[Unique Servitude B lv3 (5/5) > Unique Servitude B lv4↑ (5/5)]

Name / Nickname

Rob / Little Buddy

Species

Skeleton Gravelord B (Rare)

Level

100 (0/250m)

Evolution Requirements

Not Met

~

Health Points

640/640 (+100%)

Mana Points

540/540

Armor Points

10 (5 + 100%)

Might

133 (100 + 17.5% + 15)

Agility

280 (200 + 17.5% + 45)

Vigor

64 (50 + 17.5% + 10 - 5)

Mind

108 (75 + 17.5% + 20)

Spirit

143 (75 + 17.5% + 20 + 35)

Dexterity

188 (112 + 17.5% + 56)

[Gain the trait: [Undead Noble].]

[Gain the skills, [Favorite Terrain], [Gravelord's Lantern], and [Graveyard Lordship].]

[Undead Noble F

The user is a lord.]

[Favorite Terrain C

The user is empowered in specific environments and cannot get lost by nonmagical means within the environment. The bonuses only apply when on the favorite terrain. Current Favorite Terrains: Graveyards.

Movement Speed is increased by 50%

Perception increased by 50%

Experience Gain increased.]

Rob doesn't have the perception stat unlocked, so one of those bonuses is, unfortunately, wasted. This is a wake-up to work on that. Although [Sense Life] makes Rob not need a perception stat. In most cases, it's arguably better than what the stat can provide at his current level. The bonus in stat points per level-up would help Rob "catch up" in damage compared to the rest. His highest source of inflicted damage is a magic item. That may not be reliable in the future.

What constitutes a graveyard anyways? I know the minimum requirement is that it's a place where the remains of creatures are buried or otherwise "stored," but are there additional requirements? Does the land have to be designated as a burial site, or would a wartorn battlefield that has the fallen soldiers buried by the kicked-up soil count? Would a place with the nickname of a "graveyard" work since those places are heavily related to death regardless? I figured the word "cemetery" to fit the specific vernacular since "graveyards" are typically attached to curches while cemeteries are not. They are synonymous, and I'm not regretting any decisions, but the jargon implies religious implications, which are fun to ponder.

[Gravelord's Lantern B

The user is tied to a magical lantern that requires no fuel to be lit. It holds a spirit flame and is connected to the spirit plane. The lantern's power is doubled within the confines of a graveyard.]

[Graveyard Lordship A

The user has authority in their lands. The lord can take over [necropoleis] with force or diplomacy, adding that territory to their own. The user gets a special bonus due to their lordship over [necropoleis].

Can collect taxes from the 'citizens' and impose laws.

Can manipulate the terrain within their borders.

Increase the durability, health, and regeneration of the lord by 100%]

I inspect Rob, waiting for him to move. He stands up, joints creaking before he reaches his full towering height. He hangs the lantern on his planted shovel and walks away from his throne. He stands before me, eyes glowing from his hood.

"I'm still calling you my little buddy. That won't change just because of a growth spurt."

Rob picks me up from under my armpits and starts walking around with me. He rapidly raises and lowers me, shaking me all around.

"I'm happy too, buddy."

I have Rob showcase his skills for me. I'm curious about the tag 'manipulate the terrain.' His new abilities are almost useless outside of his terrain. The 100% buffs and whatever the lantern does are exceptions since they don't require a graveyard. I am peeved that the bonuses aren't getting the most worth with Rob since he can reassemble if he takes too much damage, negating the necessity of health and armor. However, I will not complain about three different attributes being doubled for free.

The terrain manipulation is limited and aesthetically influenced by the fact that he lords over a graveyard. He can almost instantly create holes for graves or conjure a tombstone. A fence or a wall takes a little more time. He can raise or lower the land to a degree but not with finesse. I wonder if the land he has to work with limits the number of things he can do. He seems to know innately how to work his skills.

The tax and laws system will have to be explored later as all of Rob's "citizens" are taking a dirt nap, and his first skill doesn't require much testing. I find it funny that Rob has health similar to Khan or Duchess even though his vigor is piss poor compared to everyone else. None of his other skills or traits changed, not even [Cuteness]. Since he can still [Steal Bone] and augment his stats with pilfered calcium, he's still a threat, even ignoring his pseudo-immortality.

Before I could go and complain to Duchess that she's the last one to evolve, I got a message from her.

[Thisss one is ready.]

I enter the library and see that she has made a mess of my books. She littered them around in the rough shape of a nest, Duchess nestled in the middle. I check one specific part of her stat block.

[Evolution Requirements: Met]

[Thisss one is starting and will be sleeping for a while after. Thisss one would like you to watch over me for safety.]

"Duchess, you are perfectly safe in the mansion."

[Maybe. But thisss one's instincts will not allow thisss one to be alone for this. Even if it amounts to nothing, in the end, thisss one would be appreciative.]

I sigh, take a seat, and pull out my sword. I nod to Duchess, and she closes her eyes and begins her evolution. Why can't my other beasts be polite and wait even though they reach the requirement? I can force or keep them from evolving, but they can trigger it themself, obviously.

The first thing that happens is that Duchess rapidly molts and sheds until all that is left is a worm with raw chicken wings. Skin is the only thing left on her. It looks like it hurts. Bloody scales and feathers are everywhere.

I'm not worried about the books since they are only reflections from my [Lexicon]. The books will be back in the proper condition later. Light gradually shines from Duchess' whole body. Once it reached its apex, I couldn't look at her. The air is almost choked with how much light there is. This reminds me of when I first met Merita, except as a gradual burn rather than a flashbang.

The air feels tingly in both a good and bad way like my organs are being healed by the thing turning them into soup. I cover my eyes with my hand, and I see bone. I cover my eyes with my prosthetic and wait for the light to die.

*Fl-fl-fl-flutter-er-er-er*

The sound of the mass growing of scales and feathers, followed by the light dimming into nothingness, signals the end of Duchess' evolution. Her new form is definitely different from the last one.

Where only her stomach and face were void of feathers, now only her wings and neck have any feathers. Her wingspan doubles as her body length triples. She got slimmer as well, giving the illusion of her gaining even more length than she already did. I estimate her to be roughly sixty feet long while her wings are roughly under forty-ish feet fully extended. It's hard to tell since she's bundled in a ball-like coil.

The color of her feathers hasn't changed, but it seems more condensed as the prismatic spray of feathers is solely focused on her wings and neck. They look so layered and thick that even a bullet would have difficulty penetrating, not that I'd be willing to test that. Her scales are sleeker and mesmerizing to look at. They don't look any tougher but are shimmering and shifting as Duchess breathes. She's asleep, just like she said she would be.

I spend a few hours cleaning all the shed skin and feathers since they are worth a pretty penny, plus I don't want my tamed beast to be sleeping in their filth. I haven't been notified of the evolution being completed, so I stay by her side until she awakes. A few more hours pass before she stirs.

[Evolution Complete!]

[Unique Servitude B lv4 (5/5) > Unique Servitude B lv5↑ (5/5)]

Now my beasts have a 20% increase in all of their stats... I wonder what the A-rank bonus will be.

[Gain the skills, [Shielded Mind], [Shape Change], and [Holy Body].]

[The traits, [Divine Right] and [Mixed Bloodlines], have been augmented.]

[The skills, [Brilliant Feathers] and [Serpent Scales] have been augmented.]

[Thisss one feels... different. Better, there is clarity. And it feels like thisss one went through a heavenly massage.] Duchess stretches out her new body and knocks over a stack of books that were spared from the nest.

[...Thisss on will work on coordination.]

"Hush for a second while I read your new stats."

Name / Nickname

Duchess / Thisss one

Species

Couatl (Legendary)

Level

100 (0/250m)

Evolution Requirements

Not Met

~

Health Points

600/600

Mana Points

1620/1620

Armor Points

0

Might

90 (75 + 20%)

Agility

120 (100 + 20%)

Vigor

120 (100 + 20%)

Mind

324 (270 + 20%)

Spirit

156 (130 + 20%)

Charisma

60 (50 + 20%)

Luck

12 (10 + 20%)

Legendary? Just like Flash Gordon. I peek lower on her stat sheet before getting to the notifications, and I get a headache. I pinch the bridge of my nose. I should be ecstatic, but for the first time, I'm worried about poachers or my master "relieving" me of my tamed beast.

[Divine Right S:

The user has the divine right to rule. Those that are underneath it in the hierarchy cannot resist orders given unless they directly contradict their nature. The user can't be subjected to earthly authority. Divine authority from lesser sources can be ignored.]

What the fuck does the last sentence mean? I know what it means, but I refuse to comprehend the implications. Lesser concerning what? The mean average authority, divine figures have as a collective or to Duchess herself? Why do I need to have such a connection to the gods as a mere mortal? Nay. It doesn't mention the gods, just divinity, but my point still stands.

[Mixed Bloodlines?

Recent evolutions have muddled the bloodlines of the user. This issue will have to be dealt with sooner* rather than later.]

The only change here is that "sooner" has been given an asterisk. Concerning, but I can't begin to worry right now. Now on to Duchess' skills.

[Brilliant Feathers A+

The feathers of a [Coatl] usually showcase their ability with mana, but the user's feathers are much more than that.

The feathers store mana passively, allowing for the cost of all magic to be halved. Affinities may be granted.

The feathers store energy passively, turning the feathers into a better catalyst for magic.]

[Serpent Scales B̶C̶ > Infused Scales B

The user's scales have been infused by the user's bloodline. They shimmer with both the energy and influence of two different animal kingdoms.

Take 15% less elemental damage and deal 15% more elemental damage.

Creatures who can see your scales have their mental resistance lowered by 25%.]

[Shielded Mind A

The mental defenses of the user are heightened. When someone attempts to afflict the user's mind, the user can spend mana to bolster their mental barrier. Locating the user via brainwave is nearly impossible.]

[Shape Change C

The user gains three forms, including their original self. Pick the forms when you acquire this skill. It takes a few seconds to shift, and stats may drop depending on the size and shape of the user's new body.]

I'm sure there is some lore about [Coautl]s I'm not aware of that gives them this skill. This is a peculiar skill... It would be wasted on me since my indecisiveness would probably keep me from making selections until it's too late.

[Holy Body A

Gain a massive increase in the [Holy] element. Spells and attacks can be imbued with the [Holy] element at an increased cost.]

Interesting. I wonder if the "unicorn" horn influenced any of these changes. I'm glad this is all over with. Honestly, I'm exhausted from all this evolution, and I want to take a nap. I asked Duchess if she could show me her new forms, but she wasn't done designing them.

Instead, I leave my mansion and call master Giles to inform him that my beasts will need the ritual. I apologized for calling him so soon. He said it was no bother since he hadn't left the country. He was going the legal route of gaining clearance and a ride to the elvish lands. Once that fell through, he'd try to make the trip manually.

I call Free Chains and give him the number to my assistant, and vice versa. During this time, the assistant has been working on my public image by ghost-posting as me. She can't do much since I'm not physically doing anything, but that should change eventually. I hang up and decide to get something to eat before going to bed.

My collar gets grabbed as I turn. I get dragged like a kitten through the estate by master Wang. I don't resist or ask questions until he lets go of me. He lets go once we are in the dojo. Rain is here, and she looks exhausted.

"What seems to be the issue, master Wang?"

He doesn't seem mad, it's hard to read his expression, but I would say he is excited.

"Remember when I promised I would outdo Giles and his gift-giving?"

The memory is still fresh in my mind. Master Wang didn't say it like that, but I won't correct him.

"Yes, you showed me some [Vigor Enhancers] but kept them to yourself."

"Disciple, it's time for you to receive your present..."

I can feel my face light up. My most "efficient" stat is vigor, thanks to my overlapping bonuses. Not only does it keep me from dying, but it interacts with my resistance well. My health won't be touches thanks to my resistance, but my resistance can grow thanks to my health.

"Really?"

"Yup, now strip to your undergarments. It's time for training."

"..."

"You didn't forget that these are to be taken after great exertion?"

"...it has not slipped my mind."

"Good. Also, can you tell me what happened to my lawn and why someone called my house asking if we needed help moving scrap metal?"

"..."