Chapter 616: Master and Retainers

CH616 Master and Retainers

***

Kavakan and Mogal stared at the Rune Tattoos projected from the Beta Bracer, their expressions filled with confusion.

Rune Tattoos were one of Alex’s closely guarded trade secrets.

As such, very few people truly understood what they were—let alone how they worked.

Naturally, both men were unsure how to react to what was being presented to them.

Alex had expected this.

So, he was neither surprised nor bothered by their confusion.

Instead—

"You both know what my class is, right?" Alex suddenly asked.

"Huh?" Mogal and Kavakan were momentarily taken aback.

"You said your class is a unique one called Rune Master," Mogal replied after a brief pause.

Kavakan nodded in agreement.

Alex inclined his head.

"Correct. My class is Rune Master."

"And with it, I can do almost anything I can conceive—so long as I have the knowledge to construct it with runes, and the energy to power it, I guess."

He paused briefly, then continued.

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

Mogal answered again, more thoughtfully this time.

"Your casting speed is abnormal."

"Other mages need time between spells, but after the trials... it feels like you can keep casting endlessly, so long as you have the mana."

’An astute observation... as expected,’ Alex mused inwardly, a faint smile forming.

"That’s because I don’t actually cast most of my spells myself," Alex explained. "I use runes to handle the heavy lifting."

"So, unlike other mages, I’m not limited in the same way."

He interlocked his fingers on the table.

"However, spellcasting isn’t the only thing my class allows me to do."

"I can also construct formations of virtually any purpose— provided my understanding is sufficient."

"That’s why I’m confident I can repair the Interplanar Orb formation and get us back home..."

"...assuming we can gather the necessary resources to construct the gate."

Alex paused, allowing his words to settle.

The room grew quiet.

Then—

"You’re probably wondering why I’m telling you all this," he said with a small smile.

He didn’t wait for an answer.

"It’s to show sincerity."

Mogal and Kavakan exchanged a glance before looking back at him.

Alex’s expression remained calm—but resolute.

"I don’t use people I don’t trust. But I trust those I use."

"That is both my strength... and my flaw."

He leaned forward slightly.

"Spellcasting and formation construction aren’t unique to my class."

"While I do have advantages in both, they aren’t what I consider truly special."

He paused—

Then tapped lightly on the projection.

"There’s something else— something that definably unique to my class."

His eyes sharpened.

"Rune Tattoos."

"Rune Tattoos?" Kavakan echoed.

"Essentially," Alex began, "I can inscribe formations directly onto a person’s body in the form of tattoos."

"These tattoos can enhance their abilities... or even grant them entirely new ones."

"What?!" Both Kavakan and Mogal exclaimed, disbelief evident on their faces.

Alex’s faint smile remained unchanged.

"Do you remember when I chose you to become my followers?" he asked. "I told you then that I chose you because you possessed a specific kind of talent."

"That talent... is the ability to bear my Rune Tattoos."

He let the words settle before continuing.

"The four of you I chose that day were the ones whose potential moved me."

"When you became my followers, I promised to strengthen you using my abilities."

"I wasn’t speaking figuratively. I meant that quite literally."

His expression dimmed slightly.

"Unfortunately, since arriving in Verdantis, my class has been suppressed by the plane’s laws. As a result, I haven’t been able to keep that promise."

"But now..."

His eyes sharpened.

"That changes."

"For the past three months, I’ve been developing Rune Tattoos specifically for the four of you."

"The process is not simple, as you might image. In the end, I was only able to complete two—one for each of you."

"Due to time constraints, I can’t continue my tinkering. Hence, the designs for Havel and Silver’s tattoos are still unfinished."

Kavakan leaned forward, a grin spreading across his face.

"Does that mean we’re finally making a move?"

"Maybe," Alex replied with a casual shrug.

Then he glanced at the weretiger, a teasing smile forming.

"But if we are... I’m afraid it won’t be the kind of battle you’re hoping for."

"I’m anticipating something more subtle— political."

He tilted his head slightly.

"Those tend to be rather boring, don’t they?"

Kavakan snorted lightly.

"If it’s anything like what happened at Camp Red Rock, I doubt it’ll be as boring as you say, boss."

Alex blinked in surprise—

Then laughed heartily.

"I suppose you’re right."

His attention returned to the projected designs.

"These two tattoos are fundamentally different from anything I’ve created before."

"Typically, my Rune Tattoos only occupy a single Rune slot."

"But these... they require more."

He paused—

Only then noticing the confusion on their faces.

Alex raised a hand and lightly tapped his forehead.

"Right... I haven’t explained Rune slots to you yet."

So, he briefly outlined the concept of Rune slots— As well as his broader vision for Rune Soldiers.

"In summary, Rune slots are the innate capacity required to bear my Rune Tattoos. Kavakan, you have seven. Mogal, you have eight."

"My current Rune Soldier framework requires each of you to bear five runes."

He paused briefly.

"If I continue creating high-level Rune Tattoos like these —ones that occupy multiple slots— it may become difficult for you to meet that requirement."

Kavakan shrugged casually.

"The goal of your Rune Soldier plan is to create powerful soldiers, right, Boss?"

Alex nodded.

"And these higher-level runes... the ones that take up more slots—they’re stronger than the smaller ones, right?"

Alex nodded again.

"Then," Kavakan continued, "if a single high-level rune can outperform several smaller ones combined, I don’t see how that makes someone less of a Rune Soldier."

Alex’s eyes widened slightly as realisation struck.

’Indeed... it’s not the armour or equipment that defines the soldier...’

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Thank you. That clears things up."

Kavakan scratched his chin, grinning.

"Glad I could help... somehow."

Clap!

Alex brought his hands together once.

"In that case, I don’t believe these Rune Tattoos will hinder you. If anything, I think you’ll appreciate them."

His expression turned serious.

"But if you don’t... inform me."

"I currently lack the ability to remove them once they are inscribed. So don’t treat this as a casual decision."

"Understood?"

Kavakan and Mogal exchanged odd looks.

"You’re really strange, Boss," Kavakan said reflexively—

Then quickly covered his mouth, realising what he had just said.

Mogal, however, simply nodded.

"We are your followers," he said firmly. "We cannot refuse what you offer us. Our lives are yours."

Alex shook his head.

"Your service is mine. Your lives are your own."

He met their gazes directly.

"I know that sounds hypocritical, given the master–slave contract between us... But that is how I see our relationship."

"The contract is merely a binding mechanism—not the foundation."

"If you are to serve me well, you must be at your best. And no one understands how to reach that better than you do."

"All I can do is provide the best tools at my disposal. You are the ones who must decide how to use them."

"In that case... I cannot force you to accept something you do not want."

"That would only be counterproductive—for both of us."

***