Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 741: Genius Employment Agreement II

CH741 Genius Employment Agreement II

***

Olyver’s voice remained calm, but there was unmistakable self-awareness behind it.

“I cannot read people the way you, my father and others do. I cannot sense changing loyalties, hidden resentment, or growing ambition until the consequences become obvious.”

“And by the time they become obvious, it is usually already too late.” Olyver lowered his gaze.

“In that scenario,” He continued solemnly, “it would not just be me who falls. There is a very real possibility that House Cyrindale would fall alongside me.”

“There is also the equally important matter of my lifespan.” He added.

“Even if none of these scenarios come to pass, this is one thing we cannot change. I doubt I would have enough time to elevate the House and properly stabilise its growth before my death.

“If House Cyrindale rises too quickly under my leadership, then it will almost certainly decline just as quickly after I am gone.

“Since that is the case, it is better not to take the risk.” Olyver shook his head.

“My brothers may not be as capable as my father or myself, but they are competent enough to maintain our House’s current standing in the world.

“That is enough. There is no need to be greedy.” He concluded.

Alex listened quietly.

Though he did not entirely agree with Olyver’s reasoning, he could not deny that the man’s perspective was a rational one.

More importantly, it was not Alex’s place to force such a choice upon him.

So, he merely nodded.

“In that case,” Alex said, “what are you going to do with your life?”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Surely you are not planning to simply waste it away?”

“I considered it,” Olyver admitted.

A self-deprecating smile appeared on his face.

“However, after listening to you, I realised that would be a tremendous waste.”

His gaze drifted towards the countless papers and books scattered throughout the room.

“I possess a gift that could leave a meaningful mark upon the world. It would be a shame not to make use of it, would it not?”

Alex smiled.

“It would.” He said.

Olyver nodded.

“With that in mind, I have a proposal.” He revealed.

Alex gestured for him to continue.

“In exchange for receiving advanced knowledge from your world, I will assist you with any research projects you wish to pursue—much like we did this past weeks.”

Alex blinked.

The proposal surprised him.

At first glance, it sounded reasonable.

In fact, it sounded like an excellent arrangement.

Increasing Olyver’s knowledge base while gaining access to a genius capable of helping solve problems Alex lacked the time to personally tackle seemed beneficial to both parties.

However, the more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became.

Slowly, Alex folded his arms and leaned back into his chair.

“That is not a fair proposal.”

Olyver looked genuinely confused.

“What do you mean?”

“You are taking advantage of me.”

“Huh?”

The confusion on Olyver’s face deepened.

Alex pointed directly at him.

“Do not pretend you do not know what I mean. On the surface, your offer appears fair. For most people, it probably would be.”

He shook his head.

“But we are not talking about most people. We are talking about you.”

Olyver opened his mouth, only for Alex to continue.

“I provide you with books, theories, methodologies, and centuries of accumulated knowledge from a more advanced civilisation.”

Alex pointed towards the mountain of research materials around them.

“And in return, you do a little work for me from time to time… For someone like you, that is hardly a price at all.” His lips twitched into an amused smile.

Alex leaned forward.

“You would absorb the knowledge I give you, use it to advance your own research, pursue your own interests, satisfy your curiosity, and potentially revolutionise half a dozen fields in your spare time.

“The amount of value you would gain from this arrangement is astronomical compared to what I receive.”

He tapped the table, “which means your proposal is heavily skewed in your favour.”

Alex could provide Olyver with the knowledge necessary to complete a single research project, only for Olyver to use that same knowledge to complete several more projects in his spare time behind Alex’s back.

‘Alex was right. The terms really are too favourable to me.’ Olyver considered the matter carefully before nodding.

“What do you propose, then?” he asked.

Alex did not answer immediately.

Instead, he leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment.

“Let us establish a partnership,” he finally said. “A research institute.”

Olyver raised an eyebrow.

“In the short term, you can continue working from here—or any other secure location of your choosing. However, once I establish my territory and the institute itself is operational, I would expect you to relocate there.”

Olyver remained silent, listening.

“As a founding member—and partner—of the institute, you will gain access to an extensive library of information from my home world, as well as knowledge gathered from any other planes I visit in the future.”

For the first time, genuine interest appeared in Olyver’s eyes.

Alex continued, “In exchange, any research you conduct from that point onwards will fall under a simple condition.”

“What condition?” Olyver asked.

“I will have first priority.” Alex folded his arms. “Before House Cyrindale… before anyone else…”

“Furthermore, any research projects I specifically request will receive priority within your research schedule.” He added.

Olyver’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

Alex could already tell the man was weighing the offer’s benefits against its restrictions.

Truthfully, Alex felt slightly guilty.

The terms were undeniably restrictive.

However, he could also argue that the knowledge he was offering was worth far more than what he was demanding in return.

After all, access to the accumulated knowledge of a more advanced civilisation was not something that could be measured with ordinary value.

More importantly, Alex could not ignore the opportunity standing before him.

Someone like Olyver was a treasure.

Many of the projects Alex had abandoned or placed on hold were not impossible. They simply required more time and intellectual bandwidth than he could spare.

Olyver possessed both.

The problem lay in the fact that once Alex handed over knowledge from Pangea, he could never truly take it back. Nor could he stop Olyver from applying it to his own research.

Knowledge, once shared, had a habit of spreading beyond its intended boundaries.

That was why priority mattered.

If Olyver agreed to these terms, Alex would always remain aware of the scholar’s major projects.

He could support and guide the useful and beneficial ones.

And, if necessary, suppress those that were too dangerous to be unleashed upon Verdantis without proper safeguards.

The irony was not lost on him.

He was contemplating the very same form of innovation control that had held him back from many things.

The same censorship and regulation practised by the powerful institutions he often condemned.

Alex inwardly sighed.

Alas, some knowledge truly was dangerous. And while he disliked the role, he could not deny that someone needed to exercise restraint.

At least until Verdantis was prepared to handle the consequences.

Whether that made him a hypocrite or merely a realist was a question he preferred not to answer.

He could only hope that his intentions would remain aligned with the best interests of the plane, rather than devolving into the self-serving restrictions so often imposed by those in power.

Meanwhile, Olyver paid little attention to the political implications of the arrangement.

He evaluated it solely on its merits. From this perspective, the terms seemed fair enough.

A moment later, both men extended their hands. They shook on it, formally sealing the partnership.

Almost immediately, Alex began assigning work.

The first project he pushed forward was Energy Transmutation, building upon the foundation laid by Zaxan’s work in [Zaxan’s Transmutation].

The second involved research into locating external planes—the earliest steps towards developing a functional Interplanar Eye of his own.

Fortunately, both projects could begin using knowledge Alex already possessed.

There was no need to expose Olyver to anything excessively advanced just yet.

As much as Alex trusted the man, the reality remained that Olyver was still a scion of a powerful Duchy.

Before sharing knowledge that Olyver could use to reshape the world, Alex intended to observe him a little longer.

Later that day, Duke Cyrindale returned to the subterranean courtyard accompanied by Saul and Udara.

The expressions on their faces immediately caught Alex’s attention.

There was an unmistakable trace of excitement there.

Seeing Olyver already immersed in his newly assigned research, the Duke quietly signalled for Alex to step aside.

Alex followed him to a quieter corner of the courtyard.

“I was able to convince the Imperial Court on your behalf,” Duke Cyrindale revealed.

A smile appeared on Alex’s face.

The Duke continued.

“His Imperial Majesty agreed with my assessment that the Empire would benefit from the return of House Skywalker.”

Alex’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Furthermore,” the Duke said, “His Majesty was impressed by your determination to reclaim Tat Espa with your own hands.”

The Duke withdrew a sealed document.

“The Emperor has therefore issued an Imperial Edict.”

Alex’s interest sharpened immediately.

The Duke broke the seal and began reading aloud.

“To the one who bears the Seal of House Skywalker:

“I hereby name you an Honour Count of my Empire under my authority.

“You are furthermore granted the title of Pioneer Knight.

“Let your blade point towards the Great Berserk Beast Forest. And all territory reclaimed from within the damnable forest shall be yours by right.”

***