"What does Zaun mean?"
Kate could understand the literal meaning of Spark, but she did not understand the pronunciation of Zaun. Though Oran had made it and had the final say on its codename, she still wanted to understand.
"Zaun? It's where I used to live. A good place—one with 'simple, honest folk' and 'an abundance of talent.'"
Zaun and Piltover had once been united, but they had long since split apart and gone their separate ways.
Perhaps Zaun's way of greeting people was a little unusual, but most of that was prejudice and rumor. Only those who had truly experienced Zaun's environment knew that it was already being polite.
Zaun had always been shrouded in smog-darkened twilight, yet its prosperity and bustle yielded nothing to anyone. Its residents came from all walks of life, and its culture was brilliantly diverse.
Piltover's wealth had also driven Zaun's development, turning it into the dark mirror of the city above.
Compared with Piltover, Zaun was far more dangerous. Yet even in such an environment, people still found ways to survive and flourish.
Zaun Spark—Zeri—was one such example.
Born into a Zaunite working-class family, she had possessed a special connection to electricity from birth. As she grew older, she began to make use of that power.
Zeri fought bravely for those powerless to resist.
Zaun was not perfect, and neither was Zeri.
But sometimes, a single spark could eventually illuminate all the gloom.
Oran had encountered Zeri before and had treated the injuries she suffered several times while being hunted by the Alchemical Barons. He understood her abilities to a certain extent, and that was why this Hextech Heart had come into being.
Its electrical energy operation was derived from Zeri, while also incorporating the traits of the Mink Tribe. Combined with the system's training methods and special equipment, Kate's strength would undergo a qualitative transformation.
"This is Zeri's story. Like you, she was originally just an ordinary girl, but her environment changed everything.
She did not give up fighting, and she became a spark that ignited a great fire.
The seed has already been planted. We never had a way back from the beginning. So, Kate, are you ready to become a new spark upon these seas?"
The Hextech Heart was in Oran's hand. Strange energy flowed through its core. At some point, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, and its azure radiance illuminated Kate's face, much like it had in God Valley.
"What's the price? You said equivalent exchange was your principle."
"This is an investment. Like you said before, you'll use the rest of your time to protect me. But my bodyguard can't be too weak, and the term you planned before was a little too short."
"Meow remembers. Meow will definitely keep her word. Your investment won't lose money. Meow will use this new power to complete her old goal."
Kate's gaze was resolute. Once in God Valley, and once with this heart—even if Oran had his own purposes, she owed him two lives.
She still remembered what Oran had said in God Valley. At this moment, Kate became even more determined to follow him.
"Very good. Next are some side effects this heart may cause, though they aren't major problems. This side effect could even be considered a good thing.
"First, your growth rate will slow down, then stop completely once your body reaches its optimal state."
The Hextech Heart's energy could affect the entire body. That was why Camille had remained eternally youthful. While her younger brother grew increasingly old with the years, she remained able to devote her full strength to the family.
The reason Kate could continue growing despite being in a child's state was that Oran had made some minor modifications.
"The other one is the more dangerous risk. If you cannot hold fast to your true self, then as time passes, your emotions may gradually disappear as well. That depends entirely on you."
As long as the scope of the Hextech Augmentation Surgery was not expanded further, the possibility was very low. But once she was drawn in by power and became intoxicated by it, this would become a bitter consequence.
Of course, if one did not consider the issue of humanity, it could also be seen as an enhancement.
"If Meow becomes like that... would she still be Meow?"
"Of course you would still be yourself. You would simply become more rational. But your heart is strong enough to overcome it."
"Understood. Meow has no problem with that. Meow is ready. We can begin anytime!"
"I checked the operating room. The environment meets the requirements. Start fasting now, and stop drinking water tomorrow morning. Also, let me make this clear: surgery requires hair removal. You know that, right?"
Oran had deep doubts about Zou's medical standards, so he gave Kate a warning beforehand. Judging from her puzzled expression, she truly did not know the term.
"The procedure isn't complicated, but first, you have to shave your fur."
"Sh-shave my fur?!"
That word seemed to have stepped on Kate's tail, sending her into another bristling state. Compared to open-chest surgery, she feared this far more.
"C-can't we not shave it... meow?"
What the Mink Tribe treasured most was their coat of fur. Though it would grow back, just imagining that bald period made Kate feel terrified.
"Unfortunately, no. Don't worry. A nurse will handle it for you. Sleep peacefully, and before long, you'll have a healthy body."
After explaining the specific plan to Kate, Oran sent her off to rest. He himself returned to the church residence with Blitz.
"Bear, Ginny, I'm preparing to leave."
"Leave? Oran, are you going with Brother Ivankov too, to sing the praises of freedom?"
At Oran's words, Ginny and Bear both stiffened. Though Oran only looked a few years older than them, the past few months had made him feel like an old father and a teacher to them.
They had expected Oran to set sail eventually. They just had not expected it to happen so soon.
"More or less. I can't complete my plan by staying here forever. What are your thoughts? Do you plan to leave with me, or stay here?"
Bear's abilities and Ginny's talent for eavesdropping were both excellent, but they were still too young. Combined with Bear's personality, bringing too many people along would instead become a burden. So Oran did not force them. No matter what they chose, he had suitable arrangements.
"Brother Oran, we..."
Bear thought for a moment before voicing his thoughts.
Like when Ivankov had left, neither of them wanted to leave the Kingdom of Sorbet for the time being. They wanted to settle down here for a while.
"That's fine. This is good too. In that case, I'll leave the follow-up upgrade plans for the smelter to you. Every so often, bring a portion of them to Bulldog.
"You've gotten started with the basics during this time. Continue learning according to what I left you, and stockpile some materials. If conditions permit, you can also take in some outsiders.
"Once I find a more stable place, I'll contact you. Then we'll meet again."
"Okay. When Brother Oran needs us, we'll definitely go help you."
"Mm-hmm. Once I improve the Den Den Mushi, Brother Oran, you'll be able to contact us even if you travel far away. Brother Ivankov left too suddenly, so there wasn't time to improve his Den Den Mushi."
Ginny and Bear made their promises. Oran also completed his initial plan of having the two of them continue "mining" at home while he went out to seek a more suitable secondary mine.
(End of Chapter)
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