Monroe

"Who's the most handsome kitty in the whole world?" Bob asked as he rubbed Monroe behind the ears.

There were times when Monroe wanted to cuddle up on his lap and be the snugglebum he'd been before tiering up had rendered that situation physically impossible. In those instances, Bob would free-cast the spell to reduce the super-sized floofer down to a more lap-appropriate size.

"Just the best kitty ever," Bob murmured, switching to rubbing under the chin, which clearly met with his feline overlord's approval, as the purr motor revved up.

They were sitting in Bob's inventory, taking advantage of the newly renovated space. He hadn't been sold on paneling for the walls, but Jessica had been adamant that the blue-black walls comprised of his magic weren't conducive to a healthy living space. Looking around, he had to admit that it was vastly improved even to his relatively uninterested eyes. Wood paneling lined the bottom of half the walls, with a sort of bump protruding at the midpoint, at which point the light wood gave way to a blue so pale it had taken him a moment to realize that it wasn't white, and only that because the ceiling was white. The floors were hardwood and slightly darker than the paneling on the walls, although it was often covered by woolen rugs.

The furniture was all wood as well, the same color as the wall panels, and while it was a little oversized, it would be a perfect fit after he'd tiered up.

He felt comfortable here in a way he'd never really felt anywhere else, and the upgrades had just made it better. All that was left was to tier up.

Which was why he was taking a little time with his buddy.

"We're going to get bigger again," Bob told Monroe with a sigh. "Not a lot, at least not for me. I'm not sure about you, being the apex predator that you are."

Monroe responded by kneading Bob's leg, his claws retracted.

"Are you making the biscuits, buddy?" Bob asked, freeing a hand that had been trapped beneath the economy-sized kitty and summoning a slicker brush before applying it to Monroe's long, luxurious coat. Not that he really needed it.

Savior.

Upon discovering that billions of potentially efficient circulators of energy would be rendered inert, you aided your favorite servant in leading them to shelter within the System. You were present at every point of the developing operation to rescue these valuable resources, and your presence influenced other users to aid you. You have indirectly saved the lives of eight billion sapient beings. These actions have increased the value of this Achievement.

Reward: Your coat will never tangle again.

Reward: Your coat will resist any substance that attempts to adhere to it.

Reward: Your teeth and claws are perfect. Inceases damage dealt by them by your tier in percent.

His Savior Achievement ensured that his coat was always pristine, but Monroe still enjoyed a good grooming.

It was tempting to put off tiering up. There had been several papers published outlining the benefits that achievements had on path advancement, and there were people who were holding off on taking their first path, trying to pile up any achievements they could find, all in hopes of a better path.

The truth was that he had more than enough achievements to go on with, and it was unlikely that he'd be able to pull any more and still be the first person to evolve his new species.

While he rather liked Queen Elizabeth, he had a vision for what humanity could become. He planned to focus on reducing, if not removing altogether, the inherent superiority that people felt toward lower tiers. He'd felt that, and it had disgusted and terrified him in equal measure. That feeling of knowing that he was better than the people around him because he was a higher tier and thus more powerful. He didn't like it.

His decision might also have a knock-on effect of reducing animal cruelty, which was a huge bonus. Bob had never considered himself a violent man, but people who abused animals, especially pets, who had learned to trust and rely on their humans, made his blood boil.

"Can't trust people who are mean to kitties," Bob muttered as he continued his ministrations.

Monroe purred his agreement and wiggled a bit, turning over to give access to this other side.

You have chosen to evolve.

As the progenitor of your species, you have continued to forge their path according to your ideals.

Please identify the traits you would like to have the Wayfarers embody.

Bob took a deep breath.

He'd burned through a truly stunning number of mana crystals and had begun the process of tiering up.

"I would like to reduce or eliminate the inclination to feel superior to beings of a lower tier," Bob said confidently.

Choice accepted. Wayfarers will no longer feel an inherent superiority to lesser beings.

Bob winced as he felt his body begin to shift, gritting his teeth. It wasn't as uncomfortable as his reincarnation had been when all the imperfections of his barely healed body had been corrected, but it wasn't pleasant either.

He didn't have a chance to stand as another screen filled his vision.

Path of the Consummate Summoner (First Evolution).

Path created for user Robert Whitman.

The user has, since being integrated into the system, devoted himself entirely to the Arcane School of Summoning. Preferring to dispersing manifestations by means of the Summon Mana-Infused Creature spell, the user has proven himself to be dedicated to ensuring energy circulation. The user has demonstrated extensive use of the Summon Mana-Infused Object spell. The user has utilized the Effect Over Time, Barrage, Persistent Effect, and Ritual magic skills consistently and creatively. The user has used the Arcane School of Dimension extensively, specifically the portal spell, going so far as to create and make public new portal spells designed to make exploring the multiverse more accessible. The user has also utilized free-casting continuously, with a special focus on the Elemental Control spells, and the Stasis spell from the Arcane School of Chronomancy.

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This Path has been enhanced due to the user's achievements.

The Path of the Consummate Summoner provides the following benefits.

Each Threshold reached in the Summoning School, or a Spell within it increases the damage dealt by a summoned Mana-Infused Creature by 1%.

Each Threshold reached in the Summoning School, or a Spell within it decreases the damage received by a summoned Mana-Infused Creature by 1%.

Each Threshold reached in the Summoning School, or a Spell within it increases the damage dealt by a summoned Mana-Infused Object by 1%.

Each Threshold reached in the Summoning School, or a Spell within it decreases the damage received by a summoned Mana-Infused Object by 1%.

Each Threshold reached in the Summoning School, or a Spell within it reduces the total resources needed to cast any spell from the Summoning School by 1%.

Each Threshold reached in the Summoning or Dimension School, or Spells within them, reduces the penalty from Effect Over Time, Barrage, Persistent Effect, and Ritual magic when applied to any spell from the Summoning or Dimension Schools by 1%.

Each Threshold reached in the Dimension School, or a Spell within it reduces the total resources needed to cast any spell from the Dimension School by 1%.

Special skill 'Eternal Servant' granted. This skill allows the user to expend a number of energy crystals equal to the maximum number of thresholds the spell has reached while casting Summon Mana-Infused Creature. The spell will reserve mana equal to the user's level plus the maximum number of thresholds the spell has reached. The resulting summon(s) will persist, requiring no upkeep. Should the summon(s) be dispersed, they will reappear next to the user in a number of seconds equal to the user's tier. This skill may only be used once, requiring the user to dismiss the effect before utilizing it again.

Special skill 'Timeless Object' granted. This skill allows the user to expend a number of energy crystals equal to the maximum number of thresholds the spell has reached while casting Summon Mana-Infused Object. The spell will reserve mana equal to the user's level plus the maximum number of thresholds the spell has reached. Any object(s) summoned will persist, requiring no upkeep. Should an object be destroyed, it will reappear after a number of seconds equal to the user's tier. This skill may be used once for each Threshold reached in the Summoning School and any Spells within it.

Additional Bonuses are granted for achievements. The user has exhibited an admirable drive to aid the System, completing multiple quests.

Special Skill 'Summoning Switch' has evolved to 'Summoner's Link'. This skill allows the user to expend an amount of mana equal to the maximum number of Thresholds reached in the Summoning School and the spells within it to switch places with a summoned object or creature or to retrieve a summoned object to the summoner. This skill will fail if sufficient space is not available for the user or the object at their destination.

Special Skill 'Summoner's Redoubt' has evolved to 'Summoner's Retreat'. This skill allows the user to summon a fully furnished building with a number of rooms, each no larger than the summoner's tier² in square meters, equal to the summoner's tier². These rooms may be adjusted to be spatially expanded up to a percentage equal to the summoner's tier². This building's appearance will be consistent with the environment it occupies. This building is environmentally sealed, and the interior environment is controlled by the summoner. Activating this skill requires an empty space for the building to occupy. The summoner must expend their tier³ in mana to activate the skill while reserving their tier² in mana to maintain it.

Special Skill 'Freeform' granted. This skill increases the user's effective casting value when casting a spell without the aid of the System by 1% for each Magical School, School Threshold, Skill, and Skill Threshold.

Special Skill 'Useful Tool' granted. This skill can only be used before casting a portal spell without a predetermined destination. The user must spend an amount of mana equal to the user's tier³. This skill will query the System, which will search for any tier and level-appropriate situations. Should an appropriate scenario be available, the System will direct the spell to the correct location and issue the user a quest to rectify the situation.

Enduring Skill Summon Mana-Infused Object granted. Users who venerate you may allocate a skill point to gain access to your Enduring Skill - Summon Mana-Infused Object. The skill functions at your value of the skill before crossing the first threshold. Users may allocate an additional skill point for each threshold up to the maximum thresholds available to them.

"Oh, come on," Bob grumbled. "'Useful Tool,' really?"

He didn't object to the skill itself - being directed to where the System was going to issue a quest seemed like a perfect recipe for finding habitable worlds, although it seemed likely that they'd already have occupants, but still, quest rewards were awesome.

Picking up a resource reduction to his Portal was great, and the bonus to free-casting was also an awesome addition.

What was more interesting was the evolutions to his Summoner's Switch and Summoner's Redoubt skills.

The first was fairly simple but definitely useful. Being able to call a summoned object or creature to his position could be invaluable, especially if it applied to ritually summoned objects, which, as written, it should.

The second was rather more complicated. It required seven hundred and twenty-nine mana to cast the spell, which he didn't have, even with his awesome spell casting focus staff. He had seven hundred and six. Of course, if his bonuses that reduced the cost of his Summoning spells applied, he'd be alright, and he suspected they would. The System wouldn't have given him a skill he couldn't use. Beyond being very expensive to summon and to keep going, it sounded amazing.

Bob did not miss the description regarding the environment, more specifically, the bit where it was environmentally sealed and controlled.

He'd spent far too much time in space to not wonder if he couldn't use the skill to create a miniature space station.

'Quite a nice upgrade,' Trebor said.

"Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing," Bob agreed. "The rest of the path just keeps doing what it did before, which was exactly what I needed. The 'Useful Tool' thing is interesting."

'As soon as your path upgraded, I was made aware of the fact that the System has flagged you as a user of interest due to your having effectively saved not one but two planets' worth of users while providing them with the guidance necessary to become more efficient,' Trebor replied. 'The access I was given suggests that the System will take advantage of your willingness to aid others by directing you to where you could do the most good.'

"I guess I should be grateful that it's giving me the option," Bob shook his head. "It could have just redirected my portals and I've been none the wiser."

'As I've said, the System is not your enemy,' Trebor said. 'Yes, it can be cold and calculating, indifferent even, but it doesn't actively act against its users, as that would be against its best interests.'

Bob grunted as he stood up, moving carefully as he took in the changes to his body.

He stepped on the scale, equipped with a measuring rod, that he'd set up before beginning the process of tiering up, taking note of the changes. He'd picked up another fourteen inches in height, which was in line with what he'd expected. The big jumps came when you upgraded or evolved to a new species, while the paragon and pinnacle options were smaller.

Summoning a set of clothing, he grimaced. He'd become used to mountain mist wool, and he wasn't able to replicate it. He'd warned Larry that he'd be looking for some new clothing so he wouldn't be suffering for long.

"So, he's tiering up?" Amanda asked.

"Yep, we sorted out his inventory space. I'm not sure how he knows exactly how big he'll be after the tier up, but he was confident enough to spend a pile of crystals on furniture, so I reckon he's likely right," Jessica replied.

"Oh, you've been in then? We're dying to see what you did with the place," Amanda grinned. "It certainly needed a woman's touch."

"Too right," Jessica shook her head. "Luckily, he's a smartie and knows what he doesn't know, so he let me take the lead on everything. You'll love it," she promised.

"I have mixed feelings about tiering up," Dave interjected. "On the one hand, it's the eternal life and vast magical power train, and you don't want to miss it, but on the other, we're quickly reaching the point where we won't be able to have kids."

Amanda reached over and grabbed his hand, squeezing it. "I think when we cap tier nine, we need to take a break. I know Bob needs to hit tier ten, but peak tier nine and base tier ten are right next to each other. We've talked about it a lot, and that's a good point to stop grinding and start a family."

"Yeah," Jessica sighed. "It's definitely something to consider. You'll have time, that's for sure. Over four thousand years, if my math is right, and I double-checked it."

"Figure four and a half," Dave agreed. "Taking a couple decades to raise a family doesn't even come out to one percent."

"It's a bit much, knowing how much time we have," Amanda smiled.

"Forever wouldn't be enough to be with you," Dave murmured as he leaned over and nuzzled her neck.

"Oh," Jessica fanned herself. "That was a good one, yeah?"

"Yes, it was," Amanda nodded happily.