Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 20 - Rune-Tech Business

CH20 Rune-Tech Business

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The world of Pangea was home to countless races and creatures. From humans to the myriad intelligent and semi-intelligent species... the ones known as Professionals—those who rose to become Mages, Warriors, or other empowered beings—comprised only a small fraction of the total population.

Among humans, particularly within the vast Virellian Empire, Professionals were highly coveted. Nobles, military corps, and powerful organisations competed fiercely to recruit these rare individuals, forming elite forces around them.

However, the truth remained—there would never be enough Professionals to meet the needs of empire or ambition.

As a result, ordinary citizens—non-professionals—were also recruited into standing armies. They occupied the lower rungs, providing bulk and numbers. They were the footsoldiers, the garrison guards, the ever-replaceable frontline cannon fodder.

On rare occasions, these non-professionals attained sudden breakthroughs—moments of life-or-death epiphany that allowed them to awaken Professionals, be it a Mage or Warrior. But such miracles were exceedingly rare.

The bulk of any force would always remain non-professionals.

This undeniable fact was one of the key reasons why powerful noble families often sought planar coordinates—gateways to other worlds—to plunder resources and, more crucially, to seek out those with talent to become Professionals to fill their ranks.

Even in the renowned DragonHold Enclave, the Mage Towerʼs scholars and combat mages made up only a tiny percentage of the total population.

The true mass of the enclaveʼs citizenry consisted of non-professional family members of mages, skilled artisans, and common folk who had migrated into the Enclaveʼs lands seeking protection. It was through this growing tide of ordinary people that the DragonHold Enclave expanded to become the influential territory it was today.

Yet across all the empires, organisations, and territories within the realm of Pangea, one truth stood firm—the barrier to becoming a Professional was an uncontrollable and deeply unfair one: innate talent.

It was a wall no amount of money, effort, or status could consistently breach.

Talent was natureʼs greatest gift—and its cruellest joke.

The right talent could change a personʼs fate overnight. Yet it also allowed the lazy and arrogant to eclipse the diligent and devoted.

It was often said: Hard work could get you to the Elite Rank—just beneath Great Mage or Veteran Warrior—but no further. Beyond that, you needed talent... and more importantly, luck, opportunity, and enlightenment.

In short, no matter how hard one worked, without the blessing of talent, they would likely remain stuck below the highest ranks.

What a cruel joke indeed.

But Alexʼs Rune Tattoo changed everything.

Even if only temporarily, it offered non-professionals and talent-limited Professionals the chance to taste the higher realms of power. And that taste... could lead to more.

Because once someone had seen what was possible—even briefly—they were far more likely to pursue it with obsession. Some might even succeed where they previously had no hope.

In other words, Alexʼs Rune Tattoo was a game-changer.

It could significantly increase the number of new Professionals, and it could also push existing Professionals higher than they could have otherwise reached.

But as Alex mulled over Merlinʼs earlier question, he slowly shook his head.

”I wouldnʼt advise it,” he admitted. ”Although internal energy isnʼt required to receive a Rune Tattoo, I suspect itʼs still needed to sustain it. My current design focuses on passive effects—always active—which means theyʼll constantly draw on the userʼs energy. A non-professional wonʼt have the reserves to bear the toll for long.”

He paused, frowning in thought. ”Now that I think about it... even among the Wildkin, only their Professionals seem to possess Ancestral Tattoos. Their non-professionals donʼt have them.”

As if to underscore his words, a sudden sound drew his attention.

The ox—still spotting its Strength Tattoo—had collapsed, sides heaving violently, eyes wild with strain.

If nothing changed soon, it would die from sheer exhaustion.

Reacting quickly, Alex fetched a bundle of fresh hay and laid it in front of the beast. The ox gobbled it down desperately, but it was clear... it wasnʼt enough.

Its body had pushed beyond its limits.

Moments later, Alex led the animal into a nearby barn and ended its suffering cleanly. A mercy, though a painful one.

That was the cost of power without foundation.

He stepped outside, face sombre. Merlin met his gaze and gave a silent nod of approval—and understanding.

Alex walked back and quietly placed a handful of gold coins in a carved bowl beside the barn door. Compensation for the ox—far more than it was worth, but necessary all the same.

A lesson had been learned.

Merlin activated a portal with a silent flick of his hand, and the trio returned to the Enclave.

Alex stood before his master, awaiting Merlinʼs evaluation.

The old Mage gave him a small nod.

”Your demonstration was quite entertaining. I canʼt deny that your Rune-Tech shows strong potential.

”But I hope you donʼt intend to stop here. The road to the pinnacle of magic is long... and treacherous.”

”I understand,” Alex replied with a steady nod.

”Good. As promised, Iʼll assist you with your Bloodline Conflict. In the meantime, youʼre free to proceed to the Beginner Rank using Rune-Tech, if youʼre truly committed to walking this path to the end.”

”Thank you, Master.” Alex bowed respectfully.

”Thereʼs no need to thank me. This is the fruit of your own work.” Merlin gave a gracious wave of his hand, then turned slightly as if to depart. ”Still, youʼd best settle your sales agreement first. I canʼt say how long addressing your bloodline issue will take.”

He was moments from stepping through a conjured portal when Alex called out.

”Master, wait! You need to be present for the discussion.”

Merlin paused, raising a bushy eyebrow.

”Hm?”

”Iʼm not just selling the Phone Rune and Public Address Rune,” Alex explained. ”Iʼve got a much bigger project I believe the Enclave will be interested in.”

”Another Rune-Tech invention?” Merlin asked, intrigued.

”It could be,” Alex answered cryptically, ”if you approve of the concept.”

”Oh-ho?” Merlin stroked his long grey beard, eyes glinting with interest.

He dismissed the portal and made his way to the Tower Masterʼs chair, settling in with a regal air. At his nod, Zora sent out a summons for the Enclaveʼs Chief Financial Officer—Baldrick Pinchcoin.

A few minutes later, a polite knock came at the door. The moment it opened, a familiar figure waddled into the room.

Baldrick Pinchcoin, the Enclaveʼs most money-minded gnome, paused as his nose twitched wildly—overwhelmed by the scent of profit.

It wasnʼt just Merlinʼs usual aura of wealth and power; there was something volatile and tantalising coming from Alex. The potent blend of established fortune and new, unstable promise sent a thrill through the gnomeʼs finely-tuned senses.

He took a beat to compose himself, then bowed deeply—his usual reserved demeanour replaced by an energy Zora had never seen in him, and Merlin rarely had.

The gnomeʼs instincts were screaming, ʼThereʼs gold in this room. Lots of it!ʼ

”Greetings, most exalted Tower Master, Lady Zora, Master Alex,” he said with exaggerated reverence.

Alex stepped forward with a warm smile.

”Welcome, Master Pinchcoin. I hope youʼve been well. I truly canʼt thank you enough for the assistance you and your department have given me.”

”Oh, think nothing of it, Master Alex,” Pinchcoin replied humbly, though his tone was just as eager. ”We were only doing our duty.”

”No, I must insist. The Tear of Zan you helped me acquire was pivotal in my research.” Alex smiled with deliberate implication.

A glint passed through the gnomeʼs sharp eyes.

”Youʼve completed it?”

”I have,” Alex confirmed. ”We were just discussing its future when I remembered your offer to help monetise it.”

He paused, then added, ”That offer still stands, I hope?”

Pinchcoinʼs eyes lit up like a gambler on a winning streak.

”But of course, Master Alex,” he said, rubbing his hands together in delight.

”In that case, please—letʼs sit and discuss.” Alex gestured confidently to a nearby seat, acting as though he owned the office.

Zora and Merlin exchanged amused glances.

There was something strangely endearing—and impressive—about the boy. One moment, he was just a curious child. The next, a visionary inventor. And now... a seasoned negotiator.

Watching him and Pinchcoin circle each other with pleasantries and flattery was like watching two foxes sizing each other up before a deal.

After another round of subtle praise and diplomatic back-and-forth, the two finally settled into proper discussion, with Merlin and Zora quietly observing from the Tower Masterʼs desk.

As the Enclaveʼs Chief Financial Officer, Baldrick Pinchcoin handled the majority of its internal and external trade arrangements. With Merlinʼs or Zoraʼs approval, he had full authority to negotiate and finalise deals.

Their presence in the room was, in essence, a silent endorsement of whatever agreement would follow.

”Iʼve got a few products—fruits of my research—that Iʼd like to entrust to the Enclave for sales, both internally and externally,” Alex said, reaching forward.

He placed the Brick Phone, the spherical microphone, and the large Brick Speaker of the public address setup on the table. Then, he explained their functions and uses in detail.

”So, these can be operated by non-professionals as well?” Pinchcoin asked, intrigued.

”Yes,” Alex confirmed. ”In their current form, they need a mana stone for power. But with the next iteration, we can integrate a mana battery that slowly recharges from ambient mana. Thatʼll bring them within reach of ordinary folk.”

Pinchcoinʼs ears twitched. ”Whatʼs the target demographic—nobles or—?”

”I want them to become ubiquitous,” Alex interrupted confidently. ”For that reason, Iʼm adding a condition to the contract: the phones must be sold at just above cost price, accounting only for logistics and marketing.”

He leaned forward, eyes gleaming with purpose.

”Rather than profiting from phone sales, weʼll earn from recharge subscriptions.”

Pinchcoin tilted his head. ”Recharge subscriptions?”

”For every second of talk time, a set amount of credit is deducted from the phoneʼs balance. Once the credit runs out, the phone wonʼt be able to make calls unless itʼs recharged. These credits will be sold in exchange for gold or equivalent resources through our stores—or approved partners.”

The gnomeʼs eyes positively sparkled.

”I see... By selling the phones cheap, weʼll flood the market. Once people have them, theyʼll have to recharge to keep using them. It becomes a self-sustaining loop. At first, it wonʼt look like much, but in the long run...” He leaned back, visibly impressed. ”Brilliant!”

Alex chuckled.

To him, this was basic business 101.

Back in his old world, this sort of model was commonplace. Tech and Telecom companies thrived off it. In fact, this was just scratching the surface of how tech giants made their fortunes.

Sadly, most of those advanced methods werenʼt feasible yet in this world—not with the current infrastructure.

But that would change.

If no one else would build that infrastructure, he would.

Because raising the technological standards of this world wasnʼt just a dream—it was a goal. A mission. A stepping stone to reshape everything.

Which was exactly why he had another ambitious project in mind.

”What are your terms?” Pinchcoin finally asked—the question that mattered most.

Alex shook his head.

”Iʼm not finished presenting my offer just yet.”

He turned to Merlin.

”This next project is why I asked the Tower Master to remain present.”

”Then proceed,” Merlin said, folding his arms.

The three adults leaned in slightly, bracing themselves for whatever came next from the boy who kept defying their expectations.

***