You gained 5xp! You gained 5xp! You gained- You gai- You - Y-Y-Y-Y....... You gained 5xp! Level up!

My vision got flooded with these messages for a minute while I looked at what was happening around me. When my spell blew up in my face zwi protected me, like a deus ex machina. Seriously it's great he was able to erect a shield strong enough to endure that. It cost us like 50k worth of mana but we're alive. Same can't be said for most of the Fauna in the lake.

The explosion pushed most of the stone ceiling into the air. It pushed past at least 10 meters of lake water and exploded into the open air. I could see the dungeon ceiling from down there for a moment. Then the water came rushing in again. It buried the library and I simply floated toward the surface with the rising water.

The explosion itself seemed to only have killed 20 or so of the bunnys, but the rain of stone killed more. And now I stand at the center of the lake and contemplate what went wrong. I mean obviously I lost control of all that mana. But the reason why eludes me. I mean it was stable before I put in more mana. "What do you think, zwi?"

"Answer. The spell form wasn't designed to handle the amount of mana supplied. The fact that the spell stayed stable as long as it did shows how skilled at mana control the caster was." Oh? Is zwi praising me? Thanks, partner! But yeah he's right. It's a miracle it stayed stable for so long. I just overdid it.

Well all the stuff in the library may be lost but at least we got a level up from it. But when I looked at my status nothing changed aside from the number behind my level. From 1 to 2 that is. Hmm no wait there is something new. Down below it says 'choose reward'. I click on it without thinking. Damn gamer instinct!

You gained 1 level point. You can choose between a skill or stat advancement. Which would you like? Skill/Stats?

Phew! Nothing exploded and I didn't turn into a banana. I should be more careful. Anyways I can choose huh? "Zwi, what do you think I should choose?" "Warning! Choosing stats will not change your current stats since they are determined by your race. Magical Tome race will not advance in stats upon level up." Good call partner. I almost forgot about that. So I choose skill.

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Please choose one of the following skills: Souls companion or Soul Light.

Soul is still a strong theme with me it seems. But both of these sound dubious at best. I know these skills from a book. Souls companion summons and bonds to you the creature that wants to be with you the most in the universe. And soul light let's your body flare up like a flash light. You can blind your foes or illuminate the darkest night with h it. It's great to have as a commander or something but nothing I need.

Man this is like choosing between sand and sandpaper. I guess souls familiar? I click it and the screen disappears. Now I can activate it whenever I want. The question is do I want it now or later? "Zwi, your opinion?" "Answer. Boosting ones battle ranks brings stability and security inside of a dungeon. Warning! Attempt summon only on proper footing, in case summon can't swim." Ah your right. I'm a book for half a day and forget that only I can float.

So I make my way over to the shore, which is now littered with sand, dirt, stone and water puddles. While I'm not proud of what I did, I do think this is impressive. I mean this was a basic spell but it did this. I look for a suitable place with open space and little debris. Then I float horizontal, with my face toward the ceiling. "I summon you! Come to me and wander this lonely road by my side! Summon souls companion!"

A magical circle starts growing under me. It glows in the bright pink of my mana. It starts small with two rings filled with runes. And then expands into a more complex and faster moving pattern. After several seconds the glow reaches its peak and flashes too bright for the eyes. And then with a small plop my souls companion falls from a small pink cloud.

I bring distance between us and observe it. It's legs are long and slender like those of a cat. Its fur is brown and two fins sprout parallel from its backside. Brown intelligent eyes look right back at me. From its head grows, like a horn, something that looks like a dagger and seems equally as sharp. Also it has bunny ears.

"Hey zwi, that's a dagger horn bunny isn't it?" "Affirmative." "Those are a advanced species of Horn bunny, right?" "Affirmative." "Why does this one want to be with us?" "Answer. Confirm it's status." Zwi shows me it's , no her, status and I immediately wish I had hands to slap my forehead.

Status

Name: Abunnynation

Race: Dagger horn bunny (Amphibious)

lvl:2

Health: 30/30

Stats: Strength: 20, Dexterity: 25, Intelligence: 20, Wisdome: 5, Luck: 0

Skills: Jumping, Underwater breathing, Underwaterconstruction, Advanced Sneaking, Dagger Arts, 3 Dimensional fighting

Titles: Named monster, Souls companion