Chapter 9

More experimentation

and…

I touch the ground near my former home. There are no constructs around, but I feel two not far from there, probably working on the leather as instructed. I head towards them and order them to prioritize the ancient wyvern’s hide instead.

Its skin does not compare to the common wyvern’s, it is a lot thicker, far more resilient and the scales are harder than steel. It will take more time to proceed, but I want my next armor to be perfect.

That done I go back to my room and look for more crystal shards suiting my needs. On the first one, I use the helix pattern to inscribe a mana gathering spell. As it is only a few words long, this method allows me to use the tiniest of shards. Next, I take the most impure quartz I own and fuse it with the other. After that, I wait to see if the flow will eventually overcome the natural resistance of the low-grade crystal and disperse.

“Low-grade crystal is a mouthful… let us call this a semiconductor from now on.”

I wait patiently for and as expected, the mana starts flowing slowly into semi-conductor before dissipating in the air at a higher rate. It continues for a while, but as time goes by, the flow becomes thicker and discharges too strongly into the outlet, causing it to blow into pieces and damage the source.

I should have expected it to happen, the piece was small, and the amount dissipated insufficient. Nevertheless, it is progress, and proof that there is nothing wrong with the solution in itself… albeit for the fact the semiconductor would need to be almost as large as the main crystal.

Still, failure or not, it has given me an idea. No, I should say the solution was there from the beginning but that I failed to take notice up until now.

I cut a strip of metal from my leftovers ingots and inscribes it with a single word: light. Next, I make a new power source, about the same size as the previous one, then finally I embed the first in the second. Instants later, a powerful light starts flickering.

The constant discharge is not the goal, though. I remove the metal, put another semiconductor between the two, and voila: a crystal that only discharges when the pressure becomes too strong!

As good of a solution as it is, the same could probably be achieved with the piece of metal alone. Sure, it would need some experimentation and testing to determine the rate at which to make the light shine but I am sure I could make it work with some rough approximation, as long as they are on the higher end.

To test the concept, I inscribe a new piece of metal with parameters of brightness, duration, and delay for each activation. The light goes on and off as expected, but it is so fast and so dim, that I would not know myself if it were not for my mana related senses.

As itself, this test is nothing but a proof of concept and very far from fulfilling the actual needs, but the crystal does not break and that is enough.

Now that I finally have a stable power source, I want to see if I can use it to power a spell. For my first try, I embed the power source in a barrier tool but it does not go as expected. Rather than drawing from the source, the opposite happens.

“Then why did it work with the metal strip? It should be the same principle… right?”

Maybe not: unlike crystal, metal does not retain mana. I do the same test, but this time I connect them with a thin metal strip and it works albeit not in a satisfactory way, the losses are far too important.

My last hope, the semiconductor, fare not much better. I had hoped that as an element between crystal and metal it would have the quality of the two, while in reality it only has their defects.

At the very least, I now know it will work… as long as I can find a material with conductivity as good as crystal that also happens to be hard and malleable, or flexible enough not to break in transport.

At first, I wanted to perfect the method in order to make it an offering for TheNewCity, but now that I think about it, leaving it unfinished might be not such a bad idea. If I remember well, the elf spoke of a place dedicated to the study for magic, one they might be inclined to let me join if I come with some unfinished research.

Still, before going, I would like to get some measurements for the sources, and I know the tool for that. This is something I developed thinking I could demonstrate the existence of the fourth state of mana, only to get stuck on the problem my predecessor had to face. The 21566th could never find a way to measure the precise quantity of mana in the system without first isolating it from the world, but the only way to do it was to create an isolation barrier: a spell that would devour all the mana inside in seconds.

My analysis may have ended up in failure, but the flawed spells I created at the time suit my current need. One makes any material manafuge – very shortly since the spell cannot maintain itself without mana – and the other measure the mana density – although not in a precise manner since its own consumption is hard to determine.

Thankfully, I am only looking for rough estimations.

<><><>

It took a number of days, but I have finally gathered approximations of absorption rate by volume for salt, magic organs and the various density of quartz both in the city and in a mana rich environment.

I also made a tool to help me with the inscription process, but there was an ‘unpleasant’ surprise: each material has its own physical limit for the carving of the words, anything smaller and the spell does not work. How small is that? Well, about half the usual size for quartz and eight-twelfth for salt, with the downside that trying to get it at the smallest often end up in failure. After many tries, I settled on two-thirds of the usual size as it gives me a bit of leeway.

Other than that, I have confirmed two things.

Firstly, the flow of mana is entirely dependent on the material and is unaffected by the size of the word and the length of the spell.

Secondly, the smaller the spell, the higher the risk that slight impurities break the enchantment.

<><><>

Another week has passed, and I have perfected my techniques almost to the point where I can do without the tool.

Out of curiosity, and since I have numerous mana sources, I create an earth greater golem with a crystal far too small to sustain the spell, and as soon as it starts to take form, I insert a number of sources into its body.

Due to the smaller crystal lodged in its head, I had expected, the golem to be smaller than normal, and it turned out to be the case. This gave me another idea, but first I had this one a number of heavy duties to make test its endurance.

The next experiment has no real purpose, I just want to see how small a greater golem I can make. The half-sized thing is perfectly functional but also as useless as can be, and yet I cannot help but feel needlessly proud for making the smallest construct in history.

There is still some time before I have all the material for my armor as well as the extras for payment. It is entirely my fault; I wanted the material to be in perfect condition, so I added a few extra steps to reinforce the scales and preserve the hide natural suppleness.

Like every time I find myself without work, I start wondering about the vault’s exclusion barrier and why it should not exist. I still have no idea of how much time as passed, but a millennium is by far the lowest number I can come up with.

A doubt creeps on me and I exclaim. “No, that cannot be true?!” There is a power source, one I did not dare to consider: everything that is inside – our records, children, golem cores.

I do not want to accept this outcome! I want to believe that whoever made it built a failsafe to prevent such abomination from happening… but now that it has crept on me, I cannot dismiss the thought anymore.

I have to try for myself. I make an exclusion barrier magic tool and switch it on. As expected, it drains all the mana in a matter of seconds, but when all has been consumed, it does not stop and start siphoning mine. As usual, my mana feels bottomless, but that does not assuage my fear, quite the opposite.

Are there are a bunch of undead insides? Where does my mana come from?

“Maximum ‘unpleasantness’, I wanted to assuage my fear but now I have a whole new bunch of worries.

I take another look at the look and find it almost perfect; I do not think I could damage it by any normal means and I am not sure abnormal ones would work either… just who made this monstrosity and how?

<><><>

That is the last of the leather. As customary, I get the experimental golem to bring my package, and as usual, it shows no sign of dysfunctioning.

Inside, I have three pairs measuring and inscription tools, one pair made of magic organs and the other two from quartz. Each pair was created in a smaller factor using the previous one, but other than that, they work exactly the same.

As I do not need them anymore, I intend to gift them to the elf and the department he spoke of. Other than that, my rucksack is filled with whatever he told me has value in the metropolis, wyvern teeth, bones, leather and the material for my armor.

When I arrive at the gate, I present the content of my baggage to the guards and enter the city normally for the first time. Doing this gives me a sense of accomplishment and belonging, as though I have become one of them.

I head towards the elf shop and bump into the friendly great Korok for the third time. Fortuitous encounters are one thing, but even I am starting to get suspicious.

“Already back lad.” It looks at my enormous baggage. “I see you’ve got some business, but would you mind meeting me afterward? I have something to discuss with you.”

Whatever it is, it feels important. “Sure, I do not mind. I have got a few things to drop by the elf’s shop then meet with the craftsman for my armor.”

“Which one?”

“I do not know yet. The elf told me he would give me the name of some among the most dependable.”

“Then you might want to come with me. My previous place of employment has some first-rate armorsmith, most of them unavailable to the public.” He looks at my enormous bag. “Do you want help to carry your stuff?”

“No need, I am using gravity to lighten the load.”

“Never heard of that, but it seems awfully useful.”

“It takes time to master, but very much so!”

On the way to the elf shop, we pass others great Korok in armor and they all stop to salute my companion.

“You seem well known.”

“As I have said, all great Koroks are guards, knight or retired from either. We are all a big family, and most of the youngsters these days have trained under me at some point.”

We enter the shop and the elf salutes us, not the least surprised to see the great Korok.

“Here to sell more stuff, or have you come back to have your armor made? If that’s the second, I suggest you go with our friend here, Sheffik’s got some interesting acquaintances.”

I show him the magic tool, “This is for you. Remember how you a hard time with the technique I taught you? Well, with this I think you will be able to enchant crystal properly.”

“You did that for me?”

“I was conducting all sorts of experiments and ended up with a few extras. I thought you might have a need for one.” And more importantly, the elf makes for a good test subject before I hand them over.

“If this thing is a good as you say, I wouldn’t buy it for fifty sovereigns, and it’d be worth every last copper.”

“I am thankful for the offer, but I do not need that much money. In fact, I am more curious to see you handle this thing.”

I immediately start explaining its function works and guide it through the process a few times. Once the elf has gotten familiar enough, I take out some quartz shards and help it through the process .

Brimming with satisfaction, I exclaim. “You are one fast learner, before long you will move to more complex spells and patterns.”

“All thanks to you. Here, take it this isn’t much so I do not want to hear a no.”

The quantity of gold is easily half as much as last time, but it would be rude to refuse, so I put the coins in my rucksack.

“Let us go see this armorsmith of yours.”

The great Korok panics. “Can that wait until after our discussion? You do realize the armorsmith will need your measurement? Your naked measurement?”

Good thing he was there, or it could have gotten troublesome… but why do I feel like the situation does not add up?

“Let’s go about my business first, it is not that far from here. Follow me, please.”

I am a bit confused and still feel like something is not right, but I promised. The place I am guided to is the great building in the center of the city. Enormous, but not very functional. Strangely, as we get approach, we find more and more people with an intricate design on their armor. It totally suits my taste, the Korok was right, the armorsmiths on this side of the wall are more talented.

We enter a room full great Koroks and elves, some are in armor, others wear elaborate robes but all arbor the same decorations. The design of the robes is good too, even if it lacks the shine and sturdiness of the armor.

For the first time ever, the ‘voices’ react to my situation in an understandable way.

“WE ARE SURROUNDED, FLEE FOR YOUR LIFE!”

I would have been inclined to follow the Voices’ advice if it were not for the lack of hostility in the room.

“Alright boy, mind taking off your helmet?”

“That might not be a good idea... I am...” I should have prepared a prefabricated story! My mind race for an excuse and the one I come up with seems a bit feeble, even for me. “My species appearance might be repulsive to you.”

“We already have a good idea of what you really are. Some time ago, one of our patrols detected the feel of undeath while going after some bandits but no one was attacked. When later our undead detection array picked up a presence right at the same time an armored giant started walking the street without ever passing the gates, it wasn’t hard to make the connection.”

That makes sense, the elf also guessed I had not come through the gate.

“As though there weren’t enough evidence already, said giant speaks a rare language originating from a long-dead civilization; one spoken only by the Queen and a select few.”

“I should have known my size would betray me but... wait a minute. Did you say ‘undead detection array’? Do you know the Word of Power for ‘undead’?

“You are just as the Queen predicted, fearless, naïve and straightforward.”

Is that a compliment or an insult? Probably both. Since there is no more point in seeking a way out, I slowly remove my headpiece, afraid yet hopeful. Upon seeing what is underneath, most gasp and put their hands and on their tools of murder but nothing more.

My guide speaks unconcerned. “I‘d like you to answer a few questions for me, lad. What is your name?”

“I have no name. My designation is the 27472nd.”

He nods, as though making a mental check.

“When you left our city, where did you go?”

“I went back to the City. What remains.”

He nods again, as though he was only confirming my answers. “Why don’t you attack the living?”

“I do not understand why myself. I suspect a lot, but I have neither proof nor certainty. I recorded my thoughts on the subject, but if you want a quick summary, I would say it was because I was reborn in a place of death. Were it not for that, I surely would have gone insane. You may not see it, but life permeates everything, and it is a difficult sight to bear. The dead are everywhere, too, even at this very moment I hear them speak in fear, anger, and hatred.”

One of the robed people interject.

“What do they say?”

The others look at the small elf angrily and I hear words I do not know, but probably mean ‘shush’.

(“Do not interrupt me again, imbecile.”) Says my questioner angrily.

The question is interesting, so I answer it anyway. “The voices are innumerable and I do not always understand the words they use. But that is the most interesting point about them: they use words and concepts out of my vocabulary! I never heard of (gods) and (monsters) before.”

“That’s all well and good, but I have one last question. Do you know of the 13055th?”

“The construct expert? I obviously know of her discoveries, but I never met her in person. She developed the organic child and introduced more complexes personalities but... I had no interest in the field. Still, I admired how passionate she was, that is something we could have all profi…”

My sentence is cut abruptly by a door opening violently.