Mage Adam

"We're committed to ensuring the Titan race's survival," Arnold started, "but you need to follow our reasonable requests, like joining in wars or helping with research. You can benefit from the research results that suit you, but of course, there will be a cost."

Arnold continued, "So, being a vassal race isn't slavery; it's more like a job. After each task, we'll give you the proper reward. You can count on this. It's a rule followed by all mages and existing vassal races; no one breaks it."

The lords were upset upon hearing Titania would be sacrificed. One of the lords asked, "Why do we have to give up our homeland?"

Arnold pointed to the sky, where the Devourer and the Origin, which hadn't returned yet, were visible.

He said, "Your world is too damaged. You can see that Titania's crystal barrier system is broken and hasn't recovered. Large areas have been destroyed by the void storm. I believe you wouldn't want to live in such conditions. If it can't be fixed, finding a new home would be the best option for you."

"As for the Origin, we'll have to leave it behind. The Mage World can only have one Origin. This is very beneficial for you; under the protection of the Heart of the Mage World, the vitality of the Titan race will be much stronger than it is now."

The feeling of attachment to one's homeland is something all intelligent beings share. The Titans had fought for their land and race for generations, making it even harder to leave.

Arnold's words left them unsure; they didn't know if they could still call themselves Titans after leaving Titania.

The discussions paused for a while. Arnold didn't hurry them, and Adam was patient enough to wait.

Lord Svorsi broke the silence, "We need some time to think this over."

Both knew that even though they needed time, the Titans would eventually agree.

Arnold understood and said, "Of course, that's fair. But the war can't wait. An army will come soon, and we hope you can cooperate."

After saying this, Arnold left, as he had many other matters to attend to. Adam stayed in the Royal City, continuing his work as the intermediator.

When there was only Adam left, Lord Svorsi spoke more openly, "Is everything that mage said true?"

Adam nodded without hesitation, "Mages do not deceive anyone."

"Not even outsiders?"

"That's right, because we don't need to lie to achieve our goals."

Lord Svorsi envied the confidence that absolute power brought to each mage. Long ago, before any of the current lords were born, the Titans had such confidence. But now, they had no choice but to become vassals.

This change made them feel especially sad at the moment.

"Have you seen any other vassal races? How are they living?" Lord Svorsi asked.

This question puzzled Adam; he hadn't actually seen any. "I've been a mage for a short time, and after my advancement, I've mostly been on missions in other worlds, so..."

Lord Svorsi sighed and stopped asking further questions. He watched as groups of mages either descended from the sky or suddenly appeared nearby. After a long pause, he said, "Anyway, thank you for your help. We will do everything we can to cooperate with you."

...

Through countless years of wars, the mages developed various strategies for dealing with different enemies and working with allies of different life forms. The Seventh Tower's legion, sent on this expedition, was the most suitable for cooperating with the Titans.

The mages only needed the Titans to follow orders in war and accept their adaptations.

The army began mobilizing.

Mages either brought their own war machines or commandeered existing floating fortresses. They took a large group of Titans, at least of Commander rank, to the front lines.

There, the Dilus had quickly established a division of labor after the initial two days of adjustment. Their parental bodies hid deep underground, continuously producing offspring. Dilus warriors were now approaching Titan territory and mage warships, and even the weakest among them were of the fourth level.

These descendants of the Devourer were much stronger than the original Metal Eaters. The transcendent individuals among the Dilus had strange abilities, making them formidable opponents, though still not as powerful as transdimensional mages. They posed a significant challenge to the war effort.

Fortunately, this war involved the mages' ancient enemies, so the mages who came to help were some of the strongest ones. Nearly fifty of them were transcendent mages, and there were countless high-level mages. Otherwise, there might be a chance that they'd lose the war.

If they did lose, they would have to set up dimensional hubs to request reinforcements, but that could give the Devourer a chance to break the seal.

Adam didn't need to participate in the frontline battles. He was helping the Titans enhance their strength alongside other low-level mages, including Frank, and also assisting with passing the flames.

...

"Nice to see you again, Explorer Adam."

As Adam was preparing to take a few Flames from the Flame House for study, a mage suddenly appeared beside him.

As soon as the mage showed up, the Titan who had accompanied Adam to the Flame House looked enchanted and started to walk out.

"Hello," Adam greeted her, even though he didn't particularly want to see her.

The visitor was the female mage from the Third Tower, who looked like a patchwork creature.

She clearly knew that Adam didn't like her, but she didn't seem to care at all.

Her ugly face paired with her pleasant voice created a strange contrast. "So, this is where the Titans keep the Original Flames? Such crude methods and foolish creatures; they don't even understand how their own lives are created."

Adam was intrigued. "Are you planning to help them decipher the secret of life?"

The mage chuckled softly. "Help them? Since the Devourer values these flames so much, they must be important to him. Understanding these flames' secrets will help us invade the Devourer's soul. Helping the Titans is just a side effect. Besides, my way of helping them is something they probably won't like. You can call me Ayesha. I'm from the Third Tower, an eighth-level transdimensional mage."

Adam finally learned her name, but he didn't expect her to be at the peak of transcendent power.

"May I know what you're planning to do?" he asked.

Ayesha waved her hand, and all the flames in the Flame House vanished. Then, she reached out with one finger, slicing through the space, and pulled out a squawking Garfield.

"Of course, you and your pet are both key participants in this research."