69: Plans

Well, if I can’t use an essence on a batch like that, I guess the other options would be to make a large one and break it up… or maybe see if I can use it in a drink.

 

Micca was still slowly eating her cookie.

 

“You know, these would sell really well…” she said.

 

“They would. He’d probably need to tone down on some aspects though—like fire immunity on everything,” Liane added. “Speaking of which, did Crisplet hit level five?”

 

Wow, how had I forgotten? I didn’t even remember the last time I had checked my notifications.

 

Notifications:

 

You have earned 100 bonus experience for a buff used in combat

…

You have earned 500 experience for making an exceptionally Rare meal.

…

You have reached Level 5 in Fiery-Sous

Crisplet has 3 available Evolution Quests

…

You have earned 25 experience for making an enjoyable meal

You have earned 25 experience for making an enjoyable meal

…

 

“Where did I get the buff used in combat experience?” I muttered.

 

“Have you checked since you fed the cat?” Liane asked with a chuckle.

 

I don’t think I have? But I honestly don’t remember…

 

“It says Crisplet has three evolution quests!” I said excitedly, pulling up the details on Crisplet.

 

Fiery-Sous (Active)

 

Crisplet

Level: 5

Experience: 59/1543

 

Hit Points: 290/290

Mana: 360/590

Stamina 190/290

 

Abilities:

Flame Control

Fire Immunity

Fire Conjuration

Mana Enhancement

 

Active Evolution Quests:

 

Protect the Flamebearer – Intimidate or drive off threats 0/5

Feed the Flame – Help prepare meals using open flame 0/25

Constructive Cooking – Construct protective cooking hearth 0/5

 

What I noticed was that it said Crisplet had the evolution quests—so did that mean Crisplet would get to choose its own evolution path?

 

The next thing I saw was the variety of options it had. The Feed the Flame one made sense—it was just assisting in cooking meals. I’m guessing the Constructive one came from Crisplet’s hobby of building with coal?

 

How would that even work in an evolution?

 

The final one, though, seemed very odd: Protect the Flamebearer. Did that mean it was meant to protect me?

 

“So, it appears like Crisplet has a defensive quest—he’d need to intimidate or drive off five threats—a cooking one, helping to prepare twenty-five meals, and a construction one, where he needs to construct five protective cooking hearths?” I said to the group.

 

By now, Milo’s attention had shifted toward us.

 

“You likely don’t pay a lot of attention to it,” he began, “but every time you’ve been in danger, Crisplet has taken on a very intimidating posture—those dark red, violent flames, and the dangerous-looking sparks. So, that quest doesn’t surprise me at all.”

 

“What’s really interesting is the construction option,” Milo added thoughtfully. “An elemental is rare at the best of times, but it’s not unheard of for a mage to befriend an earth elemental. And those have been known to take on construction evolutions. But I’ve never heard of a fire elemental going down that path…” He trailed off, already scribbling something in another notebook.

 

“Will I get to choose?” I asked curiously.

 

“No, probably not,” Milo replied. “Crisplet has shown time and time again that it has sentience. You’ll find everything from ability selection to evolution choice will probably be in its hands. You mentioned early on that it gained an ability—I would guess Crisplet had the choice of abilities when it was summoned, and just waited to choose.”

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Looking over at Crisplet, who had been quietly watching us, I asked, “Is that true?”

 

I received the usual burst of bright sparks to indicate a yes.

 

“Did you get another ability selection now at level five?” Milo asked.

 

Another burst of sparks.

 

“Wow, I hope you have good selections,” I said excitedly. I couldn’t see any of them—so I just had to trust that Crisplet would choose something helpful. That said, the last one—Mana Enhancement, which seemed to boost buffs on existing items—was something it picked very early.

 

No reason not to trust Crisplet.

 

I received a burst of bright sparks as the little elemental returned to the fire and began deconstructing the miniature manor it had built out of coal.

 

“That’s exciting!” Micca added, watching Crisplet get to work.

 

“Now… these snacks—I can sell them! I can be your merchant!” she said, clearly thrilled by the idea.

 

“Wouldn’t that be dangerous for you, though?” I asked, glancing more towards Liane and Milo for their input.

 

“Honestly? Yes and no,” Milo said, not even looking up from his books. “Having a merchant you trust not to blab where the food comes from is incredibly helpful—but also, anyone keeping an eye on your movements will eventually notice who you’re interacting with. So no, you couldn’t travel together, or stay in the same places too often. That would make it too easy for people to connect the dots.”

 

“So how could it work, then?” I asked. “If we can’t really be seen interacting, wouldn’t I need to be nearby to give her food to sell?”

 

This time, Liane chimed in.