Elegy from Another World

A day later, we stepped once again into the somewhat noisy hall of the Adventurers' Guild in Teferine. After giving the agreed-upon password to the receptionist, a staff member handed us a sealed parchment scroll. Opening it, we found a detailed resource catalog inside:

1. Core of Molten Core x3: An energy core condensed within the body of a giant lava turtle that dwells near a lava river. It is warm in texture and contains unstable fire-attribute magic.

2. 10 First Feathers of the Howling Eagle: The lightest feathers with the best magical conductivity shed only when an adult Howling Eagle molts for the first time, used to stabilize the flow of energy.

3. 50 Refined Gold Ingots: Not a natural mineral, it needs to be ordered from specific dwarf workshops or exchanged with a large amount of iron ore and gold coins. It is a key material for making precision components and withstanding magical impacts.

4. Ghost Spider's Crystalline Silk Sac x5: The silk secreted by the giant ghost spider has excellent toughness and magical insulation, used for internal circuit protection and shock absorption.

5. Dragon Blood Branch x2: A branch of a strange plant that is rumored to grow only on the edge of ancient dragon habitats. It is as hard as iron yet light, and carries a faint dragon aura. It may be used in the core framework to enhance structural strength and mental resistance.

6. Stabilizing Crystal Cluster x1: A rare crystal variant that can calm violent magical fluctuations. It is usually the core material of large magic arrays. It seems that the engine needs it to prevent magical energy overload.

7. 5000 gold coins: Obviously, this is the brokerage fee of "Grey Fox" Yisen and the labor fee of the craftsmen, which is not a small amount.

In addition, there is a small note at the bottom of the list: Some materials can be deducted by equivalent rare ores or by completing certain high-difficulty commissions.

We inquired with some well-informed veterans in the guild and roughly figured out where these materials came from. The Molten Core, Howling Eagle's First Feather, and Ghost Spider Silk Sac correspond to three different perilous locations: Lava Rift, Riftwind Mountains, and Shadow Swamp. Refined Adamantite and Stabilizing Crystal Clusters can be obtained through trade, while Dragonblood Branches are the most mysterious, supposedly only found in the black market or certain ruins.

"Looks like I'll have to go to three places." Tia looked at the list, her eyes filled with both pressure and excitement.

"Splitting up is more efficient, but also riskier," I said after a moment's thought. "Let's stick together and take them down one by one."

First stop: Lava Rift Valley

The rift was scorching hot, the air thick with the smell of sulfur. We carefully avoided the scorching air currents erupting from the ground as we ventured deeper into the rift. The lava turtles were enormous, with hard shells, and adept at spewing lava fireballs. We couldn't fight them head-on. I used water magic to create cooling zones, while Tia used wind magic to accelerate my spells and looked for opportunities to attack the soft flesh between the turtles' shells with her enchanted dagger. After several perilous battles, we finally collected three still-pulsating "Hearts of Molten Cores."

Second stop: Riftwind Mountains

Atop the mountain, the wind howled fiercely, and visibility was extremely low. Howling Eagles nested on steep cliffs; they were incredibly fast, their talons and beaks capable of tearing steel, and their cries had a mind-altering effect. Using the terrain and the fog for cover, I set ice traps to restrict their movement, while Tia, with her agility and precise archery (using a hastily purchased longbow), shot down their wings the instant they swooped down to attack. Collecting ten suitable "first feathers" took several days, a process filled with patience and precision.

Third stop: Shadow Swamp

The swamp was dark and damp, filled with poisonous miasma, and the mud beneath our feet seemed bottomless. Ghost spiders lurked in caves and dead trees, their webs incredibly sticky and infused with paralyzing toxins, and they could even use environmental mimicry to launch sneak attacks. We lit miasma-repelling herbs, I used light magic to create a bright light to disrupt their senses, while Tia was responsible for clearing the webs and engaging in close combat, precisely piercing the abdomen where the silk sacs were located with a short sword coated with antidote. The process of collecting five complete "Glittering Silk Sacs" was disgusting, but thankfully, we escaped unscathed.

As for the refined gold ingots and stable crystal clusters, we sold some of the extra materials we obtained in battle and some accumulated monster cores, plus the rewards from completing several high-level quests, and finally managed to gather enough gold and equivalent items to order them through guild channels. The most troublesome Dragonblood Branch was obtained at an underground auction by exchanging it for a pure, small magic gem brought from Utopia.

After transferring all materials and gold coins to the contact person designated by Yisen through the guild, a long wait ensued.

Several weeks later, we received a message from Yisen. In the secret workshop outside the city, we saw the finished product—an "engine" that was slightly different from what we had expected.

It wasn't entirely metallic; instead, it incorporated characteristics of biological tissue, perhaps crafted using unique animating magic. At its core was a frame made of refined adamantite and dragonblood branches, inlaid with a molten core and stabilizing crystal clusters. Windhawk feathers were woven into an energy-conducting net, and ghostly spider silk wrapped around intricate internal wiring. Overall, it resembled a magical mechanical heart, connected to four sturdy, enchanted wheels. After being fitted with standard magic crystals, with a low hum, this peculiar "vehicle" slowly and steadily began to move!

"We did it!" Tia exclaimed excitedly.

Yi Sen stroked the creation, a hint of pride in his eyes: "How is it? Although it doesn't quite feel like the purely mechanical thing in your blueprints, it should still meet your functional requirements. It's very stable, the power output is smooth, and the utilization rate of magic crystals is also quite good."

"Can it be mass-produced?" I asked the crucial question.

Yisen pondered for a moment: "Theoretically, it's possible. But the cost won't be low. Obtaining materials is the biggest bottleneck, and we'll need to find enough craftsmen skilled in composite techniques. As long as you can provide enough materials and... well, pay the corresponding price, I can try to organize production."

"Understood." I nodded. Mass production is not feasible for now, but at least it proves that this path is viable. We now possess the world's first prototype of a "magical motorcycle."