"Speaking of Li Lin, when did your relationship with Caitlyn progress to this point?" On the way to Piltover Academy, Jayce nudged Li Lin with his elbow, wearing a mischievous grin that said, 'You know what I mean.'
Li Lin's mouth twitched, glancing at him sideways, choosing to ignore him.
"Well, in just a few months, you managed to win the heart of the Kiramman family's heiress," Jayce said, rubbing his clean-shaven square jaw, then quickly changing the subject, "But you absolutely can't let Caitlyn down. Otherwise, not only Lady Cassandra and Mr. Tobias, but I won't let you off either!"
His expression turned serious, delivering a warning tone.
"You've misunderstood. Caitlyn and I aren't what you think..." Li Lin sighed in helplessness.
At least, they hadn't broken through that already fragile veil between them.
"I understand, I won't spread rumors," Jayce patted Li Lin's shoulder, laughing. He thought Li Lin was being discreet due to the partnership between Lady Cassandra.
"But you don't have to worry. After all, Mr. Tobias was also a craftsman before, and he won Lady Cassandra's heart, didn't he?"
Li Lin: "..."
Well, if Jayce spreads the word about this, it would be impossible to clear his name even by jumping into the Piltover canal.
Shaking his head, Li Lin decided not to dwell on this topic and shifted the conversation to the ongoing Hex Gates project.
In the following time, they engaged in discussions on technological inventions.
After extensive testing and the sponsorship of Hextech crystals provided by the Ferros family, Jayce's Hex Gates technology could now teleport objects several hundred meters. He even experimented with mice, proving that living beings could be transported through magic circles constructed by Hextech energy crystals.
However, the technology still had many imperfections, and Jayce didn't plan to further validate its feasibility with humans in the short term.
On the other hand, Viktor's research on fully automated Hextech robots was progressing smoothly.
Not only did several prominent families in Piltover show interest, but even Baron Lenare, the Chem-Baron researching alchemical technology Golems in the Undercity, approached Viktor, hoping to establish a cooperation.
While Li Lin and Jayce discussed, they gradually left Glazewall Street, crossed the winding Hundred Wines Avenue, and arrived at Celestial Street in the northern part of the city.
After walking for another ten minutes, they reached Piltover University, located in the top corner of the northern city.
The laboratory was situated at the far end of the campus, separated from the teaching and administrative areas by blast-proof walls.
Inside the laboratory, explosions and fires resulting from experimental failures were ordinary occurrences, so safety measures were meticulous. If there were no explosions in the academy for a day, that would be considered abnormal.
Jayce presented his and Li Lin's prearranged identity cards to the security personnel at the laboratory entrance.
Then, they changed into experimental work clothes in the changing room, underwent multiple disinfection procedures, and finally entered the laboratory.
Piltover's technological prowess was renowned throughout Runeterra.
As the highest academic institution in Piltover and even the Valoran continent, Piltover University naturally possessed the most cutting-edge technology in the entire city-state.
It wasn't Li Lin's first time in the laboratory. Previously, he had researched the Hex Gates and fully automated Hextech robots with Jayce and Viktor, so he was familiar with some of the structures here.
The periphery of the laboratory housed relatively simple experiments with no dangerous technological devices.
Here, one could find academy students or workers sponsored by some of the prominent families in Piltover studying technical skills.
Advancing further, passing through the second security checkpoint guarded by security personnel, Li Lin and Jayce entered the central area of the laboratory.
This was where lecturers led students in experiments, and expensive high-end technological devices that required card authorization were present.
In several rooms marked with yellow triangles and black exclamation marks, high-risk experiments took place, containing potentially dangerous items. Even lecturers needed academy authorization to enter.
Further ahead, passing through the third security checkpoint, Li Lin and Jayce entered the innermost area of the laboratory.
Here, almost all the cutting-edge Hextech technology devices and hazardous materials were located, accessible only to professors.
Thinking about this, one needed to present a level-one authorization identity card and descend via an elevator to the underground floor.
Jayce described the peculiar alchemical life form stored here.
Li Lin was in the deepest part of the laboratory for the first time. Previously, he had only been to the central area with Jayce and Viktor.
After exiting the elevator, they went through several disinfection procedures and finally arrived at a spacious changing room.
Dozens of sets of various-colored and differently shaped protective suits hung on shelves on both walls.
Some suits had dedicated oxygen cylinders underneath, already filled with oxygen.
Li Lin raised an eyebrow, "Why are we here?"
As soon as he spoke, four staff members with badges walked out of the lounge next to the changing room, taking two sets of protective suits from the wall.
They split into two groups, Li Lin and Jayce each wearing and adjusting their suits.
After finishing, the four staff members slightly bowed to the two of them and then retreated to the lounge.
"Uh, is this necessary?" Under the protective face mask, Li Lin's voice sounded a bit muffled.
"Just to be cautious. After all, that's a pool of alchemical venom. We don't know if it could have adverse effects on humans if it comes into contact with them," explained Jayce.
He nodded, indicating for Li Lin to follow him.
After a few more disinfection procedures, they entered the chemical experimentation area, marked everywhere with signs of contamination by skulls.
Perhaps due to Piltover's lack of emphasis on chemistry, there were noticeably fewer professors conducting experiments in this area compared to other zones.
Jayce led Li Lin through, and before they reached the deepest part of the chemical experimentation area, the anxious cries of a stranger reached their ears.
"Please, spare him..."
"Please calm down, madam." Viktor's slightly weak voice followed, "We just want to study this alchemical venom..."
"He's not alchemical venom; he's a child. He has his own name, Zac," another middle-aged man's voice sounded even more agitated.
Jayce frowned, quickening his pace.
Zac?! Li Lin's pupils slightly contracted, also hastening his steps behind Jayce.
In no time, the two arrived in the chemical laboratory where the alchemical life form were stored.
Wearing protective suits and leaning on a cane, Viktor was arguing with another pair of men and women.
"What's going on?"
With a displeased expression, Jayce glanced at Viktor's opposition and continued, "Viktor, who are they? Professor Heimerdinger only allowed you, me, and Li Lin to research this venom, right?"
"Zac, his name is Zac!" the middle-aged man reminded again.
"Jayce, they are..."
"Enough, enough, I don't care what it's called. You are irrelevant to the experiment. Please leave the laboratory as soon as possible, or I will call security!"
Jayce directly interrupted Viktor and took two steps forward, squeezing between Viktor and the couple.
His physique appeared even more robust and sturdy in front of the two relatively slender and small men and women.
The woman subconsciously took two steps back, bumping into the man's arms. Under the non-slip face mask, her expression seemed slightly frightened.
Seeing the situation heading in an unfavorable direction, Li Lin hurriedly came forward to mediate, pushing Jayce back a few steps.
"You don't need to cause trouble. Let me talk to them."
(End of this chapter)
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