Chapter 2: Mechanic's Panel

"Mr. Li Lin, would you like coffee or tea?"

In the luxurious living room of the Gillermaine family, a maid was preparing tea for Li Lin.

"Tea, please. Thank you."

"You're too polite; it's my duty."

The maid placed a cup of subtly fragrant tea in front of Li Lin.

"The lady will come to see you after today's interview with the scholars. If you need anything, feel free to call me; I'll be outside." With these words, the maid bowed to Li Lin and left the living room.

Alone now, Li Lin, who had been tense, finally breathed a sigh of relief, muttering to himself, "Ah... it's not easy coming to another world after all."

Li Lin is a transmigrator who recently replaced a young Ionian boy working in a compass repair shop near the Day Gate Harbor in this world.

With his "knowledge" of various games, movies, and novels, along with the memories of the original owner of the body, he quickly figured out that he had arrived in a world like Runeterra from League of Legends.

Born in the cultural center of the entire Valoran continent, the innovative and acclaimed city of Piltover, Li Lin was unwilling to be just a laborer.

In this steampunk and fantastical city with a significant deviation from real-world history, as long as one understands innovation and has dreams, reaching the pinnacle of life is not difficult.

Approaching the annual Evolution Day, with a modern mindset, Li Lin quickly set his goal: to copy assignments.

Initially, he thought about being a content copier, bringing novels, manga scripts, and the like from his world.

It was the easiest and simplest way to become famous, considering there wouldn't be anyone from the other world accusing him of copyright infringement.

However, when a emotionless mechanical notification sound echoed in his mind, his thoughts changed...

[Name: Li Lin]

[Occupation: Mechanic]

[Level: 1]

[Health Points: 465/465]

[Mana Points: 50/50]

[Combat Power: 5]

[Skills: Basic Manufacturing, Data-driven Thinking]

[Wealth: 0 Blue Essences, 0 Orange Essences]

[Level insufficient, functions locked...]

After Li Lin awakened his "golden finger," the system generated a mechanic occupation for him and thoughtfully gave him a [Data-driven Thinking] skill.

Data-driven thinking allows him to visualize the world in front of him like a game by consuming mana points. For example, instead of reading a book word by word, it displays a progress bar. Once the progress bar is full, he knows the content of the book inside out.

Based on this skill, Li Lin crafted the "letter of introduction" to the Gillermaine family, combining mechanical principles learned in Piltover and his knowledge from school.

Considering Piltover's technology, which is mainly steampunk with a touch of alchemy, and the monopolized Hextech crystal technology controlled by the Camille's family in Piltover, Li Lin decided to introduce a more economically practical "electricity" to this world.

This would not only secure a place in the city of progress but also align with his role as a mechanic.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Li Lin picked up the slightly cooled tea and took a sip, pondering the opulent design of the living room.

The most conspicuous element was a large family portrait hanging on the wall next to the sofa, leading to the second floor via the staircase.

The Gillermaine couple and a young girl holding a Mauser rifle.

Caitlyn Gillermaine, the daughter of the Gillermaine family, destined to become the Sheriff of Piltover.

Li Lin chose to come to the Gillermaine family because of her.

As one of the heroes in the League of Legends game, Caitlyn is almost a central character in Piltover.

While Li Lin's gaze lingered on the family portrait, he noticed a figure at the corner of the staircase on the second floor.

Shifting his gaze, he discovered a young girl who bore some resemblance to the little girl in the family portrait but appeared much older.

She had azure eyes, deep purple hair tied into a short ponytail, and was dressed in a brown hunter's outfit. A Bilgewater-style Mauser rifle was slung on her back.

Just as I was thinking about Caitlyn, here she comes...

After scrutinizing the girl's appearance, Li Lin immediately stood up, "Greetings, Miss Gillermaine."

"May the gears turn smoothly, Mr. Li Lin."

Caitlyn nodded slightly, descended the stairs, walked to Li Lin's side, and stopped, curiously sizing up the boy around her age.

The craftsmanship of his clothes was rough, and the fabric was the cheapest on the market. He didn't seem to be a member of any family.

He looked a bit thin, almost malnourished, not resembling someone from Piltover or Zaun. Quite appealing, probably from the East.

Since Evolution Day was approaching, and they were recruiting scholars these days, he must be here for an interview.

However, interviews were usually conducted in the interview room, not in the living room with tea. There must be some special reason he caught Mother's attention...

Quickly analyzing the information she observed, Caitlyn retracted her gaze.

"Congratulations. My mother rarely values someone this much. The last one was Jayce; you should have met him earlier."

"Uh... thank you."

Li Lin scratched his head, momentarily puzzled about how Caitlyn knew all this when she wasn't present. But considering Caitlyn's reputation as one of Piltover's top detectives, it made sense.

"Miss Gillermaine, are you preparing for a hunt?"

"Yes, I enjoy tracking deer in the forest's mud or practicing my marksmanship with wild rabbits. It's one of the few entertainment activities allowed within my mother's permission."

As Caitlyn finished speaking, the living room's side door leading to the corridor, the one Li Lin had passed through when he arrived, creaked open. Mr. and Mrs. Gillermaine walked in.

Seeing her parents, Caitlyn's face immediately lit up with a sweet smile, "Mom, Dad, how was today's interview?"

"Oh, gears turning smoothly, except for the first young man from Ionia, the inventions of the scholars after him were a complete mess, none passed..."

Caitlyn's father noticed Li Lin standing by the sofa, and his expression, originally a bit gloomy, changed immediately. He smiled.

"Yes, it's this quite impressive young man. It seems you've already met him. His wit is comparable to Jayce's!"

"Really..." Caitlyn reevaluated Li Lin, eyes showing a strange gleam.

It was the first time she heard her father praise someone like this, even Jayce didn't receive such treatment when he first visited.

And Jayce was considered a genius inventor by numerous mentors at Piltover University; his future achievements would undoubtedly be high.

What kind of invention did this Ionian boy design to earn her father's favor so much? To be compared with Jayce?

With curiosity brewing in her heart, Caitlyn became quite interested in Li Lin.

"Alright, Caitlyn, if you

're going to the outskirts, go ahead. We have important matters to discuss." Caitlyn's mother adjusted her clothes, "Remember not to come back too late."

"Understood, Mom."

Caitlyn waved to her parents, then turned to Li Lin, nodding as a sign of acknowledgment. Without looking back, she walked out of the house.

Now, the living room was left with Li Lin and the Gillermaine couple.

"Li Lin, may I call you that? We'll be spending a lot of time together, and I don't like overly formal titles at home."

"At home, you can call me Mrs. Karina. Call my husband Mr. Elro. However, outside, you'll have to address me as Councilor Gillermaine."

Karina placed her right leg lightly over her left, hands crossed on her abdomen, leaning slightly on the sofa back.

Once Li Lin sat down again, she assumed a serious expression, with a subtle smile playing on her lips, as she slowly began, "I see Mr. Li Lin is a clever person, so let's skip the small talk and get straight to the point..."

(End of Chapter)