Sorry I did say I would do a double release when I changed the release time, but I'm really sick atm, couldn't write much this weekend, I could still do it but then I might have to delay chapters.

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“Well, all monsters have ability to evolve as they become stronger, the stone makes this happen a lot faster as the requirements for the evolution happen sooner, so say it had to live 1000 years in a volcano to get a powerful fire and earth affinity, if it eats the stone this could happen in, 500, 100, 50 or even 20 years it depends on the monster, it also removes the limits on their evolution, usually they only get 1 or 2 evolutions from their base state in their lifetime, but this removes the limit so they can evolve into the strongest thing in their family tree if they grow enough.”

“For example we saw the goblin before, if they live 100 years in an icy tundra, they become north goblins, who are stronger than their counter part, if they live there for 1000 years they become ice goblins, stronger than the north goblins their skin also changes to blue and they gain a water affinity, with the stone this would happen much faster, and there could be additional evolutions unlocked, though a stronger monster that accumulates a lot of experience will evolve much faster than 100 years, this is independent from their type which is similar to classes, goblins for instance have hunters, however something less intelligent like wolves usually have something like strong or fast and other prefixes. ”

Mm, this would be the perfect reward for my faithful hound.

“If I have a pet elemental can I use the stone of evolution on it?”

“Oh, so you managed to pass the trial of magi Sir Ezekiel, very impressive, an elemental’s core is a very rare thing and is in essence both their soul and physical body, even the most powerful mages can’t get one easily and must summon them from the elemental planes, regardless it should be possible to use the stone on its core.”

Pulling out the core I checked the cool down timer, it was still on cool down for some time, it seems the timer was in real time, so every time he died it would take 8 days in game or so before I could summon him after he died, still I tried using the acorn on the core, a steely grey light flashed out ins strands and began to envelop the core.

Stone of evolution has been successfully used, shadow has gained skill adaptability

Adaptability: ~Max~

This monster will evolve faster.

This monster has no limit to its number of evolution

“Yes, with an elemental core already I’m more than happy to invest in you, please do make me a lot of money Sir Ezekiel, you know I picked up this rock when I fell over in the forest we met, who knows how it got there, I think you bring good luck.”

He had his sly grin on, but that was fine I’m sure I’ll make him money in the future, but that smile makes me think he’s not above taking a kidney if needs be.

“Anything else.”

“Yeah I’ve got some of the drops from the forest if you’ll buy them, and do you know a merchant guild tailor or something, I still have the pelt from that pup that was chasing you and need to repair my clothing.”

“That’s doable just show me everything you want to sell, this price will be non-negotiable though, honestly I wouldn’t buy it if it wasn’t you, for a tailor there’s one just a bit off the marketplace.”

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After selling my loot to Sid for 5 silver I had arrived at the tailor he recommended, entering the store I noticed a plump middle-aged woman.

“Hi I need to repair some gear and I’ve got a pelt, I wanted to see if you could do something with it, I’ve got a discount as well”

I said while showing her my ring.

“Easily done, your gear isn’t that hard to mend it won’t go over 3 silver, show me the pelt and I can tell you what can be done with it.”

Ugh 3 silver, out of 5 made from farming mobs, I hope this gear efficiency improves, I need to take less damage as well, I took out the pelt to show her.

“Mm, you’ve only got the one?”

“Yes is that a problem?”

“Yeah, it’s too small to get multiple cuts from it, usually you’d need two or more of these if you wanted some gloves or boots. Leather they have to be from the same litter if you want the natural attributes of the fur, I could tan the leather but it’s not worth it with only one of this quality, however there is one thing I could do with this.”

She stepped in closer and whispered something into my ear.

“I’ll take it.”

Leaving the shop spending 1 gold 14 silver, I decided to go visit Phenatos before going out to investigate the abandoned castle.

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I walked into her tower and the familiar sight of a magic circle with an orb in the middle of it greeted me.

“Phenatos.”

“Phenatos!”

I called her name a few times but to no avail, so figuring ‘why not’ I tried touching the orb.

The scene shifted but I was in a completely different area than before, the room was completely bare except for a single,

rather large, red circular canopy bed.

In the middle someone had clearly collapsed into bed, lying on her front still wearing the same blue robs and hat as last time, though both were a bit disheveled, her hair that had previously been tucked into the hat had fallen out, it was shoulder length and flaxen, I walked closer to her and got a good look at her tattoos they seemed to be letters of some sort, all glowing blue, on her face 5 of these letters smaller than the rest than the rest of what could be seen, ran down from her forehead to her left cheek.

Putting my hand on her right shoulder I lightly shook her and whispered her name.

“Phenatos.”

As a result of my efforts she begun to stir, however I was surprised as her left hand grabbed my arm, in one smooth motion she rolled over dragging me into her bed, now lying on her right side, she grabbed my sword and threw it off the bed, her arm then held me tight, her left thigh lay over both of mine, her head lying on my shoulder, she mumbled something.

“I want to sleep some more.”

Squirming as hard as I could, I couldn’t even make her budge, I guess this was my life now, deciding to just roll with it I tried taking a nap in her arms.

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*yawn*

A gentle feminine yawn woke me, I had no idea how long that nap was, opening my eyes, Phenatos was stretching her left arm and left leg, I suppose I could leave now if I wanted to, but I didn’t want to.

“Sleep well sunshine?”

“Mor-*yawn*-ning child, I slept very well for once.”

She rolled on top of me, resting her head on my chest, trapping me once again.

“So child, why did you come to my room?”

“I wanted to learn more about magic and how to break through into intermediate magic.”

She seemed to wake up at this point.

“So, lusting after my ‘immense’ powers, you thought you’d try to steal my heart and body too, is that right boy?”

I was bit unsure what to say to this statement, but I was an easy going person.

Wrapping my arms around her waist, I gave a big grin.

“That’s about right.”

“Well this time you haven’t got a ring from Redgrave to ask me a favour do you?”

She lifted her head and looked me straight in the eyes.

“You can only have one direct disciple to pass down skills you know, you’re asking me a big thing here, if you become my apprentice and promise to become a grandmaster in magic I’ll teach you.”

Mm this was quite a big thing.

“Will I have to stop being Redgrave’s apprentice and can someone like a magic knight become a grandmaster?”

“No, you don’t even have to tell your other masters whose apprentice you are, it’s an independent deal, and anyone with magic ability can become a grandmaster if they train hard, and you already have the talent.”

“Then it’s a done deal, Master Phenatos.”

She put her left hand in front of me and made cute puppy dog eyes, her eyes were blue, but it was the same pulsating glow as her tattoos.

“Pinkie promise?

I responded, grabbing it with my own.

“Pinkie promise.”

“Good, and my name isn’t Phenatos, its Eliviath, call me Ellie, true names have power for creatures and magicians of a certain power, it’ll make spell more effective against them and can be used to trap their souls, don’t worry though, the blessed ones are protected against this”

“Your will be done, Ellie”

She gave me a kiss on the lips, which I returned, she then leaned up biting her cute red lips, her right hand drawing a circle on my chest.

“So how shall I punish the naughty child who snuck into his master’s bed?”

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huhu, I wonder if any can guess what happens next chapter ¬.¬ I'm saying nothing, snitches get stitches!