A Threat in the Shadows

The entire Piltover city is shrouded in an orange sunset.

In the auditorium of the academy, guests from major families, wealthy businessmen, professors, students, and the upper-middle-class citizens of Piltover gathered together.

They stand in groups and walk around the auditorium from time to time to socialize with one another.

Lilin, Caitlyn, and Jayce, as the young representatives of the Kiramman family, were exhausted both physically and mentally after dealing with waves of people approaching them.

The conference will start soon and Lilin and Jayce will be on stage to give a speech.

Then it'll be the dinner party and ball, it will only be more tiring from that point.

Knowing this would happen ahead of time, Cassandra instructed them to go to the lounge in the back to rest when they needed a break.

Jayce held a goblet filled with low-alcohol content white wine and touched the glasses with Lilin and Caitlyn.

"Cheers!" He happily raised his glass and downed the glass.

Seeing this, Caitlyn lightly scolded, "Jayce!"

"I know I know, etiquette!"

Jayce wiped his mouth, paying no attention to the etiquette he mentioned.

" Caitlyn, we are no strangers to each other, there's no need for such tedious and redundant etiquette."

He put down his wine glass and sat comfortably on the sofa in the lounge, with his arms on the backrest.

Caitlyn sighed and sat down without saying anything.

Although acknowledging Jayce statement, she still sits properly and elegantly, different from her casualness at home.

After a busy day of both activities, she also wants to relax and ignore what other people think.

But because of the habits and education she received since childhood, in a public place, even though there are no strangers, Caitlyn still couldn't let herself be seen like that.

To pass the time, Jayce began talking about what happened in Heimerdinger's office in the morning.

"I really didn't expect that Professor Heimerdinger would agree to our development of hextech gemstones... I remember he was always opposed to hex crystals in the past."

"Why not? The theory is sound, the results convincing. What can he do if he doesn't agree? Madam Cassandra will not waste this opportunity to strengthen the Kiramman family's position."

Lilin was greatly amused when Jayce mentioned this and thought of the one sided debate between Cassandra and Heimerdinger this morning.

As expected from a politician. To her, dealing with a yordle who only studies science and technology was a walk in the park.

Also, Heimerdinger said that he would not study magic for warfare, but the direction of his later research...

Automated firing turrets, missile launchers, grenades…

In Summoner's Rift, Lilin, when he played top lane, was disgusted when he saw a Heimer lock in...

Lilin was deep in thought about when he played toplane, then he noticed that Caitlyn was conversing with Jayce, still not talking him very much.

Scratching his head, he joined into the conversation with Jayce hoping it would be better.

While the three were chatting, the door of the lounge was sounded gently.

"I hope its not another person after a deal with the family..."

Jayce, who was closest to the door, whispered a complain, got up and opened the door in disdain.

"I'm sorry, I didn't disturb you, did I?"

Standing outside the door was a young and beautiful woman with dark skin and graceful manner.

Behind her, there was an attendant who was about the same age.

Jayce recognized her at a glance. Mel, from the Medarda family, a member of the Council of Seven like Cassandra.

"Councilor Medarda? What a surprise to see you here?" Jayce was shocked, then quickly suppressed the distaste that was on his face, "Of course not! Welcome, please come in!"

He turned sideways and made a gesture to escort her in.

"Thank you."

Mel smiled and nodded to Jayce, then motioned for the woman behind her to stay at the door and walk into the room alone.

"Happy Progress Day, Councilor Medarda."

Lilin and Caitlyn also got up and greeted Mel.

Mel's eyes wandered, passing over the two of them quickly, but staying on Lilin for a while longer.

"Happy Progress Day, just call me Mel." She smiled lightly.

Catelyn noticed that the look in her eyes when she saw Lilin, and moved a bit closer to his side.

A member of council not socializing with the others? There must be a reason for her to show up.

Clearly there's something she's after, and its likely not to just say hi.

This is one of the main reasons why she doesn't like politicians.

Caitlyn quickly analyzed the current situation, and then said with a polite smile, "Is there anything we can help you with Mel?"

Mel didn't seem to notice Caitlyn's gestures and her tone and said,

"Councilor Kiramman boasted to us that she had found a craftsman that rivaled Mr. Tallis's wit and gave us a tour of the many inventions.

"I've always been interested in new things, and to make friends. So when I had the spare time, I wanted to meet this young genius."

With that said, Mel's eyes focused on Lilin.

She smiled and stretched out her hand in front of Lilin, "My name is Mel Medarda, nice to meet you."

"Lilin." He spoke his name lightly, and then shook her hand.

He could also see that she was not just here to make friends. Not knowing much information outside of the crash course from Caitlyn, he remembered her recommended default action,

Speak less and listen more.

Moreover, Caitlyn stopped ignoring him and secretly poked him in the back while Mel was not paying attention to remind him.

After a few words of courtesy to Mel, Lilin walked out of the lounge in the name of going to the toilet, leaving the situation for Caitlyn and Jayce to handle.

He walked to the side door of the auditorium alone, and relaxed in the cool night breeze on the cobblestone path near the woods.

The scent of the night air combined with a fragrance of flowers, calmed his overstimulated brain.

Compared with the noisy inside, the forest path was extraordinarily serene under the dim yellow light of street lamps.

"Ahh, it's so tiring to deal with people in high class."

Lilin sat on a bench by the side of the road, humming a song with his legs crossed, enjoying this rare leisure time.

This tranquility didn't last long, when he heard a rustling sound from the trees.

"Huh?" Lilin raised his brows and looked at where the sound came from, thinking that there was someone else here, "Is anyone there?"

he asked, but there was no reply.

It must be the sound of the wind...

Before Lilin could turn away, he saw a movement in the shadow.

It couldn't have been the breeze. Is there a wild animal there?

There was doubt in his eyes. Or was it a person?

This is the Piltover University, it is when the Progress Day Conference is happening.

The rich and powerful are all gathered here, and the amount of law enforcement patrolling near the academy reflect that. The security is very strict.

And as far he remembers, there was nothing major that happened on a Progress Day.

Lilin didn't worry too much, but out of caution, he still wasn't going to stay here any longer.

However, when he just stood up, the fragrance swept across his face with the breeze.

Suddenly, Lilin's legs softened, he stumbled to the ground, and felt that his head becoming drowsy.

"What's … this ... "

Checking the system in his mind, a chill through his spine, his hairs stood up:

[HP: 733/765]

[Status: Poisoned (mild, low dose), drowsiness (minor), sedated (minor)]

[Effect: 1. Lose 32 HP over 300 seconds; 2. Enter a "drowsy" state for 300 seconds, and then fall into "sleep". ]