Reincarnation of the magicless!
"No magic?, No problem!"
Chapter 9: A Noble's schemes!
A few days later, Mr. Yohan burst into laughter, his chuckles echoing through the room. "Wahahahahaha, for real, kid! Hahahahaha, you jinxed yourself, hahahaha!" Rolien's face turned beet red as he glared at his mentor.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You done laughing, old geezer?" Rolien asked, his annoyance barely contained. Mr. Yohan wiped tears from his eyes, still chuckling. "I'm so... hahaha... sorry, kid. I just can't stop laughing because you said you'd lose your magic, and now... hahahahaha..."
Lyra shot Mr. Yohan a warning glance, her eyes flashing with a silent threat. Rolien crossed his arms, trying to suppress the embarrassment bubbling up inside him. "Yeah, well, it's not like I asked for this. I thought I'd get something flashy, you know? Not this... tech nonsense."
Mr. Yohan's grin faltered for a moment before he spoke up, his tone more serious. "You've got to admit, kid, your ability is unique. You could be the first noble inventor in history! Think about it—you could create something that changes the world."
Lyra's expression softened as she turned to Rolien. "Your tech blueprint skill combined with your brilliant mind is going to be the strongest thing this world will ever have. You have knowledge that can help everyone."
Rolien sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I get that, but it's hard to feel like a hero when everyone else is throwing fireballs and summoning storms. I just feel... out of place." The frustration in his voice was palpable.
Mr. Yohan's expression turned thoughtful. "Being different isn't a weakness, kid. It's what makes you special. Now, let's get to work on harnessing that uniqueness."
Mr. Yohan's eyes lit up as he changed the subject. "Speaking of practical applications, I've been meaning to fix the water pump in the village. It's been malfunctioning for weeks. Want to take a look?"
Rolien nodded, intrigued. "Sure, I'd love to help."
As they walked towards the pump, Rolien's system suddenly sprang to life.
*System Notification:* "Water Pump Mechanics Detected. Analyzing..."
*System Output:* "Poso Water Pump Model 3456-B. Requires regular maintenance to ensure optimal function. Issues with pump efficiency likely due to clogged filter or improper valve alignment."
Rolien's eyes widened as he read the system's output. "Mr. Yohan, I think I know what the problem is."
Mr. Yohan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's the diagnosis, kid?"
Rolien explained, "The system's telling me the filter's clogged and the valves are misaligned. If we clean the filter and adjust the valves, it should fix the pump."
Mr. Yohan's face lit up with surprise. "Well, well, well. Looks like your tech skills are already paying off, kid!"
With newfound confidence, Rolien set to work on the pump, following the system's instructions. As they worked, Lyra watched with interest, impressed by Rolien's sudden expertise.
The pump roared back to life, water flowing smoothly through the pipes. Mr. Yohan patted Rolien on the back. "Good job, kid. You've got a knack for this."
Rolien's eyes sparkled with excitement. "After we finish this prototype, we can provide this pump to our county! Imagine the impact it could have on the villagers' daily lives."
Mr. Yohan chuckled. "County, kid? You mean the entire county could benefit from this pump. You've got big plans, don't you?"
Lyra nodded in agreement. "With your tech skills and Mr. Yohan's expertise, we could make a real difference in people's lives."
Rolien grinned, feeling a sense of purpose. "Exactly! If we can mass-produce these pumps, it could revolutionize irrigation and water supply in the entire county."
Mr. Yohan's expression turned thoughtful. "You know, kid, that's not a bad idea. We could start small, test the waters, and see how it goes. Who knows? Maybe one day, your tech blueprints will be famous throughout the land."
In the grand halls of the Gran Duke's estate, a meeting was underway. Gran Duke Edric, Rolien's father, sat with an air of quiet authority, his presence commanding respect. His piercing gaze seemed to bore into those he spoke to, a testament to the legend of the strongest dragon slayer. The whispers of his past exploits still echoed in the halls of power, and his dignified aura filled the room.
Duke Arcadia, Luke's father, stood opposite him, his face reddening with each passing moment. "I'm telling you, Edric, Luke would never provoke a commoner without reason," Duke Arcadia argued, his voice rising.
Gran Duke Edric's expression remained calm, his voice measured. "Reason? I've seen the witnesses' accounts, Arcadia. Your son and his friends were bullying a young boy, and Rolien stepped in to defend him. I'd expect nothing less from my son."
Duke Arcadia's face turned purple with indignation. "That's not the point! The point is Rolien, a magicless noble, beat my son and his friends without using any magic. It's humiliating!"
Gran Duke Edric's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice taking on a hint of steel. "I'd rather my son be a champion of the people than a pampered noble who thinks himself above the law. Rolien's actions are a reflection of his character, and I couldn't be prouder."
The room fell silent, the weight of Gran Duke Edric's words hanging in the air. Duke Arcadia's anger seemed to falter in the face of the Gran Duke's unwavering conviction.
Gran Duke Edric's conversation with Duke Arcadia was interrupted by a sudden memory. He recalled Elian's words earlier that day, "Father, you won't believe what Rolien did.!.."
He turned to Elian, who was standing nearby. "Elian, tell me more about Rolien fighting those nobles?" Grand Duke asked, eyes widening.
"Yes, Father! Three noble kids! And without any magic," Elian said with a proud voice.
"You said he fought three at the same time without magic?" Grand Duke asked. Edric's eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and admiration. "Fought three nobles at once without magic? You're telling me Rolien, an 8-year-old, took down three 9-year-old nobles who were using magic?"
Elian nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Father! And he didn't even break a sweat. The other kids were relying on their magic, but Rolien... he used his wits and his fists."
Grand Duke Edric's expression turned thoughtful. "I see. And how did he manage that?"
Elian grinned. "Rolien told me he's been focusing on his technical skills, Father. He's really good with blueprints and machinery."
Grand Duke Edric's eyes widened in surprise. "No magic at all? Just technical skills?"
Rolien, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up. "That's right, Father. I don't have magic, but I've been learning about machines and design. It helps me in my own way."
Grand Duke Edric's face broke into a wide smile. "I couldn't be prouder, Rolien. You're finding your own path, and that's what matters most."
Grand Duke Edric leaned back in his chair, a knowing glint in his eye. "Well, Arcadia, we've been friends for years now, and you know as well as I do that Rolien isn't my successor—Elian is. But that doesn't change the fact that Rolien's actions reflect the values I want our family to uphold. He's a reminder that true nobility comes from character, not just bloodlines."
Duke Arcadia's expression softened, and he nodded thoughtfully. "I remember when Elian and Rolien were young, Edric. You always had high hopes for both of them. Perhaps it's time we focus on finding a way to support Rolien's unique talents rather than trying to fit him into traditional noble roles."
Grand Duke Edric smiled, a hint of warmth in his voice. "I couldn't agree more, Arcadia. Let's work together to find a solution that benefits both our families and the people we serve."
The conversation between the two nobles continued, with Grand Duke Edric and Duke Arcadia discussing ways to support Rolien's unique talents and find a solution that would benefit both their families.
As they spoke, a commotion outside the estate caught their attention. Cheers and applause erupted from the villagers, and Grand Duke Edric's curiosity was piqued.
He rose from his seat, followed by Duke Arcadia, and they stepped outside to investigate. The scene before them was one of jubilation. Villagers were gathered around the newly repaired water pump, laughing and congratulating each other.
Rolien stood proudly beside the pump, a smile on his face as he watched the water flow freely. The villagers turned to Grand Duke Edric and Duke Arcadia, their faces filled with gratitude.
"Thank you, Your Grace!" one of the villagers exclaimed. "Your son has saved us from days of hardship. We'll never forget this kindness!"
Grand Duke Edric's eyes shone with pride as he watched Rolien bask in the praise of the villagers. He turned to Duke Arcadia and smiled.
"I think we've seen enough for today, Arcadia. Perhaps it's time we let Rolien enjoy his moment of triumph."
Duke Arcadia nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Indeed. Let's allow the young master to bask in the glory of his handiwork."
As the two nobles watched, Rolien beamed with pride, surrounded by the villagers' cheers and applause. The water pump continued to flow, a symbol of hope and renewal for the community.
Grand Duke Edric's heart swelled with pride, knowing that Rolien's actions would have a lasting impact on the villagers' lives. He placed a hand on Duke Arcadia's shoulder.
"Let's join the celebration, Arcadia. I think we've found a way to put our differences aside for now."
The two nobles walked towards the crowd, their faces filled with warmth and admiration for the young boy who had captured the hearts of the villagers.
A few days later at the Arcadia Manor.
Luke and his father are having a conversation.
Luke's eyes widened in outrage as he stared at his father, Duke Arcadia. "What?! The Grand Duke is not going to punish that rascal?! And also the Emperor wants him to be married to the 3rd Princess?!"
Duke Arcadia's expression was grim, his voice measured. "Yes, apparently that's the case, son. And we can't do anything about it...for now."
Luke's face reddened with indignation, his voice rising. "This is unbelievable! Rolien beats me and my friends, and he gets rewarded with a princess's hand in marriage? It's just not fair!"
Duke Arcadia's eyes narrowed, his voice cautioning. "Luke, we need to be careful. The Emperor's word is law, and Grand Duke Edric's influence is not to be underestimated. We'll need to tread carefully in this matter."
Luke's anger and frustration simmered just below the surface, but he knew his father's words were true. For now, he would have to swallow his pride and bide his time.
I smiled to myself as I tinkered with my system, feeling a sense of satisfaction. My reputation points had just skyrocketed to 20,000, thanks to the villagers' admiration for fixing the water pump. But what really caught my attention was the breakdown of the points:
Villagers: 5,000 points (500 points each x 10 villagers)
Father (Grand Duke Edric): 8,000 points (high-ranking noble = 8,000 points)
Elian (Future Successor): 4,000 points (high-ranking family member = 4,000 points)
Mansion workers: 3,000 points (100 points each x 30 workers)
I whistled softly, impressed by the numbers. It seemed that the higher the person's status, the more reputation points I received. My father's influence and Elian's future role as successor had significantly boosted my points.
I wondered what other benefits these reputation points would bring. Would they unlock new skills or provide access to exclusive resources? I made a mental note to experiment and explore the possibilities.
For now, I was content with the knowledge that my actions had earned me recognition and respect from those around me. The system beeped, displaying a new message:
"Reputation Level 5 Achieved: 'Respected Community Member'
Rewards: +10% increased resource gathering, +5% improved relations with villager"s
I grinned, feeling a sense of accomplishment. This was just the beginning.
"Now open new features." As I said that, a new window popped up.
*Reputation Exchange*
You can exchange your hard-earned Reputation Points (RP) for valuable resources, tech blueprints, and other items. Browse through the available categories and items, and spend your RP wisely to enhance your skills, equipment, and knowledge.
*Available Items*
Check the Reputation Exchange menu to see the items available for purchase. Items are categorized by type, and each item has a corresponding RP price.
*Purchasing Items*
To purchase an item, simply select it from the menu and confirm the transaction. The item will be added to your inventory, and the RP cost will be deducted from your total.
*RP Prices*
RP prices vary depending on the item's rarity, complexity, and usefulness. Some items, like Gunpowder and Bike, require a significant amount of RP due to their advanced nature or rarity.
*Level Restrictions*
Some items may have level restrictions, meaning you'll need to reach a certain level before you can purchase them. Keep an eye on your level and RP balance to plan your purchases strategically.
Now that you know how the Reputation Exchange works, what would you like to purchase with your 20,000 RP?
# Basic Infrastructure
1. Water Pump (acquired)
2. Toilet (5,000 RP)
3. Bath (8,000 RP)
# Weapons
1. Palming Sword (normal rating, acquired)
2. Crossbow (acquired)
3. Air Gun (acquired)
4. Boomerang (acquired)
5. Powdered Gun (older version, 10,000 RP)
# Tools
1. Matches (Posporo, 1,000 RP)
# Resources
1. Gunpowder (50,000 RP, recipe hard to find)
# Household
1. Shampoo (3,000 RP)
2. Soap (Sabon, 2,000 RP)
# Transportation
1. Bike (80,000 RP)
# Food Recipes
1. Pasta (4,000 RP)
2. Soup (2,500 RP)
Current Level: 1
Reputation Points: 20,000
As I browsed through the Reputation Exchange menu, I stumbled upon a section that caught my eye: "Your Skills." I clicked on it, curious about what it would reveal.
*Tech Blueprint Skill: Genius-level Tinkerer*
I stared at the screen in surprise. "Genius-level tinkerer? What does that mean?"
According to the description, my Tech Blueprint Skill allowed me to create, modify, and improve blueprints using my knowledge and experience. It seemed that my experience with fixing the water pump and other machinery had granted me this skill.
*Skill Effects:*
- +20% chance to create improved blueprints
- +10% chance to modify existing blueprints to increase their efficiency
- Ability to craft unique items using blueprints
I was amazed. I had no idea I had such a skill. This changed everything. With this skill, I could potentially create innovative solutions and improve existing technology.
"Man, buying gunpowder and an old gun is a bit pricey, even the bike. Man, I wish I could buy it right now! But anyways, highway, uhm... I need to raise my reputation points, huh? Let's see... oh, I know! I'll get the blueprints for shampoo, soap, and matches! Hahahaha, the nobles will be crawling after these luxurious goods! They'll pay top dollar for something as simple yet elegant as handmade soap and shampoo. And I'll sell the matches to that merchant who's always looking for a good deal. Hehehehe, I'll make a killing! Wait, I'm already rich... hehehehe, this is just gravy! Alright, let's do this!"
With a satisfied smile, I selected the blueprints for Shampoo (3,000 RP), Soap (2,000 RP), and Matches (1,000 RP). The total cost was 6,000 RP, leaving me with 14,000 RP.
Now, I just needed to craft these items and get them to market. The profits would be substantial, and my reputation would soar. I rubbed my hands together in anticipation of the wealth and influence that was about to come my way.
To be continued...