"I never thought we'd get to this point," Jayce said, finally snapping out of his frenzied state after leaving Zaun and returning to Piltover. "Doing experiments in Zaun, stealing from the academy's warehouse with Professor Heimerdinger's assistant..."
"Don't put too much burden on yourself." Viktor understood Jayce's somewhat neurotic change. "I didn't gain much from my unpleasant childhood in Zaun, but at least 'figuring out my true purpose' was one thing."
"Figuring out your true purpose?" Jayce was a little surprised. "So, your true purpose is to work with me to create the future of Hextech?"
"And then improve people's lives, and hopefully cure my leg along the way." Viktor flashed a brilliant smile; it seemed the tea had taken effect, and he looked much more relaxed. "Compared to that, what we're doing now isn't really a big problem."
"I understand, but it's still very serious." Jayce finally shrugged. "Alright, I think we need to find a place to rest for a bit and get something to eat. We'll be busy tonight."
"There's a Poro Cafe nearby," Viktor thought for a moment and recommended a place to eat. "There are a lot of poros there—I probably won't be able to go back to the academy after today, and I won't see Professor Heimerdinger's cute poro anymore."
"Let's go," Jayce nodded. "My treat!"
In the end, Jayce and Viktor each had two espressos at the cafe, then ate something to fill their stomachs. They borrowed a small blackboard and, sentence by sentence, analyzed the problems from Jayce's previous experiments and possible solutions.
Their highly consistent way of thinking made them feel a spiritual resonance. Before this, they had never imagined that there was another person in the world so similar to themselves.
Jayce and Viktor, despite their vastly different personalities and backgrounds, were so similar in both ideals and knowledge that by the time the cafe closed and they released the poros to leave, they had already come to regard each other as their confidants.
Then, these two confidants quietly and familiarly entered the academy.
"The academy's warehouse has always been a place no one pays attention to." Under the cover of darkness, Viktor led Jayce past several guard posts. "It's in the furthest corner of the academy, and there isn't even a dedicated warehouse manager."
"The academy is always stingier than anyone else in places where they shouldn't be," Jayce couldn't help but say indignantly when this topic came up. "On one hand, they say funds are limited, and on the other, they arbitrarily increase experimental funding for those with connections, even perfunctorily when balancing accounts... While I don't like the administrative staff here, the necessary personnel should never be reduced."
"However, having fewer people isn't without its benefits," Viktor suddenly couldn't help but laugh when this topic came up. "Much of the academy's daily maintenance was handed over to people from Zaun like me. A large part of the money I used for my studies back then came from these odd jobs—working while studying."
"However, there are almost no people like you who can succeed in Zaun," Jayce shook his head. "So, no one does these jobs."
"There's no other way; the money from working while studying is pitifully small; no one would make it their main job," Viktor rarely shrugged. "If I didn't live in the academy dorms and often freeload off Professor Heimerdinger's meals, I probably would have starved to death with that little money..."
"That's truly awful—"
"Shh! Don't make a sound! The patrol is coming!"
.....
Viktor truly lived up to his background of working while studying; he knew every inch of the academy.
Even with Jayce, he still managed to successfully navigate through bushes and past guard posts, entering the academy building and smoothly reaching the warehouse.
"We need to hurry, Jayce." Leaning against the warehouse door, Viktor let out a long breath. "Hurry up and move out the most important equipment."
"High-frequency oscillation generator, stabilizer, gyro controller..." In the darkness, Jayce murmured softly, "Then take the first elevator tomorrow morning—hurry up!"
"It's too dark here, I can't see the labels on the keys." Viktor was trying to find the warehouse door key among a large bunch of keys. "After moving the equipment out of the warehouse, we need to find a box or something tonight and make it look like furniture..."
"What kind of furniture?"
"Furniture boxes are less conspicuous... Wait, who are you?"
The next moment, a bright light shone.
When Jayce and Viktor adjusted to the light and opened their eyes again, they were stunned to see someone they never expected.
Piltover Council member, Mel Medarda.
"What brings you two here in the middle of the night, not sleeping?" Mel slightly raised her face, her sharp eyebrows slightly arched. "Mr. Jayce, I remember you were just stripped of your researcher status by the Council this morning; and you, Professor Heimerdinger's assistant, you shouldn't be here either."
"Oh, this doesn't seem to be my room." Viktor blinked, trying to make an innocent expression. "Sorry, I think I might have taken a wrong turn—"
Viktor's acting was exaggerated and clumsy.
But Jayce, realizing everything had been exposed, simply stood up.
"Councilor Medarda, I believe my experiment will succeed..."
"Succeed in causing an explosion?" Mel slightly pursed her lips. "Sorry, I can't see the future."
"But someone can," Jayce said without hesitation. "Councilor Medarda, I implore you to give me a chance."
"No one will defy the Council's decision, not even the Kiramman family." Mel looked at the agitated Jayce in front of her with interest. "Are you going to leave Piltover?"
"Someone in Zaun has provided me with a laboratory," Jayce hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "Councilor Medarda, I sincerely hope this future can blossom in Piltover, but now I have no choice."
(Hearing Jayce frankly mention having a new sponsor, Viktor's eyes widened in surprise—he wanted to stop him, but unfortunately, it was too late.)
"Do you think those people will be willing to help you complete your research on magic?" Jayce's reaction was beyond Mel's expectation. She snorted, seemingly having completely lost interest in Jayce. "It seems your mother was right, your desire for magic has made you lose your mind..."
"The one willing to be my sponsor is a mage!" Jayce clenched his fists, pulling away from Viktor's hand. "My idea is correct—"
"A mage?" Hearing this word, Mel finally showed an interested expression. "Is it the young lady who saved your life back then... This is truly unexpected."
Easter egg content: Poro Cafe, from "The Correct Way to Raise a Poro."