The night air was crisp as Arthur stood at the center of his newly acquired land, surveying the area. The terrain was uneven, and weeds sprawled across most of the open space. The solitary house in the middle looked small compared to the vision he had for the place.
But tonight was the first step. He would build the initial structures, at least.
Arthur raised his hand, bringing out the swarm of nanobots before him. The swarm shot forward, spreading across the ground like a tide. Their tiny forms shimmered as they started reshaping the mana-infused granite rocks he had collected before.
"Let's build the walls first," Arthur muttered to himself.
The nanobots followed his command, breaking down the granite into perfectly measured stone bricks, each infused with mana, ensuring durability and a natural resistance to weather and erosion. The stones were picked up and assembled in perfect alignment, layer by layer, forming the perimeter wall.
Arthur reinforced the base, making sure it was thick enough to withstand both natural and artificial threats. He embedded metal poles in between, ensuring structural integrity. A sturdy, arched gate formed at the front, with a reinforced metal frame integrated into the design.
Once the walls were complete, he commanded the nanobots to clear the land, eliminating all weeds, uneven terrain, and debris. The ground trembled as the nanobots shredded through unwanted vegetation, compacting the soil into a level foundation. Arthur walked through the cleared space, mapping out the layout of the orphanage in his mind.
There were many types of buildings he would need to build here like living quarters with separate dormitories for different age groups. Communal dining area and a kitchen. Recreation room, a place for the children to relax and play. Study area, medical room, bathrooms & laundry facilities. Administrative Office and outdoor play area, a space where the children could run freely and enjoy themselves.
Arthur muttered. "I'll build the outer structures tonight. The interior will have to wait until tomorrow when I can buy the necessary materials."
With that, he set to work.
The nanobots surged again, this time shaping the foundations for the buildings. He started with the living quarters, ensuring that each dormitory was spacious and well-ventilated. The walls rose quickly, the reinforced stone settling into place with precise measurements.
Next came the dining hall and kitchen, positioned near the center of the orphanage. The study area and recreation room were placed nearby, ensuring easy access. Bathrooms and laundry rooms were built along the back, with proper drainage channels crafted into the foundation.
The medical room and the administrative office was placed at the front for easy oversight.
Finally, Arthur designated a large section of the land as an outdoor play area, flattening the ground and preparing it for later additions like swings, training dummies, and small sports fields.
By the time two hours had passed, the outer structure of every building stood firm. Only the finishing touches and interiors remained.
Arthur surveyed his work, "That should do for now."
He made his way back to the house, stepping inside quietly. Lisa was still asleep, curled under the blanket, her small figure barely making a dent in the mattress.
Arthur approached the synthezoids, who stood in a passive stance near the doorway. "Take care of her while I'm gone. Cook meals, make sure she bathes, and keep her comfortable. Tell her I'll be back by tomorrow afternoon."
"Understood, Master," one of the synthezoids responded with a bow.
Arthur gave Lisa one last glance before exiting. The night had deepened, and the streets of Brightwater were nearly empty. Only a few scattered figures moved in the distance, likely night workers or mercenaries finishing their tasks.
But Arthur had one last stop before returning to the academy.
He arrived in front of the Mercenary Guild.
The large stone building was one of the busiest places in Brightwater during the day, but even at night, it still housed several patrons. Arthur stepped inside, the warm glow of lanterns illuminating the vast hall. The scent of sweat, ale, and metal filled the air as groups of mercenaries sat around, sharing drinks or checking the mission board.
At the reception desk, a tall elven woman with silver hair and sharp green eyes stood behind the counter, looking up as Arthur approached. She was dressed in a leather uniform, her posture professional yet relaxed.
"Welcome to the Mercenary Guild," she greeted, her voice smooth and businesslike. "How can I help you?"
Arthur placed a platinum coin on the counter. "I want to post a permanent mission."
The elf's eyebrows raised slightly. Permanent missions were rare, and only those with considerable funds would issue them. She pulled out a form and quill. "What are the details of the request?"
Arthur spoke clearly. "The mission is to find orphans in Brightwater and bring them to this address from tomorrow afternoon onwards." He placed a small map on the counter, marking the location of the orphanage. "For each child brought in, the reward will be five gold coins."
A few mercenaries nearby turned their heads at the mention of the reward. Five gold coins per child was a generous sum.
The elf, however, remained composed as she jotted down the details. "Are there any conditions?"
"Yes," Arthur said firmly. "The childrens must come willingly. If any forceful methods are used, no reward will be given."
The elf paused, studying him for a brief moment before nodding. "Understood. We take contracts seriously here, so rest assured, if anyone breaks the conditions, they won't be paid."
She finalized the mission request and stamped it with the guild's official seal. "The mission will be posted by morning. Is there anything else?"
Arthur shook his head. "That's all."
The elf slid the paper aside and gave him a small smile. "Quite the noble mission. Not many mercenaries get paid to help children."
Arthur simply nodded before turning to leave. As he walked toward the exit, he could hear the quiet murmurs of mercenaries discussing the new job.
He stepped outside, taking in the cool night air. The streets were still and silent, the city resting.
His work wasn't done yet, but tonight had been quite productive.
Before entering the academy he took out some probes and spread them around the city, he was not just going to trust the mercenaries, he would be monitoring the city. And if he found any mercenary forcefully taking children to earn some quick bucks, then they would have wished they hadn't.
After that he returned to the dorm.
…
The next morning, Arthur woke up early, his body still accustomed to discipline despite his busy schedule. After a quick wash, he went through his usual morning training, body conditioning, mana circulation, and a bit of swordplay. By the time he was done, the academy grounds were already bustling with students heading to their respective classes.
Leon and Finn were waiting for him outside the dormitory.
"Ready?" Leon asked, rolling his shoulders.
Arthur nodded. "Let's go."
The three made their way to the magic training field, where professor Elaine was already preparing the students for advanced mana control exercises. The morning was spent refining their techniques, improving precision, and sparring under supervision.
Arthur found the session somewhat useful, though it was clear his mastery of mana control was not improving as fast as he wanted.
By the time the afternoon rolled in, the class was drawing to a close, and the students started dispersing. Finn, wiping sweat from his forehead, turned to Arthur.
"Hey, how about we visit the market after class? I heard there's a new stall selling enchanted weapons. Might be worth checking out."
Arthur shook his head. "I can't. I have something important to do."
Finn raised an eyebrow. "Important? What kind of important?"
Arthur hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell them. "I'm building an orphanage in Brightwater."
Both Leon and Finn froze, blinking in disbelief.
"You're… building an orphanage?" Leon repeated slowly.
"Yeah," Arthur confirmed. "I've already finished the outer structures. Now I need to set up the interiors and arrange the staff."
Finn let out a low whistle. "Damn, Arthur. Didn't take you for the charitable type."
Arthur crossed his arms. "It's not about charity. There are too many kids on the streets. Someone has to do something."
Leon gave him a long look before smirking. "You should've told us earlier. No way we're letting you handle something like this alone."
Finn grinned. "Yeah, count me in. Let's go."
Arthur wasn't surprised at their response, but he appreciated it nonetheless. Just as they were about to leave the training field, two girls approached them. One of them was Natalya, the silver-haired girl he had spoken with only a few times. The other was a slightly shorter girl with short brown hair and soft, round features.
Natalya fidgeted slightly, looking a bit nervous as she spoke. "Excuse me. Um… I overheard you talking about helping at an orphanage. Can we… join you?"
Arthur looked at her, slightly confused. "Why do you want to help?"
Natalya hesitated before answering. "I… just think it's a good cause. And I want to do something meaningful."
The brown-haired girl next to her nodded enthusiastically. "Me too! I'm Sophia, by the way."
Before Arthur could respond, another voice joined in.
"I'll come too."
Arthur turned to see Eva approaching. Her arms were crossed, with her usual stoic expression.
"I figured you'd do something ridiculous again, but this is actually a good idea. Count me in." Eva verbally jabbed at him for buying a Dragon core out of nowhere, what he can't even use now.
Arthur blinked. He wasn't expecting this many volunteers. He glanced at Leon and Finn, who just grinned at him.
"Well," Leon shrugged. "Looks like your orphanage just got some extra hands."
Arthur exhaled. "Fine. If you're willing to help, I won't stop you."
The group of six left the academy together, heading toward the Merchant Guild. Arthur led the way, with the others chatting behind him.
"So, are we just carrying furniture, or do we actually get to do something interesting?" Finn asked.
"You'll see when we get there," Arthur replied.
Upon reaching the Merchant Guild, Arthur turned to the others. "Wait here. I need to handle something inside."
They nodded, finding seats in the reception hall while Arthur stepped up to the front desk. The receptionist recognized him immediately and directed him to the manager's office. Inside, Arthur quickly listed out the materials he needed for the orphanage interiors, furniture, beds, kitchenware, study desks, medical supplies, and more raw materials.
Manager Rhys nodded along as he took notes. When Arthur finished, he leaned forward. "And what about staff? You'll need caretakers, cooks, teachers, and nurses if you're looking after more than a hundred children."
Arthur nodded. "That's why I came here. I need people qualified for those roles. Can the guild help with recruitment?"
The manager smiled. "Of course. We have connections with people looking for stable work. I'll spread the word and have candidates ready for you by tomorrow."
"Good." Arthur placed a deposit of platinum coins on the desk. "That should cover the initial costs."
The manager's smile widened. "Always a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Arthur."
After finalizing the arrangements, Arthur returned to the reception hall, where the others were waiting.
"Everything set?" Finn asked.
Arthur nodded. "Let's go."
They left the guild and made their way toward the orphanage. As they approached, they noticed a small crowd gathered near the perimeter wall. Several people, mostly locals, were murmuring amongst themselves, gesturing at the newly built walls.
"It just appeared out of nowhere!"
"I swear, these walls weren't here yesterday."
"Who the hell builds something this fast?"
Arthur ignored the chatter, walking straight to the large metal gate. The others followed, but Finn snickered. "Looks like you freaked out the neighborhood."
Arthur pushed the gate open, stepping inside. The group followed, eyes sweeping over the sturdy buildings.
"Damn," Leon muttered. "How did you build all this in one night?"
Arthur simply nodded. "We have a lot to do. I will explain it to you later. Let's get started."
And with that, they entered the orphanage.
***
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