Since I came to this world, a month passed. It didn't pass in vain. I managed to level up my meditation ability, and now it give 2.15 multiplier to my already high mana regeneration, I think, which was only level 3, but in my defense I should say that it is really boring to meditate. At least I managed to learn how to do it while moving after getting to level three, so it should level up much faster from now on.

Then I got a grasp on long range teleportation without beacons. Still need to have some sort of coordinates to where I want to teleport, and beacons make it much easier, even though they are occasionally either too costly to use, or actually cheaper than dirt, considering that the cost to use them is static 50% of my total mana.

Then there is a summoning, which... I kinda passed with flying colors. There are so many types of elementals you can summon, but I stick to the classic 'ghost' elementals, even if they are more of a general class, and don't excell in anything, but they are actually way cheaper than other types, and therefore it's easier to fuse more elements in them. But if I am being honest, I just don't understand why would you summon other types of elementals in the first place, considering that on average 'ghosts' have more utility. And let me tell you that while their cost increases dramatically, if I want to make a multielemental with all eight affinities, their effectiveness also increases. Though I must say that the strongest elementals are the fire ones, at least for me. You see, the higher the affinity to a specific element, the stronger the elemental of said element, and after some experiments, the summoning affinity is the most important one. Also, I can keep quite a number of elementals without any upkeep, due to them generating their own mana, though there are certain issues with them, like they have no free will, and must be issued orders, or that their mana and health are the same thing, and if they are out of mana, they fizzle out of existence. At least they all cost three thousands of mana per element, and so I can't summon a proper multi-elemental initially, but considering that I can sacrifice them for extra mana, I already got myself my first lesser multi-elemental with almost 9.5K of health, or to be percise it is 9460 health, and only because I didn't get one meager point in summoning affinity, for 24K of mana. Not the best tradeoff, considering that I only get about half of mana from the summoning, but at least I managed to summon one in five days. And here is where my minion master started to shine.

You see, the elementals are like troops in certain strategy game. Unless ordered, they won't do anything. But with minion master I can control one directly, while still being in my own body, even while meditating, sleeping or doing some activity. On the other hand... it is actually not that simple. Had to train for a while until I grasped how to actually control elementals, at least ghost types. Well, generic types, but I call them ghosts because they have no distinct shape, aslo they cost only 3K, while any other lesser type has certain extra mana costs, like the wolves require about 1K of mana more per element.

Anyway, now I had one cool elemental that was actually extremely powerful comparing to regular elementals, as he had no weaknesses. This is the main reason to have a multi-elemental. Usually, they get damaged for about thrice as much from the opposing element, while absorbing their own element to heal. However with the multi-elemental the damage is permanently reduced by 90% from all sources. In some cases it's best not to give them opposing element, if they are specialized to deal with certain enemies, but I don't have the luxury of having an army, so instead, I make a generalist elemental that is highly resistant to spells. Another thing that is great about them, is that they don't get environmental damage, like at all, and are nearly immune to the physical damage, unless their core is hit. Oh, another great thing. I can farm cores of lesser elementals by summoning them, and killing them, without sacrificing them. Though I am yet to understand why would I do that.

“I see you managed to summon... something.”

“Yep, it's a lesser elemental.” I answer to Amelia. “Kinda weak if you ask me, however I can directly control it and scout the area.” it also has the same amount of mana as I do, but I'm not saying that. I also won't summon any more like it, until I max out my summoning affinity, and judging by the looks of it, it won't be soon. Still, I finally started gaining experience, and now I am close to becoming a level 1 character. Hurray.

“First time I see this type. Father usually summons hounds.”

“Think of it as a bland ghost type. Doesn't excell at anything, but it's quite easy to summon.”

“What element is it?”

“All of them.” She looks rather surprised, before starts laughing. “I'm serious.”

“You mean you infused all the elements you have affinities to into an elemental?”

“Lesser elemental, and yes.”

“What's the point? Not like an elemental get much stronger from infusing it with multiple elements, it'll be more effective to summon multiple elementals with different attributes, than summoning one with all.”

“My shadow isn't that large to house multiple elementals.”

“And you store it in your storage item. Why?”

“I don't... nevermind.” I sigh “It's just I can't control more than one at a time.”

“Like giving orders?” I shake my head. “It's easy, the summons can be given commands through link the summoned creature and summoner have.” yeah, yeah, already know that. I change the shape of my elemental, and make it look like a small geometrically shaped monster.

“By control I mean total control over it's body and magic.” I make it float in mid air and summon a few fireballs that hover around him. “Consider it more of a separate caster, with it's own mana pool.”

“They aren't that good on their own though.”

“Say, if your father can summon elementals, why doesn't he have an entourage of them?”

“Mostly due to the limit on the... I see. So the elemental with multiple affinities is both stronger and require less upkeep.” uh... what? Upkeep? But that's for familiars. Guess the old man summons familiars and not elementals. Oh well. I'm going to raise undead soon, so I guess it might be actually fun. “Still, I came to say that food is ready, and... I think you need a bath.”

“Wait, I do? But I constantly burn away any grime that I have.”

“You... why would you burn yourself?”

“Fire can't hurt me.”

“Fire can't hurt you?”

“Yes. I guess fighting demons and eating them granted me a couple of weird abilities, one of which being immunity to fire.” she shrugs. “I lost my weapons and armor, and now I am without a weapon or a proper armor, for as you can see, this one is tattered...” I look at my armor that is actually covered in quite a bit of dirt and occasional patch of blood. “I guess it's my armor.” damn, I need to wash it.

And another couple of weeks passed, now we were finally in the northern lands, and much to my surprise, there is a possibility to escape the wars and whatnot if you go on and join an academy in the north, a magical society that pursues the secrets of the arcane. It was actually surprising that the princess constantly had contents of small treasury on her at all times, just like the others... well, Amelia and Archibald. Which is kinda fun, if you ask me. Imagine a human from another world, an old man and two gorgeous horned ladies, who were going to enroll in the academy. Unfortunately, the only ones enrolling would be princess and me, as Archiblad and his daughter are actually top notch specialists. Did I mention that Rose is actually 25 years old, while Amelia is close to eighty? But their race, Kijin, are known to live for up to four hundred years, and her eighty years is actually closer to the middle age than anything. Rose is still a bit of a kid though, which explains her actions so far.

Archibald managed to call in a few favors from when he still was a royal magician and went on to meeting with the few council members about his progress in summoning magic, while we stayed at the inn. The first inn in months I may add.

“What do you think about it all?” Amelia suddenly asked.

“Meaning?”

“Academy. Do you really think they would agree to provide shelter?”

“Probably. If what you told me about it is true, then they would do anything to get their hands on summoning ritual and otherworldly technology.”

“They still might just target you for it.”

“Why would they?”

“Why wouldn't they?”

“Well, your father is worth more alive than dead, even with his research, and they don't know how to operate the power armor I have, or how to use the power core.” I look at Amelia. “Are you going to tell me you just started having second thoughts?” she nods. “You're paranoid.”

“But what if-”

“Then why did you trust me?” she falls silent. “For one, I don't trust you, Rose or Archie. But out of necessity, I have to rely on you three. They'll be total cretins for not accepting mutually beneficial relationship. I mean even without me or my tech as bargaining chip, you still are the top dogs in your fields.”

“Yes, but...” I nod.

“Relax, worst comes to worst, I'll just ditch you guys.” she doesn't look that amused as thought she would be.

“You're a jerk.”

“Trying my best.” I give her a creepy smile, as usual and jump on the bed.

“You still can't smile.” I shrug. “Also get out of my bed.”

“You're not sleepy, I am. Also I'm taking the morning watch.” she seems to sigh before sitting somewhere in the room.

“Should've got two separate rooms.”