CHAPTER 252 - A Visit

Li Lin's radical ideas shocked everyone.

Even the prototype small plasma cannon displayed incredible power, and the one to be installed on Gaboga would be even more formidable. Not only Heimerdinger, Jayce, and Viktor, but even Rumble couldn't understand what Li Lin was aiming for.

The old professor still thought Li Lin was an Ionian who had fled to Piltover because of the Noxian invasion, now wanting to develop a nation-destroying mech to exact revenge on Noxus.

Li Lin felt exasperated by their assumptions.

Why did Caitlyn think I wanted to take revenge on the world? And now, you all think the same?

Just because I enhanced my body with gene serums, grew a few centimeters taller, and bulked up a bit?

I don't look like a villain, do I? Clearly, my wish is for world peace...

Li Lin found a plausible reason to convince them:

The plasma cannon, at any level, carries certain risks. Gaboga's mech is crucial for the twin cities; it can't afford any danger.

Therefore, continuing to upgrade the plasma cannon until it becomes a completely stable weapon is essential.

No one disagreed with this.

Subsequently, Heimerdinger held another meeting to introduce the newly joined distinguished scientists, Rumble and Ziggs, and to establish regulations for managing the plasma cannon.

After clarifying the construction processes and each person's responsibilities, the meeting adjourned, and everyone returned to their tasks on the Gaboga project.

By dusk, Li Lin flew back to the Kiramman mansion.

Before he could remove his battle armor and continue perfecting the defense system for the manor's side house, the AI reminded him of something he almost forgot:

[Master, it's been 16 days since Progress Day. You promised Miss Seraphine you would visit her after the event.]

"—Ah! I forgot about that!"

Li Lin quickly glanced at the time on the holographic display. It was almost five o'clock.

Considering the time Seraphine usually chatted with the sweet cake vendor, an elderly woman named [Yia], she should be home by now.

He hurriedly removed his battle armor and put on a smart earbud, equipped with the "AI" system, resembling a Bluetooth earpiece.

Since the fourth-generation Project Genesis Infinite Armor, when mimicked as clothes, couldn't utilize the AI and network, Li Lin invented the smart earbud for convenience.

As for why he didn't invent smart glasses...

He already had the Data Mind; why would he need AI analysis?

The system panel is far more useful than AI.

The distance between Seraphine's home and the Kiramman mansion was considerable. Walking would take Li Lin at least an hour.

After thinking it over, he decided to fly there and bring Kai'Sa along.

After all, she was friends with Seraphine but hadn't seen her for almost a month.

At this time, Caitlyn was still working on cases and hadn't returned home. Kai'Sa usually retreated to her room to play on the computer Li Lin installed to keep her entertained.

True to her reputation in the parallel universe as the Arcade Goddess, Kai'Sa quickly mastered computer games.

She cleared Minesweeper's highest difficulty in less than an hour, excelled at Spider Solitaire with four suits, even surpassing Li Lin.

These two games couldn't satisfy Kai'Sa, so Li Lin had the AI program famous card games from the twin cities to play with her.

He even uploaded data on ancient labyrinths into the AI, which autonomously generated classics like [Chess], [Super Mario], [Monopoly], [Contra], [King of Fighters], and [CS].

Although these games differed somewhat from Li Lin's memories, the AI-generated games sufficed for Kai'Sa's daily entertainment, and he couldn't ask for more.

A few minutes later, Li Lin stood outside Kai'Sa's room and knocked on the door.

"The door's unlocked, come in."

With Kai'Sa's permission, Li Lin turned the doorknob and entered, seeing her seated at a computer in the small parlor, playing chess with the AI.

Seeing it was Li Lin, Kai'Sa smiled sweetly, "Finished with your work at the academy?"

"More or less, but I need to check on the ongoing construction to ensure everything goes smoothly," Li Lin replied, approaching the desk to watch her game.

After a few moves, Kai'Sa checkmated the AI.

Li Lin suspected the AI might be letting her win, though. Otherwise, with its level of intelligence, it could calculate every possible outcome and Kai'Sa wouldn't stand a chance.

As the game ended, she turned off the computer and swiveled her chair to face Li Lin. "I heard from Caitlyn that you're building a large mech... much bigger than your Titan Warrior."

"To be precise, it's larger than the Ascended form of Nasus," Li Lin said with a slight smile, explaining.

"Wow! That must be over a hundred meters tall?" Kai'Sa's eyes widened in surprise, "Are you building such a big mech for…"

She paused, hopeful, waiting for Li Lin to continue.

Li Lin gently ruffled her hair, "Yes, just as you guessed, it's to prepare for the Void."

"But can one mech fight the Void?" Kai'Sa showed a hint of worry, "The Void can corrupt even stone. I doubt machinery can resist its invasion."

"Who said I'm building only one mech? This is just the first."

Li Lin shook his head, "And even if it's corrupted, so what? Without human or AI control, a mech is just metal. The Void can't control lifeless things."

In other words, even if the Void corrupted a mech, it could only affect the material, not the intangible data, leaving the AI unaffected.

If one mech failed, another could take its place. The corrupted mech couldn't turn against them.

Kai'Sa nodded, somewhat understanding.

Though her teacher had taught her the basics of mechanics, she was never good at it and didn't grasp much.

Seeing her confusion, Li Lin decided to change the topic.

"Let's not talk about this. I have another reason for coming today."

"Hm?" Kai'Sa's smile grew, "If I can help with anything."

"It's not exactly help… Do you want to visit Seraphine?"

...

Five minutes later, Li Lin, driving the Warrior in its vehicle form, arrived at a commercial street in the southern district with Kai'Sa.

With the AI's scan, they found Seraphine's Hextech sound shop.

Amid the surprised stares of passersby, the Warrior smoothly landed and parked in front of the shop.

As Li Lin and Kai'Sa, dressed in youthful attire, stepped out, Seraphine's cheerful voice came from upstairs, "Li Lin, Kai'Sa! I'll be right down!"

Looking up, they saw Seraphine waving from the window before quickly withdrawing.

Soon after, her parents, wearing work clothes, rushed out to greet them.

Unfamiliar with Li Lin and Kai'Sa's relationship with their daughter, they seemed somewhat apprehensive.

"Welcome, distinguished guests. How can our humble shop assist you?" said Seraphine's father.

Using Data Mind, Li Lin learned his name was Modeemore, and his wife was Klarana.

Modeemore wore Hextech glasses for measuring, fitting the traditional twin city image of a man.

Despite his lean build, his muscular forearms, revealed by rolled-up sleeves, showed he was used to physical labor.

Klarana, with a headscarf, was a petite woman, resembling her daughter in some ways.

Especially those bright blue eyes, though slightly weary.

Though under forty, her skin showed signs of aging due to lack of care, with visible traces of time on her face.

Nonetheless, Klarana had been a beauty in her youth, much of Seraphine's charm inherited from her.

Modeemore and Klarana, originally from the Undercity, had worked hard to move to Piltover, providing a better start and environment for their soon-to-be-born daughter.

Even without Li Lin's interference, Seraphine lived up to their expectations.

Noticing they didn't recognize him, Li Lin introduced himself, "Hello, I'm Li Lin from the Kiramman family, and this is Kai'Sa."

"Li Lin… Kiramman family…"

Modeemore and Klarana gasped.

"You're the 'Future Pioneer' Li Lin?" Modeemore repeated in disbelief, looking even more shocked.

A person of such status and renown, the youngest and most outstanding craftsman in Piltover…

He must have a reason for visiting our small shop, not just to fix a Hextech speaker.

Modeemore pondered.

But Klarana, more detail-oriented, noticed something, "Mr. Li Lin, this young lady… is she Kai'Sa?"

"Hello, I'm Kai'Sa, a friend of Seraphine," Kai'Sa smiled politely.

"So you're the Kai'Sa Seraphine often mentioned?"

Klarana's face lit up with realization, "Before Progress Day, Seraphine told us Li Lin from the Kiramman family was sponsoring her to study at Piltover University. We thought she was being deceived…"

"Your concern is understandable, ma'am. I intended to visit Seraphine right after Progress Day, but work kept me busy," Li Lin said apologetically.

Modeemore smiled, "No need to apologize. It's an honor to have you here."

Despite his polite words, Li Lin noticed a hint of worry in his eyes.

As Seraphine's parents, they knew her talent well.

Concerned about their daughter being exploited by unscrupulous nobles, they had previously declined many sponsorship offers.

Busy with work, they rarely read newspapers and only knew of Li Lin from neighbors and customers.

Even positive newspaper reports couldn't completely ease their worries, aware of the city's darker side.

Thus, their attitude towards Li Lin was cautious, as with previous sponsors.

Though Seraphine believed Li Lin was a good person, Modeemore and Klarana needed to observe him themselves.

As they spoke, Seraphine, in her coat, ran downstairs, interrupting them, "Mom, Dad, why are you keeping Li Lin and Kai'Sa outside?"

"Oh! My apologies, Mr. Li Lin and Miss Kai'Sa. Please come in."

Modeemore, realizing his oversight, invited them inside.

"Please, come in. Let's talk inside."

The door closed, and the bustling street quieted.

Inside the cozy shop, Modeemore and Klarana offered seats, ready to hear why this renowned craftsman and his friend had come to visit.

(End of Chapter)