RISING OF THE GOLEM KING FROM ZERO TO HERO, Volume 1, Part One by H. L. Watson - HTML preview

Chapter 14

The workshop hummed with activity in the late afternoon—a symphony of metallic taps, the scrape of etching tools against crystal, and the occasional hiss of cooling metal. Dust motes swirled through beams of amber sunlight that streamed through the high windows, illuminating the organized chaos that surrounded me at my workstation. The familiar smells of heated metal, arcane reagents, and machine oil had become as much a part of me as my own scent. Over the course of the following two years after beginning my apprenticeship, my workbench had accumulated an array of small, intricate creations. Among these projects, nestled between reference texts and tool racks, sat a collection of miniature golems—each standing no taller than six inches, crafted with painstaking detail from brass, copper, and other affordable metals. Their small joints were articulated with precision, allowing for fluid movement when activated. These miniatures had begun as practice pieces—ways to experiment with the principles of golem construction without the prohibitive material costs of full-sized constructs. I had imbued them with marble-sized crystal cores, each etched with rudimentary instruction codes that allowed them to perform simple movements and tricks upon verbal command. They were toys, really— mechanical amusements I created during spare hours to refine my skills. The discovery of their value came entirely by accident on a day indistinguishable from any other. The workshop windows stood open to release the accumulated heat, carrying in the sounds of the street market several blocks away. I had been so absorbed in etching a new crystal core that I failed to notice one of Teacher Eldon's clients approaching my workstation until his shadow fell across my desk.

"Fascinating little creatures," a voice observed from behind me. I straightened with a start, nearly dropping my etching tool. The man standing at my workbench was studying my miniature golems with undisguised interest. He appeared to be in his mid-forties, with a neatly trimmed salt-and-pepper beard that framed a face marked by laugh lines around the eyes. His clothing spoke of wealth without ostentation—quality fabric in subdued colors, with subtle embroidery at the cuffs and collar. A merchant, by his bearing, and one successful enough to commission magical items from Teacher Eldon.

"I apologize for startling you," he said, his eyes never leaving the small brass golem positioned in a defensive stance on my desk. "I was waiting for Master Eldon to finish with another client when these caught my eye."

I followed his gaze to the row of miniature constructs. The smallest was barely larger than my thumb, while the largest stood about the height of my hand. Each had been styled differently— some resembling armored knights, others sleeker and more animal-like in form. "They're just practice pieces," I explained, setting down my tools and wiping my hands on a cloth that had once been white but now bore the multicolored stains of various workshop materials.

The man bent closer, his eyes widening as one of the golems shifted position in response to the vibration of his movement. "They move?" he asked, straightening with newfound respect in his expression.

I nodded, reaching for the nearest golem—a copper construct with articulated limbs and a small, round head. "They're functional, just scaled down. I've been using marble-sized orbs as miniature crystal cores. The instructions are simple—action poses and tricks activated by verbal commands."

To demonstrate, I addressed the small construct. "Guardian, salute." The miniature golem straightened from its crouched position, standing tall and bringing one tiny fist to its chest in a perfect salutation. The merchant's eyes lit up with childlike wonder, crow's feet deepening around them as his smile broadened.

"Remarkable!" he exclaimed, leaning closer to examine the golem's movements. "How did you manage to make them so small? I've seen ceremonial golems in the Imperial Palace that couldn't match this precision."

I explained my technique as simply as I could, sparing him the technical details of runic compression and energy conservation that had taken months to perfect. The man listened with intensity, his fingers occasionally stroking his beard in thought. "My son would be absolutely captivated by one of these," he said finally, straightening up. "Are they for sale?"

The question caught me off guard. The concept of selling my practice pieces had never occurred to me. These were experiments, learning tools—not merchandise. But the merchant's interest was genuine, and a quick mental calculation of my finances reminded me that additional income would accelerate my debt repayment to Teacher Eldon.

"I hadn't made them for consumer purposes," I replied carefully, "but I might be willing to part with a few for the right price."

The merchant's eyes gleamed with approval. "That's exactly what I like to hear," he said, rubbing his hands together with evident satisfaction. "I think you have a businessman's heart." His fingers drummed lightly against the workbench as he studied the collection. "How many of these toy golems do you have for sale?"

I considered the question carefully. The golems represented hours of work, but I had created them primarily to hone my skills, not as permanent keepsakes. After a moment's calculation, I decided that I could spare five without hindering my practice routine. "I have five I could sell," I told him.

His eyebrows rose slightly. "Excellent. May I see them all?" I nodded and stood, making my way to the small room at the back of the workshop where I slept during late-night projects. The space was little more than a closet with a cot, but it served as secure storage for my more valuable experiments. The floorboards creaked underfoot as I crossed to a small chest in the corner, retrieving three additional golems from within. When I returned, the merchant had pulled a stool closer to my workbench and was examining the two golems already on display with intense scrutiny. I carefully arranged the others beside them—five miniature marvels of varying designs and materials. The afternoon light caught their metal surfaces, highlighting the intricacy of their construction. "They're remarkably well-made," he observed, picking up each one in turn. His hands, though adorned with several expensive rings, moved with surprising delicacy. "Do they all have action poses?"

"Yes," I confirmed. "Though only one has a core that allows for dancing." His expression brightened further. "Which one?"

I pointed to a red and white golem that stood slightly apart from the others. Its design had been inspired by an action figure from a television show I had watched as a child—a nostalgic reminder of my previous world that no one here would recognize. "That one. It can perform a simple routine of movements that resembles dancing when given the command." He lifted it carefully, studying the smoother finish and more intricate joint work. "This one is more finely crafted than the others," he observed correctly. "I've been using these to practice and improve my skills," I explained. "Each one represents a step forward in technique."

The merchant set the dancing golem back down with care and regarded me with a serious expression. The workshop had grown quieter as other apprentices finished their day's work, making his next words seem all the more significant in the relative silence.

"I'll buy the entire lot for two hundred gold," he stated firmly. "There's nothing like them in the city. I could get a good price if I auctioned them off." He paused, glancing toward Teacher Eldon's closed office door. "I don't want to cheat you or upset your teacher, which is why I'm offering a more than fair price."

Two hundred gold. The figure echoed in my mind, its significance temporarily paralyzing my thought process. It represented more than a year's worth of the allowance Teacher Eldon provided me—an allowance I had been carefully budgeting to cover basic necessities while saving whatever I could toward my substantial debt.

"Two hundred gold?" I repeated, barely keeping my voice steady. The workshop suddenly felt warmer, the collar of my work shirt tighter.

The merchant nodded, misreading my stunned reaction as hesitation. "It's a fair price. More than fair, really."

I extended my hand before he could reconsider. "Deal."

His palm met mine in a firm handshake, sealing our agreement. He smiled broadly, the expression transforming his face from merely pleasant to genuinely warm. "Excellent! I'll send someone to collect the items and deliver payment later today." True to his word, before the workshop closed that evening, a young boy arrived with a heavy purse and careful instructions to collect the five golems. I wrapped each one in soft cloth before handing them over, providing basic instructions for their activation and care. That night, I counted the gold coins three times, still unable to believe my good fortune. The metal felt cool against my fingers, each piece representing a step closer to freedom from debt. For nearly a month, I heard nothing more from the merchant. Life returned to its routine—days spent learning under Teacher Eldon's strict guidance, evenings devoted to my own experiments and studies. The workshop settled into its familiar rhythm of activity, filled with the sounds of apprentices at work and the unique scents of magical crafting. Then, without warning, he returned. Unlike his previous visit, he bypassed Teacher Eldon's office entirely and made directly for my workstation. He looked much the same as before, though today he wore a deep blue coat with silver buttons that caught the light as he moved. His beard was freshly trimmed, and a subtle scent of expensive cologne announced his presence before he spoke.

"Do you have time to talk?" he asked without preamble.

I set aside the small gear assembly I'd been adjusting and stood to greet him, wiping my hands clean of machine oil. "I'm not in the middle of anything important at the moment," I confirmed, shaking his outstretched hand.

We settled at my workstation, the merchant perching on an improvised seat I dragged over from a neighboring apprentice's area. His posture was straight but relaxed, projecting the confident air of someone accustomed to business negotiations.

After clearing his throat, he fixed me with an intent gaze. "Young man, your miniature golems sold very well on the auction block." His fingers tapped a light rhythm against his knee as he spoke. "As a businessman with an eye for these things, I believe there is a demand for these items. With your skill and my business acumen, we can make a significant amount of money together."

He leaned forward slightly, his expression growing more earnest. "I am interested in going into business with you and would like to sign an exclusive contract with you as a supplier of these golems."

The proposition stunned me into momentary silence. The workshop sounds faded into the background as I processed his words. My small creations—practice pieces made during spare hours—held commercial value I had never anticipated. The concept of turning my hobby into a business venture had never crossed my mind until this moment. "I... I'm not sure what to say," I admitted finally, my voice sounding distant to my own ears. "Say you'll consider it," the merchant replied smoothly. "This could be quite profitable for both of us."

I nodded slowly, gathering my thoughts. "Could you explain exactly what you're proposing?" The merchant settled more comfortably onto his makeshift seat and outlined his vision. He would handle the business aspects—finding buyers, negotiating prices, arranging transportation of the finished products. My responsibility would be solely the creation of the golems. "So what exactly would I need to do?" I asked, still uncertain about the practical details. "I would need you to commit to making at least five golems per month," he explained, his tone casual but his eyes sharp, watching my reaction. "I'll handle everything else. In exchange, you'll receive a cut of the proceeds."

The arrangement sounded reasonable, but one critical detail remained unaddressed. "How much would my cut be?"

"Twenty percent of the proceeds each month from the golem sales," he replied promptly. Before I could respond, a familiar voice interrupted from behind us. "I see that you've stumbled upon a valuable item that this gentleman is interested in contracting for." Teacher Eldon stood several paces away, his weathered face impassive but his dark eyes keenly observant. He approached with measured steps, his white hair gleaming in the afternoon light. "The standard rate for such an agreement is forty percent," he added, directing a pointed look at the merchant.

The businessman's expression flickered with momentary dismay before he composed himself. "Your teacher is right, of course," he conceded, looking somewhat sheepish. He straightened his already-impeccable coat, a gesture that seemed to help him regain his confidence. "But, I will have to create a new market for this item, which will require significant effort and connections on my part. I suggest a thirty percent compensation split instead." Teacher Eldon considered this for a moment, then inclined his head in agreement. "However," he added, his tone firm, "the material cost of each item should be covered solely by your portion of the proceeds."

The businessman sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly. "You've negotiated a hard bargain," he said to Teacher Eldon, though there was a note of respect in his voice. "Very well, I agree to these terms."

Teacher Eldon then turned to me, his expression unchanged but a certain glint in his eye suggesting approval. "Since this workshop will be handling the production of the golems, the customary five percent fee will be owed for the use of this workshop, leaving you with twenty-five percent of the proceeds."

I blinked, momentarily taken aback by my teacher's negotiating prowess. He had managed to secure me better terms than I would have accepted initially, while still ensuring the workshop received its due. With a nod, I agreed to the arrangement. The deal was formalized the following week with a written contract, witnessed and sealed by a notary from the city's Mercantile Guild. The terms were clear, the expectations reasonable, and just like that, I found myself in business.

The months that followed brought an unexpected surge in demand for my creations. The workshop took on new sounds and rhythms as I carved out additional hours for golem production. The scent of heated metal became more pronounced in my corner, and small containers of specialized components accumulated on shelves above my workbench. The popularity of the miniature golems was both thrilling and daunting. From my regular workspace near the window, I could sometimes glimpse people in the street carrying small cases that I knew contained my creations. Occasionally, children would pass by the workshop, proudly displaying the miniature constructs to their friends.

To manage the growing demand, I began exploring more efficient production methods. The process remained fundamentally artistic, but I identified several areas where I could standardize components without sacrificing quality. Small brass gears that had previously been crafted individually could be produced in batches. Joint mechanisms that had once required hours of adjustment could be refined into modular units.

The workshop, with Teacher Eldon's approval, became home to new tools specifically designed for my production line. A multi-stage etching station allowed for more efficient crystal core programming. A specialized forge maintained the precise temperatures needed for the miniature components. The smell of hot metal and cooling crystal became even more prevalent, mingling with the usual workshop scents.

I also hired freelance help—skilled artisans from the city who could assist with the more straightforward aspects of production. A former jeweler with steady hands became responsible for the final assembly of joint mechanisms. A young woman with experience in musical boxes helped design and implement more complex movement patterns for the dancing models. These changes tripled my monthly output to fifteen toy golems, but even this increase couldn't satisfy the market my business partner had cultivated. The golems had become fashionable among the city's wealthy families, and demand consistently outpaced supply. This imbalance was frustrating but also presented an opportunity I hadn't anticipated. One evening, as I was experimenting with new designs, an idea struck me. If demand exceeded supply, perhaps I could create special editions that would command premium prices. Working late into the night, I crafted a prototype using silver instead of brass, with delicate gold inlay work defining its features. The result was stunning—a miniature golem that caught and reflected light with every movement, its precious metal construction adding both beauty and value. The first collector's edition sold for more than all fifteen standard models combined. The success prompted me to make this a regular part of my production—one premium model each month, crafted from precious metals and given unique movement patterns. These special golems became highly sought after, with wealthy collectors sometimes commissioning custom designs months in advance.

With my business flourishing, I approached Teacher Eldon one morning before the workshop opened for the day. He was at his personal workbench, examining a complex crystalline structure through a magnifying apparatus. The early light through the windows cast long shadows across the floor and illuminated motes of dust that danced in the still air. "Teacher," I began, waiting for him to acknowledge me before continuing. "I no longer need the monthly allowance we agreed upon." I straightened my shoulders, feeling a certain pride in what I was about to propose. "Instead, I'd like to make monthly payments of several hundred gold to begin repaying my debt."

Teacher Eldon set aside his magnifying tool and regarded me with his usual inscrutable expression. After a moment, however, I detected a subtle shift—the faintest softening around his eyes, the barest hint of approval in his gaze.

"A wise decision," he said simply, returning to his work.

The months wore on, and my business continued to grow. The special collector's edition golems became my primary focus, each one unique in design and function. The premium prices they commanded allowed me to pay increasingly large installments toward my debt. By the end of the second year, as my apprenticeship neared its formal conclusion, I had accomplished what once seemed impossible. The entire debt—ten thousand gold pieces plus interest—had been paid in full. Beyond that, I had accumulated savings that would allow me to establish my own workshop if I chose.

The achievement brought with it a sense of completion. The path from slave to apprentice to successful artisan had been challenging but rewarding. While financial gain had been a significant motivator, I recognized that the journey had provided much more than monetary reward.

The relationships formed along the way—with Teacher Eldon, with my business partner, and with the craftspeople who assisted in production—had taught me valuable lessons about trust, negotiation, and collaboration. The challenges overcome had built confidence in my abilities, while the mistakes made had provided necessary humility. As I approached the end of my apprenticeship, I understood that success encompassed more than the repayment of my debt. It included the skills mastered, the knowledge gained, and the recognition earned through consistent quality work.

The workshop that had initially seemed so intimidating had become a second home. Its sights, sounds, and smells—the gleam of polished metal, the scratch of etching tools on crystal, the aroma of heated components—had become deeply familiar. The daily routine of creation had shaped not only my external circumstances but my internal landscape as well. I was filled with a sense of gratitude for the unexpected opportunity that had come my way. It was incredible to think that something that had started as a simple hobby could turn into a successful business with the help of my teacher and the businessman. I was proud of the financial success that I had achieved, but more than that, I was proud of the skill and craftsmanship that I had honed over the years. It wasn't just about creating golem bots that sold well, for me, but it was also about creating something that was beautiful, unique, and a reflection of my passion for my craft.

As I looked towards the future, I knew that there would be more challenges and opportunities ahead. I was excited to continue, experimenting with new designs and materials, and pushing the boundaries of what was possible with magic crafting, and growing my understanding of my Tinkerer class.