Mage Adam

Sandy was still talking. "This device converts basic rune language into digital numbers. All we have to do is enter a number, and we can contact someone right away. Whether it's a video call or a text message, it works. I'm one of the first users, and my ID number is just five digits! You should write it down!"

Adam stared at the device with a puzzled look, thinking, 'Mordo Tower sure works fast. They've basically made a 'phone.' But watching a mage pitch it to me like this feels... strange.'

Seeing Adam's reaction, Sandy blushed and explained awkwardly, "Well, after becoming transcendent, I need to build a mage tower, and that takes a lot of resources. So, I took on this sales gig. You know, times are tough. Please support me, it's really handy!"

Adam couldn't help but chuckle. He never imagined high-level mages would have to hustle like this. Still, he had to admire the Rex Consortium's planning department for coming up with this idea---and getting a Master Mage to promote it.

Adam figured that once he returned to the Mage World, he could oversee the communicator's upgrade, since the Flame had given him some interesting ideas.

Some of the other explorers already had communicators and eagerly swapped numbers with Sandy. Adam noted them down too. They could be his potential clients, and even though he didn't think he'd run short on ether crystals, having more never hurt.

The group returned to the Gate of Truth through the portal. The place was lively, with starships zipping through space and countless mages engaged in battles. But none of that really concerned them.

After promising to stay in touch, Sandy and the others headed back to the Mage World, while Adam had a few minor tasks to finish up.

...

"Congrats on finishing the exploration mission. Anything interesting happen?" Frank asked, sitting across from Adam at a table in a lounge near the dimensional hub.

Adam was sipping a glass of 'wine' that a tipsy, winged mage had given him. It was so strong in both alcohol and energy that a normal person would die after one sip.

"Hmm, not bad," Frank commented. His body was fully modified with machinery, but his system could still mimic taste and other senses just like a human.

"Exploration missions are as usual," Adam replied. "But I actually came to talk to you about something else."

Frank set his glass down and focused. "Go on."

"It looks like the war with the Devouring Diluses won't end anytime soon. You'll probably learn a lot in the logistics corps."

Frank quickly offered, "If you need me, I can---"

"No, that's not what I want," Adam interrupted. "I'd like to make a deal. I need the full formula for Ripple Alloy."

Without hesitation, Frank handed over an info box and said, "You're underestimating me. The formula is right here. No need for anything in return."

Adam took the box but refused to see it as a freebie. He believed that relationships built on mutual benefit were the strongest. Sheer loyalty, to him, was worthless. "In that case, when you get back to The Mage World, come find me. I'll help you connect with the Titans, and you'll get a summoning companion. Trust me, they'll be perfect for you."

...

After meeting with Frank, Adam set off for the Mage World.

He looked the same as when he first arrived, seemingly carrying nothing back with him. But in reality, Adam's gains were huge. Soon, all of it would be converted into ether crystals and added to his account.

One of his greatest assets was his friendship with the Titans, a hidden fortune that would likely be a big help down the road. If Adam ever needed the Flame, the Titans would be more than willing to assist. His future research into the Flame was crucial for his next steps.

Adam still had a deep curiosity about the Diluses. Their unique lifeforms and hive-like society offered valuable knowledge. Unfortunately, his current power wasn't enough to explore them fully. This only fueled his determination to reach transcendent status as fast as possible. There were many mysteries in the Mage World, but only the powerful could unlock them.

Even the forest elf, Lina, and Sophia had gained a lot from their journey, especially Lina. Adam was impressed by her intelligence---she had managed to transplant conversion fungi into her body, giving her the ability to perform "photosynthesis" and boosting her energy absorption by ten times.

Garfield, too, was pleased with his transformation. His new, stronger body meant he was much less vulnerable to death, and he no longer needed to worry about his path to advancement. With the new Titan lord establishing the Titan's evolutionary path, Garfield could follow it to transcendence.

"Master, can I take a vacation when we get back?" Garfield asked hopefully.

Adam allowed it but couldn't resist adding, "You used to have flesh and blood to enjoy, but now you're a metal lifeform. Good luck with that."

Garfield stared at Adam, then looked at his metallic body, suddenly feeling quite defeated.

...

In a flash of teleportation light, Adam returned to the Tower.

The Tower was always busy, but this time it seemed even more so. The war against the Diluses had become a top priority for several Towers, and every battlemage confident in their strength wanted to join in and gather resources.

Adam waved off a still-dazed Garfield and made his way back to his lab alone.

He had barely sat down to check the research his avatar had been working on when a flood of notifications from the Mage Network interrupted him.

Most of the notifications were from Mordo Tower, but the majority were deposit updates.

The war between the Mage World and the Cthulhu and the Dragon Plane had ended. Priscilla and the others had returned to the Tower, and all of Adam's earnings had been converted into ether crystals. His total profits exceeded expectations, reaching 1.2 million standard units of complete ether crystals.

In addition, his income from civilian inventions, knowledge royalties, and other ventures had also been processed. While less than the war profits, these earnings were steady and ongoing.

Just then, a call request came through.

Priscilla's smiling face appeared on the screen. "You've caused quite the stir again, Adam. I'm here representing the Tower to ask your thoughts on two things: first, the device you set up on the Crystal Sphere, and second, your research on radioactive minerals during the Cthulhu exploration."