-16- What the heck?

"Linwin, your physique... have you undergone alchemical modifications? Your strength, speed, and explosiveness far surpass that of a normal person. It's impossible for an ordinary person to leap over six meters while carrying a fully grown man like you did," Viktor exclaimed.

On the way to the academy, Viktor was perched on Linwin's back and couldn't help but ask.

A few steps behind, Jayce was trailing, but Linwin, following the directions Viktor provided, moved so swiftly that he left a trail.

"No, Zoran didn't allow me to undergo alchemical modifications. He deemed it too risky, and a human body in good condition doesn't need alteration," Linwin said with a smile.

"That does sound like something Zoran would say," Viktor nodded and smiled, though there was a hint of desolation in his eyes.

A human body in good condition doesn't need alteration, then... what about a body that's not in good condition?

"But Zoran also said that alchemical science is a field Zaun must develop. He believes that future Zaunites will undergo alchemical modifications because looking at recent trends, the amount of waste water dumped from the upper levels to the lower levels is increasing, and there's a rise in Zaun's industrial output. Alchemy, as a technology, can reshape the lives of Zaunites."

"It not only drives Zaun's future economy, but it also determines whether Zaunites can continue living in Zaun. So alchemical studies are crucial."

Viktor softly nodded, placing his hands on Linwin's shoulders. He tilted his face slightly, feeling the sensation of the wind brushing against his cheeks—the speed was something he had never experienced before.

He was somewhat envious of Linwin.

Because he had never run like this before.

Being able to run like this... was probably a blissful thing.

"And what about you, Linwin? How do you see it?"

Linwin paused, thought for a moment, lifted his hand a bit higher so that Viktor could securely hang onto his back, and then he said, "I, of course, support Old Zoran's perspective."

"You don't reject body modifications?"

"Me? Viktor, I certainly don't reject body modifications. Though I probably won't undergo them myself, I believe that if a person is born with a defect, then undergoing modification isn't heretical; it's a form of evolution."

"Evolution?" Viktor's eyes brightened slightly.

With the appearance of these two words, the previous hint of desolation seemed to melt away.

These two words seemed to pinpoint something deep in Viktor's heart.

"Viktor, if it's about evolution, then it's glorious."

Linwin, of course, knew what Viktor was thinking.

After all... Viktor, the Machine Herald, a character who seems like an antagonist boss in the story, isn't really so.

Viktor isn't an antagonist.

On the contrary, like Ekko, he represents the future of Zaun, but... Ekko is conventional, while Viktor is somewhat extreme.

Or rather, Viktor is an extremist.

Viktor reveres fleshly suffering and the radical theories of mechanical ascension, which form the foundation of his life's steadfast creed—reducing human flaws through technological means, a philosophy he dubs "Glorious Evolution."

But, how should I put it... matters concerning humanity or divinity, Linwin actually doesn't want to delve too much into it.

Viktor's ideology is somewhat extreme for Linwin, but luckily, Viktor doesn't force others into modifications. He only helps those in need of alteration, especially during the time when Zaun was heavily contaminated, Viktor created some kind of teaching from it.

So... Linwin said what he did to align with Viktor's preferences and gained corresponding benefits.

Ding: "Machine Herald" strongly agrees with your words; he's becoming increasingly interested in you.

Ding: "Machine Herald" has an increased fondness for you.

Ding: Keep up the good work.

Although the card didn't activate, this was normal.

After all, if activating the card was that easy, Linwin wouldn't have taken five years to activate only four cards.

"You're right, thank you."

When they infiltrated the academy, Linwin set Viktor down. Suddenly, Viktor spoke up.

"Uh, did I say something strange?"

Linwin blinked at Viktor.

The latter lightly chuckled, patted Linwin's shoulder, and then... he handed the cane to Linwin, taking out keys and searching for the right one.

"Of course not, it wasn't strange at all."

When Jayce appeared, it was a few minutes later.

Mr Talis was panting heavily, his coat off, revealing a black T-shirt underneath. His robust physique glistened with sweat under the flashlight's glow.

He had a really good physique.

"How can you be so fast?" Jayce's first words upon arrival were directed at Linwin.

"Are you even human?"

"My situation is a bit special," Linwin shrugged nonchalantly.

"Alright, let's go in," Viktor tried one key after another and finally opened the door.

Linwin was the second to enter, and Viktor was the last.

He carefully closed the door, then looked at Jayce.

"I can assist you in the experiment. I've looked at your data; you've already refined it quite a bit, haven't you?" 

Jayce nodded, "But stabilizing the last step is very difficult. Finding the solidification point of Hex crystals is a big challenge. I've tried various methods, but the outer layer remains too fragile."

Jayce found a box and picked up a support, these were his belongings.

Inside the box were the remaining Hex crystals. Linwin glanced at them and quickly looked away.

Powder... She was lucky not to have taken all of them. If she had, he probably wouldn't be able to witness Viktor and Jayce's experiment now.

Jayce took one out and handed it to Viktor. "Its internal density is extremely high, but the outer layer is fragile. I must use the equipment I've made to stabilize it. Otherwise, vibrations in the air will cause it to float. This is a significant problem in controlling the electrical conduction into it..."

Linwin was utterly puzzled by what he was hearing.

"I understand now. And what about the vibration situation?"

Viktor said, "Those peculiar runic fragments, you've tried over a hundred ways to establish the communication link. I think this one is more feasible, Jayce. If we first link it with this, then establish the connection with this..."

The collision between these two exceptional geniuses made Linwin, the fake genius, feel extremely embarrassed.

No wonder Zoran looked down on him.

Linwin was starting to look down on himself now.

I thought I was somewhat a mechanical genius...

Genius? My ass!

Linwin initially thought he could understand, after all, Ekko had done some research for him in advance. But now, looking at it... Ekko, in just one night, had already refined Jayce's thoughts and found solutions to all the problems.

As Viktor had mentioned, Jayce's research on Hextech crystals had progressed to the very end.

He was only one step away: how to stabilize the crystal's vibration without compromising its internal structure.

"Come on... let's try it."

The two of them walked to the experimental equipment, exchanged glances, and Jayce placed the crystal on it.

The faceted sphere pressed down, Jayce's hand on the current device, and Viktor nodded to him.

"You focus on control; I'll help observe."

Jayce nodded as well.

Watching the two who had now entered a focused state, Linwin stood there in a daze.

Linwin: ...

What about me now?

What should I do?

After half an hour, footsteps suddenly came from outside, the steps fast-paced and urgent.

Viktor tensed, "It's the professor!"

Looking at Jayce, he said, "It's okay, don't panic."

Jayce responded, "The more you say that, the more I panic!"

"Jayce, don't panic."

Linwin found his role and immediately raised his hand, saying, "You two focus on your research; I'll handle the door. As long as they don't bring a battering ram, no one can push it open. Trust me."

Walking to the door, Linwin held the door with one hand and placed the other hand by his ear, confidently flipping his hand towards Jayce and Viktor.

The two calmed down immediately.

Yes...

Linwin was here, and this guy could hold the door.

"I can hold this all day; you guys go for it."

Jayce nodded, "Thank you."

"Thud!"

The sound of the door being pounded resounded. Ignoring the noise, Jayce grabbed the button, his wrist shaking, adjusting the direction of the current. Viktor stood by, helping Jayce ensure the correct path of the current.

Linwin effortlessly held the door.

"Hey, open up! Open it now!"

"Thud thud thud!"

The banging on the door grew more urgent, accompanied by a sharp voice, "Jayce, stop this ridiculous act now! You can still open the door!"

"Hurry, open the door!"

"Don't be scared. Don't listen to him; I'm here," Linwin whistled.

Pressing the door bolt with one hand, Linwin stood firm, not budging.

Jayce and Viktor remained silent; neither of them paid attention to the commotion.

Jayce even closed his eyes.

In this moment, he saw a scene from over a decade ago.

On the snowy mountain... his body covered in snow, the young him cried helplessly by his mother's side.

Blue light... strange runes.

A staff that swirled the snowstorm.

And... a blue gem he left behind.

Jayce took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and hesitated no more.

Inside the cracking Hex crystal, peculiar characters appeared: crescent moons, stars, and some strange patterns.

Just like that scene over a decade ago on the mountain.

Jayce pushed the button with his hand, and the final current was about to flow.

Then... he widened his eyes.

The violently vibrating crystal returned to calmness, but a vivid blue light flashed.

"Boom!"

With a loud bang, Linwin's hand shook, and he was propelled into the air, powerless.

The door was pushed open. The two Enforcers who had just entered were initially dazed, then they looked in horror at the scene before them.

It was as if the sky had descended into the room; they saw a starry sky, a flowing blue galaxy.

Viktor and Jayce were even more absurdly lifted into the air, hovering at the highest point.

"Excuse me, be careful, don't step on me!"

The sharp voice rang again, and a yellow furry figure emerged from beneath the two Enforcers.

"Uh... this!"

Heimerdinger's large white mustache twitched as he looked in astonishment at the scene before him.

It was three boys flying in the sky, accompanied by books, instruments, small metal buckles, and the "blue sky" above their heads.

This was the power of arcane.

Then, Heimerdinger heard a very surprised voice:

"What the heck! Science Poppy!"