chapter 57 kaelith thinking
Kaelith's workshop was dimly lit, the glow of enchanted lamps flickering over the various tools and ingredients scattered across his workbench. The air was thick with the scent of burnt metal and alchemical fumes, but he barely noticed. He had been working tirelessly, fully immersed in his craft.
> "One down, nineteen to go."
With his process perfected, he moved quickly, repeating each step with mechanical efficiency. The ticking of a nearby clock faded into the background as he pushed forward.
System Message]
You have created: Mini Bomb (x20)!
Engineering Apprenticeship Proficiency +40
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Engineering Progress & Future Goals
Kaelith sat back, rubbing his temples as he stared at the twenty finished Mini Bombs neatly arranged in his storage case. His workshop smelled of burnt powder, heated metal, and the lingering scent of alchemical residue. His hands were sore from hours of meticulous grinding, mixing, and assembling, but it was worth it.
He pulled up his Engineering Progress Menu, eyes scanning his current proficiency.
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[Engineering Apprenticeship Progress]
Current Level: Engineering Apprenticeship (Level 1)
Proficiency Gained: +40
Total Proficiency: 40 / 200
Next Level: Engineering Apprenticeship Level 2 (Requires 160 more proficiency)
Observations:
✔ 20 Mini Bombs crafted = 40 proficiency gained.
✔ Each Mini Bomb gives +2 proficiency.
✔ To reach Level 2, he needs 160 more proficiency → 80 more Mini Bombs required.
✔ Proficiency gains may increase with higher-tier creations.
> "That's a lot of bombs. I need a way to speed this up."
Kaelith leaned forward, deep in thought. If he wanted to level up faster, he needed to either increase production efficiency or create higher-tier engineering items that granted more proficiency per craft.
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Short-Term Engineering Goals
1. Reaching Engineering Apprenticeship Level 2
Craft 80 more Mini Bombs to reach Level 2.
Optimize production speed by pre-preparing materials in bulk.
Experiment with slight variations in bomb composition for improved effectiveness.
2. Unlocking Advanced Engineering Recipes
Leveling up would unlock more schematics.
Possible future crafts:
Grenades (Area-wide explosions)
Sticky Bombs (Attach to targets before detonation)
Smoke Bombs (Tactical utility)
Mana Batteries (Power source for automated traps)
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Mid-Term Engineering Goals
1. Becoming an Engineering Trainer (Level 4)
Every 3 Engineering Levels → Promotion to Trainer
Trainers unlock advanced schematics and can start teaching others.
At Level 4, he would gain access to:
✔ Remote Detonators
✔ Auto-Turrets
✔ Mana-Powered Weapons
2. Establishing an Engineering Workshop
Instead of working alone, hiring apprentices could increase production.
A dedicated workshop would allow for:
✔ Mass production of explosives
✔ Development of mechanical devices
✔ Testing of prototype weapons and traps
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Long-Term Engineering Goals
1. Advancing to Basic Engineer (Trainer Level 3 → Engineer Level 1)
Unlocks automated defenses, mechanical constructs, and complex mana-powered tech.
Potential projects:
Self-repairing armor
Mana-infused siege weapons
Automated sentry drones
2. Becoming a Master Engineer
One of the rarest engineering ranks in Eldoria.
Grants access to legendary blueprints known only to Master Engineers.
Possible unique crafts:
Flying war machines
City-wide defense grids
Custom AI-controlled battle constructs
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The Ultimate Goal: Grandmaster Engineer
Kaelith took a deep breath, staring at the numbers in his proficiency menu. He knew the path ahead wasn't easy.
> "In my past life, there were only three Grandmasters in all of Eldoria. Their creations shaped wars, built empires, and destroyed kingdoms."
What Makes a Grandmaster Engineer?
✔ They hold knowledge lost to time—blueprints that are nearly impossible to acquire.
✔ They possess unmatched crafting skills, capable of forging game-changing inventions.
✔ Their works are considered national treasures, often controlled by powerful factions.
> "If I reach that level… I won't just be a fighter. I'll be a force of nature."
But reaching Grandmaster wasn't just about crafting—it was about discovery.
To become a Grandmaster, he needed to:
1. Uncover hidden schematics lost in ancient ruins and restricted archives.
2. Invent his own engineering marvels beyond what existed in the current world.
3. Survive the political and guild battles that came with being a legendary craftsman.
Kaelith's eyes burned with determination.
> "For now… Engineering Apprenticeship Level 2. Then, I'll start making real weapons."
He grabbed another Magic Crystal, ready to begin the next batch of Mini Bombs. His journey to becoming a Grandmaster Engineer had only just begun.
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[System Message]
New Goal Set: Achieve Engineering Apprenticeship Level 2
Path to Engineering Mastery Initiated.
Checking Materials & Preparing to Log Out
Kaelith let out a deep breath, stretching his sore arms. His fingers ached from hours of meticulous work—grinding, mixing, assembling, and sealing. Crafting twenty Mini Bombs had drained both his stamina and concentration.
He leaned back in his chair and surveyed his workstation. The once-organized table was now a battlefield of tools, empty vials, stray bits of explosive powder, and scraps of reinforced leather. A few broken mortar shards lay in the corner, casualties of earlier miscalculations.
> "I should clean this up later… Maybe."
For now, he needed to check his remaining materials before logging out.
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Material Stock Check
✔ Explosive Powder: Low (Enough for 10 more Mini Bombs)
✔ Magic Crystals: 3 Left (Needs more for future crafts)
✔ Reinforced Leather Pouches: Adequate
✔ Mixing Tools: Worn, but usable
✔ Fuel & Fire Source: Nearly depleted
Kaelith frowned. He was running low on key materials. The Explosive Powder and Magic Crystals would need to be restocked before he could continue mass-producing bombs.
> "I'll have to make a supply run tomorrow. The marketplace should have what I need."
He also noted that his tools were wearing down. Crafting for hours without maintenance had dulled some of his equipment. If he pushed them too far, they might break mid-production. He'd need to either repair them or invest in higher-quality tools soon.
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Checking the Time
Kaelith glanced at the clock display in the corner of his interface.
[11:58:47 AM – In-Game Time]
[12 Hours Online]
He blinked. Had it really been that long? It felt like only a few hours since he started, but the deep ache in his shoulders told a different story.
> "Twelve hours straight… No wonder I feel like I've been hit by a golem."
Fatigue was setting in, and his reaction speed was slowing. Staying online longer wouldn't be productive—his focus would drop, increasing the risk of crafting failures. It was better to rest now and come back refreshed.
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Final Preparations Before Logging Out
Before leaving the game, Kaelith went through his usual log-out checklist.
✔ Stored the crafted Mini Bombs safely in his inventory.
✔ Locked his Engineering Workshop to prevent theft.
✔ Checked his Engineering Proficiency Progress one last time.
✔ Set a reminder to restock materials & repair tools next session.
Satisfied, he stood up and stretched, feeling the stiffness in his joints.
> "Tomorrow, I'll focus on gathering materials and maybe upgrading my tools. Then, back to crafting."
He opened the Game Menu, scrolled to the Log Out option, and selected it.
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[System Message]
Logging Out in 10 seconds…
Engineering Progress Saved.
Kaelith's vision blurred as the world of Eldoria faded to black.