60%/80%

After some exchange of words, the scientist would take his assistant with him to the workshop! Time to work.
(Acantho)

Was dragged away, SURELY into the depths of the would-be lab.

"Eh'.. Whatcha' up to now, Acantho?"
(Sahra Dryden)

Well, for now this was just a workshop - his lab would be acquired the moment a better house was acquired - when the borders of Aphros were expanded by his oracle.

Per hour? That's what he had!

And that was good enough.

And going to his table where the tools were waiting, the scientist took from his lab coat a small animunculi - a metallic golem, made of iron and mostly copper, which he had created! However, which still had the burn marks, the black ash were still there in a few corners..

And it needed to be repaired.

As expected.

"I'd like your presence, for you to watch one thing.. My creation! A little test we'll be doing together.

As soon as I correct, repair, this one creature and mistakes done, alright?" He then pointed at the little 'toy', allowing her to look it closely.
(Acantho)

She took a seat nearby, blue hues fixed on the yet-to function frame of the would-be golem at hand as Acantho displayed it ever-so proudly.

"Your creation?"

She asks, looking it up and down, it seemed in a bit of a rough state but she could definitely tell where his intent was.

"Some sort of.. Stone' Guardian?"

Perhaps she had seen something similar, or not?

As the girl had no qualms about sticking about and seeing the process trough.

"You sure you don't need me to do anythin' other dan' watching?"
(Sahra Dryden)

Moving to the armchair, the scientist would sit next to his companion - tools were brought forward and these were used to open the golem.. Which in the chest, had burned the adamantite wires done!

Oh no.

That no matter how resistant they were, at their base - these were still threads he had made - thus, they were more delicate due to the low amount of mass.

And so, they were susceptible to damage, at high enough temperatures.

"Exactly, but following parameters similar to those existing in Barsburg creations - something I read about in books.. However, the information regarding the subject is very scarce..

Quite.

And so, I'm doing everything on my own.. Following my knowledge of magitech, what could be found here in Aphros and all that." As he spoke, he was already pulling out a few more ingots from a deposit next to the table they were on.

Always at work.

These were molded using the scientist's tools and again, wires were made - such, which were placed inside, replacing what had been damaged.

"Well, if you have a sense of the functionality of such entities - your help is more than welcome." He would inform her, but well, otherwise she could help him with the basics!

And so, this continued.
(Acantho)

She listened, and as things grew a bit deeper into the topic of Magitech and constructs much like these.

"Oh, no I don't know much about how to put things like these together-.. I've only just heard some myths and rumors regarding constructs much like these in certain places of the Silent' One.. At least the-.. deeper treks of it."

Perhaps the few things that would feasibly stay together so close to the epicenter of the curse.

"Golem's.. As they call em'.. Some folk even said the word' Automaton's.. when referin' da em."

Which to her belief, was exactly what she was looking at right now.

"If you manage to pull something like it'.. yer ought to have a whole lot of extra assistant's just lying about, haha!"
(Sahra Dryden)

"Could you tell me more about such stories, rumors? I'm interested in hearing further about it." He would ask her, pointing a tool towards her!

Before then returning to work.

Wires were relocated, but there was no use to him in repeating the same process as before - it would go wrong no matter what.. So, he needed to make changes. Therefore, he needed to make the magic energy input and resistance of that golem better.

And for that, he already had an idea.

Taking some blue mercury powder, he used it to start then create an INTERNAL rune system on the chest area - in the central part where the gem socket was.. These referred to a greater control of the mana that entered such circuits, as well as greater endurance..

Something that was used in channelers, mostly staffs - and armor.

Perfect for the problem his first creation had suffered! Yet, it was a time consuming process, far from being over.
(Acantho)

She thinks for a moment, recalling some of the bits the travelers here and there would have commented upon.

"Hmm.. I believe whoever used to make constructs like those, normally made them with a very specific' purpose, you know?.. As to, have em watch over a place, move this.. destroy that-.. Although as time passed.."

A bit of a dramatic pause as she recalled some more.

"I guess they began to grow old'.. faulty'.. and pretty much doing whatever thing kept powerin' em compelled' em to do, You know?"

A perfect mix for disaster!.. Out in the arid wasteland.

"Of course, there was always a folk or two that wanted to get a hold of em.. like.. to get a good look in em'.. See how they even stayed together n' moving for so long."

But such information right now, was beyond her grasp.

"But as I said, it was all rumors and.. Stories, ye know?"
(Sahra Dryden)

"Well, they're constructs so it's to be expected - they're made with purpose, but care is needed - otherwise eventually they decay, like any other tool, weapon and all that." He shrugged, finally finishing the runes.

Good.

It was an advanced system that only master crafters could perform, one thing he was - something very unique and detailed, done with every effort of the scientist. And as much as he talked, his mind was focused on his work.

He could divide attention.

"What I do know about them, at least which I try to replicate in a way right now - is that they were the advancement of magitech, entities made out of materials such as these.

But with complex rune systems and stuff.. A system which allowed these beings have a 'false life', in a way. But how everything was done..

Detail by detail that is! I don't know.. That's why I'm experimenting.. Creating something here and now, that might work, following what I know and studied during the years about magitech." His voice echoed, while his tired gaze analyzed his creation.

Some adjustments were made to the arms and legs, repairs and additions of smaller parts made from existing materials. Once completed, he would then close the golem and set it upright on the table.

The entity was no bigger than a teapot, but it was remarkably detailed - even, having a head with functional eyes. Which was pretty amazing for a toy.
(Acantho)

Watched, as the little golem was being given it's heart.. or well, it's nervous system or something?.. Either way watching Acantho work was indeed an enlightening experience, or well.. an amusing one at least.

"So you ain't making.. or trying to make one like those from da stories?.. You trying to make something'.. Closer' to someone' like you an' me?"

Of course, such a concept was new to such curious ears, as she tried to wrap her head around Acantho's aspirations and the such.

"Gotta' be hard to put together' something like that for sure.. Lotsa' of trial n' error."

that much was clear.
(Sahra Dryden)

"Yes, something that would be able to follow simple commands at first and help me, but in the future.. I would like to create something more complex, of course." Something that was capable of thinking on its own, but still obeying Acantho.

Since he didn't need something rebellious, did he?

"Don't even tell me, my first attempt which was a few days ago ended in disaster, it almost caught fire! But, it all turned out fine in the end after a quick action of mine." While saying that, the gem previously allocated in the center of the entity was removed.

This one had been totally drained of energy, as expected given what happened - that is, due to lack of inflow control. But this time, it would be different! He took care so that it doesn't happen again and here they are.

And then.. Now a gem was brought forth, plus a crystal of elemental energy of lightning - which was gently placed in that entity's chest and then.. Attached to it.

"Now, we activate it." He said, but waited for her reaction to what was said and also, done now - before proceeding.
(Acantho)

It was as they said.. 'baby steps'

"Yep.. It's best to start small and work your way' up.. Imagine if you had a fire with a much bigger' one from da get go?.. Haha"

Probably the whole apartment complex would have been charred to smithereens.

"Good thing nobody was injured'.. Right?"

A bit of a question, as she sized him up looking for any sights of burns and the likes.

"This is what the'.. Proto Academy Is gonn' be all about right?"

Science, invention.. Technology!.. And well, Magitech
(Sahra Dryden)

True, I'm not willing to lose my savings because of an explosion that would take the lives of countless people - just because I wanted to test a creation!

Haha, ha.." He muttered, before then..

Take the automaton in his hand.

This was then taken to the center of the room and placed on the floor, then the scientist would touch his animunculi's chest and make his mana flow - in a constant influx of mana, which went to the crystal and thus, the activation began.

Amazing, it was quite the sight.

Slowly this time the mana flowed through the internal systems, much more under the control than before - as it now had the proper runes to keep this one in functionality! And that, was good and now, would guarantee them a safer test.

Probably.

"Okay, it's.. working.. Let's go..

Work please!" He was muttering now leaning on the floor, waving to Sehra, so that she would join him.
(Acantho)

She moved along, as of course the tanned-girl wasn't going to miss out on the happenings about to unfold. Her easy-going nature just making her get as close as Acantho himself, fully trusting that everything would go just fine.

"Yeah.. that would be bad for business' fer sure"

A bit of a tease, but of course.. it wasn't all BUSINESS, right?!..

"Is it about time to put the lil guy on a test run?.. Got me fingers crossed already!"
(Sahra Dryden)

Perhaps, it was all business for someone as Acantho.

Regardless, he was still gesturing for her to stand beside him - even closer than before, while now the little creature.. It was lively! Apparently, everything was working.

Great, this was perfect!

The runes did not burn this time, they were glowing - the arms and legs, moving slightly with half life and soon, the being would animate as he desired! Everything was going as planned, Acantho's plans were working and soon, he would have what he always wanted!

Creations that could act, Golems.

However, as everything doesn't always go right.. Well, ninety percent of the time - his animunculi came to a stop. Its arms wouldn't move, the runes' light would start to fade until it disappeared and then the being fell backwards.

Hitting the wooden floor..

Inanimate, devoid of a source of energy.

Acantho gazed at it all somewhat perplexed, before taking his creation in his hands and checking its integrity - which seemed to be all ok! However, there was no power this time.

Oh.

Due to the addition of more complex runes, these ended up draining the creature's battery power too much - which was insufficient and thus, completely exhausted.

In the end, there's nothing left but that.

"Ah.. Well, I think I'll get back to planning - so I'll need to better manage mana expenditure - new runes for that, as well as add a new source to meet its needs.

That.." He looked at Sahra beside him, a bit embarrassed by the failure, "It's.. a semi failure!" He was trying to liven up the situation!

Because, it was true, as much as it failed - it wasn't quite like the last time. That being so, there was still a path ahead that he could take, so it wasn't over yet.

He would still be successful.
(Acantho)

Of course, things couldn't go their way all the time.

"I heard' we learn a lot more from mistakes anyway'"

She commented, as the golem expended it's power in the blink of an eye.. But it moved and was definitely toiling about for at least a moment.

"But-.. Maybe the lil' guy just needs a whole lot more of juice in there.. You know?"

But how to fit, said metaphorical juice in a frame as small as that one?..

"But Hey.. I think it's more of a Semi-success.. Ain't it?"

Applying the same logic!
(Sahra Dryden)

The small automaton was then stored into an inner pocket of his lab coat, while the scientist returned to the young girl. His tired eyes seemed to be fully focused on her as he spoke now.

"Exactly! A failure just makes it possible for us to try and try again until we succeed!" Exclaimed, breaking into a short smile - "And yeah, we'll need to insert one more source of power, in order to have some sort of success..

And really, that was a step beyond a simple semi-success, you're right!" That was true.

They were about.. Sixty percent close to what they wanted, what Acantho was looking for - maybe eighty. Perhaps after the adjustments, that would be possible - for now?

"Thank you for your participation Sahra, your presence means a lot to me and my research.. Truly!" And then, in a quick movement, he gave her a short lived hug, before walking away, some steps taking backwards - "OK, I'll try again soon, for now? We can rest." He added, before then..

Finish that moment.
(Acantho)