"That is so awesome! It did that on its own! I didn't tell it to!!!!"

"It's a bit unnerving... I'm used to less predictable magic probably though."

She continues beaming widely at the golem.

It turns its head to look at Kaede.

"You're the one who knows how to operate the golem."

"I have no idea how to operate the golem, it's just doing things on its own!"

"I thought that's what the book was for! At least sort of."

"Yeah but the part I read so far only covers historical attempts and desirable functions and how to implement them, and then every few pages it would mention some way the thing described was not good enough and redo it so I have no idea if the things I read are actually in there or if they were replaced by something more sophisticated further in."

"This place reminds me of boffins squabbling over whose research is best more and more..."

"Ha. Yes, I bet it was."

The golem moves its head up fractionally.

"...Golem, can you understand me?"

It fixes its gaze on her and doesn't move.

"I'm sorry Kaede, but this is kind of creepy."

"It's extremely creepy. I expect it's voice-activated, though, doesn't really mean much—" She starts leafing through the magical/metaphorical pages.

"Golem, if you can talk say 'hello' please."

"—lo pl—"

"Did I say it wrong? I'm getting used to the language. Maybe it's low enough on charge that it can barely do anything..."

Kaede charges it more, and repeats the instruction.

"Hello, please."

"This is... I don't even know. I have the strangest feeling that this golem might be a person."

She squints at it. "That's absurd. The sheer amount of instructions they'd need to fit in there—I mean, there are rumours, but with a book this size—Golem, are you a person?"

No response.

"Here, let me—" She advances further into the book.

"Do you have a name?"