Reborn in the Survival Adventure Game

Chapter 71 - 71: The village Lights up

It started with a single thought while Caelen sat alone in his house, staring at the small glowing bulb he had set up over his desk.

The faint hum of the water wheel outside reminded him that power was flowing—quietly, steadily. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, thinking.

"I'm living in here like it's a home. Everyone else is just surviving," he muttered. "That's not good enough anymore."

The village had grown so much. Dozens of houses now stood where there was once only dirt and trees. People were building, learning, even laughing. But every night, the same thing happened—darkness crept in, and fear returned. Parents lit torches outside their doors. Children huddled close to the fire pits. Zira even walked the streets at night with a lantern, keeping an eye on things.

"I can fix this," Caelen said aloud.

The next morning, he gathered his thoughts and walked to the town hall, a rolled-up blueprint under one arm. Inside, Garin, Zira, Elira, and the dwarves were already discussing food reserves and training schedules.

"I want to light up the village," Caelen said simply, placing the blueprint on the table.

Zira looked up from her notes. "What do you mean, light up?"

"Electric lights. Every home. Every street. We've got water wheels running, which means we've got power. Now it's time to use it."

Dorgrim scratched his beard. "Power, sure... but lights? You mean glow-stones?"

"No," Caelen said. "Wires. Filaments. Controlled current. It's hard to explain all the science behind it, but I can show you how to make it work."

Elira leaned over to look at the sketches. "So, you're making little... suns?"

Caelen smiled. "Kind of. Small, warm lights. Enough to keep the dark away."

Zira leaned closer. "You already figured this out?"

"Yeah. The hard part will be making enough filaments and connecting all the wiring. We'll need to dig shallow trenches for cables, craft more copper, and probably build a small hub to direct the flow."

Borin nodded slowly. "I'll help. Let's melt some copper."

Work began that same afternoon.

Caelen directed a team to dig narrow paths between homes while the dwarves worked in the forge to shape and coat wires. The golems hauled stone and tools, their heavy footsteps echoing through the village. Caelen used Transmute to help shape iron and glass into small lamp housings, which he mounted onto wooden posts or inside windows.

Garin cooked for the workers. Zira ran supplies. Even the kids wanted to help, though more than once, Caelen had to chase them away from dangerous tools.

As the sun dipped low, Caelen finally connected the first light.

He held his breath as he twisted the copper wires into place and flipped the small switch he had rigged using wood and nails. The glass bulb glowed.

Soft. Gentle. Warm.

A goblin family gathered in the doorway, eyes wide.

"It's... bright," the mother whispered.

The little girl stepped forward, eyes round as coins. "Is this magic?"

Caelen shook his head, grinning. "Nope. Just science."

Zira appeared beside him, arms crossed, watching the light flicker gently.

"You always do this," she said.

"Do what?"

"Change everything. Just like that." She smiled. "You lit up a home. Now they'll want more."

"They'll get more," Caelen replied. "Every house, if I can manage it."

By nightfall, six houses had working lights. Caelen stood on the hill overlooking the village, sweating and tired, but satisfied. Below him, faint lights glowed like stars scattered across the dirt paths.

Dorgrim plopped beside him with a heavy sigh. "It's beautiful, lad. Makes me wish my old mountain halls had this kind of warmth."

Caelen sat down next to him, stretching out his legs. "Thanks. But it's not enough yet. We need to keep going."

Dorgrim chuckled. "You'll never be done, will you?"

"Probably not."

A soft voice came from behind. Zira again. She had two cups in her hands, both steaming slightly.

"Here," she said, handing one to Caelen. "Mint tea. Garin made it."

Caelen accepted it, his hands brushing hers. "Thanks."

They sat there in silence for a moment, the three of them watching the lights flicker in the windows. The sounds of laughter and talking drifted up from below. It was peaceful.

"You know," Zira said quietly, "they've started calling you something."

Caelen raised an eyebrow. "Don't say it."

She smirked. "Lightbringer."

He groaned. "That's worse than I expected."

Dorgrim laughed so hard he nearly spilled his tea. "It fits, though! You brought fire without fire. I like it."

"I'm going to ban nicknames," Caelen muttered.

Zira nudged him gently. "Too late. You started something, Caelen. Again."

He looked down at the village, where the glow of handmade lights reflected in curious eyes and hopeful smiles. He felt something deep in his chest—tired but proud.

"This is just the beginning," he said. "They deserve more than just survival. They deserve warmth. Comfort. A real life."

Zira watched him for a while, then nodded. "Then we'll keep going. With you."

Caelen looked up at the stars above, his heart a little lighter.