Puppets

On the way to the Apprentice Library, Taylor began reflecting on his current shortcomings.

First, he was alone. His individual strength seemed too weak; if he clashed with a pack of magical beasts or zombies from another plane, he might struggle to hold on by himself.

Second, just as Taifas had said, he lacked large-scale detection spells. Such spells were easy to learn but difficult to master, and at his current level, even if he learned them, he would not be able to put them into use quickly.

Third, he was still lacking in overall capability. True wizards excelled in the knowledge of creating puppet constructs, modification studies, biology, nutrition, potion-making, and the runic knowledge of magical items.

If he categorized the problems he had identified according to his needs, then the first things he needed to solve were: first, large-scale detection spells; second, some combat helpers. Both would be useful for exploring planes and carrying out missions.

"Techniques for mental power links and the basics of beginner Elemental Golems—these two books, right?"

After hearing Taylor's request, Oak turned around and retrieved the two books from among the densely packed shelves of the Apprentice Library, placing them before Taylor and confirming once more.

"Yes, that's right. Those two books."

Taylor took out his points card, paid 300 points, and put the two books away. He would return them in two weeks.

Oak somehow produced a pipe, packed it with tobacco, lit it, and took a satisfied puff. Amid the curling smoke, he asked curiously:

"Why have you suddenly started studying mental power links and Elemental Golems lately, kid?"

After tucking the two books into his arms, Taylor looked up and answered.

"I recently accepted a patrol mission in the southern part of the Monster Forest. I just thought it would be good to have a few more methods at my disposal."

"I see..."

Oak raised the pipe in his hand and tapped it against the corner of the desk. After replacing the tobacco, he said knowingly,

"Patrol missions in the south are usually the hardest, and they temper people the most. Having more methods certainly won't hurt. The basic explanation of Elemental Golems in that book also includes the construction methods for two types of golems. I suggest you use Earth Element Magic Cores for practice. Earth Elements are relatively inert, so accidents are less likely to happen."

"Understood."

After leaving the Apprentice Library, Taylor went straight to the miscellaneous supplies office and exchanged for three Earth Element Magic Cores. Only then did he return to his apprentice dormitory with the Magic Cores and books in hand.

Taylor had already made preliminary modifications to his apprentice dormitory. He combined some of the wizardry runes he had learned with magical runes and, following the magic circle system of the other plane, carried out an initial transformation of his room.

The energy-consuming magic lamps had been removed and replaced with magic circles containing Brightness Runes. Cleaning Runes had also been carved into the floor to keep it clean. For heating, Taylor had specifically arranged three Burning Runes and two High-Temperature Runes, creating something like a stove opening.

Taylor set the red robe he was wearing at the bottom of the hall, then entered the study reserved for learning in a short shirt.

The bookshelves in the study held some knowledge he had copied by hand. Only things he had thoroughly researched and understood, and that were not important, were displayed there. The most important things were either carried with him or hidden away in places known only to him.

Sitting at his desk, Taylor immediately took out a brand-new blank book. With the blank book in his left hand and the newly borrowed techniques for mental links in his right, he picked up a pen and began copying.

After copying down the techniques for mental links, he still needed to record the introduction to beginner Elemental Golem knowledge, as well as the construction methods for the two Elemental Golems included afterward.

As for the bird's nest and egg Taifas had given him, Taylor placed them in a temporarily modified incubator. Beneath it was an incubation wizardry circle formed by Heating Runes, Constant Temperature Runes, and Warming Runes.

"You know, Taylor? Our lives are actually pretty bland right now. We do our own missions, research our own experiments, seek our own truths, study our own knowledge... It feels like we're living the same unchanging lives between wizard towers."

During another patrol mission, Taifas suddenly clasped his hands behind his head and tilted it high, spouting strange nonsense. Perhaps he found his current life somewhat boring.

Taylor did not see it that way. He thought this kind of quiet life was quite good. He could conduct his own experiments, study the knowledge brought back from the other plane, further refine his Elemental Golems, and whenever he felt bored, he could feed Dom, who served as his eyes.

Dom was the Fire Bird hatched from the egg Taifas had given Taylor. It was an unranked magical beast capable of crudely wielding Fire Elements.

After Taylor learned the techniques for mental links, Dom became a pair of eyes in the sky for him. Dom could keep watch over the tracks of magical beasts at any time, preventing them from being ambushed.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp..."

A burst of urgent bird cries came from the sky as a tiny fiery-red bird landed on Taylor's shoulder. This little red bird was Dom, the Fire Bird Taylor kept. Taylor somehow produced a small worm and fed it to Dom.

Dom swallowed the worm in one bite, squinted his eyes in satisfaction, then flapped his wings and flew back above Taylor's head. He needed to keep watch for anything unusual in the surroundings and report it to his master.

"That little bird is really well-behaved. When I gave it to you, I should have caught one for myself too."

Taifas looked enviously at Dom, who had already become a tiny red speck above them.

"Maybe I should catch an Iron Feather Eagle for myself. Their feathers are as sturdy as steel, and they're powerful in close combat. Once fully grown, their wingspan reaches four meters, and they can carry people through the air. I think they'd be pretty useful."

Taifas began talking to himself again, apparently already imagining the dashing sight of himself riding atop a great eagle.

By now, Taylor had grown accustomed to his companion's occasional incoherent behavior and wild fantasies.

The mission reached the familiar latter half again. During this period, they were attacked by magical beasts every day. From being stretched thin at first to handling things with ease, they could now face the siege of five magical beasts without changing expression.

According to the information Dom provided, six magical beasts were currently surrounding them: two snakes, a green-furred monkey, two tigers, and a bear.

Taylor directly took two Elemental Golem Cores radiating an earthy yellow glow from his pocket and threw them to the ground. A large amount of soil instantly gathered, forming a Mud Armor Warrior wielding a spear and a snarling giant wolf.

The mystery of Elemental Golem Cores lay in using mental power to inscribe sequences of wizardry runes onto Magic Cores, then adding other materials for further reinforcement. The finished Elemental Golem Core could gather elements together and form its own body.

As long as the Elemental Golem Core was not shattered, the golem could continuously recover by consuming the magical power within its core.

The two golems Taylor had thrown out were the Mud Giant Wolf and Mud Armor Warrior included in the beginner Elemental Golem knowledge.

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