Reincarnation of the Magicless!
"No magic? No problem!"
Chapter 4: Behind Closed Doors!
The steel ball shot out of the air gun with a soft hiss, striking the small bird with surprising force. The bird fell to the ground, its wings motionless. Rolien's eyes widened in surprise, but a sense of satisfaction also swelled within him. He had done it!
Sir Marcellus and Elian stood frozen in shock, their mouths agape. "By the gods," Sir Marcellus breathed, his eyes fixed on the bird. "That's incredible! The power of that air gun is far greater than I expected."
Elian's face was pale, his eyes wide with amazement. "Rolien, how did you...? That's not just a toy, it's a lethal weapon!" He took a step forward, his voice filled with a mix of awe and concern.
Rolien lowered the air gun, a proud smile spreading across his face. "I told you, big brother, I've been working on it for a while now." He glanced at Sir Marcellus, who was still staring at the bird in shock. "Did I do okay, Sir Marcellus?"
Sir Marcellus shook his head, chuckling. "Okay? That's an understatement, young Rolien. You've got a talent for engineering and marksmanship. I'm impressed." He turned to Elian. "Your brother's skills are going to be a game-changer in the hunt."
Elian's expression softened, and he ruffled Rolien's hair. "I'm proud of you, little brother. You've come a long way." He looked at Sir Marcellus. "But we need to be careful. With power comes responsibility, and don't show this in public. We need to ask Father about this when we get home, okay?" His expression turned serious. And Sir Marcellus spoke: "Yeah, you're right. This air gun of his will change the balance of power if utilized properly. Your big brother is right, Rolien; we need to hide this air gun of yours for now until the duke learns about this." Sir Marcellus said with a stern voice. And Rolien just nodded, and his big brother turned to him with a hopeful glint in his eye. "Uhm, brother, if you can... can you make one for Big Brother too?"
Rolien's grin widened. "Really, big brother? You want one?" He thought for a moment, his mind already racing with ideas. "I can try! But it'll take some time. I need to tweak the design and gather more materials. Uhm… I know! Wait a sec!" He replied as he lowered his backpack. And grab some stuff there and slowly assemble it.
Sir Marcellus chuckled. "I think that's a great idea, Elian. Having more than one of those air guns could give us an edge in the hunt." He nodded at Rolien. "Get to work, young inventor. Your big brother is counting on you."
Rolien's hands moved deftly as he assembled the various components. Wooden stocks, metallic limbs, and intricate mechanisms clicked into place as he worked. He was lost in the process, his focus solely on bringing his creation to life.
As he tightened the final screw, he stepped back to admire his handiwork. The wooden stock fit snugly against his shoulder, the metallic limbs gleaming in the sunlight. A sturdy trigger mechanism waited for his finger to activate it.
Elian and Sir Marcellus exchanged curious glances. "What is that thing, Rolien?" Elian asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Rolien grinned, his eyes shining with excitement. "Tadah! It's... something I came up with. Watch this." He tried to load a bolt into the groove, but it wouldn't budge. He struggled, his face scrunched up in effort.
Elian chuckled and stepped forward. "Let me help you, little brother." He took the bolt and examined the mechanism. "You need to cock it back further... like this?" With a bit of effort, Elian managed to load the bolt into place.
Rolien's eyes lit up. "Thanks, big brother! Now watch this." He took aim, his finger tightening on the trigger.
Sir Marcellus's eyes widened as Rolien squeezed the trigger, and the bolt shot out with a speed they hadn't seen, with a loud thud, striking its target with precision.
Elian and Sir Marcellus stared, mouths agape. "Good lord!" Sir Marcellus breathed. "What sorcery is this?"
Rolien chuckled, pleased with himself. "No sorcery, just mechanics. It's a... a new kind of hunting tool."
The others looked at each other, unsure what to make of Rolien's creation. But they were all impressed by its power and accuracy.
Rolien handed the crossbow to Elian, who accepted it with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "You can use this one for now, big brother," Rolien said. "I'll make another one, but this time, it'll be an air gun, just for you."
Elian's eyes lit up as he examined the crossbow. "Thank you, Roah, but…Wha-what is this? It's somewhat like a bow but not at the same time.
"Well, I called it a crossbow! It's somewhat like a bow but better!" He replied.
"And where do you find the idea about this design?" Elian asked, wide-eyed.
"Uhm...I just want to use the bow myself, but I couldn't draw the string well, so I made it like that so I can draw it," he explained, scratching his head. "But
"That's awesome! But you promise to make me an air gun too, ok!" Elian asked Rolien again with a soft smile.
Rolien nodded. "Yeah, big brother, you got a deal!" Rolien replies.
Sir Marcellus nodded in approval. "That's a great idea, Rolien. Having a variety of tools at our disposal can only help us in the long run. But if you have a spare, can you make one for me too?"
"Yeah, of course, sir!" Rolien answers with an enthusiastic voice.
Elian looked at the crossbow in his hands, a sense of excitement building within him. "I have to admit, I'm curious to see what else you can come up with, little brother. You're a genius when it comes to inventing."
Rolien grinned, feeling a sense of pride and purpose. "I'll get to work on that air gun right away after we get home, big brother. Who knows, maybe I'll come up with something even better than this crossbow."
With a newfound sense of determination, Rolien set off to gather materials and start working on his next project. Elian watched him go, a sense of admiration and wonder in his eyes. "I have a feeling we're going to see great things from you, Rolien," he said, smiling.
A few days later, Elian stood confidently in front of the hunting examiner, Rolien's crossbow at the ready. He took aim, focused, and fired, hitting the target with precision. The examiner nodded in approval, a small smile on his face.
"You've passed the hunting exam, Elian," he said, handing Elian a certificate. "Your marksmanship is impressive, and that... unusual contraption you used seems to be quite effective."
Elian grinned, feeling proud of himself and his little brother's invention. "Thanks, I couldn't have done it without my brother's help."
When they got home, Elian couldn't wait to boast to their family about his achievement. "Mother, Father, sister! I passed the hunting exam!" he exclaimed, holding up his certificate.
Their mother smiled, pleased with Elian's accomplishment. "Congratulations, Elian! We're proud of you."
Their father nodded, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "And I hear you used some sort of... unusual device?"
Elian chuckled. "Ah, yes! Rolien's invention. It's a crossbow, and it's amazing! I hit the target with ease."
Their sister, Elara, looked curious. "Can I see it?"
Elian handed her the crossbow, and she examined it with interest. "Wow, Rolien's really talented," she said.
Their mother smiled. "Yes, both our sons have impressive skills. We're lucky to have them."
As they celebrated Elian's achievement, Rolien watched with a quiet pride, happy to see his brother succeed. He knew that his inventions could make a difference, and it felt good to be able to contribute. As he goes to his room to continue his new project, he thinks, "Man, I hope I have the right materials to make it and not rely on others magic because he doesn't have any yet, but whatever, let's do what we can do!"
The grand duke's study was filled with an air of seriousness as Elian and Sir Marcellus reported on Rolien's inventions. Their mother, the duchess, listened intently, her brow furrowed with concern.
"Father, Mother, Rolien's creations are... unprecedented," Elian began. "The crossbow is just the beginning. He's working on something even more powerful, something that could change the face of warfare."
Sir Marcellus nodded in agreement. "The air gun and the crossbow, Your Graces, they're a game-changer. If the emperor gets wind of this, it could have far-reaching implications for the empire.
The grand duke's expression turned grave. "We can't let the emperor know about this, not yet. Rolien's too young to handle the attention, and the implications are too great. We need to keep this under wraps for now."
The duchess nodded in agreement. "But what about the crossbow? It's a remarkable invention. Can we introduce it without raising suspicion?"
The grand duke nodded. "Yes, let's attribute it to Mr. Yohan, the blacksmith. We'll say he's the one who came up with the design. That way, we can introduce it to the military without drawing attention to Rolien's... other projects."
Elian and Sir Marcellus exchanged a look, relieved that their father's plan seemed solid. They knew that Rolien's inventions had the potential to change the world, but they also knew that they had to be careful. The empire was a complex web of power and intrigue, and they couldn't afford to let Rolien's genius overshadow the delicate balance of power.
"Let's keep this between us for now," the grand duke said, his voice low and serious. "We'll need to tread carefully, but I have a feeling that Rolien's inventions are going to change our lives in ways we can't even imagine."
The duchess rubbed her temples, looking like she was about to get a headache. "Rolien and his inventions... I'm starting to lose count. First, it was the toilet and bidet, then the posset maker, and don't even get me started on the automated candle snuffer. I'm beginning to wonder what other surprises he has in store for us."
The grand duke chuckled. "Ah, my dear, you know Rolien. He's always looking for ways to improve things. It's both a blessing and a curse."
The duchess sighed. "I just don't know what to do with him sometimes. He's always tinkering with something new, and I'm starting to feel like I'm living in a workshop rather than a castle."
Elian and Sir Marcellus exchanged a knowing look, trying not to laugh. They were used to Rolien's antics, but they knew their mother wasn't. The grand duke patted his wife's hand reassuringly.
"Let's focus on the crossbow for now, my dear. Like I said before ,We'll attribute it to Mr. Yohan, the blacksmith, and introduce it to the military without drawing attention to Rolien's involvement."
The duchess nodded, still looking a bit frazzled. "Yes, yes, that's fine. Just make sure Rolien doesn't get too carried away with his inventions. I don't think the castle can handle another one of his... surprises."
Meanwhile, as Rolien closed the door to his room, a hint of a smile was on his face. His maid, Lyra, followed him in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, young Master Rolien, what's the plan?" she asked, setting down a small bag on the workbench.
"We're going to make some bolts," Rolien said, his hands moving deftly as he gathered materials. "For myself. I have a feeling I'll need them soon."
Lyra nodded, her hands moving in tandem with Rolien's as they worked. "You're being mysterious again, young master," she teased.
Rolien chuckled. "Just part of the job, Lyra. Did you bring it?"
Lyra reached into her bag and pulled out a small pouch. "Yes, young master Rolien, but what is it for?" She peeked inside the pouch, her eyes widening as she saw the magic-absorbing stone.
Rolien's smile grew wider. "Just wait and see, Lyra. Let's just say this stone might come in handy for our... projects."
Lyra's curiosity was piqued, but she knew better than to pry. She trusted Rolien's judgment and was excited to see what he had planned. Together, they worked in silence, crafting the bolts with precision and care.
The grand duke chuckled. "I'll talk to him, my dear. Don't worry, we'll keep his talents under control."
Elian and Sir Marcellus nodded, trying to stifle their smiles. They knew that Rolien's inventions were a source of pride for their family, but they also knew that their mother had a point. Rolien's creativity and ingenuity often led to unexpected consequences, and it was up to them to help him navigate the complexities of the world.
As the meeting came to a close, the grand duke turned to Elian and Sir Marcellus. "Let's keep a close eye on Rolien's projects, shall we? We don't want anything to... upset the balance."
Elian nodded, understanding the unspoken message. They would need to be careful about how they presented Rolien's inventions to the world and make sure that his talents were used for the benefit of their family and the empire. If not handled well, this news about Rolien's inventions leaked to the enemy nation and fell into the wrong hands. This will mark a new war.
As they wrap up their meeting, Grand Duke Edric ponders about his son's future. "I hope you grow well and protect this land, my son," he says as he turns his back to his son's room.
The two are still focused on their work. As they worked together, Rolien carefully shaped the magic-absorbing stone into an arrowhead. Lyra's eyes widened as she realized what it was for. "Why in the form of an arrowhead?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rolien smiled, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Well, to put it simply, it is a magic-absorbing stone, right?" Lyra nodded, her curiosity piqued. "So, by feeding it with elemental magic or spells, you can make various things, like what I've called Ice Bolt." Rolien demonstrated, using his mother's ice magic to infuse the stone arrowhead. The stone glowed with a soft blue light, and Lyra's eyes sparkled with understanding.
"And after the magic stones have absorbed enough elemental magic, they're ready to use," Rolien explained. Lyra's eyes locked onto his, eager to understand the full potential of their creation.
"Ready to use?" Lyra repeated, her brow furrowed in curiosity.
Rolien nodded. "Yeah, if you shoot it and the magic stone breaks, the magic it's absorbed will explode." Lyra's eyes widened as the implications sank in. The magic-infused bolts would unleash a powerful blast of elemental energy upon impact, making them potentially game-changing in combat.
Lyra's face set in a determined expression. "This is going to be amazing, young Master Rolien. Let's make more!"
"Well, that's what I'm going to say!" He replied as they continued to make more magic bolts. A brewing storm is near.
To be continued…