Reincarnated as a Duke’s Son: Engineering a New World

The morning was cold, but the air in Wynthall buzzed with energy. My construction company, Wynthall Innovations, had grown beyond my wildest expectations. Villagers were lining up at the castle gates, offering money, goods, and even labor in exchange for houses with underfloor heating, repaired barns, or better roads. The once-skeptical villagers now looked at me with respect, some even calling me "Master Builder."

But with success came chaos. My desk—an old, rickety table in the corner of my room—was piled high with blueprints, contracts, and sketches. My head spun as I juggled orders from not just my village, but neighboring dukedoms and counties. Wynthall's reputation was spreading, and with it, so were the demands.

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A Mysterious Awakening

Late one night, after a long day of work, I collapsed onto my bed, exhausted. The moment my head hit the pillow, everything changed.

I found myself in a vast, ethereal space, surrounded by faint golden light. A shimmering, translucent interface appeared before me, hovering in the air.

[System Activated]

Welcome, Leoric Wynthall. Your engineering knowledge has been recognized. The Architect's System is now online.

I blinked, confused. "What… is this?"

The interface continued:

The Architect's System will assist you in revolutionizing this world. Complete tasks to earn points, which can be used to purchase skills, blueprints, and materials.

A smaller panel popped up, displaying a list:

Tasks

Complete 5 basic constructions (+100 points) [3/5 Complete]

Build a road (+50 points) [0/1 Complete]

Teach 5 villagers construction skills (+150 points) [2/5 Complete]

Points: 50

Shop: Locked

I stared, stunned. "A system… like something out of a game?"

Before I could process further, another message appeared:

Claim your initial reward for activating the system: Basic Engineering Toolbox.

A glowing object materialized in front of me. I reached out instinctively and touched it, and the toolbox disappeared into thin air. Moments later, knowledge flooded my mind—simple but invaluable techniques, like how to create a more efficient pulley system, improve insulation, and calculate structural loads with precision.

When I woke up the next morning, my head felt clearer, sharper. I wasted no time testing my newfound knowledge.

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Managing the Chaos

The tasks in the system aligned perfectly with my current challenges. I focused on completing them, turning my workers into students as I taught them basic engineering principles.

"Use this angle for the roof," I explained to a group of villagers, showing them a blueprint. "It'll prevent snow from piling up during winter."

Slowly, their skills improved. Houses went up faster, and the quality of work skyrocketed. I earned points with every completed task, unlocking the Shop feature within the system.

The shop offered a treasure trove of items:

Blueprints: Advanced designs for buildings, bridges, and machinery.

Skills: Enhanced construction techniques, surveying skills, and even material synthesis.

Items: Tools, materials, and magical enhancements to boost construction speed.

With my points, I purchased Advanced Blueprint Reading and a Reinforced Masonry Tool, both of which revolutionized our projects.

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Orders from Afar

The weeks flew by. My workers and I barely had time to rest as orders poured in from beyond Wynthall.

The Duke of Ironvale, a neighboring territory, requested a series of stone bridges to connect his fragmented villages. His letter praised Wynthall Innovations, calling it "the miracle company of the west."

A Count from Greenreach ordered a grand manor with underfloor heating, offering a generous advance payment in gold.

Even a merchant guild reached out, asking for warehouses and roads to improve their trade routes.

With every project, our coffers grew. For the first time in decades, Wynthall's treasury was no longer empty. The villagers, who had once struggled to feed their families, now had stable jobs and incomes. The air was filled with laughter and hope—a stark contrast to the gloom that had once plagued this land.

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A Royal Invitation

One evening, as I reviewed the designs for Ironvale's bridges, a servant entered my study, holding a sealed envelope.

"This just arrived, young master," he said, bowing.

I broke the wax seal, revealing an elegant letter. The golden insignia of the Kingdom of Altheria gleamed at the top of the parchment.

To Leoric Wynthall, Duke's Son and Founder of Wynthall Innovations,

Your remarkable achievements have not gone unnoticed. The Crown cordially invites you to the Royal Winter Gala at the capital city of Andorhall. This gathering will be attended by the kingdom's nobles, scholars, and artisans, and we would be honored by your presence.

His Majesty wishes to personally commend your efforts in revitalizing Wynthall.

The words blurred as excitement coursed through me. A royal invitation? This was no small honor. It was a chance to gain recognition on a grand scale—a stepping stone for Wynthall's future.

But beneath my excitement was a flicker of apprehension. The world of nobility was a game of politics, one I wasn't yet prepared to play. Still, this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

I folded the letter carefully, determination hardening in my chest. "If they think they've seen what I'm capable of," I murmured, "they've seen nothing yet."

---

The system buzzed faintly in my mind, reminding me of my purpose. With its help, I could do more than rebuild Wynthall—I could reshape the entire kingdom. And now, the journey to make that vision a reality was leading me to the heart of Altheria itself.

This was only the beginning.