Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 79: Business Meeting

CH79 Business Meeting

***

”Phew~”

Alex exhaled slowly, his eyes fluttering open from deep meditation in his dorm’s cultivation room.

He hadn’t been meditating to cultivate, but rather to imprint his Spiritual Force onto the spiritual foundation of the bracer artefact Merlin had gifted him.

With the connection now established, Alex could mentally—or telepathically—access all of the bracer’s functions. That included the Stealth Function, which concealed all energetic fluctuations that would otherwise expose it as a Legendary-grade artefact.

Well, technically, it wasn’t even an active function.

It was a side effect of harmonisation.

By allowing the artefact to synchronise with his own Spiritual Signature, the bracer matched its energy output to Alex’s current level. Anything beyond that was locked away, inaccessible until his strength caught up.

This meant the artefact automatically concealed its true identity—since its Legendary-grade signature was now hidden within that sealed power.

Until Alex reached the Legendary Rank, the bracer would remain virtually undetectable as an artefact of great power.

He glanced down at it now, resting neatly on his left forearm.

Every Legendary-grade artefact deserved a name.

Unfortunately, none came to mind.

”Since you’re the second proper computer to house the OmniRune AI... let’s call you Beta for now,” Alex murmured.

”At least until I get inspired with a real name.”

Post-bonding, the Beta Bracer looked even more bland and unassuming than before. Matte black, slim, and shaped like a standard forearm guard worn by archers.

It blended with any clothing, though perhaps not with fashion sense.

Still, its design prioritised function over flash—just how Alex preferred it.

Satisfied, he left the meditation room.

Sundown was fast approaching, and he had a meeting with Zora.

After a quick freshen-up, he made his way to the door—only for the chime to sound just as he reached it.

Opening it, he was greeted by two unexpected visitors.

Baldrick Pinchcoin... and another gnome.

”Master Pinchcoin, what a surprise,” Alex said, stepping aside to welcome them in.

They seated themselves in the dorm’s modest living area.

”I heard you’ll be leaving the Enclave soon,” Pinchcoin said with uncharacteristic urgency, skipping their usual exchange of pleasantries And flattery.

”Returning to your family domain?”

”Yes,” Alex confirmed with a nod.

”As you know, I’m Earl Drake Fury’s eldest son. Now that I’ve come of age, I must return to stake my claim as heir.”

Pinchcoin nodded, though a reluctant look flickered in his eyes.

It was like watching a mountain of gold walk out of his vault.

”I predicted this day would come,” he sighed, clearly regretful. Then, with a glint of cunning, he leaned forward:

”But... does our previous agreement still stand? Will you still rely on our department to monetise your future products?”

”Of course,” Alex replied easily.

”The Fury family isn’t exactly known for business acumen. It’s better to rely on professionals like your department. That is... so long as you keep giving me good deals like you have so far.”

”That goes without saying, Master Alex!” Pinchcoin said quickly, eyes lighting up.

”Then the only remaining issue is how to keep our partnership discreet.” Alex’s tone grew serious.

”If people start linking us publicly, both our profits could take a hit.”

”Ah, I’ve already prepared a solution to that.”

Pinchcoin gestured to the gnome seated beside him.

”This is Cramwell Haggleworth,” Pinchcoin introduced.

”He hails from the Haggleworth family of the Northern Gnome tribe—a lineage renowned for their business acumen and masterful negotiation skills.”

’You could tell just from the name,’ Alex snickered inwardly.

”He’s also the head of the merchant company we set up to handle the sales and marketing of the phones.”

”Nice to finally meet you,” Alex said, shaking hands with the gnome.

Pinchcoin continued, ”I intend to expand the company’s scope. From now on, it’ll manage the commercialisation of all your future products.”

”I see... So the company acts as a buffer between us and any curious onlookers?” Alex asked.

”Exactly, Master Alex.” Pinchcoin nodded.

He gestured toward Haggleworth, who promptly pulled out a folder and placed it in front of Alex.

”As long as you’re agreeable,” Haggleworth began, ”you’ll be made the majority shareholder. Your stake will rise to 60%. The Enclave retains 30%, while the company itself holds 10% as operational equity.”

”I’ve also amended your earning payment method,” he added.

”Since you’re returning to your family domain, I assumed you’d need not only rare materials, but also Mana Stones and gold.”

”The new proposed payout ratio is: 40% in gold, 30% in Mana Stones, and 30% in rare materials. Of course, it’s a flexible scheme. You can alter the ratio with a month’s notice.”

”Not bad,” Alex nodded in approval of his new business liaison.

”That’s acceptable to me.”

If he was going to build power in the mundane world, then a strong influx of gold was crucial in the short term. He also needed Mana Stones for crafting magical and alchemical tools.

The previous deal—where he was paid entirely in rare magical materials—was no longer viable.

He took the documents, carefully read through the clauses, then signed them, finalising his position as majority owner of the company.

”Since everything’s in order,” Alex said, setting the signed pages down, ”I’ve got a few ideas I’d like to discuss. They’re not products per se, but strategic resources that might help our company going forward.”

Pinchcoin’s eyes gleamed instantly.

He pulled out a notepad with a smooth flick of the wrist.

”Please go ahead, Master Alex.”

The discussion carried on for another hour.

When Pinchcoin and Haggleworth finally departed, their expressions painted the story clearly—

Pinchcoin’s eyes sparkled with excitement, while Haggleworth’s face was steeped in solemn thought, as though a whole new world had just opened to him.

Alex smiled faintly as he watched them leave.

He had managed to maintain his image as an enlightened genius in Pinchcoin’s eyes, but that was getting harder to pull off with time.

He was rapidly exhausting the bag of business tricks from his previous life that were still applicable in this world’s society.

’Well, I’ve done enough to cement my image and position. Even if I stop ”coming up” with new ideas, it won’t hurt me much in the foreseeable future. After all, no man is an ATM of ideas.’ Alex mused.

With the gnomes gone, he could finally head out for his late-night appointment.

The venue was the top of the tower, the same place where Zora had once brought him to admire the breathtaking view of the Enclave.

He’d meant to arrive early, but thanks to the extended meeting, he made it just in time.

***