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Construction Mage - Chapter 76: Marketplace
AN: Hey everyone, it's no secret that I've been struggling with writing, but I'd like to thank each and every one of you who have stuck with me. I promise I am trying my best to get back into the rhythm of things. Thank you for your support!Google Docs LinkThe next day, Clay woke up a bit earlier than usual. It wasn’t because he was eager to jump back into the dungeon, though, as he had called for a day off after the more intense encounter during the previous day. Instead, it was because he was irked by the comments he had receive...
Construction Mage - Chapter 75: Hosting
AN: Hey everyone! I know you're all wondering when releases will stabilize again. I've been debating adjusting the release schedule to something more manageable for the current me, but I haven't gone through with it yet. That is because I had planned to take a week off next week (Week of Sep 22) a while back, and arrangements have already been made. In hindsight, it could have happened a little earlier to help me reset, but that's just how life is--- things not always going according to plan. Anyway, what this means is that I wi...
Construction Mage - Chapter 74: Guests
Google Docs Link“Hmm? Yeah,” Thomas answered before his eyes posed a question back to Clay, asking what’s with the reaction.“Um, sorry. It’s just that I plan to challenge the boss room sometime soon. Would appreciate it if you could share any info you may have.”“We’re not info brokers,” Alara interjected before Thomas could answer. “And even if we were, we wouldn’t give that away for free.”“Now, now, Alara. It’s not like the information about the first layer is any big secret. We do owe Clay here for his assistance a...
Construction Mage - Chapter 73: Reflect
Google Docs LinkWith a blazing orb of fire flying his way, Clay didn’t have time to think. He was out of mana, and there was not enough time to summon his elemental. His allies were a few steps away. While he could see their shield-wielder try to go towards him, it was far too late. Clay had kept a wide berth between them, not wanting to disrupt their party’s formation. As a result, all he could manage was to get down and cover the back of his head with his arms and shovel before the fireball hit.“Sir!” Malik shouted.He ran toward the f...
Construction Mage - Chapter 72: Plunging In Pt.2
AN: Hey everyone! Sorry for not posting for a while without any communication. It wasn't something I intended at all, but I have been struggling to adjust. To be honest, I've had to make some major changes to my lifestyle for health reasons, but that means less free time and revamping my sleep schedule. That has completely broken my routine, and I couldn't get back into writing during this time. I'm trying to get back into it, so I'd be grateful if you were patient with me as I try my best to bring everything back to normal....
Construction Mage - Chapter 71: Plunging In
Google Docs LinkDelving through the periphery of the first layer of Greymark’s Bastion was a piece of cake for the current Clay and Malik. The challenges they faced had become a common everyday encounter, so they barely even broke a sweat during their entire way to the large, hollowed-out trees that served as the tunnel entrance to the underground parts of the first layer.To the veterans of this stratum, where they were would be considered the central part of the level. That meant there were even more difficult challenges waiting ahead on the...
Construction Mage - Chapter 70: Noble Sights
Google Docs LinkLuckily for Clay, the line at the administration wasn’t particularly long early in the morning. The merchants and travelers who frequented the place the most were still busy with their morning preparations and had yet to arrive. He soon got his turn with a clerk who wore the same bored expression as every other bureaucrat. However, that changed the moment Clay mentioned Varek Talon, the noble heir to Ravenhold.The poor man scrambled into the back and brought back a much older gentleman wearing a monocle on his right eye.“I a...
Construction Mage - Chapter 69: The Second Choice
Nice.Google Docs LinkAt first dawn, Clay impatiently made for the dungeon. It was a few hours earlier than the usual time he would go meet up with Malik. Naturally, it was because of the level up from the previous night.The Mediate skill had finally reached level 10, and an upgrade was available just like with the Summon Elemental skill. It had come as a surprise, as the mundane task of creating bricks had long become a regular occurrence for him without any remuneration. From what he saw so far, it was due to the skills leveling up at a much s...
Construction Mage - Chapter 68: Guild & Suppliers
AN: Yeah, I've been dropping the ball. Sorry! Looking to return to the regular schedule next week!Google Docs Link“Hygiene in the dungeon cannot be neglected, especially for those going on long delves. To keep illness away, there are dozens of ways to keep yourself clean, depending on what’s around. Clean sand, ash, or flour can be used to rub off grease and dirt from your skin and hair. Vinegar, wine, and herbs could be used as well if they are plentiful enough.Nevertheless, if you ever find a water source in the dungeon or you have a ...
Construction Mage - Chapter 67: Heat
Google Docs LinkWhat was the difference between Clay’s current oven and a pizza oven? To summarize, one used residual heat while the other had an ongoing heat source. Much more contributed to the difference between the two ovens, especially with the levels of heat they could reach and how they managed to do so.What Clay had recalled regarding the smokestack was one facet of what allowed pizza ovens to reach higher temperatures. With one of the requirements being to hold a steady flame, it needed a place for the resulting smoke to go, which wa...
Construction Mage - Chapter 66: Kiln & Oven
AN: Hey, I wanted to apologize to everyone for the delay/slow release this past week. One or two bad days are having a snowballing effect, but I'm getting it together. Thank you for being patient with me.Google Docs Link“I can make this toilet of yours, no problem, but the pipes you’re talking about are a different matter. For that sort of length, you’d need to join different pieces together. It won’t be easy ensuring the connection is watertight,” Jorren, the newly hired potter, stated with a frown as he glanced at the drawing...
Construction Mage - Chapter 65: Ironspine Staff
Google Docs LinkAs soon as Clay selected the option to craft an Ironspine staff, he felt his body instinctively move on its own. It wasn’t to the point of fully seizing control over him, but a clear image of what the end product would be like entered his mind. His hands moved on their own, reaching out for the materials laid out before him.If he wanted to, he could stop his actions at any time, but there was no reason to.Hm, I should be able to make modifications to the specs. What if I focus my mind and change the end image stirring in my mi...
Construction Mage - Chapter 64: Test & Materials
AN: Hey, sorry for being so late. I had a bad day of writing and overall just an unproductive day. As a result, tonight's release will be postponed by a day, meaning Wednesday's release will be pushed back to Saturday instead. Thank you for bearing with this delay.Google Docs Link[Ding—Level 5 Kobold Sentry slain.][Ding—Skill: Earth Blast(I) has leveled up!]Clay smiled wryly as he got back into a meditative state. He had the honor of having the earth elemental fight on his behalf while he could just sit back and occasionally chuck s...
Construction Mage - Chapter 63: Afternoon Tea
Google Docs Link“Right, Eban! You helped me out with the oozes that attacked the worksite for the new church out in the fourth ring,” Clay said.“Uhh, right. Good day to you. Err, do you mind if I go now?”“Of course. Don’t let me delay you.”Clay made no effort to hold him up. He was just relieved that the person he had bumped into wasn’t a haughty noble, but an acquaintance. He allowed Eban to head on into the cake shop first, where a waiter who had been watching over the commotion was waiting.All the waiters and waitresses in th...
Construction Mage - Chapter 62: Priorities
Another extra chapter!Google Docs Link“...Enough about my techniques and my legacy. I doubt the conditions will be the same by the time I join the goddess.The material situation in a post-Descent world is perhaps both the worst and best time for a craftsman to live in. A stable supply of even the most mundane materials became a foreign concept, while new materials were being discovered every week. If only those Delvers would divert some of their efforts toward transportation between cities, a lot of my problems could be solved!To whoever read...
Construction Mage - Chapter 61: Tour
AN: Hope you're all having a great weekend! There should be a Patreon-exclusive extra chapter tomorrow as well. Enjoy!Google Docs LinkAs humble as Sylphira had tried to sound, in reality, it was impossible for any home within the first ring to be shabby. The entire place was the center of power for the entirety of Ravenhold. Only nobles and the most influential merchants lived there, alongside a few select Delvers.In the new landscape of the world, power became more important than ever. Not just the authority to order around large armies, b...
Construction Mage - Chapter 60: Refreshments
AN: No extra chapter tomorrow for this week and will instead be on the weekend. Hope you all have a great one!Google Docs LinkIn the afternoon, Clay finally returned to his home, albeit later than usual. As soon as he did, he got cleaned up and then started working on the kitchen.Summoning his elemental, the two got to work, stacking up the bricks to create a stove, counter space, and even some basic furniture. After all, wood was expensive, and Clay didn’t mind having a brick table.As he worked, he began thinking about the recipes he could s...
Construction Mage - Chapter 59: Start
AN: Cleaned up a bit of the earlier chapters to clarify that Clay only told them vague ideas about the guild, and only revealed the details in the last two chapters here. Thank you for letting me know, and feel free to message me if any of you spot anything else unclear.Google Docs LinkHaving finally told his companions all the details of his plans and struggles, Clay felt like a rock had been lifted off his chest. He adjusted his posture as he let his silent audience ruminate on their thoughts.“You know, this idea isn’t half bad, but I thi...
Construction Mage - Chapter 58: Haste Makes Waste
Google Docs Link“They seem to be in a rough shape,” Dorgan commented as the group squinted at the tiny figures in the distance. “Seems like they’re only youngsters, too. With that many monsters on their tail, they must’ve started an open flame and attracted them or something. This is why you need to rest whenever you can. Never know when you’ll get into a chase where your life is on the line.”The people in the distance grew larger as they approached, verifying Dorgan’s words. There were three people desperately running down the ...
Construction Mage - Chapter 57: Recipe
AN: Start of another new week. As always, thank you each and every one of you for your support!Google Docs LinkClay squinted his eyes as he examined the parchment stuck onto the carcass of the lizard. It appeared as if it was partly embedded in the flesh rather than having landed on the remains. That was confirmed when he had to tug on it to loosen it, and when he did, a system prompt appeared.[Recipe(Staffmaker) - Ironspine: Teaches how to craft a humble conduit of magic. Though far from mighty, using appropriately aged Ironbark in its constru...
Construction Mage - Chapter 56: Leisure Trip
Google Docs Link“It worked!”Clay and Malik exchanged looks of surprise as they found themselves transported to the middle of a verdant forest under a blazing sun. Unlike the withered forest of the first layer, this one was full of life and lush greenery. Each tree was much thicker, with luscious leaves. In fact, there was so much shrubbery around that it made it hard to navigate and blocked the view of their surroundings.“Don’t get used to being all relaxed in here. I’d say this layer has gotten the most Delvers killed out of all of ...
Construction Mage - Chapter 55: Possibility
AN: Thank you for your patience. It is, unfortunately, late, I know. I hope to fix this once I build up a bit more backlog, which will slowly take place over the weekends as long as I'm not busy. Good news, today's chapter will be on schedule.Google Docs LinkAfter lunch, Clay was then invited by Hal to go over some details of the toilet, particularly its installation process. They had gone over most of it already during their ride to the estate, so it ended promptly, where the two guests were then escorted back out to the second ring by...
Construction Mage - Chapter 54: Lunch, Tea, and Favors
Google Docs LinkClay was then invited to take a seat at the luxurious table in the gazebo. Two rings of people surrounded the place. The inner ring consisted of the two nobles’ retinue, and the outer ring was made up of the estate’s servants.He glanced back at Malik, who was taken off to the side by a servant. They didn’t appear to be mistreating him, so he was relieved to leave him in their care for now.Caelan’s attendant commanded a servant to bring another set of utensils to him and explained the various confectioneries and snacks be...
Construction Mage - Chapter 53: Demonstration Pt. 2
AN: As promised, another chapter! With all eyes on the Third Prince, he knew he had to make a decision soon. No one knew wAN: As promised, another chapter!Google Docs LinkWith all eyes on the Third Prince, he knew he had to make a decision soon. No one knew what he was thinking but himself. With his reputation, there were numerous possibilities. His concerns could be either political or whimsical. A wildcard like him was hard to predict, which made Clay more nervous.Falling short of the prince’s expectations was fine as long as it wasn’t to...
Construction Mage - Chapter 52: Demonstration
AN: I may or may not have fallen asleep while editing, but fret not! Today will be a double chapter release. The second one is coming in a few hours!Google Docs Link“A noble’s retinue had evolved quite a lot over the years. Today’s standard is to have at least four knights, so one could have two protectors at all times. At least two attendants to deal with the lord’s own needs and one to facilitate meetings with others. Then, came the scholars. There wasn’t an agreed-upon number of scholars one should have, but most lords had several ...
Construction Mage - Chapter 51: Bracing
AN: We're back for a new week! Apologies for no extra chapter over the weekend, couldn't resist the first one since the launch period is over. With that said, the normal schedule for Patreon is now Monday-Friday, 5x a week, not including extra chapters from what I owe over at RR. It is experimental, so it may be more 4.5 chapters a week if I can't keep up. Thank you for bearing with me.Hope you all have a great week!Google Docs Link“So this is the thing you plan to present to a member of the white-haired family?” Thalia said col...
Construction Mage - Chapter 50: Nuisance & Looking Up
AN: Thank you for your patience. Bit of a delay from sudden dinner plans haha. Should've expected it, seeing its my birthday this month. Enjoy.Google Docs LinkA spear thrust out in an attempt to thwart the charging earth elemental. It worked—or at least it was supposed to. An inch of the metal tip successfully pierced into the earthen body before the monster wielding the spear dove out of the way, averting the fate of having its bones shattered by the earth elemental’s kick.Hmm, it can fight decently by itself now, but its movements are...
Construction Mage - Chapter 49: First Upgrade
Google Docs LinkFor Clay, there were only two real options that fit his situation. Geldrune’s Blessing, which focused on increasing the strength and durability of the elemental, was too combat-focused for his liking. He wasn’t a typical Delver aiming for the wealth of the lower layers or an idealist who wanted to conquer the dungeon himself. That meant he preferred the other two options, which had more uses outside of combat.Both Veldara’s Blessing and Quorineth’s Blessing had their unique advantages that could aid him in both building ...
Construction Mage - Chapter 48: Choices
Google Docs Link“Good morning, Clay, I'm glad you slept well," a woman with dark green hair tied into one long ponytail greeted Clay as soon as he walked out from the makeshift guest room of his friend’s house.“Good morning, Thalia,” he replied, rubbing his eyes. “Where’s Garrick?”The woman grinned and moved over and swung the shutters open, allowing sunlight to flood into the house.“It’s almost noon already. Garrick left a long time ago for the worksite.”“Huh, oh. Well, I guess I did stay up pretty late last night...
Construction Mage - Chapter 47: Learning
AN: Late, sorry, I know. Had to run for groceries last minute before closing.Google Docs LinkThe timid man known as Eban stared nervously at Clay for a few moments while they shook hands. Then he waited for Clay to say something, but unfortunately for him, the novice earth mage was too dumbfounded to talk. He was caught between the desire to lash out from getting his hand smothered in gooey substances and wanting to connect with a powerful Delver.However, there was no way for Eban to know what was going on in the mind of another. He soon turned...
