"As expected, it shares a similar essence...
However, my 'Transmutation Circle' seems to have an edge in the subsequent processing?
Not only does it extract souls, but it also performs basic refinement, almost equivalent to 'Blackening' in the realm of souls..."
In the Alchemy Room of the quarry.
Roy held a crystal the size of a pigeon egg, comparing it to the Soul Extraction Magic Crystal his teacher had given him. He couldn't help but feel that his creation was somewhat superior.
"Let's give it a try."
Not long after, he summoned Atedia.
"Go and hunt a beast for me.
Anything will do, but it must be alive."
"Yes, my lord!"
Atedia replied promptly.
She then left with a few subordinates.
There was a forest near the quarry, perfect for hunting.
Roy couldn't help but feel that she seemed somewhat pleased.
"What's going on? Is she actually happy to be ordered around?"
Celine rolled her eyes and said, "Isn't it your extraordinary charm at work?
Atedia has probably confused loyalty with love, blending her devotion to her lord with romantic feelings.
Didn't you notice that she developed a special affection for you when you rode her around before?"
"Oh, really?"
Roy suddenly recalled that some wicked Wizards specialized in brewing 'Love Potions' to command free labor.
...
A few hours later, Atedia and her subordinates successfully returned with a wild boar.
It was an ordinary creature, slightly demonized due to the influence of nearby Leyline Energy, weighing four to five hundred pounds with a pair of exceptionally prominent tusks.
"Thank you for your hard work, Atedia. Go and rest now."
Roy spoke to her gently.
For an advanced knight, killing such a wild boar wouldn't be difficult, but capturing it alive required chasing it around.
For a centaur, navigating through dense forests and rugged terrain was indeed a challenge.
Atedia shook her head, "I'm not tired."
Roy didn't press her further.
He was now pondering a question: would the development and utilization of his 'Transmutation Circle' offer more advantages compared to the traditional Soul-Seizing Art?
Having apprenticed under his teacher, he was certainly expected to master the application branch of Golems.
But the path to mastering Golems might not be limited to just one.
Perhaps his 'Transmutation Circle' had taken a shortcut.
...
"It's done!"
By evening, Roy had finally finished inscribing the adjusted 'Transmutation Circle' on a stone slab.
In a place like the quarry, materials of all kinds might be scarce, but stones were abundant.
He could conveniently find suitable slabs right there.
He even skipped the need to search for another location, simply using 5×5, a total of 25 thick square stone slabs, to create the puzzle of the array.
When everything was ready, the Golden Balance appeared as a three-dimensional projection floating in the void.
Roy waved his hand, and the several-hundred-pound wild boar rose into the air, placed on one side of the balance.
Instantly, a hazy shadow appeared in the projection.
Then, he placed the pigeon egg-sized quartz and a few Wizard Coins he had crafted on the other side.
This was also a test to see if such items could be used in Wizardry rituals.
According to reason, anything of certain value could serve as a substitute for "money" in the ritual!
Sure enough, a projection in the air revealed a hexagonal quartz crystal and hundreds of faintly glowing orbs surrounding it.
"~~..."
Accompanied by a mysterious rhythm, a low incantation echoed through the hall.
Roy recited his Wizard's Maxim in the form of a spell.
Then, with a thought, he drove a dagger into the neck of the bound wild boar.
Swift and decisive, he slaughtered the boar and drained its blood.
Celine and Atedia, present in the room, looked up in surprise as the scales balanced on both ends.
All the radiance, along with the phantom of the golden scales, vanished, leaving only the faintly glowing quartz crystal and a few Wizard Coins that were turning to dust and dissipating into the air.
"It's done!"
Roy's eyes gleamed as he reached out and took the now-transformed quartz crystal from the air, examining it closely.
Under the appraisal of the [Eye of Hermes], this stone was no longer a mundane object devoid of magical aura. Instead, it had become a peculiar gem with a natural Wizard Array structure and condensed soul power.
It had been catalyzed by the [Transmutation Circle], forming a natural Soul Extraction Magic Crystal.
"But it's different from a true Soul Extraction Magic Crystal. It still lacks the power to seal and store, so the soul within will dissipate very quickly.
Indeed, more research is needed!"
However, Roy's current focus wasn't on this "container" issue but on the newly forged "Soul Seed."
This seed, derived from the boar's soul, seemed to lack any Inherent Essence.
At least, he felt no trace of the Alchemy Talent that had caused a faint ache and resonance in his brow.
Roy chuckled inwardly, thinking that according to the principle of "like supplements like," such a thing might only be effective on boars.
Perhaps it could enhance boar talents...
"Wait, could it be possible to extract the boar's Bloodline Talent and then cultivate a special talent within the boar community?
If this deduction is correct, could it also prove that extracting the souls of others with advanced Art of Alchemy could enhance my own alchemy?
And extracting from warriors... could it strengthen my combat talents?"
Celine and Atedia had no idea what Roy was thinking, only that his expression kept changing, seeming a bit strange.
"This method is too cruel, too evil.
But it does follow the principle of equivalent exchange!
And it aligns with the original definition of the 'Philosopher's Stone'...
It's entirely valid!"
After a long contemplation, Roy instructed, "Atedia, tomorrow you'll go catch a few more wild boars..."
Time quickly passed to the next day, and Atedia faithfully carried out Roy's command, bringing him several wild boars of various sizes.
Over the following days, Roy conducted experiments one by one based on his conjectures.
However, even after consuming the Soul Fire from several boars, his hypothesis remained unproven.
It seemed it wasn't just about "life" and "soul."
There was still some special element missing?
What could it be?
For now, Roy couldn't figure it out, so he first carved a statue of a large wild boar and used the last "Soul Seed" on it.
When the hot blood was poured and infused with the energy of "Animation Art," the stone sculpture came to life, charging forward wildly.
The scene was chaotic, with everyone scrambling in disarray.
Roy watched this scene without feeling distressed; inste
ad, he burst into laughter.
Because the application of the "Transmutation Circle"...
The previously theorized "Golem Transmutation" could finally be officially declared a success!
(End of Chapter)