Reborn in the Survival Adventure Game

Chapter 68 - 68: New power, New plans

Caelen stood near the river, watching the waterwheel spin slowly in the morning light. It had only been a day since they got their first lightbulb to glow, but the excitement hadn't faded. Even now, a few villagers stood nearby, pointing and whispering like it was magic.

He couldn't blame them. For people used to fire, candles, and torches, this really was something else.

Zira walked up beside him, brushing her hair back.

"It still feels strange," she said. "Like the water's alive."

"In a way, it is," Caelen replied. "But we've only scratched the surface. This little light? It's nothing compared to what we can do if we build more."

Zira raised a brow. "More?"

He turned to face her, grinning. "Yeah. I want to make a power station."

They met in the town hall later. Garin, Elira, Borin, Dorgrim, and Tikka were all there, sitting around the table.

Caelen pointed to the blackboard behind him. He had drawn something on it with charcoal—rough shapes of buildings, wheels, and wires.

"This," he said, tapping the board, "is a power station. Basically, a bigger version of what we already made. More wheels, more magnets, more wires."

Borin squinted. "You saying you want us to carve ten of those damn wheels?"

Caelen laughed. "Not ten. Maybe three or four. But big ones. And we'll use metal parts this time, not just wood."

Dorgrim leaned forward. "Will that make brighter lights?"

Caelen nodded. "Brighter, stronger, and we can power more than just lights. I'm talking machines. Tools. Maybe heaters in the winter."

Everyone blinked at that.

Tikka raised her hand. "Can I help, too?"

Caelen smiled. "Of course. You already know more science than most adults."

Zira smirked. "She's been scolding the other kids for not remembering how magnets work."

Tikka puffed her chest with pride.

They got to work.

Borin and Dorgrim took measurements for bigger wheels and asked for more iron. Caelen and Garin went to the mines to get it. Golems helped carry everything up. It was hard, dusty work. The deeper they went, the hotter it got.

"We should make fans," Garin said, wiping sweat from his face.

"Add it to the list," Caelen replied, laughing.

Once the iron was out, they brought it to the forge. Dorgrim melted it down, forming strong rods and frames. Borin worked on carving stone bases. The sound of hammering filled the village day and night.

Caelen helped where he could, but he also kept checking the system.

Power Output: Low

Expansion Recommended

Build a central station to increase power range and stability.

"Already working on it," Caelen muttered.

One night, while everyone was resting, Caelen sat alone in his house, a notebook in hand. He wrote down ideas for things they could build once they had stable power—maybe a water heater, a workshop with electric tools, or even a fridge.

He smiled to himself. Just the thought of cold food in summer made him feel spoiled.

He paused, then looked at his status again.

Population: 131

Goal: 1,000 (88 days left)

Still a long way to go.

But... they had light. They had education. They had a plan.

He wasn't alone.

The next morning, Caelen checked the workshop and found Tikka there, looking at the copper wires.

"Morning, Tikka."

She turned and waved. "Good morning, Teacher!"

"You practicing again?"

She nodded. "I want to understand how the current moves. I think... it flows like water, right?"

Caelen blinked. "Yeah. That's actually a good way to look at it."

Tikka smiled wide. "I like how it's invisible but still strong. It feels alive."

"You're gonna be smarter than me one day."

She grinned. "I already am!"

Caelen laughed.

By afternoon, the new power station frame was done. It had three wheels turning in sync, all feeding energy into one large wire that led toward the town hall and the school.

Caelen flipped the main switch. Nothing happened.

Dorgrim shouted from inside, "Try now!"

Caelen gave it another go. A hum filled the air. Then, the lights came on—brighter, steadier, stronger.

The villagers nearby gasped. One kid dropped his bread.

"It's glowing!" someone shouted.

Caelen looked at everyone.

"It's working."

They clapped. Some laughed. Even Borin looked impressed.

Elira stepped closer, watching the light closely. "You're changing this place, Caelen."

He looked at her. "We're doing it together."

That evening, Caelen stood on a small platform with the others watching. More lights were set along the main road now—just a few, but enough to glow in the dark.

Zira leaned beside him.

"So... what's next?"

He crossed his arms. "More power. More people. We need to reach 1,000."

"And you think all this will bring them here?"

He looked at the glowing bulbs lighting the village path.

"I think it's a good start."