As the evening approached, the atmosphere within Piltover University became lively, with those holding invitations to Progress Day arriving on campus to explore and mingle. This year, the security measures at the academy were significantly tighter than before, with Sheriff Grayson personally overseeing operations and elite enforcers patrolling the campus in full armor.
Li Lin, Caitlyn, and Kai'Sa wandered around the university for a while, coincidentally running into Colin and Orianna, who were attending Progress Day. Introduced by Li Lin six months ago, Caitlyn had become good friends with Orianna, often interacting with her during leisure time. However, due to Li Lin's return and the approaching Progress Day, Caitlyn had been too busy with her casework to spend time with Orianna.
Today, thanks to Li Lin's introduction once again, Orianna and Kai'Sa also became friends, engaging in girlish chatter while accompanying Caitlyn.
Meanwhile, Li Lin engaged in casual conversation with Colin, discussing recent developments and the widespread promotion of Hex Gates by major families.
When the announcement from the auditorium signaled the imminent start of Progress Day, they made their way to the hall together.
In the tiered auditorium, Colin and Orianna sat in the middle section, while Li Lin, Caitlyn, Kai'Sa, Jayce, and several council members occupied the front row.
Before Li Lin and Jayce took the stage to deliver their speeches, there were a couple of hours to view other exhibits and inventions.
After the opening remarks, the main event began swiftly. The first few devices showcased were inventions from various minor families, each with its own flaws but showing promise in certain areas, gaining acceptance from the audience.
Unexpectedly, a craftsman from a minor family had invented an electric bicycle, albeit powered by Hextech batteries, making it prohibitively expensive. Only the aristocratic families in the northern districts could afford it, with Li Lin's ordinary bicycles enjoying a much larger market share and wider adoption.
Following several insignificant inventions, Jayce presented the "Mercury Hammer" a collaboration between Cassandra and Mel. The hammer had been improved by Jayce to include not only an "electric shockwave" cannon but also an electronic halo field and an accelerated energy bullet launcher, enhancing its capabilities significantly. This had been Jayce's main focus since his return to Piltover.
Regarding the "acceleration gate" device that required synchronization with the electric shockwave in the game, Li Lin had casually inquired, but Jayce admitted he had yet to consider it.
Though the Mercury Hammer would not be mass-produced, it marked another milestone in energy weapons' development and showcased innovative transformations, garnering significant attention.
Next, Professor Heimerdinger presented his latest invention, a new type of energy coastal defense cannon developed for Piltover. Concerned about the recent capture of a Noxian warlock spy, the council members sought to strengthen Piltover's defenses against potential invasions under the new Noxian High Command led by Swain. This move surprised Li Lin somewhat but was understandable.
While Heimerdinger did not advocate weapon development, he was deeply engrossed in scientific inventions. As long as there were novel ideas, even if they were weapons, he would not hesitate to create them, albeit without allowing mass production.
For example, as Li Lin had previously mentioned, Heimerdinger had made several mini-turrets to test their intelligence using auxiliary chip technology.
Moreover, Heimerdinger understood Noxus' madness and the atrocities they had committed in Ionia. So, when other council members made the request, he readily agreed.
As Progress Day drew to a close, Cassandra's servant reminded Li Lin and Jayce to prepare backstage.
Arriving at the backstage preparation area, they were greeted by a colossal, three to four-meter-tall robot, gleaming in bronze.
Jayce glanced at Li Lin in surprise. "Is this another one of your inventions?"
Before Li Lin could respond, Viktor emerged from behind the robot. "Not... precisely. It's more like my creation."
Today, Viktor was not using his crutches, his complexion healthy and robust, a far cry from his previous frail appearance, thanks to the genetic enhancement potion he had consumed.
Li Lin knew Viktor had taken the genetic enhancement potion, greatly improving his physical condition.
Jayce, equally astonished, exclaimed, "You...?"
"Thanks to Li Lin's assistance," Viktor replied, nodding to Li Lin with a smile.
"Genetic enhancement potion? I was planning to have you try it when you visited the Kiramman estate, but you were too busy," Li Lin explained to Jayce.
"Genetic... enhancement?"
Jayce took a sharp breath, looking at Li Lin as if he were a monster.
"We've only been back for a few days, and you've already created flying armor, colossal morphs, and now, genetic enhancement potions? How did you manage all this? I didn't even know you were researching genetics."
"A little time management goes a long way, and genetic enhancement is just a name. Essentially, it's similar to an enhanced version of the Shimmer potion, but with permanent effects," Li Lin explained.
"Wow, you're quite the time management master," Jayce scoffed, arms folded, not buying Li Lin's words at all. "Can you teach me your secrets?"
With Jayce and Li Lin talking like that, Viktor's eyes widened again, a look of surprise flashing across his face. "Did you come up with all this in just a few days?"
Thankfully, my mechanized laborers weren't on display, or you'd all be jaw-dropped...
"Cough..." Li Lin seemed somewhat embarrassed, quickly changing the subject. "Why don't you introduce Blitz to Jayce first?"
Seeing he didn't want to say more, although Jayce and Viktor were itching to know how he did it, they refrained from pressing further.
Later, Viktor focused on Jayce. "This is my new creation, an intelligent steam robot. I've named him Blitz."
"An intelligent robot?" Jayce looked even more astonished. "Why are you researching in this direction? Didn't Li Lin invent smart chips? And wasn't it discovered in the desert..."
"I didn't use smart chips; I only used a device made from a primordial crystal," Viktor explained.
"How is that possible? Primordial crystals are just magic stones for energy supply, right? How could they have such functionality?" Jayce's tone was skeptical.
"The academy professors have certified it, otherwise Blitz wouldn't have made it to the Progress Day exhibition," Viktor defended.
"They're just a bunch of conservative folks, mostly planted by big families, without any real substance," Viktor seemed somewhat unhappy upon hearing this.
Jayce's expression implied he thought Viktor bribed those people.
But Viktor knew Jayce didn't really mean it that way; it was just an inadequately expressed sentiment. Besides, he had long grown accustomed to Jayce's straightforward, tactless nature; arguing was just part of their daily conversation.
He just sighed, shrugging helplessly. "Do I need to deceive you? I don't want to argue with you at this time, Jayce. Otherwise, shall I let you dismantle it and take a look?"
As Viktor spoke, the host outside called out Viktor and Blitz's names.
"Alright, Jayce, Blitz indeed only uses a primordial crystal. It was from the batch we brought back from Shurima, and I was there at the time," Li Lin said, breaking the silence.
Upon hearing Li Lin's words, Jayce fell into silence, but his eyes still glimmered with suspicion.
How could a primordial crystal provide computing power for a machine?
"Blitz, are you ready?" Viktor ignored Jayce and turned to the robot in front of him.
Blitz stiffly nodded, emitting mechanical, emotionless sounds. "Ready to go at any time."
As they stepped onto the stage, Li Lin and Jayce could clearly hear a burst of exclamations and discussions from the audience outside.
Viktor, somewhat timidly, waved his hand, and the audience fell silent, waiting for his introduction.
Though not adept at handling such gatherings of dignitaries, he recalled Skye's advice to him and treated it as a classroom lecture. Soon, he settled down.
For the next period, Viktor eloquently explained Blitz's various functions and commanded it to demonstrate.
Even Blitz displayed some learning ability, astonishing the audience below.
Backstage, Li Lin and Jayce stared at Viktor behind the curtain.
Jayce couldn't contain his doubts and asked, "Li Lin, this... uh?"
"Blitz."
"Right, Blitz. What's going on? Did you hand over the patent of your smart chip to Viktor?"
"How did you even think of that?" Li Lin shook his head helplessly. "I didn't explain it clearly just now. This the influence of the primordial crystal"
"But..." Jayce scratched his head.
He had never studied the relationship between primordial crystals and the Shuriman race called the Brackern. Moreover, there were hardly any relevant materials in Piltover. Only sporadic records were found in the academy library.
Li Lin understood Jayce's doubts and explained in another way, "Viktor has researched the history of primordial crystals and found deep connections with a magical race in Shurima called the Brackern. Blitz's intelligence is likely related to this."
"Brackern... I seem to have heard this name in Piltover."
Jayce rubbed his bald chin, "The local Noxian constable said that a certain Noxian expedition disappeared in the Crystal Scar, seemingly related to the Brackern."
It was Dragonguard...
Ah no, Crystal Vanguard Skarner did it, right?
Li Lin's eyes flashed with a glimmer of light, feeling a sense of urgency about the primordial crystal and the Brackern.
"The Crystal Scar... Our exploration and excavation team didn't mine the primordial crystal there, but Lady Cassandra is preparing to send people there next."
Li Lin said solemnly, "If it's dangerous there, I suggest temporarily giving up mining the primordial crystal."
"Yeah, you're right." Jayce nodded in agreement. "But we need to discuss this issue with Lady Cassandra before making a decision."
Just as the two were talking, Viktor had finished demonstrating Blitz's functions and received applause and cheers from the audience below.
When he stepped down from the other side of the stage, the host on stage announced two more names, "Next, let's welcome the Kiramman family, and also the youngest and most outstanding craftsmen in the entire Upper City—Jayce and Li Lin!"
Jayce suddenly felt a wave of nervousness. "It's our turn, Li Lin. Do you have your speech ready?"
"You go up first and stall for me. Wait for me for a moment," Li Lin said, heading straight to the waiting room.
Staring at Li Lin's retreating figure, Jayce was stunned for a moment.
By the time he reacted, Li Lin had already gone far. "Hey! At this point, where are you going?"
He was about to catch up and call Li Lin back, but the host on stage had already come over to urge them to go up.
Jayce gritted his teeth, bracing himself, and went up to the stage.
Feeling the surprised and puzzled eyes of Cassandra, Tobias, Caitlyn, and even Mel, he felt even more constrained, a thin layer of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead and temples.
This guy Li Lin... He's not usually one to drop the ball at critical moments, is he?
What on earth is he doing?
As Jayce approached the lectern on the stage, he placed his speech on the table, lightly tapped the microphone, cleared his throat, and said, "Ahem, hello everyone, my name is Jayce Talis, currently sponsored by the Kiramman family."
As he began to speak, the audience below began to whisper, seemingly wondering where the "Li Lin" mentioned by the host was.
Li Lin!
You really got me into trouble!
Taking a deep breath, Jayce suppressed his nervousness, a forced smile appearing on his face, intentionally avoiding mentioning Li Lin's whereabouts.
"This is my first time speaking in such a grand occasion. If there are any shortcomings, please forgive me.
"Many of you may have heard my name, after all, in the past decade, I have invented many strange gadgets.
"Such as a wrench that can turn into a crowbar, an eagle-billed hoe that can turn into a shovel, and many prototypes of Hextech technology tools..."
Jayce caught sight of his mother sitting next to Cassandra and Tobias, looking at her with a relieved and encouraging expression. His mood eased a lot, and his tone became much smoother and calmer.
"I actually come from an ordinary family; our factory makes hammers, and the floor beneath your feet may have been pounded out with hammers from my family..."
As he chatted away, he urged Li Lin in his heart.
Originally, according to Cassandra's arrangement and the proportion of the speech in the script, Li Lin was supposed to do most of the talking in the opening remarks, and he was just there to "fill in the numbers," only needing to introduce the principles and prospects of the Hex Gates in detail later.
But Li Lin messed things up like this, completely disrupting the plan. Jayce didn't know how to proceed.
Fortunately, Li Lin didn't leave him embarrassed for too long.
Just as Jayce stared at his speech, worried about what to say next...
A buzzing sound pierced through the air, and a figure clad in blue and black armor, along with a six or seven-meter-tall humanoid mech, flew in a circle above the audience seats. Then, they descended from the sky and landed steadily on the front stage.
"Li Lin?!"
Both Jayce and the audience below were stunned, never expecting him to make such a grand entrance.
The venue fell silent for two or three seconds. Jayce was the first to react. A smile immediately appeared on his face as he loudly announced into the microphone, "Let's welcome today's protagonist, Li Lin!"
(The end of this chapter)