Kapitel 25: Glorious Evolution!

Read up to 15 chapters ahead on Patreon - patreon.com/Light_lord

Read up to chapter 30 on Patreon for free.

-----

"Developing augmentation technology?! No, this is absolutely not possible!"

Heimerdinger stood up from his seat, his voice filled with passionate objection.

"Augmentation technology? What exactly is that?"

Jayce had been holding back his question, but now he could no longer stay silent.

"It involves mechanically transforming the body," Camille explained, her voice as sharp and precise as the blades she wielded.

"Replacing the heart with primitive hextech crystals, supplying constant energy to sustain life."

Her bright blue eyes, glowing with hextech brilliance, scanned the room.

"In order to protect Piltover, all sacrifices are justified."

"Mechanized bodies? Can you even call that human anymore?" Caitlyn slammed her hand on the table.

"I'm against it."

The room erupted into heated discussion. Two factions quickly formed. Those led by Camille argued that sacrificing a few enforcers was a necessary price for Piltover's safety.

Meanwhile, Heimerdinger and his supporters insisted on preserving the essence of humanity.

As the debate raged on, Viktor leaned toward Ryan and whispered softly:

"Your Excellency, is it truly possible to do augmented technology?"

He wasn't asking about mass application for the public. Instead, his question was personal. Viktor knew Ryan had said his body could be cured, but even if healed, his congenital flaws would remain.

What Viktor sought was perfection—an escape from his fragile form.

Ryan, anticipating the question, smiled faintly and replied with calm certainty.

"In my eyes, Viktor, there are five paths in Runeterra to achieve greatness."

Viktor's curiosity flared. He leaned in closer, fully attentive.

"The first path," Ryan began, "is through magic. By mastering all the runes of the world, even the gods of Targon would bow in submission. The Rune Mage is the prime example of this path."

"The second path is through martial prowess—cultivating the strongest physique in existence. A body so resilient that no force could pierce its defenses. Champions like Darius of Noxus and Garen of Demacia are exemplars of this discipline."

"The third path involves external forces—breaking through limitations by harnessing the power of demons, the Void, or otherworldly magic. This path is treacherous, reliant on opportunity, and fraught with danger."

Ryan paused briefly, allowing Viktor to absorb his words, then continued.

"The fourth path is the spirit of nature. Some beings are born from the power of faith, emerging as demigods with unparalleled strength. Zaun and Piltover are home to one such entity."

"The spirit of the wind?" Viktor interjected, his voice tinged with awe.

A distant legend resurfaced in his mind—tales of sailors saved by an unseen force on the high seas.

"Yes," Ryan confirmed, nodding slightly.

"That demigod indeed wields the power of wind. Though I haven't seen her true form, her strength manifested recently. Without her intervention, the blast at Kiramman Manor would have obliterated a half of Piltover."

"No wonder..." Viktor murmured, understanding dawning on his face.

His gaze returned to Ryan, still eager for more answers.

"And the fifth path, Your Excellency? What is the last one?"

Ryan's lips curved into a knowing smile. "The fifth and final path..."

He spoke deliberately, each word carrying weight, "I call it Machine Ascension."

"Machine Ascension?" Viktor repeated, testing the phrase as if it held the key to his future. His eyes drifted downward, resting on his frail, emaciated legs. He voiced his thoughts cautiously:

"Abandon the weak body… retain only the brain… and transcend mortality through a mechanical vessel."

After a pause, he reconsidered. "No, not just the brain. The essence lies in the soul. If the soul carries consciousness, then crafting a perfect mechanical body could achieve true immortality."

Ryan's smile deepened. "A compelling concept, Viktor. But why stop there? Be bold in your imagination. Tell me, what is the essence of hextech crystals?"

"It's magic! The fusion of the crystalline shells with hextech creates a form of self-replenishing magic," Viktor blurted out, his voice trembling with excitement.

As he spoke, his mind raced with ideas, each thought building on the last. He seemed to forget entirely that he was still in the Council hall. Whispering fervently, his words tumbled out in a rush:

"The beauty of machinery lies in its scalability. With the right materials, it can be manufactured infinitely—quantity is its advantage. But ordinary humans lack the capacity to control so many machines. Even if machines have self-awareness, their true potential remains untapped."

Viktor's hands moved as if he were crafting his thoughts in mid-air.

"But… if we could use magic or runes to create a core far stronger than a standard hex crystal—an advanced carrier for limitless computational power—then each machine could be precisely controlled without the risk of failure. And I…"

Viktor's voice dropped to a reverent whisper, "I would be immortal."

He barely paused before continuing, his excitement growing:

"The process is simple. Use magic to extract the soul, then bind it to the Ascension Core. Link it with runes, create multiple sub-cores for redundancy, and ensure the entire system's stability. With this method, the body is no longer necessary."

Ryan, standing beside Viktor, silently activated the ring on his finger. A transparent barrier enveloped them, sealing their conversation from the rest of the room.

He listened attentively, nodding occasionally. Inwardly, he marveled at Viktor's brilliance—his sheer audacity to imagine such a radical concept and immediately formulate a plan.

Ryan admired the ingenuity, though he knew such an impersonal method would never be his path.

"...In the initial stages, the Ascension Core could be integrated with multiple hex crystals," Viktor continued, now speaking with calculated precision.

"The mechanical body would be constructed around this core. Your Excellency, I may need your expertise to oversee the soul transfer."

When Viktor finally stopped, Ryan raised his head slightly, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Viktor, do you understand what it truly means to abandon your body?"

"It means relinquishing pain, weakness, and physical limitations," Viktor replied, his tone steady.

"The five senses would depend on machinery. And yes…"

A rare smile crossed his face.

"I would lose most of my emotions."

Ryan studied him for a moment, surprised. "You've already made up your mind."

He recalled a similar conversation he once had with Viktor. Back then, the question had revolved around the future of Piltover and Zaun.

Viktor had hesitated, unsure of the cost. But today, the same question—when applied to himself—was met with unwavering resolve.

"Since that night," Viktor admitted, glancing briefly at Jayce, who was red-faced and locked in a heated debate.

He then shifted his gaze to Heimerdinger, who was just as determined.

A faint smile tugged at Viktor's lips.

"I may not know if this is the only opportunity I'll have in my lifetime, but I refuse to live with regrets."

Ryan raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with curiosity.

"Even the Piltover girl who followed you to Zaun? Skye?"

The mention of Skye caused Viktor to fall silent momentarily.

Finally, he said, "She'll understand. This has always been the path I've pursued. My life's work."

Ryan observed Viktor carefully before nodding.

"If you're certain, I'll support you. I'll open every resource I have to see you evolve and ascend."

Viktor bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, Your Excellency. I'm deeply grateful for this opportunity to achieve my glorious evolution."

Ryan smiled faintly. "This is the least I can do. The sacrifices you've made are more than enough. But now, the council is ready to make their decision. Let's hear what judgment they pass."

Viktor straightened, his thoughts briefly drifting.

"Sacrifices..." he thought to himself.

His gaze lingered on the Boundary Bridge in his memory. He remembered the moment Lord Meredith—Ryan—had extended a hand when he was at his lowest, giving him the hope of a future he never thought possible.

No one else had done that. His peers—Jayce, Heimerdinger, and countless others—had dismissed his vision time and time again, rejecting his ideas even when they could bring harmony between Piltover and Zaun. Only Ryan had seen his worth.

In the end, the council voted. With five votes in favor, Camille's proposal for augmentation technology was approved.

Jayce's support, however, came with a condition: Camille had to prove the technology's efficacy by leading a direct campaign against Viktor himself, Zaun's so-called "number one rioter."

The irony wasn't lost on Viktor. When he had hit rock bottom, it was Noxus's Meredith who had saved him, while Piltover—the city he once served—turned its back on him.

Viktor looked up at the parliamentary hall where the results were announced. His eyes gleamed with anticipation.

The time for glorious evolution had come. Viktor vowed to present himself to Lord Meredith, perfected and ascended, a testament to the ideals only Ryan had believed in.

The revolution was about to begin.