The dam and reservoir were finally taking shape. After days of tireless labour, Christian rode out to oversee their progress, watching as hundreds of elves worked in unison. Earth magic reinforced the dam's base while skilled craftsmen laid stone structures to guide the water flow. The reservoir, carved into the natural landscape, gleamed under the morning sun, already partially filled from diverted river channels.

  Vaela greeted him as she dismounted.

  "Everything is progressing as expected. The structural reinforcements are holding, and we've begun testing controlled water flow."

  Christian nodded, pleased.

  "Good. Make sure the spillways are angled properly. We don't want unexpected flooding."

  He adjusted a few blueprint details on-site, ensuring the system's long-term stability. The dam would not only control water for agricultural and household use but, in the future, provide the foundation for something far greater—a sustainable energy source.

  Back at the estate, Christian met with Seraphina in her office. The scent of aged parchment and ink filled the air as maps and documents lay scattered across the desk.

  "I want to discuss something important" Christian began, leaning forward.

  "A power grid."

  Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "And that is…?"

  He exhaled, already expecting her confusion.

  "Think of it as a system to generate, store, and distribute energy efficiently. Right now, our hydrogenerators are producing power, but we need a structured way to send that energy where it's needed. We can use mana-infused conduits to act as energy pathways, like veins in a body, ensuring a continuous flow."

  Seraphina rubbed her chin, intrigued.

  "So instead of each place relying on its own small power source, everything connects to a larger network?"

  "Exactly!" Christian grinned.

  "This way, even places that can't afford their own generators can tap into the grid and get access to energy. We can start with the estate and expand outward."

  Before Seraphina could respond, a system notification popped up in his mind.

  [Sanitation System Operational for One Week – Achievement Unlocked!]

  [New Title Acquired: Architect of Clean Waters (Lv. 1) – Increases efficiency of water-related constructions. Level increases over time and with further contributions.]

  Christian smirked, satisfied. Progress was tangible, and now the system itself acknowledged it.

  His efforts weren't just temporary solutions—they were changing lives.

  Seraphina studied him for a moment before asking, "How would it look?"

  Christian closed his eyes, visualizing the structure in his mind. Within seconds, he conjured a sheet of paper into his hand, the design materializing in crisp ink. He handed it to her.

  Seraphina took it, scanning the intricate diagram. She hummed in understanding.

  "Alright, this could work. But what if the river dies down one day?"

  Christian blinked, then smirked.

  "Good point. I should integrate a solar system directly into the estate and connect it to the generator or the grid as a backup power source. That way, we're not entirely dependent on the water supply."

  Seraphina nodded. "That sounds more sustainable."

  Later that evening, curiosity gnawed at him.

  The name Elias Vaughn had surfaced too many times, always drenched in condemnation. If he wanted to understand why the world feared magic, he had to start with the man history branded as a villain.

  He made his way to the estate's vast library, where towering shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, packed with books that carried the kingdom's recorded past. Some of the orphans, intrigued by his search, trailed after him, eager to help.

  "We're looking for anything on Elias Vaughn" he told them.

  The children scattered, returning with an overwhelming stack of tomes, each more damning than the last.

  'The Harbinger of Chaos: The Fall of Elias Vaughn.'

  'Tyrant of the Battlefield: The Man Who Doomed a Generation.'

  'The Cursed Hero Who Betrayed the Kingdom.'

  Christian frowned as he flipped through the pages. Every account demonized him. He was depicted as a brilliant strategist turned ruthless warlord, a man whose magic led to widespread destruction. Nowhere did it mention his motivations—only his acts of destruction.

  Noel, one of the older orphans, hesitated before speaking.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "Mr Christian… if he was so evil, why did he help people before the war?"

  He glanced at him.

  "What do you mean?"

  Noel shifted uncomfortably.

  "My grandfather used to say that Elias protected small villages. That he fought to keep people safe. But the books say he destroyed everything. It doesn't make sense."

  Marie, another orphan, shuddered.

  "Maybe it's because he was cursed. They say his power wasn't a blessing—it was a punishment."

  Christian's fingers tightened around the book he was holding.

  A curse? That explanation felt convenient. Too convenient.

  A small flare of mana crackled in the air, and he turned just in time to see a faint glow emitting from one of the orphans' hands. The boy gasped, shoving his hand behind his back as if burned.

  "I-I didn't mean to!" he stammered, eyes wide with fear.

  The others recoiled slightly, the stigma of magic ingrained so deeply that even children were terrified of it.

  Christian sighed, closing the book in front of him.

  It wasn't just history that needed rewriting—it was the way people thought about power itself.

  "Magic isn't a curse" he said, his voice calm but firm.

  "It's a tool. Like fire, or water. It can be dangerous, but that doesn't make it evil."

  He glanced at the elves who had helped build the reservoir, an idea forming.

  "Look at the elves" he continued.

  "Their earth magic literally shapes the land. If magic was inherently evil, wouldn't that make them dangerous too?"

  The children exchanged looks.

  "Yeah, but..." one of them Lina, hesitated.

  "Elves don't usually mix with humans. Until you came."

  Noel nodded.

  "And the kingdom emperor allows elves to use magic because their powers don't cause harm. They're exempt from the same restrictions placed on humans."

  Christian crossed his arms.

  "Well, what about me? Am I evil?"

  The children opened their mouths to immediately deny it—but then they hesitated. Their minds flashed back to multiple moments where Christian's grin turned devilish at the mere mention of profit.

  Marie nervously shifted. "W-Well..."

  Noel coughed. "I mean... technically—"

  Lina sighed, looking away.

  "Mr Christian, you kinda have that face when talking about business..."

  Christian narrowed his eyes. "Hmph. Traitors."

  Some of the children didn't look convinced, their whole lives spent hearing otherwise.

  Christian understood.

  Change didn't happen overnight.

  As he gazed at the books surrounding him, filled with what was likely rewritten truths, he muttered under his breath

  "History is written by the victors… I need to find records they didn't alter."

  Lina, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

  "Well, demons actually remember history better than some elves. They write a lot of it down. Technically, they're on good terms with humanity thanks to the kingdom, but it's a very thin line. Elias killed a lot of demons without mercy."

  Deciding he needed to think further on this, he turned to the children with a small smile.

  "It's getting late. You should all get some rest."

  Thankfully, Mina arrived just in time, gathering the orphans with a gentle but firm hand.

  "Come along now, everyone. Mr Christian has done enough storytelling for one night."

  The children groaned but obeyed, each bidding Christian farewell.

  "Goodnight, Mr Christian!" they chorused.

  Christian gave them a sincere wave and smile.

  "Goodnight. Sleep well."

  Christian hummed in thought. Well, they are demons, no? Wouldn't they be inherently evil?

  Genesis flickered to life.

  [Not really.]

  A new system prompt displayed historical records, detailing demon society.

  Unlike the kingdom's accounts, these described demons acting like any other race—some were good, some were bad. Well… maybe 80% bad, but the point stood: no race was purely evil.

  Christian's eyes narrowed as he read. The records also suggested that because Elias managed to kill the old Demon Lord, the new one was far more tolerant—yet never forgot history.

  A thought nagged at him. In his mental space, he directed the question at Genesis.

  Just how strong was this Elias Vaughn?

  The system responded almost instantly.

  [Elias Vaughn was considered one of the most powerful combatants of his era and the world. His strength lay not only in his raw magical ability but in his adaptability. He wielded multiple elements, enhanced his physical body beyond human limits, and was known for his ability to dismantle entire armies single-handedly. In battle, he was an unstoppable force—one that reshaped the war itself.]

  Christian exhaled sharply, absorbing the information.

  "So, he wasn't just strong. He was a one-man catastrophe?"

  Curiosity gnawed at him, and before he could stop himself, he asked

  "Well, if I were to somehow fight him with my modern knowledge and my seemingly endless mana, could I win?"

  Genesis didn't even hesitate. The moment he finished speaking, the answer came.

  [No.]

  Christian blinked. "That was fast."

  [Even if you tried one billion times with your current state, you would lose. It wouldn't matter if you could think better than Elias. By all official accounts—and even the rumours—you would lose. Infinitely.]

  Christian clicked his tongue, leaning back in mild annoyance.

  "That bad, huh?"

  Genesis flickered again.

  [Correct.]

  [Elias Vaughn's feats are legendary, though much of his history is buried beneath propaganda. In war, he was an army unto himself. He single-handedly turned the tide in multiple large-scale battles, wielding destruction with terrifying precision.]

  [Against human armies, he dismantled entire battalions through a combination of elemental magic and close combat expertise. He fought with the precision of a tactician, predicting movements before they happened, cutting through formations like a blade through parchment.]

  [Against demons, his reputation was even more fearsome. He led countless campaigns deep into enemy territory, eliminating high-ranking demon generals with brutal efficiency. It is rumoured that he fought the previous Demon Lord in single combat and emerged victorious, though no verified records remain.]

  Christian leaned back, processing the sheer scale of his strength.

  "So, not just a powerhouse—he was a calculated powerhouse."

  A nagging thought refused to leave his mind.

  "If he was so damn powerful, how did he die during the purge?"

  Genesis hesitated for a brief moment before responding.

  [Two primary theories exist: First, Elias Vaughn willingly surrendered after all his comrades were killed. Second, the kingdom claims he was forcefully executed in a final battle against overwhelming odds.]

  Christian frowned. "And the unofficial account?"

  [There is a third, lesser-known rumor—that Elias died on his own terms. The details are scarce, but some believe he orchestrated his own demise rather than letting the kingdom claim victory over him.]

  Christian tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.

  "So, either he was overwhelmed, gave up, or pulled off something no one understands."

  Genesis flickered again.

  [Because of his actions, magic became taboo for humanity and limited for certain races.]

  Christian frowned. "Which ones?"

  [Elves, demons under the new Demon Lord, and dwarves.]

  Genesis continued.

  [Elves are allowed to continue using magic because their earth magic is largely non-destructive. Dwarves, while not heavy magic users, utilize enchantments and runic forging, which do not directly harm anyone. As for demons, they rarely use magic anymore since Elias' battle with the Demon Lord. The scars of that conflict run deep, and the new Demon Lord has enforced a strict policy to avoid drawing attention from humanity again.]

  Christian exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

  "So, thanks to Elias, human magic users are persecuted, and the few races still practicing it either keep it minimal or have political exemptions. Sounds like a damn mess."