Chapter 165: Bone Golem’s Legacy.

Yesterday was memorable. Collectively, I felt as if we had all learned a lot thanks to Éclair’s teachings. Today, was going to be very similar to yesterday, but instead of honing my magic, I was going to be honing my craft. Yet, I didn’t get right into it. Instead, the moment I arrived I did something a bit different and took the chance to look around and check on my subordinates.

Talia was sequestered away, putting the finishing touches on her possible totems, and also training to improve her grasp of her own magic. Shi was simply lying about, working on cycling her energies so that she could continue working away at the pills I’d gotten her. Whilst my knights were actively sparring. The surviving soldiers were working through drills on the main floor.

After checking in on them, I went inside the cold storage and got to work. With a radio playing a musical or opera of some sort in the background, I worked on slabs of ice. Having had all week to work, the newly constructed ice makers had proven their worth. Granting me plenty of material to work with. All the while costing me less of my own time.

Even then, with an illustration of human biology set before me on a stand, and a nearly complete statue, I couldn’t help but think. A week’s worth of instruction shouldn’t have been worth much, yet, having an expert guiding my hand every day had a major effect on my blooming talent.

The statue before me was nothing like those I had made in the past. Even then, it wasn’t perfect. As evidenced by the slew of half-made, distorted statues that littered the space. Even then, my primary purpose wasn’t just practice, but also to work through everything, to express myself through my work.

It was working and it did help take the edge off the constant simmering pull of my long dead addiction. It was always easy to reach for the familiar when the chips were down, when it became too much. When life felt a bit too complicated.

Still, the puzzle before me kept those urges at bay.

Standing before me, was, a nearly finished statue. The form, near perfect. The musculature, the proportions, all of it was nearly immaculate. Just running my hands along its form, I could feel the texture of sinew and muscle that I painstakingly sculpted. How every part of the body flowed and moved with purpose.

All save for a few, missing features. One, was intentional. Despite the physicality of my current statue being that of a male, it was missing a… key detail. A certain organ. I wasn’t much for that kind of thing, and hand crafting one felt… questionable. Making a totally anatomically correct state felt, odd.

Perhaps I was simply being prudish. The human form wasn’t something to be… put off by. And yet, I also feel that saying such a thing requires a certain confidence, and perhaps narcissism that I as of yet, lack. So even if it may… detract from my creation, that particular part was ignored.

As for the other part? Well, it was the face. As of now, it was merely a blank canvas. Waiting to be filled. The only issue being, I could not see what I wanted out of it. A stern face with a chiseled jaw? Soft, with an easy smile? Perhaps something between, rugged and worn?

No matter how I thought or considered it, I couldn’t even begin to imagine it. Despite how many copies I had made, none had a proper face. The regular tools I had bought were long tossed aside in favor of the tools that Lance had made for me during the third event.

They were unnecessarily sharp, and so very precise. Even the most minor of mistakes turned severe as they cut through ice like it was nothing. Even then, my talent enjoyed how easily it cut and shaved away at the blocks. Practically cooing in delight as I saw results with a slight pass of the blade.

Truth be told, none of these statues were a final product. There were still mistakes. Another batch or two would be enough to bring me up to par, but I had grander plans for my future soldiers. Meaning, these statues only existed for me to practice and yet, still, I hesitate to give them a face.

There was no logical reason behind it. None that I could find. Only emotion, a sense of reluctance based on misplaced empathy. Even with the ice, the feeling remained. Demanding I treat them, not as tools, or simple training materials, but as possible subordinates.

In the midst of these thoughts, the cold storage door opened and in came Talia, book in hand.

“Hey, am I interrupting?” She asked, noting how I wasn’t moving, and how the music filled the space.

“No… you’re not. Simply contemplating something.” I say and glance at her. “Is that the list?” I ask, pointing at the book.

“Hm, oh, yeah! This is everything I can do right now, and I’d like you to give it a look.”

“And you’re sure you want me deciding what you make?” I ask for perhaps the final time.

“Yes! I mean, you got it, and I am your subordinate, so I’d really like if you did.”

“Very well then, if you would.” I extend my hand and she hands it over. I take the time to turn off the music, letting the space fall into silence as I read over her notes.

The notes were surprisingly detailed. A sketch of what the totem would look like, its name, function and overall benefits. The number of items on the list were a bit lacking, but each totem took up a few pages to explain their effects and what they’d improve and such.

I took my time reading it over. Taking the chance to sit down in a chair I had brought in, all the while Talia stood at the side, waiting for my verdict. With every flipped page, she leaned in, coming ever closer, up until I reached the final page and closed it shut with a sigh. At which point, she jerked back and returned to her original position.

The options were… something. There was the familiar, in that she could make another bear totem, allowing her to empower two people at once with an all-round improvement, which sounded nice. There was more though…

A tortoise totem would boost the defensive capabilities of an individual. It would also grant them a shield or barrier that would absorb up to a certain amount of damage before dissipating. Something like a much weaker version of the uniform’s own defensive capabilities.

There was also a totem that boosted sensory abilities and reaction times. The boar, which focused on brute strength, a totem that would grant limited stealth, or hiding capabilities, one for boosting magic potency, another for boosting magic recovery, and so on.

The list had about everything I could think of and yet…

“Are they all single target?” I ask the girl.

“Yeah… I can’t make area, or group wide totems yet, I mean, I could probably reverse engineer one if I could get my hands on it, but otherwise, I think I would need to upgrade my uniform to get access to more of them.”

“Mm… that does make this a little more difficult, but… Éclair mentioned you were something of an item meister, or whatever that means, but I did get the intent behind her words. Couldn’t you make a totem that launched attacks or something?”

“I mean, I could, but it would be fairly restrictive.”

“You can? And how so?” I ask.

“Well… if I make a totem of lightning, it would autonomously launch out lightning bolts, I mean, I can kind of control electricity now…” She makes a point by having a tendril of electricity come into being around her fingertips. “But the potency would be much lower compared to what I can currently do.”

“Is that because of your low magic, or?”

“Less because of my magic, and more the material. If I wanted to make a fully autonomous totem, I’d need more than bone, but a full complement of materials to make one and even then, I can’t be sure it’ll surpass what I could do if I had a dedicated totem that let me cast lightning magic.”

“So, how effective is your magic right now?”

“Not very effective. Because my energy is neutral by default, I have to expend some of it to change its nature. Not a lot, but it loses at least a quarter of its punch. Not to mention that I have a bit of a projection issue. For the same reason you can’t just launch shards of ice at people. A bit of lacking imagination, and magic potency on my part keep me from simply launching bolts of lightning out. Currently, all I can manage are close range attacks with my magic, or simple empowerment abilities.”

I nod, “Then, what if you were to make a totem specifically to rectify those issues?”

“To an extent yes, but I mean, a single element totem wouldn’t be nearly as effective.”

“Then instead of making a totem for a single element, why not create an all-purpose totem?” I ask the confused girl.

“All-purpose? Like, a proper catalyst for magic?”

“Yeah, that. Even if it doesn’t bring you on par with other, proper casters. It should bridge the gap quite nicely, right? Plus, being able to launch balls of fire, or bolts of lightning at a whim would help, and if you made it all purpose, wouldn’t you be able to heal and do other things more efficiently as well? After all, didn’t Éclair say your strength was in your versatility, both in terms of magic, and as your classification of a support dog?”

Talia looked confused. No, not just that, but she looked almost frozen. Like a computer that had stalled. I said nothing as I watched her work through what I was asking. As her stuttering mind slowly worked through the problem.

“I mean…I could, but… a totem that improves aspects would be better wouldn’t it? For you, I mean. Like, would giving me a versatile tool like that be a good idea?”

“I don’t see why it wouldn’t. Honestly, I’m not sure why your first totem wasn’t something like that, did it really come with your uniform?”

“I mean, yes and no… the totem came with my uniform, but it’s more like the basic material for the totem came with the uniform. I needed to make it myself.”

“And you chose to make it a strengthening totem?” Her face was answer enough. “Or… let me guess, your captain, or leader at the time told you to make it a strengthening totem?”

“That… it was the latter. It was considered better for me to strengthen my betters, rather than improve an already lackluster skillset.”

I sighed… “How very shortsighted… and yet… I could see where they were coming from, but… yeah. I’d much rather you have some proper versatility and a means to protect yourself. So, an all-purpose catalyst would definitely be the better option.”

She seemed at a loss at my words for a bit. Kind of like she couldn’t believe what I had just told her. Eventually, she realized I wasn’t joking, that I was serious.

“Are you serious, like, absolutely sure?”

“I am.”

“I… Then… I’ll get to that as soon as possible! I won’t let you down!” She said hastily bowing as low as she could at the same time.

I ignored that and stood. “Good, now, how about we focus on the tasks for today. I’d like to get everything situated before I have to work through the week.”

“Of course! What’s on the docket boss!” She said, practically jumping on the spot and giving me a hasty, if not sloppy salute.

In lieu of a spoken response, I chose to get up and signal for her to follow with a gesture and follow she did. We walked out of the cold storage, towards the corner where the chemical bath was situated.

The chemical bath was not in good condition. Since putting the golem core in, the whole structure looked to have aged by well over a decade. Its once pristine frame was now mottled and rusted and looked ready to fall apart. As for the insides, the chemicals had long lost their effect.

The cocktail of chemicals, that could easily eat flesh off the bone, and possibly even dissolve bone into jelly was now totally inert. It was still somewhat warm, and with some caution I dipped a finger inside, only to find it unmarred after I retrieved it. Seeing as nothing came of it, I plunged my entire arm in and retrieved the result of the bath.

That being, the golem core, now, reverted back to its base state. What had been a volleyball-sized item at best, was now the size of a softball at the very least. It pulsed in my hands, thrummed with warm energy. Just being in its presence had goosebumps making themselves known on my body as the core pumped magical energy into the air with every thump.

Talia marveled, as did I, at the result of our work.

“A Magic Core…” Talia said in wonder. “I didn’t think… no, that you could even restore it is truly incredible, only, what now?”

“Can you retrieve the stuff I received? They should be in the corner.”

“Oh, those things? Sure, give me a moment.”

As she rushed to collect what I had ordered over the past few days, I took the time to examine the core. Feel it with my hands and fingers. Honestly, this thing wasn’t very powerful. The amount of energy inside wasn’t that incredible for its size. It was, probably among the lowest quality for a core that existed, but… it was still an upgrade from what I was doing before.

This single core was far more valuable than any number of bronze or silver coins and can even compare to gold coins in terms of raw value. Even if it didn’t have the raw power or potential as a gold coin. The true value in the core was that it grew. It evolved. Only, in its current state, it would be slow, painfully slow.

On hearing Talia approaching with a cart carrying my item, I directed her to start filling it with water. The item in question being a large cylinder. Rather, it looked like a large glass tube, with the top and bottom being made of an unknown metal. Once she brought it up, and the very moment I told her to fill it with water, Talia understood what this was.

“You’re making a magic generator.” She said in awe.

“That I am, or at least, that is the plan. Though, it’s more like the most basic version, like using a potato to power a clock.”

“I wouldn’t know, I mean, I worked around generators, even understand how they’re built, but I didn’t know you could power things with potatoes.”

“Really? It’s a fairly basic science lesson. Though, for the life of me I couldn’t tell you exactly why it can, just that it can.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve never really had, ya know?” She motioned to herself.

“Right, my apologies.” I said, catching her tone. “Sometimes, it feels like you understand everything well enough, that I don’t think about where you’re lacking.”

“I’m learning the best I can. Before long, I hope to be able to get all the references you bring up and comparisons,’

“Well, I’ll wish you luck on that, but for now, the generator. What do you think?”

The generator looked simple, a glass cylinder with a metal top and bottom, in truth, it was a bit more complicated than that. The one company I commissioned for the orb had definitely cheated me, and when properly coerced, I was able to get them to provide the materials, or at least, the majority of the materials for the generator.

The glass wasn’t actually a glass. Well, not entirely glass. It was glass covered in a veneer of crystal, not a magically conducive one, but a crystal that is naturally able to resist or repel magic. Inlaid with special arrays that were meant to bolster the crystals natural properties by creating a self-sufficient magical energy barrier. Whereas, the metal connectors at the bottom were made to direct and guide the magical energy into specific ports, almost like outlets.

In essence, the generator was more of an oversized battery, only a battery that gets better over time.

Much like with radiation, water acts as one of the best insulators for magical energy, on top of that, it also acts as one of the best mediums for containing magical energy. Fulfilling a dual purpose.

On one hand, the water keeps the magical energy contained, combined with the crystal veneer covering the strengthened glass. The arrays inlaid into the glass created a primary energy barrier that kept magic contained, and combined with the crystal veneer created a double seal that should contain any stray energy.

As the water becomes magically enriched, it will slowly turn into a physical form of magical energy, literally, liquid magic. Increasing its potency and also creating a perfect environment to grow and nurture the core whilst still helping to contain it. Especially as it leeches into the arrays inlaid into the glass that are meant to assist with preventing leakage. Especially since, even resistant, the crystal could still feed off of and strengthen itself by absorbing magic, though, only by a minute amount.

The moment the vat was filled to the top, and with no objections from Talia, I popped the core into the open top of the generator. The very moment the core touched the water, it began to bubble and froth. Pulsing in rhythm with the core. We watched, waited a moment as the water began to evaporate, Talia adding more as it dissipated until the core finally settled, floating at the center of the tube.

We watched it for a moment, and without much further thought, we tossed the false core inside. The moment it touched the magically charged water it began to rapidly dissolve, the water churned and bubbled, and more of it evaporated, but what was left grew thicker, heavier. Only once we were sure the vat was topped up, and that the false core had fully dissolved did we seal it shut.

Once sealed, the burbling slowed. The water churned less, and with nowhere for the water to evaporate too, it simply condensed inside the vat. And slowly, surely, the pressure grew. And with it, it began to hum and glow. Until it finally settled, the core sat at the center of the bubbling liquid. Pulsing with light, as if it were a beating heart.

“It’s not much…” Talia said, seeing the core stabilize. “I mean, I won’t have an exact idea of what its capable of until we get it tested, but is this why you had me drawing up revised array plans for the cold storage?” She asked.

“Yeah, that’s exactly why. I even had Lance make me wire and bits from my share of the metals. That way, once we get this situated into the cold storage, you can start working on making it into a proper workshop. Not unless you think there’s an issue?”

“No, it will work.” She says, shaking her head. “I’ll just need to reinforce the weak points, and well, you’re not worried about damaging the building?” She asked and… well…

“I mean, we already damaged it. I lost my deposit, and they’ll likely demand a hefty fee for the damage already done.” I said, remembering the scorched and ruined floor inside. “At this point, in for a penny, in for a pound as they say.”

“If you say so… and… I might have a suggestion that might help this along.” She said, “With the proposed plan, the cold storage well, some of the arrays will make it colder. Which should help with your magic.”

I nod, “That is true, and what of it?”

“Well, I think, since we won’t be using the cooling unit for the cold storage, I think I can create a transistor that would siphon the electricity and convert it into magical energy.”

“And it wouldn’t blow a fuse or cause a city-wide blackout?”

“No, I can tune it to work on whatever voltage it already gets. It won’t be much, and we’ll lose quite a bit of potential energy on the conversion, but I think I can do it with some work. Oh, and… making the changes to the cooling unit might be, uh, intrusive.”

It wasn’t hard to weigh the options. I was already committed, what was one more item on the list of things I would have to pay for when I leave?

“Go for it and keep me informed on the progress. I’m going to be extra busy over the next week or two, well, besides the weekly patrol and visiting Éclair on the weekend.”

“We’re still doing patrols, after what you were told?” She asks, I had given her a quick rundown of everything I had been told, but…

“Yes. It’s a good opportunity; we just need to make sure we pull out before the cold war gets hot.”

“Understood, then, I’ll start getting to work, though… between this and the totem, I really have my work cut out for me.” She said, but I could see her vibrating with excitement.

“Focus on the totem first, I’m sure it’ll help you with your other tasks.” I say, giving her some direction, and hopefully keeping her from overwhelming herself.

“It would, honestly… Okay, I’ll get the totem done first!” And like that she bolted upstairs. Leaving me to contemplate and stare at the newly made generator. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

With nothing else to do, I went back to working on my statues, only… as I stared at the faceless sculpture, I made my decision. Without remorse, I broke them down with my own hands, scattering them to nothing. They were empty shells, husks, there was no need to consider them as anything else.

And once the space was cleared, I started again, refining my craft, focusing further on what it is I needed to…