Those four monsters she had created were called Metallic Golems, though they didn't resemble traditional golems at all. The only thing related to the name was the metallic aspect. And why had she given them that name? Simple—because they were her childhood creations, so she decided to keep it.
'It's a little embarrassing, but I'll honor the names of the creations I developed with so much effort.'
Changing the names of her creations was never something she liked, neither as a child nor now. Of course, when she was a child, she hadn't created these golems at sixth-circle level. She started from the basics, crafting zero-circle versions when she was six years old. Well, if she had focused solely on that specific experiment, she might have reached seventh-circle by now—but she was someone who always wanted to learn more, so she would never let her life revolve around just one creation.
"What kind of monsters are these?"
"Are they summons?"
"Damn it, attack the girl!"
A claw struck the back of the hooded figure who had spoken, making him groan in pain as he met the red eyes of the monster that had appeared behind him. The impact wasn't merely physical. The metallic claw pierced through the mana barrier he was using. The hooded figure was hurled several meters forward, the ground cracking beneath his body as the spiritual armor covering his back shattered into luminous fragments.
"What kind of monster is this? It doesn't look like a summon."
The hooded figure revealed himself as a dark-eyed elf, just like the others who followed Elithia. Before him stood the first summoned monster—Ferrum Varkh, the most robust of the four creations. Its body was composed of overlapping metallic plates resembling scales, yet there were no visible joints. Each movement was unnaturally smooth for something made of metal. Its eyes glowed a deep red, and through the gaps in its structure flowed an incandescent stream of fire.
"Ferrum, activate your Metallic Fire affinity."
Malunes gave orders to her creations while drinking orange juice, seated atop one of the white stones.
"I've already decided what I'll do with one of the stones—I'll use it to improve my Golems."
The metallic fire affinity was not ordinary fire—it was heat compressed within the metal itself, capable of superheating the surrounding air by mere presence. The elf began to struggle to breathe within that zone. Before the three sixth-circle mages could reorganize their formation, the second monster advanced. More slender, with elongated limbs and natural blades emerging from its forearms.
The metal of its body wasn't opaque like Ferrum's, but polished and reflective, almost like solidified mercury. Currents of wind constantly swirled around it.
"Zephiron Myr, activate Cutting Wind affinity."
Zephiron vanished from sight for an instant, reappearing behind the second sixth-circle mage. An invisible slash cut through the air, and only when blood began to fall did it become clear the attack had already been completed.
'When?'
"Vighi, pay attention to what isn't moving."
"Understood, boss."
As the struck elf was sent flying backward, a female elf stepped in front of the one who had given orders—the apparent leader. The third monster did not move immediately. Its name was Aqualith Serenn. It remained several steps behind, its body composed of dark blue metal with silver veins pulsing softly. Its structure appeared more fluid, as though the metal could bend and ripple under Malunes's command if she wished.
"Deep Pressure Water affinity."
When the sixth-circle elf who had been slammed to the ground tried to rise, the earth beneath him deformed. Not like cracking soil—but as if it were being compressed by an invisible oceanic mass. The weight increased abruptly, crushing him back into the surface. And then the fourth monster moved.
'Damn it, they're focusing on me.'
Its body was dense and heavy, with thick angular plates. No visible glow—only a dark aura subtly distorting the air around it.
"Gravion, activate Concentrated Gravity affinity."
With a single step, the pressure in the field increased sharply, forcing the elf sinking toward the water even deeper. The first sixth-circle elf prepared a counterattack spell, but his knees buckled for a fraction of a second—long enough for Gravion to appear before him.
'Gravity magic? Something that rare?'
The punch that struck the elf was not fast—but it was devastating, as though impossible to evade. The impact caved in the mage's chest and hurled him through dozens of trees that shattered upon collision.
"GAHH!"
"BOSS!"
"Don't come here—just pay attention to the battle, you idiot!"
The three sixth-circle mages attempted to retaliate. One unleashed a wide-area mana explosion, trying to repel the creatures. The wave struck Ferrum directly, but the metal's internal heat absorbed part of the impact, dissipating the rest in sparks.
Zephiron streaked across the field again, faster than before, severing the second opponent's casting points before the spell could be completed. Aqualith raised an invisible wall of liquid pressure, deflecting an attack from the first elf that had been aimed at Malunes.
"You damn brats—"
Gravion advanced once more, increasing the weight on all three. They realized they had underestimated the girl. And indeed, they were the ones at a disadvantage.
"Retreat!"
The three attempted to flee as far as possible, but with a single motion of Malunes's hand, the three faster constructs pursued and cornered them, while Gravion remained near Malunes, creating a gravity zone around her without affecting its creator.
"I think I'll improve Gravion first."
Malunes swung her legs casually while continuing to drink her juice. These were only three of her main battle weapons. And apparently, her three opponents had been a disappointment.
"Well then, let's start using the Lúmen'Thyr they gave me, since they might take a while."
She looked toward the center of the lake where the four had jumped. She hoped her benefactor would be fine, because it would be interesting when she managed to convince him to become an alchemist.
'Though I don't need to worry since he's my benefactor.'
She turned to focus on the Lúmen'Thyr stones. Meanwhile, inside Lake Thalanor, the group found themselves falling through a hole that seemed endless and dark.