I wiped my forehead, Photon Ray gleaming in my hand. Nearby, Unum, Duae, and Tria- another servant I had summoned- all kept vigilant within the depths of the crypt, each of them prepared in case more enemies appeared. They splashed themselves with Stamina and Health Potions- Mana Potions as well in the case of Duae.
I looked over at them, using Analyse to check them.
Name: Unum
Class: Rogue Level 9
Name: Duae
Class: Mage Level 8
Name: Tria
Class: Warrior Level 8
I smiled slowly, pleased with the progress my servants had made.
Two days had passed since I'd bought the training room. My Runecraft Skill had increased to D, and obtained a new Sub-Magic named after my special Runic Language. I had already increased my Swordsmanship to D Rank, but I had noticed that it had immediately slowed progress. Going from E to D was like learning the basics, but now I had to actually learn a proper sword style if I wanted to continue growing.
Mana Burst had already increased to D-Rank, making going through the Skeleton Dungeon much easier. To the point that I'd even decided to enter the crypt together with my servants.
As I looked at them, I was idly trying to decide on if we should head into the Boss Room- the tall double doors engraved with the signs of a death god intimidating even though it was only a Level 10 dungeon.
I hesitated and then decided to check my own Status before I made any decisions.
Name: Lynx Tiberius
Class: Summoner Level 12
Just barely two levels over ten, but Summoner didn't have any attacking abilities or bonuses beyond my servants and increasing my Mana.
I bit my lip and looked over at the three of them... Before I stopped hesitating and stood up.
Even if they died, they would return to my Servant Space. Even if things got bad, I could return.
There was no need to hesitate.
"Let's go," I told them. "We're going into the boss room."
They all looked at me and nodded. There was no questioning of my methods, they simply nodded in agreement with my words- as if since I had said it, it was a foregone conclusion.
I took a deep breath as, before we entered, I lifted my finger and wrote in the air nice and slowly four times.
M-L-E-U-Q-P
Each of the four runes flew towards us, glowing softly before our bodies were covered in a faint rainbow light.
A simple shielding rune. It wasn't the strongest, but it would absorb a hit or two in the worst case scenario. Even if my Servants couldn't truly die so long as I had space in the storage- I would rather not take that risk.
I also handed them replacement potions- just in case. You could never be too safe.
With all that done, I returned my gaze to the door... I could feel the subtle pressure emanating from behind the door. The boss would not be as easy as the skeletons had been.
I took a deep breath and then slowly pushed open the door- mist pouring out as though it had been trapped in the closed doors for centuries.
As we made our way inside, we saw it- a Skeleton unlike the others. This one was taller- almost double the height of the others- and far bulkier. It wore armour that covered it from the neck down, only revealing its skull. Blue flames slowly ignited in its sockets as it stared at us. A long, towering bastard sword was held in its hand- easily double my own height.
Skeleton Lord
Level 10
The Skeleton Lord let out a sound like a roar as it tapped its blade on the ground with power.
A wave of air rippled through the dungeon room, and the rattling of bones was heard as several bones laying around leapt towards the lord, gathering up as it formed a squad of Skeletons around him.
Skeleton Guard
Level 8
Interesting... This Skeleton Lord had some form of Necromancy... It was a Summoner Boss, calling allies to fight alongside it rather than simply fighting alone.
It was like me.
"Unum, try and find an opening and strike where you can. Duae, look for a chance to burn them with fire magic if possible. Tria, you're up front with me!"
They all nodded and got into positions. I twisted Photon Ray within my hand, the blade thrumming with eagerness- even if these skeletons weren't worthy of tasting its true might.
The battle began.
I leapt into the fray fighting alongside Tria, cutting through the skeletons together as they appeared. Tria remained firmly on my right side, blocking any attacks that came from the right with fierce intensity to make sure none of the Skeletons could even lay a hand on me.
The Boss swung its bastard sword in wide arcs- making up for lack of speed and accuracy with raw power and a wide hit-range. Still, those gave opportunities for Unum to break past its guard and land a few solid blows with its daggers.
Duae wasn't idle either, firing bolts of flame where it could- turning the bones to naught but ash so they couldn't be resurrected again once they were killed.
The boss's HP was slowly whittled down...
And then, its tactics shifted.
Suddenly letting out a cry, it held out a hand- a sickly, green energy beginning to gather.
My eye widened as I could feel the necrotic energy within that... A Necromancy Spell- nothing good. I had to interrupt the casting!
"Tria, boost me!"
Tria didn't hesitate, spinning around quickly as I jumped, sticking a foot out.
Its cupped hands met my foot as it swung hard, launching me straight to the Skeleton Lord.
Photon Ray gleamed slightly, letting off faint wisps of light as I poured my Mana into the blade, lifting it up into the air as I approached its head.
"Mana Burst!"
Like a jet propulsion, I shot even faster, bringing my sword down as the Sword of Mars cleaved the Skeleton in two- armour and all- with a single devastating swing.
It let out a screech of agony as its body exploded into white dust, its armour rusting and falling to the ground- leaving nothing behind in its wake.
I took a deep breath, a wave of exhaustion hitting me as I'd used a lot of Mana in that last move... Even with all of that mana, I hadn't been able to access even 1% of Photon Ray's True Name Release.
Still, the dungeon boss had been cleared after a lot of hard work from all of us...
I sat on the ground, sighing in relief, as the servants quickly came and checked me over to make sure I was uninjured.
I looked at where the boss had been moments ago, only to see a Chest sitting in its place.
You have cleared the Dungeon!
Would you like to open the Dungeon Chest, or store it in your inventory?
I shook my head and decided to store the chest in my inventory for the moment. I would check the rewards for clearing the dungeon later and then distribute them among my servants fairly if they were of no use to me.
You have a Servant capable of Evolving!
I perked up instantly as I read that, looking to my three Servants and scanning them all.
Name: Unum
Class: Rogue Level 10
This Servant can Evolve.
I checked the other two and saw the same thing; they had both reached Level 10, and both were now capable of evolving.
This was fantastic news. My exhaustion was overridden by excitement- I wanted to evolve them right away! But first...
"Let's return to the shop," I told them. They all nodded in agreement. "Return!"
In a flash of light, I found myself back in the shop, stretching lightly and groaning as I cracked my neck. As the other three joined me, I checked my own Status...
I had only increased a single Level. But given the EXP reduction once you surpassed the Level, that made sense. I had no complaints.
I turned back to them. "You have all reached the Threshold of Evolution," I told them. "Today, one of you will be evolving. If you manage to reach Level 20- then I will also bestow you a name."
I could see their bodies react, excitement filling them at the thought of both evolution and a name of their own.
"Unum," I spoke. "You were the first one to join me- therefore you will be the first one to Evolve."
The other two slumped, disappointed, but they didn't question my decision as Unum stepped forward and fell on one knee before me- as if a squire about to be knighted by their lord.
I held my hand over them, taking a deep breath as I swallowed down the excitement within me.
"Evolve."
A brilliant light radiated from Unum's body, bathing the shop in a warm golden glow.
I watched as the covering form of the cloak slowly faded away, giving way to a more distinct appearance.
She still wore her white cloak, but it was no longer covering them from head to toe. Instead, it was open, revealing a curvaceous figure beneath. Her chest was modest though visibly busty, contained within a white shirt, and a pair of black pants that clung to her hips and showed off her lovely legs.
Her body was unmistakably more feminine, with a very wonderful but modest figure.
Most important, however, was the fact that she had lowered her hood. I couldn't see any hints of skin still- the mask seemed to reach around their head and hid any sign of skin or ears from me, closer to a helmet. However, I could now see the top of their head- long and shimmering blonde hair
On top of that, eye sockets had appeared within the mask, revealing a pair of glimmering red eyes.
Unum looked down at her body, her eyes wide with awe, and she lifted her head to look at me- truly look at me- with her red eyes meeting my purple.
"Thank you for this gift, my Master," she told me, her voice soft and sweet. "I will endeavour to continue to grow stronger so that I may one day be worthy of a true name."
The sound of her voice caught me off guard, but excitement filled me once it registered in my ears.
Finally! Communication!
I quickly analysed her.
Name: Unum (Temp)
Race: Evolved Servant
Job: Chef Level 6
Class: Rogue Level 10
Value: 13,000
Her evolution and the fact she was Level 10 had caused her value to jump of significantly... An Evolved Servant clearly had far more value than just a regular servant.
I turned my eye to the other two, who stared in awe at Unum's evolution.
"Both of you continue to work hard- you'll both be receiving your own evolutions as soon as able- though in order of your summoning," I told them.
Both of them radiated feelings of being pleased... Though also slight annoyance and jealousy- directed at Unum.
It seemed that, after seeing Evolution and the fact it would allow them to talk, both were now feeling jealous of Unum.
"Unum, get used to your new evolution in the training around for about a half hour," I told her. "Then, prepare dinner. Duae, feel free to continue your magic studies in the training grounds. Tria, you'll keep the shop working together with me."
They all bowed, and Unum spoke, "As you order, my Master."
They all got to work, and I flipped the sign over from 'CLOSED' to 'OPEN.'
I smiled as I made my way behind the counter, and Tria headed into the back and grabbed a Duster before it began to clean up the shop, cleaning around the place slowly.
I glanced at its job.
Maid Level 1
It seemed Tria had decided the best way to be useful out of combat was to work as a Maid. I idly wondered if it had been reading some of the manga I'd bought recently.
I quickly perked up as I heard the door open. "Welcome!" I called out, slightly surprised given I'd only just opened the store, only for my smile to falter slightly as I saw the person standing in the doorway.
Rias Gremory's eyes sparkled as she looked around the store, while Akeno stood behind her with an exasperated and apologetic look.
Koneko Toujou and a blonde haired girl I didn't recognise also stood behind her- one looked bored and eating sweets, while the other kept a polite if not slightly apologetic smile on her face.
"... I see you brought your friends," I smiled at Akeno kindly.
For some reason, she didn't think my smile was very kind as she looked away, slightly embarrassed.
"... I'm sorry."