Night fell.
Colin Workshop, attic.
The orange glow from the lamp illuminated the small room. Duke sat at his desk, flipping through his boss Colin's notes, his eyes thoughtful, occasionally frowning, occasionally smiling.
"It seems my boss still has some capability. Even his early notes can give me such great inspiration. He truly is the man who single-handedly created the Clockwork Automaton!"
After closing Colin's notes, Duke let out a slight sigh of relief. Opening his personal panel, his Clockwork Technology was still at the proficient level, but Duke was confident he could elevate Clockwork Technology further.
"So-called Clockwork Technology is essentially a precise mechanical device that operates through a clockwork mechanism. By simply using the clockwork power device as its core, it can achieve long-term operation."
"Its advantage lies in its precision. Through interlocking components, tiny kinetic energy can be converted into powerful kinetic energy. Perhaps in addition to gears, pulley systems could also be added. Furthermore, parallel and series connections could also be incorporated."
Looking at Colin's notes, Duke lightly tapped the table, "This is truly amazing! With this, even if I don't unlock blueprints in the short term, it's enough for me to research for a while!"
"If I were to unlock blueprints, it would be best if they were related to energy systems, which could provide power through linked energy devices. But I don't have money, so this is just wishful thinking!"
Duke set Colin's notes aside, picked up a pen and paper, and began sketching on the White paper.
"I've now reached the proficient level and have supplemented some theoretical knowledge. Logically, I can proceed with deeper practical applications."
"And currently, I need power to arm and protect myself, and I also need to find a way to acquire some funds to increase my wealth."
"Colin mentioned the Blue Lavender Manor's assessment. This might be an opportunity for me, but what will I rely on to participate in the assessment?"
Looking at the colorful lights outside the window, Duke fell into deep thought. Ever since he realized he had entered the Arcane Worldline, he felt a sense of urgency.
Although everyone was still at the starting line, in the coming period, all the well-known heroes would enter a period of rapid development.
Duke could foresee that this World would become increasingly dangerous. Perhaps at some point, he would be caught up in an event and then perish.
He had to start now, seeking more opportunities to gain power.
Duke, drawing back and forth on the blueprint with his pen, currently had not unlocked any of Iron Man's blueprints. Even if he had, without funds, he would find it difficult to invest in development.
Therefore, he had to try every possible way to strengthen himself!
Clockwork Technology was a very good stepping stone, worth testing, and had great potential for him to explore.
But before that, some reservations still needed to be made.
Knock knock knock...
A knock came, Duke's brows furrowed slightly, but he still stopped writing, put the blueprint into his drawer, walked over, and opened the door.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw it was his boss, Colin, also the father of the Clockwork Automaton.
"Sir!"
"I had Orianna brew some tea. Shall we chat?"
Colin held up the tray in his hand, which contained a teapot, teacups, and pastries.
"Please come in, sir."
Duke moved aside to let Colin enter, and the two of them sat directly at the workbench. Duke held a teacup, looking at the amber tea in his hand.
"Have you finished reading the notes?" Colin glanced at the notes on the desk and casually asked Duke. Duke nodded, "They were very helpful to me. Many ideas recorded there deeply inspired me. I am very grateful."
"So what are your plans next?"
"I plan to create my work and participate in the Blue Lavender Manor's evaluation meeting to seize an opportunity!" Duke replied decisively when he heard Colin's question: "I have a new concept. If it succeeds, perhaps we can enter a new level!"
"A new level..."
Colin held his teacup and fell silent. Seeing that his boss didn't speak, Duke wisely remained silent as well. He could sense that Colin was hesitating.
"Can you briefly tell me about your concept?"
"Of course, sir!"
Duke placed the cup on the table, took out the previously drawn sketch, and handed it to Colin. Colin picked it up and saw the prototype of a pair of boots.
"This is your..."
"Clockwork Power Enhancement Device!"
As soon as Duke spoke, Colin crumpled the drawing directly, and raising his eyes, he looked at Duke and said, "Tell me your thoughts!"
"From the current perspective, Clockwork Technology is indeed excellent, but that's all there is to it!"
"That's all?"
Colin's voice carried doubt and anger. After all, as the inheritor and promoter of Clockwork Technology, he was already a master in this field, so it was inevitable for him to feel doubt and anger when he heard Duke say that.
"That's right!" Duke didn't care about Colin's doubt and anger at all, and said bluntly: "Current development is changing with each passing day. As the City of Progress, Piltover gathers skilled craftsmen from the entire continent. It's impossible for everyone to stand still!"
"So I think we need to innovate and seek more development!"
"What's your idea?"
"To allow humans to gain strength far beyond ordinary people through Clockwork Technology!"
"Today I saw an Enforcer chasing children from the Undercity, but he couldn't catch them at all. An adult chasing a few half-grown children and still couldn't catch them."
"So I plan to make these Clockwork Power Combat Boots, which can enhance a person's jumping ability and speed. Daily walking will accumulate power for the internal Clockwork core, and at critical moments, this power can be released to achieve a Superman-like effect."
"This is just my idea. How to do it specifically will have to wait until I finish drawing the blueprint!"
"It's already very good, it's already very good!"
Colin took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, chuckling: "You are indeed a unique child!"
"Boss, do you mean..."
"Tomorrow, come with me to the council hearing. I'll take you to see the world!"
Colin took out a notebook from his clothes, placed it on the table, and patted Duke's shoulder, saying: "Don't stay up late tonight, get some rest early. Tomorrow I'll take you to buy clothes, and then we'll go to the council hearing!"
"Okay, boss!"
After Duke saw Colin off, he locked the door, jumped to the table, picked up the notebook, and eagerly absorbed the knowledge within.
Duke naturally understood what Colin said; it was clear he intended to officially mentor him, but Clockwork Technology was just a stepping stone, and he couldn't devote all his energy to it.
If Hextech, Alchemy, and Clockwork Technology were all gathered, he might consider creating a masterpiece that would astound the world.
Colin, who had just gone downstairs, heard the commotion above and couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.
"Youth is truly wonderful!"
"Father, did you go and scold Duke again?" Orianna, holding a lantern, stood at the top of the stairs. Colin shook his head, "No, I just made a decision. Also, haven't you wanted to go to a concert recently?"
"Go buy tickets; I'll go with you later!"
"Okay!!"
Orianna was very excited.
Inside the attic.
After Duke finished reading Colin's notes, he looked at his own sketches again, picked them up, and tore them into pieces. "This is garbage!"
"I need to rethink everything now. The combat boots can be made and sold for funds, but one pair of combat boots is no longer enough for me!"
"I want to create Clockwork Armor, armor powered by Clockwork Technology!"
"Before unlocking the blueprints, I must make myself as strong as possible!"
The incredibly serious Duke reopened his notes. As for getting some early rest?
What the hell was that?
The night was still long; when was a good time to sleep anyway?
......
Piltover Prison, inside a cell.
"Sigh, why did such an accident happen?"
The young man, dressed in a college uniform, sat on the hard bed, feeling the wristband on his wrist. The wristband was inlaid with a stone engraved with runes.
"Who on earth did this? It's too hateful! Everything I worked for has gone to waste!"
Thump, thump, thump…
The footsteps of the jailer echoed outside. Before long, the cell door opened, and a figure cast a Shadow at the doorway, catching Jayce's attention.
Jayce stood up and walked towards the cell door. A Yordle with fluffy yellow hair and two White mustaches on his mouth peered out from the side of the cell door.
"The true meaning of imprisonment is truly intriguing!"
Heimerdinger, dressed in a specially made uniform, swayed as he walked into the cell. He looked around, then stood on his tiptoes and picked up Jayce's leftover dinner.
A tentacle with a toothpick stuck in it.
"I still remember the first time I saw you at the academy; you were just like me when I was young!"
Looking at the octopus tentacle in his hand, Heimerdinger looked at Jayce: "You are a scientist always ready to explore new fields!"
"Tell me the truth, what exactly were you researching before, Jayce!"
Hearing Heimerdinger's question, Jayce sat back down on the bed board, stroking the runestone on his wristband, and whispered, "I've developed a method that can control magic with science. It's truly amazing!"
"Just give me a little more time, and I'm sure I can succeed!"
"Really, Professor, you have to believe me!"
"magic?" Heimerdinger's beard quivered slightly, and he raised an eyebrow. "Listen to me, child!"
"The power of magic is dangerous. It's a natural force; science cannot control it!"
"What if it can?" Jayce took a step forward, his face full of eagerness: "I'm very sure I'm about to make new progress!"
"I'm afraid that won't work, child!"
Heimerdinger shook his head and said directly, "How old are you again?"
"Twenty-four!"
"Twenty-four!" Heimerdinger exclaimed with emotion, "That's an age full of imagination and yearning for the unknown, but as someone with experience, I warn you, Jayce!"
"In my past three hundred years, I've seen many people who deluded themselves into trying to control magic, but the results were never good!"
Heimerdinger casually tossed the toothpick in his hand onto the table and walked towards the cell door with his hands behind his back.
"Give up your unrealistic fantasy. Piltover can't withstand such a huge impact right now!"
Standing in front of the cell door, Heimerdinger clasped his hands together, "Go apologize to the Council, and don't even mention the word magic!"
"Otherwise, it will touch some people's sensitive nerves!"
Heimerdinger spoke with a hint of meaning: "Certain people lurking in the Shadow, watching this city!"
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In addition to the Arcane plot, the background story of the Twin Cities is also integrated into the plot. Not only will the characters from Arcane appear, but Twin Cities heroes like Camille, the Robot, the Rat, and Janna will also make appearances.