Bluebell Manor, Duke's Workshop.
Scrape, scrape, scrape...
The sound of a blade rasping against the floor echoed with sharp clarity. Duke was tinkering with a tuning fork that branched like a tree limb. Before him, the workbench projected a three-dimensional hologram of the fork.
"You really let those two kids loose, didn't you? They've turned the Lower City upside down!"
Camille stood with her hands folded neatly before her waist. Without even turning around, Duke replied,
"What did they do?"
"They tore through the Dark Docks, rounded up a gang of thugs... though who knows how many enemies they've provoked in the process."
Camille picked up a polished metal sphere from his table, turning it idly in her palm.
"And what of it?"
Duke was utterly unconcerned. "The Dark Docks have never been clean. Besides, certain people have been reaching too far. A little warning does them good."
"Better they remember their proper role: shepherd dogs guarding the master's flock, not hyenas snatching scraps while the master dozes."
"My dear, you've never been one to tolerate sand in your eyes."
Camille shook her head slightly. Duke struck the tuning fork in his hand. Vibrations surged outward, releasing a sharp wave that shattered the distant target dummy to pieces.
"I simply don't have the time to waste on petty intrigue."
He set the fork aside, turned to face her, and added,
"And honestly, Camille, if you truly objected, you wouldn't have stood by while I sent Takako to back them up."
"Vi Orei and Katherine Gillaman are valuable assets to us," Camille admitted. "Your decision was the correct one. I'm not so senile as to oppose sound judgment."
"But tell me—have you forgotten something?"
"Forgotten?" Duke blinked. Ever since he had outfitted Vi and Katherine, he had shut himself away in the lab. Camille drew out a folded flyer and held it up.
"Today is the opening of the Distinguished Innovators' Tournament."
"Ah... damn."
Duke pressed a hand to his forehead with a groan. "I completely forgot."
"What time is it?"
"Eight-thirty in the morning. You have half an hour to get to the venue."
"This is your first time participating in such an event—you can't be absent. You've been buried in this lab far too long. Go out, clear your mind, and while you're at it, bring home a championship."
"Thanks for the reminder. I'll head out right away."
Duke shed his white lab coat, strode into the washroom, splashed water on his face, and hung the damp towel carelessly over the workbench. Snatching up his trench coat, he called for Pride and Gluttony and left the workshop.
Camille was already gone—as though she had come only to push him into attending the competition.
The roar of Pride and Gluttony's engines reverberated across Bluebell Manor. In the garden pavilion, amid the sea of flowers, Camille sipped her tea unhurriedly.
"Auntie, aren't you indulging him a bit too much?"
Takako gave her great-aunt a mischievous glance, then peered toward Duke's departing figure.
"Talented children always earn the greatest indulgence."
Camille brushed off Takako's teasing with ease, watching as the manor gates slowly closed behind the fading rumble of engines.
"Besides, he is our pillar now."
"You'd really be comfortable letting him hole up in that lab forever?"
Takako paused, thought it through, then slowly shook her head. "No... I wouldn't."
"Exactly. That's why he needs a gentle nudge, now and then."
Academy District, Central Plaza
Bright banners hung from building to building. Along the wide avenues, barricades lined the streets, where crowds had gathered to await the tournament.
Scarlet-and-gold flags, embroidered with gears and keys, rippled high atop the tower spires.
Across the plaza stretched a massive crimson banner. Beneath it, Heimerdinger sat in the judges' stand, flanked by council members. He conversed casually, his eyes flicking toward the contestants making their final preparations.
"Hey, partner!"
Viktor watched as Jayce, wrench in hand, crouched over someone else's vehicle. He let out a weary sigh.
"Why are you tuning the gears on our opponent's car?"
"That thing rattled like it was about to explode the moment the engine kicked in," Jayce shrugged, flashing a grin at the girl who owned it. "Figured I'd save everyone the trouble of dodging flying bolts."
After Jayce's quick adjustments, her engine purred to life instead of clattering.
"You're far too softhearted."
Viktor could only smile bitterly. Jayce strolled back to their own entry, the Hextech four-wheel drive they had spent three long days crafting. His eyes gleamed with pride.
"I swear, no one's going to outrun us."
He scanned the competition.
At one corner, the Academy's rowdy demolitions genius, Ziggs, was fiddling with his miniature racer—until the engine erupted in a small explosion, covering his face in soot.
He spat out a puff of black smoke and grinned. "Now that's exciting!"
Nearby, Jinx had wheeled in a ramshackle tricycle. Bare bones frame, a ludicrous booster strapped to the back—she and Ziggs were already bickering animatedly over it.
From Zaun came a group of kids nervously adjusting their strange contraption: a massive gear-shaped motorbike. The youngest of them led the effort, his face painted white in the shape of an hourglass. His short, shock-white hair gleamed under the sun.
Viktor noticed him and quietly shrugged.
"Remember—friendship first, competition second."
VROOOM!
A thunderous roar silenced the plaza. A black-and-red sports car with cobra patterns rolled to the starting line, followed by a driverless motorbike.
"Looks like I'm not too late."
Duke lowered his window and greeted Viktor and Jayce. Jayce leaned on their four-wheeler, eyeing Gluttony with open curiosity.
"You're just in time. The race hasn't started yet."
"I can't believe Professor Heimerdinger actually allowed your car to register!" Viktor crouched to examine Gluttony's tires. "Up close... it's flawless."
"Took me over a month to build it. It better be."
Duke stepped out, waved to the judges, then leaned casually against Gluttony while speaking with Viktor and Jayce.
"Viktor, have you decided?"
"I have." Viktor nodded. "I'm going to Shurima, to search for the primal crystal you spoke of."
"Wait, what?" Jayce broke in, startled. "What do you mean, going to Shurima?"
"Sorry, Jayce. I didn't tell you," Viktor admitted, explaining briefly. Jayce's eyes widened. "You're planning to go alone?"
"I've arranged to travel with a trade caravan. I won't be alone."
"You should've discussed this with me, Viktor—"
"This is my design, my choice. I want you to understand."
The argument was escalating until Duke cut in,
"Enough, Jayce. Let him go. I'll craft him some gadgets for protection—he'll be fine."
"But we're at a critical stage with the Hextech Gates! We need him here!"
"Sorry, Jayce. My research calls to me. The Gates have you and Duke. I want to chase my dream."
Seeing Viktor's resolve, Jayce pressed a palm to his forehead with a sigh.
"Fine. If you're set on this, I'll give you all the support I can."
"Thanks. But right now, Duke, I need a word with you."
Jayce leaned closer, voice dropping.
"Why give weapons that dangerous to Katherine and Vi?"
"Friendly sponsorship."
"They nearly tore apart a Zaunite syndicate! Katherine shouldn't be risking herself like this. Duke—you're not helping her. You're endangering her."
"I understand your worry, Jayce." Duke clapped his shoulder. "But it's her choice. As her friend, I'll respect and support it, not cage her from her dreams."
"You can back Viktor's dream. Why not hers?"
"It's not the same!"
"Looks the same to me. And frankly, you're meddling too much."
Jayce opened his mouth to argue again, but Duke cut him off firmly.
"Everyone has their own pursuit. You can't control them all. Focus on your own path."
With a pat to Jayce's shoulder, Duke slid into Gluttony's driver's seat. Through the window, he smirked.
"And today isn't the day for arguments. Distract yourself now, and I'll walk away with the championship."
Gluttony's engine roared like a beast, drawing every eye in the plaza.
Jayce clenched his fists, gaze intense.
"I'll prove my worries aren't for nothing."
Duke adjusted his visor—Edith perched lightly on his nose bridge—then arched a brow at Jayce.
"Then you'll have to beat me first."
"It seems our competitors are more than eager," Heimerdinger chuckled, nudging Councilor Mel beside him. "What do you say?"
"You're the professor here," Mel replied with a faint smile. "Skip the speeches. Let's begin."
"Very well." Heimerdinger raised the microphone. His voice boomed across the plaza through the speakers.
"I hereby declare the 175th Distinguished Innovators' Tournament—open!"
"Contestants, start your engines, grip your wheels, and show Piltover the brilliance of your minds and the skill of your hands!"
Vroooom...!
Engines roared like thunder. The race was about to begin.
End of chapter....
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