Golems
In Burion, there were many strange creatures. From the monstruosities that lived in the depths of the ocean, and the dragons that used the sky as their hunting ground, humans were perhaps the most innovative and cruel creatures that ever existed.
Golems were the crystallization of the transmutation magus path. Unlike regular elemental acolytes, they did not study magical theories on elemental particles and their relative laws, or its intrisic spell matrices.
Those who walked the transmutation magus path would transmute materials into artificial creations, which they would use for various purposes. Some would transmute part of their body into machinery to boast higher strength or agility. Golem Master Roan, an eminent beginner rank acolyte in the Arcane Faction, was one of the few who had managed to gain some understandings of the path, a path that was much harder to master in comparison the elemental magi, bloodline type magi or body refinement magi.
It was not a matter of comprehension or complexity, but rather, legacy.
Body refinement acolytes did not have to gain complete comprehension of their paths before seeing results. They trained their bodies with magical means, and by extension, grew stronger through consumption of products of arcane knowledge. Their spells were also very complex, but often based on understandings of anatomy, which was well documented.
The elemental path magi dealt with immense complexity in terms of theories and laws depending on their elemental affinities. But at the same time, it was the most popular path in the Magical Court, with more than 60% of acolytes being an elemental acolyte of some element. Lewis, too, was an elemental path acolyte at heart. He might train his body and increase his bloodline, but at the end of the day, his studies and experiments were all focused on his elemental comprehension of this very path.
Bloodline type acolytes were even more gifted, since they only had to age to grow stronger, as they relied on the power inherited from magical beasts. Of course, there were many challenges to increase their bloodline purity and density, stay sane and stuff. But still, there were few obstacles until they reached their potential.
But...
Transmutation type acolytes had it much more difficult. The knowledge of transmutation magic was scarce and highly demanding. More importantly, practicing and experimenting cost a lot of resources. Besides a handful of magus household scions, it was very rare for regular acolytes to even gain the most basic understanding of such magic.
In a way, Golem Master Roan was an irregularity in the Magical Court. He possessed rare magic after all.
But rare did not equal higher strength. Just because there was little knowledge about golem, did not mean that golem masters were especially strong. In fact, Lewis could already tell that most elemental acolytes would easily beat acolyte Raon in a duel.
The clay golem he had summoned was a monstrous beast made of clay. Its colour possessed a brown colour, and its surface was rough and solid. Regular swords would not be able to go very deep, and due to its arcane runes engraved on its surface, any wound would be regenerated in a matter of second, with enough clay at disposal. Its strength was even more fearsome, as it was currently pushing an enormous pile of raw iron ores. Evaluating the size of the pile accumulated on the 3-meters-tall clay golem, Lewis knew that there were at least three tons of iron ore there, all of which would be refined on the surface by the temporary smithery settled by the dwarf lord Ignis.
[Name - Clay Golem
Attributes:
Strength - 15 to 20 | Agility - 0.5 | Vitality - 10 to 20
Perk: [Clay Regeneration], [Clay Armour]]
"Lewis...there...there is a monstrous steel scorpion looking at us!!", Golem Master Raon cursed as he looked at the almost unnoticeable two-meters-tall creature facing them, waiting for an ambush.
Transmutation acolytes who specialized in golem mastery were usually lacking in personal capabilities. However, any acolyte from the arcane faction was bound to have some secret, and after a couple of weeks working with the man, Lewis could only admit that Golem Master Raon had become a convenient addition to their party as he could easily spot enemies in the dark.
According to him, it was not a perk he was born with, but the result of transmuting his eye with that of a red-eyed crow. It granted him some basic night vision, which was an extraordinary perk to have in this mission.
Roan stumbled backwards, and lost his footing. The rest of the party tensed slightly, but Lewis was as calm as he could possibly be.
Steel scorpions were one of the many fearsome creatures that could be encountered in the wide tunnels of the Dwarven Mountains. They were huge, and possessed enormous strength, probably even more than Jorg Bullwater. Their limbs were nimble and their tails was as lethal as a spear. The worst part was that a single wound from their tail would immediately petrify part of your wound. If it hit one of your arteries, then death was the most likely issue.
Two acolytes from the crimson clan had already died to such creatures.
Counting them, seven already died since the start of the Crimson Castle construction. Some of them disappeared and lost their ways in the tunnels, eventually dying to some creatures. Others encountered foes like Steel Scorpions or Mountain Elementals. The rest were murdered by Blue Wolf Mercenaries...
Only two months passed since the start of the construction of the Crimson Castle yet casualties had already begun to rise.
Be it Lewis, Jorg, Jack, Orianna or Roan, they did not falter upon seeing the massive beast slowly approaching them. Instead, they strengthened their will to fight it, and defeat it. Most parties would have run the other way, but after three weeks in the mines, they had become used to follow Lewis' leadership.