Chapter 42: An Invention That Will Change the World
The next morning, Adam woke up before Elaria.
The room was still quiet.
The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, dimly illuminating the desk where the rules for the Valorian Games lay.
Beside him, Elaria was still asleep.
Her green hair was spread out on the pillow.
Her face, usually so serious and focused, seemed much softer in her sleep.
Adam watched her for a few seconds.
Then a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"She really did fall asleep before me..."
He was careful not to wake her.
Slowly, he opened his interface.
The rewards he had earned the previous day were still available.
Two rare chests.
One common chest.
A Ring of Promise.
Adam examined the chests in silence.
"Very well. Let’s see what the system has in store for me this time."
He started with the common chest.
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Shared Chest Opened
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Reward Obtained:
*Normal Stamina Potion ×1
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One Vial appeared in his inventory.
The liquid inside shone with a pale gold hue.
Adam nodded slowly.
"With Selene as your trainer, this kind of potion becomes almost vital."
He then moved on to the first rare chest.
The lid opened with a bluish light.
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Rare Chest Opened
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Reward received:
*Tech Blueprint: Memory Crystal
Grade: Rare
Description:
A magical device capable of recording a visual and audio scene for a limited time.
Main Functions:
*Recording of moving images
*Capture of ambient sound
*Temporary or permanent storage depending on the crystal’s quality
*Compatibility with compatible playback devices
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Adam remained motionless.
Then he sat up slightly.
"Wait..."
He reread the description a second time.
Moving images.
Sound.
Recording.
Storage.
His mind immediately connected with his old world.
"A magic camera..."
He stared at the bright surface with renewed focus.
In this world, such technology could be revolutionary.
Not just for entertainment.
For education.
For evidence.
For security.
For espionage.
For propaganda.
For archives.
For guilds.
For nobles.
For war.
Adam felt his heart beat a little faster.
"This... this is much more dangerous than a simple board game."
He then opened the second rare chest.
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Rare Chest Opened
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Reward Obtained:
*Tech Blueprint: Projection Box
Grade: Rare
Description:
A magical device that reads the data contained in a Memory Crystal and projects the recorded scenes as a luminous image accompanied by sound.
Main Functions:
*Reading Memory Crystals
*Visual projection onto a flat surface or magic screen
*Controlled sound projection
*Projection size adjustment based on the quality of the magic core used
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Adam was speechless.
Then he slowly ran a hand over his face.
"Of course... The camera and the projector together."
The system hadn’t just given him a useful tool.
It had given him the foundation of a new medium.
Something that could change the way information circulated in this world.
He immediately pictured Elaria watching these plans.
Her eyes shining.
Her notebook open.
Her endless questions.
"She’s going to go crazy."
Then he thought of Vespera.
The dragoness would surely want to study enchantments, the structure of magical storage, the stability of images, the risks of forgery, and the possibilities for improvement.
"Vespera will want to dissect the concept down to its very core."
Then his mind turned to Shiora.
The oni would immediately see the commercial applications.
Advertising.
Product presentations.
Game demonstrations.
Guild promotion.
Recorded performances.
Limited copies for nobles.
Controlled distribution in taverns.
Adam grimaced slightly.
"Shiora will smell the gold before I even finish explaining."
Then he thought of Isadora.
For her, these devices would be a political tool.
Recorded speeches.
Official messages.
Evidence against the Empire.
Information sharing with allies.
Public opinion control.
"Isadora will immediately understand the strategic impact."
Selene could use them too.
Training recordings.
Combat analysis.
Promotion of the Adventurers’ Guild.
Evidence during conflicts between female adventurers.
And Lyriana...
Adam remained silent.
Lyriana would likely see it as a tool for espionage and counter-espionage.
A way to preserve evidence.
A way to show what a witness couldn’t always explain.
A way to trap those who were lying.
He watched the two plans float before him.
"If the Empire learns of this too soon, they’ll either try to steal it or try to destroy it."
A new window appeared.
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System Warning
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The plans obtained may influence the flow of information in this world.
Advice:
Limit the initial distribution.
Entrust production to reliable individuals.
Develop an authentication method to prevent falsification.
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Adam stared at the last line.
"Authentication... Yes, of course."
If there was a way to record scenes, then sooner or later there would be a way to falsify them.
It would require magical signatures.
Seals.
Verification runes.
Perhaps even a time stamp.
He sighed.
"This project is going to get much bigger than I anticipated."
He carefully placed the two plans in his inventory, separate from the other items.
Then he checked his points.
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Update
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Satisfaction Points: 6,600
Available Stat Points: 7
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Adam studied the numbers.
Seven stat points available.
Six thousand six hundred satisfaction points.
It was tempting.
Very tempting.
He could buy something.
Boost a stat.
Open up other possibilities.
But something inside him held him back.
An intuition.
Not a certainty.
But a persistent feeling.
As if reaching ten thousand points could trigger something.
A new function.
An evolution.
A threshold.
Adam remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he gently closed the window.
"No. I’ll wait." "
He glanced down at his hand.
"If my instinct tells me that ten thousand points are important, then I’ll save up to that point."
He inhaled slowly.
"And as for the stat points, I’ll wait a little longer. Selene, Vespera, and the others need to help me understand my true weaknesses first."
He closed the interface.
The room became quiet again.
Adam then turned his head toward Elaria.
And froze.
She was awake.
Lying on her side, her head slightly resting on the pillow, she watched him silently.
Her light blue eyes were open.
Calm.
Curious.
And far too attentive.
Adam blinked.
"How long have you been awake?"
Elaria remained silent for a second.
Then she simply replied:
"From ’magic camera.’"
Adam closed his eyes.
"Of course."
A very subtle smile appeared on his lips.
"Hello, Adam."
He turned his entire body toward her.
"Hello, Elaria."
She sat up slowly, pulling the sheets up around her.
Her gaze remained fixed on him.
"You got something interesting."
Adam chuckled.
"I think ’interesting’ is an understatement."
"Show me."
"You’ve barely woken up."
"Exactly. My mind is fresh."
Adam stared at her.
"You really can’t ignore a technological blueprint, can you?"
"Right."
He sighed, but his smile betrayed his amusement.
He conjured the two blueprints before her.
Elaria’s eyes lit up instantly.
All traces of sleep vanished from her face.
She leaned forward, almost forgetting everything else.
"Memory Crystal... Projection Box..."
Her fingers brushed against the glowing diagrams without actually touching them.
"Visual storage... sound capture... projection playback... compatibility with magic core..."
Adam watched her.
"I knew you’d react like this."
"These blueprints are extraordinary."
"I thought so."
"No, Adam." "
She looked up at him.
Her expression had become very serious.
"You may not yet understand just how serious they are."
Adam remained silent.
Elaria continued quickly:
"If these devices work as described, they can change education, crafts, investigations, trade, politics, military training, and even the transmission of knowledge."
Adam nodded slowly.
"That’s what I thought too."
"Production will have to be limited."
"My power advised me the same thing."
"Good."
She seemed almost reassured.
Then she added:
"An authentication rune will also be necessary. Otherwise, someone will end up altering the recordings or creating fake scenes."
Adam smiled.
"My power said that too."
Elaria stared at him.
Then a satisfied smile appeared on her face.
"Your power is reasonable."
"I’ll pass on the compliment."
She continued to examine the plans.
"I want to study them today."
"I suspected as much."
"After the game prototypes."
"You really intend to do everything today?"
Elaria looked at him as if he had just asked an absurd question.
"Yes."
Adam sighed.
"I’m starting to think Selene is less dangerous. At least she only kills me physically."
Elaria smiled slightly.
"I exhaust you intellectually."
"That’s worse."
She didn’t seem offended.
On the contrary, she appeared satisfied.
Adam then conjured the Ring of Promise he had obtained the previous day.
This time, it was Elaria who remained motionless.
His gaze immediately left the plans and settled on the ring.
The bluish runes glowed softly.
Adam took her hand.
"I was going to give it to you this morning."
Elaria said nothing.
She observed the object with an emotion far more visible than he would have imagined.
"This is the one your power bestows upon your companions."
"Yes."
He nodded gently.
"Space storage, long-distance communication, mutual location tracking, and light mental protection. Like the others."
Elaria looked down at their hands.
"It’s a very precious object."
"I know."
"And symbolically important."
"I know that too."
She looked up at him.
Adam met her gaze.
"You mean a lot to me, Elaria. Not just as a craftswoman, or a researcher, or a guildmaster." "
He smiled gently.
"Like you."
Elaria remained silent.
Then she slowly extended her hand.
Adam slipped the ring onto her finger.
The blue light immediately unfolded.
A thin circle of mana surrounded them for a second before vanishing.
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Bound Ring of Promise
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Worshipper: Elaria Silverleaf
Recognized Bond: Companion
Activated Functions:
*Spatial Storage
*Long-Range Communication
*Mutual Location
*Mental Protection light
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Elaria slowly raised her hand.
She studied the ring with silent attention.
Then, in a voice softer than usual, she murmured,
"Thank you."
Adam smiled.
"You’re welcome."
She placed her hand against her chest, near her heart.
"I’ll have to make a special box to protect it when I’m working at the forge."
Adam blinked.
Then he chuckled softly.
"Of course. Even in an emotional moment, you think about the object’s safety."
"It’s a precious object. It must be properly protected."
"Very Elaria-esque as an answer."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Then, without warning, she leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Adam’s lips.
The kiss was short.
But sincere.
When she pulled back, her cheeks had regained that rosy hue that always betrayed what she was trying to hide.
Adam was about to say something.
But at that moment, someone knocked on the door.
Knock.
Adam froze.
Elaria calmly turned her head toward the entrance.
A silence fell over the room.
Adam looked at the door.
Then at Elaria.
Then at the door again.
"Very well..."
He inhaled slowly.
"Who will it be this time?"
The handle turned.
The door began to open.