Inside the Council Hall, on the top floor.
Representatives from many Piltover families gathered, standing on either side of the red carpet in the middle. Everyone whispered among themselves, looking at an old woman with two prosthetic fingers.
"What a pity, such a good young man, why did he have to touch something he shouldn't have?"
"Yes, it's such a shame!"
"I wonder how the Council plans to deal with him."
"The Talis family's wrench is still very convenient to use, but... alas!"
"This child was foolish!"
"Let the children of each family take this as a warning!"
"Yes, don't mess around anymore in the future!"
"Isn't it better to just focus on research honestly?"
....
Amidst the whispers, Duke stood beside Colin, listening to everything around him. At the same time, he observed Jayce's mother, who was between forty and fifty years old, with some graying hair at her temples and a face full of sorrow. Her two prosthetic fingers were very eye-catching.
"Watch carefully today. Whatever you learn, take it as a warning. Never touch things you shouldn't, otherwise, next time, it might be you and me being talked about!"
Colin placed a serious hand on Duke's shoulder. This boy could disassemble a guest's prosthetic limb into parts, showing his boldness. Moreover, many young people in Piltover now were pursuing new frontiers, and quite a few were going astray.
Duke was a good prospect. He had made up his mind that he absolutely couldn't go down the wrong path and be ruined!
"I understand, sir!"
Duke gave a shy smile, but deep down, he disagreed. Was it possible for technology to advance without making certain sacrifices?
Following the rules was indeed good, but it was difficult to achieve anything great!
True geniuses should be uninhibited and unrestrained!
Although Jayce was a Black Horseman, Duke admired him simply for his daring to explore the unknown!
However, he couldn't agree with this person's interests; being a Black Horseman was too much!
As Duke's thoughts turned, the Iron Man role-play fusion on his system panel suddenly jumped several numbers, from 1% to 3.5%.
Duke, however, was oblivious to this. Instead, he waited for the upcoming show, while constantly calculating and inferring new ideas for his battle armor in his mind.
As Councilor Mel, the last to arrive, entered, the Council Hall doors opened, and the Black Horseman Jayce, dressed in a white uniform and looking somewhat tired, made his appearance!
The Piltover Enforcer unlocked Jayce's handcuffs and forcefully pushed him forward. Jayce uncomfortably twisted his shoulders, then, looking at the gear-like, hollow circular table in front of him, he hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.
On the way, he exchanged a glance with his mother, offering an encouraging look and a smile.
Jayce, standing in the center of the round table, took a deep breath, his mind filled with Professor Heimerdinger's advice from last night. The hemispherical dome above him slowly closed, and the hall plunged into darkness.
When darkness fell, everyone stopped talking and looked at Jayce in front, waiting to hear what the young man had to say.
"Jayce Talis, you are accused of possessing dangerous items and endangering Piltover citizens. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Councilor Mel rested her chin on her hand, speaking languidly, while also observing Jayce's expression. Seeing Jayce's handsome and resolute face, her eyebrows subtly arched.
Jayce sighed slightly after hearing Mel's words. Heimerdinger looked at him expectantly, hoping he would temporarily yield.
"The dangerous nature of those research instruments..." Jayce paused, then said with great reluctance, "...far exceeded my imagination. I am deeply sorry for this and am willing to bear all the consequences of my actions!"
"Hmph!"
Duke scoffed after hearing this. What he said sounded good, but he probably didn't mean it. Those around him looked at the dark-haired young man in a suit with curiosity.
Thump!
Colin's cane poked Duke's foot, warning him. Duke clicked his tongue, not speaking further. He was truly uncomfortable in such an occasion, it was too stifling.
He would rather stay at home drawing designs than be here.
Duke, looking around, suddenly froze. Standing beside the Ferros Family's representative was Councilor Mel's secretary. The secretary was standing next to that person, and the two were leaning their heads together, seemingly talking about something.
"I implore the council to pardon my guilt. I hope I can continue my path of scientific research!"
"As Jayce's long-time sponsor, I can vouch for him. I believe he will one day make significant contributions to us!" The dignified and noble woman spoke softly, defending Jayce. Having sponsored this young man for so many years, she couldn't let her efforts go to waste.
There was still a chance if he admitted his mistake now, but if he remained unrepentant, then she would have no choice but to give up on him!
"He just destroyed a building!"
The bald councilor, playing with a child's toy, scoffed, while also wondering if the thing Mel gave him was a bit difficult. It truly lived up to its reputation of being designed specifically for the exceptionally intelligent.
"Any scientist understands one truth: to achieve results, you can't avoid breaking a few wrenches or hammers!" Heimerdinger wiggled his large ears, speaking playfully to defend Jayce.
"Alright, let's not talk about these for now!" Councilor Mel intertwined her fingers in front of her, shrugging her shoulders. "Besides this explosion, do you have any other achievements to show us?"
After saying this, Mel subtly glanced at a corner of the crowd in the hall.
"No..." Jayce said through gritted teeth, "I don't have any achievements yet!"
"So, you mean you have no accomplishments, you're meaningless?" Mel scoffed. She had expected to see something new from this young man, but it turned out he was all show and no substance.
"My research is groundbreaking!!"
Jayce defended himself. Mel snorted, "Groundbreaking?"
"Everyone says their research is groundbreaking, but what about your results?"
"Are the admission standards at the academy that lenient now?" The blond young man, holding a roasted ginkgo nut, scoffed with a delicate gesture.
"Subversion and overthrow are only one word apart. If we spare him this time, then what about next time?"
"This is truly absurd. Are all young people like this now?"
"Let's conclude this case for now; we can discuss the rest later!"
"I actually think we should give the young man a chance!"
"A chance? The cheapest thing is a chance. Does he deserve it?"
"An ignorant brat, thinking he can make a splash just because he's learned a few things?"
The voices of several councilors echoed through the hall. Jayce listened to the whispers around him, and the suppressed anger in his heart finally erupted.
"Enough!"
A roar escaped his lips. Jayce clenched his fists, glaring at the people around him: "It's not that there's no progress; I'm almost there!"
"Then what is your progress?"
"magic! I'm close to creating something that uses magic. I'm very confident that if you just give me a little more time, I might succeed. I promise you!"
"When that time comes, Piltover will usher in a groundbreaking era, and we will be able to move forward again!"
After his outburst, Jayce stood in place, panting slightly, a fine sweat on his forehead, and his back soaked. But because of this, he also realized he had caused a huge problem.
Especially his patron, Caitlyn's mother, showed him a look of disappointment, closing her eyes, not wanting to look at him anymore.
"Foolish boy, all the previous funding has gone to waste!" Caitlyn's mother, Lady Gray, sighed in her heart, completely losing hope for the young man in front of her.
Noticing the change in Lady Gray's expression, Jayce's heart sank.
The crowd began to whisper. A representative from the Ferros Family stroked his chin, a curious expression in his eyes, and said to Mel's secretary beside him, "Regardless of his outcome, have Mel try to approach him!"
"Although Piltover doesn't forbid magic, it still has a certain Terrify of it!"
"If he truly has any research breakthroughs!" The Ferros Family representative smiled meaningfully, "You remember to bring him to the Ferros Family. I think Lady Gray will be particularly interested in him!"
"Yes!"
Duke, in the crowd, listened to Jayce's outburst and curled his lips dismissively. It was quite a risk, but for a researcher, it was enough!
There was nothing left to see. He might as well find a place to go calculate data!
Touching the pouch hidden under his jacket, which contained paper and a pen, Duke whispered to Colin, "Excuse me, sir, I need to use the restroom, so..."
Colin glanced at him and snorted, "Go, but don't wander off!"
"Alright!"
Duke, pushing through the crowd, arrived at the hall entrance, which was already blocked by Enforcers. Noticing his approach, one of them slowly opened the door, creating a gap for him to step out.
Taking the elevator down to the next floor, Duke stood in the corridor, looking out at all of Piltover through the window, and let out a heavy sigh.
"How boring. A bunch of old fogeys who don't understand progress, too afraid to touch new things because they're scared. How foolish!"
Duke, pulling out paper and a pen, leaned against the window, enjoying the breeze behind him, and slowly began his calculations.
"If what you just said gets out, it will have a very bad impact on you!"
A girl with dark blue hair stood beside Duke. As Duke looked over, she extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Caitlyn Kiramman!"
"Duke, an apprentice from Colin Workshop!"
Duke looked at the young woman before him with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Piltover's sheriff in her youth, what a coincidence!