Lukas headed to the food section, eager to replenish his energy after a grueling session in the gravity chamber. The smells of roasting meats and fresh-baked bread lifted his spirits. He gathered a plate piled with chicken, potatoes, vegetables, and a warm roll, then found an empty table and dug in.
The meal cost sixty credit points, but Lukas didn't mind. Replenishing his energy was his priority. After paying, he moved on to his next destination.
The forge, built into the side of a rocky hill, was an imposing structure of black stone and iron beams. Smoke billowed from chimneys as the sounds of hammers striking anvils echoed from within. Lukas remembered visiting a similar forge in his past life, although on a smaller scale. Here, the operation was massive, with students and masters working tirelessly.
He noticed many students and professors going in and out. He wasn't here to purchase a golem, as they were expensive. He came to see which ones were available. The golems for sale were on the second floor, but the entrance fee of one thousand credit points was too high for him. So he visited the actual golem factory.
After paying twenty credit points at the gate, Lukas entered through heavy iron doors, bracing himself against the heat. The forge was busy, with golems in various stages of completion lining the walls.
Taking a moment to soak it all in, Lukas felt a rush of memories. He saw a partially assembled iron golem against one wall, and another made of dark stone, awaiting activation. But it was the clay golems under construction that brought him the most nostalgia.
In his past life, Lukas had been among a crew that included a golem master. He sighed, remembering how heartbroken they all were when the golem crumbled while protecting them.
As he looked around, a man stood beside him. "That's quite a sigh coming from a kid," the man said.
Lukas turned to see a tall man wearing goggles and a long dark robe, with a small white beard and shaved sides on his head.
"Apologies if I disturbed you," Lukas replied. "This place just brings back memories."
The man smiled understandingly. "The forge often has that effect. But it's funny coming from a kid. I am Professor Oaken. Are you a first-year?"
"Yes, professor, I'm Lukas."
"Good. Are you interested in this golem?" Professor Oaken asked, pointing to the mud golem Lukas had been looking at. It was almost finished but still lacked automotion.
"Yes, professor, I am," Lukas replied, his gaze fixed on the mud golem. "I've always been fascinated by golems and their craftsmanship. I've seen them in action before, but I've never had the chance to learn how to create one myself."
It was true that golem creation required heavy mana consumption, but Lukas didn't have the opportunity to practice. However, he believed that if he did, he could have saved many lives and perhaps successfully escaped from the hunting beast.
In this life, he didn't want to let go of the option his new life presented him.
Professor Oaken nodded, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of pride and passion. "Creating golems is both an art and a science, Lukas. It requires patience, precision, and a deep understanding of magical enchantments. But the rewards are worth it."
"Yeah," Lukas muttered, remembering the last moment of their old friend blowing itself up, killing dozens of wyverns and sacrificing itself for them. A painful memory indeed.
But he knew that if things went as planned, the future would change completely.
Professor Oaken looked at the kid's beautiful face. He was amazed seeing the emotions his eyes were expressing.
He smiled and put a hand on Lukas's shoulder. "Come, let me show you what we're working on," Professor Oaken spoke before heading towards the huge gate.
Lukas was unsure for a moment before he started following the professor.
The professor took his identification token and grew it at the small-looking frog's mouth. It was a golem.
It scanned the token quickly before a green line shined and a systematic voice echoed.
[ Authorized, Token 89th ]
Lukas also felt excited. He didn't know what the professor would show him, but it would be something cool, right?
Just as he was about to enter,
[ Entrance Unauthorized ]
The professor looked back, his green eyes glowing for a second. The red lights in the frog's eyes changed, turning green.
[ Authorized ]
"Come, kid," the professor spoke as the iron doors retreated.
As the iron doors retreated, Lukas stepped through with Professor Oaken, and his eyes widened at the sight before him. Before them stood a colossal, massive figure, towering over them with a familiar silhouette. Rows of magicians were flying from her and there were engravings of sigils, one after another, welding.
Memories flooded back as he recognized the distinct shape and features. As they got closer, Lukas gazed up directly at its unfinished head with a golden crown on its head. Its dark scale armor runes shined with a rhythm as if it was alive.
"It can't be..." Lukas whispered, disbelief in his voice, almost inaudible.
Professor Oaken felt satisfied, seeing his reaction like this. This was the thing he was working for; this was the thing he stayed here for. He was about to introduce the magnificent piece of art that would someday guard humanity.
With an almost inaudible sound, a word escaped from Lukas's mouth, "Kym."
Professor Oaken widened his eyes and gazed at Lukas. He quickly, without any warning, deployed his Aura zone, enveloping Lukas completely within it as dense pressure descended upon him.
Ghhh
Lukas couldn't sustain such a huge amount of pressure and fell to his knees, struggling to look up.
"How do you know that name?" The professor asked coldly, gazing down.
Lukas gritted his teeth and struggled to even open his mouth. As for the question, of course he knew the name. This thing, which was thought to become the guardian of humanity, rampaged throughout the whole continent for some unknown reason, resulting in the fall of many kingdoms. Even during the time the forcefield broke and dungeons appeared all over the world, it got controlled by witch Morgana, resulting in another huge blow to humanity.
His legs shook as he tried standing up forcefully.
The force has already surpassed the level one chamber he trained in just now by dozens of times.
He had already deployed the Concealment shield. Thus, not many noticed the scene that was happening. Seeing Lukas unable to even talk properly under the pressure, the professor reduced the pressure for him to speak barely.
"Now speak," he said coldly. The matter was far more serious. As he realized it might even cause a war, he first thought he would tell Lukas some small things and make him sign a soul contract so that he can't tell anything outside.
But he already knows something. It's a problem that he can't disclose. If he really knows its name, the head decides.
Lukas was still struggling to stand up despite the reduced pressure. This is how frightening the word "domain" is. And on top of that, it's a gravity domain - the king at creating surpassing pressure.
"I don't know, those letters came out of my mouth the moment I saw it."
That's the only thing he could think of under the pressure of a domain.
Professor Oaken eyed Lukas skeptically, not ready to release the pressure just yet. "You expect me to believe that was merely a coincidence? That you just happened to speak the name I had chosen for this golem, without any prior knowledge?"
Lukas coughed, still struggling under the weight bearing down on him. "I...I know how unbelievable it sounds. But I swear to you, I have no explanation for how I knew that name. Please, professor, release me so I can try to explain further."
The professor hesitated a moment longer, then withdrew his aura domain. Lukas collapsed to his hands and knees, gasping for breath as the pressure lifted. When he had somewhat recovered, he looked up at the professor.
"From a very young age, I have had many weird dreams. I don't know how, but it should be related to that," he spoke, recovering from the pressure with his weak, shaking legs.
The professor still didn't believe him and disappeared from the spot, arriving right behind him and grabbing him before Lukas could even react.
Professor Oakens's glow showed before he flew away with him in the air, entering through a gate and arriving in a small room.
[To be continued...]