The exciting yet nerve-wracking test began. To err on the side of caution and avoid any accidents, only one mechanical soldier was used for this test.
At Li Lin's command, a mechanical soldier from Heimerdinger and Jayce's side immediately flew to the torn space-time rift, shutting down everything except for the essential functions needed for basic movement. It took large strides into the energy rift.
[Mechanical Soldier, Test Subject No. 9527: Connection Lost.]
Li Lin, Viktor, Heimerdinger, and Jayce all held their breath at the same time.
Time seemed to stretch, lingering on this one moment.
However, within the blink of an eye, the mechanical soldier, now in its quantum form, had already reassembled and walked out from the other side of the portal.
[Mechanical Soldier, Test Subject No. 9527: Reconnection Complete.
[Self-diagnosis in progress...]
[Hextech Crystal energy supply is normal.]
[Body integrity: 100%.]
[No abnormalities detected in data.]
[Network connection: stable.]
[All functions are operational.]
[Diagnostics complete!]
[The space-time teleportation experiment has been successfully completed!]
"We did it!" Jayce shouted from the communication channel.
Heimerdinger couldn't hold back his excitement either. "I agree with you, my boy!"
This was a breakthrough in quantum mechanics, with limitless potential to push technology forward. It meant that the people of Piltover could easily leave their planet and venture into the cosmos!
The success of the space-time teleportation device was just the foundation and the first step. The real focus would be on further research and refinement.
Viktor, who usually kept his emotions in check, was smiling broadly as he cut off the communication channel. He walked over to Li Lin and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We succeeded, and it's all thanks to you."
"I only provided the theory and data," Li Lin smiled, shaking his head. "Developing the space-time teleportation device was a team effort."
"At a time like this, don't be so modest," Viktor said, retracting his hand. "Without you, Zaun wouldn't be where it is today."
"Without Zaun, perhaps I wouldn't be who I am today either."
Li Lin didn't delve deeper into the topic.
"By the way, weren't you researching a gravity field? How's it going?"
"Well..." Viktor scratched his head awkwardly. "I've hit a bit of a bottleneck."
"Tell me about it in detail. Maybe I can offer some help."
Although the anti-gravity technology unlocked by the system was quite advanced, it hadn't provided an application field.
Li Lin was particularly interested in applying this technology to medium and large mechs, which still felt heavy even when using high-powered pulse boosters, as well as in future space stations and construction facilities. He didn't have the time to design applications for daily life or other fields.
He was keen to pass on this technology to Viktor, hoping to expand its applications for the benefit of society.
After all, in the original timeline, Viktor, as the "Mechanical Pioneer," had extensive research on gravity field devices and even linked them to other weapons.
"It's mostly a problem with the force field," Viktor explained. "Right now, I can only reduce the gravitational force on objects entering facilities and slow them down. I can't completely stop them yet, let alone reverse gravity..."
"Reverse gravity? Why didn't you say so earlier? I've already figured it out."
Li Lin smiled and waved his hand, pulling up the theory and data he had already input into the AI system. The information was projected in front of Viktor, who was left in shock.
"How did you...?" He stared, astonished, unable to hide his surprise.
"Well, aren't you going to take a look?" Li Lin raised his chin, signaling him to check it out. "Maybe there are some mistakes in my theory."
Viktor quickly gathered his emotions and focused, studying the projection carefully.
The further he read, the more excited he became, and soon his face was flushed with astonishment.
"Why didn't I think of this earlier!"
Viktor shook his fist and turned to Li Lin, his eyes full of admiration.
"You've completely figured out the theory of anti-gravity. If the experiments go well, the Gaboga can apply the anti-gravity device, greatly improving its speed!"
Combined with the upgraded space-time teleportation device, the Gaboga would be able to deliver a punch from anywhere in the world at an incredibly long distance.
A full-power punch would be as powerful as a typical megaton cannon, with no need for charging or cooldown time, catching an unsuspecting target off guard.
Li Lin thought to himself.
"You really are a genius. In just over two years, you've managed to elevate Piltover, a city that was only at the level of clockwork and steam technology, to the brink of reaching the heavens."
Viktor couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Although he was often praised by his peers as a genius comparable to Jayce, when compared to Li Lin, both of them were far behind.
However, Viktor's lifelong dream was to become a professor and dedicate himself to improving Zaun, the polluted environment of his hometown. He didn't pay much attention to other matters.
Even though his personality was somewhat reclusive, the only people he truly got along with in the academy were the genius Jayce and his childhood friend Skye. Jealousy didn't exist for him, so he never entertained the thought of "Why was there a Yuyin if there was a Liang?" (referring to unnecessary competition).
His feelings for Li Lin were nothing but admiration and respect.
Li Lin smiled and said nothing.
After a brief pause, he spoke again, "There's one more thing. I've only stayed at the theoretical level with anti-gravity technology. As for practical applications... I don't have much time at the moment. Do you think you could help extend it to other fields? Of course, I won't charge you any patent fees."
...
Since anti-gravity technology was Li Lin's research, as the researcher, he was naturally well aware of its possible applications.
Viktor didn't want to use Li Lin's theoretical technology to develop his own practical results; that would be unfair to Li Lin, especially since Li Lin wasn't charging him any patent usage fees.
After some reluctance and persuasion from Li Lin, Viktor eventually agreed to research the applications of anti-gravity technology, but with one condition:
No matter what new inventions he designed, all patents had to belong to Li Lin. He would take nothing, not even public recognition. It would essentially be free labor, and that was his final insistence.
Otherwise, he wouldn't agree to help with the research.
Li Lin felt conflicted, but Viktor wasn't the type to want to owe anyone.
Whether it was when Li Lin didn't showcase the mechanical soldier during the Progress Day event, allowing his steam robot Blitz to make an appearance, or when Viktor used a gene enhancement serum to repair his damaged body, these were all favors Viktor couldn't repay.
Although Viktor wasn't the most emotionally expressive, especially with Skye, his sense of friendship was far greater than Jayce, who often acted bluntly without regard for others' feelings. Everything Viktor did, he quietly remembered.
He was determined in his decision, so reluctantly, Li Lin agreed to Viktor's request.
Back in Piltover, the group held a small celebratory gathering at the Kiramman household, but Mel was absent.
Li Lin heard from Jayce that she had been busy dealing with her mother recently, as Ambessa was attempting to use Hextech weapons to defend Medarda from Noxus.
However, upon learning that this woman was one of the initiators of the Noxian War and that Mel harbored significant dissatisfaction and even hatred toward her, wanting to sever ties with Ambessa, who had also vented to Jayce, Li Lin abandoned the idea of helping Ambessa.
She was a woman with ulterior motives, using her daughter to seek out Hextech weapons, likely to stir up conflict. Her goals were in stark contrast with Li Lin's vision of uniting the nations for the final defense line against the Void.
Since Mel's final choice was to do the "greater good" and let Ambessa be dealt with by Swain, at least it would eliminate a potential threat of internal human conflict.
Over the next few days, at Caitlyn's request, Li Lin put aside his work to spend some quality time with her. They even attended a charity performance by Kai'Sa, Seraphine, and Orianna at the Plaza, which received tremendous feedback.
Especially Seraphine, who, after training, could sing with a voice that resonated with others, much like Sona's ability. In just one performance, she gained countless fans, starting her idol career years ahead of the original timeline.
From there, she would continue her studies at Piltover University's School of Magic while occasionally performing in both Piltover and Zaun, working to bridge the gap between the two cities and ease the tensions, just as Li Lin had originally hoped.
In the following two days, Li Lin also gave Viktor, Jayce, Mel, Skye, and the Kiramman couple the second stage of body enhancements.
He also visited Zaun to check on Vander, visit Silco, and see how things were going with Mundo.
Then, he gave Powder, Vi, Ekko, Zeri, Claggor, and Milo a break, taking them for a fun day in Piltover, before sending them back to the Undercity Plaza by evening.
Watching the children happily say their goodbyes, Li Lin smiled and watched them leave before his expression grew solemn.
"The days ahead, I won't have time to look after them much," Li Lin said to himself, holding the blue bird pendant around his neck. "If possible, please take care of them for me."
After a moment, as a gentle breeze brushed his face, a blue bird appeared and landed on his shoulder, tilting its head.
"Is it about Piltover's situation?" Janna's ethereal voice echoed in Li Lin's mind.
"Not just that…"
Li Lin took a deep breath, his thoughts drifting to the Darkin, Xerath, Viego, and Mordekaiser.
"There's still much to deal with."
(End of Chapter)
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