Wizard: Unlimited Profession Slots Chapter 888 - 390: Star-forged Titan (Part 2)

~4 minute read · 1,010 words
Previously on Wizard: Unlimited Profession Slots...
Ron agrees to pay Vinard ten Magic Stones for alchemy lessons. Vinard reveals he is about to restart his "Star-forged Titan," a massive construct designed to deal with an approaching asteroid. Ron experiences a simulation inside the Titan's control center, overwhelmed by the scale and complexity of its systems and auxiliary intelligences, which Vinard boasts are incredibly expensive.

Furthermore, it possesses numerous special characteristics absent in ordinary magic stones, encompassing space manipulation, temporal acceleration, and even the capacity for reality reconstruction!

At our current level, extracting common magic stones from the void is as effortless as breathing.

Vinard’s tone amplified with escalating pride, continuing his explanation: “But inherent treasures like demon crystals are beyond the synthetic capabilities of even those ancient alchemists! That is, unless…”

His voice shifted to a mysterious whisper: “Unless one holds the legendary Philosopher’s Stone, an ultimate creation that exists solely in theory! However, that remains too intangible; across history, only two or three instances might have approached it.”

As Vinard manipulated the controls, the Titan began to emit a deep, resonant hum, signaling its activation. “Years ago, in pursuit of this very demon crystal, I poured all my wealth accumulated over eight centuries into it! I even put up the mining rights for several otherworld territories as collateral!”

His voice swelled with even greater emphasis: “I incurred an astronomical debt, equivalent to fifty thousand complete magic stones! To such an extent that I, a venerable Great Wizard, was compelled by my debts to become a mercenary!”

Yet, at this juncture, Vinard’s demeanor reverted to one of immense pride: “But now… heh heh, those who once mocked my extravagance now gaze upon my financial statements with utter, consuming envy!”

“Even a Great Wizard can be burdened by debt?” Ron expressed a degree of disbelief.

“Youngster, do you imagine Great Wizards are detached from worldly concerns?” Vinard chuckled heartily. “The higher the echelon one attains, the more staggering the expenditure. Each interdimensional teleportation carries a cost that could make a Dark Sun Level Wizard’s heart palpitate! And commissioning the creation of even moderately decent alchemical equipment commences in the thousands of magic stones!”

With the commencement sequence in progress, Ron could discern an increasingly potent vibration emanating from beneath his feet. It resonated less like the grinding of mechanical gears and more akin to the primal cadence of some colossal life form stirring from slumber. It was as if they were positioned within the very core of an ancient, colossal deity awakening to existence.

Through the external sensory array, Ron beheld the Titan’s true form for the very first time. It was a humanoid colossus, towering a full kilometer in height, meticulously crafted from a singular, specialized alloy that shimmered with a dark gold luster. Its entire surface was adorned with luminous patterns resembling intricate vascular networks, pulsing in unison with a rhythmic, almost heartbeat-like cadence. The head housed two immense spheres of light, each exceeding one hundred meters in diameter, gradually igniting with the nascent brilliance of newly formed stars.

“Magnificent, is it not?” Vinard’s voice resonated with palpable pride. “It is my magnum opus! Every bolt, every conduit, envisioned and implemented with unparalleled meticulousness!”

The celestial body upon which the Titan was situated also materialized within Ron’s visual field. This place was an entirely artificial, metallic world. Its surface was densely populated with innumerable crystalline energy spires, each projecting distinct beams of colored light into the heavens. In the distance, the mountain ranges were not formed of terrestrial rock but of colossal crystal formations, scintillating brilliantly under the dual luminescence of twin moons. The oceans possessed a peculiar, silvery hue, their surfaces alive with phosphorescent, algae-like organisms, creating the illusion of a liquid, star-studded sky. The entirety of this world radiated an ethereal beauty, simultaneously underscoring its profound, unsettling artificiality.

“When I discovered this locale, it was naught but a desolate, barren planet. I dedicated several centuries to transforming it into its current state,” Vinard’s tone conveyed the profound satisfaction of a creator. “I reshaped every facet, from atmospheric composition and gravitational fields to the very geological strata, according to my design. It now stands as one of the most resource-abundant territories within this galactic quadrant!”

However, his focus soon shifted: “Nonetheless, today is not for leisurely observation. Do you perceive that diminutive entity drawing near?”

Complying with his gesture, Ron directed his gaze toward the periphery of the planet’s orbital path, where an irregularly shaped asteroid, several tens of kilometers in diameter, was steadily approaching. Its surface was coated in deep-red metallic ores, catching the starlight and glittering intensely.

“Hmm… that appears to be a minor celestial body abundant in rare metallic composition?”

“Ha ha, astute observation!” Vinard erupted in laughter. “This is precisely why I acquired this desolate planet; it serves as the perfect proving ground for my ‘Star-forged Titan.’ Given this planet’s unique celestial alignment, encounters with such asteroids occur only once a decade. Rather than permit its catastrophic impact upon the surface, why not allow me to extract its riches, thereby killing two birds with a single stone!”

With his declaration uttered, the Titan commenced its ascent. The colossal anti-gravity propulsion systems roared to life, and immense energy-based wings unfurled from its back, reminiscent of angelic appendages. Once fully deployed, the wingspan extended for several kilometers, casting a vast shadow that eclipsed the sun.This colossal steel entity, weighing an immeasurable amount, effortlessly broke free from terrestrial gravity, ascending towards the void of space. "Activating this behemoth each time demands the energy equivalent of several hundred fully charged magic stones," Vinard stated, his fingers dancing across the controls as he voiced his 'grievances'. "Should we engage in combat demanding peak performance, its daily energy expenditure would dwarf the entire Dawn Harbor's weekly consumption. This true behemoth devours fortunes; its nourishment costs more than any conventional arsenal!" Despite his feigned complaints, an undeniable pride tinged his voice. "However, substantial investments invariably yield grand rewards... Over the years, the 'Star-forged Titan' has been instrumental in my acquisition of over thirty resource-rich planets, generating profits that have magnified my initial outlay by tenfold!" As the Titan pierced the atmospheric veil, its radiant glow set the heavens ablaze. High-altitude native fauna, comprised of colossal draconic beings, had previously roamed these skies.