Jayce stood at the podium, his face still youthful and shy:
"Uh, I know many of you must be surprised to see me giving tonight's address. Honestly, I feel the same way."
In the front row, Ryan, dressed in traditional red Noxian noble attire, leaned back in his chair and quietly said to Katarina beside him:
"Piltover's rising star, Jayce Talis. He is hailed as someone who can drive forward Piltover and human civilization."
Standing at the podium, Jayce fixed his gaze on his mother in the front row and began speaking in a measured tone:
"I came from an ordinary family. My family's factory made hammers. The floor tiles beneath your feet may well have been laid with hammers from our factory. No one had ever expected anything of me."
As Katarina listened to Jayce's speech, her eyes filled with disdain. "There are too many openings. Even if he can change the world, that lies in the future. I'm confident I could deal with him in ten seconds."
Ryan was at a loss for words. "Don't always measure a person's achievements by force. Noxus is not made up of brutes alone. Whether in politics, research, strategy, or business, anyone with a skill worthy of note can earn our respect."
"But I don't see anything exceptional about him. He seems more like a politician being honored for his achievements, no different from those nobles at the Immortal Bastion."
Listening to Jayce boast about the changes Hextech had brought about, Katarina wore an expression of disgust. She hated formalism. Warriors belonged on the battlefield, and scientists belonged in laboratories—that was her personal view.
Ryan studied the high-spirited Jayce above them, uncertainty and hesitation in his tone:
"You can tell from his tone and choice of words that he has rarely experienced an occasion like this. But he is trying to adapt, and he seems to be enjoying it. I haven't seen what he is like when conducting research, but judging by today's performance, he has an innate gift for speaking. He is well suited to becoming a leader."
At that moment, Jayce happened to reach the climax of his speech. His right index finger tapped against the wooden podium, producing dull thuds that stirred the fervent emotions he had roused in the crowd.
His expression turned solemn:
"It is precisely because of all the changes brought by Hextech that this moment today is so extraordinary!"
Jayce pointed through the window at the towering structures that rose into the clouds, glowing with Hextech blue light:
"Several years ago, the Hexgate connected the entire world, bringing Piltover prosperity on an unprecedented scale, beyond anyone's imagination."
He spread his arms, and the people of Piltover below cheered with abandon, as if celebrating Piltover's evolution.
Ryan and Katarina, on the other hand, seemed utterly out of place amid the scene.
"False prosperity." Katarina's face was full of contempt.
"Isn't it good to let them immerse themselves in it? Noxus does not take part in its operations, yet our returns far exceed Piltover's. I have to say, it is rather ironic." Ryan smiled.
There was no denying that the more Piltover earned, the more aid it provided to Noxus. Naturally, those nobles would earn no small amount as well, and the lives of Piltover's people could improve somewhat. It was almost a win-win situation.
The only group that did not benefit was the people living in the Undercity. The wealth gap between them and the Upper City would widen further. In name, they were one city and one family, but the moment resources were divided, they were no longer on the same side.
Ryan looked toward the backstage area, where he could vaguely make out a figure leaning on a cane.
Viktor. Piltover's cooperation between Zaunites and Piltovans had brought Piltover development—but what had Zaun gained?
The corners of Ryan's mouth lifted slightly, as though he was anticipating something.
Jayce's speech continued. After the brief climax came the important technology showcase for the year:
"Exploration continues. This year, we have prepared something new for everyone—these inventions."
As he said this, everyone noticed the visible hesitation on Jayce's face.
"At the most important moment, he actually faltered. What is he hesitating over?" Katarina raised a brow.
"Do you remember Viktor's conversation with us at the banquet?" Ryan did not show the slightest surprise.
"Viktor said then that Heimerdinger had rejected their invention." Katarina suddenly understood, her enlightened gaze turning toward a seat in the front row.
A small figure covered in yellow fur sat in the chair. He was Heimerdinger, the founder of Piltover. Yet his mood was clearly anything but pleasant at that moment. With a dark expression, he stared fixedly at Jayce.
Katarina withdrew her gaze, a trace of amusement appearing on her face:
"A clash between the new and the old? Sir, how do you think Jayce will choose?"
Ryan tapped his knuckles against the chair back and answered succinctly, "The moment he spoke those earlier words, he proved that he was nothing special. Choosing means losing. He turned a problem with a win-win answer into a choice."
"Perhaps this scientist is still thinking about whether the invention is dangerous, without realizing the severity of the issue." Katarina sneered.
She had noticed that while Jayce hesitated, none of Piltover's councilors looked pleased.
Jayce struggled for a long while before finally taking a deep breath and making a solemn promise:
"The new technology will be shared with everyone at the earliest opportunity, once it has matured."
Sensing the disappointment of those below, he hurriedly added:
"In the vision of my partner Viktor and me, once this technology is completed, everyone—whether the children of great houses or laborers sheltering in the Undercity—will be freed from grueling labor."
At this moment, he had yet to notice that Viktor, who had been waiting backstage to draw back the curtain and reveal the new technology, wore not disappointment, but the relieved expression of someone who had finally let go.
Below, Mel stood with a dark expression and was the first to leave the hall with her butler.
Meanwhile, Jayce continued reciting his promises for the future in an impassioned voice:
"We swear to continue our pursuit, never betraying the City of Progress's good name."
"Our future is bright!"
As Jayce finished his forceful words, magnificent fireworks exploded in the sky. Through the transparent glass, they could see the beauty of the heavens filled with colorful bursts.
The audience admired the fireworks, immersed in the splendor of the display and the promises Jayce had made.
Most people believed that Jayce would surely lead Piltover to even greater prosperity.
Katarina withdrew her gaze and said regretfully:
"He chose compromise. Sooner or later, his habit of looking before and after every step will ruin both himself and Piltover."
"For him, this is already the best possible outcome." Ryan shook his head and gave his assessment. "He followed Heimerdinger's advice while leaving everyone with something to look forward to. And as long as he explains things to Mel, he can still salvage her friendship."
He did not know what Mel and Jayce had discussed in private, but judging by Mel's angry departure, the new Hextech technology was supposed to have been demonstrated tonight. Yet Jayce had chosen to abandon it.
Still, Ryan understood that Mel was a smart woman. As long as Jayce remained valuable, she would take the initiative to repair their relationship.
By comparison, someone else possessed no less talent and value—and was even more worthy of his anticipation.
Ryan cast a meaningful glance toward the backstage area of the lecture hall, then rose and left the venue with Katarina.
Plans could not keep up with change. Perhaps before long, the Noxus Embassy would receive its first guest.
Before you continue