Never should one haphazardly cast spells near unknown magical apparatus.

This incident indelibly impressed upon the mage Panni Sien the veracity of that admonition.

Fortunately, the outcome wasn't egregiously dire. Upon awakening, instead of the anticipated panorama, he found himself surrounded by a monochrome expanse, indicating a successful traverse into the Shadow Plane, albeit with discrepancies between expectation and actuality.

However, the absence of any discernible presence around him led Panni to surmise that the explosion of the spell matrix had dispersed them.

To locate them, he first needed to ascertain his own whereabouts.

Scattered across the ground lay numerous metallic fragments. Panni picked up a piece and examined it closely, his brow furrowing gradually.

It was a resilient alloy suffused with active shadow energy, its tubular fragments containing myriad gears adorned with runes. It seemed this entire piece of metal was salvaged from some unknown apparatus.

Panni's curiosity piqued, he stooped to collect several more pieces, piecing them together. In short order, a metallic claw, shimmering with dark radiance, materialized in his grasp.

"Is this a shattered automaton?" Panni scrutinized the object in his hand for over a dozen minutes, swiftly discerning the origin of these scattered fragments.

Within the Crimson Robes Academy, apart from the intricate magical webs, he also dabbled in esoteric arts, perhaps owing to a soul tethered to a world flourishing with mechanical civilization. His familiarity with constructs and engineering was considerable.

Experimenting with his knowledge of assembly, he began reconstructing the ground's components. After a brief span, a sleek feline automaton, eight feet in length, took shape before him, leaving him increasingly astonished.

The automaton is exquisitely crafted, its energy core untouched, evidently shattered shortly after its creation and discarded here. Panni can even discern that the time elapsed since its formation and subsequent destruction is likely no more than a few days.

With only a few insignificant peripheral components left to assemble, the streamlined form of the construct seems to harbor tremendous explosive potential, its sharp claws evidently formidable weapons.

After a moment's hesitation, Panni inscribes a magical sigil into the automaton's energy core—according to his knowledge of magical engineering, this is the customary method to authenticate control over most constructs. This one proves to be no exception; shortly after the inscription is completed, the automaton's eyes flash with a burst of white light, and the magical matrix within its body radiates with brilliance, initiating automatic repair protocols.

Simultaneously, more information regarding the automaton floods into the magical network via the sigil, then into Panni's memory. As he reads through these details, he becomes increasingly astonished by the formidable power of this construct beast, far exceeding his expectations.

Such a meticulously crafted, immensely powerful construct, with even the ability to turn invisible, being casually shattered and discarded shortly after its creation, begs the question: who would squander such a resource?

However, Panni soon pushes aside such musings. In this dreary realm of shadow, eccentric shadow mages are likely abundant. Most mages tend to have peculiarities, and those who worship the Dark Lady are even more prone to eccentricities. Such frivolous acts are not uncommon among them. Moreover, Panni is somewhat concerned about the potential dangers he may encounter in the Shadow Plane, making the acquisition of such a helper quite fortuitous.

The construct leopard completes its self-repair, its eyes gleaming with brilliance as it scans the surroundings, gradually blending into the monochrome backdrop, silently guarding Panni's side. With a sigh, the mage begins to forge ahead into the unknown.

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This expanse is barren, with the distance to the portal to the material realm unknown. Panni surveys the area, only to suddenly hear a deep, guttural roar, interspersed with rudimentary giant speak. His heart skips a beat as he hastily seeks refuge behind a rock, witnessing two giants passing by not far ahead.

One of the giants ahead wields a short staff, a figure not unfamiliar to Panni, as he had recently engaged in a fierce battle with it and its minions before plummeting into the Shadow Plane.

This is a formidable spellcaster capable of wielding fourth-level spells.

Panni holds his breath as he mentally commands the hidden construct leopard to stealthily approach.

He resolves to attempt to dispatch this adversary.

The construct leopard draws near, its magical power between its metallic joints continuously lubricating and rebounding, seemingly imbued with spells like nimbleness. Despite its massive metallic frame traversing the sandy terrain, it makes not a sound.

The giant spellcaster seems to sense something amiss, turning alertly, only to be met with a flash of darkness before his arm, holding the staff, is severed by a colossal claw before he can react!

A black metal construct beast materializes before him, its airborne assault fearsome, instilling even the ferocious giant with dread!

With a shriek, the giant spellcaster leaps backward, while another giant springs forward, roaring as it blocks the construct's path. Though the construct's claws are sharp, this giant clearly possesses considerable combat experience, having dodged several strikes without suffering debilitating wounds!

A string of arcane incantations flowed from the lips of the troll mage, as mist gradually coalesced around him. Judging from the verbosity of the spell, Panni, lurking and observing, deduced it to be a spell of frigid manipulation, likely of third-level complexity. As the incantation neared its conclusion and a sphere of ice materialized before the troll, Panni swiftly completed his own incantation, pointing a finger as a globule of potent acid, a mere cantrip, splattered onto the unsuspecting troll mage's face. The troll howled in agony, its casting interrupted abruptly as the ice sphere fell to the ground, releasing frigid elements that instantly froze the ground. The troll ahead stumbled and collapsed, while the construct beast, receiving Panni's command, lunged ferociously at the troll mage!

Snap!

Sharp steel teeth severed the troll mage's neck bone. Though the troll mage emitted no sound, its powerful troll vitality kept it writhing in agony despite its broken neck. A intact arm continuously attempted to push the construct leopard away, while another troll, rising from the ground, embraced the construct beast from behind, together exerting force until the construct's body emitted a squeaking sound under the troll's bizarre strength!

Burning Hands!

Considering the adversaries primarily feared acid and flame, Panni had prepared an abundance of such spells. Conical flames burst forth, tearing through the troll mage's tattered form, reducing it to char in an instant. The other troll howled in pain, turning to assail the human mage who inflicted such immense suffering, only to be swiftly tackled by the construct beast.

Panni stepped back a few paces, calmly observing as the construct beast tore the troll's body apart, culminating in two acidic splashes, marking the end of the battle.

The construct beast returns to Panni's side, adorned with troll blood. Panni nods approvingly, immensely satisfied with the iron creature's combat prowess, which far exceeds his expectations. Not only does it possess the immense strength common to constructs, but also extraordinary agility—a feat beyond the capability of most constructs. Even the renowned Red Robe mages, famed for their crafting of magical artifacts, have never been known to create such a masterpiece.

Of course, the act of casually destroying and discarding the creation after completion piques Panni's curiosity.

"Well done," a voice suddenly speaks as Panni contemplates.

It is the Common Tongue, spoken with a peculiar, somewhat rusty accent, accompanied by metallic reverberations, adding an eccentric touch.

Turning, Panni sees a figure standing nearby. Amidst the shadowy backdrop of the plane, the features are indiscernible, but Panni can tell that this sudden arrival is observing the construct beast.

"Though it's but a flawed creation, you managed to assemble and restore it so quickly. Your craftsmanship is commendable, considering your age," the figure remarks.

"Are you its creator?" Panni's curiosity deepens, and he discreetly expands his awareness, but his expression changes immediately.

As the figure steps closer, its footsteps ringing metallically upon the ground, its entire form becomes clear before Panni's eyes: clad in resplendent full-body armor, yet beneath the helmet, there is no human face, only a sphere of iron. Despite Panni's best efforts to perceive, he senses no trace of flesh beneath the armor.

It's as if a soul is embedded within a construct.

"Yes, I am Sagba Pasca, a special researcher at the Imperial Academy of Mechanical Arts in the Empire of Emaskar," the figure, resembling a metallic golem in full, introduces himself. "Welcome to my domain."

"The Imperial Mechanists of Emaskar?" Upon hearing this introduction, Panni is once again astounded, nearly losing his composure.