GamerFiction
patreon
The Mage's Path: Chapter 17
🕑 Added 2024-12-04 07:12:28 +0000 UTCHi all,
Here’s the next chapter. Harry continues to explore the island and makes an interesting discovery. Plus, it’s finally time to crack open the new grimoire.
Chapter 17
Harry stared at the collapsed unicorn before returning his gaze to the one that had maimed it.
A massive wolf-like beast stalked into view, its shoulders reaching Harry's chest. Black fur rippled over corded muscle, and curved fangs protruded past its lips. Blood stained its muzzle—the unicorn's blood.
Dire Wolf - Level 42 - Canidae
Brutus exploded into motion. The Griever crossed the clearing in two bounds, wings tucked tight against his body as he slammed into the Dire Wolf. The impact sent both beasts rolling, soil and leaves spraying in their wake.
The wolf twisted free, snapping at Brutus' exposed throat. The Griever batted the attack aside with one massive paw, claws raking furrows across the wolf's face. Blood sprayed as the wolf reeled back, but it recovered quickly, lunging again.
This time Brutus met the charge head-on. His jaws clamped around the wolf's shoulder, teeth puncturing muscle and grinding against bone. The wolf's yelp of pain cut off as Brutus whipped his head sideways, hurling his opponent into a tree trunk. The impact cracked bark and splintered wood.
The wolf staggered to its feet, favouring its mangled shoulder. Its eyes darted between Brutus and the fallen unicorn, calculating. The Griever's wings snapped open, casting a shadow over the clearing as he advanced. His roar vibrated through Harry's bones.
The wolf turned to flee. Brutus pounced, his full weight driving the wolf into the ground. Massive jaws closed around its spine with a sickening crunch. The wolf went limp.
Brutus shook the carcass once before dropping it. He nudged the dead wolf with his muzzle, ensuring it posed no further threat. Satisfied, he padded over to the unicorn, his earlier savagery replaced by surprising gentleness.
"Remind me never to get on his bad side," Celeste muttered.
Harry’s brows furrowed. “Should I have let Brutus kill it? It’s in a beast’s nature to hunt.”
"Most beasts know instinctively that hunting a unicorn is wrong," Celeste said as she examined the corpse. "The wolf had already drank its blood, so it was destined to live a cursed life.”
Harry nodded. He didn’t know why he felt sorry for the beast. Perhaps he felt possessive of them. He owned the island and thus felt responsible for its inhabitants.
Celeste frowned. “This is strange.”
“What’s wrong?”
“The Dire Wolf was another beast found in the Shadowlands. First, the Nightshade Whispers, and now this.”
“Perhaps it’s a coincidence.”
“Maybe.”
Harry approached the unicorn, its silver blood pooling beneath its flank. "Can we help it?"
The unicorn's eyes rolled wildly as he drew near. Brutus rumbled softly, and the magical beast settled, allowing Harry closer. Its trust in the Griever outweighed its natural aversion to humans.
"Would a potion work on a unicorn?" Harry asked.
Celeste shrugged. "Only one way to find out."
Harry pulled a healing potion from his inventory. He moved to pour it into the unicorn's mouth when Celeste grabbed his sleeve.
"Try pouring it on the wound instead."
Harry uncorked the vial and tipped the contents over the gashes. Through the matted blood and silver fur, the bleeding slowed. He emptied four more potions onto the wound, watching the skin knit together beneath the crusted blood.
The unicorn climbed to its feet, whole again. It nuzzled its snout against Harry's chest in thanks before galloping into the trees, vanishing from sight.
"I didn't expect that to work," Harry said, staring at the empty vials.
His weeks studying potions had taught him proper healing required a trained Healer. Most potions relied on using the patient's magic to amplify their effects rather than directly treating them. Without this magical resonance, the potions would be far less effective—it's why they had no effect on non-magical people. Standard healing potions worked by stimulating and directing the body's natural magical energy toward the injury, serving as a catalyst rather than a cure.
His potion was unique. He assumed it would only be effective for him and Celeste because they were part of the system.
As he understood it, the system's rules created an interesting divide between dungeons and the outside world. While monsters in dungeons operated under strict game-like mechanics—with defined stats, levels, and resources—the natural world followed its own laws. Humans, animals, and magical creatures alike existed as they always had, unbounded by the system's constraints. They didn't have attributes like Strength or Intelligence, nor did they possess MP or HP that could be measured.
The levels he saw above their heads served only as a rough comparison to his own capabilities—a way for the system to translate their natural strength into terms he could understand. A level 42 Dire Wolf wasn't actually bound by level restrictions or stat distributions; rather, the system was telling him that facing such a creature would be like fighting a level 42 dungeon monster.
Harry didn’t think it could work on others outside the system. Did this mean that his potion was an overpowered elixir that could bypass the need for Healers?
He shook his head. While the potions could seal injuries and stop bleeding, he wasn't sure it would work with other injuries and illnesses. Furthermore, a unicorn's innate magic might have enhanced the potion's effectiveness, or perhaps magical creatures responded differently to treatment than humans. Maybe it didn’t require magic at all to be present in the body. Which meant it could heal non-magicals as well.
It warranted further investigation.
"Let's get moving," he said, climbing to his feet.
Harry was relieved to have Brutus by his side. The Dire Wolf's level had caught him off guard—he'd never have survived that encounter alone. If such powerful beasts roamed this forest, what else might lurk in the island's unexplored corners?
They pressed deeper into the forest, Brutus leading the way. They eventually reached the structure he had marked down on his map. It was a crude dwelling with a small fenced yard, and the roof had partially collapsed from years of neglect. Tall grass choked the yard, as nature reclaimed the space.
"Were my ancestors short on gold?" Harry wondered aloud.
Celeste's laughter tinkled through the air. "Who knows how long it's stood here?"
Harry picked his way carefully through the ruins, mindful of rotting floorboards that creaked ominously beneath his feet. Rusty tools and primitive weapons lined the walls—hunting spears with flint heads, crude axes, and what might have been fishing gear. As he examined a spear's weathered shaft, Celeste's excited cry pierced the air.
"Harry! Come look at this!"
He rushed over to find her hovering above a small stone tablet half-buried under debris. Strange symbols covered its surface, the etchings weathered but still legible. The marks seemed to flow across the stone in intricate patterns, unlike any writing system he'd encountered.
"What's wrong?"
"I know this writing," Celeste breathed, her tiny fingers tracing the symbols. "The humans in the Shadowlands used it."
Harry's eyebrows shot up. First the Nightshade Whispers, then the Dire Wolf, and now this ancient script—too many connections to be coincidence.
A notification pinged in his HUD. He opened it and read the contents.
======New Main Quest: Shadows of the Past
Quest Description: Harry Potter has discovered strange connections between Potter Isle and the Shadowlands. Uncover the mysterious connection between these two places and why traces of Celeste's home keep appearing.
Main Objectives:
1. Find more locations with connections to the Shadowlands.
2. Look for more samples of the strange language and decipher them.
3. Collect more evidence and piece together the history of the island.
Quest completion: Mana Potion recipe.
Time Limit: None
Quest Difficulty: Moderate
Failure: Miss crucial information about the Potter's history. ======
“Potter Isle?” Harry muttered. “Is this what this island is called?”
So he could also receive quests here. Was this because the island was considered part of England, or because he owned it? In either case, it meant more opportunities for him.
He showed the quest to Celeste.
“What do you think it all means?” Celeste asked.
Harry ran a hand through his hair as he pondered the question. “Maybe… you ending up as my familiar had a deeper meaning than we first thought. We won’t really know the answer until we investigate some more.”
Celeste nodded. “The island just became a lot more interesting.”
“Did that tablet really belong to humans from your realm? They sound awfully primitive.”
"We weren't that bad," Celeste huffed. "But yes, compared to your world's standards."
“Just how long were you stuck in your egg? A few centuries? A millennium?”
"You're forgetting our realms were separate. Technology advanced at different rates."
“Practically ancient,” Harry teased. "A decrepit old crone."
“Shut it!”
He kept the tablet in his inventory for later examination. They continued to theorise about possible connections while they finished searching the house. Finding nothing else of interest, they headed back outside.
Harry consulted his hand-drawn map before pointing west. "The corrupted area might give us some answers."
Two hours of hiking brought them to the sound of rushing water. They continued forward until they came across the river. The water appeared deep, with a strong current, and was approximately seven metres wide at its widest point. Rather than waste time searching for a crossing, Brutus flew them over in two powerful wing beats.
They encountered several magical beasts and wildlife as they pressed on but Brutus' presence kept them at bay. Harry noted their levels ranged from the teens to the forties. Not all of them looked hostile but there were enough to keep him on edge. While flying would have been faster and safer, Harry wanted to map the terrain in order to gain a thorough understanding of his island.
Near the western edge, where the forest climbed sharply upwards in a riot of green, they discovered a carefully maintained thicket. A massive oak dominated its centre, its branches creating a natural canopy that filtered the sunlight into dancing patterns. Harry's Mana Sense tingled as they approached—the air here felt different, charged with magic that made his skin prickle.
"A fairy grove!" Celeste spun through the air, her wings blurring with excitement.
Her usual composure vanished as she darted between the branches, touching leaves and flowers with reverent fingers.
"Are you certain?"
"Of course! The magic's still active—there could be fairies here!"
Their search revealed no fairies, but Celeste refused to give up. She retrieved her Shadow Orb. With practised movements, she summoned two shadow copies of herself. The dark fairies looked exactly like her but seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it.
Over the past week, Celeste had refined her control of the shadow summons. The fairies marked her progress—more than mere copies, they displayed basic intelligence and could follow simple commands. Each successful summon proved her growing mastery of the orb's power.
"Search the surrounding forest," Celeste commanded. "Look for signs of fairy activity."
The shadow fairies darted off into the trees, silent as smoke.
"What's the range you can communicate at?" Harry asked, watching them disappear.
"A few kilometres. They'll report back if they find anything interesting."
"Right then. Let's check out that corrupted zone while they look around." Harry glanced at his map again, estimating the distance. "It shouldn't be far now."
They pressed on until reaching the corrupted zone. The boundary between healthy forest and decay was stark—vibrant greens gave way to greys and browns, and leaves crumbled to ash at Harry's touch. Though the affected area appeared smaller up close than from above, the devastation was complete.
As they searched the blighted ground, Harry spotted a familiar shimmer between two dead trees. A dungeon gate materialised in the centre of the corruption, its surface rippling like disturbed water. Brutus growled softly, hackles rising as Harry approached. Words formed on the gate's surface:
======Dungeon: Shadowlands
Level Range: 20-25
Difficulty: High
Restrictions: Minimum Level 20; Magic forbidden.
Dungeon Break Status: 3 months
Environmental Corruption Status: 25%
Specifications:
* Umbra Queen: Dungeon required to complete the quest.
* The Fall of Magic: Dungeon permanently restricted to the Weapon Phase.
* Dungeon Dash: Limited amount of time to find and exit the dungeon. ======
Harry sighed. This dungeon sounded like a pain. But he was more concerned about Celeste at the moment. He glanced over at her, noticing her pale face.
"This cannot be happening," Celeste whispered.
"How could your realm become a dungeon?"
"I don't know!" Her voice cracked with distress.
"Didn't you mention a gate in your realm?" Harry asked, trying to piece it together. "Maybe it was always a dungeon. How big was your realm?"
"Much too big for a dungeon, I imagine."
"Hmm. You said magic was waning in the Shadowlands. Perhaps this dungeon is just a remnant of what's left. Victor's journal hinted at dimensional cracks being pieces of other worlds. Gaia might have converted it into a dungeon at some point."
"That doesn't explain finding traces of my home on this island," Celeste said. "Did my people find a way through? Or was there a dungeon break?"
Harry shrugged. "We're still missing too many pieces. Either way, we can't enter until we reach level twenty."
Celeste's eyes suddenly unfocused. "My minions found the fairies!"
"Let's introduce ourselves then. They might have answers."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
They returned to the fairy grove to find a small group of fairies who had gathered with Celeste's shadow minions. Six tiny figures darted between branches, their translucent grey wings catching what little light filtered through the canopy. Their dusky skin seemed to shimmer as they moved, creating subtle patterns of light and shadow.
Dusk Fairy - Level 21 - Fairy Race
Harry took note of the fairy with the highest level. She appeared to be the group's leader, based on their interactions.
When they spotted Celeste, they swarmed around her, their excited chatter combining simple words with musical trills. Celeste's eyes widened as she tried to follow their overlapping voices.
Harry settled beside Brutus, leaving them to their reunion. He pulled some bread, cheese, and a slice of chocolate cake from his inventory. After tearing off a chunk of bread for Brutus, he began his own meal. His food stores were running low—the Pride's endless appetite meant he'd need to restock in France soon.
He was about to begin eating the cake when a small voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Share?"
He looked up to find one of the Dusk Fairies hovering before him, her eyes fixed on his cake. Breaking off a small piece, he offered it in his palm. The fairy landed delicately, picking up food with tiny fingers.
His gesture drew the others' attention. Soon all six fairies perched on his knees and hands, nibbling cake and chattering amongst themselves. Their mannerisms reminded him strongly of Celeste.
Celeste settled on his shoulder and shared with him what she had learned. “Dusk Fairies are diminished descendants of Umbra Fairies. While they retain the ability to manipulate shadows to an extent, their magic has weakened significantly.”
“Interesting,” Harry mused. "Even if they aren’t as powerful as Umbra Fairies, it is nice to know your species has survived in some form."
Celeste giggled. “That’s for sure. Even if they are a little lacking in intelligence.”
He smiled as the first fairy he met came back for more cake. "They seem to be capable of communicating easily enough."
"The grove's magic has kept them safe from predators and allowed them to retain some intelligence,” Celeste explained. “But they've lost so much. Their leader says they have some racial memories of their ancestors and their old home.”
“Do they remember any useful information?”
Celeste shook her head. “Not really. But I will stay with them tonight and see if I can learn anything else."
Harry smirked. “Be honest. You adore them and cannot bear to leave them alone."
“You're imagining things.”
“Well, that’s fine,” Harry said. “We can stop exploring for today. I’m going to meet with the Delcaours. I think Gabrielle wants to ride Brutus.”
"Does she? The little Veela must have a bird brain."
“Don’t be rude.”
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Harry's hiss echoed through the tent as he drew the dagger across his forearm. Blood welled up, dark against his skin. He uncorked a healing potion and poured it over the wound, watching flesh knit together. His HP bar refilled instantly.
He wasn’t a masochist by nature.
The method for training Willpower had emerged during his experiments—self-inflicted pain proved most effective. Other paths existed, surely, like mental anguish or psychological strain, but Harry wasn’t going to go down that route. It sounded like a nightmare. He was capable of dealing with physical pain, and the potions made sure his wounds healed properly.
The blade bit into his flesh again. His jaw clenched against the burning sensation.
Your Willpower has risen by 1.
Two points in one evening marked significant progress. Only his consumption gauge prevented further training—healing potions pushed it dangerously high. Technically, he didn’t need the points to reach the requirements to unlock the Grimoire of Animated Constructs but he wasn’t going to miss out on free points. Even if he received a free point in Willpower at each level.
Harry pulled up his status window:
====== Player Status
Name: Harry Potter
Occupation: Apprentice Mage
Level: 10 Next Level: 1500
Experience Pool: (444)
Attribute Points: 5
Path Points: 10
Resources
HP: 260/260
MP: 533/533 [626]
SP: 483/483
Attributes
STR: 19
AGI: 22
VIT: 26
END: 17
SPI: 27
INT: 20
WIL: 23
PER: 19
DEF: 4 [+ Equipment] 18
=====
Boon
Occupation:
Apprentice Mage: +1 to SPI per level, +25% increased efficiency and potency for all elementary spells/skills.
Titles:
Charismatic Gamer: Your magnetic personality and charming presence have a positive influence on those around you. This may lead to new opportunities and favourable interactions in the future.
King’s Authority: +1 to WIL per level, +50% effectiveness towards resisting mental manipulations, both magical and mundane.
Accelerated Growth: Reduces the amount of experience required after level 10.
Burden
????: Decreases total MP by 15%.
Accelerated Growth (temporary): Harry isn’t a little boy any longer. =======
His attributes had a nice balance across the board and he still had some AP in the bank. They could still be improved further with training but he would soon hit a wall and have to rely on his AP.
He retrieved the grimoire from his inventory. A prompt materialised:
=====The player has successfully fulfilled the prerequisites needed to unlock the Grimoire of Animated Constructs. Would you like to absorb its knowledge? Yes/No ======
He grinned, unable to contain his excitement. All that patience had paid off. Though building his foundation through attribute training proved the wiser choice, the temptation to spend AP on unlocking it sooner had gnawed at him daily.
Harry selected 'yes.' The grimoire dissolved into motes of light that spiralled around him before sinking into his chest.
=====The player has acquired the skills from the Grimoire of Animated Constructs Grimoire. The paths have been added to the Skill Board.
Description: The ancient tome contains the fundamental knowledge required to create and control golems. Through careful study and practice, a wielder of this grimoire can master the art of golem creation, breathing life into stone, metal, and other elements to create loyal servants.
Elemental Golem Path: 0/7
Golem Crafting Path: 0/5 ======
Harry opened his Skill Board Menu, examining the two new paths. His eyes widened as he spotted the connection—the first skills on each path complemented each other perfectly. Creating a functional golem required both.
The first skill in the Elemental Golem Path was Earth Attunement. Basic Construction was the first skill acquired through the Golem Crafting Path. Both cost three PP, and he bought them without hesitation.
======Earth Attunement | Passive/Active | Level 1 | Upgrade: (0/10) | Cost: 25 MP | Attribute: VIT/STR
Description: Infuses golems crafted from earth-based materials with enhanced power and control over their element. The golem's deep connection to the earth enables it to regenerate by absorbing minerals from the ground and bend terrain to its will.
* Grants golem dominion over earth-based elements: soil, stone, clay, and wood.
* Can shape earth-based elements within 5 metres to form barriers and other objects.
* Restores 1% HP per minute when on natural terrain.
* 50% resistance to physical and earth damage
* Vulnerable to fire, water, and air attacks depending on the earth-based element.
* VIT > 30: Doubles HP regeneration.
* STR > 30: Unleashes a tremor attack that staggers enemies for any golems weighing at least 300 kg.
* Upgrades to level 2 after an earth golem has defeated 10 enemies.
* Each level increases the golem’s defence by 10%. ======
======Basic Construction | Active/Passive | Level 1 | Upgrade: (0/5) | Cost: 100 MP | Attribute: SPI
Description: Unlocks the fundamental art of golem crafting. Through precise material preparation and magical binding, this skill breathes life into inert matter. The main requirement for golems is a golem core, which can be found in dungeons or created using a specific skill. Each successful creation strengthens the crafter's understanding of this ancient craft.
* Creates golems up to 100kg mass.
* Base golem parameters are determined by golem cores and materials used.
* Reduces material requirements by 15%.
* Enhances golem durability and parameters by 20%.
* Grants access to elemental golem blueprints.
* Created golems can follow basic commands like guard, patrol, follow, and attack.
* Only two golems can be kept at a time.
* SPI > 30: Increases the elemental properties of the created golem.
* Upgrades to level 2 after creating 5 golems ======
Six PP well spent, Harry decided. The investment opened an entirely new branch of magic, one focused on creation rather than just combat. His own personal army of magical constructs awaited.
The skills worked in tandem—Basic Construction provided the foundation and form, while Earth Attunement imbued the golem with elemental powers. He could hardly wait until he got to see what the other elemental attunements offered. The next elemental attunement was Water, but it would cost him four PP. For the moment, he was content to experiment with Earth Golems.
The 100 kg limit restricted him to smaller constructs for now. A humanoid golem of that size would stand roughly his height, depending on how robust he made it. Not exactly intimidating, but perfect for testing and practicing the craft.
Harry sorted through his inventory, focusing on the two cores. The Corrupted Aspen Core, a drop from the dungeon boss, needed to be saved. He couldn’t fight the boss monster again for more copies of it. The Living Wood Core proved more practical—he could always get more from farming the Sentinel using the Dungeon Return feature.
Nothing stopped him from tackling the Aspen Horror Dungeon from this island. He still had rewards to collect from the altar, and the chance to improve his skills was valuable. Even after hitting the level twelve cap, he'd still grow stronger.
But first, he wanted to develop skills that would make dungeon runs smoother: golem crafting, potion brewing, and cooking. Perhaps he'd unlock new primers along the way.
An unfamiliar book caught his eye. He pulled it out, recognising it as the golem manual. The pages revealed Earth-based blueprints, mostly humanoid designs. The recipes offered surprising flexibility—materials could be substituted, though each change would affect the final result.
The materials shared one requirement: a golem core. Besides finding them in dungeons, there was another option. The next skill in the Golem Crafting path was called Golem Core Forging, which would allow him to create his own Golem Cores. Not only would it give him an endless supply of them but it would also add a lot of diversity to his creations. For the moment, he held off in acquiring it. He wanted to create a golem first with the materials on hand.
Harry snapped the book closed. Since the Living Wood Core was wood-aligned, he needed to find a suitable tree to serve as the body. Preferably one that had already fallen. He could look for it while exploring the island tomorrow.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Over the next few days, Harry explored the island with the Delacours, mapping its hidden wonders. He steered them away from the corrupted zone as it might raise unwanted questions. With Brutus by their side, they could catch glimpses of the various wildlife without putting themselves in danger.
Gabrielle proved an enthusiastic explorer, especially after Harry introduced them to the Dusk Fairies. They seemed equally drawn to her.
His systematic exploration uncovered more crude dwellings, each built in the same primitive style. Inside, he found more tablets, their surfaces etched with the mysterious script. Harry copied the inscriptions meticulously, building a collection of the unknown language. While decoding them remained impossible for now, he had a strategy. Once his Intelligence reached thirty, his Language Comprehension skill would allow him to grasp simple phrases in unknown languages—hopefully including these ancient texts.
The Dusk Fairies guided him to a remarkable discovery: a fallen cypress tree. The size and magical properties made it an ideal material for his first golem. He spent hours planning how best to incorporate the Colossus Core he'd obtained.
After gathering some more material, he judged he was ready to create his first golem.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Harry sat cross-legged in a small clearing, the Cypress wood laid out before him.
He spread his materials across a worn cloth: tree sap to bind the core, crushed quartz to conduct magical energy, and powdered herbs gathered from the island's hidden groves. Each ingredient played a vital role in the construction process, transforming raw materials into a vessel for magic.
Harry closed his eyes, building the golem's structure in his mind. Layer by layer, he visualised each component—the rigid spine that would support its frame, joints that would allow fluid movement, and channels through which magic would flow. The mental blueprint had to be perfect; any flaw in his imagination would manifest in physical form.
He pressed his hands against the rough bark, activating the Basic Construction skill. The core pulsed as his magic flowed into it, the powdered quartz beginning to shimmer as it carried his power through carefully prepared grooves in the wood. The herb merged with the sap, creating a network of magical conduits throughout the structure.
The wood creaked and shifted, following the blueprint etched in his mind. Under his guidance, sections split and reformed like clay being shaped by invisible hands. Limbs emerged from the trunk, each joint positioned exactly as he'd envisioned. The head took shape last, its features emerging from the wood grain with deliberate restraint—not too detailed, but enough to suggest awareness.
Sweat beaded on Harry's forehead as he maintained the complex visualisation. One stray thought, one moment of doubt, could unravel hours of preparation. The core's energy spread through the wooden frame, following the paths he'd created with the quartz mixture, turning theory into reality.
With a final surge of magic, Harry pushed his complete vision into the construct. The golem's eyes snapped open, a soft glow emanating from within, proof that his visualisation had successfully married magic with matter.
"Scan."
======
Cypress Defender | Type: Wooden Golem | HP: 200/200 | MP: 100/100
Primary Attributes: Strength: 18 | Vitality: 20
Defence: 20
Grade: Basic
Durability: 150/150
Primary Skills:
Wood Manipulation: Can manipulate wood within a five-metre radius.
Wooden Shield: Raises defensive capabilities temporarily
Nature's Resilience: Regenerates HP when in contact with soil
Golem Traits
Weakness to Fire: Takes 50% additional damage from fire-based attacks.
Core Synergy: Enhanced control due to perfect core placement
Creator's Bond: Responds to Harry's mental commands
======
Description: The Cypress Defender operates on pure logic, interpreting its master's commands with unwavering focus. Its strength lies in defence—manipulating nearby wood for barriers while self-repairing through contact with soil. Though not conscious, it displays basic problem-solving and protective instincts, always positioning itself between its master and potential threats. ======
"Not bad for a first attempt." Harry circled his creation, noting areas for improvement. "The core distribution could be more efficient, but the strength-to-weight ratio seems optimal."
Even with its current parameters, he could find some use as a tank. It couldn’t level up, so its skills and attributes were set in stone as soon as it was complete. If it wanted to improve it further, he needed more golem cores to create stronger variants. The blueprint he used was fairly basic because he had to work with the materials he had on hand.
The monster-like status surprised him, though it hardly mattered.
The golem stood, movements fluid despite its wooden nature. It stood a head taller than Harry, cutting an imposing figure, though smaller than Harry had expected. Its proportions matched a human's, but its features remained deliberately abstract—smooth planes suggesting a face rather than detailed features.
Celeste flew up to the golem's face, poking its wooden nose. "At least it's not trying to kill us. That's a win in my book."
"It needs a name," Harry mused. "Something fitting its nature."
"How about Oak?"
"It's made of Cypress."
"Well, I don't hear you suggesting anything better," Celeste huffed.
The golem's head tilted, observing their exchange.
"Grove," Harry decided, watching the golem's reaction.
The golem straightened at its new designation, as if already embracing its purpose.
Harry grinned. “I can hardly wait to try you out.”
So, what do you think? Not long now before Harry begins his first year at Hogwarts.
Thanks for reading.
