Reborn as a Hated Noble Family, We Start an Industrial Revolution

”A-ah... easy now! It hurts... it burns!”

​Morning at the inn was immediately greeted by Adul’s dramatically loud whimpers. He clutched his scraped, reddened knees with a scrunched-up face, acting as if his legs had just been cleaved off by an executioner’s broadsword.

​Naya, kneeling on the floor in front of him and busy replacing his bandages, could only let out a long, suffering sigh. Haaah. ”It’s merely a shallow scrape. Your skin isn’t flayed, and your bones certainly aren’t broken,” Naya grumbled, her nimble fingers never breaking their rhythm as she wrapped the gauze.

​”But the stinging reaches all the way to my brain!”

​”That’s why next time, try not to trip over your own feet inside a dungeon. You fell because you panicked, not because the enemy hit you.”

​”That... that was an evasive tactical maneuver, I’ll have you know!” Adul argued, defending what little scraps of pride he had left.

​Naya didn’t bother replying with words. Instead, she pulled the end of the bandage just a fraction tighter than necessary.

​Yank!

​”Aaaargh!” Adul let out a muffled shriek, instantly clamping his mouth shut the moment Naya looked up at him with a single raised eyebrow.

​In the slightly dim corner of the room, Eva sat quietly, her back resting against the wooden wall. Her left shoulder appeared a bit bulky beneath layers of thick bandages—a souvenir from the ice shard impact during yesterday’s battle.

​However, the girl’s posture was vastly more relaxed now. Her silver eyes watched the comical interaction between Naya and Adul, though her mind seemed to be drifting far away.

​Meanwhile, Dom already stood solid near the exit. Acting as a giant pillar, ready to move before the first streak of dawn even touched the sky.

​Click.

​The upstairs door opened, and Roland stepped out, adjusting the collar of his elegant grey coat. His eyes immediately landed on Adul, who was still wincing softly.

​”Are you absolutely certain you can walk today, Adul?” Roland asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.

​Adul reflexively straightened his back and patted his chest. ”Y-yes, My Lord! Absolutely! It’s just a flesh wound!”

​”Excellent. Because our agenda today will drain a considerable amount of physical stamina,” Roland replied smoothly.

​Adul secretly swallowed hard. Gulp.

​Outside the inn, the crisp morning air swept across their faces.

​Charis and Lira were already waiting near the wooden gates. Both looked immaculate, clad in the grand uniforms of Luminous Academy—deep navy blue with silver sun emblems that gleamed under the morning light.

​However, there was something different about Charis’s demeanor today. His back was no longer as rigid as yesterday. His gaze was more focused, radiating a faint, subtle aura of confidence. It was the look of someone who had just survived a mental crucible and realized his true potential.

​Conversely, Lira had begun to reveal her true colors: an energetic, overly talkative girl.

​”Are you all ready?!” Lira cheered enthusiastically, hopping slightly in place. ”Advisor Liana is competing in the preliminary rounds today! I seriously can’t wait to see her in action!”

​”You have repeated that exact sentence three times since we stood here, Lira,” Charis muttered quietly, slightly embarrassed by his friend’s overflowing enthusiasm.

​”Of course it bears repeating! This is a rare occasion! Advisor Liana almost never descends to participate directly in tournaments like this!”

​Roland offered a thin smile, adjusting the fit of his gloves. ”In that case, we shouldn’t waste any more time. Charis, please lead the way.”

​The atmosphere in the Luminara Capital that morning felt like a stark contrast to a normal day.

​The cobblestone streets, usually spacious and orderly, were now choked by a sea of humanity moving in a single direction. Processions of pilgrims in pristine white robes walked in small clusters, chanting morning prayers in a monotonous yet magical cadence.

​On both sides of the street, vendors shouted at the top of their lungs, peddling their wares with unique promotional pitches.

​”Fortune cakes! Taste the sweet energy of victory before your champion steps into the arena!”

​”Protective mana talismans! Only five silver coins for the safety of your soul!”

​Mages from various Arcanum factions and corners of Luminara added to the vibrant spectacle. Their colorful robes reflected their respective elemental affiliations. Blazing red for the Fire Arcanum, tranquil blue for the Water Arcanum, soft green for the Wind Arcanum, and deep brown for Earth.

​Roland strolled casually beside Charis. His sharp eyes actively swept the surroundings, logging any irregularities.

​”City security has been drastically heightened,” Roland whispered quietly. ”Look at the pillars at that intersection. Heavily armed guards on every corner. There are even Paladin knights stationed at the main gates.”

​”This tournament is the grandest festival in the entire Luminara territory,” Charis replied, his eyes also monitoring the crowds. ”Almost all vital figures and nobles converge at this single point. Maximum security is an absolute necessity.”

​”All vital figures?” Roland fished for more intelligence.

​”The Arcanum Masters, faction elders, high-ranking Church officials... even the Holy Maiden usually makes a direct appearance during the final rounds.” Charis turned his head slightly, lowering his voice. ”But I’ve heard rumors that this year, she might not be able to attend in full. There is an emergency council convening in the upper hierarchy.”

​Roland gave a small nod, locking that precious piece of intel tight within his mind without altering his pleasant expression.

​In the rear guard, Rianor walked in total silence. Yet, his quietness this time was not born of indifference.

​His eyes moved constantly. Observing the protective ward symbols carved into the buildings’ walls, feeling the faint vibrations of mana currents in the blowing wind.

​Ever since his brief contact with the Measuring Crystal in Liana’s office yesterday, something felt fundamentally different within his body. A subtle vibration, an invisible echo that continuously pulsed at his fingertips. It felt like a faint, distant whisper that he hadn’t yet managed to fully translate.

​The Mana Glove on his right hand appeared calm, emitting a static, soft blue glow. Yet, something within his own core of mana felt as though it had just awakened from a long, deep slumber.

​”Rianor?” Roland looked back, noticing his brother’s unusual silence. ”Are you alright?”

​”Yes.”

​”You’ve been quiet. Quieter than usual.”

​”I am merely mapping out a few things in my head,” Rianor answered curtly.

​Roland didn’t push. He knew perfectly well that if Rianor had already submerged himself in his thoughts, prodding him would only be a waste of breath.

​Haaaah...

​Adul looked up, his breath seemingly caught in his throat as the architectural marvel of the Luminara Colosseum finally loomed majestically before them.

​The colossal oval structure, built from stacked white alabaster, was so massive it seemed to swallow half the morning sky. Giant marble pillars stood resolutely along its facade, adorned with highly detailed relief carvings depicting legendary battles of the past—grand mages warring against ancient dragons, the eradication of demonic armies, and symbols of humanity’s struggle against destiny.

​Gigantic stone statues of fallen Luminara heroes stood tall like eternal sentinels along the outer corridors.

​The crowd gathered in front of the main entrance gates was unbelievably dense. Thousands of people pushed and shoved, queuing impatiently under the strict surveillance of knight-wardens.

​However, Charis calmly guided their party to veer to the side, heading toward a much smaller, heavily guarded gate accompanied by a sign that read: Special Invitation Access.

​A burly guard halted their advance, his left hand resting on the pommel of his sword. Charis immediately reached into his robe pocket and produced a specialized silver badge.

​The guard scanned the badge for a moment, then offered a respectful bow. ”Access confirmed. Please proceed inside. Advisor Liana is already awaiting your party.”

​Tap. Tap.

​Their footsteps echoed down the Colosseum’s inner corridors, paved with cold stone. Right in front of the entrance to the main spectator stands, Liana Velthorne stood waiting.

​The woman’s appearance today was a drastic departure from the norm. She no longer wore the loose, grey robe typical of an academic advisor she usually donned in her office.

​Now, she wore a specialized dark blue combat robe that fit snugly against her form, accented with silver lines along its folds, specifically tailored to facilitate fluid physical movement. Her dark hair was tied high in a neat, tight tail, accentuating her sharp jawline.

​Even though traces of tension couldn’t be entirely hidden from her face, her eyes radiated an unbreakable resolve.

​”You finally made it,” Liana greeted them, exhaling a breath of relief.

​”Of course we did,” Roland replied with his signature warm smile. ”Lira hasn’t stopped talking about your match schedule the entire way here. We had no reason to miss it.”

​Liana offered a thin smile, her eyes shooting an amused glance at her female student. ”This child is truly terrible at keeping secrets.”

​Lira, hiding behind Naya’s back, could only flush bright red, awkwardly scratching her cheek.

​”We are here purely to support you,” Roland continued amiably. ”Unless our presence makes you feel distracted or nervous, of course.”

​”Not at all. In fact, I feel incredibly reassured having you here.” Liana looked at them one by one, her gaze softening as it landed on Charis and Lira. ”I do not have many... supporters or relatives in the Capital. Usually, it’s just these two troublemakers shouting from the stands.”

​”I’m going to scream my lungs out for you today, Advisor!” Lira cheered enthusiastically, pumping both fists into the air.

​”I know, Lira. Thank you,” Liana chuckled softly.

​She then shifted her gaze outward, looking through the corridor gap that offered a direct view of the magnificent main arena below.

​”My first opponent today isn’t just anyone. An assistant instructor from the Conclave of mages with the Lightning attribute. Ironically... he was my own student a few years ago. And now, his power has grown vastly.”

​”You will handle him perfectly, Advisor,” Charis stated in a remarkably calm, yet convicted tone.

​Liana was stunned for a moment. She studied her male student carefully, noticing the subtle shift in Charis’s expression and the steel in his eyes. ”There is something different about you today, Charis. You look more... mature.”

​Charis didn’t answer verbally. He simply gave a small bow, while the corner of his lips rose into a confident, faint smile.

​The thunderous roar of the crowd’s cheers instantly deafened them as they stepped into the spectator stands.

​The special invitation seating they occupied was located in the middle tier—an absolutely ideal altitude. Close enough to observe the micro-movements of the fighters in the arena, yet high enough to monitor the entire flow of battle without obstruction.

​Down below, the combat arena consisted of a vast expanse of compacted white sand, enclosed by a transparent mana barrier that pulsed softly with a pale blue light. Above their heads, the cloudless blue sky served as a magnificent, natural roof.

​”The Principal isn’t watching from here?” Roland asked after settling into a comfortable wooden seat.

​”He is the Master of the Light Arcanum,” Charis, seated beside him, answered. ”Currently, all high-ranking faction leaders are holding a closed-door summit with the Holy Maiden at the main temple.”

​Roland gave a slow nod, his brain once again processing the information analytically.

​Roland’s gaze then shifted to a corner of the arena below. On a specially elevated podium, four male figures stood as rigid as monoliths. They wore blazing red robes embroidered with massive fire emblems on the back of their collars.

​Members of the Fire Arcanum faction—acting as overseers and safety guarantors for today’s tournament matches. They stood with arms crossed, not moving an inch, yet their eyes constantly and sharply scanned every corner of the arena.

​”The Fire Arcanum...” Rianor murmured softly.

​His eyes narrowed sharply, focusing his vision on the mana energy fluctuations unconsciously radiating from the bodies of the four overseers.

​”Can you sense anything unusual from them?” Roland asked in a very low voice, almost a whisper amidst the crowd’s roar.

​”A little,” Rianor answered without breaking his gaze. ”They haven’t cast a single spell. But... the sheer pressure of their presence is enough to suppress the mana circulation of everyone around the arena.”

​All around them, the thunderous cheers of tens of thousands of spectators soared higher into the sky as the bell signaling the start of the first match rang out loudly.

​DONG! DONG! DONG!

​In the dark player tunnel, Liana Velthorne took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the cold air. Her hands clenched tightly at her sides, feeling the warm flow of mana beginning to course through her neural pathways.

​She stared straight ahead at the expanse of white sand that was now bathed in the morning sunlight.

​”It’s time,” Liana whispered to herself.