit?
To copy someone's personality… If this is true - the limit of his skill… Then this is already a curse, not a gift. To copy someone's personality, forgetting your own or completely changing it.
Forgetting your true self every time.
But this will be the case if, of course, she correctly understood what his skill is capable of. But, gathering all the information together:
how he has changed in recent days, the name of his skill and its description, -
the chance that her hypothesis would prove to be correct was quite impressive. So, she should already know what she will do next. If his skill is to copy someone's personality, then what can she do?
Or maybe it's not so bad? After all, he recognized me then… The memories are still with him anyway. He may just start behaving a little differently. And most importantly - who did he copy? Did he copy some pervert? Why is that? Or maybe his skill works randomly at all. It turns out that now Kopii may no longer be Kopii.
Staring at Kopii's sleeping face, which was devoid of all worries.
She didn't want this. She knew that for sure. She doesn't want him to change. Imagining how he is changing all the time, changing his habits, his speech. And so all the time, until he completely loses himself.
The more Ais thought about Kopii's skill, the more she realized that his skill was a curse in its purest form. There is no benefit from it, but there are too many disadvantages, and they are significant.
Whoosh.
"Ah."
But her thoughts were interrupted by Kopii, who began to slowly awaken.
Kopii's eyes began to twitch, and after a second his eyelids began to rise. And the first thing Ais saw was his usual black eyes. They are the same as always.
But before she could breathe a sigh of relief, they began to fill with color until they became completely black. Unconsciously, she reached for her belt, but, feeling the emptiness, she immediately remembered that her sword was away from her - glancing at it. She, trying to pull herself together so as not to repeat the same mistakes and then act on emotions, no longer wanted to. So she wanted to first listen to Kopii's excuses. Maybe his excuses will put everything back to normal.
From Ais's first person perspective.
Our eyes met. I tried with all my might to restrain myself from rash actions.
…
…
Not waiting for him to speak, I spoke:
"Black eyes… I want to know."
From Kane's point of view.
The last thing I remember is fighting Ais and losing, like Kopii, but, unlike him, I made her take the sword out of its scabbard, but, of course, I lost in the same second. But nothing strange, because in such a short time I achieved more than Kopii in all the time.
But that's not important right now, because I need to figure out what to do next. And while luck was on my side, because Kopii woke up, but he continued to lie with his eyes closed.
And until Ais understood, I must come up with the perfect excuse, because I definitely remember her facial expression when she saw my eyes. So I need to give it my all to come up with an excuse.
But I absolutely don't know what to say, what can mislead her? And why? I immediately thought. Why not just tell the truth? Well, that is, half the truth.
To say that it's all because of the skill, and that's all. But then she may doubt me. Which could lead to an even worse result…
Okay then. What will be, will be. I can only hope that she doesn't kill me.
Starting to slowly take control of the body.
Well, I didn't manage to completely take control when Kopii opened his eyes. And I saw a blurry figure. I didn't have to think long who it was, I knew from the very beginning who it was. And when my vision normalized, I saw Ais's empty face, too emotionless, which confused me a little.
Before I could come to my senses, I felt that I could move.
And then I realized what danger I was in. She had just seen Kopii's eyes change. Will she attack me again? After all, I was counting on completely taking control of the body, only then opening my eyes.
But Kopii completely ruined my plans.
"Damn, even in this state, you bastard!" I thought. I need to figure out what I should say to Ais.
…
…
But nothing came to my head. I just didn't understand how to start this conversation. I could hope that she would start the dialogue first.
"Black eyes… I want to know."
… Well.
…
"I don't know myself, to be honest."
I wanted to smile to ease the atmosphere, but, seeing the way she was looking at me, I immediately continued:
"I don't know when and why they just appeared unexpectedly, and that's all."
…
But, seeing how she continues to remain silent, and with each of my words her eyes narrowed more and more, I began to worry more and more about what might happen now. Of course, I understand that all my attempts to resist will be in vain.
"But maybe I'll have a chance to escape… Maybe," I thought, looking straight into her eyes.
She opened her mouth, собираясь что‑то сказать, but then closed it, without saying anything. Without waiting for her to start talking, I spoke again:
"Well, you know, I consulted on this issue with Miyah… Well…"
"Well, so what?"
"Well, we came to one thing: that my changes are related to my skill."
Saying this, I saw her face lengthen in surprise.
###
I'm going on break.