Dorne Summons the Obholder
Dorne, having acquired the summon ability, summoned Obholder. A massive eyeball, the size of an adult man's torso, floated in the air.
Suuuuh... whoosh, whoosh. The creature, with its pristine white sclera, flapped its cute little wings.
Gasp! Eresa and Lucian gawked at Dorne's summon with mouths agape, but Dorne didn't spare it a glance. Connecting with his brand-new summon took priority.
... ....
Through the summon ability's effect, Dorne conversed wordlessly with Obholder. He allocated half his regenerating mana to it and crafted armor for it, slipping it on. From now on, Obholder would receive half of Dorne's regenerating mana during non-combat, and when Dorne's mana neared full, all of it would boost maximum mana.
Allocating 50 of Dorne's mana to form Obholder's armor.
Added function to Obholder's armor: 'Occupies more mana but enables more efficient flight.'
The Ironclad Giant's armor, protecting Obholder, emitted faint mana toward the ground—a feature to let the lightweight Obholder float without flapping its wings.
Delighted by the armor, Obholder glided smoothly through the air, circling Dorne playfully.
While he was at it, Dorne added the same 'Occupies more mana but enables more efficient propulsion' function to his own armor.
Dorne's baseline mana occupancy was now 250. Beyond the impressive mana-related functions he'd seen via Self-Reflection, Dorne discovered another perk: Obholder didn't sleep! The Dorne Party was free from night watches forever.
Dorne affectionately stroked Obholder's pristine eyeball—bigger than a human head—then turned to his comrades.
Raon and Eresa, Lucian and Inoi alternated glances between the two sudden summons, while Lilia petted her own horse. The majestic steed flaunted its lush mane.
"Lilia, congrats."
Lilia paused mid-pet, looked at Dorne, then startled at Obholder orbiting like a satellite. Through the mental images passed from their summoners, Lilia's horse and Dorne's Obholder recognized each other as friendly and exchanged a gentle gaze.
Pruuuh.
... (Obholder lacked vocal cords.)
"Let's head back to the annex and chat slowly. We've had a long expedition—time to rest."
"Sounds good."
"We could rest a full week."
Inoi, who'd been the most gung-ho about intense labyrinth runs, let out a weak murmur.
The Oren Labyrinth Merchant Group's annex, once claimed by the Bellone Party, now stood empty. The Dorne Party gathered in the annex's fine dining hall, fit for nobles.
"Lilia and I got summon abilities, but what about everyone else?"
With meals done and bodies relaxed, the party dove into postponed talk.
"I didn't get any abilities, but my max mana seems a bit higher," said Lucian, the magic researcher who knew mana well without abilities. Dorne nodded.
He'd suspected invisible rewards beyond flashy abilities from labyrinth runs. After all, the brief alliance with Torman's deep-floor party revealed gaps no mere one or two combination abilities could explain.
(Three combination abilities were the standard for deep floors. Poor synergy or weak combos could make three weaker than a single Fighting Spirit, but reality differed.)
"Anyone else?"
Inoi raised her hand. "I got one too. Holy Affinity 2. Checked while bathing."
No temple visits or ability tomes needed—she ran a prayer room, so it fit.
"My stamina increased a bit too, bro."
Raon, trained by knights in Fighting Spirit, could now sense his own stamina shifts.
All eyes turned to the last, Eresa.
"Hmm— I don't handle mana, so not sure if it grew, but Inventory expanded, so probably?"
Lucian nodded. "Spot-on reasoning. Your mana definitely grew, Eresa."
"Good. Now, summoners—your turn. Lilia?"
Lilia nodded. "Sure. I got the ability to summon Baltor."
"Not just any horse—a named one?" Eresa asked, fluffy tail on her lap.
"No? I named him."
"Ah, gotcha."
"Anyway, Baltor's his name, and he's no ordinary horse. No hoof maintenance needed."
Summons varied wildly; even similar ones had unique patterns, defying records. Best to learn through bonding.
Dorne's turn. Time to discuss the Obholder hovering behind him.
"Mine's Obholder. Helps with mana stuff."
At the intro, Obholder fluttered over the table, trailing purple mana to show off.
Haha.
Heehee.
A lone giant eyeball might creep some out, but its innocent gaze and Dorne's armor made it endearing to the party.
"Obholder doesn't sleep. We're done with night watches."
"Whoa—awesome!"
Clap clap clap.
Night watches plagued every journey; a summon handling them sparked cheers.
...
Obholder returned behind Dorne post-performance, surfacing the party's dilemma.
"Baltor and Obholder need different combination abilities, right?"
"Yeah..."
The other four realized it too. Baltor, for carrying and pulling, needed warrior abilities. Just Strength Enhancement and Endurance Enhancement for Fighting Spirit would transform him.
Mana-specialized Obholder needed mage abilities. A flying Elemental Magic blaster? Epic.
A crossroads for the Dorne Party: force together and waste time, or split for growth?
Early days, they'd have stuck it out—proximity bred bonds. But not now.
"Guess we split the party for a bit."
"Yeah. How?"
Even bond-sensitive Eresa said it casually. No hierarchies lingered. A month's travels forged family.
Eresa had no qualms—better close neighbors than distant kin, to a point.
"I should solo the Western Labyrinth for now."
The others mostly nodded. Dorne solo was no worry—with a sturdy summon, and warrior abilities weren't urgent. A temp party there would suffice.
"Sounds best. But I'll miss you already, Dorne."
Eresa pouted her lower lip.
"Haha. Won't be long. One or two runs to feed Obholder mage abilities, then east. Eastern Labyrinth won't grant warrior stuff anyway."
Dorne smiled, soothing her.
"One run and back, bro?"
"Planning a deep one, but yeah—might snag two or three en route. Obholder has no abilities yet, so possible?"
Summoners entered dopamine heaven. Acquiring one was a rush; feeding it abilities felt like high-level carry for a noob. Auxiliaries like Obholder amplified it—claiming credit for trials.
The party settled immediate issues, hearts clear.
"Plan set. Rest a week, then east and west."
"Yes."
"Fiiiine."
"We'll be apart awhile."
A massive eyeball popped from the carriage arriving at the Western Labyrinth city.
Gasp! A monster?
Explorers startled at the iron-armored, purple-mana eye. A beast from the carriage—terror attack?
Then a similarly armored giant disembarked, hand atop the eye.
"My summon. No worries."
The 3m-ish musclebound giant in ironclad drew more awe than the mystery orb; explorers moved on.
Dorne headed straight for the Oren Labyrinth Merchant Group West branch. He'd learned annex value the hard way.
The giant at the door, and branch manager Gariven rushed out barefoot.
"Aigoo! Dorne! Solo this time? Come in!"
Gariven welcomed the North-returned Dorne and his giant-eye summon with gusto.
"Good to see you. Was headed east next, but..."
Sipping tea, Gariven fixated on the floating eye.
"Obholder. My summon—needs mage abilities."
"Of course. Servants prepping the annex. Made oversized furniture anticipating your return. Finish tea; I'll guide you."
"Thanks, Gariven. Won't forget Oren's care."
Dorne and Gariven savored fragrant tea, exchanging warm greetings.