"Is this the Cloudstone produced from another world?
Indeed, many of them have been demonized by the Earth Vein energy, their properties far surpassing those we've encountered in the Wizard Tower before."
Roy's eyes lit up.
He immediately instructed Gold: "Make sure the quarry resumes operations as soon as possible, and also survey the surrounding area."
He was thinking of valuable minerals or various Wizardry Materials.
These things aren't easy to mine in a Low-Magic World, but they're not entirely absent either.
Gold tipped his hat respectfully and said, "As you command, my lord."
Soon after, the others busied themselves with clearing the camp and organizing the workshop.
Roy, meanwhile, went to the bandit camp's main hall and summoned Stedson to admire the large, jade-like, translucent white materials together.
Stedson, who had been an intermediate apprentice in the carving class at the Wizard Tower, couldn't help but show a look of delight upon seeing them, unable to put them down.
"Excellent material, perfect for carving!"
"Since it's such good material, practice more with it. Once your skills mature, you'll be able to assist me," Roy said to him.
Bringing these apprentices here was all for a purpose.
Among them, Stedson was likely the one with the most potential.
He could make use of these stone materials as well.
"However, I don't have any immediate ideas myself. What should I create with the resources from here?"
Hearing his words, Stedson turned his head, slightly surprised.
"Lord Roy, aren't you supposed to be learning Golem carving under Lord Flosf?"
"Understanding one thing can lead to understanding many others. It's not necessarily limited to just centaurs," Roy said vaguely.
In truth, after roughly grasping the principles of Golems, he vaguely felt that his "Transmutation Circle" had a broader range of applications and greater plasticity.
He planned to fully develop his Alchemy Talent.
"The appearance of a Golem is indeed just the surface, but its soul, intelligence, basic movements, and skills all require matching Wizardry and Wizard Arrays. This involves very profound knowledge," Stedson advised tactfully, suggesting it was best to focus and not aim too high too soon.
"Besides, you've only just been promoted. There's still a long way to go."
Roy nodded, his mind filled with more ambitious thoughts, but he still focused on developing the "Transmutation Circle" in conjunction with his fundamental-level Alchemy Talent, [Equivalent Exchange].
That was his true foundation.
However, he humbly accepted Stedson's advice, at least not overtly appearing too ambitious.
After some discussion, they decided to start with a small, practical Alchemy Product.
It would be best if it could establish a "connection" with both Golems and Transmutation Circles.
After some consideration, Stedson suggested: "You could mint and issue your own currency.
Firstly, it would be good practice.
At its core, it's an Alchemy Product that utilizes many techniques.
Whether it's engraving Arcane Imprints, infusing energy, shaping complex Wizard Arrays, or even delving into the mastery of life and soul…
all of these can be achieved through its creation.
Secondly, it's indeed time to consider issuing your own currency and distributing the resources obtained from Lord Flosf.
We are your vassals, not Lord Flosf's, so we can only access various resources through you."
Roy nodded and said, "It was my oversight before. Fortunately, it hasn't been long since I arrived here, and I will pay attention to this matter."
With his current reputation and credibility, it was naturally impossible for the Wizard Coins he minted to circulate among all Wizards.
However, supplying them to Andov, Stedson, and others was more than sufficient.
Even the local noble families in Scarto City could collect and use them.
The main composition of these Wizard Coins was not primarily based on Wizardry Energy like Magic Stones, but rather a credit-based currency formed through Arcane Imprints and Wizardry.
Combined with his highest level of Alchemy, it was enough to create encryption that ordinary people couldn't crack.
As for the materials used, whether they were gold, silver, copper, stone, or shells, it didn't matter.
This allowed the cost to be compressed to an extremely low level.
Of course, over-issuing or reckless distribution was out of the question.
A small-scale, fragile economy couldn't withstand a few rounds of exploitation, which would ultimately ruin his own reputation and credibility.
Roy decided to implement conservative measures first, anchoring his "Roy Wizard Coins" to the "Flosf Wizard Coins" given by his teacher, minting 1,000 coins with a face value of 100 Magic Stones each.
He temporarily didn't consider larger denominations because his resources were limited, and he was still a nobody with limited credibility.
...
After thinking it through, Roy specifically chose a relatively large room in the quarry as his residence, using simple stone slabs to partition it.
In one corner, he used the Magical Treasure "Display Cabinet" to set up a "Portable Small Alchemy Laboratory."
With this, things became much more convenient, saving him the time and effort of rebuilding an Alchemy Room, which would have taken several months.
He took out some commonly used Magical Alchemy Tools, converting his Mental Strength into Wizardry Energy to activate them.
"Little ones, is there anything suitable for cutting stone or etching Wizard Arrays?"
A beaker with tape on it hopped out.
"What does this have to do with you? Do you know a Magical Potion recipe specifically for etching stone?"
Roy was slightly surprised and peeled off the tape.
The last time, it was this beaker that suggested the Narcissus Magical Potion, so he decided to give it a chance to speak.
The beaker said, "I... I just wanted to get some fresh air..."
Roy's face darkened, and he reattached the tape: "Go stand in the corner for eight hours! If you move even once, I'll use you to scoop shit from now on!"
The beaker, terrified, covered the tape and zoomed to the edge of the table, staying perfectly still.
"Respected Master, we are Alchemy Tools more focused on the field of Magical Potions and aren't very good at handling stone," a mortar and pestle commonly used for grinding medicine cautiously stepped forward and said.
"Yes, yes," the Alchemy Cauldron and Crucible chimed in.
"Is that so? Fine, I won't be lazy then. I'll handle it myself."
Roy had no choice but to do it himself. First, he used a chisel and hammer to break down the stone blocks, then used his own strength to snap the stone strips apart.
Next, he used a carving knife to meticulously sculpt each piece.
This method wasn't very efficient, and as he worked, Roy secretly decided, "I must get some saw blades or specialized stone-cutting tools in the future!"
...
Three days later.
Roy gathered everyone and presented the results of his efforts.
"Time for some benefits!
Everyone who has followed me from our homeland to this unfamiliar Otherworld, I have been at a loss for how to repay you.
I have decided to first distribute 1,000 Magic Stones to each of you as a benefit for being part of the team.
You can circulate these among yourselves, use them to trade with the local natives or other apprentices, or exchange them with me for materials and Alchemy products."
"Is this 1,000 Magic Stones?"
Andov and the others, unaware of the discussions between Stedson and Roy, picked them up with a hint of curiosity.
(End of Chapter)