I channelled more mana into the propulsion system and felt the board surge forward with exhilarating speed. The wind whipped past my face as I leaned into the acceleration, testing the upper limits of what the enchantments could sustain.

After several passes, I estimated the maximum speed at approximately 40 miles per hour - decent performance for what was essentially a convenience item rather than serious transportation. The speed wasn't suitable for long-distance travel compared to carriages, but for navigating around the academy or city, it was perfect.

People along the roadside stopped and stared as I passed by, their expressions ranging from confusion to outright bewilderment. Several pointed and spoke in hushed tones to their companions, clearly having never witnessed such a device before.

"What is that thing?" I heard someone exclaim.

"Is he... floating? No, there's a board underneath him!"

"How is it moving without any visible mechanism?"

An elderly merchant actually dropped the crate he was carrying, his mouth hanging open as I zoomed past his shop. A group of academy students I didn't recognize simply stood frozen, trying to comprehend what they were witnessing.

The reaction was understandable - this world had various transportation methods, but the concept of a personal, mana-powered board was completely novel. Most magical vehicles required significant infrastructure, expensive enchantments, or were restricted to wealthy individuals.

I had just created something democratically accessible that could be mass-produced at relatively low cost. Any awakener with basic mana control could use it effectively.

The implications were staggering. This single invention could revolutionize urban transportation, particularly for younger awakeners who couldn't yet afford traditional magical conveyances. The academy alone would provide an enormous market of potential customers.

I circled back toward the academy entrance, drawing continued stares from bewildered onlookers. Several students were now actively chasing after me, shouting questions about the device.

"Where did you get that?"

"Is that custom made?"

A satisfied smile crossed my face as I smoothly decelerated and stepped off the board near the academy gates. I had just demonstrated something this world had never seen before - a practical, efficient, and accessible form of personal transportation that would change how people moved through their daily lives.

The blacksmithing session had cost a thousand points, but the potential return on this invention was incalculable. Sometimes the most valuable innovations weren't weapons or armor, but simple solutions to everyday problems that nobody had thought to address.

I wasn't worried about the invention being stolen in terms of credit or design. There were several layers of protection working in my favour.

First, it wasn't remotely simple to replicate something like this. Creating a functional mana-powered skateboard required understanding principles that didn't exist in this world's current knowledge base. It was easy for me because I had used skateboards extensively in my previous life and understood the mechanics, balance points, and design philosophy. But someone hearing about it for the first time would struggle to reverse-engineer the enchantment arrays, material ratios, and control mechanisms without that foundational understanding.

Even with my Tier 1 blacksmithing skills, the project had required careful planning and multiple iterations to get right. Someone attempting to copy it from brief observation would likely produce inferior or non-functional versions.

The second reason was more direct - if anyone dared to try stealing my invention and claiming it as their own, my family would demonstrate the consequences. The benefits of being part of a ducal household were substantial, and I appreciated them immensely. The Blackwood name carried weight that discouraged most forms of intellectual theft or patent infringement.

I didn't need to hide my inventions' capabilities or pretend to be weaker than I was. Sure, I concealed certain things - my vampire bloodline, my most powerful techniques, my knowledge of future events - but those were for genuine safety reasons rather than fear of competition.

The principle was simple: never show all your cards to anyone. Always keep hidden aces in reserve. But that didn't mean living in constant paranoia about every innovation or achievement.

The skateboard was a relatively minor invention in the grand scheme of things. It would generate income and attention, but it wasn't a game-changing weapon or technique that enemies could use against me. The strategic value was in the economic and status opportunity it represented rather than any direct combat application.

I secured the board and made my way back toward the academy, already considering what other concepts from Earth might translate profitably into this world's magical framework.

Arriving back at my dormitory, I decided to contact my father to check on Kael's progress and discuss some business matters.

The crystal connected after a moment, and my father's familiar voice came through clearly.

"Adrian, good timing. I was wondering when you'd check in about the examination results."

"We won," I reported simply. "First place with a good lead over the second-place team."

My father's proud laughter boomed through the crystal, the sound of a father genuinely pleased with his son's accomplishments. "Excellent work! I knew you'd excel once you put your mind to it. Your strategic mind is finally showing itself."

I could hear my mother's voice in the background before she apparently took the crystal from my father. "Adrian! I just heard the news. We're both so proud of you, darling. When you come back home I will cook you, your favourite meal!"

My mouth twitched at the meal proposition but I didn't voice it out.

"Thank you, Mother," I replied, appreciating their genuine enthusiasm despite this being only one relatively minor achievement in the grand scheme of things.

My father reclaimed the crystal. "Now, what else did you want to discuss? I know that tone - you have something on your mind."

"Two things. First, how is Kael's progress?" I asked.

"Remarkable, actually," my father responded with satisfaction. "The boy's physical transformation has calmed down now that he's receiving proper nutrition and training. His awakened abilities are developing well, and he's been working with our combat instructors daily. More importantly, his determination is exceptional. You made an excellent choice bringing him into the family."

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