The carriage moves deeper into the dense, ancient forest, where the thick canopy above lets only slivers of sunlight through. Towering trees, their roots sprawling like the veins of the earth, loom over them as the air becomes noticeably cooler. Christian watches as the well-worn dirt path twists and narrows, guiding them toward the heart of elven territory.

  Then, he sees them.

  Perched high in the trees, hidden between the thick foliage, watchtowers stand tall—each manned by elves with bows drawn, arrows already nocked and aimed directly at their carriage.

  The moment the carriage nears the gates, the guards tense, their piercing gazes unwavering. One wrong move, and they would likely be filled with arrows before even stepping foot onto elven land.

  Christian exhales sharply before stepping out first, raising his hands in a peaceful gesture.

  "I want to meet with Sylwen. You know, your queen."

  One of the guards scoffs, stepping forward. A tall and imposing elf with sharp, calculating eyes—her voice dripping with disdain.

  "Preposterous. A queen meeting with a puny human like you? Don't make me laugh."

  Christiane's eye twitches. It's not just her condescending tone—it's the way she speaks. The arrogant, smug cadence, the slight tilt of her head, the way she practically breathes superiority.

  It's exactly like my ex.

  His fingers twitch, and for a single, glorious moment, he considers summoning a sword wreathed in purple flames and reducing everything in his path to ash.

  Would it be worth it? Probably.

  Before he can act, the massive gates creak open, and a commanding voice echoes through the space.

  "Calm yourself, Vaelin. I invited them."

  The guard—Vaelin—immediately stiffens, her jaw tightening before she bows her head in reluctant acknowledgment.

  Through the gates steps Sylwen, exuding a natural authority that silences the tension in the air. Her silver hair catches the faint sunlight as she approaches, eyes calm yet piercing as they shift between Christian and Seraphina.

  "Welcome, Christian Arkwright, Queen Seraphina. I see you've met my ever-skeptical captain of the guard."

  Christian forces a pleasant smile as he lowers his hands, though his irritation still simmers.

  "Yeah. She's a delight."

  Vaelin mutters something under her breath, but a sharp glance from Sylwen silences her.

  With that, she gestures for them to follow. "Come. We have much to discuss."

  Inside the elven meeting hall, carved seamlessly into the massive trees, Christian listens as Sylwen lays out the root of their problem.

  "Our tribe is growing larger by the year" Sylwen explains, her expression serious.

  "But our ability to store food is… lacking. Our supplies must be consumed within a day or two, or they rot. This forces us into constant hunting and foraging cycles, which is beginning to exhaust our lands."

  Christian hums in thought, his fingers tapping against the wooden table.

  He'd always assumed elves lived off some mystical, nature-friendly diet, surviving on the energy of the land or some nonsense like that. But now?

  They eat… meat? And plants?

  His brain short-circuits.

  WAIT—Elves aren't strict vegans?! What the hell, fantasy authors!?

  Genesis flickers to life in front of him, its text appearing with an almost mocking lilt.

  [System Note: Congratulations, Administrator. You have unlocked Basic Common Sense.]

  Christian glares at the floating text, feeling utterly and completely betrayed by everything he ever read.

  This is unacceptable. I demand a refund from reality.

  Seraphina, watching his expression shift from intrigue to sheer frustration, raises an eyebrow.

  "Are you… okay?"

  "No." Christian deadpans.

  "Reality is a lie, and I hate it."

  Sylwen watches them both with mild amusement before refocusing.

  "So, Christian. Can you help us?"

  Snapping back to the issue at hand, Christian nods. "Yeah. I think I can."

  Then, a thought strikes him. "What about powers? This world doesn't seem too fond of them."

  Sylwen's expression darkens slightly, a shadow of old memories passing over her face.

  "That is a complicated matter" she admits.

  "The war changed everything. I fought in it myself. And while the kingdom wants you to believe the heroes of that era were reckless, dangerous figures... the truth is not so simple."

  She leans back, eyes drifting as if recalling events long buried.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  "Were they destructive? Yes. Some of them destroyed entire forests while fighting high-ranking demons. But what's worse? Losing a few trees, or returning home to find your family slaughtered? The kingdom's version of history is... convenient. The heroes weren't perfect, but they weren't the villains they've been painted to be."

  Seraphina, arms crossed, tilts her head.

  "Then explain something to me. The records say that Elias Vaughn led an assault on the southern human settlements, wiping out entire villages. Was that justified?"

  Sylwen's gaze sharpens. "That? That was not an attack. It was an evacuation mission gone wrong. The villages were already burning—raided by demons. Elias and his people arrived too late to save most of them. When they tried to bring the survivors out, the kingdom called it treason, labelling them as the ones who started the destruction."

  Christian, sitting to the side, jots this down in his mental notes, processing the difference in narratives.

  Seraphina isn't done. "And the siege of Elnora? The records say the heroes used forbidden magic to obliterate the fortress and everyone inside."

  Sylwen exhales slowly. "That was a last resort. The fortress was a stronghold for corrupted nobles experimenting on captured warriors, including elves. We tried to negotiate their release—Elias tried—but when that failed, he chose the fastest way to end their suffering. Was it clean? No. But the alternative was watching thousands rot in cages."

  Christian watches Sylwen's expression, a mix of bitterness and regret.

  She's wondering just how much of history has been rewritten, and how much has been erased outright.

  Sylwen exhales, steadying herself. "On one hand, the kingdom's version of history is just a very, very exaggerated truth. Yes, the heroes were destructive, and yes, their battles reshaped the land. But it was for the greater good. I'm sure every hero in Elias Vaughn's party had to measure the lives they saved against the lives they sacrificed. They weren't perfect."

  She looks down at her hands for a moment before meeting Seraphina's gaze.

  "If anything, I believe that made them the most human. Even when the decree came to kill them all, they didn't resist. They could have survived, could have disappeared into the world and lived in hiding. But they chose to die for the sake of humanity. So, it's hard to say."

  Her voice softens, her expression unreadable.

  "I've made peace with it. Especially with Elias. He tried his best."

  Since neither Christian nor Seraphina speaks, Sylwen breaks the silence.

  "If you're worried that I'm some rat for the kingdom, don't be. We elves have our own stance on the heroes. To us, they were more good than bad. So don't be afraid. Plus... I pay very generously."

  She reaches into a pouch and drops a heavy bag onto the table. The weight alone makes a dull thud, and when it spills slightly open, gold coins gleam in the dim light.

  Even Seraphina, usually composed, raises an eyebrow.

  That kind of money wasn't easy to come by—even for a top noble.

  "I will pay 1,000 gold coins for two generators and a couple of fridges" Sylwen states.

  Christian, who had been diligently making mental notes, promptly abandons them the moment he sees the number.

  One thousand gold?!

  Genesis flickers to life.

  [Administrator Inquiry Detected: What is the value of 1,000 gold coins?]

  [Processing...]

  [In this world, 1,000 gold coins can buy:]

  A fully furnished noble estate with servants for ten years.

  The annual salary of a royal knight captain lifetime.

  Enough supplies to feed a village for 30 years.

  Christian stares at the information, blinking slowly.

  I could be rich...

  His mind drifts into a luxurious daydream. He envisions himself lounging on a grand estate, surrounded by beautiful maids and impossibly handsome butlers catering to his every whim. Dressed in nothing but an extravagant robes, he reclines on a lavish chair, sipping the finest wine, giggling to himself as mountains of gold surround him. The life of an absurdly wealthy man—this is his destiny.

  In reality, however, he is giggling like a madman, eyes sparkling with unfiltered greed.

  Sylwen raises an eyebrow and glances at Seraphina. "Is he... alright?"

  Seraphina sighs, facepalming. "He's... peculiar."

  Regaining his composure, Christian clears his throat and straightens up.

  "Alright, I accept your offer. Now, where can I find a strong flowing river or a waterfall?"

  Sylwen, amused by Christian's sudden shift back to business, gestures for them to follow. As they walk, Christian takes in the breathtaking elven state. The streets are lined with intricately carved wooden buildings, seamlessly blended into the massive trees they rest upon.

  Bridges made of woven vines connect the structures, glowing with soft bioluminescent flowers that illuminate the paths. Every elf he passes is either elegantly beautiful or strikingly handsome, their features refined as if sculpted by nature itself.

  Exiting the settlement, the forest around them shifts in an almost dreamlike manner. The trees hum with latent magic, their leaves shimmering in shades of emerald and silver. Then, they arrive at the river—its waters flowing with an unnatural clarity, glowing faintly under the dappled sunlight.

  A powerful waterfall crashes down from a cliffside, sending mist into the air, filling their lungs with crisp, clean energy.

  Christian nods in approval. "Perfect. Now, this is where I need strong people."

  With renewed focus, he begins crafting. Thanks to his titles and upgrades, the mental strain is drastically reduced, and his mana feels untouched. Within a mere 40 minutes, he completes three generators—tossing in an extra one for free—and nine fridges powered by the strong current.

  He gathers the elves around and explains the intricate wiring, showing them where the energy is stored. The fridges are placed in a single designated area, making food preservation far easier.

  "And if the river ever weakens" he adds, "I've engineered the generators to absorb solar energy as well. The panels will store excess power during the day, ensuring continuous operation."

  He smirks, dusting off his hands. "So, I'd say that's a job well done."

  A system notification pings before his eyes.

  [System Update: Level Increased!]

  [Christian has levelled up from Level 3 to Level 5.]

  [Creation Magic → Level 30. New sub-abilities unlocked:]

  Auto-Construct: Allows automated construction of simple objects without manual guidance.

  Material Transmutation: Enhances the ability to alter material properties mid-creation.

  Blueprint Archive: Stores previous successful designs for instant recall.

  Mana Efficiency: Further reduces mana consumption during creation.

  [New Feature Unlocked: Optional Missions (Spatial-Related)]

  Dimensional Pocket Training: Learn to create and manipulate personal storage spaces to carry supplies without extra weight.

  Short-Distance Blink Mastery: Train in controlled teleportation for quick evasions and movement in battle.

  [New Missions Available: Physical Training Challenges]

  Endurance Runs: Sprint 10 km daily without stopping. (0/1)

  Weighted Training: Carry 50 kg while completing daily tasks. (0/1)

  Strength Drills: Lift and hold heavy objects for increasing durations. (0/60 seconds)

  Agility Courses: Navigate obstacle courses designed to improve reaction speed. (0/4)

  Combat Drills: Engage in controlled sparring sessions with trained fighters. (0/2)

  Balance Training: Traverse narrow surfaces to enhance coordination. (0/5)

  Flexibility Training: Perform extensive stretching routines to improve mobility. (0/7)

  Climbing Challenges: Scale trees, cliffs, or rock walls daily. (0/1)

  Endurance Sparring: Fight against multiple opponents without breaks. (0/1)

  Mental Fortitude Exercises: Maintain focus under extreme conditions. (0/7)

  Failure to complete weekly tasks will result in... appropriate disciplinary measures.

  [Mission Deadlines Updated: Remaining Days Adjusted]

  [Creation Magic Description Unlocked: " ???????. The power to manifest the intangible, shaping the unseen into reality. ?????"]

  Christian watches as his status screen shifts to a different hue, a deep indigo now overlaying its usual blue.

  Another notification pops up.

  [New Title Acquired: 'Hero of Preservation']

  [Effect: Actions that sustain communities or prevent starvation yield increased rewards.]

  Christian grins, stretching his arms. Well, looks like I just became even more amazing.