The Abyssal Forest was lush, and the mana around it was so dense that any drained reserve would instantly be refilled just from being here.
I used search magic and determined my hunt. I needed a magic stone that could handle infinite mana inside it.
Instead of doing everything individually, it was much more convenient to have only one source supplying everything else.
A mana core.
One that stores mana automatically and supplies the other magic stones connected to it.
I crouched on the ground and started drawing out what I had in mind.
"Everything works under a magic stone as the medium for the runes. Engraving a perfect magic circle equation for it requires math."
I wrote the equation into the dirt. The whole structure of the settlement's future power supply laid out in front of me.
"We don't have solar panels here, but a mana core will serve as one. A battery bank for the entirety of the settlement."
I started muttering to myself on how the equation would work. I had already done it for the lamp posts. Self-absorbing magic stones with a light sensor. I just needed to tweak it even more.
When I had the equation I needed, the next thing I focused on was the magic stone's capacity.
What monster gives it? How many do I need?
All questions came to mind.
I figured everything out after putting every variable into place.
"A dragon's magic stone. The older it is, the better. There's an ancient dragon somewhere here in the Abyssal Forest."
I stood up after finalizing the entire plan I had laid out for the settlement.
I won't settle for less. I was known for being meticulous. And I didn't want this to be a project done on a whim.
If I was doing this, it wouldn't be half-hearted.
I used search magic again and broadened my scope. In the depths of the forest, there was a poison dragon slumbering in a swamp.
My prey.
I teleported immediately and stabbed it with my sword as I landed on top of its head.
Without warning. Without the dragon even knowing how it died.
I extracted its magic stone. The size of my own head.
One this big could last a century on its own original mana. But it would be a waste to use such precious mana just as a power supply for lighting.
So I absorbed it.
I emptied the dragon's magic stone and engraved the magic circle I had already derived. The equation for its charging and supply cycle.
Within five minutes, the magic stone was full again.
That alone proved just how dense the mana here was.
But nobody dared to step foot in this place. Even in just the shallow parts of this forest, wild and dangerous monsters could already be found.
I stored the mana core in my item box and ventured deeper.
Killed more monsters for reserves.
Picked up rare wild herbs because they were just lying around.
Even uprooted a fruit-bearing tree, maybe it would grow well in the settlement.
Then found another one.
And another.
Just whatever was lying around that could be planted or of use.
After that I went inside a cave and gathered different kinds of ore.
I already had plans for what I'd make with them.
When I couldn't see anything else I might need, I teleported back.
Torra was already pouting near the gates when I arrived.
He rushed to me and hugged my thigh.
"Why didn't you bring me along?" He was already sniffling.
"You'd die if I took you with me."
I grabbed him by the back of his collar and walked toward the Sequoia tree. I put him on the table and turned around to locate the center of the settlement, where I'd install the mana core.
I made a platform for it and raised it up like a small tower.
It started absorbing the mana around it immediately. I added another magic circle equation for it to connect with the magic stones throughout the settlement.
Then I encrypted it with rune magic that served as toggles and switches, directing the flow of mana from sender to recipient.
When it was done, I started installing magic stones inside each house to serve as their lights. Even had one put in the public dining area.
"Leigh, you've been up to something again." Favio said, walking toward me.
"Need lights for the night." I said briefly.
"That's awesome. We can gather around during the night now. It feels secure and safe with you here, Leigh. Thank you."
Thank you? Another thank you. But this one hit differently.
These people had always been grateful.
And all I did were small trivial things. It was also for my own comfort.
"I did it for myself." I responded coldly.
"Yes you do. Of course. But still, thank you. Because we benefit from it too. And you never asked us for anything in return." Favio chuckled loudly, smacking my back as he did.
If this were before, they would have already called me arrogant.
They wouldn't thank me for something I did for my own comfort.
I was still so amazed at how these people found something to be grateful for despite the circumstances.
I had said nothing but harsh things to them. But they accepted it as part of me. That I wouldn't be Leigh without it.
Like it was a package deal. Overpowered but arrogant. Helpful but selfish.
Like I was a good person in their eyes and my harsh words were just noises I made.
Something not to be taken seriously. In a different way.
Before this talk could get any more sentimental, I left Favio on his own and went to the residential zone.
I made another building.
A storehouse. For every crop we'd be storing in the future. Big enough to fit every house in the settlement inside it.
Not satisfied with it, I made another one.
A public bath. With a sauna, different hot baths for men and women, and two separate changing rooms.
All running on magic stones.
I didn't even notice the sun was setting.
When it did, the whole settlement lit up. The houses, the lamp posts. The mana core at the center glowing brightly too.
"Brother Leigh! It's night yet it's still so bright!"
Torra again.
Tugging me to look at the settlement's lights.
When I didn't need to.
I was still installing the heating system for the magic stones. Through rune magic, I calibrated each stone to release only the required element and fine-tuned it for the right output.
But Torra was still tugging at my tunic.
"Brother Leigh. Let's go outside and watch the sparkles."
He was growing impatient judging by how tightly his little hands gripped the hem of my shirt.
He wanted sparkles. So I made him one, just to stop him from disturbing me.
I took out a magic stone, added a fire rune, and built a magic circle equation to make it his personal fireworks. I shoved it into his hands, which made him giggle. I also made sure it wouldn't hurt Torra.
"It's a toy. Go play outside and don't disturb me."
Torra obeyed and laughed as he ran outside with the fireworks in his hands.
I could hear him calling the other children, boasting that I had made him a toy.
I wanted no distractions or disturbances. But Torra invited four more.
Maya and the rest peeked from the doorway while I busied myself with the intricate rune magic.
"Brother Leigh!" They called out in unison.
I could feel my patience running thin.
I stopped.
Stood up.
And glared at them.
They all flinched. Maybe about to cry. My bloodlust and aura leaking out around me. No intention of harming them.
But I was stopped by a simple pat on my thigh.
"Brother Leigh. No glaring. They only want a toy too."
Torra.
This kid had grown far too familiar with me. He thought I would make four more just because he asked?
"Here. Give it to them."
I went back to working on the runes as they happily left me alone.
Much better. They finally left. Peace and quiet.
And because of making four more toys, I had developed a new skill.
Replicate.
The public bath was finally done, thanks to the new skill. Replicating runes onto magic stones saved me time. It worked on magic circles too.
I went to the men's bath to check the temperature myself. Water flowing steadily. Heat regulated perfectly.
Finally.
I was able to bathe since coming here.
But we lacked towels. There were no towels at all.
For now I'd enjoy the test run in the bathhouse. I didn't want any complaints of someone getting hurt.
Not that I cared. I never did.
I adjusted the heat output since it got hotter the longer I stayed soaked. My body was well trained. If it was hot for me, it might burn them.
I tested it again, longer this time. And it was perfect now.
I remembered how Elder Elka had complained of her feet going numb every night from the cold.
I didn't make this for her.
This was all for my own comfort.