Absolute Beast Dominion

"Hoh... If we make a circuit to capture and siphon the energy through this treasure, and then have some mana pathways made by rune engravings run through the body, the golem might start to work independently."

"Yes! It even seems to have some sort of sentience. This saves us the trouble of installing a physical processor core."

"No, no, a physical processor core is a must! We have had it installed so that the attached firearms might work on their own, targeting the farthest enemies while the golems tackle the nearby ones. This will make it easy for this golem with primitive sentience to work efficiently"

"Stop, stop! You all are going way too far. First, think of a way for this rocky body of the golem to withstand having all that equipment installed. We surely need some delicately crafted precision equipment and the help of Earth Element Mages to dig through the body."

"No!..."

As if someone had blown a new source of life into them, the Gnomes immediately started debating various possibilities, completely ignoring Leo and Lily standing at the back.

"I guess this is done?" Leo muttered.

He then called Orvik and Torbin, explaining that if they needed items like iron, steel, wires, hammers, mana crystal powders, etc., they could approach James or Lyswenna, since Sylrael would be going with them.

Leo then dumped more [Earthpulse Heartcores] in front of them, of various levels, and told them to experiment with whatever they wanted. And if they needed to be charged, they could simply take them near the base of the tree in the centre of the plateau above. For that, Torbin and Orvik were given permission to enter the plateau region.

The clock was already about to hit 7 PM, so he immediately went to James and Lyswenna to talk about the Gnome situation. And to afford whatever James might need to buy for the Gnomes, 20 Million AC was wired to him.

James was in utter shock upon seeing that 20 Million AC—8,000 gold coins—were actually in his possession. Leo waved it off, saying most of it would actually be reinvested in the territory because James would be covering the cost of research materials. Because James wasn't a slave, meaning he was allowed to keep the AC balance, unlike Sylrael or Thalvyr.

Previously, when Miho was absent from the territory alongside them, the expenses were covered by those 3 blue-haired girls or Brok—not exactly trustworthy with the amount Leo handed them. But now, with James and Sera's presence, things would change.

Leo was once again left with around 9 million AC after accounting for the previous expenses for the Kendru people's smartphones, bracelets, rings, and the mana contract scrolls.

Everybody had a group dinner by 8 PM.

Afterwards, Lily went to walk around the territory to get some fresh air, while Miho, James, and Sera departed for their houses, leaving Leo and Kaelion discussing a few things.

"What about the defence of the territory when most of the powerful individuals will be gone?" Leo asked while lazily sprawled over a chair and yawning.

Kaelion was in a similarly lazy position, but he was lying on his back, looking up at the cloudy sky and watching the snowflakes fall and melt away before they could reach the ground due to Howl's [Thermal Pulse] skill heating the surroundings.

"Don't worry. Every person participating in the interacademy competition is granted perfect immunity against any attacks on their established territory. Even if beasts attack the territory, someone strong from the academy will be dispatched. And..."

Kaelion stretched his hand and sat upright.

"It's not like the territory is defenceless. We have those Lizardfolks and so many elves. Especially when that redhead elf will be left behind. Just their presence guarantees the safety of the territory even if all the freshmen gang up together," Kaelion said in a half-yawn, half-stretch. Seeing Leo yawn even made him do it.

Leo nodded.

"On that thought, who else will we be taking in the competition?" Leo asked.

"Sylrael is a must with her special talent. The other one is Miho, I suppose..."

"Yeah, we can only put these two with three of our votes. Then the remaining 3 will be decided by the others," Kaelion continued.

"From what I have seen, almost all of them lack any healing skills. I bet they will be taking 2 capable healers out of the 3."

"2? Seems like a waste when Lily and I can heal them in an instant."

"Beh, that's on you two. We are not going to be together at all times. Those healers will be necessary."

"Well, if that's the case, then you should be taking a first-aid specialist, seeing that you still cannot be healed with healing spells." Leo took a dramatic pause.

"Oh wait, you already have Miho, kek."

Kaelion didn't respond to Leo. Doing so would only make Leo comment more like an insufferable bastard.

"Since we are talking about her, shouldn't you be doing something?" Leo said. The teasing edge to his tone disappeared.

"I have been seeing her down lately after she got to hear the news about her parents' death. Even if they were bad and had sold her, in the end, they were the ones who took care of her in childhood. You should go and put her at ease and give her some reassurance. This might be a good opportunity to strengthen your bond. Not to mention, her being in this state will not be good in the competition," Leo suggested.

There was no better way to grow closer to people than standing with them during their low phases.

Kaelion remained quiet, as if thinking things through. Leo gave him time to think.

"You are right. I should go."

"Uh?" Leo was so surprised that he looked toward Kaelion with a raised brow.

"Heh, spineless idiot. I bet you are going to sleep in your house," Leo chuckled. Even after all this time, Kaelion hadn't dared to make any meaningful advances toward Miho. So, Leo was damn sure it wouldn't be any different this time.

"Think whatever you want." Saying that, Kaelion stood up and departed.

Leo watched him go while scratching his cheeks.

Zelut! Leo immediately called through his mind link.

Chu! Leo received a response immediately. Since Leo had yet to form a blood bond with the mouse, they still couldn't communicate through words.

Have your men go to Kaelion's house, then Miho's house, and share the live feedback with me, quick!

Chu!

Zelut did as told by Leo, and soon after, Leo started getting images of Kaelion and Miho's houses, which were very close to each other.

Zelut had a trait known as [Swarm Instinct]—

[Swarm Instinct]: Possess a collective awareness when in groups. Information such as danger, food sources, and movement is rapidly shared across nearby individuals.

Through this, Zelut could share other mice's senses, and with Leo's taming connection with Zelut, Leo could also share those senses. And right now, Leo was sharing the visual senses.

Kaelion wasn't alerted by the mice because it was common for them to roam around the territory on patrol, so he wasn't bothered.

And to Leo's surprise, Kaelion actually didn't go to his own house but rather knocked on Miho's door.

"Damn, he is really doing it... Well, I guess knowing this is enough."

Alright, have your men get away from Kaelion and Miho's house, Leo ordered again, and Zelut followed.

Leo had no interest in spying on other people's private lives. So, with that done, Leo also departed for his own house to sleep with his face dug into Lily's soft mounds.

Tomorrow was going to be a busy day because the selection of the winning individuals would start with the top 10. So, he needed a proper rest today.

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