Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Mass-Produced Golem (3)
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I don't know much about golems since I haven't delved deeply into the subject, but I do know the basics.
Current golems can be broadly divided into three main components.
The mana core used as the golem's nucleus.
The materials like rocks that form the golem's body.
And the magic that binds it all together.
First, regarding the mana core: it's generally made from magic stones.
As far as I know, they're ground into powder, mixed with special materials, and molded together.
Or sometimes carved directly from a large chunk of magic stone.
The former is more common, but since I started making mana crystals, special orders for the latter have been on the rise.
That said, mana crystals are relatively less efficient, so they only go up to mid-grade.
Next, the materials that make up the golem.
These are sourced from nature.
Well, what isn't, really?
Anyway, stones are mainly used, but the process is quite tricky.
First off, you need stones of similar sizes and shapes.
Because if they're all different, shaping them with magic becomes a hassle.
It's like forcing mismatched puzzle pieces together.
The magic binds the core and materials, then etches in the circuits, so to speak.
More precisely, it's like threading beads on a string.
Just like making a bracelet with thread and beads as a kid!
"Do they even have things like that these days?"
"No, just a personal experience."
I answered Katiranya's question and continued my explanation.
And that's how golems come together, one way or another.
So, what's the most crucial part here?
"Any guesses?"
"The materials, I suppose. It's hard to source large quantities of roughly uniform ones from nature, so extra processing is needed."
Spot on!
I clapped in praise and handed her a cookie.
Katiranya looked exasperated but ate it and quickly cheered up.
Seizing the moment, I explained a bit more.
"The core and magic aren't too hard to prepare. I just got parchment from the Blue Magic Tower, after all. But stones and such? Not easy to procure on the spot—especially when they need customizing."
"What about the core?"
"Yeah, that's a factor too, of course. But I'll solve that one as well!"
For using assorted materials, I can reference dungeon golems.
I've already got a rough plan, so expect plenty of experiments.
So, how to handle the core?
"I'm planning to leverage enchantment magic for this."
"You don't mean enchanting individual stones, do you?"
Katiranya wore a skeptical look.
I nodded and awarded her another cookie.
"Exactly. The core spell will be mana absorption and storage. For short-term operation, that's all you need."
She gave a small nod of admiration.
My plan must seem plausible enough.
Though I did feel a slight twinge of conscience.
Because while success would solve the core and material issues...
"The magic's the real problem."
"Hm? What was that?"
"Haha, nothing."
She looked puzzled, but I shook my head it off.
I have to cram core creation and golem shaping into a single spell.
On Earth, it'd be like writing tens of thousands of lines of code.
Of course, with AI and computers there, it might take just days at shortest.
No such luxuries here, so regrets all around.
Well, first things first: spell formulas and calculations.
The magic needs to handle mana absorption and storage, plus guidance formulas to position all sorts of materials just right.
Hm, condensing can wait!
Once more enlisting Katiranya's aid, I hammered out the detailed plans.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As I mentioned, I'm a half-baked mage who can't even form an Inner Realm.
The Inner Realm comprises a person's philosophy, thought patterns, ideology and beliefs, desires and instincts, hopes and ideals, and so on.
In a word, it's an extension toward the truths they aspire to.
Anyway, forming one naturally enables comprehending and casting higher magic.
Understanding is possible without it through effort alone, but casting? No dice.
It's like your brain gets it, but your body won't cooperate.
That's why even I fumble higher spells.
But there's always a way.
I gazed at the fresh parchment from the Blue Magic Tower.
This would be central to my experiments going forward.
"See, this is why people need tools. It handles what I can't."
Back in grad school, my professor covered for me.
Well, beggars can't be choosers.
Katiranya eyed the parchment and nodded in realization.
"I get it. You lay the foundation and build the structure, then the magic parchment breathes life into it."
Oh, solid metaphor.
I rewarded the apt analogy with a cookie.
She shot me a nuanced glare as she took it.
"...Why do you keep giving me cookies?"
"You don't like them?"
She crunched into it, staring me down.
"That's not it. Anyway, what's your plan?"
"Time to tweak the magic I'll use. More precisely, merge them into harmonious motion. Yeah, that works."
Over the past two weeks, I'd finalized the spells for mass-produced golems.
Mainly two: one for core creation, one for assembling the golem itself.
By far the toughest was the materials side—the golem spell.
Gathering disparate bits and making them move seamlessly.
But I pulled it off.
I applied a sort of logic circuit to the magic, minimizing errors as much as possible.
Of course, as noted, I can't cast it myself.
But borrowing a Magic Tower artifact makes it feasible.
All that's left is patching shortcomings via trials and hunting for condensable bits.
"Can you help with this round too?"
"Sure. Though my patience has limits."
She picked up Don Quixote—goodness knows how many reruns.
Hey, how am I supposed to write novels now?
But whether sincere or not, she soon shifted the stones.
This time, unlike before, she fetched random rocks.
Previously we'd shaped them humanoid; now just random piles.
I held up the parchment I'd inscribed with my magic.
This started as blank parchment.
Curiously, engrave a spell on it, and anyone with mana can trigger it—even commoners.
Of course, past a certain complexity, no go. But golem magic? Fine.
"Hear me, all creation."
I began with the light opening syllable.
Chanting the prepared incantation, the inscribed magic on the parchment began to glow.
Soon, the same phenomenon as with basic golems unfolded.
The piled stones clumped together.
Forming a single shape—but...
"Uh, um."
"A snake slithered out."
True to Katiranya's words, a python—no, a snake—emerged.
It somehow evoked images of elongated stones.
Should I grab a small ball here and yell, "Become my ally!"?
Caught off guard by the utter unforeseen, I blanked for a moment.
Snapping to, I inspected the serpentine golem.
At least it seemed in a 'normal' state.
The issue? Not the form I wanted.
"Looks like it'll take a while."
And so, after two weeks of churning out snakes, lizards, and pseudo-dragons, I finally managed a humanoid golem.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The mass-produced golem was one of my promises to the Magic Society.
Fail to deliver, and they might call for another council review.
Thus, the moment it was done, I contacted the Magic Society.
Prototype ready; I'd visit soon.
Three days later, I arrived with the prototype golem in tow.
Thanks to the heads-up, someone from the Society greeted me.
An elder from the Red Magic Tower, by his look.
He smiled gladly and offered his hand.
"Welcome! We've been expecting you. Name's Helphim."
"Pleased to meet you, Helphim. I'm Edn."
We exchanged a brief handshake and greetings.
Then his eyes drifted to the cloth-draped cart behind me.
"Don't tell me that's—"
"It is. And I'm open to some technology sharing."
In simple terms, outsourced production.
"Oh ho, splendid news!"
Helphim beamed and led me inside.
He showed keen interest in my papers and inventions, chatting animatedly.
Eventually, talk turned to the paper I'd registered days prior.
"That recent one of yours on artificial mana explosive stone formation."
"Yes. Any issues?"
That'd be a hassle.
But Helphim shook his head and dropped something unexpected.
"High chance of approval, is what I mean. I reviewed it—quite the paper!"
"Really?"
No word from Professor yet on evaluation.
I eyed him quizzically, but he was busy heaping praise.
"Indeed! First paper in my life so innovative and fascinating. Makes me resent not thinking of it in my youth."
Helphim brimmed with regret and excitement.
And I was at the center—pleasing, yet burdensome.
Helphim appeared quite advanced in years, outwardly.
Mages generally ripen with age.
So reaching this age as one speaks volumes of skill.
His praise implied the broader Magic Society agreed.
In short, I'd been favorably marked.
"Haha, I don't know where to put myself."
"No need for modesty. You've earned it. No doubt your admirers multiplied post-council."
Tsk, not my favorite thought.
But with the council forcing my debut, unavoidable.
Still, no one's shown up demanding favors or bearing gifts yet.
Marriage proposals have ticked up, but Biena handles those.
"Anyway, chin up."
"Will do."
With Helphim's final shoulder pat, we reached the demonstration hall.
There, folks gathered to evaluate or spectate my golem.
Roughly thirty in number.
Likely golem aficionados.
"Now, take center with your cart and show us."
Following Helphim's lead, I positioned the cart centrally.
Glancing around briefly, I whisked off the covering cloth.
Then addressed the crowd.
"Hello, everyone. Edn von Rlangbur here."
Those murmuring among themselves snapped to attention.
I flashed a confident smile and cut straight to it.
"No long speeches. Behold the mass-produced golem!"
Gazing at the assorted stones loaded on the cart,
I raised the parchment airlifted from the Blue Magic Tower.
As mentioned before, inscribe magic here, and it can be cast.
Even by commoners.
"Hear me, all creation."
I chanted, mana draining from me as the parchment's magic lit up.
I felt the crowd holding its collective breath.
Once more, the familiar glow settled into the stone destined for core.
Soon spreading to the others—
"Gasp! I-Impossible!"
"Golems that simply too?!"
"W-What incantation was that?!"
The mages there—evaluators and onlookers alike—reeled in shock, some tumbling over.
Thousands of years since golems first arose.
For the first time, mass-produced golem magic—never before seen—burst upon the world.
The moment one of humanity's great magical conundrums was solved.