Chapter 9: Golem?

"I told you not to come too close to your opponent! Are those ears just for display?! If this was a real battle, you'd already be shredded to bits!" The white Dragon, in his human form (which, let's be honest, wasn't much better than his dragon form when it came to scolding), shouted at me from a very safe distance. I could practically hear the smugness in his voice.

As soon as he started speaking, I took a step back, like that was going to magically solve everything.

"Further! You will undeniably be eaten if you are fighting a Dragon and it suddenly transforms into its true self!" He was getting louder now, sounding like he might spontaneously combust from all the anger. 

"You're right in front of its muzzle! Are you Stupid?" he yelled. Muzzle? What kind of Dragon is this? A puppy that just got scolded for chewing on the furniture?

I jumped backward—again—just to be on the safe side.

"Now launch your attack like you mean it!" he snapped, throwing his hands up like he couldn't believe the level of incompetence in front of him. 

"Do I really have to tell you step by step what to do? Is that brain of yours an empty husk?! A baby is significantly more intelligent than you!"

I'm sorry, what?! A baby? Seriously? The once-great genius of the world's greatest empire—now reduced to being compared to a brainless baby. What happened to my life? Did I get hit with some kind of stupid stick when I wasn't looking?

I clenched my fists, trying to hold it together. Annoyed beyond belief. A massive ball of crackling Fire, the size of a small boulder, appeared in front of me. With a growl, I launched it straight toward the white Dragon.

The thing sped off at the speed of light, but of course, the moment it made contact with his stupid, shiny translucent barrier—bam. It bounced off like a rubber ball, making not even a dent.

"Is that all you've got?!" the Dragon bellowed. "You have a uselessly infinite mana capacity and yet you're this weak?! I told you to condense the mana and make a more powerful spell!!" He paused, slapped his face in frustration, and then looked back at me. "Do I need to start teaching you the basics again? If time was flowing normally, it's been a million years and you're still absolutely worthless."

I clenched my teeth so hard I thought they might shatter. I wasn't about to let him talk to me like that. My pride refused.

So much for the almighty Dragon being a good teacher.

I forced myself to focus. His words grated on me, but I pushed through the anger and started to condense my mana into something smaller, denser, and more powerful—just like he had said.

Right when I was about to finish gathering my mana, a transparent window popped up in front of me, right on cue, like the universe itself was trying to distract me from my rage.

Are you kidding me? Right now? This better be good. I couldn't help but wonder if the system had some kind of sick timing, always choosing the worst moments to pop up.

Notification

You've unlocked one skill under the contract with the White Dragon:

Creation Skill:

You can now create any kind of skill you can think of, but it must be something that has never existed before. You have the ability to alter physics or physical laws to make these new skills possible, even if they didn't exist previously. As long as you can conceive of it, you can bring it into existence. Additionally, you can combine existing skills to create advanced ones.

Application:

Physics manipulationCreation of new and additional skillsMana consumption is required upon creation, based on the skill's ability. 

Note:

If the created skill is not learned within 24 hours, it will disappear.Limited to yourself; you cannot create skills for others.Skills must be based on skills you already know.The mana requirement for the created skill will be abnormally high until it is mastered.Advanced skills may also disappear, taking the lower-level skills used in combination with them if not learned within 24 hours.

I was taken aback by what I just read. "Create any skill that has never existed before"? Wait, does that mean other people have been creating skills too? So there's this entire database of skills out there, like an ever-growing library of magic or abilities that people have made? I can't even imagine how many skills are out there. Some might be simple, some crazy, some... who knows, probably world-altering. But then again, if it's a "creation" skill, does it mean that, as long as I can think of something new, I can make it too? There are probably limitless possibilities here, like, I could create a skill to control time or summon lightning out of thin air—who's to say what's off-limits?

But hold on, this database idea? That means there are other people, somewhere, creating skills like I am now. Does that mean I can pull from these creations somehow, see what others have done, and maybe even improve upon them? There could be so many insane combinations out there. But then again, that sounds a little dangerous. Could I accidentally make a skill that messes with the fabric of reality? Because if everyone's out here creating things with no real limit... well, who's keeping track of the consequences?

I mean, I assumed I had limitless mana (or so we thought), but is this even reasonable? It feels like a cheat code in a game—like, I can bend reality and rewrite physics just to make a cool skill? That's a tad excessive, don't you think? I get that it's awesome, but come on, there has to be some balance here. And the limitations? Yeah, they're pretty wild. If I don't master a skill in 24 hours, it just vanishes? And if I try to make something too powerful, it could drain all my mana, like, instantly? Talk about high risk, high reward. Feels like this skill could make me a walking disaster... or a god—depends on how well I handle it.

Regardless of my thoughts, one part of my brain is already working on a skill that will be beneficial not just today, but for the rest of my life.

A specific skill came to me, and it was vivid in my imagination, so I began to consider the skill's name.

Hakai.

Username is already taken.

The skill already exists.

Wait, what? Does that mean someone's already got this skill? Did Caden create a skill called "Hakai" before? How is that even possible? And why is the system pulling up a skill that's from Earth's Japanese language? Is this like one of those username errors where you try to pick something cool, and the system's like, "Nah, already taken"? I swear, this feels like trying to get a unique name online and getting hit with "this username is already in use."

how about,

Kamehameha

That name is already taken

The Skill already exists

Ugh This is Frustrating!

System Notification

Creation Skill Limitations:

You may only create skills based on the fusion of elements. These elements are your building blocks for all new abilities. While you have the freedom to combine and manipulate them in various ways, you are bound to the following elemental fusions:

AirFireWaterEarth

Any new skill must incorporate at least one fusion of these elements to be valid. Skills that do not adhere to these rules cannot be created, and attempts to do so will be rejected by the system.

Note: The more complex the fusion, the higher the mana cost and the risk involved. Keep this in mind when crafting your next groundbreaking ability!

Despite my complaints, there isn't much I can do if it claims the skill is already owned by someone else, so I just focused on thinking of a beneficial skill that might be produced and developed on my current skills, lets try this one!

System Notification

You have acquired a new skill: Golem Creation

Elements combined to form this skill:

Earth: Provides the foundation, shaping the golem's body and ensuring its resilience.Fire: Powers the golem, animating it and granting it offensive capabilities.Air: Enhances the golem's mobility and responsiveness, allowing for controlled movements.

With this skill, you can now create golems from various materials, such as stone, clay, or metal, and imbue them with elemental power. These golems can serve as protectors, warriors, or tools, depending on the materials and energy you invest in them. Their strength and abilities grow with your experience and mana.

Warning: The creation of golems consumes significant mana. Stronger or more complex golems require more resources to maintain. If destroyed, they must be re-created.

Would you like to proceed with your first golem creation?

YES!!

System Notification

You have successfully created a golem.

The ground trembled beneath my feet, and I could feel a surge of excitement rush through me as the massive potential of my new skill came to life. "Here we go!" I thought, my eyes wide with anticipation. But as the earth cracked and the stone began to take form, something... strange happened.

Out from the rubble came a tiny, adorable stone golem—no more than 20 inches tall, with little pebble arms and a round, wide-eyed face. It looked more like a child's toy than a powerful guardian. My excitement quickly turned to confusion.

"Wait... what?!" I blinked at the tiny thing, not sure if I was dreaming or if my mana had somehow malfunctioned. This wasn't the towering stone beast I had imagined.

Before I could process what went wrong, I heard the dragon's heavy footsteps behind me. He was watching from a distance, no doubt ready to see my "masterpiece." But instead of admiration, I saw his lips curl into a mischievous grin.

Before I could say anything, he let out a massive breath of fire.

My golem didn't even have time to react. With a single blast, it was reduced to dust, its tiny form scattered across the ground like ash. I stared at the remains in disbelief.

"That... was a bit much, don't you think?" I muttered, feeling my hopes deflate. My mana was completely drained, and there was nothing left but the dust of my tiny, failed creation.

System Notification

Warning: Creation unsuccessful. Golem destroyed.

Mana Consumed: 100%

She stared at the empty space where her golem had been, feeling the last of her mana drain away. That had been... disappointing. "I just created a tiny stone toy and wasted all my mana," she muttered, looking down at the scorched earth.

For a moment, she just sat there in disbelief, feeling like she had unlocked some kind of useless skill. The thought weighed heavily on her as the excitement from earlier was replaced by frustration. "Great. All that hype for... nothing," she sighed, rubbing her face with both hands.

System Notification

Warning: Mana depleted.

Please recharge your mana to continue.

I just spent all of my mana on a meaningless talent that I won't be able to utilize right now, is that it?!

System Notification

Skill Mastery Progression:

You have made progress in mastering Golem Creation.

As you continue to refine this skill, the mana cost for creating golems will decrease. Your ability to control the golem's size, strength, and complexity will improve as well. The more you practice and master this skill, the more efficient it becomes, allowing you to create stronger golems with less energy expenditure.

Current Mana Efficiency: 0% (Initial Level)

Next Level Up: 10% Mana Reduction

Continue to practice to unlock advanced golem forms and reduce mana consumption.

Urgh

I can't help but groan in annoyance. Just when I thought I had unlocked an Overpowered skill, it turned out to be... this useless mess.

"I'm Zero. Don't talk to me," I mumbled, lying down and curling my body into a fetal position on the ground. I felt utterly defeated.

The dragon's expression changed to one of panic. "What did you do?! How did your mana hit rock bottom like this?" His wings fluttered nervously, hovering over me like a giant, concerned chicken.

"Don't talk to me," I groaned again, rolling on the floor, trying to escape his obnoxious presence. "I just wanted to make a cute little golem, and now it's dead and I'm out of mana. Happy?"

The dragon scowled, clearly trying to remain calm despite my dramatics. "You fool... This is dangerous. You're dangerously low on mana right now."

I blinked at him, barely able to muster the energy to respond. "Dangerous? It's just mana, what's the big deal?"

He snarled, his gaze turning serious. "Mana depletion isn't something to take lightly. If you drain it completely, it can cause permanent disability or—" He paused, his eyes narrowing as if the thought was too grim to finish. "—it can kill you."

I froze at the gravity of his words. "Wait, what?"

"Yes, if you push your mana too far, your body can't function properly, and your organs can start to shut down," he continued, his voice suddenly softer, but still with an edge of urgency. "You need to recharge now before things get worse."

The reality of what he was saying hit me like a ton of bricks. I had been too careless, too excited about my new skill, and now I was paying the price.

"Great," I muttered, still lying in a ball, "Not only am I a failure at golem-making, but now I might die from it too."

The dragon's scowl softened, but he wasn't done yet. "You need to understand that skills aren't just toys to play with, especially ones that mess with mana. You've got to be careful or you won't even have the energy to create a golem small enough not to be obliterated on the spot."

I groaned again. "Thanks for the pep talk, dragon. You really know how to boost someone's confidence." I said sarcastically

--

I was still simmering, my frustration bubbling up like an overcooked pot of soup. He'd been barking at me for what felt like an eternity, treating me like I was the most clueless being on the planet. And honestly, who wouldn't be mad about that? But then, just as I was ready to snap and demand some kind of apology (or at least an explanation for the weird Dragon rage), he did something totally unexpected.

He apologized.

Not the kind of half-baked apology you get from people who are just trying to get out of trouble. No, he actually sounded sincere. The big, terrifying White Dragon looked at me—his intense golden eyes softening just a little—and said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so harsh."

At first, I blinked. "Wait, what?" Was he serious? The guy who just tore into me like I was some kind of punching bag was now apologizing? Did I accidentally step into a parallel universe or something?

"I was raised... differently," he continued, shifting uncomfortably, his wings twitching slightly as if the apology was physically painful. "My mentors were... blunt. They believed that showing weakness was a death sentence. They trained me to be relentless, to push through everything and everyone, including my own limits. If I didn't, I wouldn't survive."

I was quiet for a second, trying to digest what he was saying. "So, you're saying... you were taught to be a drill sergeant Dragon because your mentors thought it would make you stronger?"

He nodded, his expression a mix of embarrassment and... something close to regret. "I don't know what that means but that sounds about right, Yes. They were tough, but they believed it was the only way to survive in our world. But it's... it's not the best way. I know that now. I didn't mean to push you so hard. I just... I thought you needed to be better."

I stared at him for a moment. This was the same Dragon who'd been yelling at me like he was auditioning for a role in a horror film? The same one who had called me a brainless husk? Now he was explaining that his whole aggressive teaching style came from his childhood? I couldn't help but laugh, not out of mockery, but because it was just so absurd.

"So, basically, you're a Dragon who was raised like a bootcamp cadet, huh?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

He scratched the back of his neck, looking a little sheepish. "I still don't understand what that means but that sounds about right, Pretty much. They didn't have... soft words. And I thought that was how I should teach others too."

I couldn't help it. I chuckled. The idea of this big, fearsome Dragon being "taught" to yell at people until they turned into dragons of steel made me laugh more than I probably should have.

"You're such a mess," I said with a grin. "But, okay. I get it. I'll try not to be too traumatized by your... 'charming' personality."

The Dragon's face softened into a surprisingly genuine smile. "I promise I'll be gentler... maybe. But no promises. I'm still a Dragon."

"Great," I muttered, shaking my head. "Now I have to train with this guy."

But somehow, despite all the yelling and the overwhelming Dragon intensity, I didn't feel quite as mad anymore. Maybe it was because I finally understood a little bit more about where all the intensity came from. Or maybe it was just because he'd apologized and, well... it was kind of hard to stay mad at a guy who looked like he might burst into flames any second but was actually trying to be better.

"Alright, alright," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "I'll take your apology... but next time, maybe try a little less 'yell' and a little more 'nice Dragon teacher,' huh?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "No promises. But I'll try to tone it down. At least a little."

"Good enough for me," I replied, finally starting to feel a little less frustrated. He might have been a tough, yelling machine, but there was something about his apology that made him seem... a bit more relatable. Which, considering he was a massive Dragon, was saying something.

The reality of my situation finally started to settle in. I'd learned a valuable lesson today, even if it came with a hefty dose of embarrassment and mana depletion. But hey, at least I wasn't completely alone in my awkwardness anymore.

-

We stopped our sparring sessions and focused on golem making. The dragon, realizing I had zero clue what I was doing—mostly because my last attempt at creating a golem had ended with a tiny rock disaster—decided it was time for some proper training.

"Alright, enough with the fighting for now," he grumbled, narrowing his eyes at me. "You're gonna need some serious help with this golem skill if you don't want to end up in the same spot as last time—mana drained to zero, face down in the dirt, looking pathetic."

I threw my hands up in dramatic surrender. "Fine, I get it! I'm a total mess with mana. But how do I stop making the golems so... tiny and useless?"

He gave me a hard look. "Mana control. Focus on it. You've got plenty of mana, but it's all over the place. If you don't learn to use it wisely, you're just gonna burn out like last time. Control. Precision. This isn't just about creating. It's about knowing how much to use and when."

I nodded, trying to look serious. "Got it, Mr. 'Ancient Dragon with All the Wisdom.'"

The dragon flicked his tail and snorted. "You might want to pay attention, kid. I'm not always around to save you."

I sat down cross-legged, staring at the ground. "Alright, let's do this. Mana control. I'll focus."

"Good. Now, first thing's first: Mana consumption technique. You've got to learn how to conserve your mana and distribute it evenly. The more evenly it's spread, the less you'll use, and the better the result. You don't want to waste all your mana on just one arm, do you? Because, trust me, a golem with one arm is just... a weird statue."

I couldn't help but laugh. "A one-armed golem? Yeah, I'd be lucky if I even made one that could stand up."

"Focus," the dragon grumbled. "Now, let's try it again, but this time, you're gonna use your mana carefully. Picture your mana flowing through you like water, and then direct it to the stone, one piece at a time. Evenly."

I closed my eyes and pictured it. Mana wasn't some endless river of energy—it was more like... a bucket I had to dip into carefully, or it would overflow and leave me stranded. I focused hard, making sure not to throw too much power into one place. Slowly, I extended my mana out toward the stone beneath me.

At first, nothing happened. Then, a small tremor shook the ground, and the stone began to shift. It wasn't much—just a little golem arm poking out of the ground—but it was something. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my focus, keeping the mana flow controlled.

The dragon's eyes softened a bit, but he wasn't done yet. "You're on the right track. But remember, if you overuse your mana, you'll drain yourself dry again. You've got to control it with finesse, not brute force."

"Yeah, I learned that the hard way," I mumbled, still concentrating.

He raised an eyebrow. "Good. Now, try making it bigger, but don't forget your technique. If you go too big without proper control, your mana will burn up faster than a match in a wildfire."

I took another deep breath, focusing on the stone, imagining it growing larger, but with more precision this time. The golem's body slowly began to take shape—its legs, arms, and torso—all made from smooth, solid stone. Each part was evenly balanced, and the mana consumption was lower than before. Not perfect, but much more manageable.

"That's better," the dragon muttered, his voice gruff but approving. "See? You're using your mana more wisely now. You're not just throwing it out there like you're trying to flood the entire forest with magic."

I smiled, feeling a sense of pride. "Yeah, I think I've got this now. A golem that can actually stand up without collapsing into a pile of dust."

The dragon chuckled darkly. "Don't get too cocky. The real challenge is making sure your mana doesn't completely disappear before you finish the golem."

I nodded seriously. "Right. Control. Precision. And no more emptying my mana reserves like some sort of magical black hole."

The dragon gave me a side-eye, clearly not trusting me to be that careful. "Good. Keep practicing."

-

And so we kept at it for I don't know how long

"Focus!" he barked, flicking his tail. "It's not just about throwing mana at things. You need to feel the earth, feel the stone, feel... like you're one with the golem. Make the stone your friend. You wouldn't throw a tantrum at a friend, would you?"

"Well, if my friend was a giant stone monster, yeah, I might!" I grumbled, but I decided to humor him. "Fine, no tantrums. I'll be zen. Earthy. Like a big, magical rock whisperer."

The dragon sighed and rubbed his face with a claw. "Yeah, that's the spirit. Now, close your eyes. Feel the stone... the mana."

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to tune everything else out. All I could hear was my heartbeat and the occasional sound of the dragon muttering under his breath, probably second-guessing his decision to mentor me.

"Alright, time to channel my inner earth goddess or whatever," I thought to myself, focusing all my energy on the stone. And—bam! The earth rumbled beneath me, and I felt the familiar surge of mana flowing through my hands.

I opened my eyes just in time to see a very tiny golem slowly rising from the ground. It was, uh, about the size of a garden gnome.

The dragon blinked. Once. Twice. Then, he let out a long, dramatic sigh. "Really? This is your big moment?"

The golem wobbled on its little stone legs and tried to take a step. It was like watching a toddler learn how to walk—except, you know, with rocks.

"I did it!" I shouted, raising my hands in triumph. "I created life! ...Well, a really tiny life. But still! Look at it go!"

The dragon glared at the tiny golem as it made another wobbly step, then promptly collapsed in a pile of rubble.

"That's not a golem. That's a pile of stone, and you just wasted all your mana on it," he said dryly.

I felt a hot flush creep up my neck. "But—but it was cute! And it tried... I think?"

He sighed again, this time with the kind of exasperation that only an ancient dragon could truly perfect. "That's not the point, kid. The point is to not run out of mana like last time. You've got to control it—no more golem-sized tantrums."

Before I could respond, he blew a puff of fire at the pile of rubble that used to be my golem, instantly reducing it to ash. "Just to make sure you know your limitations," he muttered, "Golems that size won't last long in battle. You can't even pet that one."

I lay flat on the ground, exhausted and slightly defeated. "This is so unfair," I groaned. "I thought I could at least make a cute little stone buddy, and now it's gone, and my mana's gone, and I'm... well, I'm zero."

The dragon shook his head, his tail twitching. "Alright, kid, here's the deal. It wasn't perfect, but you're getting closer. Don't worry so much about making the biggest golem ever. Focus on control first. When you're ready, maybe we'll try making one that won't be immediately turned into dragon snacks."

I gave him a pitiful look. "I just want a rock friend that doesn't get blown away by your fire breath."

The dragon chuckled. "Work on the control first, and maybe we'll get you a better rock friend next time."

I stared at the pile of dust, feeling a little sad but also weirdly determined. "Alright, one day, I'm going to make a golem so big and powerful, even you'll be impressed."

He shot me a look that said, Yeah, sure. "We'll see, kid. We'll see."

Just then, I realized something: This wasn't just about golems or dragons or mana. It was about not giving up, even when things felt impossible. And maybe—just maybe—I was starting to get the hang of this.