"Sir."
Once Stevan returned to the mansion, a servant promptly approached, taking the cane and hat handed by Stevan and followed closely behind him.
Stevan entered the study, and as the servant placed the hat and cane in their designated spots, Stevan coldly said, "Summon her to see me immediately."
The veteran servant, familiar with Stevan's request, nodded and respectfully replied, "Yes, I will do so right away."
At the sound of this, Stevan proceeded to his seat, lifting a cup of tea. He gazed out of the window, patiently awaiting her arrival.
Outside, with winter approaching, the estate was covered in fallen leaves. Stevan observed this scene with a contemplative gaze.
His eyes followed a drifting leaf swaying in the wind until it landed in the estate's drainage channel, eventually flowing into the sewer.
These leaves had reached the end of their life cycle, transformed into discarded remnants – such was their fate.
A hint of resentment flickered in Stevan's clouded eyes. What thoughts occupied his mind at that moment were a mystery to those around him.
"Stevan."
Stevan didn't know how long he had been lost in thought, as the deep voice behind him interrupted his contemplation.
Aware of who had arrived, Stevan's initially cold expression gradually softened. When he turned around, a warm smile adorned his face, and his eyes reflected genuine affection for the newcomer.
He looked at her and said with a smile, "Dear Sister, you've come."
"Stevan, what do you want from me?"
Standing before Stevan was an exceptionally tall woman, towering over him by at least three heads. With legs that appeared powerful and beautiful, her lower legs were equipped with two razor-sharp metal blades.
She was Camille, the most outstanding spy of the Ferros family.
"Sister, we've encountered a major problem."
Stevan sighed, looking at Camille as he spoke softly, "During the time you were working on the Hextech weapon modifications, something unexpected happened in the Undercity. It's hard to believe, but the people of the Undercity have begun asserting their autonomy, and they've blocked all the sewage outlets from Piltover to Zaun."
"Now, the waste gas residues from the factories can't be discharged, and our industries are facing significant constraints. Sister, this is a big problem."
Camille silently looked at Stevan, her eyes emitting a dazzling blue light due to her enhanced vision.
She was no longer human but a killing machine.
"I need you to do something," Stevan said to Camille gently, "Are you willing to help the family?"
"I've given everything for the family."
Camille spoke calmly.
"The current leader in Zaun is named Vander. I need you to capture him. I want to teach him a lesson. However, if he remains stubborn."
Stevan smiled and said, "Then I will kill him. When that happens, I'll trouble you to hang his head on the Sun Gates."
"Let those people in Zaun see the consequences of independence."
"Also, give those hypocrites a little shock."
Stevan's voice grew colder.
They wanted peace and cooperation with Zaun? From the founding of Piltover to the present, the Ferros family had steadily risen to the top of Piltover. Now, they spoke of seeking peace with the people of Zaun?
If they achieved peace, whom would the Ferros family exploit?
Stevan's expression remained unchanged, maintaining a gentle smile.
However, the smile was becoming increasingly cold.
Over the years, the Ferros family's spies sent to Zaun had often been captured, beaten, and then thrown back into the Upper City.
This time would be different.
Stevan knew very well that, across the entirety of Piltover, and even into Zaun, there was no place where Camille couldn't reach.
She is the most outstanding spy the Ferros family has ever had, and even if Stevan harbors dissatisfaction, he must admit this fact, acknowledging that he might have been the one to become a family spy in the first place.
"I understand," Camille turned around, facing away from Stevan, and said, "The time."
"Let's set it during Progress Day; it's also an evolution, an evolution between Piltover and Zaun," Stevan said softly.
He touched the domino on the table, continuing, "I think you need to carefully consider the plan; he likely has a considerable number of associates."
After hearing Stevan's words, Camille didn't say more. She walked straight out.
They were siblings by blood, but their relationship had become increasingly strained.
However, Camille still followed his orders because he was the head of the Ferros family.
Standing by the window. Two thin hooks popped out from Camille's legs, and soon she disappeared within the Ferros family estate.
-----------------------------
November 5th, Zaun.
The academy was bustling lately.
Right now, a group of young Zaunites, around ten years old, chased a white-haired teenager in the corridor.
"Professor Ekko!"
"Professor Ekko, Professor Ekko!"
A boy ran the fastest, catching the hem of the teenager's clothes, breathlessly holding on.
"Hmm? Cody, what's up?" Turning around, the not-so-tall white-haired youth was indeed Ekko.
He looked at the boy and asked curiously.
Shouldn't it be break time now? Progress Day was approaching, and the Academy would have vacation for a few days. Ekko was getting ready to pack and return to the Undercity.
"Professor Ekko, I have a question I want to ask you."
Cody, the boy, looked up at Ekko and said loudly, "Why has Professor Powder been so happy these days? She used to bully us, but today, she gave us candy."
"Powder?" Ekko was stunned, evidently not expecting Cody to ask about that.
Didn't these kids fear Powder a lot?
Well, Ekko was quite young himself. He had just turned sixteen, and the oldest in this group of children seemed to be around thirteen, while the youngest was eight.
So, being called a professor or something like that...
Well, there were indeed quite a few talented people in Zaun, but there weren't many suitable for educating children with those radical ideas. To be honest, Ekko even thought that Singed wasn't suitable for teaching kids. Singed was undoubtedly formidable, but his educational philosophy was too direct.
He was only suitable for teaching geniuses, but were there so many geniuses in the world?
Not to mention, if geniuses became commonplace, could they still be called geniuses?
Ekko bent down, coughed, and pretended to be serious. "You're not allowed to inquire about the affairs of teachers."
"We didn't inquire; Professor Powder said it herself."
"Yes, Professor Powder gave us candy and cheerfully wished us a happy Progress Day."
Ekko: ...
Did Zaunites shout "Happy Progress Day" to each other?
Whatever, Powder could indeed do such things.
In recent years, Powder had become more and more confident. When her talents were unleashed, and she could help those around her, Powder was no longer the insecure little girl she used to be.
She remained cute and naive, but a mischievous streak had emerged from within her.
She wasn't the Powder who could only hide behind others for protection during fights.
Now, she was the Head of Weapons Department in Zaun!
All the formidable weapons in Zaun were designed by her!
"Professor Powder said her favorite brother is coming back, so she gave us candy to eat."
A little girl still held two candies in her hand, she opened her hand to show Ekko, saying, "Look, Ekko, it's this candy. Do you want it?"
"Wait, Who's coming back?" Ekko was stunned.
"I don't know; that's what Professor Powder said."
But Ekko had already run out from in front of her.
Ekko ran while revealing a big smile.
Big brother Lin Wen was coming back?!
"Was Professor Ekko just smiling?"
"Professor Ekko looked really happy."
Leaving behind a few little rascals standing in place, the girl who had shown the candy to Ekko wore a disappointed expression. She had wanted to give a piece of candy to Ekko because he was handsome and the only teacher at Zaun Academy who didn't scold people, both gentle and handsome.
However, it seemed like this affection was now out of reach for Ekko.