-145- Seraphine's Song

The original author note: It's best to read this chapter with the song "Childhood Dreams"

In the evening, in a laboratory in Piltover:

Camille stood by Linwin's side, arms crossed, observing the situation ahead.

Initially shocked by Kai'Sa, who appeared on stage in peculiar clothing, Camille's jaw almost dropped.

The Grey Lady couldn't comprehend why someone as powerful as Kai'Sa would compromise to become an idol. 

And the whole concept of the Piltover Idols group with Seraphine's purple, Zeri's yellow-green, Powder's blue, and now Kai'Sa in black seemed strange to her. Was Linwin doing this on purpose?

Kai'Sa stood on a semi-finished stage not far away. She wore a luxurious purple gown, revealing her toned and powerful legs, adorned with black delicate stockings. Camille couldn't help but appreciate the aesthetics, but she couldn't forget that Kai'Sa had a hard carapace covering her body. Would Kai'Sa not feel uncomfortable in such attire?

"Do you also know that woman?"

"Are you talking about Fiora?"

"Yes, she's formidable," Camille said quietly.

"You still remember that?"

Linwin turned to look at Camille, but the aloof Grey Lady didn't spare him a glance and continued to gaze at the stage.

Seraphine was an excellent vocalist and a powerful singer. Her voice was empathetic, earning Camille's appreciation. 

However, visually, Seraphine always seemed shy and lacked confidence while singing, giving the impression of fear.

Camille gave Seraphine a rating, adding points for auditory pleasure but deducting for visual appeal.

"I know a bit about her. She is the hope of the Laurent family, a sword-wielding family known for producing martial arts prodigies. Fiora is the most outstanding one in the past few centuries."

"Can a human body reach that level?"

"In fact, her physical abilities don't seem to be too extraordinary," Linwin stroked his chin, pondering. Fiora's physical prowess might be inferior to the superhumans in the Dauntless Vanguard, but her strength lay in her martial skills. 

Fiora, like Jax, is a true master of martial arts, compensating for any physical shortcomings with technique.

That's why Linwin believed Fiora might not fare as well as Garen on the battlefield. 

Fiora's combat skills shine in one-on-one duels, but on the battlefield, where fairness is a rarity, her chances of survival might be in question.

Camille, on the other hand, is well-suited for the battlefield. 

As for Garen, the one who can drag a defense tower around, his stamina, physique, and resilience make him an undisputed hero on the battlefield.

"It's truly unbelievable."

"She's fine. Wait until you meet a purple-skinned guy wielding a lamppost as a weapon. Remember to stay away from him; he's a real monster."

Linwin exaggerated a bit, "If you don't run fast enough, he'll disassemble you in less than five minutes."

Jax, the monster capable of leveling mountains.

Camille squinted at Linwin, and in the distance, Seraphine began to sing, using a unique language – the ancient Zaunian tongue.

"Hmm mmm mmm"

"Hmm mmm mmm"

"Hmm"

Seraphine lowered her head, hands beside her face, and began humming into the microphone with closed eyes.

Her voice was incredibly clear.

"I dream a hundred dreams a minute"

"And deep inside what I construct"

"So there's no use, don't even bother!"

Little Seraphine swayed her body, singing softly while, accompanying her, Powder started playing the drums. The rhythmic sound of the drum set filled the room. Powder, in a jacket, looked up at Seraphine, watching the lead singer's silhouette.

You couldn't help but admire it.

Seraphine's singing was genuinely pleasant, and the lyrics of the song were well-written.

Although Powder didn't quite understand the lyrics, she could feel the emotions in the song. Was it related to what Linwin said about the magical quality in Seraphine's voice?

Powder's face lit up with joy, and soon, with a pick in her mouth, Zevi began playing the guitar.

Since this song didn't require a bass, Zevi used the guitar at the moment.

Head down, strumming gently, Zevi, Seraphine, and Kai'Sa, all three danced lightly. Zevi shook her head, tapping on the wooden guitar, following Powder's rhythm.

And Kai'Sa? What was she doing?

Miss Kai'Sa, dressed in a beautiful and luxurious purple dress with black stockings and boots, danced on the stage.

Wouldn't this scene look strange?

Not at all. Kai'Sa's dance wasn't really about dancing in the traditional sense. Instead, she used her unique abilities, turning something she used to dislike into a visual effect, following Linwin's suggestion.

Who wouldn't like it?

Paired with Zevi's electric light, the scene was truly dazzling!

"So, compared to you?"

Camille listened to the music and asked Linwin.

Different from the orchestral music among nobles, Camille found this to be very dynamic music.

Not grand enough?

No, as long as it sounds good.

This was for the common people of the Twin Cities.

It was for the people of Piltover and Zaun!

Listening to Seraphine's voice, Camille's frustration diminished significantly.

In the moment Fiora attacked her, Camille genuinely considered subduing Fiora and throwing her into the Piltover prison for a few days, regardless of whether she was Demacian or Noxian.

Anyway, since you're in Piltover, please abide by Piltover's rules!

But now, the melancholy that lingered due to Fiora's earlier encounter seemed to fade away under Seraphine's singing and the performances on stage.

Linwin was right; Seraphine's music indeed had a magical quality.

"Me? It's hard to say."

Linwin chuckled.

Who's stronger between me and Jax?

"Let's call it fifty-fifty, or maybe forty-sixty."

"Sixty for him?"

Camille inquired.

Linwin shook his head, watching the stage in front, observing Kai'Sa and Powder up there. After a moment, he said confidently, "He's forty, and I'm sixty."

"Camille, I'm really strong."

Camille: ...

Camille thought for a moment and asked Linwin, "Why are you suddenly so assertive? According to your usual habits, you should wave it off, maybe say he's stronger, or give a meaningful smile without giving a direct answer."

"This doesn't sound like you, Linwin."

"This is what you asked me, isn't it?"

Hearing this, Camille laughed, a slight smirk on her lips. She whispered, "So, is this your way of giving me confidence, for the confidence of the Twin Cities?"

"Yes, with me around, we won't be weak."

Linwin said, crossing his arms.

"Besides, we have Janna. Piltover is starting to believe in Janna again, and now, Janna has become stronger than before."

Camille nodded.

She smiled and said, "That's a good thing."

As the music reached the chorus, Linwin suddenly raised his hand and shouted, "Sera, be more confident, lift your head!"

Seraphine was taken aback.

"Powder, hit the drums harder!"

Linwin waved with a smile.

"Yeah!" Following Linwin's command, Powder immediately laughed and nodded. With the drumstick in her right hand, she performed a beautiful drum flourish. Then, Powder hit it hard, immediately energizing Zevi, who now played the guitar even more passionately.

Thunderous light danced, and the yellow-green lightning surrounded Zevi, making her appear holy and mysterious.

Holding the microphone, Seraphine faced Linwin's gaze and the eyes of Camille. 

Camille lifted her head and nodded at Seraphine.

She approved of Seraphine.

As Linwin had said, perhaps she really could change the relationship between the two cities.

Her singing could stir people's emotions. Even the determined Camille could be uplifted by Seraphine, not to mention ordinary people.

Seraphine was a bit stunned until Kai'Sa flew by, nudging her back. Seraphine woke up, then followed the rhythm.

Closing her eyes and opening them again, she looked at Linwin and Camille, and together, they started singing.

This was her first time singing in front of an audience other than her parents.

Not humming to birds on the window, not singing to machines at home.

Instead, singing to two great councilors.

But the feeling is quite good?

Because both Councilor Linwin and Councilor Camille have admiration in their eyes.

"And I remember all my childhood dreams."

"I find it hard to get them out of my mind."

"And I remember all my childhood dreams."

"I find it hard to get them out of my mind."

After finishing the last chorus, Seraphine, holding the microphone, didn't immediately become excited. Instead, she swayed her body and softly hummed:

"Hmm mmm mmm"

"Hmm mmm mmm"

"Hmm"

After singing, Seraphine looked at Linwin.

She saw Linwin and Camille both raising their hands.

"Clap, clap, clap."

A glimmer flashed in Seraphine's eyes.

Just like the lyrics—

I still remember the dreams of my childhood.

I believe I can change the world with music.

Although they all think I'm crazy.

But I have always believed in this.

—

This song is for you— By Seraphine.