Chapter 31: Adrian Vs Fabian

Chapter 31: Adrian Vs FabianSatisfied, Adrian headed to his room for lunch. All he needed to do was inform the maid that he was hungry and food was immediately delivered to his room.

By the time he finished, he leaned back and closed his eyes for a brief rest, not having anything to do at that moment.

He had considered to start planning the blueprint for the magic gun by himself, but decided to tackle it only when he had enough time at his disposal.

"An hour can’t be enough," Adrian muttered before embracing sleep.

[2:38 p.m. One hour elapsed.]

After some minutes of sleep, Adrian heard Tech Core announce his alarm into his head. He didn’t grumble or return to sleep as he knew work called for him at the workshop.

***

The gardens were vibrant under the midday sun as Adrian approached the Eastern wing. He was halfway across a stone path when a voice cut through the calm.

"Hey, genius!"

Adrian kept walking with an unchanged expression. He was well aware of who called him, and he knew the best answer would be to not give any answer at all.

"Oi, genius!" Fabian called again, louder, his boots crunching on the gravel as he closed the distance. "Too good to talk now? Ignoring your betters?"



Adrian didn’t flinch and only kept on taking steady steps, hoping he’ll reach within range of people soon enough.

The absence of a reaction only made Fabian’s voice grow furious though.

"What do you think you are, you filthy peasant?"

Before Adrian could react, Fabian rushed forward, swinging his leg in a vicious kick aimed at Adrian’s shin. Adrian’s instincts, of course, screamed for him to dodge, but his body was a fraction too slow.

The blow connected and pain flared within him as his legs buckled and he hit the ground hard on his back.

[New Quest Unlocked!]

[Quest: Don’t succumb to bullying]

[Objective: Teach your aggressor a lesson.]

[Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★]

[Requirements:

Make your aggressor unable to attack you

Deal him enough damage]

[Reward: 1000 TP, 1x Recovery Pill (★)]

Adrian’s eyes widened, the pain in his leg momentarily forgotten.

’What the hell is this quest?’

The difficulty was a new addition, but it made it evident that it wouldn’t be easy or even possible to defeat Fabian.

His mind drifted towards his [Inventory], where his flintlock waited. For a moment, he imagined blasting a hole through the bastard’s head.

But he knew he couldn’t do such, the consequences would be so much too. He just had to stay calm instead.

Gritting his teeth, Adrian pushed himself up, wincing as his leg protested. "Are you out of your mind?"

Fabian’s face twisted and he got more angrier. He lunged forward in speed, swinging his hand to deliver a vicious slap.

Adrian had anticipated the slap better this time, and he squarely caught Fabian’s wrist, gripping it hard.

For a moment, he held firm, their eyes locked. But be bad underestimated Fabian’s strength and with a sneer, the latter yanked his arm free, shoving Adrian back.

The force sent Adrian stumbling, and his body slammed into the ground once again.

Coughing, Adrian tasted blood,making him whisper to himself. "I really need to improve my strength."



He had neglected his body too much, and now it was proving how weak it was.

Fabian wasn’t done, walking closer to him.

"What do you think you are, you talentless fool?" he spat, delivering a brutal kick to Adrian’s ribs. The impact stole Adrian’s breath, pain exploding through his chest.

"You think anyone cares about your pathetic inventions?" Another kick, this one grazing Adrian’s hip as he tried to roll away. "You’re nothing!"


Adrian struggled as his arms shielded his face, but he knew he was outmatched.

Gasping, Adrian forced out, "You really don’t want to do this, Fabian. Touch me again, and I’ll make you regret your life."

Fabian threw his head back and laughed, the sound harsh and mocking.

"Regret? You’re something else, you know. All that talk, and you’re helpless. Stand up and fight like a man, or are you waiting to cry to Father?" He stepped closer, bending down to loom over Adrian, his face inches away.

"What do you think you can do now, huh? Nothing!"

That was his mistake. Adrian’s hand, hidden by his side, had already slipped into his [Inventory]. His fingers closed around a heavy iron spanner.

As Fabian’s taunting face hovered close, Adrian summoned every ounce of strength, his arm a blur as he swung the spanner upward. The metal connected with a sickening crunch, smashing into Fabian’s nose.

Blood sprayed, and Fabian screamed as he collapsed onto the gravel, clutching his face. The spanner vanished back into Adrian’s [Inventory] in an instant, leaving no trace.

Adrian staggered to his feet, wiping blood from his split lip. He loomed over Fabian, who writhed, cursing through his pain.

"I warned you," Adrian said with a cold voice. "I don’t care if you’re a spoiled noble brat. Cross me again, and you’ll wish you hadn’t. I showed mercy to you now, next time I might not."

Fabian’s screams drew distant shouts — servants or guards, Adrian couldn’t tell. He didn’t care, and only kept walking away.

His mind was only interested in the notification that flashed before him:

[Quest Completed: Don’t succumb to bullying.1000 TP, 1x Recovery Pill (★) Granted]

The 1000 TP was a windfall for Adrian, and his mind was already racing with possibilities of what he could accomplish with the total he had in his disposal.

"That’s for later," Adrian muttered, wincing as a sharp twinge shot through his side. "I hope this Recovery Pill lives up to its name."

He glanced around after walking for a while, ensuring no servants or guards were near. The garden’s vibrant roses and neatly trimmed hedges offered cover, and he slipped behind a marble fountain, its gentle trickle masking his movements.

Hidden from view, he summoned the pill’s description with a thought.

[Recovery Pill (★): Restores injuries. Single use]

Adrian’s lips curled into a relieved grin after seeing the apt description.

"Perfect." He accessed his [Inventory], selecting the pill. A faint glow shimmered in his palm, and the pill materialized — a small, glossy red sphere, no larger than a grape.

It pulsed with a subtle energy, like a heartbeat. He hesitated, then popped it into his mouth. The pill dissolved instantly, a sweet, fruity taste spreading across his tongue.



A red aura erupted around him, warm and tingling, like sunlight soaking into his skin. It washed over his body, and the pain in his ribs vanished, replaced by a soothing coolness.

His split lip knit itself shut, the swelling gone. His bruised shin felt strong, as if the kick had never landed.

A wave of refreshment followed, as a bit of his fatigue melted away. Adrian flexed his fingers, marveling at the absence of ache.

"Wow," he breathed, rolling his shoulders. "Good as new."

"Tech Core, how are these made?"

[Recovery Pills can be crafted through alchemy]

"Alchemy, huh?" Adrian’s eyes gleamed. "Can I buy knowledge on that?"

The Tech Core’s interface shifted, displaying a catalog:

[Alchemy Knowledge (Basic): 10,000 TP. Intermediate: 50,000 TP. Advanced: 200,000 TP.]

Adrian sighed in disappointment. "Ten thousand? Forget it."

His available TP, while generous, was a drop in the bucket. He dismissed the catalog, resolving to earn more points later.

For now, the pill’s effects were enough. Reinvigorated, Adrian stepped out from behind the fountain, his stride confident as he headed toward the Eastern Workshop.