Chapter 26: The Trial of Jayce Talis

Jayce stood rigid under the oppressive gaze of the council, bathed in the cold spotlight that isolated him from the surrounding darkness, with the faint murmurs of the assembled students and faculty echoing faintly. In the shadows beyond the light, the Council of Piltover sat, their expressions ranging from stern to contemplative.

At the head of the U-shaped table sat Heimerdinger, his drooped ears betrayed his inner turmoil. To his right, Councillor Kiramman, the acting voice of the trial, leaned forward, her sharp gaze fixed on the young inventor.

"Jayce Talis," Councillor Kiramman began, her voice slicing through the quiet. "You are charged with illegal experimentation, endangerment of citizens, and manslaughter. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Jayce swallowed, his throat dry. His arm, still in a cast from the explosion, hung limply by his side. "I plead guilty to all charges."

A ripple of murmurs erupted from the unseen audience. Jayce stood firm.

"I was reckless, arrogant, and my carelessness resulted in the loss of a life. I ask only that my punishment falls solely on me—my family and anyone else involved bear no responsibility for my actions."

"Well," Councillor Hoskel drawled, his tone almost bored, "that certainly expedites matters. If the young man admits guilt, we need only decide on his punishment."

"The crimes committed are grave," Councillor Salo interjected. "A child from the undercity is dead. If we do not act decisively, there will be unrest—possibly another uprising. We must send a clear message."

"And what would you propose?" Councillor Bolbok asked, leaning forward. "Life imprisonment in Stillwater?"

"That is too severe," Councillor Kiramman argued. "Mistakes, however tragic, are still mistakes. A life sentence would be excessive for a young man with potential for redemption."

"A little girl is dead," Bolbok shot back. "A thief, yes, but a child nonetheless."

As the council debated, Councillor Medarda raised her voice, silencing the room. "In the first place, what exactly was he researching? The scale of the explosion suggests something far beyond a typical experiment. Jayce Talis, explain yourself. What were you working on?"

Jayce hesitated, his fist clenching tightly at his side. "My research… came to nothing," he said finally.

Medarda raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Nothing? Are we to believe that you risked lives for a failure? You wasted time—and a life—on something that had no result?"

Jayce said nothing, his jaw tightening.

Medarda turned her attention to Heimerdinger, who had remained uncharacteristically silent throughout the proceedings. "Councillor Heimerdinger, as his mentor, surely you have some insight into his work?"

The yordle's ears twitched, and he let out a deep sigh. "At first, I did not know the full extent of his experiments," he admitted, his voice full with regret. "But I have since learned more. There is someone here who can explain."

Jayce's head snapped toward Heimerdinger, his eyes wide with shock. "What?"

Heimerdinger's voice grew firm, cutting through Jayce's disbelief. "Bring him in."

The large double doors at the back of the chamber swung open, flooding the darkened room with light. The audience turned, their murmurs rising as a boy emerged from the shadows, pushing a trolley that carried a strange device.

Tarren.

Jayce's stomach twisted as the younger inventor stepped into the light, his expression calm\. The trolley rattled faintly as he rolled it to a stop beside Jayce.

"Tarren," Jayce hissed, his voice low. "What are you doing?"

Tarren didn't respond. Instead, he addressed the council directly, his voice confident. "Esteemed members of the council, my name is Tarren, and I am here to present the work that Mr. Talis has done that which led to this scenario."

Councillor Medarda's curiosity piqued. "And what is your affiliation with Mr. Talis?"

Tarren hesitated for only a moment before replying, "I am his accomplice in his illegal experimentation."

The chamber erupted into chaos. The audience gasped, their whispers swelling into a cacophony of disbelief and judgment. Even the council members exchanged glances, their surprise evident.

Councillor Kiramman's eyes widened. "Tarren?" she said, her voice laced with concern.

"You're bold, boy," Councillor Hoskel remarked. "Most would have stayed quiet, hidden their involvement until forced to confess. Yet here you are, unprompted."

Councillor Salo narrowed his eyes. "Do you think being Heimerdinger's pupil exempts you from the law?"

"I expect no leniency," Tarren replied evenly. "I leave my punishment to the council's discretion. I am here at my professor's request to present evidence—evidence that may guide your judgment of Mr. Talis, and of myself, if necessary."

Councillor Bolbok leaned forward, intrigued. "A criminal showcasing his own crime. Very well, boy. Let's see what you have to offer."

Tarren stepped aside, gesturing toward the device on the trolley. Before he could begin however, Jayce reached out with his uninjured arm, gripping Tarren's shoulder firmly.

"Don't," Jayce said, his voice strained.

Tarren didn't respond verbally. He gently pushed Jayce's hand away and stepped forward. Turning back to the council, he gestured toward the strange device resting on the trolley.

"The accused's research," Tarren began, "had a singular and ambitious goal: to harness magic for ordinary people, allowing its integration into our everyday lives."

"Magic?!" Councillor Hoskel exclaimed, his tone incredulous.

"Impossible," Councillor Shoola added. "Arcane talents are innate. They cannot simply be… fabricated."

Tarren turned to her. "Councillor, have you ever attempted to find a way? Or have you dismissed the possibility without question?"

Councillor Shoola bristled. "Are you suggesting you've succeeded?"

"I'm suggesting the accused found a way," Tarren replied smoothly. "And I simply perfected it."

Jayce blinked, stunned. "Perfected it?" he muttered under his breath.

"Then show us," Councillor Medarda interjected, her curiosity piqued. Her sharp gaze lingered on Tarren. "If you're so confident, prove it."

Tarren inclined his head, turning to the device. Carefully, he removed the glowing blue crystal at its center, holding it up for the council to see.

"This," Tarren began, "is what caused the explosion in Mr. Talis's apartment. A crystal found in Shurima. Its power is immense but unstable—so much so that if I were to drop it now, it could level this entire building."

The council members exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing.

Tarren placed the crystal back into its housing, the device humming to life as he adjusted its settings. "Using a combination of the knowledge of Noxian rune smithing and a frequency emitter attuned to the crystal's resonance, this device stabilizes the energy, transforming it into a reliable power source. My professor described the arcane as a force of nature. I disagree. The arcane bends nature itself. With this discovery, we can create what once seemed impossible, technology imbued with magic itself, that could do things we thought is not possible with conventional sciences."

He pressed a button, and the device activated. A faint, bluish mist spread through the dark chamber, swirling as runic patterns and glowing lines appeared on the ceiling like dancing constellations. The air shimmered with energy, and Heimerdinger's fur visibly quivered in the arcane vibrations.

For a moment, the room was silent, mesmerized by the display. Even Jayce, who had not seen the final product of their work, was struck speechless.

Seeing that it is ruining the trial's focus, Tarren deactivated the device, returning the room to its dimly lit stillness. All eyes turned back to him.

"But this is only the start," Tarren continued. "The crystal remains unstable, a flaw I believe can be corrected. However, such progress requires time, resources, and the opportunity to conduct research safely and responsibly. Therefore I would ask the council to—"

"You are here as a witness, Tarren," Councillor Kiramman reminded him. "Not the defendant."

Tarren inclined his head in acknowledgment. "My apologies, Councillor."

It was Councillor Bolbok who spoke first. "I cannot condone this. The arcane has brought nothing but destruction to this world. My people were annihilated by its misuse. Allowing this research to continue is reckless."

Councillor Shoola nodded in agreement. "Piltover was founded as a haven from the horrors of magic. To embrace it now would betray the very principles of our city."

Tarren's expression hardened. "And if mages were to rise against Piltover tomorrow? What will you fight them with? Gunpowder? Steel? Or will you flee, as we did before?"

"Watch your tone, boy," Shoola snapped.

Tarren didn't flinch. "We are the champions of progress, esteemed councillors. This discovery represents limitless potential—not just for invention but for prosperity. Yes, the arcane is dangerous, but that danger is precisely why we must study it, understand it, and harness it. Are we to let fear of the past tragedies shackle the future generations of what could be?"

"Enough, Tarren." Heimerdinger's voice was soft but firm. His ears drooped as though each of Tarren's words cut him deeply. "Enough."

Tarren exhaled and stepped back, bowing his head.

"Bold words," Councillor Medarda remarked. "And while I disagree with some of your sentiments, I cannot deny the potential. However, this trial is not about the merits of your research. It is about the crimes of Jayce Talis—and now your own."

She turned to the other councillors. "I propose no punishment for Mr. Tarren. His actions today have shown brilliance and courage. If anything, we should provide him the means to develop this technology further under strict oversight."

"All in favor?"

Medarda raised her hand. Councillor Kiramman followed. Councillor Hoskel hesitated but raised his hand. Finally, Heimerdinger, after a moment of hesitation, raised his hand as well, offering Tarren a small, weary smile. The vote passed, four to three.

"However," Councillor Salo interjected, "Jayce Talis's case is another matter entirely. A life has been lost, and that cannot go unpunished."

"I agree," Medarda said. "But we cannot ignore his talent. I propose temporary exile—five years. His actions were born of recklessness, not malice. Should he choose to return after his exile, Piltover will welcome him back."

The room fell into contemplative silence.

"All in favor?" Heimerdinger asked, his voice quieter but more hopeful.

One by one, the hands rose: Kiramman, Hoskel, Shoola, Medarda, and finally, Heimerdinger himself. The vote passed, five to two.

"Then today's hearing is concluded," Heimerdinger announced, his voice solemn yet resolute, and satisfied.