Your ideal should not be a mere teaching assistant, Viktor

The next day at noon, Lord Ryan, still in the midst of his meal, received news from Piltover.

Effective today, the number of Piltover council seats had increased from seven to eight. Jayce Talis had officially become the first eighth councilor in Piltover's history.

Upon taking office, Jayce had pledged to protect the safety of Hextech, safeguard the property of Piltover's citizens, and ensure the people of Piltover would no longer face crises.

"After an unsettled yesterday, he ended up as the biggest winner." Katarina raised an eyebrow slightly. "Word is, Mel and the Medarda family were behind it."

Compared to Jayce becoming a councilor, she cared more about Mel's affairs. As a fellow exiled daughter, the other woman seemed sharper than her. Though she could snap Mel's neck in an instant, after following Ryan these past few days, she had begun to realize that most of the time, brains mattered more than brawn.

"Not very surprising. This way, the Medarda family holds two fixed seats on the council. Add the two other councilors they're deeply connected with, and the Medardas command nearly half the voice in Piltover." Ryan's expression was calm. Four out of eight seats would never be Mel's final goal. That woman craved at least five seats on the council. Or perhaps, to make eight become seven again.

Katarina set down her knife and fork, pondered for a moment, then said, "That woman has talent, but I always feel she'll end up playing herself into a corner."

"An assassin's instinct?" Ryan asked with a smile.

"I don't like that woman." Katarina was blunt.

"Jayce Talis is the pride of Piltover. Falling into it isn't necessarily a bad thing." Ryan teased.

Katarina snorted coldly. "Once a woman falls into the blindness of love, she's bound to do some very foolish things."

"Time will tell. As long as he doesn't betray Noxus or abandon his own family, he'll still be our friend," Ryan said.

Mel had always been dependent on her family. He didn't believe she would one day abandon her family's position for Jayce. Her family had given her everything—something Jayce and Piltover could never offer.

"My lord."

A soldier from the embassy respectfully approached Ryan and said in a low voice:

"Someone wishes to visit you. A gentleman with a leg ailment."

"Bring him here. He is a friend of Noxus, possessing wisdom worthy of respect." Ryan said lightly.

Hearing this, the soldier's face immediately turned solemn. He nodded gravely and hurried out the door.

Noxus admired anyone with talent, regardless of the field. Such ability deserved respect.

Soon, Viktor was helped in by the soldier and walked into the dining room.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Viktor. Shall I have a servant prepare lunch for you?"

"No, I've already eaten. I apologize for the intrusion, Lord Ryan."

Viktor, unaccustomed to being assisted, sat down in the chair. His hand reached for a support, but the soldier had already placed his cane in the most convenient spot.

Watching the soldier bow respectfully and leave, Viktor felt a bit out of place. "Are all Noxian soldiers like this?"

"Not all. Soldiers stationed in Piltover must learn reception etiquette, while those in Freljord and Shurima are required to have strong physiques and the capacity for strong liquor," Ryan explained.

He could tell Viktor was experiencing this kind of treatment for the first time, but in Noxus, it was a required lesson.

To survive in Noxus, one had to learn something, possess a skill to avoid being looked down upon.

Serving others was not a derogatory term in Noxus. For most at the bottom, it was a highly valuable craft.

Viktor digested Ryan's words, then suddenly asked, "And what about Zaun?"

Hearing this question, Ryan was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered and said meaningfully, "That depends on Zaun's style and its leader. There's no need to establish two embassies for the Upper and Lower Cities. Viktor, I imagine your ambition isn't to remain a mere assistant."

"Lord Ryan."

Viktor clenched and unclenched his fist. After a long pause, a resolute determination surfaced on his face, and he fixed his hopeful gaze on Ryan:

"I've always had a distant dream. I want Zaunites and Piltoverans to have equal rights, not like in the council today, where the councilors sit high above, treating Zaun's residents as less than human."

Jayce's compromises and the arrogance of Piltover's people had made him realize that entrusting Hextech to these people would never bring prosperity to Zaun.

Instead, the gap between Zaun and Piltover would only widen, until the Upper City could casually decide the fate of the Lower City's people.

And all of this had been pointed out by the man before him.

In truth, before coming, Viktor had known deep down that the other party also sought something. Perhaps Zaun, perhaps him—there was always some intention.

But that actually reassured him. He was tired of Piltover's style of speaking pretty words on the surface while remaining utterly unmoved in practice.

"Even if it means betraying your partner? Even if it means disappointing your teacher? Even if it means giving up the future of Hextech?"

Ryan slowly wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, each word seeming to pierce Viktor's soul.

"I..."

Viktor's mouth opened slightly, about to speak. But in a daze, countless memories surged into his mind.

His visions of Hextech's future with Jayce, his journey of study under Professor Heimerdinger, the deep fascination that captivated him while researching Hextech.

Everything, every moment, relentlessly washed over his soul, making it hard for him to choose, even causing his resolute expression to waver.

He covered his face with both hands, lowering his head, unwilling to let the other see his eyes, filled with pain and conflict.

In truth, he had anticipated Ryan would raise these points. But when faced with the choice itself, he realized saying it was far harder than thinking it.

Piltover seemed to hold too many memories too hard to let go.

"Viktor, lift your head."

Viktor raised his head slightly and saw the encouragement in Lord Ryan's eyes, like a demon extending an invitation to him.

"Sometimes, humans get hot-blooded and think they're sure to succeed. The choice is simple—you slap your forehead and make a decision on the spot. But success is hard; maybe you spend a great deal of time and effort, only to end up with nothing."

"What do you mean?" Viktor was a little taken aback.

"Don't let ideals blind your eyes, Viktor. You need a clear plan for your own future. This afternoon, I've arranged to meet a Zaunite. Have you thought about coming along to see?"

"Zaun... I'm deeply grateful, Lord Ryan." Viktor's face showed bitterness.

In his heart, he was actually very lost. In that moment just now, he had no confidence that he wouldn't be persuaded by Lord Ryan.

The other party could have crushed him with the power of words alone, even making it easy for him to betray Piltover, yet Lord Ryan didn't do that. He really wanted to know why.

"Tidy yourself up a bit later. How about dressing up as a Noxian and trying to experience your homeland from a different identity?" Lord Ryan suddenly smiled and proposed an idea.

Viktor wanted to refuse, but after thinking it over, maybe this was also a worthwhile experience, so he nodded:

"I think you happen to be missing an attendant, my lord."

"The soldier from earlier will help you. See you later, Viktor."

"See you later, Lord Ryan."

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