Mage Adam

"3999 ether crystals! Adam, how could you be this greedy?"

In Adam's lab, Sandy sat across from him, yet she insisted on using the chip's communication function to talk. She kept chattering non-stop.

"Knowledge is priceless. I think the price is fair," Adam replied calmly.

Although the Mage Council had supported him generously, Adam still had to cover costs like advertising and renting a shop. He was shocked to find that leasing a space in the trading hall cost hundreds of thousands a year.

Even renting a storefront in the city's central district, though slightly cheaper, was still a hefty expense.

Before he could turn a profit, Adam had already racked up a tremendous amount of debt.

Sandy scoffed. "If knowledge is priceless, why not just give it away for free, like the standard chips for apprentices?"

"Knowledge is priceless, but effort has value," Adam said, still calm.

Sandy fell silent for a moment, then started muttering again. "Greedy merchant! That's what you are! A greedy merchant! You've completely wrecked my business. Everyone who can afford a new model has ditched the old-style communicators. Do you know how much I've lost because of you?"

Instead of replying, Adam poured her a drink and asked, "What do you think of the new communicator's functionality?"

At this, Sandy's mood brightened instantly, and she began speaking excitedly. "It's incredible. I always thought the Mage Network was a bit difficult to use, but this chip improves it so much. Searching for information is way easier. And the computational power… The ability to upload and download magic power—it makes me feel smarter. Oh, and the discussion group feature is fantastic. I've reconnected with so many old friends. By the way, do you want to join our group? It's all experienced Explorers."

Adam wasn't particularly interested. Instead, he asked, "Is there anything you don't like about it?"

"Besides the price? Nothing." Sandy answered without hesitation.

Adam nodded. He had clearly stated in the user guide that the chip would collect user data, and he expected some pushback. But it seemed most mages didn't mind.

Sandy continued enthusiastically, praising the chip, while Adam quietly listened. He dedicated a thread to their conversation while monitoring the central database for any delays or errors in real-time data collection.

When Sandy finally stopped, tired and thirsty, Adam asked, "Did you come here for plane coordinates?"

Sandy rolled her eyes dramatically. "Yes. I need more Origins, so I'll have to take on another mission." She hesitated before adding, "You've done pretty well this time, right? Do you have enough credit for your promotion?"

"Not enough," Adam said, shaking his head. The Mage Council hadn't finalized his rewards yet. Personal chips weren't very useful for transdimensional mages, and there were still functional flaws to address. Since the project was a collective effort, the credit wouldn't go solely to him. He expected the reward to be substantial, but not enough for a one-step promotion.

Adam wasn't too worried about promotions. For him, moving up the ranks was a long-term goal. Once he became a transcendent mage and improved the core algorithms of his inventions, the rewards would naturally follow.

Over time, his radio telescope had picked up many plane coordinates. After carefully sorting through them, Adam sold the less valuable ones to the Tower. He kept the more unique ones for himself.

He handed Sandy a list with five options. "Choose one from these. Based on my calculations, they should all lead to large planes. Completing any of them should give you what you need."

Sandy scanned the list and pointed to one. "What's this 'Undetermined' category?"

"It means the radio telescope picked up signals from this void area over several years, but we haven't been able to translate the data yet. However, there are recurring patterns in the signals, which suggests they might be coming from a super-large plane or even a cluster of planes," Adam explained.

Sandy's eyes lit up, but Adam quickly added, "I don't recommend this one. For your final mission, you should focus on something stable."

SMACK!

Sandy slammed her hand down on the file and declared, "I'm taking this one. As an Explorer, I have to pick the most exciting plane. Playing it safe is too boring!"

Adam shrugged, deciding not to argue. "If that's what you want. The payment will be one-tenth of your earnings after the mission."

"Greedy merchant! You're robbing me blind!"

Even as she complained, Sandy signed the contract and left the lab, muttering to herself all the way out.

Three months flew by. The official-level personal chips had spread widely, and the Mage Council was gathering valuable data every day. The project's success proved its immense worth, and Adam's hard work was finally about to pay off.

In the Mage Network, deep within the World's Guardian's dwelling, Adam and Anne reviewed a detailed project summary. Anne smiled with satisfaction. "The results of this big data initiative have exceeded all expectations. In just a few months, we've uncovered insights that were hidden in plain sight."

She turned to Adam. "What do you want as your reward? Resources? Knowledge? Ether crystals? Or the power of Origin?"

Adam answered without hesitation. "The power of Origin."

Anne smiled. "Wise choice."

The Heart of the Mage World began to glow softly. From its massive form, a small orb of light separated and floated into Adam's hands.

"This power of the Origin is enough to transform most of your soul. Finishing the process shouldn't be any difficult for you."

Adam stared at the glowing orb in his hands, momentarily lost in thought.

Anne's voice drew him back. "You can absorb it whenever you're ready. It's been tailored to your soul, so you won't face any rejection. But would you like some advice?"

Adam nodded quickly. "I'd appreciate that."

"The biggest difference between a formal mage and a transdimensional mage lies in how they use the power of the Origin. With enough of it, your soul will transform into that of an Original Creature."

Adam nodded. He already understood this much.

"But that's not all. Once you reach that level, your magic will develop unique traits tied to your soul," Anne explained.

Adam frowned slightly, intrigued.

Anne waved her hand, and the space around them shifted to a blank, open void. She conjured a small fireball. "At this level, the distinction between magic levels begins to blur."

Adam examined the fireball, which looked like a standard one created with basic runes.

"For example," Anne continued, "this fireball might seem ordinary. But for a transdimensional mage, it's different."

Translator's note: Sandy's reaction brings me back to the time when smartphones were first introduced in China. Everything is new and interesting, like a whole new world is out there waiting for us. It's nothing like the life now; now it's just boring.