The golem brought back 34 560 000 points in crystallized form. I took them, while people slowly dispersed after our return. They had a lot to think about because of what they saw out there, but they also wished to enjoy a free day.

I didn't waste any time, instead just returned to my workshop to work on Fin.

The first thing I needed to do was create a device to allow him to control the flames. I quickly projected something, and then had a long look at Fin to figure out where to put it. The most obvious place was his head, because, after all, it was empty.

I spent some time working on that, then decided to also upgrade his eyes so he would actually be able to see something, not only relying on his magical radar.

Then I decided to finally focus on creating a weapon for him because there was no way I would allow the automaton to just run around with my pudao.

"He need something which would work on fire. Sword and shield combo sounds decent, but his defense is already good enough. Maybe then just a sword? No... Wait! Double sword! Something he can assemble into a single weapon, so he could use his guns at the same time or disassemble into two weapons, so he could fight with both hands when he runs out of energy! I'm a genius!", I thought to myself while projecting the weapon.

So that's how I began working on a double sword, enchanted with freezing cold magic, which would help with going against the heat. I just went with that single thing, utilizing my skills quite hard, to create something of very high quality, although still not the highest.

The effect was a weapon better than the one I had.

Those upgrades did cost me a few days. How many? It's actually hard to tell because I was too focused on infusions to pay attention to anything else.

But this last thing basically concluded my work on Fin. He was ready to work for me, so I sent him to do it.

"One done, eleven more to go", I thought to myself, watching him fly away above the few buildings in the city.

It was a big accomplishment for me, so I kept staring there, even when he reached past the wall, becoming smaller and smaller, eventually vanishing.

I then turned to start projecting another one, but instead of going to the workshop, I froze, because Leonel was standing just next to me.

- We just finished hunting, and I saw Fin flying away, so I thought you were done working on him, so I came to work with you on a new one - he said bluntly.

- Ok - I nodded, a bit surprised by his direct approach. - So... what's your idea?

A big smile appeared on his face, and I saw the sparkles in his eyes. He was really excited, and we didn't even start doing anything yet.

- I'll bring my notebook! I've made some sketches! - he announced to me, then just ran off.

I picked on the little detail of him being quite fast. Which made me slightly worried. This kid was already stronger than any normal adult. He probably could beat up a few full geared soldiers by himself.

"This power at such a young age, and I'm doing shit to direct him on a proper path, despite already promising myself to work on that", I told myself, then sighed.

I knew I was fucking up, but a day had only so many hours, and I needed to practically be everywhere at once. It was making me very frustrated. This pent-up anger was growing slowly to a very substantial size, as I didn't even have time to release it.

I went back to the workshop, opened my notebook, and started working on the next golem. There was a big chance that Leone's ideas won't work, and we needed something which would join Fin in hunting. There was no time to waste.

With my experience with creating the first automaton, I made the project in basically a few minutes. It was largely based on what I used in my first project.

My next target was the water elementals, so I needed something resistant to corrosion and high pressures. I decided to go with sturdy, titanium-based armor, and abilities to freeze and use earth magic, plus control water.

This new golem would be heavier, armed with some heavy weaponry to break the frozen elementals, killing them with this simple tactic. The earth magic was supposed to give him a bit more space to work with, just as the ability to control the element of water.

The design was quite simple. A tall, humanoid figure with two rings on both wrists, would be the mechanical parts of the magical systems I already mentioned.

I did a rough drawing in a few minutes, then quickly noted my ideas on the side.

The project reacquired me to do some shopping first, but before I was able to go to the city center, Leonel returned. He was holding his notebook in both hands. Despite the physical effort, his breathing was regular, as if he walked instead of running.historical

- Here! - he gave me the whole thing.

I opened it and started looking at what he made there. There were drawings of metal dragons everywhere. Some were clearly made to fly on, but others were shaped more like human hybrids. There was a lot of spitting fire involved, which wouldn't really work on water elementals.

For a moment I considered just switching the target, to go with one of his projects, but then I had a different idea. I gave him back his notebook, which immediately made him worried. He took it as a signal, that I didn't want to use any of the things he prepared.

- Those are interesting ideas, and we could use some of them, but how about we start from a little different angle? I have a project already for the next golem, in which I want to hunt water elementals. How about we do this one together, so you can learn about the automatons a little bit more, and then we will do the one you want to make? - I asked.

- But you said...

- I know. Look, Leonel... There are things you want to do, and things you have to do - I said to him.

He nodded. I knew he was able to understand what I just told him. After all, he had quite a rough childhood.

- We need a bunch of golems hunting for us, so I can focus on other things, because all I do is chase the monster, and this has been a thing since we came to this place. So we need something that actually will serve its purpose. Your ideas are interesting, but I'm getting from them, that you want more of a mechanical friend than something which would go out there and do my job - I pointed at my own chest. - So, that's why I want to show you first, and maybe then you will come up with something which can serve both your, and my purpose. Ok?

He nodded slowly. I knew he was able to understand and still wanted to work on the project, although the fire he had at first disappeared. He looked like a kid who received a toy, but not the one he actually wanted. Thankfully he wasn't a spoiled brat to throw a tantrum over it, but rather accepted the reality.

It made me feel even worse.