Reborn With A Technology System In A Fantasy World
Chapter 138: Adrian’s Ambitions (2)

Chapter 138: Adrian’s Ambitions (2)

The silence that followed Adrian’s invitation wasn’t just heavy, it was oppressive.

Jeffery, Charles, and Eli stared at Adrian, the sheer, staggering audacity of his proposition rendering them momentarily speechless.

Owning the Corrupted Lands? Transforming it? Surpassing the Capital? It wasn’t just ambitious; it sounded like the fever dream of a madman.

Yet, Adrian sat before them, utterly composed, his unwavering gaze holding a certainty that defied their ingrained skepticism.

Their initial disbelief wasn’t merely about the feasibility of the project; it was about the fundamental claim itself. Could anyone truly own that forsaken place? And if they could, why would they? The idea seemed preposterous, a layer of impossibility beneath the already monumental task.

But as the seconds stretched, something shifted. Adrian’s words, delivered with such bedrock conviction, didn’t just hang in the air; they seemed to seep into their minds, carrying an intangible weight.

Unbeknownst to Adrian, the sheer force of his will had subtly emanated from him as he spoke. It wasn’t an attack, nor a compulsion, but a resonant frequency of pure, focused intent on himself.

It didn’t erase their doubts entirely, but it eroded their edges, replacing reflexive dismissal with a dawning, unsettling sense of possibility.

The absurdity didn’t vanish, but it became framed by Adrian’s profound certainty. The boy’s quiet intensity, the lack of boastfulness, the sheer presence he commanded... it made his claims feel less like fantasy and more like a revealed truth they were only now beginning to grasp.

The questions they originally wanted to ask died unspoken on their lips, silenced by the aura of power and honesty radiating from the young man in the simple chair.

Charles finally shattered the quiet.

"By the earth, Adrian. This... this is truly a monumental proposal! It’s an ho–"

"Charles."

Jeffery’s hand clamped firmly over his brother’s mouth, cutting off the impending torrent. Charles sputtered indignantly, but Jeffery ignored him, his own gaze locked intensely on Adrian.

His expression was serious, stripped of its earlier detached analysis, replaced by a deep, contemplative focus.

The subtle influence of Adrian’s will had struck a chord within him too.

"Your words," Jeffery began, slowly removing his hand from Charles’s face, ignoring the glare he received, "They carry... weight. I feel your conviction. I believe you believe this can be done."

He paused, choosing his next words with care. "But belief, however potent, must contend with reality.

You ask us to abandon our established lives here. Our home, our work, Tulia, and possibly the Kingdom — to embark on what can only be described as a perilous quest into the very heart of impossibility."

He met Adrian’s eyes squarely.

"What I need to understand, Adrian, is this. What do we stand to gain from hitching our wagons to this star you aim to forge in the wasteland? Beyond the sheer thrill of the endeavor, what is the reward for casting aside everything we know?"

A cold, knowing smile touched Adrian’s lips for a fleeting second. The question wasn’t a rejection; it was the negotiation of commitment. The deal was crystallizing.

"Fair question, Jeffery," he acknowledged, his voice regaining its calm authority.

"The rewards are commensurate with the scale of the undertaking. Firstly, you will want for nothing. All the luxuries life can offer. Comfort, security, the finest materials, resources beyond what you can ever procure will be at your disposal. Consider any barrier to your craft or comfort removed."

"But more importantly," he paused, letting the promise hang heavy, "you will stand at the vanguard of creation. You will have unrestricted access to knowledge and blueprints for inventions that defy your current understanding.

You won’t just use extraordinary technology; you will discover it, refine it, build it with your own hands. Imagine pioneering systems that reshape landscapes. You will be architects, not just laborers, in building a new world.

The privilege of being a foundational pillar in this grand project; that is the true reward."

The offer hung in the air. Charles’s eyes were wide as saucers. He was practically bouncing on the couch cushion nodding with a a silent yes!

Jeffery, however, remained still, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation. The offer was dazzling, appealing directly to his intellect and ambition.

Yet, the pragmatist in him fought with the visionary Adrian had awakened. He glanced at Charles’s eager face, then at Eli, who watched the exchange with a mixture of concern and dawning excitement of his own.

Finally, his gaze returned to Adrian’s unwavering one. The lingering ember of doubt was there, but it was dwarfed by the sheer magnitude of the opportunity and the strange, persuasive certainty emanating from the young boy.

He sighed, a long exhalation that seemed to release the last vestiges of his resistance.

A wry, almost resigned smile touched his lips. "What is life if not an exploration of the possible... and perhaps the impossible?"

He straightened his shoulders, his expression firming into resolve as he looked directly at Adrian.

"I don’t know how you’ve managed it, Adrian. The land, the vision, this... certainty... but you’ve earned my trust. Not blindly, but based on what I see before me and the sheer scale of what you propose."

He placed a hand on Charles’s shoulder.

"We," he emphasized, "are willing to join you in this grand ambition. We will work alongside you, as fellow engineers, to see this fortress rise from the desolation. I believe," he added, a note of solemn respect entering his voice, "that you will lead us well, Lord Adrian."

Adrian gave a single, firm nod. "You made the right decision. I saw the spark in both of you the moment I walked in. You won’t regret your choice."

He turned his gaze to Eli.

The blacksmith had been watching the exchange, but was short of words the whole time.

"Lad," Eli rumbled, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Why in the goddess didn’t you tell me about this madness before dragging me over here? Owning cursed lands? Building a city to shame the Capital?"

He snorted though his eyes were bright. "Course I’m with you. Tulia’s been peaceful, aye, but peaceful would surely get boring when I’m older."

A genuine smile, warmer than the previous cold curve, spread across Adrian’s face.