Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 699: Identity In A Name I

CH699 Identity In A Name I

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Words…

’Words hold might.’

This common adage is often first associated with True Names and the conceptual powers that accompany their possession.

However, the saying’s implication is far more extensive than merely that.

A name carries identity, and frequently, the profound strength linked to a name originates from the identity it embodies.

The ’strength’ behind the name ’Ludevicus’ was derived from the identity it represented—the illustrious Imperial House of the Virellian Empire.

For names, identity, purpose, and strength become deeply interwoven.

—

Concealed beneath the expansive canopy of the Heartwood Tree, Alex delved into the profound philosophical insights penned by the Heavenly Venerable, discovered within a tome he had perused during the man’s stele trial.

Inside this text, the Heavenly Venerable posited that grasping the essential meaning behind a name facilitated a deeper comprehension of the entity it represented. After all, a name frequently encapsulates the identity, purpose, and very essence of the thing it denotes.

Even when a multitude of names are used interchangeably to refer to seemingly similar objects or concepts, it does not inherently imply that these names are truly identical.

With diligent observation, one would inevitably uncover subtle variations lurking beneath these supposedly synonymous appellations—distinctions that reveal their fundamental differences, even if by the narrowest of margins.

One might wonder why Alex was engrossed in the philosophical contemplations of a long-departed sage.

The reason is his current endeavor to comprehend a specific matter.

-

Some time ago, Alex experienced a sudden flash of insight pertaining to a potential method for controlling divine energy.

The concept itself was remarkably straightforward—infuse divine energy into that which he understood most intimately: Runes.

If he could somehow imbue runic formations with divine energy and subsequently utilize that same energy to activate the formations… would that not signify his successful command over divine energy?

Regrettably, a singular, fundamental obstacle persisted.

He still lacked any dependable method to actually channel or manipulate divine energy in the first place.

Alex’s nascent solution arose from a deceptively simple notion, inspired by the very epiphany that had ignited the idea.

He summoned Sugud, who, at that juncture, was completely absorbed in examining the myriad individual components for crossbows delivered by the commissioned blacksmiths across the city.

Alex returned the Theolonium box that Sugud had previously fashioned for him, along with a modest request.

Approximately three days later, Sugud presented the box back to Alex—this time bearing a discreet enhancement.

Alex applied pressure to a distinct circular depression situated atop the box. Instantly, a small item partially ascended from its interior.

Alex secured the item, withdrawing it to reveal a Rune Pen.

He offered a nod of gratitude before releasing Sugud, allowing the Mechanic to resume his ongoing assembly operations.

To expedite the production process, Sugud had successfully enlisted several members of Fortuna to lend assistance with the less intricate aspects of assembling the numerous crossbow components.

The Mechanic had deliberately engineered the crossbows to incorporate close to fifty distinct internal manufacturing parts.

Even so, he maintained an exceptionally rigorous approach to the outsourcing, going so far as to commission over seventy separate components in total.

This meticulous strategy ensured that even if an individual managed to obtain a comprehensive inventory of all commissioned parts, associating them with a single product would remain exceptionally challenging.

Indeed, even proficient artisans would likely surmise that the parts belonged to at least three or four entirely different manufactured items.

With the aid of Fortuna members whenever their schedules permitted, Sugud eventually consolidated the numerous manufacturing elements into merely four primary field-assembly modules.

This arrangement enabled the crossbows—whether pump-action or bolt-action models—to be disassembled into compact, portable sections, allowing for rapid reassembly within moments on the battlefield or any designated operational zone.

As previously done, Alex transported the Theolonium box into the Sanctuary Pocket Dimension and instructed Lord Bonsai to imbue it with the surplus divine energy that had been condensed within the fruits hanging from its branches.

Once the box had been adequately saturated with divine energy, Alex carefully conveyed it to the nearby Rune Table.

Spirit Sight Lv2!

Alex elevated this capability of his Truth-Seeker Eyes to its utmost operational capacity as he focused his intense gaze upon the awaiting box.

Deliberately, he inserted the Theolonium Rune Pen—already filled with Runic Ink—into the specifically engineered slot within the box.

A broad grin slowly materialized on Alex’s countenance as he observed the divine energy housed within the box initiate a direct flow into the Rune Pen… energizing it.

The entire procedure spanned approximately ten minutes, after which the pen was completely saturated with energy.

Alex didn't mind in the slightest.

Once the Rune Pen had finished charging, Alex eagerly picked it up, ready to finally test it upon the Rune Scroll already spread across the Rune Table.

'Huh?'

However, no matter how much Spiritual Force he exerted, the divine energy simply refused to move.

Alex's brows furrowed deeply.

Rune Pens were intricately designed tools created specifically to infuse the loaded Runic Ink with energy during the inscription process. Even the Runic Ink itself had been carefully formulated to efficiently conduct and transmit whatever energy the Rune Pen supplied to it.

In theory, the ink should have carried the divine energy from the Rune Pen directly onto the Rune Scroll, allowing the energy to naturally flow along the drawn structure and take the form of a completed rune.

Yet his 'cheat' method had utterly failed.

The Rune Pen and Runic Ink system had been refined for countless years through the combined efforts of Pangea's three major Artisan professions, eventually reaching a level where the system could utilise nearly any form of mana supplied by the user.

If divine energy was truly, as Alex suspected, simply mana utilised by deities... then his method should have worked.

But it did not.

'Why...? I don’t understand!'

Frustration surged through Alex as he nearly slammed the Rune Pen onto the table.

Then suddenly—something changed.

The tiny Fortune-Suppressing Dragon, which had previously remained coiled lazily atop Lord Bonsai's crown, abruptly stirred awake. Stretching its small body, the creature somehow managed to appear both majestic and strangely adorable at the same time.

Its whiskers twitched before slowly swaying through the air as though searching for something unseen. Then, after a brief moment, they suddenly stiffened as if they had finally locked onto a target.

The diminutive dragon levitated, then gently glided through the air before stopping directly above the Guardian of Happenstance Rune Scrolls.

The small yet regal creature opened its maw slightly, appearing as though it were inhaling or devouring something invisible.

Alex carefully observed the entire scene, but even with the Spirit Sight ability of his Truth-Seeker Eyes, he could not actually perceive what the dragon was feeding upon.

Even so, he could make a fairly educated guess—

Providence.

More specifically, the Providence associated with the Guardian of Happenstance Rune Tattoo Set.

After seemingly satisfying itself upon whatever invisible substance it had consumed from the Rune Scrolls, the tiny dragon slowly turned towards Alex—

Or more accurately, towards what he was attempting to do at the Rune Table.

The dragon glide-slithered over gracefully.

It curiously moved its gaze between the Theolonium box resting upon the table, the Rune Pen in Alex’s hand, and the Rune Scroll spread out before him.

Then, unexpectedly, an annoyed expression flashed across its tiny face.

For some reason, Alex suddenly got the strange impression of a child on the verge of throwing a tantrum because it could not understand what was happening around it.

Without any warning whatsoever, the Fortune-Suppressing Dragon abruptly dove straight into Alex's skull.

A moment later, it emerged again, silently chuckling to itself with unmistakable triumph.

'Did it just read my thoughts?' Alex stared at the dragon with an exasperated expression.

The little creature seemed to possess absolutely no concept of personal boundaries whatsoever. It treated every aspect of Alex’s internal space as though it were its own private domain—especially his mind.

Now that the dragon seemingly understood what Alex had been attempting to accomplish—or at least part of it—it began observing the box, the Rune Pen, and the Rune Scroll with noticeably greater seriousness.

Then, as though struck by an idea of its own, the tiny dragon suddenly dove directly into the Rune Pen held within Alex’s hand.

Almost instantly, Alex felt a strange sense of connection and control over the pen—more specifically, over the divine energy contained within it.

His eyes lit up immediately.

Without wasting another second, Alex began moving the Rune Pen across the scroll.

The pen danced smoothly over the Rune Scroll, leaving behind intricate lines and curves that intertwined into elaborate glyphs radiating an unmistakable 'divine' charm.

'It worked...'

A smile spread across Alex’s face as he successfully inscribed his very first Rune Circuit powered entirely by divine energy.

Moments later, a golden flame ignited upon the scroll, dispersing the lingering darkness within Alex’s mind and filling the surrounding area with a warm, overwhelmingly positive aura.

'So... a Flame Rune Circuit powered by divine energy becomes a Flame of Hope, huh...' Alex mused inwardly.

Then suddenly, his vision wavered violently.

Alex quickly grabbed onto the table for support before carefully lowering himself into the nearby chair.