Bzzzzzz…
Amid the steady drone of cicadas, a golden blur darted through the air. The moment it flashed past the test dummies, they all split in half — as if cleaved cleanly by an invisible blade.
These weren't ordinary targets. Each one was forged from Demacian Rune-Steel, renowned for its strength far beyond common metals.
Moments later, the golden blur stopped and landed in Duke's palm — a mechanical cicada no larger than his hand.
"A creature born purely for killing…"
Staring at the automaton, Duke couldn't help but marvel. This tiny bug could travel at speeds dozens of times faster than sound. Its wings emitted high-frequency oscillating particle streams capable of cutting and disintegrating matter on a molecular level.
"It's the size of my palm… and yet it moves faster than sound, responds directly to thought, and can slice through almost anything. I wonder what kind of internal structure it's hiding."
He carefully placed it on the workbench and pulled out E.D.I.T.H, his high-resolution analyzer. But the moment he took a closer look, Duke frowned slightly.
"This tech… could it be...?"
Recognizing something unusual, Duke raised an eyebrow and delved deeper into the analysis.
To his astonishment, the power source inside the cicada wasn't a standard elemental reaction or fission cell — it was drawing energy directly from an unknown dimension.
In other words, this tiny insect had access to an entire dimension's worth of infinite energy.
"Unbelievable… maybe I can adapt some of this tech for WALL-E or Pride."
Once the analysis was complete, Duke released the cicada. With a mere thought, the creature zipped around the lab like a streak of light before finally landing back on his shoulder, crawling into the pocket of his lab coat.
"Now that all the prizes are accounted for, time to begin WALL-E's reconstruction."
"Might even upgrade Pride while I'm at it."
"Cross-dimensional energy extraction… now that's exciting."
Duke rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming.
"It's been ages since I've felt this hyped!"
Ten days later.
Duke emerged from his private workshop, heavy dark circles under his eyes. His body screamed exhaustion. At that moment, all he wanted was a hot bath and a long, uninterrupted sleep.
Ten sleepless days. But in that time, he not only rebuilt WALL-E, he also made significant upgrades to Pride — though the AI was still dormant.
The tech behind the cicada's power supply — cross-dimensional energy extraction — was starting to make sense to him. However, he still needed one critical component:
Pym Particles.
It was the only thing Duke could think of that might make this kind of dimensional access possible.
Unfortunately, even after countless attempts at draws and experiments, he hadn't come close. Nothing even remotely related to Ant-Man had surfaced.
"Damn it."
Leaning against the doorframe, Duke called out, "Gano!"
His personal butler materialized from seemingly nowhere, standing at attention.
"Yes, sir. What do you need?"
"Get a bath ready. And call that old massage master from last time. I need to unwind — properly."
Duke's expression was grim. Whenever he dove into research, it felt like he was burning through his life force. If not for the Super Soldier Serum giving him a foundational boost, he'd likely have dropped dead long ago.
"Of course, sir," Gano replied. Then added, "By the way, Catherine from the Gellerman household inquired about you earlier."
"Catherine?" Duke blinked, then waved a hand dismissively. "Let me rest first. I'll go see her once I've recovered."
"Understood, sir."
Two days later.
Duke awoke in his bedroom, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Did I just flirt with death again…?"
"Whatever. Don't want to think about it."
He got out of bed, dressed, and casually left Blue Lavender Manor.
First stop: Catherine. Then he'd visit Orianna and Neeko. As for Jinx — he had no idea what kind of trouble she might've stirred up recently. He'd have to drop by the academy to check on that little menace.
He also needed to head down to Zaun soon.
The moment he thought of all that, his scalp tingled.
"So much to do… and I just wanna be back in the lab."
But if he locked himself away for another week or two, it wouldn't be flirting with death anymore. The Sheep Spirit might show up with the Wolf Spirit to drag him away.
Walking through the streets, Duke finally arrived at the gates of the Gellerman Estate. He pressed the bell. The inner gears clicked, triggering a series of larger gears that rang a mechanical chime within the gate.
Soon after, the door opened. Mrs. Gellerman stepped out, smiling warmly.
"Oh, it's you, Duke! It's been so long!"
"I heard you went to Bilgewater. Why are you back so soon?"
While opening the gate, she spoke with the kind of practiced elegance only noblewomen seemed to master.
"A lot happened there. And with more things coming up, I thought it better to return early."
Duke followed her through the main hall into the parlor, where Mr. Gellerman joined them as she went to prepare tea and refreshments.
"Working on anything new?" Mr. Gellerman asked.
"A little side project. Planning a trip to Ixtal next."
Since Catherine's father was a master gunsmith, Duke found it easy to converse with him. Craftsmen always sparked new ideas.
Catherine's Hextech rifle had been built by this man — though in the current timeline, she still carried her classic lever-action model.
"Speaking of which, where's Catherine?"
As Mrs. Gellerman returned with the tea, Duke remembered why he had come.
"She's enrolled in the Enforcer Training Academy. Quite a sudden decision, really. She ignored all the roles we arranged for her."
"Having a will of her own is good. The Enforcer track's a solid path."
Catherine's mother had wanted her to become an artisan and then work her way into the council. Duke, however, shrugged it off. Let her choose.
Just then, the bell outside rang again.
"That must be Catherine."
Mr. Gellerman looked out the window. Sure enough, Catherine, in her Enforcer uniform and top hat, stood at the gate talking to someone.
"If she's back, I'll leave you to it."
Duke stood and adjusted his lab coat. Mrs. Gellerman didn't say much, simply walking him to the door.
"You young people should spend more time together," she hinted.
Duke smirked. "That depends on her."
As they reached the front gate, he saw who Catherine was talking to — the pink hair gave it away immediately.
"Vi… again?"
Mrs. Gellerman sighed, rubbing her forehead.
Sure enough, it was Vi Olayne.
Duke was surprised to see her here. She should've been helping Vander manage the lanes in Zaun.
Even more surprising — both Vi and Catherine were wearing the same Enforcer uniform.
"Did she join too…?"
Duke approached just as Vi raised an eyebrow.
"Well, look who's out of the lab for once — our favorite mad inventor!"
"What, I can't go for a walk now?" Duke retorted, hands in his coat pockets. "I heard Catherine was looking for me, so here I am."
"You didn't say you were inviting him, Cupcake."
Vi slung an arm around Catherine's shoulders. Catherine rolled her eyes and pushed her off.
"If we don't ask Duke for help, you think the two of us can handle this alone?"
Duke blinked.
"Something happened?"
Catherine glanced at Vi. After a moment's hesitation, Vi muttered:
"Vander's gone missing."
"What?"
Duke tilted his head.
"When did this happen?"
"Day 3 of your Bilgewater trip. No signs, no notes, nothing. He just vanished."
"So… you joined the Enforcer Academy to find him yourselves?"
Vi nodded.
"Exactly."
"What about the Lanes?"
"Benzo is managing them now. Milo and Claggor are watching over the Fogen Tavern. I swing by when I can to help Benzo keep order."
"This… is unexpected."
Duke rubbed his chin, thinking. The Arcane timeline was long disrupted. Silco had vanished — fate unknown. Vander had stepped back, preparing Vi to lead.
Now he was just gone?
He'd severed ties with the past, washed his hands of the underworld. Who would still come for him?
Did he hold some hidden value? Or was something forcing him away?
Duke's thoughts raced. He remembered the injection Singed gave Vander during that fateful lab raid.
Could that be it?
As his expression changed, Vi and Catherine noticed.
"Do you have a plan?" Catherine asked quietly.
Duke scratched his chin.
"I'll have someone investigate Vander's disappearance. As for you two… are you really staying at the academy?"
"It's our best shot," Catherine said. "Vi scoured all of Zaun and found nothing. As Enforcers, we'll get access to more intel — maybe even find a lead."
"Alright. I'll put in a word. You'll get the best training possible. Let me know what you need."
"Look at you, throwing weight around now, huh?" Vi grinned, grabbing Duke in a playful headlock and ruffling his hair.
(End of chapter)
We're still in the early chapters fam! and to everyone who's joined the Patreon, thank you so much! 🙏Your support truly means the world. You're the reason this story keeps growing, chapter by chapter, world by world. I promise to give it my all! more content, more depth, more epic moments, to make sure your support is always worth it. You're part of the foundation that keeps this universe alive.
🔹 Hexcore Initiate – 15 chapters ahead
🔸 Arc Reactor Elite – 35 chapters
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