Chapter 1
Rishido here. Lately, I`m enjoy touring around the city especially the bookstore. Now that the NWA is not very useful, I should study more about all sorts of things. Then I realize something, I should start to collect books and articles for my college.
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“She sure were hardworking even if you don`t tell her to do all sorts of things.”
“I`m worried that she might wear out herself from overworking but she won`t overheat from doing small things like collecting and harvesting. She was rather… enjoying it.”
The morning after the day she woke up, she`s diligently helping me with things like arranging items, harvesting plants, and even crafting potions. I enjoyed her company, but she`s s too stiff because of her servant or maid protocol which was really awkward sometimes.
I`m still worried that she would develop it into a habit. I`m thought of how to teach her about other things to made her more approachable. I could reprogram her but the memories and other things that she accumulated from her past life would be erased if I did that. In the end, I didn`t do that troublesome reprogramming.
I`m dedicated this day for her to learn with the help of Leyla. I`m in charge of technical and things concerning battling, crafting, trading so on. While for Leyla, she said that she would teach her about women things, I don`t even asked why or what.
Teaching her technical things was pretty easy because it was preprogrammed and she only needed some guidance in the actual. Books and experience were two different teachers so I have to do both. The afternoon was for Leyla and her ‘Lady Lesson’ I don`t understand why or what for.
I keep myself busy in designing my new body while the two girls and a mouse are discussing things that I don`t know what. I`m thinking of making my body more humanoid because Servira was more humanoid than I was. I made her body as light but sturdy as possible rather than being heavy armored.
Her figure was slender with normal arms and legs but she got a repair kit on her left forearm. What I mean for normal was a normal human size. She didn`t need any strong armor as I taught her that if she would help me with battle, she`ll be the rearguard. I do add some reinforcement on her shoulders, thighs, and feet for the sake of using the quick shift.
Leyla suggested that I should add a skirt so she would look like a real woman. I didn`t protest to it when taught of things that she could do with her skirt. First, I made it retractable and segmented to be easy to use. Then I add a double layer but one size shorter than the other did that ended down the knees. The longer piece was for aesthetic only so I made it a bit thinner while the shorter one was detachable and used as a shield.
She does look like someone I used to know, but I shook the feeling off as I worked on creating a prototype of cores that I would use in the future. What about the monster eggs and young that still unhatched or born. Maybe I could make coreless drones for surveillance or gather purpose.
*
After her crash course yesterday, we`re at the guild as I did my business here. Earlier, when we enter the town from the west gate there are many people that were also entering Vulcan and from the looks of them, they`re player teams. I heard murmurs and whispers the moment they saw us. Servira and Cerous were the eye catcher, though.
It was new to them to they saw another clockwork but I shrugged off the stares of people as we proceed towards the guild building. I sold items that I harvested inside the sanctuary as well as say my farewell to Arth-dono but the attendant-san said that he`s not there at the moment so I asked her to say that I stop by to claim my payment.
Looks like I will stay here for another day before traveling.
After my business with the guild, we proceed towards Jaldava-dono shop to say goodbye to her and the kids. Maybe Servira could learn things from her. The two girls were on Cerous back while I`m on his neck but I can hear Leyla teaching Servira about some girly things.
As we arrived at Jaldava-dono`s place, I could say that the customers increase as both players and natives went in and out of her shop. I parked Cerous just beside the wood fence of her lawn then proceed to her shop. Leyla and Mabby were on Servira`s shoulder as she walked right behind me.
As I opened the door, there were three young girls on the counter entertaining the customer orders so I waited near the door. I scanned the three of them and saw their class or job as Magic Alchemist. That was new, I never saw others have that class or maybe Jaldava was a Magic alchemist or higher.
Then I saw her walked out the behind the counter. She knew that I`m here, I doubting that she`s just an ordinary Obaa-san.
She waved at me as she went back inside so I followed her as Leyla and Servira tailing me. I saw the shocked faces of people as I walked pass them and one of the girls assisted me with the counter door. I`m their benefactor after all.
“Who`s the lady clockwork behind you, Raiser?”
“She`s the newly awake clockwork that I saved from the dungeon a week ago.”
“I`m Servira, the maidservant of Master Raiser. Nice to meet you Madam Jaldava.”
*sigh* She`s way too formal.
“Very polite and polished for a maidservant. I didn`t know you became a noble a week ago.”
“I was taught by Lady Leyla on how to become a lady even though I`m just a servant.”
“Of course, she`s polite and polished like a lady because I`m her mentor. You don`t need to lower yourself Servira just because you’re a maid. Every girl should learn to become a lady after all. Fu fu fu.”
Now she`s boasting again. I can`t help it, but she really did a good job. However, I doubt her being a lady when she did some practical jokes and pranks to me.
“Of course not Jaldava-dono. She`s a maid clockwork decades ago then she got eaten by the dungeon where I saved her.”
“Hmm… Well, I haven`t heard a clockwork bring back a life of others. This was my first time seeing one. However, for a young fairy to be able to teach a clockwork to be a young woman. That was even more fascinating to know.”
“Actually, I`m here to say goodbye as we will travel towards the dukedom tomorrow if I can finish my business here. I`d like also to asked a favor.”
“What is it?”
“I would like you to teach these two ladies here about alchemy.”
They two of them look at me as I said it. What? You needed some hobby to do especially Leyla. Besides, having additional hands in the workplace was always welcome.
“Of course, there`s nothing to worry about teaching them but you still have to pay for the lesson.”
After all the helped I did, I couldn`t afford a free lesson.
“Fine. Teach them what they could learn in one day. I leave them to you.”
“WHAT!? I have the right to say no to this. I don`t like to be schooled again you know.”
“Leyla it`s also for your own good also.”
“How could that be?”
Then Jaldava-dono brought back an old book that`s like about to be ashes when you just touch it.
“I`m a magician also so I could teach you how to become more powerful and popular to other fairies that couldn`t do another magic spell.”
“Please take care of us Master Jaldava. Servira! What are you doing there? Say your gratitude towards Master Jaldava.”
She`s easy to persuade when you mentioned about popularity, magic, and jewels.
“Thank you, Master Jaldava for being our mentor. I`m also grateful for Master for letting me studies about alchemy and magic even though I`m incompetent.”
“It`s okay Servira don`t worry about it. Just what were you back then Jaldava-dono?”
What was her profession back in her younger days? Magic Alchemist was unknown even in the forums. Most players don’t take this combined production and battle class like what I did.
“I`m just a well-known Alchemist in the Aurum Kingdom that`s all. Wait, I also had some colleagues from other kingdoms and few students.”
“Okay then. I won`t pry more about your past Jaldava-dono. Again, thank you for everything.”
“Thank you also for bringing children here. I feel so lively again. But before I forgot, here take this.”
She took something from one of the drawers of her worktable. I didn`t know there`s a drawer last time. She hands over a small magic tool that looks like a medallion.
“That was a magic tool for gathering mana around you when it was on. Back then, I dreamed of making my own clockwork helper because golems were boring while elementals have an affinity that might affect the potions and other things that I`m creating. I tried but I failed too many times so I stop trying.”
A magic tool for mana collection. This can`t be really true. This thing was beyond my imagination that I could ever think of. I planned to make a magic tool that could collect, store and produce mana so it could be used for my energy.
“I don`t know what to say. This thing was beyond my plan to have.”
The two girls came to us while staring at the medallion. I could see Leyla`s smile and eyes. Dangerous.
“Can you make one for me Raiser? It looks so pretty. I can see a dozen of mana trails with the different color.”
Mana with different affinity? As I scanned it. I was just in shocked, this medallion was full of mana with a dozen of affinity. Almost all basic elements were here.
“Are you sure that I could really have this Jaldava-dono?”
“Of course, but I liked you to used it to this lady over here. I have some research about constructs and clockworks. I knew that constructs could use mana like magicians do so I made that. I requested you to make this young lady be a construct for me.”
[table]Jaldava`s Magic MedallionMaster Jaldava requested you to recreate your clockwork companion to be a construct using the magic tool that had been given to you. Jaldava had researched for years just to recreate a part of construct that`s used for their energy and magic.
Difficulty: Unknown
Time Limit: Unknown
Conditions: Become a student of Jaldava, Befriend her, Have a NPC Humanoid Clockwork in your team
Failure: When the Magic tool got destroyed or is stolen from you[table]
…Okay. Another unknown quest. I still don`t get it. Why are these two quest feels like I`ll be always on the run? Anyways, I don`t need to worry right now. I`ll just enjoy my tour and hobby while I`m here.
Jaldava-dono said that if ever I`m able to make her be a construct I should send her a letter or show my face to her to see Servira. So sending the letter was still in use here. Oh well, this game was torn between medieval and fantasy after all.
*
Today I`m back to the guild to get the promised payment from all the work that I did. Even though I do charity work, I don`t always work for free you know.
I meet Arth-dono at his office as we talked about the things that were done on the fifth floor. Apparently, things run smoothly there with the help of the mech-carabaos. Harvesting plants and other goods are always monitored so it won`t deplete and let it regenerate on its own.
The payment for assisting and other works that we have talked last week was 20 gold coins plus 25 gold for the 5 carabaos. At this rate, I don`t need to worry about money when traveling from kingdom to kingdom or maybe I can travel to another continent.
After my farewell to Arth-dono, I picked up the girls that sleepover in Jaldava`s place. They`re really diligent in studying with Jaldava-dono when I talked to her. Leyla was now capable of doing basic alchemy but in her size amount. As long as she will learn new thing any size is acceptable. For Servira, she`s taking every lesson and technique to her core. I love her passion but that might be derailed from being studious to anxious as she always thinks that I might dump her.
Even though I told it many times to her memories are memories after all.
*
I`ve already prepared everything yesterday so we`re on the move towards the Feliusa. The road to Feliusa was not very dangerous as they said it would be. Some are just too careless or reckless when traveling. Monster would pop up now and then like a while ago we encountered a group of goblins. Goblins here are different from the common green small humanoid. They are still small but their head was a bit bigger than their body with a bigger pointy nose and ears the weird about them was being grayish.
I don`t know why they are grayish but it doesn`t matter. Relatively, they are still weak individually but fighting them in hordes would be troublesome which I already predicted as I saw red marks around. Most of the time they moved in 6 to 10 per group.
We`re still on the road but we camp on a higher ground to be safe from night attacks. It was three-day travel to Feliusa and another four to dukedom if we don`t do stopover. Our travel to Feliusa was not very eventful because monsters roaming on the highway were very few. Enemies were small fries if the level was compared but the party size was a different talk.
As we got nearer to Feliusa, we met different teams roaming around. We got some small talks about monster around here and the dungeons that were known here. When we arrived at the trade city gate, as people called it, we are required to show our plate to the guards that are polite to us descendants.
The town was bigger than Vulcan was. Most residents here were either merchants or crafters. A guild master also governs this place. Many people here were just stopping by to trade or resupplying their stacks, as they will travel back to the dukedom. But the players are grinding and taking many requests as we arrived at the guild building to sell items that we collected from our small encounters.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Like before, we gained stares from people that saw when we entered the city. I just ignored them as we keep strolling around the city. I parked Cerous at the guild backyard as we decided to stay here for a day and do some shopping. Servira insisted that she would do all the works but I denied her remark and proceeded as I hired some kids to look at Cerous. I didn`t really need to hire some guards or sitters but people tend to be curious about new things.
We proceeded to the marketplace to shop items that might be useful or just piqued my interest. The entrance was filled with foods stalls but I didn`t buy the stuff that they sold because I can`t eat period. I just got interested as we started to saw different stalls and people that sold all sort of things like monster parts and rare fruits that I haven`t seen in the entrance of the marketplace.
The weapon and armor shop were just around 10 stores while the apothecary shop is just five. The magic shop that sells magic tools, potions, and scrolls are just two and they are located on the opposite side of each other one here and one on the other end of the marketplace. Every time that I enter a shop, I activate my mana scan to see which item gave off mana trail. Magic weapons and armors do give off the trail but not as powerful as the medallion or the mana trail from the clockworks that we fought back then.
The magic tools were also weak but some are useful if I`m a human, a Halfling or a humanoid. I still buy some magic tools like spark rod, cooking pan, and other adventuring tools. They`re quite cheap even if I brought, at least, six of them each. Leyla said I`m not good at buying pieces of stuff and I don`t haggle with the price.
Why need argue about the price if it`s cheap besides they`ve to sell things to live you know. Servira was still behind me while carrying a backpack that I brought to store my items. I didn`t need to buy it but Servira insisted that she will carry the baggage which Leyla second her request.
A magic backpack reduced the weight of the items and was popular among players and natives. Some natives did inherit the magic item box while some don`t so that`s why people buying this the very first time they gained some coins.
What I like about it is the magic used. If I could recreate the magic or reconfigure it to be applicable to my body, things will be a lot different. I should add it my list to visit a shop or magician that teaches on how to create magic tool. Jaldava-dono does have some magic tool but she said that she didn`t make them but it was brought in the dukedom.
I don’t need to hurry but I should shorten my visit here.
*
We ended our first day after window-shopping and today would be dungeon diving. We didn`t encounter odd group or aggressive people here unlike in Vulcan. As of now, we`re traveling towards a cave type dungeon that house mutated spiders. I'm sickened of insects as I keep fighting them inside the scrapyard dungeon.
Insects could reproduce in large scale so most request and mission were about them but they`re so annoying when you`ll hunting them for an extended period. Still we took this quest because it was relatively easier than other dungeon quests. It was just a simple collection mission stating that we will collect eggshells of the spiders that around half way of the dungeon.
It will be also Servira`s first official quest so we have to take it easy first. She`ll be my rearguard with Leyla as the support while Cerous would wait outside as he can`t fit inside the dungeon. We encountered spiderlings at the very entrance but they`re weak but the bigger versions of them are troublesome when I`m attacked in all direction.
Their attack patterns were just simple lunging and ramming while other spiders that have different markings do some net web attack and string splitting which was hard to remove. Most of our battle are the surprise attack but we could detect it early so we won`t be in disadvantageous position.
Servira performed very well on battles and cooperated quickly when instructed. Guess she`s working really hard to be fitted to my needs for a good servant but I rather have her as a companion.
*
After retrieving the eggshells that were located in one small cave-in, we reported back as we also brought the requested item. We continued on hunting and questing until Servira reached level 20. It`s kind of hard to help her level up as we`re clockworks in the first place but grinding fast could cope up with the experience nerf.
We stopped grinding when the night comes and prepared to depart tomorrow morning. It will be our third day here and thought that we covered almost all places to see here except the farther dungeons. However, I don`t go there as we will go to the dukedom early to study and travel.
The estimated travel was four days but we could make it three or two if we go there at full speed but I love to take things easy when I can. I love to travel here as I can freely move around unlike in my wheelchair still things served some purpose one-way or the other.
Traveling farther away from Vulcan and Feliusa, things started to change with the surrounding especially the monster. From machine, mechanic and metalize monsters to more biological I guess. Wolves were more masculine and bigger than the mech types also. Nevertheless, the noticeable one was that they`re higher than the previous ones but they were also moved to smaller team or pack.
We still have done some battle showdowns with monsters roaming in the highway like bees, wolves, and even a freaking bear that was bigger than I was. That bear was a real deal as it left a clawed mark in my arms while fighting. It enraged as the fight drags on but I defeated it anyways with the helped of Leyla and Servira. Like always, I skinned it and took everything from the corpse but Servira was helping me with this chore as she said she would do every chore. I don`t mind it as she had dismantling ability but she should calm her worries.
From time to time, I harvested some plants for my alchemy and hunted some elite or rare monsters. In some cases, we encountered some teams and merchant that was going to Feliusa. We did pleasantry exchange and information like monsters that showed up or prices in Feliusa.
At night, we found a small clearing to camp and took some break. Even though we don`t need to rest at all my mind couldn`t take sleepless nights for days. I`m still uncomfortable and not used to it, I couldn`t do a 24 hours playtime without a break even if it was in-game rest.
*
“Your letter and plate Sir.”
“Here”
We`re at the large gate of the outer wall of the dukedom. It was really big that it house farmlands and pasture inside but was the suburb of the dukedom where commoners and workers lived. The castle of the dukedom was still four hours away from here while the downtown was just an hour or two. As the guards let us passed after confirming our plates and letter, we entered the large wooden gate.
The fortified wall encircled the whole dukedom protecting it from any other force like monster swarms from dungeons or invading force. The guards here were around 50 - 80 depending on their position and abilities. Bet this place always in troubled with monsters.
The farmlands spread out as far as I could see but there was still small forest that was inhabited by wild animals like deer, boar, and other smaller animals. The main products produce were vegetable and wheat. As we traveled closer to the downtown, I scanned some tamed monster and animals roaming in the grassland area, so monsters could be tamed and be used as a livestock huh.
The road became paved as we get nearer also spacious that Cerous could travel on the side without bumping coaches and stalls. The entrance was still guarded but they didn`t asked but only stared at us like observing our whole appearance.
Well, they haven`t seen a clockwork for hundreds of years so they were still cautious about my arrival. It was afternoon when we entered the outer village but it was still busy. People around us stared at us anxiously but I just shrugged it off. We proceeded to the guild building to check some quest and maybe take a rest there before logging out.
The guild was still far from the gate that was located near the inner wall or the Noble Street as my map indicates. The dukedom was divided by three walls. First, was the fortified wall for area coverage and protection next was the inner wall for the noble district and last would be for the castle. I saw some discrimination but this how things work in this world.
After I parked Cerous behind the guild building and paid the horse caretaker that was also the attendant of the carriage, we entered the guild building but my sensors run rampant as I saw too many threats popped out everywhere. What a very welcoming atmosphere.
I saw many teams inside the guild building; it was twice bigger than Vulcan has. Most teams must be bronze plated or even higher as it was the dukedom then I saw some familiar faces like the Knight`s team and the Watchers.
I just ignored them but I stayed alert if a thing goes out of hand. I trimmed down my choice in the bulletin board that has many hunting, dungeon and collecting request. I just picked monster subjugation that has an appropriate difficulty for us. Our team was just a two-man crew so I have to take in consideration of going to a dangerous place and now that Servira was part of a quest.
Now that I think about it again, the Cycle of life quest didn`t finish or even have a chained connection to Jaldava-dono`s quest. Maybe I should find clockwork or a village to continue this race quest.
After I picked up our mission for tomorrow and have the details of it from the attendants, we proceed to the marketplace to window shop as always. The shops here were bursting with power but the prices that make me feel weak. I understood that they needed to earn but the prices was a total ripped off.
After sightseeing around the weapon and armor shops, I decided to look at the magician`s tower where all sorts of magic tools, potions, and scroll were sold according to the guards that we encountered. They really assured public order here as I saw many patrolling guards from now and then.
*
We go swarmed by magician and other magic class people that kept asking a question about us like how are we made, can they reproduce us, or can they employ or tame us. Fuck with the questions. I even almost punch a guy that said on how can they tame or control us. Lucky him there`s a master came down the moment before I fire my grappling hook down to his throat.
Even Leyla was about to burst into a rage as she was poked by someone.
I don`t have any remorse for the people that wronged me. But I'm not a villain to kill indiscriminately, maybe that`s why I don`t take bandit subjugation.
“Stop on what are you`re about to do. You may kill any of them with just your raw power.”
“Teach them first to respect all form of life first. There will be no next time.”
I stared at the old man but as I saw his hands, he`s a demi-human maybe a full form beastkin at most.
“All of you apologize to them. They`re important guest here.”
Like in military, they quickly apologize to us even though they were older than we were. Many of them are human but there were mixed of elves, beastkin, and other race.
“I apologized for their rudeness even though they`re older than you. I could sense a powerful mana coming from you the very first second you stepped inside this tower.”
“Maybe it was how I'm built.”
Does he detect the mana energy that we possessed? It was still mana after all.
“Not the mana inside you or anything but a familiar mana that you three have. If my guess was right you`re all able to do alchemy, am I right?”
“Yes, we do.”
How did he know we took alchemy, moreover familiar mana. Maybe that means he knows.
“It was Master Jaldava`s mana that I'm sensing. It`s been years before she took students under her wings.”
“How did you know her?”
“I`m one of her students back then and all of Master Jaldava`s students possess an alchemy book but for a higher magician like myself, it was a letter of recommendation.”
Hmmm… that`s why.
“You can shop later and be accompanied by one of my assistants but I`d like to invite you first to my room so we could talk.”
“Wait! Before we agree, what things you want to talk about?”
Leyla was right, I didn`t even think of it. Servira was still silent and unmoving even though we got into troubles.
“Well, it would be what kind of recommendation letter Master has given to the three of you.”
“Hmm… now that you said that I`m intrigued as well on that matter also.”
“If Raiser doesn't protest then I won`t but better be good or I`ll burst your face. Those old men and student of yours don`t have any manners when asking questions to a lady.”
“Pardon for the lack of manners of my subordinates and students young fairy. I`ll see to it that next time you came here, you`ll be treated properly.”
“Thank you”
Okay… I`m at lost now.
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EDITED
A/N
1st chapter for the 2nd installment but unedited coz le editor is missing again *tableflip*
Anyways i just updated the cover hope you all liked it.
i`ll still continue to improve my works and if you ever see some improvement i need to add just drop it at the comment,
just don`t say it very hard i`m having a bad day because of the editor,
Enjoy