Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 599: Alex’s Considerations I

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"What?"

Alex's mind blanked out for a short instant when Sorcerer One Heaven made his offer.

"...Is that even possible?" he questioned.

The thought of any one person—no matter their power—gaining dominion over a complete plane seemed ridiculous and impossible.

Sorcerer One Heaven merely nodded in affirmation.

"If you manage to claim the Heavenly Mandate via the Legacy and forge a connection with the plane’s Consciousness, then absolutely. It can be done."

He went on, "The Legacy instructs on harnessing the united might of Heaven and Earth. The Heavenly Mandate bestows supreme command over all things under the Heavens."

"Regarding the plane’s Consciousness..." His eyes intensified a bit. "It remains in its weakest phase right now."

"From what I gauge, it has only recently come into being. Fundamentally, it’s like a newborn child."

"Armed with the Legacy and Heavenly Mandate, you can access the Heavens and link with the plane’s Consciousness—its core essence."

"That connection lets you sway the Will of Heaven directly.

"Provided your desires don’t endanger the plane’s existence or awaken its natural defenses... your commands will come to pass."

Alex's breath hitched for a moment.

A flood of ideas raced across his thoughts.

Awareness of all resource locations throughout the plane... Power to direct storms, weather, and catastrophes... The chance to channel the plane for early grasp of Universal Laws...

The consequences were mind-blowing.

Yet suddenly, like icy water dousing his excitement—reason snapped back.

’It won’t ever be so straightforward...’

Alex let out a measured breath.

His vast knowledge prevented him from buying into such fantasies.

Such overwhelming authority always carried a steep toll.

Whether in using it or acquiring it, the demands proved extraordinarily harsh.

Likely both.

Quiet ensued.

Alex sank into profound reflection.

Time flew by swiftly...

Almost thirty minutes elapsed.

Sorcerer One Heaven observed with subtle astonishment.

The deliberation stretched further than foreseen.

At last, Alex broke the silence.

"Alright."

"I’ll take the Legacy."

Sorcerer One Heaven inclined his head.

While the decision process dragged on longer than expected, the result matched predictions.

’He’s still youthful,’ the elder mused. ’Ultimately, power’s temptation proves hard to ignore.’

Unbeknownst to him, his assumption missed the mark entirely.

Had the proposal only involved ruling Verdantis’s Heavenly Will, Alex would have likely turned it down flat.

’Excessive might leads to ruin.’

A timeless truth from his past life, equally valid here.

A Second Circle figure dominating a full plane?

That spelled catastrophe, not strength.

A titan like Sorcerer One Heaven surely recognized this.

Thus, just one conclusion followed.

The deal hid restrictions or concealed catches beneath its surface.

Nevertheless, Alex agreed.

First off, thanks to that Daddy golden energy—Providence, really—the power that guided him and his group to Verdantis.

Even without quick rewards, some cosmic scheme from Fate, or deeper Destiny, was unfolding.

Since he was caught in its flow, riding it actively maximized gains.

Better than resisting and gaining zilch.

Yet the real clincher wasn’t the rule over the plane.

It was the Legacy proper.

’A force summoning Heaven and Earth’s combined power, assuming it functions as suspected... it won’t stay confined to Verdantis.’

’This could propel my Rune-Tech into uncharted heights.’

Briefly, a grin nearly formed on Alex’s face, but he quelled it fast.

He shifted forward a touch, resting both palms on the table, upturned.

A purposeful move.

"Very well, One Heaven," Alex stated evenly. "With us aligned now, share it all."

His stare fixed on the elder.

"I mean... everything."

A subtle spark flickered in Sorcerer One Heaven’s gaze.

Silently, he copied the motion.

His hand lay flat on the table, palm up.

Simple, but brimming with deep significance.

An age-old Sorcery custom—signifying total candor. A silent vow, equally ironclad.

Once made, no secrets could be kept.

Though no magic enforced honesty, the rite commanded immense respect in sorcerer circles—particularly elites.

Rejecting it outright beat accepting then deceiving.

Such deceit tarnished honor and betrayed one’s spirit.

The guilt could burden the psyche, stalling or derailing cultivation progress. (Inner Demon.)

"This is all I know..." Sorcerer One Heaven started.

"Whether my rise to Eighth Circle stemmed from mere fate... or sparked a grander destined chain, one truth stands: my advancement ushered in Verdantis’s age of calamity."

"A doom etched into Destiny’s flow, inescapable for the plane."

He halted momentarily, then pressed on.

"This fated ordeal holds various paths and ends."

"One sees Verdantis consumed by Gu Mo."

"Another has the turncoats—now self-styled gods—drive off Gu Mo, then seize the plane."

His expression grew somber.

"Yet both roads lead to Verdantis’s doom and the wipeout of its dwellers."

Quiet hung heavy.

"Exploiting the Heaven’s Will’s survival instinct, I channeled heavenly power to craft a Legacy... opening a third way—a new destiny."

His tone grew firm.

"A Legacy birthing fresh strength. One that bolsters the plane’s Providence rather than draining it, wielding it against Gu Mo and the betrayers."

"Strength to realign Verdantis properly."

His eyes bored into Alex.

"I need you to embody that third power."

"Steer this plane to endure, thrive, and evolve."

He stopped, then continued,

"But remember, the conflict ahead isn’t head-on. No clashing with Gu Mo or traitors yet..."

His voice dropped.

"It’s a struggle over the Heavenly Mandate."

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