-34- Zevi

University of Piltover -

A new week had begun in this renowned institution, located in the City of Progress, known for gathering geniuses from all over Piltover. From the early morning, the sound of constant explosions echoed from within the university.

However, for the students, teaching assistants, and professors passing by, this was nothing out of the ordinary. After all, Piltover University was not only rich in academic atmosphere, but even the scent of gunpowder was part of its daily life.

Science and progress - these two words always seemed to take a step forward accompanied by explosions.

They were as if bound together.

Outside a laboratory with a nameplate and a designated owner, if you happened to pass by, you would likely hear furious shouts from inside.

"No, this won't work!"

"This is not how it's supposed to be done. You have to attach this first and then modify the energy transfer method. We need smaller energy to pass through. Viktor, you understand what I mean? They can't grasp it, but you certainly can!"

"Jayce, they can understand you, but you have to explain clearly. You can't always tell them with 'this' or 'that' approach. You need to give them detailed step-by-step instructions. They are not like us; they have only recently started working with Hextech. You have to give them time to get familiar and adjust."

"Who has the time to let them adapt? If it works, it works; if not, they shouldn't come to cause trouble!"

"Enough! The time you don't have to spare is holding back our experiments. Jayce, this isn't something that the two of us can solve. We need more people to help us! Are you planning to do all the precise assembly yourself? We've already wasted too much useless time!"

The two young men, close in age, engaged in a heated argument, making the people around them feel somewhat embarrassed. One was reprimanding them while the other was speaking in their defense.

However, amidst this group of people, there were two exceptions. One looked like a big yellow toy at first glance, while the other was a dark-haired, fair-faced boy.

These two individuals sat next to each other with cheerful expressions, sipping fine tea and enjoying exquisite pastries. They occasionally listened to the heated arguments happening around them, but soon returned to their own conversation.

"Linwin, is Zaun really as you describe it?"

"Of course, Professor. That's why the people of Zaun resent those from Piltover. However, if you can create an air purification device that filters out toxic gases, it might help improve the relationship between the two cities."

Someone was being optimistic, but Zaun's scientists had considered making such filtration devices. Even that young fellow Ekko had attempted to create one. The problem was, they didn't have the funds. Zaun was genuinely impoverished!

Now that Vander had unified most of Zaun under his rule, his word practically represented the entire city, but what did that change? They were still impoverished!

As an upright man, Vander wouldn't allow human trafficking, drug sales, or forced sexual transactions in his territory. 

However, these three had always been a significant source of income for chem barons. Besides the barons who profited from elixirs and equipment, most of Zaun's underworld depended on these activities to earn money.

Now, Vander not only refrained from taking action himself, but he also cut off their sources of income! Hah, so it's us being poor together, isn't it?

The reason Silco likely doesn't support Vander is probably for this reason. If Vander takes over Zaun, the gap with Piltover will only widen. Thankfully, Linwin is here; otherwise, Silco would have left to pursue his own interests.

In truth, creating a filtration device is a straightforward task. But making one that can filter out such concentrated toxic gases, haze, wastewater laden with metallic residues, and more is exceedingly difficult.

Materials, energy, the craft of manufacture, and the range of applications, there are man ofy challenges. In short, creating it is incredibly tough!

Listening to Linwin's words, Heimerdinger stroked his beard and raised his big eyes. He looked at Linwin and said, "I can give it a try, but I can't guarantee I can make it. This idea of filtration devices for Zaun has been brought up before, I remember that, but it was eventually rejected by a councilman. However, I can try to find his blueprints. Those ideas should be stored in the university's archive."

Linwin nodded with a contented smile and took a big sip of his tea. He had been in Piltover for four days now, but he started working from day one. He was assisting Jayce and Viktor with their research while seeking things beneficial to Zaun from Piltover.

To be clear, just about anything tossed from Piltover University was a valuable treasure for the people of Zaun. 

For instance, there was an automatic fish-catching machine designed by a Piltover student several years ago. With a simple power source, it could run for an entire day and catch over eight hundred pounds of fish!

Jayce and Viktor appearing in the game didn't mean they were the two most brilliant individuals. When it came to genius, the entirety of Piltover University was filled with them. This fact made Linwin, who once considered himself a small genius, feel deeply inferior.

The intellectual gap was truly insurmountable. 

"Besides, Professor, I have another brilliant idea, but I need someone with exceptional manufacturing skills to assist."

Heimerdinger turned to Linwin and inquired, "Huh? Jayce and Viktor aren't up to the task? They're among the brightest individuals in the university."

"No, Jayce and Viktor can only achieve tolerances of 0.05mm, but I need someone who can work on materials below 0.05mm and what they'd be machining is Hextech crystals."

"Ah, I believe I can do that," Heimerdinger proudly stood up and patted his chest.

Linwin chuckled and said, "Can you help me with this, Professor?"

"Of course, no problem, my boy. You've helped me so much; I must return the favor. But how long will this little project of yours take me?"

"Preliminary estimation, Professor, I'll need you for several months, maybe even a few years. Do you have that kind of time?" Linwin said with a smile.

Of course, he knew that Heimerdinger was more than capable. As Jayce and Viktor's teacher, Heimerdinger had an exceptional skill set.

Do you know Heimerdinger's full title? 

The Revered Inventor! 

There might not be a scientist alive more brilliant than Heimerdinger.

But hearing Linwin's words, Heimerdinger blinked his large eyes, and then he stood there fidgeting and hesitating, not saying anything.

Linwin, in turn, was delighted. He really enjoyed being with science enthusiasts!

Because Professor Heimerdinger was a very interesting and innocent person. Just like now, Heimerdinger found himself in an embarrassing situation for stating 'of course' earlier but now being unable to assist Linwin.

This surprised Linwin quite a bit. After all, even though he had become good friends with Jayce, Jayce consciously avoided Linwin's Zaunite background. He wouldn't do the same with Viktor. Probably because Viktor could keep up with his intellect, and Linwin wasn't as clever as Jayce.

So, in Jayce's eyes, Viktor wasn't considered a Zaunite because he was intelligent, while Linwin was still a Zaunite because he was "stupid." 

Jayce was quite arrogant, conceited, and looked down on anyone less intelligent than him.

But really, how many people in this world are smarter than you?

In front of him, Heimerdinger took a couple of steps forward, clasped his hands together, and apologized, "I'm sorry, child. As a councilman..."

"It's alright, Professor," Linwin shook his head. "My invention isn't that important, and, besides, it's just an undeveloped idea."

Heimerdinger nodded.

Linwin picked up the teapot, poured more tea for Heimerdinger, and then, after a brief moment of silence, the Grand Inventor suddenly clapped his hands and exclaimed, "I've got it!"

Heimerdinger called out loudly, "You can go find Zevi! She's an unparalleled genius!"

Heimerdinger continued, "She's the finest mechanical engineer at Piltover's University. Processing materials with a precision of 0.05mm is undoubtedly within her capabilities."

"What?" Linwin, who initially didn't have much hope and mentioned it casually, was left wide-eyed.

Then Heimerdinger took hold of Linwin's pant leg.

Full of confidence, Heimerdinger raised his head and said, "Come, my boy, I'll take you to meet her."

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////Zevi is a character from LoR. You guys can search her up.////