The courtyard of the Borin estate buzzed as the demonstration settled, the sun dipping low by 3:30 p.m. — a time now casually tossed around by the crowd, proof the clocks were already sinking into their minds.
Adrian had walked everyone through the inventions, and verything was sorted — his inventions were a hit, and the deal with Cedric was sealed.
As the crowd thinned, Adrian found himself cornered by the three visiting dukes from.
The Varyn Duke spoke first. "Adrian, you’ve done a great thing here. The kingdom will thank you." The Thalren duke, a big man with a bushy beard, clapped his shoulder.
"We can’t give you much without the king’s say-so, but come to us anytime. You’ve got a wish from me."
The Miralith Duke nodded. "One from each of us. Use them well."
Adrian kept his face calm, but inside, he was thrilled. He had six wishes now, and he could imagine how they could come in handy.
"Thank you," he said, bowing just enough to be polite. "I’ll keep that in mind."
They soon left with their guards trailing, and Adrian turned to Cedric, who stood by the stage, watching the servants clear the tables.
"Lord Cedric," Adrian said, approaching, "I’m heading back to Tulia now. The demonstration’s done, and the craftsmen know what to do next."
Cedric’s stern face softened, his eyes showing a flicker of pride.
"You’ve done better than I hoped, Adrian. The payment and supplies we agreed on are packed. Torren’s got the carriage ready."
Adrian nodded, keeping it formal. "Glad to help." He glanced at the family nearby — Mirena, Serena, and a sulky Diana. Julian was off in a corner, barely there, as usual. Mirena stepped forward, her smile kind but sad.
"Safe travels, Adrian," she said, her hands clasped. "You’re welcome back anytime."
"Thanks, Lady Mirena," he said with a bow.
Serena rushed up, her green dress swishing, her eyes shiny but holding back tears — she’d promised not to cry after their talk.
"You better visit," she said, hugging him tight. "Or I’ll hunt you down in Tulia."
Adrian hugged her back with a chuckle. "We’ll meet again, Serena. Stay sharp for the academy." She grinned, stepping back, and he gave her a final wave.
The ride back to Tulia was calm as Torren guided the horses through familiar fields. He chatted about his latest messenger run, keeping things light, and Adrian half-listened, his mind on the crates and the magic gun.
They reached Tulia by evening, the village’s wooden houses glowing with Adrian’s bulbs. Torren unloaded the crates, tipped his hat, and drove off.
Alone, Adrian stored the crates in his [Inventory] with a thought before knocking on his home’s door in a sequence they knew.
"Adrian!" Mara opened the door seconds later, pulling him into a warn hug, warm and tight.
"Back so soon?" Eli said after appearing. "Thought those fancy folk would keep you longer."
"Missed you guys," Adrian said, stepping inside. The house smelled of stew and fresh bread, simple and homey. He pulled gifts from his [Inventory]—silver earrings for Mara, a carved leather belt for Eli, and a sack of rare herbs from the estate’s market.
Mara gasped, touching the earrings. "Adrian, you’re spoiling us! We don’t need all this."
"Can’t show up empty-handed," he said, grinning. Eli laughed, trying on the belt.
"You’re making us too fancy," Eli said. "Come on, wash up. Dinner’s ready."
Adrian splashed water on his face in the small washroom, the cold snapping him awake. They sat at the kitchen table, Mara dishing out beef stew, bread, and roasted carrots.
Over dinner, Adrian told them about the estate and what he did. He skipped Fabian’s attack, keeping it light, focusing on the craftsmen’s skill and the people’s reception.
"Sounds like you showed those nobles what’s what," Eli said, tearing bread. "Proud of you, son."
Mara squeezed his hand with her eyes soft. "Just be careful. Big people play big games."
"I will," Adrian said with a smile. They ate, laughed, and for a moment, the world outside Tulia didn’t exist.
As the village slept, a figure lurked in the shadows across from Adrian’s house. He was tall and lean, wrapped in dark cloth, his face hidden under a hood except for a crooked, wicked smile.
"So this is the guy," the man whispered. "Don’t worry, I’ll wipe him out nice and quiet."
His smile grew as he slipped back into the darkness, leaving only the faint rustle of grass behind.
The five days at the Borin Estate had been a tightrope walk, but Adrian had navigated it well.
There was still the threat of Fabian to worry for, as he knew the kid was plotting something bigger, but that didn’t matter to him.
Adrian’s focus was on his real work now. Teaching his inventions to others had been a triumph, not just for the dukedom but for him.
Especially after he had found out that he would get experience points off them, whether he crafted it or not.
’That changes everything,’ he thought, a spark of ambition igniting within him. ’l’ll be looking forward to the first wave of notifications, they’ll help me level up and gain more skills.’
The three dukes’ favors were another ace up his sleeve. They had each offered him a wish, plus Cedric’s three. Adrian’s mind raced with possibilities.
’I have wishes from the four dukes. That’s enough pull to demand something massive — maybe even sway the king himself.’ He imagined all what he could get.
’They’re cards I’ll play when the moment’s right. For now, they’re my insurance.’
Exhausted but content, Adrian let Tulia’s quiet embrace him as he settled into bed. Tomorrow, he’d unpack the crates, set up his workshop, and dive into the magic gun’s construction.
It might take him months to complete the invention, but Adrian was certain it would be worth every second.
’Long days ahead, but I’ll be ready for this.’
[End of Volume 1: Genius Reborn]