Notes from the Demon King, Page 332:

Constructs are the height of an artificer’s work. They are more than just enchanting, they are automation. Giving false life to creations built by mortal hands.

There are two major types of constructs. Mana constructs and physical constructs. I think both are pretty self-explanatory, but I’ll explain anyway.

Mana constructs are created by solidifying mana and spells inside of it. this is done by condensing mana down until the energy reaches a point that it acts as physical material, And then while they're still malleable forming a spell sigil within it or several if you're ambitious or just have the skill. Then you have to add another layer of mana to hold it together. The outer layer constantly expends power so these have a very limited lifespan depending on how much mana is given to them originally. The strongest mages can make constructs that last for hundreds of years, but eventually, they do die out unless restored. But as long as you have the mana and skill, anyone can make a mana construct, as long as the purpose fits into their path.

Physical constructs on the other hand are just a more complex version of enchanting. it requires a lot more time and effort, as well as material cost but theoretically, anyone can make a physical construct that can do anything, and they can last indefinitely being refilled with Mana as needed.

To make a physical construct, enchant your materials with the instructions that the construct should perform, unlike regular enchanting constructs require materials that resonate with the mana that powers them. You couldn’t make a fire construct out of ice for example, but you could make it out of igniawood or metal that has been infused with fire mana.

This means that a lot of material can be expensive or hard to come by, it's often worth it for the result. bags of holding are a great example of useful physical constructs since spatial mana is so rare creating constructs that mimic the storage function of the affinity is worth every copper.

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Chapter twelve

Hailey-

Kenn looked exhausted with mana expenditure. Hailey wanted to berate him for using up all his power so quickly in the fight! (She would imagine doing so later but now wasn’t the time) It hadn’t even done much. The Golem his attacks had cut into was still moving forward as if nothing had happened.

Giel had just shot one of the monsters, but it too was still lumbering forward.

Ali was on the attack supporting Sandra from afar, with recovering Kenn making his way to join the thief.

Sandra Lunged at The nearest golem, All of her momentum going into to kick to its leg. The Golem barely budged and turned ponderously throwing a punch at the ground where she’d been, but the human girl was long gone. She slid behind the creature And with one quick move meant She Drove her Knife into where the spine would be in a person.

It still didn’t seem to notice the damage Instead only reaching back as if to swat a bug on its back.

Sandra ducked the blow and (unnecessarily) rolled away.

She came again from the front Stabbing with all her weight into the crystal of the monster's stomach She dodged another punch and retaliated with a kick of her own to the construct's center of mass.

It tipped a bit this time before just as quickly regaining balance and sending a left hook at her head. The thief dropped, backing away.

“Nothing I do seems to affect this thing!”

“I know the feeling” Kenn shouted from where he was having his own problems with the golem he’d pelted with spells earlier.

The tank still seemed sluggish from his overuse of mana, but against the slowed-moving rock monsters he was putting up a good fight.

He knocked a punch aside with his sword, slicing at the other arm as a counter. The enchanted blade cut through the surprisingly soft crystal like butter and the limb fell to the ground. But before Hailey could celebrate she watched as it rose up and reattached itself back to the stump a small crack the only proof that there had ever been any damage at all.

The golem bent down seeming to try and grab Kenn who jumped back, at the same time a lighting bot tased the golem’s shoulder. It turned to its new attacker facing Ali with robotic malice. The caster sent a barrage of iceblots flying at the monster. Chipping away at the crystal that made up its body but doing no lasting damage.

“Shit…! A little help here!?” Ali asked backing away from the constructs approach

“I’ll save you!” Kenn Growled, he jumped up onto The monster scrambling up its body like a tick and holding on for dear life.

He reached over to cover where the monster's eyes would be, obviously trying to blind it.

“You idiot that thing doesn’t have eyes!” Ali shouted as Hailey couldn’t help but facepalm

“Oh... Well, plan B then” He said before adjusting his grip on the golem until his dominant hand was free and then began repeatedly punching the monster in the head.

The creature seemed to lose balance from the blows stumbling around the room and into another of its kind, sending that one to the ground with a ‘THUD’

The golem Kenn Was On reached up grabbing the warrior, who was unable to excise himself in time. It squeezed, an audible crunch making Hailey wince. And then threw the warrior across the room.

Kenn struck the wall, falling to the ground with a grunt of pain. A sound that made the healer's heart swell with relief. At least he wasn't dead...

Hailey rushed over to him but was intercepted by one of the golems. It raised Its glimmering fist to smash her. She tried to dodge around the thing buts she wasn’t as agile as Sandy, the monster moved to block her, nearly stepping on her in the process.

She had to get to Kenn!

The Golem that had thrown him had noticed he wasn't as dead as it had intended and was stomping over to finish its work.

Hailey ducked into a slide, attempting to clear the monster's legs as it stepped forward but to her surprise, the creature twisted its waist one hundred and eighty degrees, its fist coming out of nowhere with crushing force.

Hailey screamed as her entire, left side flared in white-hot agony. Even as she blacked out for a second She felt her body fly through the air and slam hard into the floor, agitating her newly forged injuries, and forcing a whimper from her lips.

When her vision cleared, she found herself crumpled in a heap as the golem was already walking towards her.

Testing her body, Hailey made a fast census of her injuries. She tasted blood and her side felt like It was on fire, likely ribs were broken. And there was a sharp pain that hinted of a fracture in her arm, the limb still worked but painfully. Overall, It could have been worse.

Hailey tried to cast a healing spell on herself, but the magic failed the mana flaring into the spell with nothing happening. That was expected but it was worth a try.

‘Herself’ wasn’t a valid target for her particular brand of healing casts.

Forcing herself upright, each movement making her suck in air, Hailey stood.

She needed to try something else. She couldn't stand against this thing in a physical fight, and the only spell she knew was for healing. She needed to add to her arsenal. Luckily, she had a whole book of new tricks on her person.