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 soone right away. Whether it's a video call or a text ssage, 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 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, tis are tough. Please support , 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 departnt 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 Fla had given him so interesting ideas.
So 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 dinsional 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 comnted. 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 ca to talk to you about sothing else."
Frank set his glass down and focused. "Go on."
"It looks like the war with the Devouring Diluses won't end anyti soon. You'll probably learn a lot in the logistics corps."
Frank quickly offered, "If you need , 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 . 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, co find . I'll help you connect with the Titans, and you'll get a summoning companion. Trust , they'll be perfect for you."
...
After eting with Frank, Adam set off for the Mage World.
He looked the sa 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 Fla, the Titans would be more than willing to assist. His future research into the Fla 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 tis.
Garfield, too, was pleased with his transformation. His new, stronger body ant he was much less vulnerable to death, and he no longer needed to worry about his path to advancent. 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 tal lifeform. Good luck with that."
Garfield stared at Adam, then looked at his tallic body, suddenly feeling quite defeated.
...
In a flash of teleportation light, Adam returned to the Tower.
The Tower was always busy, but this ti it seed even more so. The war against the Diluses had beco 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 inco 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 ca 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."
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