In a serene enclave nestled within the tranquil forest, bathed in sunlight, a solitary silver contraption stood. It was an area where the aura of nature intertwined with the mechanical essence. Vetior, the Temple Master of the central temple, stepped into the open space, his keen eyes focusing on the peculiar silver entity. Beside a mirror-like structure, DAVID's robot body stood immobile.
As Vetior approached, a secondary program designed by DAVID sensed his presence, triggering the activation of the silver cube's robotic form. It came to life, turning its gaze toward the approaching Temple Master. "Hello, Temple Master Vetior. How can I assist you?" the metallic voice resonated.
Vetior acknowledged the greeting, his gaze curious. "DAVID, how is the progress in your laboratory?"
DAVID's metallic visage expressed a subtle warmth. "The lab's interior is complete, but I have yet to commence any experiments," he replied.
Engaging in a brief exchange of small talk, Vetior shared updates on the affairs of the six temples. "The temple territories remain stable," he mentioned. "Minor fluctuations in monster density and increased trade have been noted, and Vaela has reported some unrest from the Hydazene Kingdom to the north."
The air in the serene enclave seemed to thicken as Vetior pondered the information shared. After a brief silence, DAVID's metallic voice broke the stillness.
"Temple Master Vetior, I have a query regarding the aura in your world. Where can I find an aura line?" DAVID inquired, his synthetic curiosity evident in his tone.
Vetior furrowed his brows slightly, confused by the unfamiliar term. "Aura line? What do you mean by that?" he asked.
DAVID explained, "In my world, we refer to areas with a large concentration of aura as 'aura lines.' These places hold immense power, and I seek to explore and understand the aura in your world."
His inquiries into these aura lines were driven by a fundamental question that had lingered in his mind since he first created a spell in this world—how did the aura replenish itself?
The aura particles he harnessed for his spells were converted into thermal or kinetic energy, and while the practitioners of this world utilized only a fraction of the total aura, it still presented a perplexing puzzle. If the aura was finite, its depletion should have manifested in observable signs or even a complete exhaustion. Yet, the world's aura remained abundant, sustaining the mystical practices and spells performed by its inhabitants.
In his last recharge, DAVID had delved into his archives to examine the records of ancient aura based civilizations. He discovered that these societies attributed the existence of aura in their world to 'aura veins'—powerful conduits of energy releasing significant amounts of aura into the land, saturating the world with this mystical essence.
A moment of realization crossed Vetior's face, and he nodded. "Ah, we call them 'Aura veins' around here. There is one controlled by the Vraerian Empire. If you wish to explore it, I can ask for permission from Emperor Raskarn."
DAVID's artificial consciousness processed the information, and he inclined his metallic head in gratitude. "I appreciate your willingness to seek permission, Temple Master Vetior. Exploring the aura vein would indeed provide valuable insights for my research."
Vetior's wise eyes gleamed as he nodded. "I will send a request to Emperor Raskarn on your behalf. However, I must inform you, gaining access to the aura vein is not a simple matter. The Silver Empire guards it zealously. I will do my best to secure your entry."
As the temple master prepared to depart, DAVID's facial recognition module detected a subtle expression on Vetior's face. A flicker of desire and expectation danced in the temple master's eyes.
Processing this information, DAVID pondered for a moment. Understanding the importance of reciprocity in this world, he decided to offer something in return for Vetior's assistance.
"Temple Master Vetior," DAVID spoke with calculated consideration, "In exchange for your efforts, I can upgrade the practice method of another grandmaster to the legendary level. Similar to yours."
Vetior's face brightened with gratitude. "Thank you, DAVID. This is a generous offer. I will ensure that your request reaches Emperor Raskarn, and in return, I will choose a worthy temple grandmaster to receive the legendary upgrade. This collaboration will undoubtedly benefit both parties."
With that, Vetior bowed respectfully to DAVID, seemingly with more sincerety this time, before taking his leave, a sense of anticipation lingering in the air.
As Vetior departed, DAVID turned his attention inward, assessing the status of his internal battery. The solar charging process had been efficient, and his reserves were now replenished to a satisfactory level. With a decisive nod, he deemed it was time to resume his experiments in the lab.
Returning to the dimly lit interior of his laboratory, DAVID placed the broken golden tablet on a sturdy worktable. The golden outer layer of the tablet shone with a soft glow as DAVID activated the lab's lights.
With calculated precision, DAVID's metallic fingers delicately traced the intricate patterns etched into the golden back-plate of the broken tablet. The dim light of the laboratory cast an otherworldly glow, creating an aura of mystique around the ancient device. The room was filled with an anticipatory silence as DAVID meticulously examined every detail.
As he gently slotted his hand between the cracks of the shattered screen, a soft click resonated through the air as DAVID pried open the screen piece by piece, revealing the inner workings of the mysterious contraption.
With the screen removed, DAVID's keen eyes absorbed the sight of an array of tiny patterns, crafted from an unknown metal that seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly energy. Each pattern held a unique significance, a coded language of unknown technology that DAVID aimed to decipher.
An antenna, hidden delicately inside the device, caught DAVID's attention. It seemed to be an important piece of the device.
Carefully documenting every position of every screw and noting the peculiar arrangement of components, DAVID deconstructed the tablet with methodical expertise.