Magic and Science

"You and Mel seemed to have differing views. She thought highly of Jayce, while you chose Viktor." Katarina shook her head and followed Ryan.

Ryan did not care whether Viktor could hear him and said without hesitation:

"Hextech has limitless potential. If I had to choose one, why not pick the one I considered better? Neither of us is wrong. She believes that purity can uncover newer technologies. But in my eyes, those who have lived at the bottom and possess clear goals are the ones worth investing in."

"What do you think, Mr. Viktor? I am Ryan Meredith of Noxus." Ryan held out his hand to Viktor.

"Ryan Meredith, the legendary Blood Mist Adjutant... I never expected to see you in person." Surprise showed on Viktor's face as he shook Ryan's hand before quickly releasing it.

This was Piltover. As far as he knew, no matter how much Noxians loved fighting, they would not pick a fight with a cripple like him in a banquet hall.

"Blood Mist Adjutant—a nostalgic title. Those Ionians thought I was thirstier for blood than a demon, but unfortunately, I was merely defending myself." Ryan spread his hands helplessly.

"I never thought someone as important as you would come looking for me. Does Mr. Meredith intend to invest in me?" Viktor did not seem particularly interested, merely giving a formulaic reply.

"From your tone, Mr. Viktor, it seems you are not very interested. What a pity. I had wanted to use magic to examine your body, or perhaps discuss how Hextech could be applied to civilian industries." Regret showed on Ryan's face as he turned to leave.

"Wait! Mr. Meredith."

Ryan paused and casually took a glass of wine from a passing waiter.

"Call me Ryan. Your talent deserves respect."

"Lord Ryan. Earlier, when you mentioned magic and Hextech for civilian use, did you mean..." Viktor coughed twice, his breathing growing somewhat labored, like a drowning man clutching at a straw.

He had been born in Zaun's Undercity, frail from the start. Coupled with his close exposure to Zaun's industrial wastewater and polluted air, surviving until today was already a miracle.

It was not as though he had never sought treatment, but nothing had worked so far. Even Hextech had been no different. He could not see the slightest hope of living on.

Seeing his expression, Ryan could not help lamenting that heaven envied the gifted. He raised his wineglass and said:

"Exactly what it sounds like. Drink this, and I think you will like it."

Viktor was about to apologize and say that his body could not tolerate alcohol when he saw a deep blue light flare in Ryan's right hand and an intricate rune sink into the wine.

He had seen that rune while researching Hextech. It seemed to carry the meaning of "Purify."

This time, he did not refuse. Instead, he curiously accepted the glass and stared at the deep blue liquid within.

"Magic truly is exquisitely beautiful. Its impact far surpasses that of Hextech." Viktor sighed.

"It is merely a crudely made mana potion." Ryan was unconcerned. "At most, it will slow the deterioration of your body. A full recovery will require far more preparation."

"This is enough. Thank you immensely for your help."

Viktor did not doubt him. Smiling, he downed the potion in a single gulp.

Warm liquid flowed through his body, and he sensed that every cell within him seemed to be pulsing, leaping.

For perhaps more than ten years, Viktor had never felt his body so full of vitality, as though an old man on the verge of death had regained his youth.

"This... this is unbelievably effective." Viktor's hands trembled slightly with excitement, his face filled with disbelief.

The Hextech they researched was a technological invention modeled after magic. He had thought Hextech was no longer inferior to magic. Yet the facts proved that, at least for now, the gap between them remained vast.

"Thank you again for your gift."

Viktor supported himself and bowed deeply to Ryan.

He was not afraid of death, but he wanted to fulfill his wish before dying. He had already fallen into despair: Heimerdinger had rejected his and Jayce's research, and his body was about to give out.

Yet unexpectedly, everything now seemed to be welcoming the dawn.

Viktor raised his head, carefully studying Ryan before asking tentatively:

"Lord Ryan, what did you mean earlier by applying Hextech to civilian life?"

"You should know about Noxus. Although it occupies the largest territory in the center of the Valoran Continent, due to certain historical reasons, most of the Empire's lands are deserts. Ordinary technology simply cannot bring them to life."

"I have heard of it. That is why Noxus constantly wages war, plundering the resources needed for survival." Viktor nodded in understanding.

Born in Zaun, he could understand that feeling. The Undercity's living conditions were no better than those of Noxians. To survive, one could only descend into darkness.

When he had left that place, he had sworn to use his knowledge to change Zaun, to make it as prosperous as Piltover.

Ryan's words resonated deeply with him. He was more than willing to discuss such matters with Ryan.

"Viktor, with your knowledge, how many ways are there to improve Noxus's environment?" Ryan suddenly asked.

"Hmm... probably three."

After pondering for a while, Viktor held up three fingers.

Ryan adopted an attentive posture and gestured for him to continue.

"The best and simplest method is what Noxus is already doing," Viktor said seriously. "War! Plundering resources from other regions."

"It treats the symptoms but not the cause. In essence, it still requires other regions to sustain it. As the population grows, resentment between regions will intensify, unless war is constantly used to control the population." Ryan shook his head.

This was what Noxus had always done, but it was also what he and his former superior did not wish to do. The Empire's strength should be focused on more meaningful endeavors, not squandered on meaningless wars.

"The other two methods both improve Noxus's deserts at the root." Viktor's tone was serious. "Technology and magic."

"I previously underestimated the power of magic. Noxus has quite a few mages. With the magical ability Lord Ryan has demonstrated, they could completely purify all of Noxus."

Even while researching Hextech, he had understood that Hextech was merely a substitute for magic, allowing ordinary people to use magic.

Now that he had personally experienced Ryan's miraculous magic, he felt that existing Hextech inventions remained far from true magic. That would also be the direction of his future research.

"Magic can indeed accomplish it, but it costs too much time and manpower. A dedicated team of mages would also need to be formed to continuously supply power and maintain it. A mage can create far greater value than by doing this. The Empire would never approve such a proposal." Ryan shook his head regretfully.

Whether it was the current foolish and incompetent emperor or his former superior, who was wise and rational to the extreme, neither would allow powerful and scarce mages to do such work.

"Then technology is the only option." Having said that, Viktor understood why Ryan had sought him out.

"You want to use Hextech to transform Noxus's land? I do not think Piltover will hand over Hextech." Viktor was not optimistic about it.

He actually wanted to help Noxus—not only because Noxus resembled the Zaun where he had been born, but also because doing so would provide immense data for restoring the Undercity's ecology.

But unfortunately, in his view, Piltover and Jayce would certainly not agree to hand over this technology, even if it was only intended to improve civilian life and save more people.

"Hahaha, Viktor, do not underestimate Noxus."