EPISODE 42: Project A 1
-Edryan Queendom, Year 7291. Season: Central.
The mobile lab side of my home was just big enough to appear like a college chemistry classroom. (Mage Lights) were slotted into several wall components and they erased any hidden shadows that could be found. A singular large counter was in the middle with several small counters surrounding it.
Carefully, I began the process of condensing and converting mana. This was the magical juice that powered all my golems. In front of me was a table that seemed to be filled with your basic chemistry set. Glassware such as beakers, flasks, mixing tubes, and more held blue glowing runes of power upon them. Together, they combined to form a basic mana-distilling setup. At the end of the setup was a funnel sucking in the air which was sent into the other containers. It was then compressed into a small metal ball-like container. A high-pitched whistle was released as mana that held the attributes of the elements was released. All I needed to charge my batteries were unattributed mana. Outside of the container, I watched. I was ready to pour my mana in to assist with the process.
I wore a knee-length white lab coat with eye protection and large black gloves equipped to my belt. On my shoulder was Minerva who was cautiously observing. I was not the inventor of liquid mana but the man who was currently a head researcher of one of New America. Celcus Kain was a man of many talents and translating my ideas into reality was one of them. The third triplet of the Kain brothers and high noble House Kain. His brother Kalvin Kain led a protest against the establishment of Imperius Academy. Too bad he was years too late.
The moment the ball signified that it was full I acted. Immediately, I used my mana to manipulate the outside as the device began spinning. I chanted a spell as I got things in motion. “Water is the origin of life. Wind is the origin of change. Combine them and it becomes (Freezing Air).”
Two different nodes formed in the icy blue spell construct and wind combined with freezing water molecules sprayed freezing air around the device. One magic node was green and appeared to be a blowing breeze drawn in exquisite detail. A product of hours of practice to understand the basic |Wind| rune. The other was |Water|, which appeared like waves. The two nodes combined and merged to form something new. To show a new rune. To show |Ice|.
Interacting with elements in this manner was usually how mages received affinities. Said affinities offered tremendous boost when using spells that fell underneath their category.
It didn’t make sense to me that just interacting close to an element would make you have an affinity for it. I interacted with all ten Primary Elements. A few rare affinity combinations were fire and earth for Magma or Lavaaffinities. Wind and Fire combined into True Fire. Light and Fire combined into Radiance and the many combinations you could receive from combining the Primary Ten. Most of the older mages focused on one of the primary elements. Specializing nearly always was superior especially in the lower levels.
“Chirp, Chirp,”
Minerva cautioned me as she stood on my shoulder. The chick was growing more and more as she read. A small library of books taken from my personal collection kept the owlet satisfied as the operation continued. We just reached the first minor forest outside of Edrya and now could finally be considered to be outside of the capital’s territory. The small base had nearly turned into a bustling town as the students worked on manufacturing the rail parts. My responsibility lay in ensuring all three groups under me interacted with one another correctly. This was of course delegated to Bucca for the moment. Right now, I am here to have fun!
The students held no complaints about being used as manual laborers. As far as most of them could see this was paving the way for a divine being. Yeah, some divine being. To them, there was no greater glory than that. No greater glory than helping the cause of the Holy Prince of Edryan. Although I did sense a few discontent scions from the high nobles. Regardless Imperius Academy was delivering upon its promise. The students were gaining levels at a respective rate. Almost 3-4 levels per month, something that remained record-breaking in the queendom for the ‘tutorial’ levels. Most spent over two years breaking outside of the ‘tutorial’ levels. Once out, depending on your class type, gaining levels could become easier or harder.
The metal ball began to rotate slower and slower as it cooled. From the side a small window of glass allowed me to peer inside to see the content of the ball. I carefully did as It slowed enough for me to see. The air was thick and condensed. A white cloudy mist settled inside the container. It was ready for the next step.
Hurriedly I put on the large black gloves and moved to the modified Civilian Grade battery I hand-crafted. Beautiful carvings of runes such as the tier three |Preserve|, |Alleviate|, and more were glowing in a bluish gold. The rune work was rough. This was my first time using my skills, but I did what I could. My skill (Rune-Scribing of Elevation) was used to carve the standard set of inscriptions used to preserve the longevity of the battery and alleviate the buildup of any heat or unknown factors. A golden magical pen appeared on the activation of the skill. From the pen pure golden essence as its ink flowed and like a laser, it craved my rune work into the material. I was good all my nodes connected to form the rune… but they were sloppy and not as tight and formed as they could be. As they should be!
With the ice-cold ball in one hand, I used the other to pry open the battery and show the containers internals. Minerva jumped from my shoulder to my head as I struggled.
“Oi stop that! The mana is still in a highly dangerous state and can go….”
“CHIRP?”
“Yes BOOM,” I responded with exasperation.
Finally prying it open to reveal an empty circular crystal within, I grabbed said crystal and stuffed it into my coat pocket. My attention returned to the cold metal orb full of misty mana as I moved to another station of the lab while I slightly twisted the center of the orb by a fraction. What I was about to do was very dangerous.
‘Mana’s natural state is open and free, for you to condense it like that is very dangerous.’
“Don’t blame me Minerva blame Celsus Kain and Margret Musa. They’re the ones who figured out exactly how to turn this world's most natural resources into a stable and efficient energy source. I didn’t ask them to make a bomb in the process but here we are. I only asked for the method, and they delivered.”
‘You could most likely further refine it into a less dangerous state through the process of distillation. Although I’d hypothesize it’d hold far less of a charge. You’d at least have a golem less prone to go boom from a damaged core.’
“You’d have to refill much more often then, which defeats the point of the longevity. Also, if the golem core is damaged I’d rather have it go boom than land in enemy hands. That’s why after we finished construction on the initial and version 1.0, we made sure 2.0 and so on could effectively blow when handled outside of the methods taught. The only way you can handle a battery right now is by becoming an Imperius Student and we both know academy members are thoroughly vetted.”
“Chirp? Chirp, Chiiirp.”
“I mean… I guess a spy could make it in, but Blue is monitoring every conversation and action on campus through the relay runes in our bracelets. How do you think points are dished out automatically? Now let me concentrate!”
Although I couldn’t see it as my attention remained on the process before me, I knew Minerva was rolling her eyes. The strange image of an owl rolling her eyes popped up in my head for a moment. It was a habit she picked up from the various ladies I interacted with. My attention was focused on the process before me. Steadily I removed the crystal from my pocket and placed it next to the orb full of misty mana air. I prepared my next spell carefully. I calculated the diameter and space I wanted it to cover as well as its position.
“In this world Space governs above all, yet for this age I govern this space, (Spatial Divot).” Two syllables emerged from my lips and the node representing |Space| appeared. The rune that enacted my command to the mana encircled it as the spell activated.
In a five-foot radius, the space seemed to go hazy as my spell began. Mana poured towards my eyes as (Mana Sense) activated. Once again I ignored the notification asking if I wanted to make it a skill. (Mana Sense) was just me pouring mana into my eyes and formatting it to allow me to see the mana around me. I didn’t find it any more necessary to use besides that. I would waste a skill slot if I made it into a skill no matter how much I used it.
Outside of the three-meter radius, the mana seemed to show a disconnect as a black sphere distorted the entire outer ring.. It appeared like the event horizon of a black hole. It was beautiful in a strange sense. I understood all Primary Ten to the third tier, yet Space remained one of the vastly less used elements in my arsenal. It was dangerous and required strict calculations lest you rend yourself limb from limb.
I carefully measured, ensuring the space was completely cut from the other side before I dismissed (Mana Sense) and got to work. I opened the metal orb, and the cool misty air settled on the bottle of the container. Quickly, I grabbed the empty crystal and placed it within. The misty mana remained calm as it could not interact with the mana from the outside. This was not its natural state. The crystal began to absorb the mist while my mana slowly drained from keeping (Spatial Divot) active. The process took over five minutes and I began to feel drained knowing breakfast had been several hours ago.
This was not the true method for making liquid mana, but it would serve my purpose.
The moment it finished I removed the now lightly blue glowing crystal before I closed the orb and dismissed (Spatial Divot). A long sigh of relief escaped me right as a blaring notification made itself known.
Status Effect: De-Buff
Name:
{Hunger}
Description:
Uh, Oh! You haven’t eaten in a while. That’s not good.
Function:
-25% to all regeneration Stats.
The effect was immediate as I felt my body take on a dragging or lag effect and my stomach growled. At least it’s just Hunger which is under the common tier. {Starvation} or {Ravenousness} would begin to damn near kill you. The Legendary and Mythical tiers basically will.
“Chirp!”
“I’ll get you some food too buddy,” I said as I picked up the filled crystal and pocketed it. It wasn’t dangerous per se in this state but if the crystal shattered…? Quickly, I moved to the modified battery and inserted it in place. With its core in place, the softball-sized battery was complete. The runes lit with power as they were provided an energy source. I smiled down like a proud father.
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After my meal and a few status reports that came with a two-hour delay as I spoke to Bucca and Principal Romus, I finally made it back to my lab. My ears still ringing from Bucca’s ranting reporting. Using my magic to build and experiment with the magic of this world were some of the best moments of my life, it was unfortunate that it came with the responsibility of a nation. Today was the only time I had to finish Project A. Tomorrow, I will be busy overseeing the Imperius Army and basically showing my face to the masses. I’d also be going over the uniform and armor designs I drafted with Alexandria.
Designing uniforms and clothing has been a small passion of mine since my youth. I liked to bring some of the styles of Earth and mix them with Edryan culture. It was my way of affecting all levels of Edryan society as several of the designs had been popularized through me wearing them. The styles passed down to the nobles and even some styling for the commoners became available. All of my actions on all levels were admired and eventually copied to some extent. Sigh.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“Madris’s Grace, I wish I had a cloning spell. If I had two, no three of me. I’d be able to do all the things I want within a relative amount of time.”
“Chirp.”
“Yeah, that type of spell would definitely involve soul manipulation. I’d basically have to become a [Necromancer] or another of the cursed classes.”
‘Why don’t you get a [Necromancer] type class for your second class? It may not be too late if you start practicing dark and death-aligned spells now.’
“Eh, necromancy is illegal everywhere for obvious reasons. No one wants to see their loved ones rise from the dead etc. I don’t really care much for it but there are reasons as to why every nation burns their dead citizens. The Revenant Saltflats in the Empire of Az’Dawn is a great example of why. Using death spells is a basic sentence for execution unless you belong to my royal family or the church. If the church is using death and dark magic in their healing process its usually for removing high level de-buffs like {Cancer} or something along those lines.”
Dozens of refined steel and copper ingots lay in front of me. Besides them were other various supporting items from empty mana crystals to diamonds lying on the side. These materials were purchased through some of my vast wealth of Imperius Points. ‘Cheating’ the system and gaining IP was something that didn’t cause me to break a sweat. My goal of attending my academy was mostly accomplished. Several talents were completely secured for the crown although the high noble houses offered lucrative benefits that snatched away some of the other promising talent. All the commoners of Class 1-5 had elected to work for me within the first school year. The most important thing that came from this was my connection and friendship with Madria and Amaya.
In recent years after Johann and Melina rose to fame alongside other Academy-bred students, the high noble families outside of the great six began to see the value in securing talent from Imperius Academy. It was rare for them to get someone from my college. The benefits the royal family offered were too great.
My mana was full, and my belly sated. I stretched and got ready to work. “Ok, let's get to work!”
“Chirp!” Minerva called in agreement.
(Golem Forging) activated with a single command. The skill requires both Mana Points and Stamina Points to be utilized. Ten points for both were taken per minute. Without further ado, I got back to work. I grabbed the steel ingots and molded them into the shape of an arm. The metal appeared like putty in my hands. Grabbing the copper, I activated the skill of [Limitless Love]. The weapon molded from a bracelet around my wrist into a small carving dagger. I used it to slice extremely thin tendrils of the copper off. These tendrils were shaped into malleable copper wires.
The tubing was inserted into the center of the forming arm and pushed within the material until it was center mass. Outside the mass of steel, more copper lines ran on the outer surface of the forming arm. Carefully I split the arm-shaped metal block in half. One portion would become the bicep and the other the forearm. Taking pieces from the split and forming a hinge for the arm to work upon.
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The day turned to the night before I finished the final touches. Minerva snoozed gently on her roost near my bed. The roost was filled with fluff, several stuffed animals, and pieces of my hair. Before me with a bluish-gold glow were several pieces of my golem. Two arms, an open torso, a head, and two legs. The glow came from the runic scripts written upon it. The remaining steel had been used to carve several weapons for the golem. It wasn’t a Total Golem, geared for everything needed for war while having access to all three archetypes I built my golems on. Instead, this was crafted to be a mix between knight and mage. Modeled after the [Spell-Knights], spell-swords but knights.
‘(Inspect).’
Incomplete Golem – Head
Type: Golem – Head
Rank: Rare – Unique
Standing: Crafted by Lawruthian Edryani.
Description:
This item is the head of an incomplete golem and is the only of its kind. It consists of superior defense as it was crafted from high-grade steel while having great mana conductivity from the copper threads running throughout it. Through the use of a Heroic tier skill, this item has several boosted runic scripts carved upon it. Implanted into the steel is a set of hobgoblin horns of unknown origin.
I was almost there. Physically my body was fine and even so mentally my attributes kept me in a top physical state. Regardless I was feeling fatigued or perhaps weariness from the events of today and completing this project.
“Project A huh, I’ll have to come up with a good name for the first golem I’ve personally built.
Let’s put you together buddy.”
I grabbed the first arm and brought it to the torso. Project A was designed as a humanoid golem, and it modeled the human anatomy to a degree. Was this a limiting feature of my first-ever golem? Yes. Did I care? My Hero Golems were also very humanoid in shape and appearance. A man had his romance. If he liked something it was hard to get him to dislike it.
With a slightly strained heave, I popped the arm into its socket. Afterward, I repeated the same action three other times for the rest of the limbs as I left the head for last. I picked up the head and studied it for a long moment. Long curved horns reminiscent of an ibex’s horns, matte black with startling white tips. An extreme visage that was similar to the fierce Japanese Oni mask. With sharp golden canines that seemed like they were ready to rip anything inserted to shreds. Too bad the head was just that, a head on the golem. I was not an [Artificer] who could make extremely precise devices. From clockwork such as watches, energy-based weapons, and more, an [Artificer] was able to make such complex items. Provided they had the skill and knowledge.
For a long moment, I stared at the horns of the [Duplicate Hob], who served as the boss of [Goblin’s Den]. My hands tightened around the horns as I raised the face to meet eye to eye. Within the sockets were two red-gold diamonds that were polished to such a degree, that I could see my reflection in the brilliant gems. Carved upon the face were plenty of sensory runes that turned into a script that read: To see is the first step, to hear is the next. Open your eyes to the Plane of the Prime. Open your eyes to the cry of the World.
Without translating the tier three runic script into Edryanese, all I’d see of the runes were |See and Hear|. Three runes flowed together to form the script. A spell but in written form. Casting such a spell would temporarily enhance my sight and hearing, but unless I was a ranged class or perhaps an assassin, I did not need such things. At least I would say that if I was the previous generation of [Mage]. There was a reason I required the 72 base runes to be learned.
Golems were different and crafting them in the manner I did so requires such spells to be woven within them. Other [Golemancers] or [Mages] who created golems would have such functions in the spell they used to give the golems life. That is what my (Adaptive Learning Algorithm) did with its supporting spells. Casting magic was like writing and reading a program to the world. You created a spell using nodes to craft a rune that represented the magic you wished to display in the world. These nodes were functions or methods your mana would compile and run.
It was wonderful.
Project A’s gaze broke from mine as I lowered the head and slotted it into its body. All that remained was the empty torso. I shifted the golem around, grunting slightly as the thing weighed several tons. A glance to the side showed the weapons I crafted for the golem. They were… passable for now. I was not a [Weaponsmith]. The set included two different styles of shields: a tower shield for heavy defense and a standard knighting shield. A single long sword and dagger while the last item was a spear. The golem had several ranged options within its body. A surprise I couldn’t wait to put to the test.
The fatigue I felt earlier was gone. All that remained was excitement as I removed the battery from my pocket.
“(Inspect).”
Civilian Grade Battery – Modified
Type:
Item – Modified Civilian Grade Battery
Rank: Uncommon
Core Charge: 100/100
Core Integrity: 100/100
Standing: Crafted by Lawruthian Edryani
Description:
This is a heavily modified Civilian Grade Battery. It holds triple the normal charge of a CGB which would allow it to last for three weeks rather than one as the standard CGB does.
I held the small softball-sized core in my hand ready to insert it when I heard the pitter-patter of owl feet on the floor. Minerva scampered up to me and chirped at me to pick her up. Laughing I reached down for my living perk and set her upon my shoulder.
“Did you enjoy your nap?”
“Chirp!”
“Glad you woke up in time. Here comes the fun stuff.”
“Chirp, Chirp.”
Without further distractions, I placed the battery within Project A’s open chest cavity. The moment my hand was removed, Project A’s torso closed as the golem began coming to life. I took a few steps back and waited for the golem to finish its boot-up. The bluish-gold runes intensified as they received power for the first time. Only after several moments and light shows from different parts of the golem's body did its eyes light up. As it did so I felt a tendril of mana reach out for me… trying to form a bond or connection. If I denied it then the golem would not have a direct master and could be subjugated by anyone, or turned into a monster unless stated otherwise in the runic script that created it.
Of course, I did not, allowing the tendril to connect to me. Familiar with its sense. It was not like the connection I shared with Minerva. With her, it was like I was speaking to another part of myself yet with separate thoughts and manners. With the golem, it was along the lines of a master and servant relationship. I could feel I held all the power. With a simple command from my Intent, the golem would act.
Command I did.
The golem lowered itself before me. Like a knight taking a knee, it was ready to receive the word of its lord. Minerva’s head twisted in curiosity; the young bird wondered what I was doing.
“(Golem Commander).”
Skill Name:
(Golem Commander)
Description:
Under your command, no golem shall falter. No magic will break them. No swords shall shatter them.
Function:
+50 Base Attack/Defense to golems under your direct command. +10% increase effect for buffs. +15% HP/MP.
I smiled deviously as the skill took effect. For the first time, I got to see my class skills interact with one another. I pulled up another tooltip as I took a look at Project A’s status. A small selector appeared in the corner of my vision under my Life Points. Its selector was right under Minerva’s. Since the golem was now connected to me I’d be able to see its status at any time. This was different from my Hero Golems as they came to life under a completely different format. No (Adaptive Learning Algorithm) was written within the battery. I was far too low in my runic understanding and general spell casting. Not to mention far from having the base requirement of a few thousand mana needed to cast it.
Skill Name:
(Rune-Scribing of Elevation)
Description:
Inscribe runes upon any material you deem worthy. Enhance their effects to the next level.
Function:
Any project inscribed under the use of this skill will imbue a 25% effect boost to all rune scripts.
[Unnamed Golem – ★★]
Power: 450
Base Atk: 135 +50
Base Def: 120 +50
HP: 825/825 +124
MP: 1125/1125 +169
Vitality: 275
Mind: 375
HP Regen: 25/Hour
MP Regen: 34/Hour
Self: 400
“Hehehehehehehe,” I giggled. My hands rubbed together like a supervillain. On my shoulder, Minerva rolled her eyes and began preening herself.
Project A was at the limit of a two [★★]star beast. It was comparable to an Uncommon magi-human with a Rare class. That’d make it mid-early late-stage Silver Knight. The grades for the beast were relatively simple and I had been taught since young. Those with higher rarity classes, bloodlines, and race grades would find the defeat of each of their levels with slight ease. The higher the attributes at the same level, the easier it was. Although the golem was a rushed job as it didn’t possess all the skills it could have.
One [★] starred beast had a limit of 500 attribute points before it would evolve. It was the level Copper Knights or people in the range of 25 levels plus could fight. Two [★★] starred beast limit was 1,500. Silver Knights ranged from level 50 to level 125. Three [★★★] stars were limited to 3,000 Attribute Points and Gold Knights were from level 125 to level 200. They would most likely have mana by now if they didn’t at two stars. Four [★★★★] starred beast was not something you could face alone. Hell, even Gold Knights didn’t fight most three-starred beasts alone. Four stars were basically calamity-leveled beasts. Totaling 9,000 Attribute Points at their maximum.
Five [★★★★★] Stars?
Calamities.
Nation Enders.
Five [★★★★★] Starred beast was called Calamities and was something only those nearing the limit of the mortal levels could face. They had to have a minimum of 18,000 Attribute Points to enter the ranks of the extreme threats. The type of threats that could end counties. Those rising from four to five stars were just known as Rising Calamities. I wonder… could a calamity be made?
“What should I name it?”
“It's Project A… hmmm why don’t you name it…
Adam.”
You have received one level from class experience. The level is auto-assigned to:
[Hero of Edryan].