Automatons are dolls made from solid materials, but can move in predetermined patterns embedded in their Magic circuits.
Unlike Golems who possess only Cores, Automatons—while having different shapes and sizes—have internal structures similar to humans. Their Mana Circuits work together with their Mana Core, granting them automated mobility.
This allows them to move in pre-recorded patterns, a feat impossible for Golems. The advantage of using Automatons was the efficiency of their use.
A Mage could employ the use of several automatons in battle or the completion of several tasks. However, for Golems, one would manually need to control them.
Of course, there were also downsides to these constructs. For one, they couldn’t simply be created with ordinary magic, unlike Golems. Only specialized Mages could utilize spells to conjure them, so most Automatons were industrially made with normal materials and were made functional through the use of Mana Cores embedded in them.
Another disadvantage was the cost of production. Unless a Mage was specialized in the creation of Automatons or it was being mass-produced, the average mage couldn’t get access to them.
This was why Golems are a more common aid for Magic-Users.
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Ainzlark Academy was a prestigious institute, so none of those downsides affected them. Not only did they have very powerful and specialized Mages, but they had the facilities and necessary know-how to make Automatons without any difficulty.
A grin formed on my face as I saw scores of them appearing in the very large arena. The shape of the constructs was akin to humans—having the same amount of limbs and other body parts.
Of course, their color and specific appearances were nothing like regular people. Having black complexion, most likely due to the material used to construct them, and blank faces, they seemed like wooden marionettes.
‘That material… it must be the same as the one used for the weapons throughout the Exchange…’ My thoughts trailed, observing the metallic gleam that covered their bodies.
“Begin!”
Once the moderator announced this, the Automatons spurred to life and began moving rapidly. Their metallic feet made barely any noise thanks to the impeccable design of Ainzlark, impressing me even more.
WHOOOOSHHH!!!
My body, enhanced by magic, sharply moved across the arena as I decided to catch my first prey. I couldn’t just waste my time admiring the beautiful creations, now, could I?
I conjured multiple water balls and ice balls, aiming to stop the Automatons in their tracks.
If they were wooden, I would have gone for the fire element, but I was certain basic Fireball spells wouldn’t be enough to completely stop these artificial beings.
“Eat this!”I launched dozens of water balls at several Automatons, thereafter using the cooling quality of the ice element to harden the liquid that covered them.
This slowed down their movements considerably.
“[Ice Lance: Intermediate]”
I multi-casted, creating several spears made of the freezing element. The Automatons could not evade my assault with their current speed, allowing me to accurately pierce the weakest links in their bodies—their necks.
FWOOOOSHHH!!!
In an instant, I defeated over thirty of them.
‘Hoo, this is fun!’
Excitement began welling up within me as I saw even more of them coming out of the holes that spawned them endlessly. The Automatons weren’t made to be difficult, but their sheer numbers could make anyone lose heart.
The fact that these constructs never ceased to spawn and they kept advancing in their numbers was enough to overwhelm many. But, I didn’t even pay heed to any of the other contestants and focused solely on enjoying myself.
‘Automatons didn’t exist in my past life! It’s one of the more recent innovations!’ My head rang in excitement as I prepared the next sets of spells.
This time, I would try lightning!
Based on the difficulty of the Automatons, they were similar to High-Tier Basic Golems. Unlike Golems whose movements were unpredictable as a result of being remotely controlled, Automatons followed set patterns.
This made their difficulty lessen.
They also didn’t use any special abilities except spit out energy blasts that could easily be defended against. Once they got closer to us, the constructs would attack with hand-to-hand combat, but it was best not to even let them draw near.
‘This is kind of a simulated lesson!’
Magic-Users, when confronted with multiple opponents, must know the right course of action to take.
While conserving one’s Mana in order to handle so many opponents at once was practical, there was an even better solution to this current predicament.
‘Overpowering the enemies with extremely powerful magic to blow them all away!
With the time limit set to one minute, that was the best option, no, the only option!
“Let’s do this!”
Quickly creating several spell circles as a result of my multiple Mana Cores, I brought out sparks of electricity from them, raising the cast point above all the Automatons that surrounded me.
“[Lightning Fall: Intermediate!]”
KRRRRAAAAKKKKKK!!!
In a flash of powerful light and a roar of explosive thunder, the brilliant whitish-blue sparks descended and tore through the metal bodies of my targets.
The constructs danced, almost as if they were in pain. Their bodies grew stiff, and sparks flew from them as a result of the overload of energy on their circuits.
I watched as the Automatons’ joints broke apart thanks to the pressure of the lightning strike, and they began exploding one after the other.
BOOOOOOMMMMM!!!
By the time I was done, charred grounds surrounded me as smoke emanated from them. The shattered bodies of the Automatons littered the ground, much to my satisfaction.
I didn’t count how many I had just defeated, but it was certainly no less than fifty.
I looked above me to check how much time was left.
The moment I spotted the time I grinned in satisfaction. My face returned to the stage where I saw others, from the corner of my eye, fighting with their spells.
Some were conservative, some were reckless, while some casually pummeled through the metallic army.
A small crowd had already started forming in front of me as well—Automatons marching toward their destruction.
‘Twenty more seconds, eh? Let’s see what else I can do!’