Reborn With A Technology System In A Fantasy World
Chapter 136: Trailblazer

Chapter 136: Trailblazer

The words hung luminous in the air, demanding an identity for thd soul-infused machine before him.

"Name my invention..." Adrian murmured, the weight of the moment settling.

He understood this wasn’t like labeling the grenades or heaters with simple descriptors.

This vehicle felt different. Yet, paradoxically, it wasn’t solely personal. After all it was an invention meant to be replicated.

The name had to reflect that purpose: something simple, memorable, and resonant. As he mulled it over, the word slipped from his lips almost unbidden: NovelFire

"Trailblazer."

It clicked instantly. Trailblazer. The name captured the vehicle’s essence, a machine built to blaze new trails across treacherous terrain, to lead the way where others feared to tread.

It rolled off the tongue with ease, and as Adrian said it again... "Trailblazer" a sense of calm certainty settled over him.

The System responded in kind, its interface flaring to life:

[Your invention has been successfully named: Trailblazer]

Adrian stepped back, admiring the Trailblazer with fresh eyes. It was a marvel of magi-tech engineering, a fusion of practicality and elegance.

The vehicle could comfortably seat twelve passengers.

Its frame was robust, forged from a lightweight yet durable enchanted alloy, designed to endure the brutal conditions of the Corrupted Lands. NovelFire

The tinted windows, much like those on his earlier Rover design, offered privacy and shielded its occupants from the harsh elements outside.

But what truly set the Trailblazer apart was its control system.

The Rover had relied on a simple yoke, a mechanism that demanded precision and skill to navigate effectively, a design that suited Adrian’s own adept hands but wasn’t practical for widespread use.

For the Trailblazer, he’d drawn inspiration from the automatic cars of his former world, simplifying the interface to make it accessible to nearly anyone.

"It’s got a steering wheel, acceleration and brake pedals, and a gear shift," he muttered to himself.

"With a bit of practice, anyone can drive it."

And in a nod to familiarity and security, he’d ditched the Rover’s activation rune in favor of something more traditional: a set of good old-fashioned keys.

It felt right, a tangible, grounding detail in a world of magic and machinery.

Satisfied, Adrian gave the Trailblazer one last appreciative glance before striding toward the assembly room.

He approached the production console, fingers dancing across the controls as he programmed one of the lines to begin fabricating a Trailblazer.

With that task set in motion, he shifted his focus elsewhere. A quick check of his status panel confirmed his resources:

[TP: 28,300]

The 8,500 TP reward from the Trailblazer, added to his previous balance, gave him significant spending power.

Enough for one major Factory upgrade. He summoned the upgrade menu, the golden text gleaming invitingly:

[System Factory Upgrade Options]

>> Extend Access Time (4 hours → 5 hours)

[Cost: 20,000 TP]

>> Quadruple Production Lines

[Cost: 20,000 TP]

>> Translocatuion Capacity (100 units → 200 units)

[Cost: 5,000 TP]

>> Anchor Marks (1 → 2)

[Allows placement of a second Anchor point]

[Cost: 5,000 TP]

>> Translocation Cooldown (24 hours → 20 hours)

[Cost: 20,000 TP]

>> Alchemy Foundry

[Cost: 20,000 TP]

Adrian scanned the options. The Alchemy Foundry was instantly dismissed. Fascinating? Undoubtedly. Necessary right now? No.

It was a luxury he couldn’t afford when practical infrastructure for his primary goal was paramount.

The dream of an extra hour in the Factory drew him. Four hours was manageable, but five? The things he could accomplish!

Yet, the cost was steep... 20,000 TP.

Adrian knew that it wasn’t too necessary at the moment for him, especially when the 1 hour cooldown came into play.

He acknowledged the the want, but forced himself into cold rationality.

"I shouldn’t allow my feelings and desires to move me into making a less optimal decision."

His gaze settled on Quadruple Production Lines.

"More production lines equal more units fabricated units," he reasoned aloud. "More units means potential sales for TP generation, and a stronger foundation for the transformation project. It accelerates everything."

"It’s no rocket science," Adrian muttered, a wry smile touching his lips. The choice was clear. Scaling production was the critical path.

"Tech Core," he commanded firmly. "Purchase Quadruple Production Lines."

[Upgrading System Factory: Production Line Extension]

[Deducting 20,000 TP...]

[Upgrade Completed! System Factory now supports 4 simultaneous production lines.]

The confirmation flashed across his vision, leaving him with 8,300 TP. He didn’t hesitate with the next decision... it was a no-brainer.

"Upgrade Anchor Marks," he commanded.

[Upgrading System Factory: Anchor Mark]

[Deducting 5,000 TP...]

[Upgrade Completed! Maximum Anchor Mark increased to 2.]

The upgrade felt less visceral than the new production line, but the strategic flexibility it offered was immense. It was even worth more than the former option.

Satisfied with his efficient spending, Adrian turned his attention back to creation.

Access Time Remaining: [02:56:58].

"There’s still enough time," he said to himself, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

All those decisions had unfolded in a mere heartbeat, and he hadn’t squandered a second.

He strode to his worktable and activated the holographic design studio.

With a flick of his wrist, he retrieved several sheets of parchment from his Inventory, each bearing detailed hand-drawn sketches.

These weren’t whims; they were blueprints for progress in the Corrupted Lands.

His plan was crystallizing: flood the region with practical, empowering inventions. These sketches were the next wave.

"Time to work," he declared, the familiar fire of creation igniting within him.

***

Adrian worked with intense focus, the rhythm of creation absorbing him completely.

Only when the familiar, inevitable dissolution began did Adrian surface from his deep focus.

He materialized back in the familiar embrace of his bed, yet, he wasn’t disappointed.

In that session alone, he’d completed and fabricated three distinct designs, each one a step forward in his grand plan.

The break felt less an interruption and more a chance to pivot to other priorities.

Glancing at his interface, he noted the time:

[2:53 PM]

"There’s still enough time," he thought, his mind already shifting gears. "I should meet them now."

Adrian swung his legs off the bed and unlocked his bedroom door.

The scent of something savory – herbs and slow-cooked meat – immediately greeted him, leading him towards the kitchen.

Mara was there, wiping her hands on a cloth, the magic heater humming contentedly nearby with a pot simmering atop it.

Her eyes lit up when she saw him, but they held a familiar mix of warmth and gentle exasperation.

"Adrian! There you are," she said. "Locked away in your room again, I see. I barely saw you at breakfast, vanished after, and now lunchtime comes and goes."

She gestured towards the small dining table already set. "Come, sit. I kept a plate warm for you. Proper food, not just porridge this time."

Adrian offered a grateful but apologetic smile. The stew smelled incredible, a reminder of home he deeply appreciated, but the urgency to move forward was stronger.

"Thank you, Ma’am, truly. It smells wonderful. But... I’m actually quite alright for now. The porridge held me over."

He saw the slight frown start to form and quickly added, "I need to find Papa. It’s important. Is he... at the Forge?"

Mara studied his face for a moment, seeing the focused determination there. She sighed, the exasperation fading into understanding.

"Of course he is, dear. Where else would that man be." She gestured towards the back door. "Go on then. But promise me you’ll eat properly later."

"I promise, Ma’am," Adrian said sincerely, already moving towards the door. "Later."

Stepping outside, the afternoon sun warmed his face.

The path to the Forge was short, winding around the side of their cottage towards a sturdy stone building with a large, reinforced door and a tall chimney.

Even from a distance, the familiar rhythmic clang... clang... clang... of hammer on anvil reached his ears.

He paused just outside the heavy wooden door, weathered by heat and time.

A wave of intense nostalgia washed over him. This was his second home, far more than his bedroom ever was.

The smell of hot metal, coal dust, and quenching oil seeped through the cracks.

He remembered the countless hours he spent here.

The forge wasn’t just a workshop; it was the crucible where his fascination with making things tangible had been forged alongside the metal.

Taking a deep breath, Adrian reached up clicked the button for the bell.

A deep, resonant BONG echoed from inside, momentarily drowning out the hammering.

The rhythmic clanging ceased abruptly. Heavy footsteps approached the door from within.

A moment later, the door swung inwards, revealing Eli. He wore a thick leather apron, streaked with soot and grime, his powerful forearms bare and glistening with sweat.

His face, usually stern when focused on metal, broke into a wide, welcoming grin the moment he saw Adrian standing there.

"Lad!" Eli boomed, his voice rough but filled with genuine pleasure. He wiped a massive hand on his apron before clapping it firmly on Adrian’s shoulder, the impact warm and solid.

"You finally decided to come!"