Why Do You Think You Can't Do It?

After Katarina left, Ryan focused all his attention on Shimmer.

The full name of the continent they were on was the Valoran Continent, while the planet encompassing all continents and oceans was known as Runeterra.

A mage who had wandered for countless years had once said that mastering runes was equivalent to comprehending the mysteries of magic.

Aside from a very few exceptions, every mage was born destined for the path, and the strength of their awakening determined the heights they could reach in the future.

Unless they could unravel more secrets of the runes.

When Ryan first arrived in Runeterra, he awakened water magic, and his magical power was exceptionally strong.

After joining Noxus, he continuously earned military achievements, and every magical tome in the Noxus Empire was opened to him.

That was what he liked most about Noxus. So long as one had strength and merit, the Empire was never stingy with rewards.

Another rune resembling the character for "water" rose from Ryan's palm, and a rare trace of reminiscence appeared in his eyes.

This was the first rune he had mastered, the "water" rune most compatible with him.

He still remembered that time in the Shuriman desert, when he and his superior encountered Shurima's Sandstorm Legion. For the first time, he used the magic within him to draw a rune. A massive Runic Array manifested, and vast stretches of yellow sand were soaked by rain into mud.

After fighting bitterly for an entire day, he and his comrades buried Shurima's Sandstorm Legion beneath the earth. They then established another Noxkatora, a symbol of Shuriman cities submitting to Noxus.

His thoughts returned to the present. More runes emerged from his palm, glowing deep blue as they surrounded the purple Shimmer. Blue threads occasionally passed through the Shimmer potion.

Very quickly, the runes gave Ryan an answer.

Through the analysis of multiple runes, although he could not create Shimmer, he had more or less deciphered its secrets.

He had never imagined that, aside from the Hextech created by Piltover, there was another way to steal the power of magic.

Within Shimmer's flickering purple radiance, he seemed to see a form of magic that could be called "variables."

This magic could brutally force open the door to the human body's potential. Unfortunately, whether limited by the creator's mindset or ability, Shimmer had failed to control magic's violent power. It merely forced it to merge with the human body, making the already difficult-to-control magic even more savage.

"An exquisite design, a mad idea. Someone like this should come to Noxus. Only there could his talents be displayed." Ryan sounded somewhat regretful.

Shimmer's creator had clearly been born in the wrong place. A person like that had no future in Piltover. In the end, he would either be driven mad by Zaun in the Undercity or judged by Piltover's Enforcers in the Upper City.

Thinking of Piltover's progress doctrine founded on principles of humanity, Ryan wore a mocking smile.

"Talking about humanity in a world where survival is uncertain from one day to the next is utterly absurd. Ionia possesses exceptional strength of its own, but what does Piltover have? A three-hundred-year-old Heimerdinger? Or that rising star, Jayce Talis?"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Hearing the knock outside, Ryan tossed the Shimmer into a bucket and withdrew the runes spreading outward from his palm.

"My lord, it is time."

"Then let us go, Miss Katarina."

As the door opened, a properly dressed young noblewoman came into Ryan's view.

The fitted black gown perfectly displayed Katarina's figure, while her wine-red hair draped freely behind her, disheveled yet still elegant.

Faced with the carefully dressed Katarina, Ryan instead felt a little awkward. After looking her over with an appreciative gaze, he sighed and shook his head.

"Your makeup is well done, but your expression is too stiff. A qualified assassin must learn to adapt to different identities, or at least learn how to play different roles."

"He can't do any of that either." Katarina sounded unconvinced.

"You don't need to compare yourself to him. You will definitely surpass him in the future." Ryan's gaze was encouraging. "I think more highly of you. You can become the finest assassin."

Then, ignoring Katarina's strange expression, he naturally linked arms with her and led her outside.

"I will only cooperate with you once. Try to become the noble lady of the Du Couteau Family. Understand it, but do not become immersed in it."

"I'll try."

Katarina tried hard to restrain herself, maintaining an awkward smile as she repeatedly attempted to relax her body and adapt to her current state.

After boarding the mechanical vehicle bound for the banquet hall, Katarina finally let out a breath of relief when Ryan released her.

As though trying to ease the earlier awkwardness, she pointed at the soft cushion beneath her and asked curiously.

"Powered entirely by machinery? A technological creation unique to Piltover?"

Ryan lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and admired Piltover's bustling streets outside the window.

"The mechanical car originated with Heimerdinger's student, Viktor. He aspired to change the Undercity with technology and invented all sorts of machines to improve people's livelihoods. His ideals were beautiful, but reality was incomparably ironic."

Ryan wore a mocking expression toward the city as he spoke in an odd tone.

"All those machines are used only in the Upper City of Piltover. The Zaunites in the Undercity still live worse lives than dogs. Separated by a single bridge, divided by prosperity and poverty."

"You seem to admire him?"

After saying that, Katarina added as though defending herself.

"I am trying to adapt to my current role."

"I do admire him." Ryan smiled encouragingly. "Say whatever comes to mind. I do not agree with the heartless path your father follows. Sometimes, being more curious about this world will help you grow faster."

"But that is the path of mages." Katarina felt those words ran contrary to the education she had received.

"Jayce Talis used wisdom and Hex Crystals to pry open the door to magic. Why do you think you can't do it?" Ryan asked.

"I don't have a brain as clever as his." Katarina shook her head.

"Viktor is Jayce's assistant, but I believe he played the more important role in Hextech research. That is why I admire him," Ryan said.

"What does that have to do with me?" Katarina did not understand why he had circled back to the earlier topic.

"Do you think I am inferior to those two?" Ryan asked in return.

"My lord is far stronger than the two of them combined."

This was by no means flattery from Katarina. Noxus's heroic tales circulated throughout the Empire, and among those heroes, Ryan before her was unquestionably one of the most outstanding.

Not only did he possess powerful magic, but whether it was alchemy, battlefield command, assassination, medical treatment, or magical research, Ryan had corresponding brilliant achievements.

To the people of Noxus, the name Ryan Meredith symbolized exceptional excellence.

How could such a person be compared to two ordinary scientists from Piltover?

"Then why do you think you cannot master magic?" Ryan's words carried deeper meaning.

Hearing that, Katarina's expression froze, and then she found it somewhat absurd.

If Ryan were merely Viktor, she would not doubt that she could become Jayce. But Ryan was Ryan. Did she truly have the right to bear such excellence?

"Do not overthink it. I brought you to my side precisely because I value your potential. I believe you will not disappoint my expectations, Miss Katarina."

"If I had potential, I would not be here. I should be fighting alongside the army and taking part in more slaughter." Katarina voiced her dissatisfaction with herself.

"Potential always takes time to realize. Even if it is only because you do not wish to disappoint another's trust, you should still do better. All right, we should get out now."

The mechanical car arrived at its destination. Ryan stepped out first and extended his hand to Katarina inside, his movements as elegant as a nobleman's.

"My lord, I'll try."

Katarina wore an awkward smile, but it was much better than her earlier stiff one. It was clear that she was trying hard to adapt to her current identity.

Ryan smiled and gently pulled Katarina's pale hand, helping her rise and step out of the car.

He was looking forward to the banquet. Not only would he see his new subordinate's new performance, but he would also meet some interesting people.

Ryan helped Katarina and himself straighten their clothes, then, following the attendant's guidance, entered the Medarda Family's banquet hall with Katarina on his arm.