Reinventing Magic: An Inventor's Tale-Chapter 50: The Dawn of Project Golem

The chamber was heavy with silence, the weight of history pressing upon those gathered. Duke Marcus Marveil’s sharp gaze remained locked on the fading projection, his mind racing. The past had failed, and now the responsibility of averting another catastrophe rested on their shoulders.

"How do you propose to eliminate the core entity that sustains the rift?" the Duke finally asked, his voice betraying none of the turmoil within. "Even the monsters that emerged from the last breach were impervious to magic."

Kael turned his head slightly, meeting Alice’s steady gaze. With a brief nod, he conveyed his silent command. In response, Alice raised her hand, the spirit crystal embedded at the center of her chest pulsing to life. A holographic projection materialized before them, revealing a towering construct. Its gleaming metallic frame was intricately adorned with arcane runes, each one pulsating with a faint, otherworldly light. The construct stood as a testament to unmatched craftsmanship and raw power, exuding an aura of invincibility. It was a creation beyond the realm of mortal imagination—sleek, powerful, and colossal, like a celestial guardian designed to challenge the very heavens.

The Duke’s eyes widened. "This... what is this?"

Alice’s voice was steady, almost clinical. "Project Golem. The ancient civilization that first sealed the rifts designed these constructs to combat the entities that managed to escape. However, due to the chaos that followed the initial incursions, the project never reached full development. Only blueprints remain."

Kael gestured at the glowing projection. "This is the key to stopping the rift creatures. Conventional magic is ineffective against them because their forms are so massive that even major offensive spells won’t penetrate their defenses. These constructs were designed not just with brute force in mind, but also using specialized mana cores tuned specifically to serve as their power source."

From his place in the corner, Pietro Silvestri watched with undisguised fascination. The Duke’s knight commander, usually composed, found his breath stolen by the sheer ingenuity of what lay before him. He had witnessed countless battles, but this—this was beyond anything he had ever conceived.

A deep chuckle broke the silence. "So this is what you meant back at the capital," Count Edgar Valtieri said, crossing his arms as he turned to his son. "This is the ’Project Golem’ you mentioned."

Kael inclined his head. "Yes."

Edgar exhaled sharply, rubbing a calloused hand over his face. "No wonder you hesitated to share this with the king. If he got his hands on these designs, he would use them to further his rule. We cannot allow him to obtain this power."

The Duke nodded gravely. "Indeed. If the king saw this, he would not see a defense against the rift creatures—he would see an opportunity to solidify his control over the kingdom. And should that happen, who would stand against him?"

Kael’s expression was resolute. "That is precisely why we came to you, Your Grace. We need your support. You are one of the few lords with the resources and influence necessary to bring this project to fruition without attracting unwanted attention."

The Duke narrowed his eyes. "Can you truly build them?"

Kael hesitated for only a fraction of a second before he answered, his voice unwavering. "I can’t promise success, but if there is anyone who can complete this project, it’s me."

The Duke studied him for a long moment, then let out a dry chuckle. "You already proved your ingenuity when you created that flying device. If you say this is possible, I will trust you. I will support you with whatever resources I can provide."

Relief flickered in Kael’s eyes as he bowed slightly. "Thank you, Your Grace. I won’t let you down."

The Duke turned to Pietro. "Once we return to the Duchy, summon my best engineers and scholars. We will have them dispatched to Valtieri to assist with this project. We will need the finest minds working on this."

Pietro placed a fist over his chest in salute. "Understood, my lord."

Kael turned back to the projection of the golems, his mind already racing with calculations, adjustments, and possibilities. This was it—the beginning of something far greater than himself. The rift creatures had brought ruin before, but this time, history would not repeat itself. This time, they would be ready.

Victor hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. His expression was grim, and the weight of his words was evident in his tone.

"What about Count Gregor?" he asked, his voice firm yet cautious. "The war against him isn’t over. How do we proceed?"

Duke Marcus Marveil chuckled dryly, running a hand through his neatly groomed beard. "Oh yes, I almost forgot you still have Gregor to deal with. You need to settle with him first before we can proceed with this project."

Turning to Pietro Silvestri, the Duke’s expression became serious. "Pietro, I want you to assist them in this battle. Sending additional reinforcements from the duchy won’t be possible given the distance. If another battle erupts, it may be too late for our men to arrive in time. Your skills and experience will be more beneficial in the field."

Pietro nodded without hesitation. "Understood, Your Grace."

Count Edgar Valtieri then addressed Victor. "How many men do we have left?"

Victor’s jaw tightened. "We have five thousand soldiers remaining. Most of them have been healed by our mages, and they are ready to fight once again."

Kael, who had been quietly observing, placed a hand on his chin, deep in thought. His mind worked through different scenarios, weighing their advantages and risks. Finally, a realization struck him—a strategy that could turn the tide in their favor. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

"If we take the initiative and strike first instead of waiting for Gregor to attack," Kael mused aloud, "there may be a way to make this work."

Both Count Edgar and Duke Marcus turned their heads toward him. "How?" they asked in unison.

Kael merely smiled, a glimmer of excitement flickering in his eyes. "I have a plan."

The Duke raised an eyebrow but did not press further. "Very well. We will discuss the finer details later. For now, Pietro and I will retire for the night. We have a long day ahead of us."

With that, the Duke and Pietro were escorted to their chambers to rest, while the others dispersed for the evening. However, Kael had no intention of sleeping just yet.

---

Back in his study, Kael stood before his workshop, his heart pounding with anticipation. Turning to Alice, he spoke with quiet determination. "Alice, help me absorb the Earth Dragon’s mana core."

Alice, ever the dutiful companion, simply nodded. "Understood."

With a wave of his hand, Kael summoned the Earth Dragon’s mana core from his infinite storage space. The massive core hovered before him, pulsating with immense energy. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the smooth surface, feeling the raw power contained within.

He smiled to himself. "I have made you wait for so very long. It’s time for me to advance."

Taking a deep breath, he sat down, crossing his legs as he held the mana core between both hands. "Alice, guide the mana flow within me. With how condensed the mana is, I may be able to form my fourth—or, if I’m lucky, even my fifth—mana core."

Alice stepped behind him, placing both hands on his back. "I will ensure the mana is properly channeled. Proceed."

Kael closed his eyes, focusing his mind as he began the absorption process. The moment the mana entered his body, a sharp, searing pain shot through his veins. His muscles tensed, his body trembling under the sheer intensity of the raw energy flooding his mana circuits.

Alice’s hands glowed faintly as she guided the turbulent mana, ensuring it flowed smoothly through his channels. With her intervention, the excruciating pain dulled to a bearable level, allowing Kael to maintain his focus.

Minutes turned into hours. His brows furrowed in deep concentration as he meticulously condensed the mana, forging a new core within him. After nearly two hours of unwavering discipline, he succeeded in forming his fourth mana core. But he wasn’t done yet.

The Earth Dragon’s mana core still had an abundance of energy left, and Kael was determined to absorb every last drop. He continued, his breath steady, his will unshaken. The mana swirled violently within him, testing his limits, but Alice’s guidance kept him stable.

Another three hours passed before the final remnants of the mana core were fully absorbed. His entire body ached, exhaustion creeping into his limbs, but as he lay back, gasping for breath, a triumphant smile formed on his lips.

"I succeeded..." he whispered, his chest rising and falling heavily.

Alice observed him for a moment before nodding in approval. "Your mana capacity has increased significantly. You have become stronger, Master."

Kael closed his eyes, relishing the feeling of his newfound power. He had taken another step forward on his path, but the battles ahead were far from over. Soon, Count Gregor would face the consequences of his ambition.

And this time, Kael would be ready.

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