Inside the top-floor hall of the Piltover Council building, the city's many noble families had gathered. They lined either side of the central red carpet, whispering among themselves, their attention drawn to an elderly woman with two mechanical prosthetic fingers.
"What a pity. Such a promising young man… Why did he have to touch what he shouldn't have?"
"Yes, truly unfortunate."
"I wonder what judgment the Council will pass."
"The Talis family's wrench was rather handy, but still… sigh."
"Reckless, that boy was."
"Let this be a warning to our children!"
"Indeed. No more foolish experiments."
"Would it kill them to just do proper research?"
…
In the midst of the murmurs, Duke stood beside Colin, catching every word while observing the woman, Jayce's mother. She looked to be in her forties or fifties, with streaks of gray in her hair and a face etched with worry. Her prosthetic fingers stood out starkly.
"Pay close attention today," Colin said gravely, resting a hand on Duke's shoulder. "No matter what you learn, take this to heart, don't go meddling with things you shouldn't. Next time, it might be you people are whispering about."
Duke had once disassembled a guest's prosthetic limb just to see how it worked. That kind of nerve was both impressive and dangerous. With the city's youth obsessed with pushing boundaries, many had already strayed too far.
Colin had made up his mind, Duke had potential, and he would not let that go to waste.
"I understand, sir," Duke replied with a shy smile, though inwardly he wasn't convinced. Can there be progress without risk?
Playing it safe might be reliable, but it rarely led to breakthroughs. True genius, Duke believed, was bold, untamed, and unafraid.
Jayce may be a so-called "dark horse," but Duke admired his courage to explore the unknown. That said, his particular interests were… a bit questionable. Dark horse knight? More like dark horse kinks.
As the thought crossed his mind, the system panel in Duke's mind blinked. His synchronization rate with the Iron Man template suddenly leapt from 1% to 3.5%.
But Duke remained oblivious, mind already racing with calculations and refinements for his exo-suit. Even here, surrounded by politicians, his thoughts stayed on gears and energy circuits.
Finally, with Councilor Mel's arrival, the chamber doors opened. Jayce stepped in, wearing a crisp white uniform, though visibly exhausted. A pair of enforcers unshackled his wrists and gave him a hard shove forward.
Jayce rotated his shoulder with a slight wince and approached the central round table, designed like a massive gear with a hollow center. He paused, exchanged a glance with his mother, and offered her a small, encouraging smile.
As the domed ceiling slowly closed overhead, the chamber dimmed, casting everything into shadow.
The chatter stopped. All eyes turned toward Jayce, waiting to see what he would say.
"Jayce Talis," Mel began, chin resting lazily on one hand, her sharp gaze fixed on him. "You stand accused of possessing dangerous materials and endangering the citizens of Piltover. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Jayce let out a soft sigh. He could feel Professor Heimerdinger's hopeful gaze, silently urging him to back down, just this once.
"The hazardous nature of the equipment..." Jayce paused, clearly reluctant. "...far exceeded my expectations. I deeply regret my actions and am willing to take full responsibility for the consequences."
"Pfft." Duke couldn't help scoffing. Nice words, but he doubted Jayce believed any of it. Nearby nobles glanced at the young man in a suit who had spoken, their curiosity piqued.
Thunk!
Colin's cane jabbed sharply into Duke's foot.
Message received.
Duke zipped his mouth shut, shifting uncomfortably. This kind of setting suffocated him. He'd rather be home sketching blueprints than standing here in starched clothes.
His eyes wandered. Then, pause.
Standing beside the representative of the Ferros family was Mel's secretary. The two of them leaned in, whispering. Odd.
"I ask the Council for mercy," Jayce continued. "I hope to continue my research for the benefit of Piltover."
A refined, noble woman spoke next. "As Jayce's long-time benefactor, I vouch for him. I believe he will one day make great contributions."
She had invested too much in the boy to watch it all go up in smoke. There was still a chance to steer him back. But if he remained obstinate… she would have to cut her losses.
"He did just level a building," a balding councilor sneered, fiddling with a child's toy. Mel really had a knack for giving him the most infuriating puzzles.
"No true scientist gets results without breaking a few tools," Heimerdinger said, waggling his fluffy ears. "At least a wrench or a hammer."
"Alright, enough chatter," Mel interlaced her fingers, shoulders rising in a half-shrug. "Aside from the explosion, do you have anything to show us?"
She glanced, ever so subtly, toward one corner of the hall.
"…No," Jayce admitted through clenched teeth. "I don't have any results yet."
Mel's smile turned mocking. "So, in other words, you've achieved nothing."
"My research is groundbreaking!" Jayce snapped.
"Groundbreaking, is it?" Mel echoed with a scoff. "Everyone claims that. Where's the proof?"
"Has the Academy's standards fallen so low?" a golden-haired noble twirled his fingers in disdain. "Disruption and destruction differ by just one word. If we let this slide, what's next?"
"Ridiculous. Is this the youth of today?"
"Let's wrap up the hearing. We can revisit this later."
"I say we give the young man a chance."
"A chance? Those are cheap. Is he even worth it?"
"A reckless brat who thinks a little knowledge makes him a genius."
…
The council chamber rang with debate. Jayce, overwhelmed by the scorn and whispers, could no longer hold back.
"Enough!"
His voice rang out like a thunderclap.
Clenching his fists, he stared them down. "I have results. I'm close! I swear, with just a little more time, I can succeed. I'll prove it to all of you!"
"When that day comes, Piltover will enter a new era, one shaped by magic and science together!"
Sweat beaded his forehead; his back was drenched. But he had said it. Too late to take it back.
Lady Gilamain, Caitlyn's mother and his longtime sponsor, shut her eyes, face full of quiet disappointment.
"What a fool," she thought. "All that investment down the drain."
Noticing the shift in her expression, Jayce's heart dropped.
Whispers swept the hall once more. The Ferros envoy stroked his chin thoughtfully and murmured to Mel's secretary, "Whatever happens, have Mel get close to him."
"Piltover tolerates magic, yes, but it still fears it."
"If he does make a breakthrough…" The Ferros envoy smiled darkly. "Bring him to our house. The Gray Lady may take special interest in him."
"Yes, sir."
Duke, still in the crowd, watched Jayce's outburst with a smirk. Risky move. But that's what made him a real scientist.
Honestly, things were getting dull now. He might as well go crunch some numbers.
Reaching into his coat, Duke felt the bulge of notebook and pencil.
He leaned toward Colin. "Excuse me, sir, I need to visit the restroom."
Colin gave him a cold snort. "Fine. Don't wander off."
"Understood."
Slipping through the crowd, Duke reached the door, where an enforcer opened it just enough for him to pass.
Descending a floor, Duke stepped into the corridor and gazed out at Piltover's skyline. A long exhale escaped his lips.
"Bunch of narrow-minded relics… Too scared to embrace change."
Pulling out his notepad, Duke leaned against the window, letting the breeze cool his thoughts as he resumed his calculations.
Then,
"You know, if someone overheard what you just said, it could land you in trouble."
A girl with deep-blue hair stood beside him. She extended her hand.
"Hi. I'm Caitlyn Gilamain."
"…Duke. Apprentice at Colin's Workshop."
Duke looked her over with mild amusement.
So this was the Piltover Enforcer in her younger days. What a coincidence.