I sat cross-legged on the floor, numerous mechanical parts spread around me as I adjusted the wiring on my combat chassis. Genta and Eyarna kept me company, both occupied with their own separate tasks. The basement storeroom had become our sanctuary over the past weeks, a place where we could practice our magical studies without judgment or interference. Also, it was much more spacious than room 401 was. Not to mention that the junk down here wouldn't be missed if we accidentally set fire to it.

"Stand back," Genta warned from her corner. A thin sheet of frost crackled across the stone floor as she tested her ice magic.

Eyarna's eyes lit up as she examined the Cave Stalker chitin and Scorn Spider silk I'd collected from my most recent excursion down in the Hellzone. "These materials are perfect. The natural resonance will enhance the durability enchantments significantly."

One of my spider scouts skittered toward her workspace, drawn by the shimmer of magical energy. Sorry about that, I sent through Mind Speech, directing it back toward the wall where its siblings waited.

A whirring sound drew my attention to Random Construct Number 4 as it rolled hopefully toward the door. Again. The wheeled automaton was proving to be quite the escape artist.

Stay put, I commanded, but it merely spun in place, its gears clicking in what I'd come to recognize as defiance. Annes had dubbed it "Rolly" during our last training session, and the name seemed to fit its personality.

"Your children are getting restless," Genta laughed as she formed another ice crystal.

They're not children, I protested. They're combat support units.

"Says the one who gave them individual identification numbers and keeps track of their quirks," Eyarna said without looking up from her enchanting.

She had a point, though I'd never admit it. Through my Ancestor Might attribute, the System recognized these constructs as my offspring. Each one added to my base abilities, making me stronger. But lately I'd noticed them developing distinct behaviors, especially Rolly.

The door creaked open and Rolly immediately charged forward. I barely caught it with my link through Brace, freezing its wheels before it could escape into the hallway. Copelan, who was entering the room flinched as he almost stepped on the fleeing construct.

"Not again," he remarked.

No, I sent firmly to my misbehaving child. Stay in the room.

Its gears whined in protest as I guided it back to its designated spot. I was half tempted to disassemble the little annoyance. None of my other constructs were so rebellious.

"Face it," Genta said, "you're a parent to a bunch of mechanical troublemakers."

I focused on adjusting a joint in my combat chassis, pretending not to notice how Rolly was already plotting its next escape attempt. They're just machines, I insisted. But even as I said it, I found myself wondering if that was entirely true anymore.

I watched Copelan approach Eyarna with a wrapped bundle under his arm. The package was tied with twine and looked heavy from how he carried it.

"I managed to get those materials you mentioned," he said, placing it on her workbench.

Eyarna's eyes lit up. "Copelan, you're starting to spoil us both. First Widow's packages, now this."

He waved off her comment. "My monthly allowance isn't even dented. This is nothing."

The casual way he dismissed the cost made me pause in my work on my combat chassis. Just how wealthy was House Greye? I'd known Copelan came from nobility, but the sheer amount he'd spent on materials lately suggested his family's coffers ran deeper than I'd imagined.

Eyarna untied the package with careful fingers, pulling back the brown paper wrapping. My mechanical hand froze mid-adjustment as I caught sight of what lay inside.

Samples of wood that pulsed with magical energy sat beside tiny glass bottles containing preserved monster parts I'd never seen before. Minerals in various crystalline formations caught the lamplight, their surfaces gleaming with unnatural colors. One particular set of metallic pebbles drew my attention.

I reached over and picked up one of the small, shiny nuggets. The weight felt substantial in my mechanical palm as I turned it, examining its luster.

Is this gold? I asked through Mind Speech.

"Indeed. Pure gold, twenty-four carat," Copelan confirmed.

"Gold is a very important material in magical crafting." Eyarna explained as I rolled the nugget between my mechanical fingers. "It's one of the few metals that naturally channels magical energy without resistance."

Then why don't enchanters use it more? I sent through Mind Speech, already imagining the possibilities for my combat chassis. The alchemical coatings worked well enough, but they required constant reapplication.

"Too soft," she said, picking up another nugget to demonstrate. The metal bent easily under her fingers. "It's beautiful for jewelry since the enchantments last forever, but useless for anything that needs structural integrity."

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I set the gold down and picked up a damaged forearm component. What if I incorporated it into my frame as a conductor? The steel could provide the strength while the gold channels mana.

Copelan let out a long-suffering sigh. "Do you have any idea how expensive that would be? The coating costs two silver per vial. That tiny nugget you're holding is worth at least eight gold pieces."

I did some quick calculations. My current combat chassis required nearly twelve vials of coating per month. A gold-enhanced version would need...

"You'd bankrupt my family trying to build that," Copelan said, reading my expression. "The coating is cheaper for a reason."

What about an alloy? I suggested. If I mixed the gold with other metals, perhaps I could maintain conductivity while reducing the amount needed.

"And there it is." Copelan threw his hands up in mock surrender. "You're not going to let this go until I'm completely broke, are you?"

Eyarna's laughter echoed off the stone walls. "I warned you about encouraging inventors, didn't I? Once they get an idea in their head..."

I carefully placed the gold nugget back in its wrapping. I'll need to run some experiments first. Test different ratios of metals. Perhaps start with smaller components before attempting a full frame.

"Of course you will." Copelan shook his head, but I caught the slight smile on his face. "Just try to keep the costs reasonable? Father already has questions about my recent expenditures."

Of course, I sent through Mind Speech to Copelan. Just a small sample to start. Perhaps enough for a single arm? I pressed my hands together towards him in what I hoped was an endearing gesture. Without eyes, I couldn't properly make pleading expressions, but I tried to tilt my head in a way that humans seemed to find appealing.

Copelan backed away from me, but I caught the slight softening in his stance. "Fine. I'll see what I can get. But we're talking about one small test piece, nothing more."

I lunged forward, mechanical and organic arms extended to embrace him in gratitude. He ducked and scrambled toward the door with surprising agility for someone who'd struggled so much in combat training.

"I need to get to class!" he called over his shoulder as he yanked the door open.

Classes ended two hours ago, I sent after him.

His footsteps echoed down the corridor as he fled, leaving Genta and Eyarna doubled over with laughter.

"Did you see how fast he moved?" Genta wiped tears from her eyes. "Maybe we should have you chase him during combat practice. He might actually develop some decent evasion skills."

I failed to give a proper response to her remark since I noticed Rolly rolling through the open doorway. I cursed and chased after it.

I walked through the Academy's crowded corridor with Loland and Annes, heading to Elementary Magical Studies. All three of our classes were in the same wing, so it was easier for us to travel the halls together. Students pressed against the walls to let us pass, whether from fear or disgust, I couldn't tell.

We rounded a corner and found Lyman Redflight blocking our path. Members of House Dragon flanked him, including Barkatus whose face bore fresh scars from our recent duel.

You're looking much better, I sent through Mind Speech. Has your healing finished?

Barkatus spat on the stone floor. A cruel smile spread across his face. "Sure. I'm in better shape than that six-legged body of yours, at least."

My frown showed from under my porcelain mask. The defensive frame had been completely destroyed, so he wasn't wrong.

"House Dragon will not be humiliated by Gutter House trash like you," Lyman declared, his voice carrying through the now-silent hallway.

Beside me, Annes's hands clenched into fists. I placed my mechanical arm on her shoulder, holding her back.

"It's obvious you cheated in both duels," Lyman continued. "Your very presence here is an affront to the War Academy." He stepped forward, chin raised. "Therefore, I challenge you to a team duel. Myself and two others against you and two teammates of your choosing."

"I'll be second," Barkatus said immediately.

A tall student I'd never seen before stepped up. "Walters Nigh. I'll be third."

I activated Analyze on each of them in turn. Lyman remained at level 22, while Walters showed as a level 20 Pyromancer. When I read Barkatus's status, I had to check twice; it showed him at level 28. Somehow he'd gained an entire level while on medical leave recovering from our fight.

What a monster.

"Guess the dogs can't beat you alone, so now they're trying to gang up on you," Loland said, his copper scales catching the light as he stepped forward.

Lyman's eyes narrowed at the kobold. "Keep your pets muzzled, monster, or I'll have them put down."

Loland's muscles tensed beneath his Academy uniform. He lunged forward with a snarl, but I caught him with my left arm. The pale fingers wrapped around his shoulder, holding him in place.

"That's right," Lyman sneered. "Control your little lizard."

I kept my grip firm on Loland while maintaining direct sight with Lyman, his eyes to my mask. The noble's face was flushed with anger, likely remembering how I'd disabled both his arms in our previous duel.

"The duel will be tomorrow morning," Lyman declared. "We won't give you time to prepare more of your mechanical tricks and cheats."

Fine. I replied through Mind Speech. I'll be ready.

Lyman turned on his heel and strode away, Barkatus and Walters following in his wake. Their boots echoed against the stone floor until they disappeared around the corner.

The hallway erupted in whispers. Students who'd pressed themselves against the walls now huddled in small groups, stealing glances our way while gossiping about what they'd witnessed.

"Did you see how the monster grabbed the kobold?"

"Three versus three! That hasn't happened in a while."

"But what if it really did cheat in those duels?"

I released Loland's shoulder. He shrugged his uniform straight, still glaring in the direction Lyman had gone.

Annes stepped closer, her red hair blazing in the morning light from the windows. "So what are we going to do?"

We? I turned my porcelain mask toward her.

"Of course. I'm going to be one of your teammates in the duel." She crossed her arms. "Aside from you, I'm the highest leveled in our group."

I activated Analyze. Level 17 Swordsman. She'd gained two levels since we started training together.

"And I'll be your third," Loland declared, his copper scales gleaming as he straightened his uniform jacket.

Another quick Analyze. Level 16. Not bad for the kobold noble, but still...

I appreciate the offer, I sent through Mind Speech, but I can't ask you to put yourselves at risk like this.

"You're not asking. We're volunteering," Annes said.

Lyman and his companions are much higher level than either of you. Barkatus is even higher level than me now.

"So?" Loland's tail swished beneath his uniform. "We've been training together. We know how to work as a team."

This isn't practice in the tunnels. They won't hold back.

"Neither will we." Annes placed her hand on the sword at her hip. "You've taught us well. We can handle ourselves."

I sighed, the sound coming out as a musical note through my inhuman throat. How could I convince them to stay out of this? More importantly, should I? They'd fought beside me in the Hellzone. They'd trusted me with their lives down there.

But this was different. This was Lyman seeking revenge, Barkatus wanting to restore his pride, and their companion likely looking to make a name for himself. They would show me, as well as anyone who stood with me, no mercy.

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