"Well, I'm sure I can arrange for all your requests to be satisfied. For now, as a show of good faith, I can leave Yasmin with you to aid you in your magical studies. Ah, I hope it will be alright if I leave my son with you too. Part of Yasmin's duties is to train him in magic, and it won't do for him not to continue with it just now. I hope that is acceptable?"

What is this guy thinking? Wouldn't leaving his son here be like giving me a hostage? Or is he really serious about this cooperation and wants to leave his kid here to show that I can trust him? Hmm, or are they both being used as spies inside my territory? Ugh, this is giving me a headache, but I'd be a fool to turn it down.

"That is fine, but there's the issue of food and supplies they'll need to live here. Can that be arranged?"

"Certainly. You don't have to worry about that. I'll begin the process of registering you with the kingdom and promoting you to the locals to aid your growth as soon as I return. I wouldn't be surprised if you start getting visitors as early as tomorrow. So, do you have anything that they can fight against? By that, I mean something weak enough that someone without training could hold their own against."

Well, that's an odd request. Why would anyone come here just to fight my golems? I don't exactly have much in the way of material wealth. When I question Davic about that, he launches into another long-winded explanation. Basically, almost everything contains mana. By killing monsters, destroying golems, and doing everyday mundane things like eating the people absorb the mana released by doing the actions. In the case of food, it's absorbed by eating it. When it comes to monsters, their mana core absorbs the mana released by the creature upon its death. Of course, actions like killing monsters yield a higher amount of mana. While the body of a monster will retain some amount that can only be absorbed by eating it, my golems will release every ounce of mana contained within them.

The absorbed mana is then refined by the receiver's mana core. This can then be used to strengthen their body which results in greater strength, tougher skin, faster speed, and a longer life or it can be used to strengthen their core. Which leads to a greater mana capacity and access to more powerful spells. So, that means dungeons are a rare and valuable resource. We can be used to raise powerful troops and great mages. However, it's the commoners who live near one of us that become the most excited. We provide the chance for them to break away from their fate because of all of this since they can't afford to travel.

It's a bit of a headache to understand all of that, but I guess that makes it understandable why the country wants to have a firm grasp on every dungeon within its borders. I can't help but sigh listening to Davic explain the intricacies. At least it's not all bad. When people explore my kind they leak their own mana while performing various tasks. As a dungeon, I'll be able to absorb that ambient mana and add it to what I generate to increase the speed of my growth. Or so Davic says. But I'm inclined to believe it. I seem to remember gaining an influx of mana when I killed those mercenaries and Tharin.

That's a shame. Although it forms a co-dependent mana ecosystem, it's easy to see how others of my kind could become murderous and drunk with power as they try to grab as much mana as possible. Well, that won't be me. I don't mind killing when it's required or I'm being threatened, but I don't enjoy hurting anyone just for the sake of it.

"Ah, well, you'll have to forgive me for being a bit of a rambler," Davic says with a deep sigh. "I've always had a passion for teaching and it's been too long since I last had the chance to do it. So, I'm sorry for talking so much. You've gotten what you wanted so now you're free to do whatever you want. Of course, if you think of anything else you want, please don't hesitate to let me know."

Hmm, now he mentions it. I do feel like I'm forgetting something. Something important that's been bugging me, but it's on the tip of my mind. Like there's a door I can open if I just remembered how. Yeah, it feels like there's a wall there, keeping me out from whatever is beyond it. I guess I can think about that later. It's not urgent.

"All right. I'll think about that, but for now, I'm sure we could both do with a rest. Why don't you go back first and get some rest before returning to Sir Manford's manor? I can have Athena escort you back there."

Davic agrees with a weary smile, so Arachea leads him back outside to his guards while I turn my attention to Yasmin and the boy. They don't seem pleased as Davic explains what he's agreed to, but they're not saying much. That's probably a good thing. If I've got a spy, I'd rather they remain quiet. To be honest, I thought the kid would throw a tantrum, but he almost seems excited. He's been staring at my wall for a while now, but it seems like he wants to do something with magic. However, it looks like Yasmin is rejecting him as they send off the viscount. I guess that guy really can't sit still. He didn't rest at all or wait for Athena before starting his journey back.

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I sense Arachea approaching me and I order them to bring the group to my workshop. The young boy, Henrick, takes a while to calm down. He's constantly looking around and asking Yasmin questions as they pass through my gate and follow my boss spider. He doesn't seem to be the kind that has an issue with strangers, so I figure that's a good sign. The woman with him, Yasmin, doesn't seem to care. She just seems happy to have him safe and in good health. They're probably exhausted and just running on the adrenaline of the journey and waiting to find out if the viscount was safe after he entered me. They'll probably want to sleep soon, but I want to squeeze some knowledge out of Yasmin before she turns in for the night.

Since I don't need to sleep, it'll only benefit me if she can point me in the right direction with my experiments first. I take a seat in the workshop, placing my elbow on the worktable and leaning my head against my palm as I wait for my 'guests'. It only takes them a few minutes longer to get here, and as the secret door opens I hear Henrick gasp. I chuckle at that, which draws his attention to me. The poor kid suddenly clings to Yasmin's robes and hides behind her.

Hmm? She's looking at me with some hostility as I feel mana gathering around her. Looks like I need to make it clear who is the master of this house. I stop restraining my mana and my eyes glow orange as does my core, clearly showing itself through my white robes.

"It's not a good idea to challenge a dungeon alone within their territory," I say with a slight sneer. "Now, are you going to calm down or do I have to force you to?"

The boy freezes at my words, but Yasmin is still glaring daggers at me. I guess she's going to need a little more convincing. I make my golems, Arachea, and a few of its minions, step into the room. The woman doesn't look impressed at my golems as they line the wall behind her, but she does back down when they unveil their multitools and point them at Henrick. The young boy peeks from his hiding spot to look at my golems with some interest. I've never really seen this kid up close, and he looks to be about twelve or thirteen. He's almost as tall as Yasmin, which makes it quite comical to see him hiding behind her.

"Now, there's no reason to be scared. The reason they're here is to protect me, nothing more," I say with a smile as I turn to face the two of them.

Yasmin looks less than impressed.

"Who are you? I have never heard of a dungeon's avatar housing its core."

"I am Adam. But you know that already thanks to Eraina. As for why my core is in my avatar, that's a secret. I know a dungeon's core isn't something to be revealed lightly. So you should take that as a sign of trust."

Of course, I'm totally bluffing. I had no idea that it is unusual for an avatar to carry the core in it. Naturally, I had to play it off as a special secret of mine. Thankfully, it seems to work.

Yasmin takes a few moments to respond as she studies me. "It's nice to meet you, Adam. I am Yasmin, a mage serving the Viscount. And this is his son, Henrick."

"Well, it's nice to meet you both. So, how much did Davic tell you?."

Yasmin explains that the Viscount has tasked her with aiding me in my studies to improve my ability to produce mana. Henrick also seems to be interested in learning magic as he peers at the golems behind him.

"I'm quite happy to have your help," I say with a smile. "Now, do you mind telling me what sort of magical theories you teach? I'd like to understand them before we begin."

"Hmm, well, you may not like what I've learned. We're taught that every race was given the gift of mana from the gods. I know there is a different school of thought, but I believe we are born with mana inside us from the moment of our birth. I was born with my mana and it's only through the process of learning and practice that I have become able to access, expand, and control it. I have not heard of any other way."

Well, that's definitely an interesting view, and somewhat contradictory to what Davic said about absorbing mana. Perhaps she's too proud to admit it, and would rather pass off that sort of thing as becoming stronger through hardship. That'll be a troublesome personality to deal with, and quite narrow-minded. But that's not what I asked her.

"I meant what schools or disciplines of magic do you teach? Not the theories of how magic and mana came to be."

"Ah, I see." Yasmin frowns slightly as she thinks about her response. "Well, the most popular one is the Faithful's path, which is taught to all people of the faith. Then there is the study of ancient texts, which I believe you already know. Of course, I can only teach what I've been taught. So, I only have knowledge from the teachings of my predecessors."

"Ah, I see. Very well, I'm sure I can learn enough from that to begin experimenting. For now, I want you to start by explaining anything I can use to help me understand my mana. Especially if it can be applied to enchanting or my golems in some way. I don't want to waste time with trivial experiments, and if you have any knowledge that could help, it should be of some use. Understand?"

Yasmin agrees to my request and sits down opposite me, Henrick taking a seat next to her as he listens to our conversation. As I ask Yasmin to begin her explanation of magical theory, my thoughts turn to the wall. What is beyond that? What other secrets can be found within its ancient masonry? I wonder if those long-dead magi had similar questions. I also have to wonder, what were they hoping to find? And how did they manage to get this far with magic? Is it just a simple desire to see and explore the unknown? Or is it more than that? I feel like I'm close to finding some answers. It's just a matter of time now.