Chapter 115: Secret Constructs, A Chance to Change Fate

Chapter 115: Secret Constructs, A Chance to Change Fate

Year 1254 of the Starlight Calendar, the Month of Winter Harp.

This year's New Year celebration was on a grander scale than ever before.

The main reason was that Lord had a son.

To celebrate his son's birth, Lord generously hosted a grand feast in the town square that lasted for several days, sharing the joy with his people.

Su Nan had taken a look at his newborn nephew. It was too early to tell how good his mental potential was, but his physical constitution was excellent.

It made sense, considering the little one's father was a peak Grand Knight.

Over the years, with Su Nan's continuous support, Kei's strength had soared, and he was now only one step away from becoming a Legendary Knight.

Su Nan planned to reserve all the Dragon Blood fruits from the second magic plant garden over the next six months. He would then synthesize them into advanced Dragon Blood fruits with the effects of third-tier potions, which Kei could consume to likely break through and become a Legendary Knight.

A one-ring Legendary Knight at the age of twenty-six—this was a rare achievement even in the entire Starlight Principality.

Base 1, Bug Nest

In the room remodeled to resemble a mine, eleven gem bugs, with their adorable appearances, were slowly crawling around. Whenever they passed by small pieces of ore, they would stop to take a few bites before continuing their slow journey.

With the number of gem bugs increased to eleven, the annual gem production of the bug nest had surged to nearly four hundred, showing significant progress.

Additionally, Carolina, following Su Nan's orders, was collecting rare metals such as Abyssal Black Copper and Rainbow Iron.

Given the richness of metals in the underground world, Su Nan believed it would not take long to gather enough new nutrients, allowing the gem bug population to continue growing.

Moreover, he had collected a considerable amount of the rare metals needed to refine magic pattern cores.

He estimated that it would not be long before he could gather the materials required to refine the second magic pattern core.

Leaving the bug nest, Su Nan headed straight for the laboratory.

Just a few days ago, he had attended a gathering at the Forest Cottage.

Black Forest, who had stood him up twice in a row, finally showed up at this gathering.

According to Night Owl, Black Forest often missed gatherings, so this was not unusual.

At that gathering, Su Nan finally traded for the rare puppet design schematic that Black Forest had mentioned.

After carefully reading the schematic, he confirmed that it was indeed very rare.

It was less of a puppet design and more of a puppet refinement technique.

In simple terms, it was a method to miniaturize golems.

The overall idea was to use light metals like mithril to create puppets, reducing their weight and size significantly, making them almost human-like in appearance. They would be driven by medium or large soul crystals as their core.

This way, the resulting golems would be agile, intelligent, and could easily pass as living humans if well-disguised.

Moreover, they could be programmed with more combat techniques and spells, making them far more powerful than ordinary golems.

Since most of the materials used were mithril, these miniaturized golems were called Secret Constructs.

According to the schematic, a Secret Construct refined with a medium soul crystal would have combat capabilities on par with a full-fledged wizard.

This description was quite enticing for Su Nan.

However, after a thorough study, he had to abandon the idea of refining a Secret Construct.

The skill level requirements were one thing, but the most critical factor was the cost.

Since the body of a Secret Construct was primarily made of mithril, even with the most frugal approach, refining a Secret Construct would require at least thirty to forty kilograms of mithril.

Mithril usually appears as a byproduct of silver mines.

As an isotope of silver, mithril is far more valuable.

Its remarkable malleability and magical conductivity, and the fact that it never tarnishes after extraction, make it extremely stable. Magic items made from mithril can last for centuries without natural degradation.

In the refinement of magic items, adding a small amount of mithril can significantly enhance their quality.

Additionally, mithril can be used to create metal golems or magical constructs.

The Mithril Sage, one of the greatest golem creations, is primarily made of mithril.

Moreover, constructing wizard towers and floating cities requires a large amount of mithril.

Mithril is an indispensable rare material for items like floating rings, anti-gravity devices, and elemental drive mechanisms.

However, mithril is extremely rare.

Mithril ores are often low in content and very scattered, and mining an entire large silver vein might yield only a dozen kilograms or so.

Thus, mithril is exceptionally precious.

Ordinary wizard apprentices add mithril to magic items by the gram.

Several dozen kilograms was a daunting figure.

Even with control over two silver veins, Su Nan currently had less than three kilograms of mithril.

Most of the mithril had been used in the creation of golem puppets and to feed the gem bugs.

It would take an eternity to gather thirty to forty kilograms of mithril.

In summary, the Secret Construct design was not feasible.

When Su Nan realized this, he was speechless.

The previous gem puppet design was one thing, but now he had another Secret Construct design.

He had no idea where Black Forest obtained these designs. Each one was ingeniously conceived, but none were practical. They were only good for daydreaming, which was quite frustrating.

"But it's not entirely worthless."

Though impractical, the two designs still had some reference value.

After carefully studying both designs, Su Nan discovered that he might be able to combine them, merging their strengths to create a miniaturized gem puppet.

This way, the cost could be significantly reduced.

Su Nan had been researching the feasibility of combining the two designs for some time, and he was finally starting to see some progress.

"If I succeed, I might be able to create a puppet even more powerful than an Adamantine Golem."

A spark of anticipation rose in Su Nan's heart.

Time flew by, and it was now the Month of Spring Awakening.

The snow melted, and life began to flourish.

Farmers were busy in the fields everywhere.

On the third day of the Month of Spring Awakening, Su Nan finally mastered Silent Spellcasting.

In the spell practice room, Su Nan raised his hand, and seven magic missiles appeared in front of him, whizzing towards a distant humanoid target and exploding it into pieces.

Before the echoes of the explosion died down, Su Nan pointed his finger, and a brilliant red light burst from his fingertip, transforming into a crimson beam that struck another humanoid target, instantly melting it into molten iron.

Scorching Ray!

"Excellent."

Su Nan nodded in satisfaction.

While Silent Spellcasting did not shorten the casting preparation time, it allowed him to prepare the next spell while casting, significantly reducing the time between spells and increasing casting efficiency.

Mastering Silent Spellcasting was akin to becoming a living artillery tower.

A wizard apprentice without Silent Spellcasting would be no match for one who had mastered it.

This was the power of metamagic techniques!

"Next is Instantaneous Spellcasting!"

[Complete one Instantaneous Spellcasting practice, 'Instant Casting' training progress +0.01%]



After almost exhausting all his mental energy, the training progress for Instantaneous Spellcasting reached only 0.04%.

Su Nan estimated that with two rounds of practice per day, he could increase the training progress by a maximum of 0.08% per day.

At this rate, it would take about three to four years to master Instantaneous Spellcasting.

It had taken him only two years to master Silent Spellcasting.

"This is normal. After all, Instantaneous Spellcasting is an advanced technique, one of the most difficult metamagic techniques. It's not surprising that it takes a long time to master."

Regaining his composure, Su Nan summoned his interface.

[Su Nan Yanest, Human Male]



[Mental: 36.58 / Constitution: 33.23]



[Skills]



Stellar Ring Meditation Lv13 (885724/1200000)



Potion Making Lv4 (6034/10000)



Bioengineering Lv3 (2492/6000)



Puppet Crafting Lv4 (6982/10000)



Magic Item Crafting Lv4 (3945/10000)



Level 13 Stellar Ring Meditation required over 1.2 million experience points to level up.

Fortunately, with the enhancement from the Divine Blood Amber and the growth of his mental energy, Su Nan could gain about 4000 experience points per day through meditation, so his progress was not too slow.

"In about two months, I should be able to form the thirteenth ring."

Su Nan mused to himself.

Notably, due to his extensive puppet crafting, his [Puppet Crafting] skill had surpassed his [Potion Making] in experience points.

He estimated that this would be the first skill to reach level 5.

At that point, he could try crafting higher-tier puppets.

Closing the interface, Su Nan walked out of the spell practice area and looked up at the clear blue sky.

"Speaking of which, the Knight Academy has been running for about half a year. I wonder how it's doing?"

"Lord Xeman, Lord Athel, welcome to the Dragonheart Knight Academy."

At the academy gates, Moritz bowed slightly to the approaching Xeman and Athel, a smile spreading across his face.

"Greetings, Lord Xeman, Lord Athel."

Athel and Xeman returned the bow.

"Please, this way."

Moritz was a rare civilian in the military, who had risen to become a mid-level knight officer in his thirties through sheer effort.

When Su Nan decided to establish the Dragonheart Knight Academy, he pulled Moritz out of the military, strengthened him with Dragon Blood fruits to reach the peak of a Grand Knight, and appointed him as the academy's headmaster.

Moritz had no complaints about this arrangement; in fact, he was overjoyed.

Who in the Flashing Manor didn't know that Lord Su Nan was the backbone supporting the entire domain's growth and prosperity?

In the Flashing Manor, Lord Su Nan's status was on par with the lord himself.

Joining Lord Su Nan's circle, even without a noble title, was more than worth it.

Indeed, since becoming the headmaster of the Dragonheart Knight Academy, Moritz had noticed a significant rise in his status. Even the most trusted of the lord's vassals, Viscount Brad, treated him with a gentle demeanor.

Barons and lesser nobles showered him with smiles and flattery.

Though he lacked a noble title, he was treated almost like a noble.

Thus, Moritz felt genuine gratitude and respect for Lord Su Nan.

If not for the opportunity provided by Lord Su Nan, it would have taken him many more years to become a noble, given his humble origins.

So when he heard that Lord Su Nan had sent his two students to inspect the academy, Moritz had personally waited at the gates from early morning.

"Since most of the students are from peasant and farmer families, their literacy rate is low, so the academy has set up basic literacy courses, along with other foundational subjects."

"Currently, the students are still building their foundations. Besides cultural studies, they are allocated half a day each for physical training and conditioning. Once they reach the second year, they will begin learning combat skills, riding, and breathing techniques."

Xeman glanced around at the buildings and casually asked, "How long is the academy program?"

"Four years," Moritz smiled. "However, students can graduate early if they achieve the rank of knight."

Xeman and Athel remained silent.

The Dragonheart Knight Academy admitted students at the age of eleven or twelve, mostly from peasant and farmer backgrounds, with poor innate foundations. Four years to become a squire would be considered outstanding.

Becoming a knight in four years was almost impossible.

Unless there was external assistance.

"I heard from our teacher that starting next year, the base will supply the academy with Dragon Blood fruits annually," Athel said with a smile.

"That's wonderful!"

Moritz was overjoyed.

He himself had relied on Dragon Blood fruits to break through to the peak of a Grand Knight and knew how powerful they were.

With the support of Dragon Blood fruits, the students' growth rate would undoubtedly increase significantly.

Perhaps there would indeed be a few who could graduate early as elites.

As they talked, the three of them arrived at a spacious training ground where many students were running around the track.

"The students all look very spirited," Athel said with a smile.

Moritz laughed heartily. "Of course, these boys know this is their hard-earned opportunity to change their fate. They all value it greatly and work hard in their studies and training."

Xeman couldn't help but feel a deep sense of appreciation.

He, too, had been one whose fate had been changed.

The base and the knight academy, both created by their teacher, had transformed the lives of hundreds of children from poor backgrounds, just like him.

And this number was expected to grow.

At that moment, the students on the training ground noticed the presence of the three figures.

When they saw a man and a woman in long robes accompanied by Headmaster Moritz, the crowd became restless.

On the first day of classes, their teachers had told them that upon graduation, they would join Lord Su Nan's knight guard, serving the powerful and mysterious wizards.

One characteristic of wizards was their habit of wearing long robes.

With Headmaster Moritz's presence, the identity of the man and woman was clear.

Many students instinctively slowed their pace, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the legendary wizards.

It wasn't until the supervising teacher ordered them to focus that they reluctantly turned their attention back to their training.

Seeing this, Xeman and Athel couldn't help but chuckle.

"Let's go, Headmaster Moritz. We'll visit other areas so as not to disturb the students."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end