Chapter 5 - Ch5

Rowan arrived at his new quarters, tired from the day's events. He felt the weight of his new responsibilities and the challenges ahead, but he knew he needed rest to tackle them effectively. After settling into his new surroundings, he collapsed onto the bed and drifted into a deep sleep.

When he awoke, he felt refreshed, his mind clear and ready for the day ahead. He sat up, stretching his limbs, and then activated his **Model~C20 biochip** to check his current status. The biochip displayed his stats in a typical novel-style system format:

- **Strength**: **3.5** (equivalent to a normal knight)

- **Spirit Value / Magic Power**: **0.6** (peak level 2 apprentice)

Rowan nodded in satisfaction. His physical strength was on par with a normal knight, and his spirit value and magic power were at the peak of a level 2 apprentice. He knew he had the capability to defend himself against most threats and could efficiently carry out his plans.

_"I need to push my spirit value further,"_ he thought to himself. _"Reaching level 3 apprentice will be a significant milestone and will grant me more options."_

His biochip also provided him with insights and reminders of his goals and the necessary steps to achieve them. He reviewed his plans for the day and prioritized his tasks.

**Stella** chimed in with additional advice. **"To progress further, you must continue your studies and experiments. Keep gathering data and honing your magical skills."**

_"I'll make sure to dedicate time for practice,"_ Rowan agreed. _"But for now, securing the seven gates and the secret plane is my top priority."_

He got out of bed and began preparing for the day, his mind set on accomplishing his goals and furthering his journey. With the biochip's guidance and his newfound strength, Rowan was ready to face the challenges that awaited him.

The next morning, Rowan awoke early, preparing himself for the day's events. His father, Eldric Blackthorne, was set to depart for Everlight City to conduct business, and Rowan knew he needed to be there to see him off, despite the potential danger it posed.

As Rowan dressed and made his way to the main hall, he was acutely aware of the need to keep up appearances. He had to behave as expected, showing respect and support for his father's journey without giving any hint of his true intentions.

**Stella** whispered reminders in Rowan's mind, a constant stream of advice to keep him vigilant. **"Maintain a neutral expression and calm demeanor,"** the biochip cautioned. **"Avoid any hints of suspicion or eagerness for his departure. Show concern for his safety without overplaying it."**

_"Of course,"_ Rowan thought to himself, nodding as he walked. _"I must walk the fine line between being dutiful and concealing my plans."_

When Rowan reached the main hall, he found his father already preparing to leave. Eldric Blackthorne was overseeing his travel arrangements, giving orders to the servants and knights who would accompany him. Rowan approached his father with an air of calm confidence, ensuring his expression revealed nothing of his inner thoughts.

"Father," Rowan greeted with a respectful nod, "I hope your journey goes smoothly."

Eldric turned to his son, his expression stern but not unkind. "Thank you, Rowan. Keep a watchful eye on things while I'm gone. There should be no issues during my absence."

"I will, Father," Rowan responded, keeping his tone measured and steady. "You have my word."

**"Remember,"** **Stella** interjected in Rowan's mind, **"do not let your father sense any eagerness for his departure. Maintain a steady, composed demeanor."**

As his father began to make his final preparations, Rowan stayed close by, ensuring his presence was supportive without being intrusive. He watched as his father issued last-minute instructions to the servants and spoke with the knights accompanying him.

Before Eldric departed, Rowan offered a final piece of advice. "Travel safely, Father. The road can be treacherous this time of year."

Eldric nodded, his gaze steady on Rowan. "I'll be fine. Just keep things in order here."

With that, Eldric Blackthorne turned and left, leaving Rowan standing in the main hall. Rowan watched his father depart, his mind racing with the possibilities ahead. Now, with his father gone, he could focus on his plans to secure the River Plains Secret Plane and the seven gates.

As the sound of his father's carriage faded, Rowan let out a silent sigh of relief. He had managed the interaction well, keeping any suspicion at bay. Now, with his father's absence, he could move forward with his plans and begin working towards his goals.

After seeing his father off on his journey to Everlight City, Rowan knew he needed to wait a few days to ensure his father had truly left and would not return unexpectedly. Patience was key, and Rowan had no intention of rushing his plans. He waited three to four days, observing the movements of the house and making sure there were no unexpected visitors or complications. Once he was confident that his father was indeed gone, he set his plans into motion.

The first step in Rowan's plan was to gather information about his father's experiments and research. He began by visiting the area where the knights' swords were forged. The blacksmiths worked tirelessly, crafting weapons from various metals. Rowan carefully selected the materials he needed, choosing high-quality metals suitable for his project.

His goal was to create his first robot, a small round ball about the size of a tennis ball. This robot, although simple in appearance, was a complex piece of technology powered by solar energy. Rowan used his **Model~C20 biochip** to guide him in constructing the robot and incorporating advanced scanning technology he called **X-Scan**. This technology allowed the robot to map its surroundings and gather data, making it a valuable tool for Rowan.

The most crucial aspect of the robot was that it used no magic, only solar energy, making it undetectable to magic-based detection spells. Even if the robot was discovered, it would appear as nothing more than a harmless metal ball.

However, Rowan understood the importance of keeping his involvement with the robot a secret. He took precautions to ensure that anyone who witnessed his involvement would not live to tell the tale. Using his biochip, he devised indirect actions to take against potential witnesses.

For example, Rowan might instruct one person to spread rumors about a rival house or send another person on a dangerous errand. As the chaotic situation unfolded, the witnesses would find themselves in harm's way, either meeting a gruesome end or disappearing entirely.

Rowan's manipulation of events was subtle and calculated. He used his knowledge and experience from his past life on Earth to play the people around him like pawns in a game. The chaos he created blended seamlessly with the shady city's usual occurrences, making his involvement nearly impossible to trace.

In the end, Rowan's actions painted him as a silent villain, working behind the scenes to achieve his goals. His careful planning and execution allowed him to eliminate anyone who posed a threat to his plans, all while maintaining his cover and leaving no trace of his true intentions.