While I was standing quietly, blinking the spots from my eyes and wondering if they had orbital lances in this world, as well as giving the Shiny Stone time to regenerate my drained lifeforce while everyone was blinded, someone else was being much more vocal. I guessed it was Vyra since the cursing was in three dark-elven languages, all of which were being translated for me. It was quite impressive how creative he was getting.

Eventually, the stream of profanity transitioned into a “What the hell was that?!!!”

There was a long pause, then Liz spoke hesitantly “…Lyte, I think your tower just exploded.”

“No, it’s still there,” I stated confidently.

“How can you tell? I still can’t see anything.”

“I can feel it. And also it would be a bit odd to get a Title for it if it just blew up.” There was a long silence.

My vision was clear enough to make out the others now. They all seemed to be doing their best to stare in my direction, though due to their streaming eyes they weren’t all quite pointing the right direction. Vyra seemed to have it the worst off; I’ve seen faucets that poured less than his eyes, which probably explained the swearing.

Lupia finally broke the silence. “I’m less shocked than I think I should be; I think I’ve become desensitised,” she sighed.

Dranner was less restrained. “What the hell’s so special that the Administrator saw fit to grant this place a Title?!!”

“What’s the Administrator? Sorry, nobody’s explained this to me before.” I rubbed the side of my head sheepishly.

“Seriously?” I nodded in response to Liz’s incredulous query. “Where did you even grow up to not know about the Administrator?”

“Somewhere... far away. You wouldn’t know it.”

Liz sighed at my lack of clarification. “Right... where do I start? The Administrators… the Administrators are not above nor below the gods, they are separate. Each continent has a separate Administrator, but some share gods. I don’t know much about the Administrators for the other continents but the one for this one is ‘The One Who Rewards Titles’, the Title Granter. Your ‘somewhere far away’ must be on this continent since you’re bound to the Administrator of the continent you’re born on, you can’t change which one you’re under.”

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“Aye,” Thora nodded, adding, “the Title Granter gives a reward through a Title when you complete a Feat. The Administrator for the Western Continent, ‘The One Who Appreciates’, the Connoisseur, rewards those who make artefacts, art, architecture, or invent something. Lotsa dwaves over there.”

“Demon Continent: ‘The One Who Rewards Victory’, the Survival of the Fittest. Victor in combat takes loser’s strength,” Janet described in as few words as possible.

“How the ‘ell do ya know that?” Thora demanded.

“Book,” was all Janet offered in response, seemingly attempting to retreat further into her hooded cloak under the (now recovered) group’s combined gazes.

“I see. Thanks,” I nodded thoughtfully. “Still doesn’t explain what just happened though. Does that happen every time someone gets a Title linking a location to them?”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you have several other Titles don’t you Lyte?” Lupia asked.

“You’re right. Why?”

“I think that the Abyss Tower was taking on the reflections of your Titles. It happens sometimes when powerful people own significant buildings, but it usually takes a really long time, decades to centuries due to lack of sufficient mana to absorb.”

“Ah! The mana artery!” The tower sucked up mana from the mana spring, which must have overcome the current mana limit for the obsidian and causing mana to pour out. Since the obsidian is slightly lightning attributed due to that storm, the excess mana pouring through boosted it and carried it on, causing the lightning arcing.

“Exactly. When there was enough mana, the Title reflections were fixed instantly. I have no idea what Titles you have to warrant an effect like that light. Must be powerful though.”

“And why now- I claimed it as mine!” I tentatively reached out and laid my hand on my maker’s mark. Nothing happened. I breathed a sigh of relief, which caught in my throat as I suddenly noticed that the greyed-out icon of the stardust dragon in my top left had vanished. Looked round hurriedly, finding Karma still there. He was bigger. By a lot.

Despite not having the icon, I knew, somewhere inside, that Karma was still under my control. He… was bonded to the tower now, not to me, now truly the guardian of the Abyss Tower.

“If I’m right, there should be some sign based on the effects of your Titles,” Lupia continued. “Can you think of anything?”

I didn’t have to pause for thought, I just pointed straight up.

“The sign; it’s changed!” Thora exclaimed. “It’s in Deepholden Dwarven now!”

“No, it’s in the Common Tongue,” Liz denied.

“It’ssss written in my clan’ssss language for me. It wasss’nt before.” Stone turned his head to me. “Transsslatiiion Title?”

“Exactly. It lets me speak and write all languages fluently; I guess the tower does that too now.”

The lizardman nodded sagely. I got the distinct impression a lot more was going on inside his head than he let on.

“Do you mind me asking what the Title is?” asked Liz.

From the reaction of the other adventurers, I gathered this was a major breach of etiquette, but I didn’t mind. “Well, since you’re curious, let me reintroduce myself,” I gave a slight, flourishing bow, a wide grin hidden behind my mask.

“Lyte, Master of the Abyss Tower, at your service.”