EPISODE 12: Fighting Golems
-Edryan Queendom. Year 7288, Season: Central
What’s the point of owning a racecar if you can’t drive it?
-Tony Stark
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I rubbed my hands together gleefully. A devious smile was plastered across my face. Like some supervillain as I sat in a small private section reserved specifically for me. The roars of the Colosseum shook even my room. Giant golems' fists crashed against one another as the two magical machines fought. The air rippled as the powerful golems battled it out. Sand and dust kicked up as the battle intensified. The crowd cheered and bets were placed. A place where rags could go to riches in a moment. Koltius Colosseum was a massive complex in which events were always taking place. Without me even promoting it various Houses and other powers wished to use the Colosseum to host events. From tournaments to performances such as private plays and the like.
Simra roared with excitement grabbing my arm and shaking it. Her blue eyes were alit with stars. “This is so awesome Law! How did you get us in something like this?”
I sheepishly rubbed the back of my head and winked at the teenager. “Just know I have connections in high places.”
I’ve known Simra for two, maybe three years now. I always felt like I could be myself when I was with her. Never revealing more than a shortened version of my name. Simra’s mother was a renowned artist that helps shaped some of the works I have in the Imperius District. I hadn’t met the woman personally but from the work I’d seen, she was quite good at her job. The class she has must help enhance her skills to the max. The work I’d seen was almost lifelike. Only the grey of the stone alerted me otherwise.
Two golems battled in the middle of the sand-covered ground. One was shiny gold slightly reminiscent of Bumblebee and the other a jet black. A smaller golem than the gold but one that packed a punch. Both fighters were unarmed and were slugging fists back and forth at one another. Steel and other metals pound against the dirt of different variations. Magical and otherwise. This created different properties and visual effects as the elements encountered one another. Golem Wars was a new event I introduced to the Imperius District after building much hype around Law’s Sweet Golems and my products. Challenging different Houses to come up with golems to fight in the very first event. This first Golem War was only open to the noble Houses and the moment the prize was known plenty of Houses took interest. Even those outside of the parameters. Houses that focused on martial arts or merchant activities.
The Golem Goblet of Quintessence.
A magical artifact taken from the royal treasury and given to me by my mother to help generate hype. The Golem Goblet of Quintessence better known as The Golden Goblet until remained by yours truly was an artifact that could refine the bloodline of any man, woman, or child to a higher grade as long as it was not mythical. Bloodlines were one of the backbones of every House in Edryan. Not just every House but every race on the continent had bloodlines. Each held different effects and could boost their holder in different ways. I knew just from my studies that most magi humans held Magic’s Embrace. A bloodline that allowed magi humans to become fabled as spell-swords or great wizards. Not to the point that we rivaled elves and their bloodline of Magic Hegemon. Most Magi Humans held Magic’s Embrace which reduced the cost of all spellcasting depending on your bloodline grade. There were five levels of a bloodline’s grade which followed the Common – Mythical grading. Each would lower the cost of mana by a degree depending on your bloodline strength. Let’s not even mention the grades of humans which followed your bloodline level. Each would get a different number of attribute points per grade. Starting at 2 as the lowest, Common, and 10 as the highest Mythical. Each tier adds on two until the max. God’s above I can’t wait until I unlock the sys-.
“Law LOOK,” Simra exclaimed. Grabbing my shoulder with a shake and pulling me out of my thoughts with the same actions.
“It seems like this match will soon have its winner.”
In a stunning display of strength and raw magical machinery might. The golem made from various enhanced dirt lifted its opponent over its head. Before slamming it down upon its knee. The move reminded me of the man who broke the Bat’s back. The metal golem crumbled like paper. Body snapping in half as the dirt golem raised its arms in victory. RIP Bumblebee.
“Amazing,” I exclaimed aloud. “Whoever programmed that golem is a genius.”
“I can’t believe I actually get to see the first Golem War in person. I can’t thank you enough Law! No one at school is going to believe me.”
“You’ve been nagging my ear off all week about how the crown prince is going to be hosting this all week.”
“It is not my fault! There are rumors of him even appearing at the event! I only wanted to catch a glimpse. My friend Karla, you remember Karla? Anyway, she saw the crown prince once. She said he had eyes like a wyvern, golden locks that came down to his chest and he smelled of roses while fairies flew above sprinkling their dust.”
I rolled my eyes in exasperation. The crown prince was sitting right next to her. I wasn’t going to tell her that, however. Every noble child I interacted with usually tried to butter me up and grow closer only for benefits. As a much older soul, it was child's play to spot this. So, I stopped trying to make friends with the few noble children I met at parties and events throughout my thirteen years of new life. Simra was a breath of fresh air. Although she was reserved when she first met me. Knowing I was noble but not much else, our frequent meetings in the Imperius Clock Tower caused us to become stable friends.
“Karla is a blabbermouth, we both know this,” I responded. I’d met the small gang Simra called her friends and knew Karla liked to gossip. That girl could talk for hours if you didn’t stop her.
Simra smirked while replying, “Yeah, but she always tells the most interesting stories. It’s never a dull moment around her or you.”
“Haha, I’m glad I can keep the mighty Simra, 21st member of the Queen's Guard entertained!”
“Hey, don’t make fun of me,” Simra said. Giving me a light punch in the shoulder. It was her dream to become a member of the Queen’s Guard. Their station is higher above the Royal Guardsmen of Edryan. The Queen’s Guard was composed of 20 people. Each was respectively, the highest level and most accomplished in their field. Liana Drumian at their head. Mage Margret was another of their members. I was familiar with all the guardsmen as I had interacted with them at some point to know about their powers.
“If you practice those moves I showed you perhaps you’ll have a better opportunity in getting a [Knight Trainee] class. Or you could try your hardest in school and get a scholarship to the crown prince's new academy.”
“I’m already top three of my class,” Simra spoke with her chest poked out proudly. “If it wasn’t for your and Karla’s help, I don’t know if I’d make it this far.”
“I still don’t understand how the number one gossip in the Imperius District is also number one in school. At this rate, Mariam the Eyes of Queen Titiana will have competition.”
“Karla definitely knows more secrets than the Queen's Spymistress herself.”
We continued to laugh as the next golems were brought out to battle. I sat up in my chair. My eyes lit with excitement the pain from just a week ago all but outside my thoughts. Yet not forgotten. This was to be my small vacation before the next step every Edryan must take.
“So that’s the fabled golem of the crown prince. I didn’t expect it to be so…”
“Small?” I helped answer.
“Well, I don’t want to say small. This is the crown prince’s colosseum. What if he’s listening to what the people are saying?”
“Then that would make him a petty ruler in the future and one that should not be followed.”
Simra looked at me in horror before scooting away.
“Madris Grace please forgive our rudeness,” she said. Quickly chanting a prayer before turning angry eyes toward me. “Why aren’t you praying and apologizing,” she hissed. “Small jokes are ok but do not blasphemy the name of the Holy Child in such a manner.”
Quickly she grabbed my head and repeated another prayer. Although my strength was more than Simra’s, I was surprised at the level of power held in the young girl's grip. I also needed to remember that Simra was a great believer in Madris and the church and would not take my jokes lightly.
“Follow my lead,” she said glaring at me as I didn’t join her in the prayer.
Internally I groan but followed her lead anyway. Asking for forgiveness for my speech against Madris’s child and blah blah.
By the time our praying finished the battle between the golems was well underway. HUEGO was frankly whooping his opponent's ass with ease. Huego was probably the smallest golem in the tournament and would drop out once I deemed the golem to collect sufficient data. The |ALA| or Adaptive Learning Algorithm has been learning and recording different scenarios for almost three years. Huego and his siblings had fought against all manner of creatures. From monsters of the wilds to bandits and men. I did everything I could to ensure that they would experience as much diversity in battle as possible. I hoped I would unlock some special classes by working on them.
My knowledge of classes and how they were handed by the system came from Eliana and the numerous books I consumed on the subject. Classes were bestowed by the system when you had a few things.
1. Proficient knowledge in the field.
2. Sufficient attributes.
These two things may seem like small reasons but from the thousands of years of Edryan existence. These people came to believe these two were the driving factor in achieving your desired class. That’s why Edryan’s Three Steps were so important even the crown prince was forced into participating.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Usually from 13-16 young Edryans would participate in a variety of fields and apprentices to achieve their desired class. Most would apprentice at home and follow the family's business. Yet plenty branched out since by law there were required to experience two other different professions.
Sufficient attributes were something only the noble children worried about. It wasn’t well known to commoners but to the nobility. It was known the higher starting attributes you had, the better your chances of getting a rare or even better class.
CLANG!
CLANG!
Steel clashed against steel as two artificer class golems battled against one another. Dust and other materials were blocked by the wards and protective barrier. I couldn’t quite class the GMM automatons yet as most parts were extremely basic and simple. Yet they were not far off either. The larger one beat down on Huego yet the golem was not losing in the slightest. The excitement began to return to the room as I held onto Simra’s arm. Blood hot as I watch my golem slowly dismantle his opponent piece by piece. It was clear in the smaller golem was a superior fighter and I whooped for joy as Huego struck a crippling blow. His arm punched through the chest of the enemy golem and ripped back to reveal a golem battery. The enemy machine instantly lost power and Huego held up the heart of its defeated opponent in victory.
“Did you see that,” I asked Simra excitedly.
She rolled her eyes at me able to tell I was trying to get out of any more trouble with her. As she smiled and her blue eyes met my red-gold I knew I was off the hook. “I never doubted the crown prince's golems win!”
“Eh, I did. All the other golems are much bigger than the crown princes. Ever since he released that new battery golems have been getting bigger and bigger. The energy efficiency of the batteries is much higher than anything previously used,” I said with excitement evident in my voice. My eyes lit up at the sight of the next two giant golems preparing to battle. The first round of combat almost concluded.
“Are you interested in building golems? I never knew you liked them this much.” Simra smiled as she spoke to me. The warmth of friendship tickled my insides as we talked. I honestly hadn’t interacted with anyone my rebirth age to the degree I interacted with Simra.
Sooner or later I would have to reveal my identity to her. I didn’t want her to get hurt by any misunderstanding between us. Yet it was so hard to make friends that wanted to be friends because they enjoyed my presence and not because they wanted something from me. Simra was my friend because not once had the young girl asked anything of me. Part of the reason was that her mother was paid well by LSG I assumed. Another is because I was showing her actual knight moves. Something a commoner of Edryan would not have access to. The closest thing would be training by the Adventurers Association or being scouted for a knight order. Not to mention things like becoming a guardsman, soldier, or mercenary. It was Simra’s dream to become a strong knight to protect the queendom. I would help her fulfill that dream. Not because she reminded me of Celina but out of the respect I had for our developing friendship. I’ve always been the type of friend to help my friends achieve their goals. I did so as Lawrence Brown and I would continue to do so as Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani.
“Golems have always been a secret passion of mind ever since I was a child. I just think it’s so cool that something works off of magical energy and can-do great things. It’s a man's romance,” I said proudly. Puffing out my chest as the heavy impacts of hardened dirt impacted hardened dirt.
“Simra the Honorary Knight and Law the Golem Master! What if we became famous and both were recruited to the Queen Guard? Or it may be the King’s Guard when the crown prince takes over. Gosh, I wish I could meet him. I hope he shows up today,” Simra's eyes sparkled as she spoke. Her eyes and imagination ran wild as the ideas began to populate. The next battle concluded, and the first round of the semi-finals began.
The competition was set up so that the Golem War would conclude in a day. There were 108 competitors in total. With five stages in the tournament. Once the second round of semi-finals began Huego would drop out of the tournament leaving 26 competitors left. These 26 would fight once more until 13 were left. One lucky golem would automatically move to the next round while the other twelve would defeat their opponents until 6 remained. Once again, a lucky competitor would sit out until the final 4. Each would face off until two were left and a winner is chosen.
House Ca’Ronna one of the houses I partnered with in manufacturing my first GEMs or Golem Earth Materials was my personal favorite. I believed they had the best outcome in winning the tournament. Although they had a penalty, their elite craftsmen were not allowed to work on this golem. The Ca’Ronna house had deep roots when it came to the construction of golems made from magical and enchanted dirt. Their elite craftsmen were not allowed to work on any participating golem in the Golem War for the simple reason that I did not want to give them the advantage. Master Lou Ca’Ronna, Master Devin Ca’Ronna, and Master Boron Ca’Ronna were all reputable figures I worked with to figure out the compositions for my GEMs. Although the other two houses, House Carter and House Zeno had reputable masters that also gave input. The Ca’Ronnas were the leading house of the three. All houses that worked with me were not allowed to have a direct contribution to any golem in the Golem War. Only those less reputable in their families could work on the golems.
The rounds proceeded. Each lasted several minutes before one opponent or the other would overcome and destructively beat their opponent. Since each fighter only fought once per round. Until they were called again the golems could be serviced by their respective owners. Of course, this had a drawback. The more wins under your belt and the faster the upcoming rounds would end. Giving less time to service your golem the closer to the prize you became. Since each golem was unequipped with weapons. Their respective owners looked to pack as much punch into their magical machines as possible. Hence another reason for their massive sizes.
Huego emerged once again. This time my machine was faced off against the jet-black golem that won against the Bumblebee lookalike earlier. Simra and I sat up in anticipation as did most of the crowd. Huego was well known to be the crown prince's golem and it was famous throughout the capital territory and beyond. This newcomer was owned by House Lugosi. House Lugosi was on the eastern corner of the Edryan Queendom bordering the Az’Dawn Empire. A border guardian house that specialized in defense. It was well known that House Lugosi are defensive experts that used the Earth Affinity and its many sub-affinities for battle.
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Hero Utility Ego Golem Overlord 1 studied its target with a simple but effective intelligence. HUEGO-1 was built and designed by Designator 000 also known as Father by HELA-1 and by HECTOR-1. Its programming was simple but effective. Effective to the point that there were not many situations that HUEGO-1 intelligence believed it was unprepared for. Battling a [Land Wyvern – ★★★] and a pack of [Earth Bears – ★★] interrupts the battle at its end? HUEGO-1 had a solution for that. Its Adaptive Learning Algorithm was keyed to observe, analyze, and push at a minimum of three responses out. A group of bandits has holed themselves in an old castle on a highly defensible cliffside? Collapse the cliffside underneath them. HUEGO-1 and its… siblings had gone through enough situations since their three years of existence that there was little there |ALA| had to come up with solutions for.
Huego tilt its head to a 45° angle as the massive fist of the enemy golem moved past its head and neck. The sapphire blue eyes of the golem flashed with what could only be described as confidence. Its programming activates and takes defensive and offensive measures as Huego analyzed the enemy golem.
‘5 meters in height.’
‘Top heavy build focused on singular powerful blows.’
‘Made from mostly Argonaut Terra, a tier three material.’
‘Opponent Designation: Relic.’
As the information came Huego was already enacting the most optimal path. His opponent's arm drew back only to be halted by Huego’s grab. Relic's other arm drew back and shot forward just as fast, the blow arriving faster than a blink. Huego let go of Relic’s arm as his other hand came forward to block the devastating blow. Huego’s smaller frame pushed back from the force of the blow. Sending the golem sliding a dozen feet back kicking up sand and gravel. The cheers of the crowd grew louder as things started to pick up.
‘Recalibrating… Opponent’s strength outside of expectations.’
The gears in Huego’s body began to spin. Generating more heat as it sucked power from his MGB-4. The golem’s artificial mind gearing toward a more dominant battle-orientated mindset.
Click. Click. Click.
Clicking sounds were heard as Huego's various systems became active. Relic is deemed as a higher leveled threat. HUEGO-1 pushed off two small craters left in its wake as it slammed into the opposing golem. Its blow smashed into the abruptly raised defenses of the golem. The heavy golem lifted off its feet and slammed into the barrier protecting the people of the Colosseum. The crowd roared with wild excitement as the battle continued. Huego dispatches its opponent with precision strikes.
‘Core located in the upper torso. Center of the chest.’
‘Dispatch right shoulder. Focus on breaking away Argonaut Terra.’
As HUEGO-1 came to this decision it was enacted immediately. Two blows met against the Relic singular thrust. Connecting to its right arm and halting the momentum of both golems. Huego reacted faster. Moving closer to its opponent and delivering powerful blow after blow. Argonaut Terra breaks away piece by piece from the overall structure of the golem.
Relic finally managed to deliver a harsh blow pushing Huego back and giving the golem a breather. Immediately it began a process that all golems made from earth could do.
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“Tsk, he missed his chance for a quick defeat. The (Adaptive Learning Algorithm) is a bit slow to quick changes. Then again (ALA) has never faced a golem in this environment before.”
“(Adaptive Learning Algorithm)? What do you mean by the chance for defeat…? The battle has only just begun. The jet-black golem is strong. I don’t think the crown prince golem could defeat it so quickly.”
I nodded in the direction of the battlefield. Returning Simra's attention just as the process was beginning. A burst of mana was released from the jet-black golem and the various chunks of dirt flew back to the golem. While dirt from the ground followed and strengthened the golem's legs. The golem was no longer as top-heavy as it was previously.
“Did you see how it returned its lost mass to itself? The (Adaptive Learning Algorithm) is the spell the crown prince uses for the golem to function the way it does.”
“You know the spell the crown prince uses for his golems,” Simra asked with surprise and suspicion. Giving me a narrowed eye look of suspicion. I laughed and reached out to pat her head.
“There are many things I know about the crown prince, and you don’t. Don’t forget I am a noble.”
“Oh yeah? Tell me something about the crown prince that not even Karla would know. I’ll confirm it with her later.”
I let out another childish laugh. If Karla wouldn’t know, how could she confirm the validity of my claim? It was in moments like this that Simra brought the child I am more to the surface.
“I’ll tell you a secret but if I tell you only you can know. It will take a while for this to be confirmed but if I tell you, you can never doubt me again!”
“Hmmm.”
As Simra thought it over, I returned my attention to the battle. HUEGO-1 was on the complete defensive as the golem increased weight giving it the edge needed to force the hero golem back. Powerful blows seemed to strike Huego in different areas and I narrowed my eyes at the outcome.
“Looks like it's over,” I said while turning my attention back to Simra. The young girl finally came to a decision as Huego exploded with power. The Hero Utility Ego Golem Overlord burst with a shinnying nova of power. Obliterating the golem facing it into charred sand and dirt. If the jet-black golem had its special move of absorbing its lost mass and its surroundings. So did HUEGO-1, a special something added in its second yearly update.
“I’m willing to wait. A knight must have the patience to strike down an opponent at the opportune moment.”
“Good, my secret is: the crown prince will be attending his school the year he turns fifteen. As the new freshmen come in. If you keep your grades up, you’ll get that wish of meeting the crown prince.”
“How do you know this-,” Simra paused in asking her question. “Does your family work for the crown prince? It’s one of the golem-producing families! That’s why you know so much, Simra said satisfied with herself. A smug grin on her face.
“You could say that.”
“You could say that.”
I said twice with a knowing smile.
System Unlock:
1,009 Days
2 Hours
59 Minutes
2 Seconds