Lin Wen was tugged along by Heimerdinger, stumbling and wearing an expression that was a mix of amusement and bemusement.
Heimerdinger was a pure scientist, in his world, matters like fame, power, status, and wealth were unimportant. What mattered most was the thirst for knowledge and the desire to inspire and help those students who were lost.
In the current situation, he saw Lin Wen as a student in need of his guidance.
A lost lamb in need of guidance, Heimerdinger played this role at Piltover's University.
Heimerdinger's contributions to Piltover's success were undeniable, and that's why people in Piltover called him "Father" while he was still alive.
"Believe me, Lin Wen, Zevi may have some minor character quirks, but her technical skills are beyond doubt. In the field of mechanics, she is the most genius person I've ever seen in all of history."
"Do you truly hold her in such high regard, Professor? Are you suggesting that she might be even more talented than Jayce and Viktor?" Lin Wen was somewhat skeptical of Heimerdinger's words.
Heimerdinger, or rather, the yordles, always seemed a bit quirky. Looking at their background stories, yordles appeared to be inherently simple. They possessed an insatiable curiosity and approached everything with a positive attitude, even in matters of praise.
The likes of Heimerdinger, Lulu, Corki, and Tristana often used overly exaggerated expressions when complimenting someone. Lin Wen remembered watching a video before coming here, titled "Don't Mess With Yordles."
In it, Tristana, when seeing Graves's cannon pointed at her face, didn't react with fear but rather excitement. She exclaimed, "Woah, a double cannon!!"
It wasn't until Graves fired a shot past her, that Tristana awkwardly pulled her hand back.
Lin Wen realized that one should only take half of what yordles said seriously; their thought processes were entirely different from normal people.
Indeed, Piltover's University was a haven of geniuses. Grabbing any random individual from the university would guarantee an IQ well over one hundred. But when it came to being more talented than Jayce and Viktor, Lin Wen thought it was a tough bar to reach.
For someone not to be overshadowed by Jayce and Viktor was already an extraordinary feat. To be compared to them and leave a mark in history, well, that was something else. But Zevi? Lin Wen couldn't recall ever hearing that name before.
"Each person has their own strengths, my child. Jayce's craftsmanship isn't all that impressive when it comes to traditional craftsmanship. To see a master at traditional craftsmanship, you'd have to look at our Chief Mechanist here in the academy, Zevi. As for Viktor, he can certainly handle the finer aspects of machining, but his health isn't that great; he always needs a break after working for a while."
Heimerdinger released Lin Wen's trouser leg and led the way with small but determined strides. His custom-made small-sized boots made a crisp 'tap tap tap' sound as he walked, and he had a compact, rhythmic gait.
But this is also quite amusing.
Lin Wen looked down at the yordle walking beside him and asked, "But Professor, are you sure she's willing to help me? After all, I don't have money, and I'm not sure if my little idea can earn any..."
"Don't worry, my child. Zevi doesn't lack money; she receive more investment from big families than Jayce and Viktor. Well, wait, maybe it's more for Jayce and Viktor now? After all, Hextech technology is a groundbreaking invention."
Lin Wen nodded and didn't decline the professor's offer any further. He smiled and said, "I appreciate your help, Professor."
"Leave it to me, my boy!"
Heimerdinger fluffed his mustache and stepped lively.
A dozen minutes later, Lin Wen followed Heimerdinger to another part of the academy. He had been here before, helping Professor Heimerdinger move laboratory equipment.
This area belonged to the School of Mechanical Engineering, while Viktor and Jayce worked in the School of Natural Sciences. Their research on Hextech technology represented a new and uncertain direction, with nobody knowing what the future held for Hextech technology.
"Lin Wen, listen to me. Zevi has a somewhat quirky temperament, so be prepared when you meet her."
Standing in front of a door, Lin Wen raised his head to check the nameplate, which displayed elegant lettering:
"Zevi's Personal Quarters. Do Not Enter. Leave deliveries by the door. For matters requiring attention, please come back after evening. In case of emergency, knock on the door. Do not enter directly, or face the consequences."
"I understand. Geniuses always have their quirks. Jayce's arrogance, Viktor's obsession—those traits that make you so generous with praise can also lead to peculiarities."
"Your summary is correct," Heimerdinger replied, and as he spoke, he began to energetically knock on the door. However, despite several attempts, there was no response from within. Heimerdinger paused, took a break, and prepared to continue knocking.
"Professor, let me try," Lin Wen quickly took his turn and started knocking on the door.
"Sure, Lin Wen, but don't knock too hard. It should be rhythmic, not too loud. Zevi won't like it if you knock too hard," Heimerdinger advised.
"Alright, alright," Lin Wen nodded and followed the pattern of Heimerdinger's earlier knocking, making rhythmic and deliberate knocks on the door: thud-thud-thud, thud-thud-thud.
Lin Wen continued this pattern of knocking for about five minutes before finally hearing movement from inside.
"Who is it?" came a female voice from within, clear and strong, accompanied by the jingling of something metallic.
"It's me, Zevi, Heimerdinger," replied Heimerdinger.
"Click."
The door swung open, revealing a tall, dark-skinned woman. She appeared to be of a similar age as Jayce and Viktor and had an even more extravagant hairstyle than Vi.
Lin Wen had thought Vi's tall hairdo was already quite extravagant among women, but the woman before him had taken it to the next level with a buzz cut.
Even with the debuff a buzz cut, she still appeared strikingly beautiful.
"Professor, what brings you here?"
In her hand, she played with a small metallic knife, which emitted an unusual glow. It was a beautifully crafted Vibrance Blade.
This item was standard equipment for the Enforcers, but only squad leaders among them could possess it. Lin Wen had seen them for sale in stores on Constellaria Avenue, with a high price tag, well over a hundred gold coins each. However, this blade she held seemed different.
The vibrance blades Lin Wen had seen before, especially those made for Enforcers, typically had a blade length of half a meter and a thicker, more club-like appearance. However, the one in her hand was the size of a cake knife, crafted from pure silver. Its silver blade emitted a blue aura, making it aesthetically pleasing.
Was it a special edition?
Ordinary vibrance blades were already pricey at a hundred gold coins, so Lin Wen couldn't help but wonder. It seemed the Pilties had deep pockets.
"I've come with this gentleman," Heimerdinger raised his hands and introduced Lin Wen, "You might have seen him; he's quite the sensation in the academy."
"Hello, I'm..." Lin Wen began his introduction, but the other person laughed and spoke cheerfully, "Dark hair, dark eyes, an harmless young man. Lin Wen, right? I recognize you."
She extended her hand toward Lin Wen.
"Let me introduce myself."
"Zevi Reta."
//// The Reta surname is made up by the original author. In LoR it's just Zevi.////