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13.84% Arcane: Twin Cities Mechanic / Chapter 58: CHAPTER 58 - Fully Automated Mechanical Devices

Chapter 58: CHAPTER 58 - Fully Automated Mechanical Devices

After leaving Heimerdinger's office, Viktor and Li Lin took the elevator.

There was no one else in the elevator, and they began discussing how to implement changes in the tech of the Undercity.

"To be honest, even before I came to Piltover University, I researched alchemical technology. How should I describe them..." Viktor pondered, and a word suddenly popped into his mind: "Chaotic... yes, chaotic, and unpredictable."

"Because alchemical technology is too unstable, any deviation can lead to serious consequences. Yet, they often deviate due to various uncontrollable factors..." Li Lin combined Viktor's understanding with his own and summarized.

Viktor looked at him with surprise. "Exactly, that's it."

"You have that expression, wondering why I also researched alchemical technology, don't you?" Li Lin asked with a smile.

"Well... my thoughts were a bit impolite," Viktor said, avoiding eye contact. "I thought you only researched Hextech and had no interest in alchemical technology."

His words were tactful, but Li Lin understood his perspective.

The origin of alchemical technology can be traced back decades ago, but its real development began only about twenty years ago. Compared to Hextech, which had been developed for over a century, alchemical technology, being more unstable, heavily polluting, and less widely applied, seemed insignificant.

Almost no upper-city artisan family valued the alchemical technology of Zaun.

After all, Piltover's Hextech technology was world-leading, even claiming to be the best in Valoran continent.

As a member of the Kiramman family, Li Lin was naturally prejudiced by Viktor, who subconsciously considered him dismissive of alchemical technology.

"As long as it's related to machinery and science, I basically accept all knowledge," Li Lin said, assisted by "Data Mind." He was open to knowledge.

Even in the field of alchemical technology, he had delved into quite a bit. As long as it was in the Kiramman family library, he had read it.

Viktor secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Compared to the somewhat arrogant and confident genius Jayce, whom he met at the Progress Day assembly last night, Li Lin was easier to get along with.

"Come this way."

The elevator smoothly stopped on the second floor, and Viktor and Li Lin entered the corridor.

This floor housed most of Piltover University's faculty offices, and foot traffic noticeably increased.

However, compared to the usually crowded corridors, today's second floor was relatively quiet.

Due to the significant events of last night, Piltover gave ordinary teachers and students a temporary break.

Therefore, teachers or students without important research projects didn't need to come to the university.

Viktor led Li Lin to the end of the second-floor corridor, to a room with a sign that read "Office of the Dean Assistant - Viktor."

"Come in." Viktor unlocked the door with a key, inviting Li Lin inside.

The room's decoration was simple, with almost no personal items added by him.

"Do you want something to drink? Tea or coffee?"

"No need..." Li Lin was about to refuse when he saw Viktor pouring coffee from a canister into a cup.

"Give me some coffee too. I'll help you." Li Lin shook his head with a sigh.

To avoid causing him too much trouble, Li Lin lifted a teapot from the table, walked to the water dispenser, filled it with hot water, and then returned to pour it into the cup prepared by Viktor.

Viktor looked at his legs unintentionally, his expression somewhat stiff. "This shouldn't be something a guest does..."

"Aren't we friends?" Li Lin smiled. "Friends should help each other."

"Friends..." Hearing this word, Viktor's expression became somewhat absent-minded.

His genius intellect alone was already enviable, but combined with his background as an Undercity resident and the occasional strange ideas, he was ostracized at Piltover University, having almost no friends.

Except for a childhood friend who came from Zaun like him...

"Viktor?"

Li Lin's call brought Viktor back from his troubled thoughts.

"Sorry, I got lost in thought," he said apologetically. "I remembered things from the past."

Li Lin nodded thoughtfully, switching the topic when he sensed Viktor's reluctance to delve into it further.

"You mentioned your office earlier. Is there something you need to tell me?" Li Lin inquired.

"Almost forgot about the main matter," Viktor admitted.

He had just picked up his coffee when he put it down again, gesturing for Li Lin to follow him to what appeared to be a laboratory adjacent to his office.

Inside the room were various advanced and precise instruments, some of which even surpassed those in the Kiramman estate.

However, what caught Li Lin's attention the most was a set of four mechanical arms fixed on a platform in the center of the room.

Could this be the prototype for the third laser-equipped arm that Viktor would later integrate into his mechanical body?

Li Lin's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Leaning on his cane, Viktor walked excitedly to the machine, providing Li Lin with an introduction.

"This is an automated mechanical device I invented years ago. Let me demonstrate for you..."

He pressed a button, activating the Hextech generator powered by a Hextech crystal beneath the platform.

As the machine flickered with arcs of electricity, it gradually became enveloped in a blue energy field.

With his free left hand, Viktor swiftly pressed several buttons on the machine platform.

Subsequently, the four mechanical arms moved flexibly, three triangular-shaped claws facing Viktor, rotating as if imbued with life.

It was hard to fathom that in a world without modern technology, let alone the first industrial revolution, such a device could rival Earth's contemporary technological advancements, especially in a city like Piltover.

"I've input several fixed commands," Viktor explained, pressing a button on the platform.

Responding to the commands, the four arms picked up and exchanged various components on the platform.

Soon, with only one arm remaining, the other three were replaced with multifunctional repair tools, a hammer, and a welding gun.

Viktor pressed another button, and the four arms assembled a pile of discarded metal and mechanical parts into a miniature metal figurine resembling Heimerdinger.

Even though Li Lin was aware of Viktor's intellect, the scene before him left him astonished.

He hadn't expected Viktor's fully automated mechanical device to reach such a level.

"You made this?" Li Lin asked, amazed.

Viktor maintained a smile, nodding silently.

"With the ability to create such advanced devices, why are you only an assistant?" Li Lin couldn't help but ask.

To be honest, such automated machinery was widely used in the modern Earth of Li Lin's knowledge, let alone in a city-state like Piltover with its technological prowess.

In all honesty, the application of such automated machinery is widespread in the modern world, especially in technologically advanced city-states like Piltover.

When Li Lin inquired about it, Viktor's expression turned somewhat bitter.

"This is an invention I crafted a few years ago in an alchemical workshop in the Undercity. At that time, I was still young and hadn't joined Piltover University. I was unaware of things like patents."

"Later, when Professor Stanwick invited me to the academy, I discovered that this fully automated mechanical device had already been patented by someone from the Zaun Academy of Techmaturgy. They even invented an alchemical technology robot specifically designed to clean up alchemical waste in the Undercity sewers."

Li Lin fell into silence, feeling indignant about Viktor's plight.

Suddenly, he recalled the background story where Viktor had his patent for the steam golem Blitzcrank shamelessly plagiarized by a certain unscrupulous professor.

Li Lin didn't like Viktor's submissive personality, but he didn't want him to turn into the future mechanical pioneer who had severed his own emotions and become extremely radical.

Before Li Lin could respond, Viktor continued, "Let bygones be bygones; complaining won't change anything."

"As a scientist, one's inventions should bear one's own name, not be shamelessly stolen by scoundrels. Your way of thinking won't do."

Li Lin sighed helplessly, his tone carrying a hint of exasperation.

"Actually, it doesn't matter anymore. Over these years, I've been researching an invention that surpasses full automation."

Viktor halted the mechanical arm in front of him and looked at Li Lin with excitement.

"What do you think about introducing new elements into the robots that clean waste in the sewers, bringing them to new heights?"

The more he spoke, the faster Li Lin's heart pounded. "Are you suggesting..."

"Hextech energy crystals."

Energy crystals?

No, no, no... Blitzcrank wasn't something you could create with just an energy crystal.

Li Lin shook his head slightly.

"Why? Is my idea not good?" Viktor asked hesitantly.

A mysterious smile appeared on Li Lin's face. "It's not that it's not good, but have you thought about taking it to an even higher level?"

Viktor didn't understand his meaning. "Huh?"

"Let's use Primordial Crystals."

(End of the Chapter)

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

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Chapter 59: CHAPTER 59 - You're Really My Sweetheart

In regards to the steam-powered robot Blitz, Li Lin only considered improving the alchemical technology robot in the undercity when Viktor mentioned it.

Blitz was no ordinary robot. After Viktor implanted the priceless Primordial Crystal unearthed from Shurima, it gained a "soul."

Blitz was not only more efficient than regular robots but, over days of repetitive work, it awakened the ability to learn and innovate.

It could deduce and understand the daily commands it received, not confined to working in the alchemical waste piles in the undercity. It even frequently communicated with the citizens of Zaun.

Under the influence of the Primordial Crystal, Blitz had become a fully independent entity with a soul, not just an emotionless steel machine.

While Li Lin understood the importance of the Primordial Crystal to the Brackern race, he had no intention of disrupting the world's timeline and preventing Blitz's birth.

Firstly, Viktor's Primordial Crystal was approved for research by the academy. Even if Blitz wasn't created, these crystals would still be used by other scientists in different projects.

For certain scientists who might compromise the integrity of the Primordial Crystal, having it as a Hextech core was comparatively a better option.

Secondly, helping the Brackern race was too distant a thought for Li Lin at this stage.

This wasn't about presenting to the council that mining the Primordial Crystal would harm another race's existence, requesting a halt to this behavior wouldn't solve the problem.

Moreover, today's confrontation with the council had already pushed him to the edge.

Not only that, if the research on the Primordial Crystal were to be prohibited, the first ones to be affected would be the Ferros family's interests.

Li Lin's development in Piltover had just begun a month ago, and he didn't want to turn around and push Lady Gray into an opposing position, right after gaining her support.

In Viktor's office,

After Li Lin suggested his idea, Viktor eagerly began drafting an application to the academy, preparing to apply for a Primordial Crystal.

Although his current status was only an assistant, with Heimerdinger's help, obtaining a Primordial Crystal shouldn't be a problem.

The prerequisite, however, was that he must produce results.

To avoid disturbing Viktor, after bidding farewell, Li Lin left the University of Piltover.

Time was not to be wasted; there were still plenty of troublesome matters waiting for him to handle.

Casually finding a public transport carriage outside the academy's gate, he handed the coachman two silver wheels and asked him to take him back to Kiramman's residence.

Next, he would face the wrath of Lady Cassandra...

After a while, the carriage stopped at the side entrance of Kiramman's residence.

After exchanging greetings with the servants, Li Lin secretly sneaked into the main mansion and walked into the reception hall.

At this moment, the hall was empty, and the large clock on the corner wall ticked away, giving him a countdown feeling of an impending storm.

Was Lady Cassandra not at home?

Li Lin raised an eyebrow, feeling a slight relief, and a sudden thought crossed his mind:

Why am I acting like a guilty thief...

He ascended the stairs with light footsteps, finding no one on the second floor, not even the servants who usually took care of the cleaning.

Before Li Lin could proceed to the third floor, a small hand silently appeared from behind, patting him on the shoulder.

Simultaneously, a familiar voice, with a hint of playfulness, echoed in his ear, "What are you up to? Sneaking around like this..."

"Ugh!" Li Lin inhaled sharply, grabbing the warm hand on his shoulder, turning around. "Caitlyn, are you trying to scare me to death?"

Caitlyn raised an amused eyebrow, teasingly saying, "You still haven't answered my question. Why all the sneaking around when coming home?"

"Do you not know the specific reason?" Li Lin released her hand, somewhat helpless. "How's it going on your mother's side?"

"Oh, she's angry," Caitlyn's expression and tone made it apparent she was joking.

"I'm serious, Caitlyn." Li Lin stared into her smiling eyes, a hint of doubt crossing his mind. "Is the madam really not angry with me?"

"Ah, with me around, do you still worry?" Caitlyn crossed her arms, shifting her weight forward, getting closer to Li Lin, lowering her voice.

"Actually," she continued, "Mom is indeed upset. Not about your lack of cooperation in the council, but that you didn't inform her of your thoughts in advance, leaving her unprepared."

Inform her...

How could he agree to that?

Li Lin's expression turned somewhat bitter.

Caitlyn seemed to sense his thoughts. "In reality, Mom isn't as heartless as you imagine. Her actions are entirely based on political considerations and the interests of the family."

"I still disagree with her approach," Li Lin scratched his head, "but, you know, in the council... Some things just have to be done."

"I remember you saying this morning that what mom did was wrong..." Caitlyn sighed.

"That's because Mom didn't want us to worry too much, so she didn't tell us her original plan." Caitlyn sighed.

"Just now, when you weren't back yet, I chatted with Mom. She said she initially wanted to present a united front with other council members on the surface, secretly making Sheriff Grayson pay attention and restrain his subordinates, avoiding major chaos in the Undercity."

"Although conflicts with the Undercity are inevitable, this is the best outcome she could achieve... Who would have thought that you would openly oppose the council during the meeting? Still, she supports you. After all, you're part of our family~~"

Caitlyn extended her slender fingers and poked Li Lin's cheek. "Mom really trusts you. Don't let her down, or the entire Kiramman family will suffer."

Li Lin grabbed her finger, sighed, and said, "I know this very well. Just like I said at the meeting, since I dare to speak up, I have the confidence to follow through."

Caitlyn's eyes narrowed into crescents, and the corners of her cherry blossom lips curved slightly. "I believe in you."

After a brief pause, she continued, "But, trust aside, you better not appear in front of Mom too frequently for a while. She explicitly said seeing you makes her angry."

Li Lin chuckled helplessly, "I was planning to discuss the matter of the Hextech energy crystal with Madame."

"Don't worry about that. I've already talked to Mom, and she said she would negotiate with the Ferros family about it. You just need to focus on your responsibilities."

"Oh, and one more thing. As long as you don't disrupt the cash flow of the Kiramman family, you can use the family's money freely. But you'll have to compensate double in the future."

Li Lin felt a surge of joy, "Really?!"

"Of course." Caitlyn's expression was somewhat smug, "I had to beg Mom to agree to help you. Shouldn't you thank me? Like what you promised me last night..."

Before Caitlyn could finish her sentence, Li Lin excitedly pulled her into his arms.

"You really are my Sweetheart, Cait!"

Caught off guard by Li Lin's move, Caitlyn was stunned for several seconds. Her delicate face instantly blushed.

She hurriedly pushed Li Lin away, tidying her clothes while scolding in a coquettish manner, "Pah... Who, who's your sweetheart? You, you shameless person..."

While her words portrayed irritation, underneath it, Caitlyn felt a different kind of emotion.

This feeling... seems not bad?

(End of this chapter)

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

DROP THEM POWER STONES AND KINDLY LEAVE REVIEWS AS WELL!

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

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


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