A Speech Reveals the Hearts of Men

Jayce stood at the podium, his face carrying a hint of youth and shyness:

"Uh, I know many of you here tonight must be surprised to see me giving the address. To be honest, I feel the same way as all of you."

In the front row of the podium, Ryan, dressed in traditional red noble attire of Noxus, leaned back in his chair and spoke softly to Katarina beside him:

"The rising star of Piltover, Jayce Talis. He's hailed as a driving force who can advance Piltover and human civilization."

Jayce stood at the podium, his gaze fixed on his mother in the first row below, narrating earnestly:

"I come from an ordinary family. Our family factory makes hammers. The tiles beneath your feet might have been shaped by hammers from my family's workshop. In all my life, no one ever had any expectations for me."

Katarina listened to Jayce's speech, a dismissive look in her eyes: "Too many openings. Even if he could change the world, that's the future. I'm confident I could take him down in ten seconds."

Ryan chuckled dryly: "Don't always measure a man's achievements by force. We Noxians aren't just warriors. Whether it's politics, science, strategy, or commerce, anyone with a skill earns our respect."

"But I don't see anything remarkable about him. He's more like a politician boasting about his accomplishments, same breed as those nobles in the Immortal Bastion."

Listening to Jayce's grand claims about the changes Hextech had brought, Katarina's face twisted with disdain. She hated formalism. Warriors fought on the battlefield, scientists belonged in the lab—that was her personal view.

Ryan studied the spirited Jayce on stage, his tone carrying uncertainty and hesitation:

"From his tone and wording, you can tell he's not used to occasions like this. But he's trying to adapt, and he's enjoying it. I haven't seen him in the lab, but based on today's performance, he has a natural gift for public speaking. He'd make a fine leader."

Just then, Jayce's speech reached its climax. His right index finger tapped the wooden podium, each dull thud stoking the fiery emotions he had stirred in the crowd.

His face grew solemn:

"It is precisely because of the changes Hextech has brought that this moment today feels so extraordinary!"

Jayce pointed out the window at the towering structure glowing with Hextech blue light:

"Years ago, the Hexgate connected the entire world, bringing unprecedented prosperity to Piltover—beyond anything anyone could have imagined."

He spread his arms wide, and the Piltover crowd below cheered with abandon, as if celebrating Piltover's evolution.

Ryan and Katarina, by contrast, seemed out of place in this scene.

"False prosperity." Katarina's face showed contempt.

"Isn't it good to let them bask in it? Noxus doesn't meddle in their operations, yet our returns far exceed Piltover's. Ironic, isn't it?" Ryan said with a smile.

Undeniably, the more Piltover earned, the more it funneled to Noxus. Of course, these nobles wouldn't lose out either, and the lives of Piltover's citizens could improve slightly—almost a win for everyone.

The only group that didn't benefit were the people living in the Undercity. The wealth gap with the Upper City widened further. In name, they were one city, one family, but when it came to dividing resources, they were suddenly on different sides.

Ryan's gaze shifted to the backstage, where he could faintly make out a figure leaning on a cane.

Viktor. A Zaunite and a Piltover man working together. Piltover had seen growth, but what had Zaun gained?

A faint smile tugged at Ryan's lips, as if he anticipated something.

Jayce's speech continued. After the brief climax came the important segment—this year's technology showcase:

"The exploration continues. This year, we've prepared something new for you all—these inventions."

At this point, everyone noticed the visible hesitation on Jayce's face.

"He's faltering at the most critical part. What's he hesitating about?" Katarina raised an eyebrow.

"Remember what Viktor told us at the banquet?" Ryan showed no surprise at all.

"Viktor said Heimerdinger rejected their invention." Katarina's eyes lit up with understanding as she glanced toward a seat in the first row.

A short figure covered in yellow fur sat there. That was Heimerdinger, one of Piltover's founders. But his mood was clearly far from pleasant—his face darkened as he stared intently at Jayce.

Katarina withdrew her gaze, a hint of amusement crossing her face:

"A clash between old and new, huh? My lord, what do you think Jayce will choose?"

Ryan tapped his knuckles against the chair back, answering succinctly: "From the moment he said that first line, he's already proven he's nothing special. Choice means loss. He turned a win-win problem into a choice."

"Maybe this scientist is still thinking about whether his invention is dangerous, without realizing the gravity of the situation," Katarina sneered.

She noticed that while Jayce hesitated, every Piltover councilor's expression soured.

Jayce wrestled with himself for a long moment, then took a deep breath and made a solemn promise:

"The new technology will be shared with everyone at the earliest opportunity. When the technology matures."

Sensing the disappointment in the crowd below, he quickly added:

"In my partner Viktor's and my vision, once this technology is complete—whether you're a child of a highborn house or a laborer dwelling in the Undercity—everyone will be freed from drudgery."

He hadn't yet noticed that backstage, Viktor, who had been waiting to pull the curtain and unveil the new technology, wore not disappointment but a look of relieved release.

Down below, Mel stood up with a grim expression and, accompanied by her steward, left the venue first.

Meanwhile, Jayce continued speaking fervently about his promises for the future:

"We vow to keep searching, never to betray the City of Progress's good name."

"Our future is bright!"

As Jayce's resolute words concluded, a grand firework exploded in midair. Through the transparent glass, the sky was filled with the beauty of multicolored bursts.

The audience admired the fireworks, immersed in the spectacle and Jayce's promises.

Most 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 hesitation will harm himself and Piltover."

"For him, this is already the best outcome." Ryan shook his head and offered his own view: "He followed Heimerdinger's advice while leaving everyone with hope. And as long as he explains things clearly to Mel, he can salvage her friendship."

He didn't know what Mel and Jayce had discussed privately, but from Mel's furious exit, tonight was supposed to showcase new Hextech technology, yet Jayce had chosen to abandon it.

Still, Ryan understood that Mel was a clever woman. As long as Jayce remained valuable, she would take the initiative to mend their relationship.

In comparison, another person's talent and worth were no less, and even more worthy of his anticipation.

Ryan cast a meaningful glance toward the backstage of the lecture hall, then rose and left the venue with Katarina.

Plans couldn't keep up with changes. Perhaps before long, the Noxus Embassy would welcome its first guest.