The Dark Castle loomed in the distance, jagged and foreboding, yet Rocky's gaze lingered on it with grim determination. Inside the palace, he could no longer afford to linger on the comforts of royalty. Sylvia had been taken, and every moment she spent in Lucifer's grasp was another moment of danger.
He paced the suite, summoning small wisps of energy to test his control. His hands tingled, fingers sparking with residual magic from the battle and the slime apocalypse. But he knew instinct alone wouldn't be enough. Not for Sylvia. Not for Lucifer.
A knock at the door startled him. Before he could react, the door slid open quietly. An elderly monk, robes flowing and aura calm yet unmistakably powerful, entered. His eyes were sharp, yet carried the weight of ages.
"Rocky," the monk said softly, bowing slightly. "I have come to teach you the next step in your summoning… the secret of Summon Boosts."
Rocky's brow furrowed. "Summon boosts?" he asked, suspicion and curiosity warring in his tone.
The monk smiled faintly. "Every summoner has limits. Power is not just raw magic—it is resonance, alignment, and understanding. Summon Boosts are the key to amplifying your creatures, your dragon, even your smallest spirits, beyond what the body and mind alone can sustain."
He gestured, and a small orb of light hovered between them. "Watch carefully."
The monk whispered an incantation, and the orb began to expand, morphing into a miniature spectral wolf that shimmered with cosmic energy. "This is your summon's potential. By channeling focus, emotion, and magical alignment together, you can push them far beyond normal limits."
Rocky's eyes lit with understanding. "So… if I use this… my dragon, my slimes… they could be stronger, faster… even smarter in combat?"
The monk nodded. "Correct. But it is not just strength. Summon Boosts amplify instincts, coordination, and even synchronization with you. Your bond with your summons will determine the magnitude of the boost."
Rocky clenched his fists, excitement and determination surging. "Then I'll learn it. I have to. Sylvia… I can't fail her."
The monk's eyes softened. "Good. But remember: a boost is a tool, not a weapon of recklessness. You must know when to strike, when to hold back, and when to channel your own heart through your summons. Only then will you truly master your power."
He extended his hand, and a surge of gentle energy flowed into Rocky. Instantly, Rocky felt his connection to his summons deepen. He could feel the gravitational pull of his dragon, the subtle intelligence of his slimes, and the faint stirrings of countless smaller spirits—all resonating with his heartbeat.
Rocky's eyes gleamed. "I'll master this. I'll rescue Sylvia… and I'll make Lucifer regret ever touching her."
The monk bowed, fading into the light of the afternoon sun. "Then go, Summoner. Your time of growth is complete. But your true test begins now."
Rocky turned toward the horizon, toward the Dark Castle, his heart set. With the power of Summon Boosts, he was no longer just a summoner—he was a force capable of facing the impossible. And nothing, not even Lucifer, could stop him.