– Clank… Clank…
As I stood there blankly outside the tower, a series of heavy reverberations began to echo in my ears.
It was the golems installed on the floating island.
‘Hmm…’
I squinted, observing their numbers and rubbing my temples.
The power of knowledge. Ever since I gained it, my brain has felt… odd.
If you ask me if it’s uncomfortable… Well, my previously disorganized memories are now neatly arranged, so it’s actually more comfortable in a way.
But it’s still an odd sensation, and it seems like it will take a little time to adjust.
If I plan to utilize it actively… adapting will take even longer.
Of course, it’s a hundred or a thousand times better than when I gained the powers of space and observation. Back then, I released the restrictions set by the tower masters in one go, nearly causing my head to explode…
Sigh…
I shook my head.
Before I knew it, the golems had approached, forming a formation to surround me, weapons aimed in a defensive stance.
Normally, the golems would treat me like a guest and guide me.
But now, I had them on high alert for a separate experiment.
I had received the blueprints and operational instructions for the golems from Lord Ariel, along with authority over them.
Soon, one golem creaked forward.
‘There it is.’
A golem with thick armor on its arms, resembling a gauntlet. It was the one that had thrown the first punch at me.
Seeing it always leading with a shield, it seems it’s intended to take on the role of a meat shield.
[Entering defensive stance… Enemy, execute subjugation command.]
The golem, which seemed to hesitate for a moment, adjusted its posture at my command.
Soon, a fierce blue light erupted from between its helmet.
Grrroooaaah… The sensation of magic activating brushed against my skin.
[Executing subjugation command.]
Boom! The ground exploded as the golem charged toward me, its massive body leading the way.
Feeling the air being pushed away and trembling, I set my staff… Purification momentarily aside and reached out my hand.
Me reaching out, and the golem charging with its fist outstretched—it was just like when I first arrived at the floating island.
Back then, all I could do was slightly part my fist and flick my arm back, wasn’t it?
I drew upon my magic power.
Constructing the spell and pouring magic into it, filling it up.
It was the same process as before, but now it was incredibly quick.
– Squeek…
‘Magic Slash.’
– Scrape!
The results were different.
The punch it threw at me was overlapped by the magic slash.
The fist split left and right. The unstoppable magic slash cleaved through its wrist, forearm, and upper arm in succession.
Thud! Half of its arm, sliced cleanly off like tofu, dropped to the ground.
– Creak…
The golem’s charge, unable to withstand the impact, came to a halt.
It stopped right in the perfect spot.
Still holding onto the magic power, I arranged it.
‘Magic Slash.’
– Kwangggggg!
Dozens of magic slashes poured down on the halted golem from all directions.
With each magic slash, its body was chunked away.
The slashes didn’t stop there, but looped back like a boomerang to pierce the golem again.
Soon, the iron lump, resembling something thrown carelessly in a blender, became hundreds of fragments scattered across the floor.
[Executing subjugation command.]
[Executing subjugation command.]
[Executing subjugation command.]
The golems maintaining their defensive stance also launched their attacks.
The golems at the front raised their shields and charged, while those behind them gripped their weapons tightly and followed.
‘Manifest.’
Earth magic.
Among them, the metal manipulation type.
Crackle… The golem’s remains twisted and compressed evenly, weaving into sharp thorns.
Given the golem’s immense size, each one was large, and dozens came forth.
‘White Flame.’
Fire magic.
Flames in a pale yellow hue wrapped around the thorns.
I delicately manipulated the fire, shoving the flames inward to heat the thorns.
As the flames subsided, the thorns turned bright yellow.
‘Manipulation, pressure explosion.’
Wind magic.
I wrapped wind around the thorns, causing them to spin at high speed.
At the back of the thorns, I compressed air and wind, bursting it apart.
Simultaneously, using manipulation, I shot the thorns out.
After a series of rapidly executed processes, dozens of spikes were launched.
One of the spikes pierced the leading shield golem.
Bang! The shield shattered.
The spot where the spike hit first was penetrated, and with that shock, cracks branched out over the shield until it shattered into pieces.
A thorn impaled the golem’s waist.
Bang! The explosion followed, reverberating in the air.
Centered on the impact zone, the golem’s body split apart.
The lower half of the golem rolled on the ground, while the upper half soared toward the sky.
– Kwangggggg!
That scene unfolded for most of the golems.
With the power of observation, I perfectly calculated the trajectory.
Every single shot hit accurately, causing all the golems charging forward to be smashed and tumble across the ground.
‘Hmm…’
This first wave was easily settled.
After a moment of gathering my magic, I assessed my status.
– Clatter!
One of the golem fragments lying on the ground trembled slightly.
The tricky part of this golem squad is that it doesn’t just end with smashing them.
The floating island is practically Ariel’s workshop.
Even those scattered fragments serve as materials, soon clumping together to form new golems.
– Creak…
The fragments trembled. After shaking a bit, they clattered around.
That’s all there is to it. Many fragments were moving like that, but they couldn’t combine to form new golems.
‘That’ll do.’
Confirming such a status, I nodded slightly.
Disruption spell.
A technique to hinder any magic in any form and nullify it.
Since those golems move through magic, if I can erase the engraved magic, that will be the end.
But that’s easier said than done.
I tried to mix the disruption spells in to nullify them before, but I ultimately failed.
The magic was engraved directly by Lord Ariel.
Even with her influence, any regular disruption seems to scoff and counter.
Moreover, even if the magic is disrupted, it doesn’t mean much.
‘Even if I erase it, they’ll just engrave it anew anyway.’
Originally, the spells inscribed at one place are quite consumable with clear lifespans.
Anything dealing with weaponry, especially those that rely on heavy impacts, is notoriously short-lived.
So, as I keep pounding these golems, their spells should damage themselves and turn into mere iron lumps.
That’s the limit of magical tools, not artifacts.
But these golems are different.
Strictly speaking, they are magical tools, but they don’t have a defined lifespan.
Because they inscribe spells in real-time.
Even if the spells are damaged, they immediately restore them from the ‘workshop’ that is in contact with the ground.
The ground itself is made of the same material, so even if the body flies away, they can just supply it back immediately.
As a result, deactivating golems on this floating island comes with myriad complications.
‘Success.’
So, I pulled a little trick.
With my increased magical prowess, I damaged a significant number of spells, pouring my magic before they could restore themselves.
Thus, I slapped away the magic trying to recover their spells, dyeing them with my own color and establishing dominance.
In short, I snatched away ownership.
The operation was a success.
Now they are just iron lumps tainted with my magic.
Given the purity and density of my magic, they should last quite well without additional infusions.
– Thud! Thud! Thud!
I felt the golems approaching with their overwhelming numbers, still flooding in from the direction of my observation powers.
Of course, it’s still a tidal wave I have to face down…
‘Hmm…’
I tapped my toes on the ground.
Whooooom… The magic I manifested spread in all directions.
Soon, the golem remains began to float and once again, just like before, I wove them into thorns to float in mid-air.
What unfolded was a sight of enormous thorns, dozens of times larger than before, filling the sky.
Although the sight was somewhat threatening, the golems, devoid of fear, continued their advance.
‘So… is this how I’m supposed to use it for now?’
I grasped the purification that was floating nearby.
How am I supposed to use this?
I had received explanations from Lord Ariel, and the moment I held the artifact… I instinctively knew how to use it, just like when I first held the proof of my guardianship.
Gently manipulating its cool, sleek body, I poked a nearby thorn with the crystal ball.
To my surprise, the intact thorn was swiftly sucked into the crystal ball.
‘Oh.’
I let out a small gasp as I sent pure white magic into the purification.
– Woooo!? Whoo, wooh…!
At the same time, the staff emitted several resonant sounds.
Was that a bit too intense? I wondered if I messed up, and in that moment of worry…
– Zing!
‘Ohh!’
As if dispelling my concerns, a blade shot out from the crystal ball.
Upon observational inspection, it matched the thorn I had absorbed earlier.
Simultaneously, two beams of light erupted from the top of the rod near the crystal ball.
They wrapped around the crystal ball like ribs cradling a heart.
Thanks to the blade emerging from above the crystal ball, the staff transformed into something resembling a spear.
Of course, the fact that the spearhead was attached to the crystal ball made it look a bit bizarre.
Based on appearance alone, it seemed like it could snap if I swung it carelessly.
However, knowing this to be a top-grade artifact, I trusted that wouldn’t happen.
Thinking about that, I swung the purification toward the incoming fire magic.
Screech! The oncoming flames parted as if they were rebuffed by the spearhead.
Instantly, the two halves of the flames were drawn into the crystal ball through the spearhead.
‘Wow!’
I sparkled my eyes in awe.
I observed the absorption process closely.
As the spearhead, or rather the crystal ball, sliced through the magic, not only the magic power but the entire spell was absorbed.
What had been absorbed began to be stored within the crystal ball.
‘If I pull out what’s stored here…’
– Whooosh!
Flames wrapped around the spearhead.
That was a part of the magic I had just absorbed.
Just as a golem swung its hammer at me, I dodged and swiftly thrust the purification deep into my side.
It pierced right through the armor, embedding into its body.
Immediately afterward, I released.
– KWAARRRGHHH!
A torrent of flames erupted from the spearhead.
Flames burst forth from the joints of its armor.
Crack! Once again, the spearhead exploded, ruthlessly tearing through the insides.
– KABOOM!
Ultimately, the golem melted into a heap and collapsed helplessly.
‘Oh ho.’
Leaping back to create some distance, I marveled at what had just happened, swinging the now-emptied purification around.
Absorption and release.
Whatever was absorbed is stored in the crystal ball, which can be formed into spearheads or expelled anew.
On some levels, it’s a simple function, but artifacts capable of such simplicity are rare.
This crystal ball, by observational standards, has an immense capacity.
I could quickly draw from it, even if it was filled with other magic or special materials, whenever needed.
If time is of the essence, I can quickly swing it to absorb enemy attacks and spit them back out.
Of course, the amount absorbed and released depends on my skill… But I was confident in my ability to handle it expertly.
‘What a remarkable artifact.’
There were many other functions as well.
Even without those, just its ability to absorb and expel would be worth a top-tier price.
Truly, it was an artifact once used by Lord Ariel.
I continued to admire it, stroking the purification with my left hand.
– Whooooom…!
– Whooooom…
Suddenly, as I caressed the purification, it resonated with the proof of guardianship.
‘…?’
Receiving that resonance, I tilted my head.
One sounded like a hum, while the other seemed filled with anger.
‘…Just my imagination… right?’
Unsure of the meaning, I wore a puzzled expression.
*
“Wow… the sky is so clear.”
After finishing the lecture and stepping outside the building, Elia suddenly tilted her head back.
She felt as though little clouds were floating below, and above them was an expansive blue sky filling her field of vision.
“Ugh.”
As she gazed at the refreshing sky that made one feel like their heart could soar, Elia let out a sigh, which was uncharacteristic of her.
“I wonder if Hyul’ will fall from the sky…”
“If a person falls from the sky, they typically die, Elia.”
“But Hyul has magic, spirits, and artifacts, so it’ll be okay.”
“Oh… That’s a guaranteed survival then.”
“Right?”
Elia giggled at the support of the girl cadet following her and looked back up at the sky.
For some reason, she found herself staring upward at the sky more and more these days.
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