Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 616: Master and Retainers

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Staring at the Rune Tattoos projected from the Beta Bracer, Kavakan and Mogal showed clear confusion on their faces.

Rune Tattoos ranked as one of Alex’s most tightly guarded trade secrets.

Consequently, only a handful of people really knew what they represented—much less their functioning.

Of course, the two men felt uncertain about how to respond to the display before them.

Alex had foreseen such a reaction.

Thus, their bewilderment neither startled nor annoyed him.

Instead—

"You both know what my class is, right?" Alex questioned abruptly.

"Huh?" Mogal and Kavakan reacted with momentary surprise.

"You said your class is a unique one called Rune Master," Mogal answered following a short hesitation.

Kavakan nodded his agreement.

Alex dipped his head slightly.

"Correct. My class is Rune Master."

"And with it, I can accomplish nearly anything I imagine—so long as I possess the knowledge to build it using runes, and the energy to fuel it, I suppose."

He halted for a moment, then went on.

"You should have noticed by now that I’m not a typical spellcaster... right?"

Mogal responded once more, this time with greater reflection.

"Your casting speed is abnormal."

"Other mages require recovery time between spells, but after the trials... it seems like you can cast without end, as long as mana remains."

’An astute observation... as expected,’ Alex thought to himself, a subtle smile appearing.

"That’s because I don’t cast most of my spells personally," Alex clarified. "I rely on runes to do the main work."

"So, unlike other mages, I’m not bound by those same limits."

He laced his fingers together atop the table.

"However, spellcasting isn’t the sole capability my class grants me."

"I can also build formations for almost any function—provided I grasp the principles well enough."

"That’s why I’m sure I can fix the Interplanar Orb formation and take us back home..."

"...as long as we collect the needed resources to build the gate."

Alex stopped, letting his statement sink in.

Silence filled the room.

Then—

"You’re probably wondering why I’m sharing all this," he remarked with a slight smile.

He didn’t pause for a reply.

"It’s to demonstrate sincerity."

Mogal and Kavakan shared a quick look before turning back to him.

Alex kept his face steady—but determined.

"I don’t use people I can’t trust. But those I use, I trust fully."

"That serves as both my strength... and my weakness."

He leaned in a bit.

"Spellcasting and formation building aren’t exclusive to my class."

"Though I hold advantages in both, they’re not what I view as truly distinctive."

He paused—

Then lightly touched the projection.

"There’s another thing—something uniquely tied to my class."

His gaze intensified.

"Rune Tattoos."

"Rune Tattoos?" Kavakan repeated.

"In essence," Alex started, "I can etch formations straight onto someone’s body as tattoos."

"These tattoos can boost their skills... or bestow brand-new ones entirely."

"What?!" Kavakan and Mogal burst out, faces full of shock.

Alex’s subtle smile stayed steady.

"Do you recall when I selected you to be my followers?" he inquired. "I explained then that I picked you for a particular talent."

"That talent... is your capacity to carry my Rune Tattoos."

He allowed the revelation to linger before proceeding.

"The four I chose that day were the ones whose potential impressed me most."

"Upon becoming my followers, I vowed to empower you with my powers."

"I meant that in the most direct sense possible."

His look grew a touch somber.

"Regrettably, since reaching Verdantis, the plane’s laws have restricted my class. Thus, I couldn’t fulfill that vow."

"But now..."

His eyes grew keen.

"That ends."

"Over the last three months, I’ve crafted Rune Tattoos tailored just for you four."

"The task proved far from easy, as you can imagine. Ultimately, I finished only two—one for each of you."

"Pressed by time, I can’t keep refining them. So, the designs for Havel and Silver’s tattoos remain incomplete."

Kavakan leaned in, a wide grin crossing his features.

"Does that mean we’re finally taking action?"

"Maybe," Alex answered with an easy shrug.

Next, he eyed the weretiger, a playful smile emerging.

"But if so... I fear it won’t match the battles you crave."

"I expect something subtler—political in nature."

He cocked his head a little.

"Those usually turn out pretty dull, don’t they?"

Kavakan let out a soft snort.

"If it resembles what went down at Camp Red Rock, I bet it won’t be as dull as you claim, boss."

Alex blinked, caught off guard—

Then burst into a hearty laugh.

"I suppose you’re right."

His focus shifted back to the displayed designs.

"These two tattoos differ fundamentally from my previous creations."

"Normally, my Rune Tattoos take up just one Rune slot."

"But these... demand more."

He paused—

Only then spotting the puzzlement on their expressions.

Alex lifted a hand and tapped his brow gently.

"Right... I haven’t covered Rune slots with you yet."

Thus, he quickly described the idea of Rune slots—along with his larger plan for Rune Soldiers.

"To sum up, Rune slots represent the natural limit for holding my Rune Tattoos. Kavakan, yours total seven. Mogal, eight."

"My present Rune Soldier system calls for each of you to hold five runes."

He halted shortly.

"If I keep making advanced Rune Tattoos like these—which span multiple slots—it might prove hard to hit that mark."

Kavakan shrugged offhandedly.

"The aim of your Rune Soldier scheme is to forge mighty warriors, yeah, Boss?"

Alex affirmed with a nod.

"And these advanced runes... the ones using extra slots—they outmatch several basic ones, right?"

Alex nodded once more.

"Then," Kavakan pressed on, "if one advanced rune beats a bunch of basic ones together, how does that weaken anyone as a Rune Soldier?"

Alex’s eyes widened faintly as insight hit.

’Indeed... it’s not gear or armor that makes the soldier...’

A subtle smile crossed his lips.

"Thank you. That settles it."

Kavakan rubbed his chin, beaming.

"Happy to assist... in some way."

Clap!

Alex clapped his hands together sharply.

"With that, I doubt these Rune Tattoos will hold you back. In fact, I believe you’ll value them greatly."

His face grew solemn.

"But if not... tell me straight."

"I can’t remove them after inscription right now. So view this as a serious choice."

"Understood?"

Kavakan and Mogal traded peculiar glances.

"You’re really odd, Boss," Kavakan blurted out—

Then clamped his hand over his mouth, aware of his words.

Mogal merely nodded steadily.

"We serve as your followers," he stated solidly. "We won’t reject your gifts. Our lives belong to you."

Alex shook his head.

"Your loyalty is mine. Your lives remain yours."

He locked eyes with them firmly.

"I realize that rings hypocritical with our master–slave contract... But that’s my true view of our bond."

"The contract just enforces it—not defines it."

"To serve me effectively, you need to perform at your peak. And you alone know how to achieve that."

"All I offer are the finest tools I have. You decide their use."

"Thus... I won’t compel you to take what you dislike."

"That would harm us both in the end."

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