In regards to the steam-powered robot Blitz, Li Lin only considered improving the alchemical technology robot in the undercity when Viktor mentioned it.
Blitz was no ordinary robot. After Viktor implanted the priceless Primordial Crystal unearthed from Shurima, it gained a "soul."
Blitz was not only more efficient than regular robots but, over days of repetitive work, it awakened the ability to learn and innovate.
It could deduce and understand the daily commands it received, not confined to working in the alchemical waste piles in the undercity. It even frequently communicated with the citizens of Zaun.
Under the influence of the Primordial Crystal, Blitz had become a fully independent entity with a soul, not just an emotionless steel machine.
While Li Lin understood the importance of the Primordial Crystal to the Brackern race, he had no intention of disrupting the world's timeline and preventing Blitz's birth.
Firstly, Viktor's Primordial Crystal was approved for research by the academy. Even if Blitz wasn't created, these crystals would still be used by other scientists in different projects.
For certain scientists who might compromise the integrity of the Primordial Crystal, having it as a Hextech core was comparatively a better option.
Secondly, helping the Brackern race was too distant a thought for Li Lin at this stage.
This wasn't about presenting to the council that mining the Primordial Crystal would harm another race's existence, requesting a halt to this behavior wouldn't solve the problem.
Moreover, today's confrontation with the council had already pushed him to the edge.
Not only that, if the research on the Primordial Crystal were to be prohibited, the first ones to be affected would be the Ferros family's interests.
Li Lin's development in Piltover had just begun a month ago, and he didn't want to turn around and push Lady Gray into an opposing position, right after gaining her support.
In Viktor's office,
After Li Lin suggested his idea, Viktor eagerly began drafting an application to the academy, preparing to apply for a Primordial Crystal.
Although his current status was only an assistant, with Heimerdinger's help, obtaining a Primordial Crystal shouldn't be a problem.
The prerequisite, however, was that he must produce results.
To avoid disturbing Viktor, after bidding farewell, Li Lin left the University of Piltover.
Time was not to be wasted; there were still plenty of troublesome matters waiting for him to handle.
Casually finding a public transport carriage outside the academy's gate, he handed the coachman two silver wheels and asked him to take him back to Kiramman's residence.
Next, he would face the wrath of Lady Cassandra...
After a while, the carriage stopped at the side entrance of Kiramman's residence.
After exchanging greetings with the servants, Li Lin secretly sneaked into the main mansion and walked into the reception hall.
At this moment, the hall was empty, and the large clock on the corner wall ticked away, giving him a countdown feeling of an impending storm.
Was Lady Cassandra not at home?
Li Lin raised an eyebrow, feeling a slight relief, and a sudden thought crossed his mind:
Why am I acting like a guilty thief...
He ascended the stairs with light footsteps, finding no one on the second floor, not even the servants who usually took care of the cleaning.
Before Li Lin could proceed to the third floor, a small hand silently appeared from behind, patting him on the shoulder.
Simultaneously, a familiar voice, with a hint of playfulness, echoed in his ear, "What are you up to? Sneaking around like this..."
"Ugh!" Li Lin inhaled sharply, grabbing the warm hand on his shoulder, turning around. "Caitlyn, are you trying to scare me to death?"
Caitlyn raised an amused eyebrow, teasingly saying, "You still haven't answered my question. Why all the sneaking around when coming home?"
"Do you not know the specific reason?" Li Lin released her hand, somewhat helpless. "How's it going on your mother's side?"
"Oh, she's angry," Caitlyn's expression and tone made it apparent she was joking.
"I'm serious, Caitlyn." Li Lin stared into her smiling eyes, a hint of doubt crossing his mind. "Is the madam really not angry with me?"
"Ah, with me around, do you still worry?" Caitlyn crossed her arms, shifting her weight forward, getting closer to Li Lin, lowering her voice.
"Actually," she continued, "Mom is indeed upset. Not about your lack of cooperation in the council, but that you didn't inform her of your thoughts in advance, leaving her unprepared."
Inform her...
How could he agree to that?
Li Lin's expression turned somewhat bitter.
Caitlyn seemed to sense his thoughts. "In reality, Mom isn't as heartless as you imagine. Her actions are entirely based on political considerations and the interests of the family."
"I still disagree with her approach," Li Lin scratched his head, "but, you know, in the council... Some things just have to be done."
"I remember you saying this morning that what mom did was wrong..." Caitlyn sighed.
"That's because Mom didn't want us to worry too much, so she didn't tell us her original plan." Caitlyn sighed.
"Just now, when you weren't back yet, I chatted with Mom. She said she initially wanted to present a united front with other council members on the surface, secretly making Sheriff Grayson pay attention and restrain his subordinates, avoiding major chaos in the Undercity."
"Although conflicts with the Undercity are inevitable, this is the best outcome she could achieve... Who would have thought that you would openly oppose the council during the meeting? Still, she supports you. After all, you're part of our family~~"
Caitlyn extended her slender fingers and poked Li Lin's cheek. "Mom really trusts you. Don't let her down, or the entire Kiramman family will suffer."
Li Lin grabbed her finger, sighed, and said, "I know this very well. Just like I said at the meeting, since I dare to speak up, I have the confidence to follow through."
Caitlyn's eyes narrowed into crescents, and the corners of her cherry blossom lips curved slightly. "I believe in you."
After a brief pause, she continued, "But, trust aside, you better not appear in front of Mom too frequently for a while. She explicitly said seeing you makes her angry."
Li Lin chuckled helplessly, "I was planning to discuss the matter of the Hextech energy crystal with Madame."
"Don't worry about that. I've already talked to Mom, and she said she would negotiate with the Ferros family about it. You just need to focus on your responsibilities."
"Oh, and one more thing. As long as you don't disrupt the cash flow of the Kiramman family, you can use the family's money freely. But you'll have to compensate double in the future."
Li Lin felt a surge of joy, "Really?!"
"Of course." Caitlyn's expression was somewhat smug, "I had to beg Mom to agree to help you. Shouldn't you thank me? Like what you promised me last night..."
Before Caitlyn could finish her sentence, Li Lin excitedly pulled her into his arms.
"You really are my Sweetheart, Cait!"
Caught off guard by Li Lin's move, Caitlyn was stunned for several seconds. Her delicate face instantly blushed.
She hurriedly pushed Li Lin away, tidying her clothes while scolding in a coquettish manner, "Pah... Who, who's your sweetheart? You, you shameless person..."
While her words portrayed irritation, underneath it, Caitlyn felt a different kind of emotion.
This feeling... seems not bad?
(End of this chapter)
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