Suspicion

“What were you doing in the garage?”

“I was meditating”

He didn’t feel like lying to her, at least, not too much.

“I didn’t know you meditated, John.”

“I started yesterday. It really helps me focus and relax. The garage is my favorite place to meditate as of right now. There are less distractions.”

“Okay, honey. There’s food in the fridge if you’re hungry.”

“Okay.”

John walked back upstairs to his room.

Now, to find a place to grind fire summon.

He summoned Omorfia. She laid sensually on his bed.

“That was wonderful, master. Can we do it again?”

“Maybe tomorrow. Can you make an instant dungeon?”

“Instant dungeon? I don’t know what that is, master.”

“It is like the place where we met, where we were the only ones in it and the world around us was moving really slow.”

“Oh, a protected space? Of course, master.”

Omorfia sat up on the bed, the momentum sending her breasts swinging. She closed her eyes and muttered something under her breath. A deep maroon aura manifested around her, and John noticed that his aura manifested as well.

“It is done, master. No one will disturb us inside this protected space.”

“Thank you, Omorfia.”

John stepped into the center of the room and sat cross legged, his hands resting palms-upwards on his knees. He cast fire summon. His mana extended out from him in every direction, making him look like the center of an orange sea anemone. He felt a tug at one of his mana tentacles. And another tug at another tentacle. And more. Small creatures began appearing out of portals at the tips of his mana outreaches. A phoenix, a dragon hatchling, a fire fairy, a sentient fireball, and a few other creatures that he couldn’t cast observe on and identify because of a warning box that appeared a few seconds after he started reading all the creature’s names.

Mana over usage! **** imminent. Cancel ongoing spells:

Fire summon level 1

John hurriedly cancelled the spell and the creatures left. He checked his mana.

-12/165

Holy shit. Never trying that again. One at a time should definitely be fine.

He meditated until his mana bar was replenished. He tried again. This time, only one tendril of aura reached out. From it, a phoenix flew into John’s distorted bedroom. It was a magnificently majestic bird. It plumage was pure flames, and its beak seemed to be made of plasma. Its intelligent eyes shone with wisdom. It chirped and sang as it flew circles around his ceiling. It landed on John’s shoulder and nibbled at his ear.

Name and keep Phoenix?

It enjoys the warmth of your mana.

Accept Decline

John hit decline reluctantly.

My maximum is three as of now. I want my third summon to be a humanoid.

John meditated again. He cast fire summon. A human sized creature walked out of the flaming portal created by John’s mana. John cast observe, eager to see if he would get something sexy.

Level 8 Lion of the Inferno

A regal and proud creature, capable of great feats of fire magic.

John sighed. It really was a magnificent creature. Its mane was a roaring flame, and its eyes shone with intelligence and pride. Its fur was pure gold, shining in the firelight. John let go of the magic that kept fire summon going. The Lion disappeared. He cast fire summon again. And again. And again. Hours passed by. All of the creatures that were appearing were legendary animals of some sort. And all of them had something to do with fire, which led to the question:

How did I summon a water Hydra? I mean, it’s in the name of the spell. Fire summon. How was it possible? A Developer bug? A gift? A glitch? Could it happen again?

These thoughts assaulted John as he cast fire summon again. It felt different somehow. Less like his mana roaring into the ether and more like it flowing out of him. A portal opened up in front of him and a creature walked into his room. John cast observe before it even stepped fully out, eager to see why this summon felt different.

Level 12 Nereid

A benevolent ocean spirit, whose powers mainly lie in healing and wayfinding.

John was baffled by this, and he heard two dings. He disregarded them for now as he studied her form. She had caramel skin, and a splash of freckles across her nose. Her hair was dark and curly, and was shaved short on the sides, giving her a cute almost tomboyish look. Her eyes were brown and her full lips were formed in a smile. John realized he was staring quite intently.

“I am she who is called Calista. Your mana called out to me, and I answered. I am quite intrigued by how your mana calls out to both beings of flames and beings of the deep. It is rare to see a summoner who can appeal to both.”

John stood and bowed his head in acknowledgement of her compliments.

“You honor me with your words and your presence. I am unaware of why and how my mana called out to a being of the deep. It was purely unintentional. Be that as it may, I would be delighted if you joined the ranks of my summoned beings.”

Calista raised an eyebrow.

“Your offer is quite forward.”

She seemed to be deep in thought for a while. John shot nervous glances at his mana bar.

100/165

80/165

50/165

“Very well. You may call upon me for assistance when it is necessary. I will take residence in your temple, I presume?”

“That is correct.”

“I will await your summons”

She disappeared in a flash of aquamarine light. John let out a relieved sigh. His mana stabilized.

I should look into the specifics of my mana regen some time.

More dings and info boxes derailed his train of thought.

New skill: Water Summon level 1

Water summon level 1: Your mana becomes irresistibly enticing to a creature of water, persuading it to do your bidding.

1 creature of water to command until spell is ended

-5 Mana initial

-2 Mana per second

New Possible Skill: Elemental Summon level 1

Elemental Summon level 1: Your mana becomes irresistibly enticing to a creature of elemental orientation, persuading it to do your bidding.

1 elemental creature to command until spell is ended

-5 mana initial

-2 mana per second

Replaces Fire Summon level 1

Replaces Water Summon level 1

Accept Decline

John saw no downside to this. He hit accept.

That was a pretty cheap explanation, but I’ll take it. Good one, Developer.

Another ding above his head. John looked up, eager to see what the Developer thought of him now.

The Gamer

(level 2 critic)

He chuckled, and read the rest of the info boxes.

Achievement Unlocked! Dichotomy: you summoned at least one creature of two different elemental orientations.

+100 Exp

+2 Charisma

Summoners Temple level 2: (Gamer level x 1) summons maximum

New Item: Ocean Temple Stone

Ocean Temple Stone: Allows for you to enter the Ocean Inner Sanctum of Summoner’s Temple

Sweet. I need to check out my temple soon.

John looked to his clock.

6:55 a.m.

He walked over to it, hand ready to slap it again. It beeped once, and John’s hand came down to silence it swiftly. He then waited for his daily quest box. Minutes passed by.

7:09 a.m.

John frowned.

“Is something the matter, master?”

John looked at Omorfia and grimaced as he realized he was in an instant dungeon. Time was warped.

“Nothing’s wrong. Dismiss the protected space.”

“Yes, master.”

The maroon tint of his bedroom shattered and revealed the real world behind it, and a clock that read 2 a.m. John sighed. He looked to Omorfia and smiled a wolfish grin. Her voice was sultry as she said,

“Oh, I like that hungry look in your eyes, master.”

“I was just wondering what to do with all this extra time until my next quest. Five hours, what do you think?”

“Oh, do me, master! Please?”

“You’ll have to be quiet.”

She pouted at not being able to announce her ecstasy, but a smile crept onto her face as she said,

“I’ll be as quiet as I can. You can punish me if I displease your wishes, master.”

John shook his head as he chuckled.

I have a real freak. No wonder they call it nymphomania.