[Herta's POV]
Since creating my first living doll, I have conducted a series of tests to investigate its physical capabilities and adaptive potential. So far, the results have surpassed my initial expectations, leading me to believe that the vessel I crafted was nothing short of perfect.
I began with a basic mobility assessment, instructing Herta No. 2 to bend and lift each of her limbs to their full range of motion. I observed for signs of anomalies or structural failure.
To my delight, the doll obeyed each command without hesitation or strain. Every motion was fluid, precise, and responsive to even the most subtle of directives.
Good. Her limbs are working fine. I could teach her to twirl. Hmm, maybe later.
Next came a language comprehension test. I wanted to establish the full extent of her verbal capabilities and cognitive retention now that she has a functional mouth. So, I recited a short line of dialogue before instructing her to speak.
"Now, repeat what I said earlier, No.2."
"Miss Herta is talented... Miss Herta is a genius... Miss Herta is the prettiest in the world..."
"You're goddamn right."
Ah, those precious words, so honest and so pure. Hearing them on loop is like an aria written just for me. If I could bottle that moment and wear it as a perfume, I would certainly do it.
Moving on to the next step, I tested the doll's magical capabilities during one of my mother's summoning sessions. From there, she summoned her own elemental to show me what to do.
"Alright, sweetie. It's time to teach you how to harness the magic of an elemental."
"Okay."
Standing in the middle of the garden with a more humanoid spirit on her side, Mother raised her arm forward and uttered a resounding chant.
"[Terra Wall]"
A sudden surge of magicule rippled through the soil beneath us, and within seconds, a dense wall of packed soil rose from the ground. The elemental beside her glowed in resonance with her words, its energy channeling through her body with flawless precision.
Afterwards, my mother looked back at me with a calm smile.
"Now, I want you to do it. Focus your connection with your elemental and borrow their magic in exchange for a portion of your magicule."
I turned to Herta No.2, who was standing a few feet away with her eyes, now expressive and blinking, locked onto me.
"Hmm, I knew that you were an ice elemental, but could you show me what you got?"
The doll nodded and turned towards the earth wall before raising its stubby little arm.
"[Vapor Freeze]"
As she chanted the spell, several water particles lifted from the ground, dancing through the air in droplets. The moment they made contact with the wall, each one instantly crystallized, forming patches of jagged frost across the surface.
Glancing at my mother, I raised my brows confidently. "Well? What do you think, Mama?"
"Hmm... Not bad at all," Mother remarked, brushing her finger on the icy growth. "The magic was weak in power, but the control is excellent. It's a fine start for an elemental-infused doll."
I smiled at her praise, and then looked at Herta No.2. She met my gaze with quiet dignity.
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Later on, I compiled my observations and data before sharing them with my father, who was currently working on the Spark Model Hypothesis.
"And that's everything I wanted to report."
Upon sharing my experience, he was completely ecstatic, as expected.
"That's my girl~ She's such a genius inventor. Right, Bellum?"
Ah, right. Mr. Bellum was in the room as well. He carefully scrutinized Herta No.2 and nodded in acknowledgement.
"What a remarkable innovation. Who would have thought a spiritual entity could be sustained within such a simple vessel? The integration is... elegant."
"I know, right? We could incorporate this information into our research."
Father leaned forward, connecting the details on the blackboard that specified the Spiritron density graph. Mr. Bellum and I observed as the man in front of us frantically chalked down a bunch of calculations.
"Papa, what are you writing there?" I asked curiously.
He glanced over his shoulder, looking rather enthusiastic. "Because of your creation, I have a great idea on how to enhance the Spark Model further."
"Oh? You have thought of something," Mr. Bellum pressed onwards.
Father moved to the side, showing us what he wrote. " You see, Herta's doll has a network of magicule-induced threads that serve as pathways for the elemental's energy to flow. What if we use the same principle, but instead of using threads, we use a conductive material?"
"Conductive material, huh?" the gentleman muttered inquisitively. "What could it be?"
Hearing their question, I immediately knew what to answer. "We could use copper wiring."
With that response, Father and Mr. Bellum exchanged confused glances before looking back at me, as if I had said something completely foreign.
"Copper wiring? What's that?"
I blinked in disbelief, then raised a hand to my temple. "Right, I forgot this world doesn't have those yet."
"What was that supposed to mean?" Father asked, raising an eyebrow.
Shaking my head, I gave an honest answer. "I mean, it is a piece of copper being turned into thin threads by stretching the material. It's highly efficient at conducting energy."
"I see..." Mr. Bellum murmured, processing the entirely new information. "I didn't know copper could be processed in this way. Mostly, it was used for plating, gears, and screws."
"Indeed, but if we refine the application, we could use it as a medium for channeling Spiritron signals," I continued. "By aligning the pathway the same way I did with the magicule-induced threads, you can simulate a neural relay system."
After the explanation, both men were utterly astonished.
"That means the Spark Model can adapt artificial enhancement," Mr. Bellum commented, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Perhaps even mimicking the synaptic flow of a brain."
With that statement, a fresh idea formed in my mind. Something that came straight out of a science fiction movie. A robot.
I turned back to the two men in front of me. "Papa, Mr. Bellum, I have a personal suggestion."
"What is it, dear?" Father asked curiously.
I paused for a moment and turned to Herta No.2. "What if we create more of her?"
Stunned by my question, both men tilted their heads.
"Do you mean more living dolls?" Mr. Bellum questioned, narrowing his eyes.
"Yes," I confirmed. "However, I will be using the copper wiring for the neural system. Though copper and fabric don't go together, I'd like to create the vessel out of metal instead."
Father leaned back, his hands stroking his chin. "But that would remove the flexibility of the doll's movements if we made its entire body metallic."
"It's alright," I reassured. "Because each joint of the limbs can be reinforced with ball sockets to give it full rotational locomotion and flexibility."
"Hmm, I see..." Father murmured, contemplating my suggestion before turning around. "What do you think, Bellum? Is it plausible to create this construct?"
The gentleman rubbed his chin, considering the proposal. "Logically speaking, I think it is."
"Alright, that settles it then," Father proclaimed. "We'll create a much better living doll and try to explore the Spark Model Hypothesis while we're at it."
With that declaration, my father, Mr. Bellum, and I prepared to create a blueprint for a refined Herta doll, discussing the schematics and materials needed for mass production.
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At the start of the first week, my father, Mr. Bellum, and I worked together on the schematics for the new and improved living doll in the study, surrounded by tools, books, and blueprints.
We collaborated to design both the interior and exterior components of the construct, which included a copper wire nervous system, ball-jointed limbs, a metallic endoskeleton, leather-like skin, realistic hair, and a durable outfit.
While designing these components, I suggested incorporating a magicule-insulated chamber to preserve the elemental's core once it takes the doll as a vessel. Not only that, I noted the mana core implanted inside Herta No. 2 and suspected Marlene to be the culprit. However, I chose not to report her to my father because I respect her decision.
"The functions of this doll remind me of the golems created by the high humans," Mr. Bellum commented one day while working on the blueprint.
Intrigued by his statement, I paused my drawing to look at him. "The high humans, you say? Could you tell me more about them?"
"Well, they are an ancient race of people with an intrinsic proficiency for magic," he answered calmly. "They also have long lifespans that allow them to live for a thousand years."
Hearing his response, I couldn't help but be more curious. "Where are they now?"
"I'm not sure," Mr. Bellum shrugged, glancing at the board. "Records stated that most of them were wiped out by a primordial demon they summoned, who ultimately betrayed them."
What? They were killed by their own summon? How was that possible? Could it be that it felt mistreated and fought back, or was it inherently hostile because it was a demon? Either way, I won't be foolish enough to summon something I couldn't control.
During the second week, we'd completed the blueprint and begun gathering materials for the improved living doll. My father went out of his way to obtain the necessary components from various artisan workshops and blacksmith forges, which concerns me about his finances.
"Papa, may I ask how you got the money to buy all of these essentials?" I asked curiously.
He turned to me after placing the materials on the table. "You see, I often sell my ideas to the artisans and blacksmiths I visit, which includes crafting blueprints, marketing strategies, and financial advice."
"Hmm... Do they always work?" I continued to ask, becoming more curious.
Father nodded awkwardly as if he wasn't sure of his answer. "Well... It mostly works on small businesses that recognize me or my colleagues."
"I see..." Muttering under my breath, I contemplated the notion momentarily before returning my attention to him. "Would it be possible if I also sell my ideas and profit out of it?"
"Oh? Do you have something in mind?" Father asked, raising an eyebrow curiously. "Also, just a friendly reminder: once you've sold your ideas to these businesses, you cannot share them with the Genius Society, as it would violate the buyer's claim of the idea."
Hearing that statement, I nodded solemnly and reminded myself to be thorough about which ideas I could sell and which ones I could present. With that thought in mind, I would save the significant ideas for the workshop, while relegating minor ones to the small businesses.
Following that conversation, we began assembling the living doll's components, starting with its metallic endoskeleton and ball joints.
Once we connected the limbs and head to the torso, we inserted the copper wiring into the designated grooves and converged all of them to the magicule-insulated chamber, which is where the elemental's core will be settled.
After that, we implanted a mana core into a special compartment below the central chamber, acting as the doll's main power source and anchor point.
As the internal compartment finished, we covered it with a layer of bleached leather that was specifically made to resemble human skin. Not only that, but we used fine horse hair, strong, flexible, and lifelike enough for the doll's eyebrows, lashes, and stylized braids.
To finish it off, we dressed it in the same clothes as me, with some subtle alterations to avoid confusing my family members.
By the end of the third week, everything was ready. We placed the improved living doll in the center of the room, and I prepared myself to summon an elemental worthy of this vessel.
creak...
Before I could begin chanting, someone opened the door. We turned our heads and saw that it was my mother, Theresia. She entered the room with our caretaker, Marlene, and glanced at the doll, frowning in concern.
"It looks more identical to Herta now," she murmured. "What if people mistook this doll for my daughter without realizing the truth?"
I turned to her, standing in front of the construct. "It's alright, Mama. I implemented a specific protocol for the doll that includes a faint magical signature ingrained into its mana core. This way, you can easily tell it apart from me. Besides, I simply designed it to resemble 70% of my appearance to avoid confusion."
Mother carefully glanced between me and the doll. Though her expression remained serious, her shoulder relaxed a little.
"I'm still uneasy about the idea of having these lookalikes wandering around the manor," she admitted. "But if you've accounted for it, I'll trust your judgment."
"I promise they won't cause any harm, honey," Father reassured her. "They're simply servants for protection and experimentation. Also, once Herta named these dolls, she could command them not to attack people."
Mother nodded in response and then stepped back.
After that, Marlene walked forward, hands clasped behind her. "Would you like to commence the summoning ritual, Lady Herta?"
I gave a small nod, standing a few feet away from the doll. With a deep breath, I extended my hand forward and began to chant.
"Oh spirit of reasonable proportion, reveal thyself and lend me thy strength!"
Unlike my previous attempt, I chose to summon an elemental that is above the medium level but below the greater level. Channeling a slightly higher amount of magicule, I mustered the strength to create a summoning circle.
Crackles of azure light began to dance across the circle, signalling the approach of a spirit.
Seconds later, a glowing wisp spiraled upwards and floated over the doll. It shimmered like a tiny flame, cautious but curious.
"What is my purpose?" it asked in a lively tone.
Pointing at the doll beneath the spirit, I replied, "Use this construct as your vessel and remain in the mortal realm while serving me."
"Hmm..." the elemental murmured, pondering momentarily before nodding. "Alright then."
It descended into the construct, causing the chest compartment to glow faintly.
Then the doll stirred—fingers twitching, head wobbling from side to side, and eyes dilating in rapid succession. A few seconds later, she stood up and locked her gaze on us.
Finally, she gave us a thumbs-up and said, "I'm in."
"Good," I acknowledged, satisfied by the result. "Time to name you now."
The doll nodded, accepting the proposal. "Okay, go ahead."
"From now on, you'll be called Herta No. 3," I calmly declared.
With that command, the construct glowed brilliantly, causing their body to transform just like the previous doll. Once the light fades away, the doll becomes more lifelike, with smooth skin and more detailed facial features.
I turned around and saw my father smiling proudly, my mother looking concerned, Mr. Bellum nodding calmly, and Marlene holding a composed gaze.
After that, I strode over, brushed the doll's hair, checked the alignment of the joints, adjusted the posture, and scanned the magical signature.
One down, more to go.
With that thought in mind, I decided to start again. This time, I tried to sell crafting blueprints that weren't particularly important, using the profits to buy more materials for creating more living dolls. I then summoned more elementals, carefully introducing them into their vessels, and finally, gave each one a name. Rinse and repeat.