I walk into my workshop and behind me is the construct. I walk to the left and on one table I pull out the Construct body I repair.
“What are… you going… to do?” The construct asked.
I was about to start working when I remembered the other one. I turn back and was about to point at the screens but then thought about how I already talked with him, “Sit over there.” I point at the table.
He looks at the table and shrugs before walking and sitting down. I look around and after a bit I finally find a small black box that was in good condition and turning to the construct I tossed him the voice box. “Catch”.
He was taken by surprise but catches it and after seeing what it is he pulled the old one out and put the new one in.
“Ahh! One, two, three, four, five! Oh this is a new one, not bad.” He said. Now his voice was clear and had a deep tone fitting his size. “So what are you going to do?” He asked.
“Test.” I reply and walk over to the construct and put it into a sitting position and then removed the plating off the head.
I grab some scanner drones and put them in the brain have them scan. I then turn to the several screens behind me and I brought up a schematics of a worker class clockwork and then showed the brain unit. In another screen slowly the scans that came into my core transmitted to the screen. In a screen in the middle the parts that matched up began to appear and any different parts were being pulled up.
“Impressive.” The construct said, “Am I just a research subject?” he asked.
I looked at him and thought a moment, “Research sample.” I replied and he chuckles.
“Is there a difference?”
“Research sample is simply scanned, research subject is dissected.” I replied and he burst out laughing. “What is construct plates made of?” I asked while turning back to the screens.
“Don’t know, if i’m not mistaken it's some kind of magic alloy that is mixed with iron to protect and won’t rust. Supposed to be a mixed at the atomic level so it changes the molecule.” He said shrugging.
I thought about this and took out a piece of armor plate I took while I was at it and put it on some larger drones that took it away. The drone headed to my core so that I could examine them at the atomic level.
After a while the scan was finished and I found a few parts different but mostly on the structural level. Part shape didn’t matter since the scans find their purpose as well. These new parts were unknown for now but these would be found soon with what I wanted.
Two of my arms changed and revealed my tool gears. I aimed for a few parts that I commonly remove from the clockwork when I was still using scrapped ones to make robot's could control. First off I removed the memory chip since it will be somewhat useless but I don’t waste it and instead have it installed into Yasha’s brain to scan the content if anything survived. Then a few control parts were changed due to damage and finally I add a receiver. By the time I finished this I had read the memory and it held some scraps of information that I couldn’t make much use of so I just removed the damaged memory chip and got to the experiment.
Rebuilding the head and face I begin to send the signal to the construct but it doesn’t react but then I remember it needed mana to run. I grab a small crystallized mana crystal and open the chest before I wrap it around some wires and watch the mana flow out.
I kept sending the energy and when the mana reached the brain it began to start up but it also took in my signal and began to connect but it began to conflict with the programmed mind but with my computerized mind through the connection I was able to pull up the coding and shut down the constructs start up and take the body. The main code was pretty much removed by me and put into a separate folder.
Then I began to try and move but quickly found that I couldn’t. Not getting so discouraged I actually looked at the coding then pulled up the basic worker clockwork one. I quickly found out why, although the brains parts are similar or the same the codes are totally different. The codes are made to be able work with mana and not electricity that clockwork use.
Suddenly something seemed to click when I look at my main Automata code that were also the blueprints. Looking at the codes that control the movement by mana there was so much similarity but all over my codes these areas are empty.
“So that is why I can’t control it, could it be that I needed to assimilate construct codes?” I wondered.
It was a risk, mixing the codes could conflict yet it could improve. The Automata codes never stopped growing but compared to the start it was just growing as if I was aging.
“Hey why are you silent?” the construct asked.
I looked his way and he looked wholly bored sitting there. “Go to rest or something.” I tell him.
“You're doing something with the construct? What?” He asked.
“Trying to control like clockwork.” I replied.
“Does that mean you're going to mix your codes? That will crash your systems.” He replied.
I had expected him to say as much, higher class beings are made with better material so his memory chip obviously lasted longer allowing him to remember certain facts.
“I’m not a clockwork.” I replied.
“Yeah, guessed that already.” He replied bored.
I shrug and look at the areas that seem to lack something. The whole of the constructs codes made up its personality but I could tell which parts did that because the personality part of the programs were designed the same between constructs and clockwork. It was the rest that was coded differently.
Loading up each section of the codes on the construct slowly I start to move the magic doll until I added every section to the construct and now knew the control for each one section. It was still rough to control it but with knowledge come testing and copying each section I find the ‘holes’ in my code and attach each into each part.
All the codes slowly merge and as ever last one is placed into the ‘holes’ all the holes were fixed and the concept of the constructs control of mana soon started to spread and the pure machine coding merged and spread throughout the coding.
After a while a notification appeared. It said that after merging my codes with the control coding from Constructs I have ‘completed’ my coding and can now control construct bodies and magic control has become available depending on the body I am using.
The best part is the as the codes kept moving it began to mix with the machines that are supposed to be magic tech and the unclear concepts began to clear up and the Mana Generator that gathered mana and refined it in my body before sending it to a mana storage unit was finally appearing in detail.
“It won’t be long before that thing clear’s up enough for me to build. I may even be able to build weapons using it.” I thought.
Looking at the construct my vision extends and the eyes of the construct light up and it begins to move and stands up.
“Th...is...is…” I stop talking and grab a new voice box and install it into the Construct. “This is better.” I mutter after installing it back in. “Old body.” I mutter disgruntled.
“Good job, now what?” He asked.
“... lay down.” I said and suddenly the scouts began to crawl about.
“Your sadistic…” He muttered and sighed before laying down and let Techno open up and begin in depth scanning of his body and did the same with the new construct body.
The next morning was followed by more cleaning, the constructs were all put to work together supplied with a small crystallized mana crystal. Sakura was already healing herself so with the land slowly healing the elves went around the clean areas and vitalized those areas.
About one sixth of the area was cleaned and since the other races were working I talked it out with the others and decided to pay for the work done since the quest was for my crew and the others are doing it without an actual quest so he decided to pay with tokens.
As such when they all returned to the ship there were clockwork that gave all those that worked, two purple tokens that would be 100 dollars.
There were a lot of people that were happy because it let them buy even a few things in the town but there were others that weren’t so happy.
One such person even waited for me and when I walked out, coincidently with my construct body that I had replaced the metal bones and other parts but the skin I was remaking through my core because I don’t have the real production process so I was using my own core to break down and remake parts.
“You! You fucking bastard! Why are you paying us some shitty tokens when you could pay with something useful!” He shouted.
I was just coming out of my workshop and that guy shouted while trying to get closer but was stopped by the knights.
“Get off me! I’m talking to that bastard! You! Get out her and pay us our proper due! You said you can upgrade constructs so do it!” He shouted.
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I frowned to him and looked at the large robot behind me.
“Bunch of hot air this brat.” The construct muttered behind me and I chuckled. I turn away from him but that seemed to tick him off.
“Oi! Didn’t you hear me?!” He shouted and stepped forward.
“Stop! Take one step forward and we will be authorized to smash you to pieces.” The knight said.
“Who are you to tel…” a loud bang followed and his head was split into shards.
I turned to the shocked public, “I have been just figured out one model of upgrade constructs, if the constructs wish for upgrades than you can wait until I can locate and completely scan the different models. I have yet to figure out how to the upgrade is performed.” I said out loud reaching everyone then I looked at the big construct.
He stepped forward and looked at the constructs, “I was just revived by him, for those curious I am a specialized construct with earth magic that can use strengthening magic as my focus. Anyone interested in strength and and heavy lifting model it will take some time for him to discover the upgrade process but he will teach others to make these when he has figured the entire process out.” He explained.
“I will be charging tokens for upgrades as payment, your contribution for my service. When I discover his upgrade I will determine a price but it will be the lowest at 3 purple coins. You can acquire them by working for me, we will pay two purple for those helping out in cleaning the land. If you help scavenge new construct models or find any new technology or bring me construct monsters I will pay depending on the difficulty but new construct models I will pay 10 purple coins and other robot's will go for different prices as mentioned. You can get small jobs by working in the town as well for working small jobs for the citizens.” I explain.
When I finish explaining everyone was shocked by my decision but I had my reason, I wanted to spread the coin token currency, it's a simple and effective system of contribution.
“How can you tell the token is yours, can’t we just make our own?” Someone suddenly asked, this was one of the citizens.
“We will make a proper coin but it will still be colored stone but the engraving on it will be unique to our press.” I replied.
In short I just created a new job, while before the coin was just a rock, now I was going to need to make a minting press that would carve the details into the coin. Without the press no one can copy me.
The construct chief walked up at this time and looked at me was a smile. “We have long since discovered a few models, they are useless as they are so we never used them for more than ornaments but now I wish to make my donation. I have a few stored higher rank models.” he said.
The others frowned at the old construct shamelessness while the big construct beside me chuckled at the man and muttered, “A real business man for sure.”
“We will go in the morning.” I replied and turned before leaving towards the space I hide my core, some new plates were already made and were waiting there for me to use.
Although no one left during the night, there were people that travelled during the night to reach the burnt area and waited together so that they could get in on the benefits.
Shaking my head I had the Undine and Golems put cores for sale and limit 1 for each construct for three large red coins. This was the least I could do. It would also help me since the quest will finish faster so making them work for a core isn’t a body deal. Would make it easier for me since I won’t need to sell more for each of them until they upgrade and they will work with the elves, Undine and Golems more making my work lessen.
In the morning I also went with the chief, what he had stored away was several models.
“Oh nice collection old man, an Earth Mage Construct, Fire shooter, Construct Siren, Water Mage construct and even a Glider.” the big construct said.
“What are their uses?” I asked as I examine each of them.
Earth mage construct as he called it looked like a normal construct with brown plates, Fireshooter were bigger and the arms weren’t arm but instead cannon like shape. The Construct Siren was the earth constructs counterpart in water mana and was built to have the same water resistance, they would possess water magic strengthening which would boost strength like normal but underwater it reduces water resistance, water pressure and improves speed underwater. Water Mage is just like the earth mage and is a water magic user, if upgraded a bit maybe with shift gear it can change its name to Construct Mermaid. Finally the Glider is a human shaped construct but instead of normal arms it has wings like a harpy would have and possess specialized legs to handle the landing. They use wind magic through three sylph cores. These are all the basic upgrade classes and it seems that it’s a standard to have them all with three cores but one is enough to start them up.
For each of these I gave the old chief 50 purple coins and as a bonus I gave him a Water and Earth core so that he can safely use nature magic to help the elves.
Now there are seven models, by the way the earth construct is named a Geo Construct. I had expected it to be called a Construct Golem but it seems the naming sense of the constructs creatures weren’t that bad. From what I can see they are all basic type models, nothing overly advanced like the Tanks we had encountered before.
“Let’s take these back.” I tell the Knights who nodded and began to move the new models. Other people also heard about it but the only different ones were Mage class which I quickly realized by checking their inside that besides the color the actual ring that holds the core was grey in all of them which I believe mean element neutral. This means that each mage can actually be summed up as a mage class in general and would be able to be the most varied with magic being able to have three different cores but resulting in weaker magic or three of the same cores and having stronger magic. Besides a few extra of the same types we had it seems these were all that we could find in this place. Searching around the unexplored scrapyard will probably yield more in the future.
Taking the yield today back I toss scanners over their inactive bodies and start drawing up blueprints for them while I begin setting up silver wire gathering. Setting it up as a job for the constructs I had them break down other constructs that couldn’t be repaired this is the quickest way to get the material. As for the rings, I removed one from a mage, since they are all the same, and started analyzing them. From what I got my assumption was correct to say that they were iron melted with a core and shaped into a ring that can hold the cores. Neutral ones are made from mana crystals mixed in.
Like this I was able to start producing them for the soon to begin upgrade process but first I need to use my schematic breakdown skill and see how they are made. With a subtle smile I begin something interesting in a long time.
Gloria PoV
It’s been three days and with the money we gained we were able to upgrade our weapons with the skills of dwarven blacksmiths. The quality was much different and everything was really good but I frowning as I looked at this sign.
‘We have discovered 5 models of constructs.
Mage class: can be any of the elements and can mix up to three cores or have three of the same cores. Upgrade cost: 3 purple coins, first core comes with upgrade but others are purchased separately.
Geo Construct: earth type magic construct that uses strengthening magic and gains boost to strength. Only uses earth cores and upgrade to the brain will only permit strengthening magic but to a high degree. Upgrade cost: 5 purple coins, first core comes with upgrade but others are purchased.
Fireshooter: Construct with pure fire magic, hands are changed to cannon type hands where fire magic is concentrated and fires from. Combat class with high level destruction capabilities but loses hands. Upgrade Cost: 10 purple coin, first core comes with upgrade but others are purchased.
Construct Siren: Construct similar to Geo Construct but with water magic. They gain similar resistances that Siren possess and are use only strengthening magic but lose capabilities to use exterior magic. Can survive under great water pressure. Upgrade cost: 5 purple coins, first core comes with upgrade but others are purchased.
Glider: Modeled after the Harpy race, arms are changed into wings and legs are improved to handle landing. Their brain is upgraded to be able to take in more information and eyes gain upgrade for improved visual output. They lose hands but gain wind magic for both flying and to use for offensive purposes, this works best as a scout type class. Upgrade Cost 15 purple coins, first core comes with upgrade but others are purchased.’
“He is quite efficient.” Momo muttered as he finishes reading.
“Why are the prices different?!” I complain.
“It must be the amount of material plus the amount of changes to the body that needs we need to go through.” Jeopardy said.
Looking though the description it would make sense if the Glider was most expensive it it had so many upgrades, making the eyes better, changing the arms to wings and making the legs stronger. Mage would probably only get more silver wire and the rings to hold the cores.
“I think I will go for a Mage class.” Jeopardy muttered.
“Good idea, it’s better since you can improve your water magic control. If you keep the topaz then you can use water magic and use it to channel your lightning making it even more powerful.” I nonchalantly say.
“You know I don’t like fighting.” Jeopardy said in a pouty tone.
“Come on, don’t be like that, the upgrade is cheap and the cores don’t go for much as well so let’s get to the upgrade area and have you register early while the others aren’t here yet.” I push Jeopardy. There were already a few people who saw that but when we arrived at the building near the workshop that was designated for upgrades wthe found it empty.
“Is it not open yet?” Nene commented.
“Are you here for upgrades?” a small rabbit beastman shaped clockwork suddenly asked as she opened the door.
“Erm… my friend is.” I said pushing Jeopardy forward.
“Then come! Bro is waiting!” Nova said and grabbed Jeopardy’s hand.
“Ah wait!” She said and tried to pull her hand but found that the girl had an iron grip and monstrous strength in that tiny body and pulled her inside.
Jeopardy PoV
The door slammed behind me and Nova pulled me to the room in the back which looked like a surgeon's room. The room had large lamps lighting up a central table and behind it was the four armed robot. She trembled as she walked up.
“Lay down.” Techno said and I do it without a sound.
“Type?”
“... Mage” I replies forcing her voice a bit deeper.
He looked away and began to pull many items before he nonchalantly removed all the armor plating but since they hooked to some wires he just moves them aside and takes the rings and begins attaching them and passing them all through the wires and connecting them. Then he began to pass more wires around my body all leading into the spine and up to the brain where he told me to shut down a bit and then improved and then started me up.
“Done, current core already in place, what type of core do you want?” He asked.
I think a bit on this since it affects the magic I get. I like water magic because of the dance so with a second one my magic improves but I want to make more life and do like the elves so… “Earth. I will buy a second water core.” I said.
He comes over with the two cores and puts the earth one near the back and the water one in the final ring. Finally he closes up my armor that looked new. He held his hand and I called up the three purple and three large red tokens and he nods.
“Done, you may leave.” He said bluntly and began to clean up.
I leave as asked since I didn’t want to stay close for so long and leaving I found my friends waiting for me.
“So how did it go?” Gloria asked as soon as I appeared.
“Went well. The upgrade was quick… I think.” I reply.
“Hmm, it didn’t pass an hour, that probably explain why no line exists, he must be quick or the upgrade was really little.” Gloria says.
“It was these rings that hold and channel mana better from the core and added of wires to improve how much mana I can move and he did improved my brain I think.” I explained.
If it was any other creature that said that it would have been weird but because Constructs and Clockwork are both artificial beings that can actually upgrade their brain it can’t be contested.
“I wonder if that guy was able to upgrade Jeopardy’s brain enough for her to stop being a sad sack.” Momo muttered and was elbowed by her sister with a “Shut up.”
“It’s alright Nene, Momo is right, I’ve just been a sad sack all along and making you guys take care of me. I’ll try to move on, maybe dancing like before will help me more now.” I reply.
“Take it step by step okay, don’t worry about us, we are here to help you as well. We are friends so you can tell us anything.” Gloria said and I smiled.
“Let's get something for your guys to eat.” I say and we walk off to buys some food.