-58- Trust

After the council meeting, Jayce returned to his laboratory, and not surprisingly, as soon as he opened the door, he saw a slender young man standing in the laboratory. 

Dressed in plain clothes, the person was standing in front of an apparatus, carefully examining something.

The only person who could freely enter Jayce's laboratory was, of course, Viktor. 

At this moment, Viktor was wearing Hextech goggles that amplified his vision, observing an oddly shaped Hextech gem. The strange Hextech gem was hovering in an electrical device, occasionally making a sound that seemed like breathing.

To Jayce and Viktor, this Hextech gem had exceeded their original expectations, as it had undergone a transformation. This had been their most significant discovery in the past two years.

They also found the reason it was different from other Hextech gems: it wasn't a crystal made by humans but was a gemstone brought from a distant desert land, a cave in Shurima. Originally, it was a strange irregular crystal. 

In other words, it was the original Hextech crystal.

It's the original crystal, and it was the prototype for the Ferros family to create artificial Hextech crystals.

Jayce slammed the door shut, making quite a loud noise, as if he were intentionally venting his anger.

Viktor didn't turn around, but he knew who it was.

Viktor's status was different now; he no longer needed investments from Piltover's families. It was no longer Viktor begging them to invest, but the families pleading with Viktor to let them invest. His current backing wasn't from a single family but from an entire city-state.

In fact, when a certain someone initially created the Hextech phone, he had asked Jayce if he wanted to put his name on it. But Mr. Talis declined due to issues of pride, rejecting this person's kindness.

So the Hextech phone was divided into three parts, with Chief Engineer Zevi Reta taking a significant share, the founder Linwin getting the largest portion, and the smallest portion going to Viktor as the namesake.

Even so, Viktor was incredibly wealthy today; he could even buy a bunch of houses in Piltover's affluent area. But he chose not to; Viktor put all his money into developing Hextech technology because, to him, money was just a number now.

Today, the Hextech phone had become an indispensable part of Piltover. This was also the main reason the council couldn't pressure Linwin directly but instead pushed Jayce to convince Linwin to voluntarily hand over the Hextech phone.

Piltover has its own rules, at least one of which is not to steal the inventions of others. This is the most important rule, or else Piltover would not have become the scientific city that all scientists aspire to.

If Linwin were pushed too far and he stopped providing the need energy for the Hextech phone to Piltover, the protests from the people of Piltover would be significant. 

Now, every Piltover resident is using the Hextech phone, and it has become an integral part of people's lives. It's incredibly convenient!

Jayce leaned against the wall, took a sip of water, and then spoke loudly, "They're only interested in exploiting others, and they keep talking about working for a better future for Piltover. But in reality, every single one of them is just profiting for their own family. Even Miss Kiramman is the same!"

Jayce covered his chin, leaning against the wall, and shook his other hand dismissively. "I'm really ashamed to be associated with them!"

"I've told you before, don't become a councilor. Jayce, we're scientists, not politicians," Viktor replied, turning around. He was still thin and frail, but thankfully, he had a healthy complexion.

On Viktor's shoulders, there were purple capes hanging on both sides, and around his neck, he wore a small pendant with a green bead on it.

"But, Viktor, these years I've come to understand that becoming a councilor is not something I want to do; it's something I must do," Jayce sighed. "Otherwise, Hextech will be restricted by them, and I don't want Hextech to be under their control."

"The one thing I regret most now is that I didn't refuse the investment from the major families like Linwin did back then," Jayce continued.

Viktor chuckled. "If we had done that, our Hextech might still be in its infancy."

After their conversation, the lab's door was knocked, and when Jayce said, "Come in," an enforcer pushed the door open.

It was the Sheriff of Piltover, Marcus.

"Councilor Talis, Councilor Mel is looking for you."

"Did she say why she wants to see me?"

"Sorry, she only asked me to find you and conveyed her request to meet you. She didn't mention the reason."

Viktor waved from the side and said softly, "Jayce, go ahead. Attend to your duties."

"Sigh," Jayce let out a heavy sigh. As he passed by Viktor, he reached out and patted Viktor's shoulder firmly. He looked down at Viktor and said, "Sometimes, I envy you, my friend. I can't remember the last time I seriously conducted research."

"Also, if you get any word about Linwin, please inform me immediately."

Viktor nodded.

"I know what he's up to. I know what I need to do now. But that's not a reason for him to cut ties with me."

There was a hint of sadness in Jayce's eyes. He wasn't foolish. Over the years, he had been aware of Linwin's actions. Despite trying to pretend he didn't see, it was impossible with his current position. He knew why Linwin was avoiding him.

It was because Linwin had wronged him.

Jayce certainly held a grudge against Linwin, but Piltover hadn't been harmed, and the city's progress had continued. The Hextech phone had brought significant benefits to Piltover. However, the inventor of this revolutionary invention had disappeared from Piltover and Zaun for almost four years now.

He had been gone for so long that Jayce's resentment had waned considerably.

"Jayce."

Viktor turned his head, uncertain about what to say. Like the old days when they shared a bed and talked about their ideals during the night, those days were long gone. To prevent Jayce from constantly being pressured by councilors, Linwin had chosen to leave both Zaun and Piltover.

Initially, he would occasionally make a phone call to report on his safety, but recently, it had been over two, nearly three years without any contact. If Viktor didn't know that Linwin was a superhuman, he might have thought he had perished out there.

But Linwin was Linwin; he wouldn't die so easily.

"I'm leaving."

When Jayce saw Viktor turn away, he decided not to say anything further and followed Sheriff Marcus.

But just as Jayce was walking away, Viktor shouted after him, "He won't harm you."

"Jayce, Linwin may have wronged you, but it wasn't his intention. He won't hurt you."

"Viktor."

Jayce stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at Viktor. Viktor, who had dedicated the first half of his life to invention and research, was still the same at the age of thirty. He retained an pure heart.

But Jayce had already changed. The political whirlpool had transformed the man who once boasted of changing humanity and making everyone happy.

"I know," Jayce replied, and then he followed Sheriff Marcus out of the laboratory.

Won't harm me, huh? But on the day he returns, Viktor... he might cause harm. 

Despite that, I still convince myself to believe him.

In the world of politics, trust can be a rare commodity.