“Right,” I said, “time to see if I can summon multiple versions of the same monsters.” I drew a second time on my Summoning Sphere.

“It works!” I shouted in satisfaction as another portal opened and a second cougar leaped out to join the first. The portal faded, and I summoned another, and another, and another until fully nine of the magnificent big cats stood alertly in a semicircle around Astrid and I.

Warning: Summoning Points Depleted!

Warning: Summoning Limit Reached!

You may no longer summon more creatures until you have dispelled existing creatures.

When I was done summoning, every muscle in my body felt tense to the point of cramping. Sweat ran down my back and I felt as if my mind were being pulled in several different directions at once. It was as though these creatures were somehow extensions of myself. Each of their minds were linked to my will, and it took a lot of concentration to quieten the emotional resonances flowing in from each creature. I feared what might happen if I ever lost control of the strands. Would the monsters fail to obey my commands? Would they turn on me? Or would they just vanish?

Well, I didn’t have to worry too much about it just now. It was an effort to handle my connection to them all, but I could maintain it. I had enough control over them. The primary cultivation system had issued me with a warning. Did that mean I could attempt to summon more creatures than was allowed by my limit? Most likely, but it probably wouldn’t lead to good results.

I stopped focusing on maintaining the connections and found that it actually became easier when I didn’t concentrate too hard on it. Instead, I looked at the cougars. They were much bigger in person compared to the vision I’d had of them when I’d held the core they’d come from. I began to realize just why it was necessary for the training ring to be quite so large.

When I turned to look at Astrid, her face was glowing with admiration at the summoning I’d just done.

“Well, that was impressive!” Astrid said. “I’ve only fought one of these before. The same monster that I got the core from.”

“They’re only low-level, but do you think you can take nine at the same time?”

Astrid arched an eyebrow. “You don’t think I can do it, do you, Jeremy?”

I laughed. “Let’s see, shall we?”

Chapter 18

Astrid and I prepared for our duel. Side by side, and trailed by the group of nine silent cougars, we walked to the center of the massive arena where Astrid took up a fighting stance. I stepped away to give her room.

“Are you sure you want to do this without any weapons?” I called out.