108 Past Disagreements

Upon hearing Jayce's explanation that Milio was able to become a certified master at the age of twelve, Yuan Chen smiled—though the smile carried a hint of disdain.

"If you were referring to Qiyana, I might not argue with you further. After all, Qiyana is the crown princess."

Yuan Chen looked at Jayce and said:

"But you probably don't know where I actually come from."

Looking at Jayce, Yuan Chen said calmly:

"I come from Ionia, and I ended up in Ixialia chance because of a shipwreck. And Milio is the young man from the first village I met in Ixialia."

Upon hearing that Yuan Chen was from Ionia, Jayce's expression faltered slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. But before Jayce could ask, Yuan Chen spoke up:

"You think Milio escaped plagiarism because of me or Qiyana? Then let me tell you clearly, Milio's family was exiled."

"..."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Jayce's eyes.

He knew Milio. This simple boy from the deep mountains had won the hearts of many women in Piltover with his clear smile.

But he didn't know that Milio was actually a descendant of an exile family...

"Milio's family was once a prominent Yuentar class, which you can think of as an intellectual aristocracy."

However, because his grandmother's sister was involved in the rebellion, the entire family was exiled to the mountains and forbidden from traveling to Ixialia.

"You can certainly say that Qiyana became a master because her status as the crown princess prevented others from coveting her achievements. But to say that Milio became a master because of me and Qiyana only shows that you don't understand Ixialia."

Yuan Chen said seriously:

"I am not denying your and Viktor's genius. In fact, I believe that Runeterra fortunate to have scholars like you who are pioneering the future."

"But if we're talking about the academic environment... neither Zaun nor Piltover can compare to the Ixialia."

Yuan Chen was not speaking without reason...

Jayce's ability and talent are undeniable, and he's also incredibly hardworking. But what about those who aren't as talented as Jayce?

In Zaun, students at the Academy of Techmaturgy are hired by the Chem-Baron upon graduation.

In many cases, the poor among them were able to enter the Academy of Techmaturgy because of the investments made by the Chem-Baron.

In return, all their future achievements will become the patent of the Chem-Baron.

Piltover is relatively better; some scholars with relatively wealthy backgrounds can rise to prominence through their own means.

Jayce is arguably the most typical representative of the Piltover dream, becoming a successful person through ingenious innovation and invention.

But what about the others? They're not much better than the people of Zaun.

According to the description of "Progress Day", whenever Piltover arrives on Progress Day, skilled craftsmen from Zaun and Piltover would bring their most prized inventions to the Medarda Family in hopes of passing an interview and signing a labor contract with this famous family.

Although this labor contract is much better than that of Zaun, and the terms are relatively relaxed, giving each craftsman sufficient authority, reputation and status.

However, it is undeniable that the entire path to advancement in Piltover has been firmly controlled by the family.

Basically, talent in every industry is controlled by them—your talent can bring you success and fame, but you must serve the family.

This is the tradition of Piltover.

Jayce's independence is unreplicable. To be precise...

"The major families don't want Heimerdinger to interfere too much in their territory."

Yuan Chen said silently:

"They want to make Piltover University their nursery, nurturing enough future and wealth for them."

Jayce didn't say anything.

In fact, he sensed all of this to some extent.

But...

How should I put it?

Heimerdinger was overly conservative in his academic work. This stubborn old Yordle was especially conservative about some cutting-edge or unstable technologies, to the point of being resistant to them.

If you mention it even slightly, he'll start telling you how terrifying and cruel the Rune Wars are...

Please, the Rune Wars happened a thousand years ago. Who would understand that?

Anyway, Jayce doesn't like it.

However, this concerns the honor of the entire Piltover, so Jayce still said:

"Professor Heimerdinger is respected by Piltover; he is the lifelong rector of Piltover University and a lifelong Grand Councilor. Anyone who tries to spread rumors about this matter will face legal consequences."

Yuan Chen simply shook his head and said:

"You've got it wrong. I was just curious about Professor Heimerdinger's attitude when Viktor's academic plagiarism appeal failed and he ended up going to Zaun."

Upon hearing this, Jayce's eyes showed a hint of surprise, then he shook his head and said:

"I don't have any attitude... To be honest, the academic plagiarism you mentioned happened several years ago. You weren't even in Piltover; you're just making things up based on hearsay. How can you be sure it's true?"

Is it possible that you've read the script?

Thinking this, Yuan Chen didn't say it aloud.

Because Jayce's attitude was clear, he no longer wanted to dwell on this matter.

Therefore, he even went so far as to overturn his earlier acquiescence to the fact that Stanwick had committed academic plagiarism, and instead base his decision on the final ruling.

But it's clear that Jayce doesn't really think that way.

Just like now, although Yuan Chen doesn't know it, Jayce has already recalled that night...

He wanted to apologize to Viktor, but standing in front of the door of Viktor's laboratory, he didn't have the courage to push it open.

When he finally mustered the courage, he found Viktor locked himself in the laboratory in despair.

They were deaf to everything outside of themselves.

I finally managed to apologize, but I was met with a closed door.

As Jayce reluctantly embarked on his journey back to his room, he unexpectedly encountered Heimerdinger, the lifelong president of Piltover University and the great inventor.

He sat forlornly on a bench in front of Piltover University's landmark building, which is also the site of Heimerdinger's own bronze statue.

The moonlight shone on the bronze statue, reflecting a dull light.

Heimerdinger, sitting on the bench in front of his own statue, accompanied only by a poro, looked so forlorn...

Jayce knew why Heimerdinger was sad... he hadn't protected Viktor.

Or perhaps... he alone cannot overcome Stanwick, who has the strong support of four major families behind him.

Even after exhausting all his connections, Heimerdinger could only prevent Viktor from being accused of academic jealousy and framing his teacher.

It was at that time that Jayce came to understand Heimerdinger...

This old Yordle was conservative to the point of being stubborn.

He never wants any talented person to be enslaved by capital, the wealthy, ambitious people, or those in power.

Thinking about it, Jayce couldn't help but clench his Riot Games. But in the end, he just let it relax helplessly.

Piltover is so big, what kind of role can he play all by himself...?

"Let's go back to our original topic."

Yuan Chen didn't dwell on the matter, but instead turned and said:

"Why did you become a Guardian of the Future, and why did Viktor become a notorious, ambitious criminal?"

"After his appeal failed and a brief period of sadness, Viktor returned to his studies. While I sympathize with Viktor, it's undeniable that Viktor design philosophy is quite unique... even bordering on obsessive."

Viktor gained recognition because, as a child, he discovered that Zaun alchemy workshops in Viktor suffered injuries and deaths due to improper operation by workers.

To this end, Viktor used his ingenuity to simplify or replace many manual operations with machines.

This not only improved efficiency but also greatly reduced human-caused injuries and created a good and safe working environment.

It was precisely because of this achievement that Viktor was simultaneously sought after by both the Academy of Techmaturgy and Piltover University, and received invitations from both.

But.

Yuan Chen said:

"Viktor's philosophy is to continuously eliminate human error and defects."

His research approach also shaped his way of thinking. He believed that in any development process, fluctuations in human emotions, or rather, human nature, are negative factors affecting efficiency.

"This viewpoint has earned him the disapproval of many scholars, including you, and many professors."

"Because Viktor is erasing the very source of human creativity and wisdom!" Jayce said earnestly.

"The so-called flash of inspiration originates from these mysteries deep within human nature!"

"I agree with that. But do you still remember your last collaboration?"

"... Remember."

Jayce said, "Special diving suits, is that right? Is there a problem?"

Jayce remembered this time; it was their last collaboration, and they swore never to work together again afterward.

Their goal at the time was to improve a diving suit specifically designed for cleaning up underwater debris and alchemy waste near Piltover's docks.

At first, everything went well. After being enhanced by Viktor and Jayce, the new diving suits allowed the wearer to dive deeper, stay underwater longer, and lift heavier objects.

However, many divers reported seeing ghostly, glowing corpses underwater, or suffering from the hallucinogenic effects of alchemical Poisonous Substance.

Whenever a diver exhibits these symptoms, they panic, potentially killing themselves or other divers.

Their disagreement arose from this very issue.