For a master like Punk, constructing a residence on flat terrain was a simple task. First, he cast Level Ground to smooth out any unevenness. Then, he used magic to induce plants to grow into the structure's framework. With enchantments reinforcing the wooden skeleton, its durability and toughness far surpassed steel.
Next, he employed Mage Hand to plaster the walls with thick layers of mud before casting Fossil to Mud. Instantly, the soft earthen walls hardened into solid stone.
Yet, at this stage, the six-meter-high tower was nothing more than an ordinary structure. In Faerûn, any stone tower exceeding five meters in height could be called a "high tower," though five meters was hardly impressive. It would suffice as a living space, but for a defensible experimental base, additional enhancements were required.
Holding a small yellow gemstone, Punk prepared to summon an earth elemental. In the multiverse, over 90% of gemstones possess elemental affinities, as they are formed through the influence of different elemental forces. Unlike in mundane worlds where high temperatures and pressures create gems, here, only the binding force of ether elements could generate such formations.
This was Punk's first attempt at using the Summon Earth Elemental spell, and forming a stable elemental model within his soul was no easy feat. The intricate nature of formal-level spells made constructing their frameworks far more challenging than apprentice-level magic. Even with the gemstone as an aid, his summoned elemental had… imperfections.
What emerged was a deformed creature—its upper body massive and overdeveloped, while its lower half was absurdly short and stunted. It wobbled unsteadily, its bizarre form resembling a caricature of Popeye from Earth's cartoons. The sight would have been laughable if it weren't so disappointing.
Punk frowned. Though he knew that summoning a spell of this complexity for the first time and achieving this result was commendable for a newly promoted formal mage, he found it unsatisfactory. On a battlefield, this lopsided construct would be utterly useless.
"Tch, I expected as much. The complexity of formal-level magic is leagues beyond that of mere apprentice spells. Still, at the very least, it should serve as a construction tool."
Despite his frustration, he knew that repeatedly practicing high-level spells was essential for understanding their structures. In the long run, this effort was an investment in his future mastery.
He set aside his dissatisfaction and focused on the task at hand—completing his tower.
Issuing commands to the clumsy elemental, Punk instructed it to reinforce the tower's structure. He planned to transmute the rock walls into granite, a material that was not only more durable but also ideal for enchantments. Moreover, its pale coloration and refined texture would lend an aesthetic elegance to his new home.
However, the elemental's intelligence left much to be desired. Punk's order had been simple: lightly touch the tower. But the brute lacked the comprehension for such nuance. It threw its entire weight against the structure, causing fractures to spread across the fragile walls.
Suppressing the urge to obliterate the creature with a fireball, Punk refined his instructions, breaking them down into the simplest possible commands. His priority was preventing his own spell from causing the tower's collapse before it was even completed.
This was a fundamental flaw of summoning magic. While summoned creatures obeyed without question, their lack of intelligence made them difficult to work with. True earth elementals from the elemental plane possessed considerable intellect, but what he had conjured was a low-tier variant—a brute with the reasoning ability of a gorilla.
"Hmph. If summoning could solve all labor problems, then why would mages still invest in alchemical constructs and slave labor? Summoning alone is far from an ideal solution."
At the very least, the creature's innate Rock Transmutation ability functioned correctly. Under its touch, the tower's ochre-colored stones began shifting into pristine white granite. The transformation spread smoothly, giving the entire structure the appearance of a single massive block of chiseled stone. Under the evening sun, the soft glow of the granite imbued the tower with an air of refined craftsmanship.
With the structural transformation complete, Punk moved on to refining details. He designated a 250-square-meter area around the tower as a courtyard, then grew two-meter-high thorny hedges as a defensive perimeter. He also planned to procure additional high-grade alchemical tools from the Mage Union to furnish his laboratories.
Finally, he set a series of magic traps at the entrance—an essential measure to deter unwelcome intruders.
After a full day of meticulous work and extensive mana expenditure, the construction was finally complete. Punk's magic reserves were depleted from sustaining so many minor spells, but the effort had been worthwhile.
As dusk fell, the twin moons, Chikassa and Mila, traced their familiar paths across the darkening sky. In the town below, the people returned to their homes, exchanging gossip about the day's events. Meanwhile, atop the secluded hillside, Punk dismissed his lumbering elemental with a wave of his hand, then used magic to cleanse the dirt and grass from his clothes.
In the fading twilight, his newly built tower stood pristine and imposing. Faint magical runes flickered across its surface, forming a lattice of protective enchantments. Layered arrays covered every inch of the structure, reinforcing its durability, triggering alarms against intrusions, and even storing retaliatory spells for unexpected threats.
This was no mere dwelling—it was a proper mage's stronghold.
Punk gazed upon his creation and nodded in satisfaction.
"I'll call it… White Tower."
Names had never been of much importance to him. A simple descriptor would suffice.
With that settled, it was time to begin the real work. Punk retrieved the tome Flesh Golem Crafting Notes—a gift from Lota Laran. His fingers traced the old leather binding as he flipped through its contents, a spark of anticipation flickering in his cold, calculating eyes.
There was no time to waste.
Research awaited.