After a little over half a month, Ivent came and went in a hurry, without alerting anyone.
Meanwhile, the youths, including Norwich, officially began their apprenticeships in the quarry after a brief period of adaptation.
"The rules of the quarry are now familiar to you all.
Starting today, work assignments will be distributed."
In a small hall to the side, Olinda and Winter sat at the head, addressing the youths.
"Based on the quarry's needs and on a voluntary basis, selections will be made by drawing lots.
Those with significant progress in mental strength cultivation and high scores in written tests will have priority."
Norwich was in the middle of the pack in both assessments, so he was the 14th to choose among the 30.
"I choose the carving room."
Over these days, he had gradually developed a clear plan for his future.
He decided to become a stonemason.
"That's a wise choice; you can learn carving from Stedson.
Occasionally, you might even encounter Lord Roy visiting there..."
Olinda smiled slightly, making a note on the list.
"Norwich, carving room...
Alright, here's your access pass."
Norwich stepped forward, extending his hand, watching as Olinda placed a button-sized, thin piece of rubber on the back of his hand.
This was a curse seal sticker she and Roy had developed while researching the "Book of Transformation," inspired by the Human-faced Demon!
Essentially, it was a low-level alchemical lifeform driven by Animation Wizardry.
When attached to biological skin, it could parasitize the human body, relying on the host's life energy for sustained operation.
Paired with an Arcane Imprint, it could be used for tracking, eavesdropping, and even casting spells remotely, performing feats that seemed miraculous to ordinary people.
Norwich and the others were unaware of this, only finding it quite magical, looking at it repeatedly.
In no time, it completely merged with the skin, becoming nearly indistinguishable to the naked eye.
...
When Roy returned to the carving room, he saw Stedson instructing several apprentices on molding plaster statues.
"Lord Roy!"
Upon seeing Roy, they all stopped and bowed in respect.
"No need for formalities. Are you teaching them modeling?" Roy waved his hand, looking at Stedson.
Stedson replied, "Exactly, I had Mr. Gold purchase a batch of plaster, which comes in handy now."
Roy looked around.
Indeed, these were the works of beginners, all sorts of bizarre shapes, hard to describe.
However, when Roy came to one plaster statue, his expression shifted slightly, showing a hint of surprise.
His face was covered by a face guard, so no one could detect any change.
But Stedson also seemed to appreciate this work and introduced it, "This was molded by Norwich. I feel this young lad has quite a talent."
"Those who are born with knowledge are superior!"
Roy wasn't actually a supporter of the talent theory, but he himself had benefited from it, and had to admit that some things are innate, difficult to replace with mere hard work.
He turned his head, his gaze falling on the slightly shy young boy.
"Not bad."
He seemed to be praising, but in his heart, he was speculating.
If this boy also had some talent system, talent traits.
It might well be "Carving Expert" or "Sculpting Master"!
The ability to sculpt and shape alone surpasses his own [Artisan Skill]!
Many innate talents in the world operate in similar ways.
Does this mean that humans are born incomplete, flawed...
And only by relying on the crystallization of soul Source Essence, known as the "Philosopher's Stone," can they be perfected?
Could it be that the alchemy pioneers named it the Philosopher's Stone, taking the meaning of "completion" from the phrase "seeing the virtuous and aspiring to be like them"?
...
With such thoughts in mind, Roy paid more attention to the young Novich, occasionally visiting and offering guidance.
Several months passed quickly.
Novich's progress in learning was rapid, and he was already able to use plaster to create many lifelike animals.
"'Form' holds special significance in the field of Golems.
For example, how can one tell if a statue is a centaur, rather than a donkey or a mule?
The external appearance can subconsciously constrain mental strength, thereby achieving the accuracy of soul infusion.
This is why simple, rough sculptures usually have lower Quality.
The more high-end the materials and the more exquisite the form, the more accurate the mental impression they can guide, and the more soul power they can infuse..."
The young boy was not one to be easily praised. Roy didn't say much to him, but in private conversations with Stedson, he expressed genuine admiration.
"This is somewhat like the difference in creation myths, where the creator casually molds versus carefully crafts," Stedson mused thoughtfully.
"If his sculpting skills continue to develop, he could eventually take over the initial artisan work of creating statues for us!"
"Someone like him could even make a living in the teacher's castle.
By the way, let him handle the 'Flesh Fossil' I successfully developed earlier."
To be precise, it's the initial part of "Flesh Sculpting"...
Using carefully prepared artificial meat paste, mixed with Demonized soil, gem Dust, and more, to mold various forms.
Roy did not hide his favoritism towards this young boy and instructed Stedson again: "Allow him some degree of creative freedom. Perhaps we can cultivate a master sculptor."
Stedson nodded: "Understood."
...
Another day.
In the quarry, within the carving room.
The continuous clinking of chisels filled the air.
The apprentices began their training in stone processing.
Like Roy in the past, they started with cheaper sandstone, gradually moving on to granite and Cloudstone.
Throughout this process, Novich continued to display an exceptionally high level of talent.
He was already able to accurately grasp the proportional relationships of human bodies and horses, as well as sculpt the textures of muscles and skin.
If not for his young age and lack of extensive knowledge, he might have been able to independently complete the creation of a large statue.
"Lord Roy!"
At that moment, Gold approached, his face beaming with joy.
"We've just discovered a large piece of jade, about the size of a centaur. We can create a life-sized centaur statue!"
"Oh, really?"
Hearing this, Roy felt a surge of delight in his heart.
Such high-quality materials are rare. Even the first-level Golem, "Bloodhoof Kairon," was only made using Enchanted Cloudstone.
If we could use jade instead, the inherent conditions would be much better than that.
"Lord Roy, let's go take a look."
As an avid carving enthusiast, Stedson was eager and couldn't help but speak up.
"Alright, let's go."
Roy nodded.