CHAPTER 20 - Tracked Again

"You, you... What did you just say?" Ekko poked his ear, thinking he had just imagined things.

Li Lin smiled and repeated, "I'm a mechanic... Well, a craftsman. Would you like to become my apprentice?"

"Li Lin, how did you see talent in this kid?" Jayce gently stroked his clean-shaven chin, skeptically examining the skinny kid in front of him, whose arms and legs were not even half as thick as his own.

With such a small stature and no strength, he probably couldn't even handle tools like a wrench or hammer. How could he be an apprentice?

Jayce couldn't understand.

Ignoring him, Li Lin continued to speak to Ekko, "Of course, the pay is not a problem. I can offer you a daily wage of 10 silver wheels as a starting point, far exceeding market prices. Even the working-class citizens in the upper city rarely have such wages.

"If your parents agree, the Kiramman family can also provide meals and accommodation, and your freedom won't be restricted."

Ekko lowered his head, his hands tangled together, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"But, but I only know how to repair some small gadgets, and nothing else..."

Honestly, upon hearing Li Lin's conditions, Ekko felt a slight flutter of excitement.

But even though he was young, he wasn't foolish.

His parents had always taught him a saying since childhood: Pie won't fall from the sky.

Li Lin must have a purpose for doing this.

However, he had no idea what it was, and he couldn't figure out his future.

"It's okay. I said it's about learning craftsmanship. I can teach you mechanical theory. The Kiramman family is also a renowned artisan family, with plenty of skilled craftsmen who often guide apprentices in the workshop."

"Hey, Li Lin... Aren't you being a bit impulsive?" Jayce's words were interrupted by Li Lin, "Don't speak, I have my plans."

In fact, Li Lin's decision to take Ekko as an apprentice was not a sudden whim; he had thought about it before.

A young man who could self-study and even develop a time-controlling device with just a piece of primordial crystal shard.

If you compare, Li Lin believes that Ekko's talent in the field of science is even higher than Jayce and Viktor.

If given a better environment and education, he might invent the "Z-type Drive" device even earlier.

By then, besides the system panel, he would have another ace up his sleeve to deal with future crises.

"How are you considering it?"

Ekko hesitated for a long time, unable to make up his mind. He could only turn to Benso, who had just recovered from his shock.

"You little brat, why are you looking at me?" Benso scolded as he walked to Ekko and patted his head, "Hurry up and agree!"

"Ah?" Ekko, covering his head in pain, looked a bit confused, "But... Is it okay?"

Benso, hating that Ekko was not resolute, patted him again.

This is the Kiramman family, how many people are eager to get in? Yet here you are, hesitating...

"You stubborn kid, why are you hesitating?..." Benso scolded.

"Call him Master quickly!"

"Master..." Following Benso's request, Ekko subconsciously called out to Li Lin.

"Just call me Li Lin, or Brother Li Lin, anything is fine. No need to call me Master; it makes me sound too old." Li Lin's expression was a bit awkward.

"Then... I'll call you Brother Li Lin."

Ekko, in a daze, became an apprentice of a major family in the upper city, even without learning complete mechanical theory.

"Hahaha... Your parents will be proud of you, Ekko!"

Benso seemed even more excited than Ekko.

Although initially, he allowed this kid to help in his shop because of his friendship with Ekko's parents, after spending a long time together, the childless Benso truly treated Ekko as his son.

Now that his "son" was making a leap in life, this "old father" naturally followed suit in joy.

"Well then, let's return to Piltover." Li Lin beckoned to Ekko.