The students' discussion had evolved into this, even gradually showing signs of becoming a science-fiction convention—something Viktor, as both lecturer and moderator, had never anticipated.
But he could now be certain of one thing:
Compared to what and why, how was indeed a question a hundred times harder.
After all, the world was what it was. There was simply no room for dispute.
And the method of understanding the world introduced in that article was itself a scientific theory, one that could withstand questioning and testing. So there was little disagreement over the question of "why."
But after understanding the world and knowing the what and why, the question of "how to do it" became a huge problem.
Change things, or leave them as they were?
What method should they use?
What should they change things into?
Whom should they unite with, and whom should they overthrow?
How far should they go in overthrowing them?
Should they change only Zaun, or the entire world?
The questions were too vast, and the disagreements too numerous.
Viktor had merely thrown the question out there, and it had already caused an uproar.
The students naturally split into different factions, each stubbornly clinging to their own views. Discussion became argument, argument became Zaunite insults. They were only a step away from coming to blows.
The question was simply too enormous, and there was no standard answer.
Viktor himself did not know what the correct answer was, so he could only let the students discuss it freely.
As a result, the discussion grew increasingly absurd, and the proposed solutions became more and more unrestrained. After all, this was a world where supernatural forces truly existed, so some ideas were not entirely baseless.
That said, for some reason, Viktor found himself strangely interested in the proposal to "turn people into robots."
If a Hextech core could be fused with the brain, it might actually work. The only question was whether the human body could withstand that kind of evolution.
"Ahem." Viktor used reason to dismiss his wild scientific fantasies.
He no longer knew what to do, either.
He needed someone who could point out the most viable path for him and these students, help them unify their thinking, and see the future clearly.
Otherwise, if this continued, the arguments alone would tear these passionate students apart.
Just like now:
"What do you mean, focus on a scientist's proper work, focus on improving productivity, intelligent robots, and unlimited Hextech energy? By the time science develops that far, the Zaunites will already be fucking dead!"
"Fuck you! Is your plan any more reliable?!"
"Armed struggle? Do you have any idea how many Zaunites the Enforcers slaughtered on the Sun Gate Bridge ten years ago?"
"I think you're a fucking spy sent by Piltover, trying to lure everyone into getting themselves killed!"
"...Fuck you! Dying is still better than lying there and doing nothing! I think you just want to keep being a scientist in Piltover, keep being one of those Piltover masters under the banner of 'developing productivity'!"
"..."
As they argued, they had already gone from debating solutions to hurling Zaunite insults, even trying to revoke each other's Zaunite ancestry.
Viktor knew that if this continued, all his previous efforts would be wasted.
But who could provide that most viable path?
Who had that ability?
"Everyone, quiet down. I have something to say!"
Suddenly, the classroom door opened.
A young man dressed in plain work clothes walked in.
His face was still bruised, a Blue Bird perched on his shoulder, and behind him stood a delicate pink-haired young lady?
"Who are you?" Everyone was curious.
"Brother!" Lina called out, revealing his identity.
"Brother, why are you here?" Looking at Li Wei and Seraphine beside him, she was filled with questions.
But this did not seem to be the time to answer them, because everyone present was concerned with something else:
"Li Wei?"
"Are you Lina's older brother, the author of that article?"
"Yes." Li Wei stepped forward into everyone's view.
"Are you Mr. Li Wei?!" Viktor leaned on his cane and quickly descended from the podium.
With an eager desire for knowledge and an attitude of respect, he solemnly extended his hand to Li Wei.
"Hello. I am Viktor, a professor at Hextech Academy—"
"And, of course, a loyal reader of your article."
"Viktor?" Li Wei was slightly startled.
So it was him. An image of a three-handed man constantly going "hehehe" popped into his mind.
"Ahem." No wonder Janna had said his spiritual power was extraordinary. So that was why.
"Professor Viktor, hello." Li Wei composed himself and solemnly extended his hand as well.
Just as their hands were about to meet, with everyone watching, Li Wei seemed to be leading Viktor into some sacred domain as he added in a solemn tone:
"Welcome, my friend!"
As he spoke, Li Wei clasped Viktor's hand.
At that very instant, through their joined hands, that invisible Faith Power flowed into Li Wei's body in a more efficient manner.
Their Faith Power resonated, temporarily granting him greater strength.
The Blue Bird on his shoulder lightly flapped its wings, and a breeze appeared from nowhere, drifting leisurely around the two of them.
The wind was extremely weak, only strong enough to stir a few sheets of manuscript paper.
But it was clearly not a breeze that had naturally formed inside this classroom.
"Is this... magic?"
Viktor looked somewhat surprised, but quickly regained his composure.
Magic was nothing unusual in Runeterra. Such a weak breeze would not frighten anyone.
However—
"Brother!" Lina cried out in shock. "When did you become a mage?"
"No." Li Wei shook his head. "I have never been a mage."
"Then how did you...?"
"This is merely power bestowed upon me by Goddess Janna."
"Janna?" Viktor was finally shocked, as were the students present. "Wait... Goddess Janna, whom you mentioned at the beginning of your article, actually exists?"
"That spirit which has drifted through Runeterra for thousands of years was not merely a literary device you used to express your ideals?"
"Huh?" Janna was slightly startled.
To her horror, she discovered that under this entirely new system of faith, believers could become her "followers" without even believing in her existence.
So was she a god now, or was she also a follower of this great faith?
Janna could not quite figure it out.
And Li Wei had no time to discuss that question with her for the moment. He merely faced the gazes of everyone present and solemnly proclaimed:
"That's right, Janna truly exists!"
"The reason I understand those ideas is entirely due to Goddess Janna's enlightenment. Otherwise, how could a barely literate Zaunite Apprentice like me possibly write such an article—"
"You can ask Lina about that. She should know that just the day before yesterday, I was still a muddleheaded semi-illiterate."
His words sparked another wave of astonishment, mixed, of course, with skepticism.
Li Wei had exhausted himself just to summon such a breeze, then openly declared the miracle of having transformed from an illiterate into a wise man overnight. These methods were no different from the tricks used by charlatans.
Except the god he was pretending to invoke was real.
And Li Wei had to do this.
From the discussions just now, he had heard many voices calling for compromise, retreat, and reform. Some had even completely lost hope in real struggle, wanting to rely purely on fantasies of science and magic to solve their problems.
At first, Li Wei thought the students were simply too imaginative.
But upon thinking carefully, the fundamental reason behind this phenomenon was that these students were afraid.
Yes. Though they had no shortage of enthusiasm, they were fundamentally afraid of struggle, fearful of struggle, and deeply pessimistic about its outcome.
They did not believe they could change this world with their own hands.
That was why they needed fantasies like mechanical ascension, psychic ascension, and technological leaps—ideas that seemed somewhat feasible in Runeterra, yet were extremely difficult to realize in the short term—to answer their questions.
It was not the fault of these Zaunite students.
The enemy's power was simply too overwhelming.
The Zaunites had not failed to resist over the past two hundred years, but every act of resistance had only brought merciless slaughter. The Enforcers of Piltover had never shown restraint, leaving corpses strewn everywhere and blood flowing like rivers each time.
They had long since been terrified into submission.
So Li Wei had to show them that he was extraordinary.
He had to make these students believe that they possessed strength, that they had hope.
They needed to know that Janna truly existed. And Janna...
"Goddess Janna—"
Under everyone's expectant gaze, Li Wei slowly walked onto the podium.
"Will always stand on the side of those who suffer!"
Before you continue