Arcane: Twin Cities Mechanic

Li Lin shared a tender moment with Caitlyn as she recounted the recent developments in Piltover. 

Kai'Sa, having shed her living Void skin, now preferred to spend her time outside. She often dragged Orianna to practice singing and dancing with Seraphine, and word had it that they were planning to host a free charity performance in the Piltover Square soon. 

Over at Piltover University, Jinx, Ekko, Zeri, and Milo had all displayed exceptional talents that earned them recognition from the academy. Meanwhile, Vi and Claggor were excelling in their Enforcer Academy training. 

Ekko, in particular, stood out for his astounding aptitude in scientific research. He had even been taken on as an apprentice by Heimerdinger himself. 

Li Lin felt a twinge of guilt about this. After all, when he first brought Ekko to Piltover, he had promised to mentor him. However, his busy schedule left him with little time to teach. Now that Heimerdinger had recognized Ekko's genius and taken him under his wing, it seemed like an even better arrangement. Li Lin admitted to himself that his teaching abilities were no match for the Yordle professor's, even if Heimerdinger's experiments often led to perilous mishaps. 

Meanwhile, Jayce and Viktor had been pursuing their own research paths. 

Jayce, ever since creating the Hex Gates, had turned his attention to perfecting the Mercury Hammer. Using Li Lin's material compression and nanotechnology, he managed to transform the massive hammer into a wearable wristwatch that could swiftly deploy into its original form when needed. 

Additionally, Jayce developed an acceleration gate to synergize with the energy waves from the cannon mode of the hammer, dramatically increasing the power and firing rate of its energy blasts. The weapon's strength now rivaled that of plasma cannons. Currently, Jayce's primary focus was on improving the hammer's "kinetic acceleration," aiming to maximize impact force with minimal movement. 

Viktor, on the other hand, had achieved a groundbreaking success: his steam-powered robot, Blitzcrank, had developed self-awareness and the ability to learn and think independently. 

Academy researchers confirmed that Blitzcrank was unlike ordinary AI-based robots, such as Li Lin's mechanical workers. Blitzcrank was a truly unprecedented invention. However, even as the robot provided aid in Zaun, its actions sometimes caused collateral damage. 

Thankfully, with Zaun no longer under the control of the Chem-Barons and two of its districts managed by old allies of Li Lin, these incidents were overlooked. Viktor also had the Kiramman family's support, shielding him from accountability for Blitzcrank's mishaps. 

After a professor named Stanwick was expelled from the academy for academic fraud, Viktor was promoted to fill the vacancy. Becoming the youngest professor in the academy's history fulfilled a lifelong dream for him. 

According to Caitlyn, Viktor had recently started working on a gravity field device—an idea inspired by Heimerdinger—to help humanity venture beyond Runeterra. This surprised Li Lin. In the original timeline, Viktor's gravity control technology had been weaponized, but those tragic events that pushed Viktor toward his extreme ideology had been averted. Thanks to genetic enhancement treatments, Viktor's body had returned to a healthy state, and his focus remained firmly on scientific innovation. 

After hearing the latest about Piltover, Caitlyn pressed Li Lin to share his own recent adventures. He recounted saving Jarvan IV, forcing Noxus's blood cult battalion to retreat, confronting Fiddlesticks with Zoe's help to seal it away, traveling to Demacia, earning the king's favor, reconciling the Winged Protectors, and assisting in quelling a coup involving high-ranking officials colluding with enemy forces. 

Of course, he left out the part about his deepening relationship with Zoe and his flirtation with Sona. He wasn't sure how to broach that subject with Caitlyn and decided it was best to skip it, avoiding any chance of turning their reunion into a tense confrontation. 

Though the journey to Demacia was less treacherous than his earlier expedition to Shurima, it had its share of dangers. For instance, Caitlyn was on edge just hearing about his battle against Fiddlesticks, the Demon of Fear, whose mere presence was harrowing. 

Demacia also intrigued Caitlyn in other ways. She had heard of petricite, the magic-absorbing stone, but was surprised to learn about Galio, a colossus that had gained life through magic absorption. Initially, she mistook him for being the same species as Malphite. Li Lin explained that Galio was a sentient petricite construct, while Malphite originated as a living rock from a floating fortress known as Monolith. 

Caitlyn was also fascinated by Demacian customs, etiquette, and the grandeur of Dawnkeep. She was especially astonished when Li Lin revealed that he had been named an honorary Lightshield royal and was granted the title of Duke. Moreover, his negotiations had forged a partnership between the Kiramman family and Demacia, establishing official trade routes. 

Stunned, Caitlyn immediately called her parents. Shortly afterward, she dragged a reluctant Li Lin, still scrambling to dress, to meet the returning Kiramman couple and recount everything in detail. 

Hearing about Li Lin's accomplishments left Cassandra and Tobias Kiramman in awe. They realized that his status now rivaled that of Piltover's councilors and, if he chose to leave for Demacia, his influence there would surpass anything in Piltover. 

The Kirammans were grateful that Li Lin valued his relationships, remaining committed to both Caitlyn and their family instead of abandoning them for higher status elsewhere. Cassandra silently praised her past decision to sponsor the young man and allow Caitlyn to be with him, effectively tying their family's fortunes to his. 

That evening, the Kirammans hosted a warm "welcome home" dinner for Li Lin, Caitlyn, Kai'Sa, and the late-arriving Jayce. The lively conversation carried on late into the night. 

After bidding everyone goodnight, Li Lin tucked in Caitlyn, who still insisted on keeping her bedtime routine. Once she was asleep, he quietly descended to the sterile environment of the underground laboratory. 

Now at Level 75, Li Lin had unlocked new body enhancement technologies. Time was short, and he couldn't allow himself to rest. 

Taking a deep breath, he changed into a lab coat, passed through rigorous decontamination, and entered the lab. 

A neutral, synthetic voice greeted him. 

[Welcome back, Master.] 

[How may I assist you?] 

With a resolute expression, Li Lin approached the experimental table. As he reviewed the newly unlocked techniques in his mind, he paused momentarily before responding. 

"Prepare the materials for the gene enhancement procedure." 

[End of Chapter] 

=========================================================

DROP THEM POWER STONES PLEASE

SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS

PAT REON . COM / TurdTranslations (Just remove the space).