Assembly on the Giant Turtle
Five of us gathered at the crossroads. In that instant, the surroundings suddenly brightened, and an unfamiliar landscape unfolded before our eyes. We stood in a wide clearing. The air carried a heavy pressure. The mana here felt twice as dense and sticky as outside. Was this the infamous mana zone I'd only heard rumors about? It clung to my body like it was trying to hold me in place.
The clearing was surrounded by dense forest. Massive trees towered over us, stretching dozens of meters high to blot out the sky. And beyond them, piercing through the gaps between the trunks, loomed a single mountain so tall it demanded attention. At its peak fluttered a colossal flag woven from raw mana, as if boldly proclaiming, 'This is your destination.'
"Let's head straight there."
A young man with an air of refined elegance spoke up. His face wore a smile, but the mana radiating from him wrapped the area in a lethal chill. Sharpened to a razor's edge, it felt keener than any blade. He was undoubtedly a powerhouse—mana so vast I couldn't even sense its depths from my lowly Seedling stage.
"Yeah, let's get moving!"
The muscular man slapped his belly and laughed heartily. He seemed more ordinary by comparison, but his body brimmed with sturdy mana. I nodded quickly in agreement. He was right—time was short. Whatever we needed to discuss, we could do it en route.
I subtly slipped the space pouch from my waistband and tucked it into my bosom. No way was I pulling it out in front of these people. What if they tried to snatch it? Some looked stronger than me, so extra caution was key. I'd wait until everyone else had gone ahead before summoning the turtle.
The young man at the front mounted a fish spirit made of wind. It shot into the sky in a flash, slicing through the air toward the mountain. Taking his cue, the team members each set off in their own ways. Once they were all out of sight, I finally retrieved the space pouch.
I opened it and reached out mentally to the turtle slumbering inside. It stirred at my signal. The pouch's tiny opening widened, and the massive bulk began to emerge. First came the head. Golden eyes flickered with fiery mana, framed by thick, scaled wrinkles that exuded dignity and toughness. Its massive jaw looked solid and heavy, packed with razor-sharp teeth.
Next, the front legs burst forth—pillar-thick and ironclad in steel scales, like war hammers built to crush anything in their path. When those feet hit the ground, a deep vibration rumbled through the earth.
Then the shell appeared, like a gigantic shield studded with rugged protrusions, resembling a mountain range on its back. Spikes jutted from its sides like thorns, casting me in shadow as I stood beneath. Finally, the hind legs and tail emerged. The beast filled the entire clearing.
Behold this colossal fortress. Immense vitality pulsed within its sturdy frame. My own Seedling in my chest thrummed in resonance with it. I climbed aboard. A section of the shell sank slowly beneath my feet, drawing me deep into the turtle's body. Soon, a spacious chamber revealed itself—my personal workshop nestled in its gut.
I settled in and had a doll brew me some tea. I took a sip of what it brought. Warm aroma enveloped my senses, followed by a exquisite flavor sliding down my throat. Mm, time to move.
Through Magical Breathing, I sent commands along our linked circuits. My will became its motion, and the turtle lumbered forward toward the forest. Over the past ten months, I'd steadily modified it with every spell Professor On had taught me. Even he had acknowledged it as "quite usable." The result was a fortress nothing could easily breach.
Of course, there were regrets—material limitations. Most of its body was wood, and aside from the shell, the defenses were relatively weak. The legs especially. With more budget, I'd have sourced sturdier timber. That nagged at me.
Looking out through the turtle's eyes, the trees I'd thought so tall barely reached its head. The others were already far ahead. The turtle took a step. Thud—the vibration echoed underfoot. Trees in its path crumpled beneath its feet. A satisfying sight.
The turtle scooped up a few fallen trunks and swallowed them. Trees grown under this immense mana would make fine doll materials. They were transported to my workshop in moments. Who knew what lay ahead? Better to craft more dolls. I'd left most back at the shop to bring the turtle along. More tools were always better.
I set to work crafting as the turtle plowed forward, toppling and devouring trees with steady strides. Its enormous gait quickly closed the gap on the others. Those who'd been far ahead now entered visual range.
"Oh my, mind if I hitch a ride too?"
One of them had already climbed aboard without a sound. She'd been flying far off just moments ago—how had she snuck up here? The woman exuded a seductive aura. Dangerous glints flickered in her deep navy eyes. Her naturally upturned lips brimmed with intrigue.
She was the one I'd been most wary of among the team. All four others outclassed me, but she reeked the most of bloodlust—something even the slum sword thugs hadn't matched. And now she was on my turtle. My heart skipped a beat.
She leisurely inspected the beast. Even from inside, her thick killing intent seeped through.
"Of course. I'll prepare a seat for you."
One of the shell's protrusions trembled and flattened into a platform. I sent up a freshly made doll. It unpacked a chair and table atop it. She smiled and sat with relaxed poise. A doll approached naturally, offering a cup. A flawless black tea spell activated—flowers bloomed in the liquid, enhancing the aroma.
She eyed it curiously, then sipped. Her eyes widened. She took a few more slow sips before nodding.
"Fun guy, huh? I like you."
Score. Relief washed over me as I steadied my nerves. Her interest seemed positive, at least.
The turtle pressed on relentlessly. Crushing trees without pause, it soon caught up to the rear of the pack.
"The sun's harsh—shall I make some shade and walls?"
I spoke through a doll. The terrain shifted, forming barriers and a roof. But it felt a bit stuffy now. The enclosed space cramped the openness.
"Care to enjoy the view? I can add windows."
"Heh, sure."
She laughed and nodded. I half-collapsed a wall into a square window frame. Through it, I spotted the others—including the straggler approaching on a broom. A witch in a wide hat, peering at me shyly through thick glasses, embarrassment plain on her face.
"Um, c-can I ride too?"
"Absolutely. Right this way."
Another protrusion vibrated clear. I sent up a doll, asked her preferences, and fitted her spot accordingly. No need to sour things with teammates for the exam duration. But she ranked below the bloodlust woman. Equal height might irk her. So I placed the witch's seat farther out, slightly lower—subtly establishing a hierarchy to make it clear.
The witch showed no complaint. Seemed cautious by nature. For a mage, she looked too innocently harmless, even with such blatant positioning.
"Ho, so that's how you see it. Interesting."
The young man had boarded too, unnoticed. I'd figured he'd outpace us, but here he was. As I'd sensed initially, he matched the woman's prowess.
He smiled, surveying the turtle.
"Mind giving me a lift?"
"Of course."
I prepared his spot. A twinge of doubt hit—maybe he was the strongest. Every gesture dripped with innate nobility, aged like fine wine from a distinguished lineage.
"Any preferences? I'll customize as you like."
"Just keep it fully open on all sides."
"Understood."
Open on all sides, huh. His attire was practical, battle-ready—efficiency over flash. I pondered a balance of luxury and restraint. In the end, I kept it open but added a vast awning like a fan unfolding over the protrusion, granting the openness he wanted with elegant flair. I fine-tuned the height: nearly level with the bloodlust woman, but with optical illusion making each seem slightly above the other.
With the others aboard, the muscular man finally approached. He'd barreled through trees on foot, but now his face soured with dissatisfaction. He boarded wordlessly. I observed him closely. Hmm, he's probably the weakest. No need to antagonize, though—unnecessary friction. I made him a seat at the witch's level.
He eyed the height and scowled but said nothing. Deep down, he'd acknowledge it. The nameless youth and woman outranked him. For mages, power was truth. Accepting one's place was survival, not shame. His hidden pout proved it.
Now the full team was settled. I'd anticipated this since summoning the turtle—stragglers meant penalties, so they'd cluster for safety. I'd infused extra mana for speed, making it the ideal gathering point. And it worked. Satisfaction swelled. I was safe now; they'd protect the turtle to protect themselves.
"I'll escort you perfectly to the destination. Just handle any obstacles along the way."
I addressed them via dolls, serving tea all around. They sipped and reacted variously. The witch pursed her lips, frowning slightly. Too bitter for her—sweeten the next. The muscular man seemed pleased. The youth just smiled inscrutably. Same for the woman.
The turtle charged ahead, bulldozing trees in a straight line to the mountain. Despite the pace, the peak seemed no closer. Farther than it looked. Still, at this speed, ten hours tops.
But distance was just one factor. Something lurked midway—exams weren't this easy. The team sipped tea, glanced around, then nodded and settled in comfortably.
"Shall we introduce ourselves?"
The youth spoke.
"I'm Hongryeong of the Hong clan from Taepyeongryeong."
Hong clan? I'd heard the name vaguely. I rummaged my memory.
"From a great house!"
The muscular man exclaimed. It clicked—rulers of Taepyeongryeong, one of the empire's 108 domains. I mentally bumped his priority sky-high. Guaranteed passer; best to support fully.
The others looked impressed too. I slipped out of the workshop discreetly, ascending a protrusion to join them—hiding might offend.
"I'm Siger. Centurion on the empire's central front."
A soldier, then. Competent to reach centurion, but low priority—no standout talent or backing implied.
"U-um, I'm... Shaking Rope from the Eastern Witch Society...."
The witch as expected. Eastern Witch Society—not great house level, but major force. I'd tangled with a witch once; her curses were nasty. Fooled by her timidity. Worth some deference.
My turn next. With Hongryeong first, best to leave the finale to the bloodlust woman.
"I'm Ebron, running a doll workshop near University City. Friends call me Ron—feel free!"
I grinned cheerfully. I'd considered hiding my status, but with a great house here? Better be transparent. Secrets could backfire.
"Aili, wanderer."
The woman said.
"Let's get through the exam without killing each other."
She smiled coldly. The blood scent intensified.
"Of course—we're teammates now."
I smiled back. Internally: Teammates? More like rivals.
Task 5 flashed in mind: fifth contributor gets penalized. Hongryeong was safe—no one would dare use a great house scion. That'd make us enemies. So who among the rest? We were sizing each other up now—fair game or not? Look weak, and your name goes up, contributions be damned. Couldn't afford underestimation. Slip once, get devoured.
Introductions done, we rested in silence. No talk of coordinating. Mages weren't team players—proud lone wolves unused to sudden alliances, especially with strangers. Easier to act independently. The turtle's deck stayed quiet, tension humming as we eyed each other wordlessly. We'd fill roles as needed—that was mages' way.
I slipped back to the workshop, focusing solely on doll-making. Time passed. Mana thickened en route to the mountain, eventually forming fog that blanketed everything. It jammed all magical detection—we were blind to our position or surroundings.
"We on track?"
Siger called anxiously.
"Yes, trust me. Straight to the mountain."
Others might struggle in this fog, but I saw clearer. Doll-crafting honed my sense of mana's grain, vivid now. No magic—just technique, immune to interference. Follow the flow to the densest source: the mountain. The turtle surged unhindered.
Fog grew thicker, visibility nil. But the path sharpened. Then—something lunged at the turtle's flank. Enemy! It dodged spikes and struck—but bounced off harmlessly. No scratch on the shell. All that reinforcement effort wasn't for show; it could withstand even the professor's mana to a degree.
Hongryeong cast instantly as it rebounded. Razor winds shredded the attacker. A shell spike morphed, snaring the corpse. It thudded onto the deck. We gathered to inspect: a gray-furred monkey. Fog leaked from wounds instead of blood. Dull red pupils. The escaping mist thickened, then the body powdered away.
"Fog monkey."
Hongryeong said, eyes gleaming with mana as he scanned.
"Guess they won't let us pass easily."
Beyond the dense fog, countless red lights flickered to life.