I cast Crystallize with the Spirit Core option. A small core, about 2 inches in diameter, was created. It was slowly generating its own mana while drawing in some from the environment. I created a Mental Connection to it, and just felt some vague emotions. I told it to start giving me mana, because why not. It created pseudo-limbs out of mana and hopped onto my back. Once it was on top it connected a mana-tentacle with one of my mana passages.

It slowly fed mana through the connection, and I felt its joy as it completed the task.

I walked past the Basher burrow on way back to Roxy. A level 31 Nature Basher was just outside of the entrance.

I slowly snuck up on it from behind and shot a Mana Bolt at it. I barely hit the back leg, but it was good enough to cripple it. Suddenly a greenish glow surrounded it and I got a notification.

You have learned the spell: Regenerate

Regenerate: Heal a portion of your health-Active-30mp

It was a healer. I shot 2 more mana bolts before I got into melee range, hitting it on the side. It didn't cast heal, so it was crippled again. I hit it hard on the head, knocking it out. I figured it would be a nice gift for Roxy to Bind to her dungeon.

I walked up to the clearing that Roxy was in and unconsciously sucked in a breath.

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There was an arch of stone, with steps leading down into the earth. I held the Nature Basher in my arms while I walked down the steps.

"Whoa whoa whoa, stop right there. I have to disable all the traps before you can see it" said a familiar Dungeon Core.

"Roxy, I brought you a gift." I showed her the Basher, and it started to wake up. It looked around, its eyes were unfocused. Roxy flew right up to him and cast the spell Bind.

Insight gained on Taming. Spell learned-Tame

Tame: dominate a creature, so it will only follow you-Active-Variable Mp cost

Wow, that could be useful. Just think, I could ride into battle on a dragon. Oh, wait I am a dinosaur.

"Hey, Roxy I have another gift for you," I instructed the mana core on my back to dismount, and I cast Crystallize spirit core again.

"Those are Spirit Cores! How did you make them?" she asked in awe.

"I can learn spells, remember?" I said in my best "Duh" voice.

"Of course. I would love some more of Spirit Cores, anytime you can make them. It always helps to have a backup mana supply" Roxy said.

I agreed with her and created another Core. I didn't want to disappoint my ally, of course.

She showed me around the dungeon, and I saw a lot more slimes. The Nature Basher was also healing itself, so it could get back to operating properly. It would be a good support creature. I should find a creature for ranged attacks, but I just wanted to stay solo for now. Also, I had my Nanobeasts and a sexy naked dungeon core on my side, so I think I was doing pretty good. For now, though, I think I am going to sleep.

I asked to sleep in the dungeon, so I could take advantage of the enhanced regeneration for my Nanobeasts. Their count was already up to 56!

I was starting to like this new life.