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Arcane: TTB: Ch. 51
🕑 Added 2025-02-19 16:54:43 +0000 UTCAfter Mel's banquet ended, sensing that the situation between Piltover and Zaun was worsening, Cipher immediately set off for Piltover Academy.
In the laboratory, he found Professor Heimerdinger hunched over his workbench, surrounded by half-finished inventions and scattered notes.
"Professor," he called softly, not wanting to startle him.
Heimerdinger looked up from his work, his large eyes blinking owlishly behind his goggles. "Ah, Cipher. What brings you to my laboratory at this hour?"
"I wanted to show you something." Cipher pulled out a small device from his coat, a crude air quality meter he'd cobbled together from Zaun parts. Its display flickered weakly, showing dangerous levels of toxins. "This is from the Undercity. Not just one location, but readings from across Zaun."
Heimerdinger's ears twitched with interest as he examined the device. "Fascinating construction, though rather primitive. The calibration is off by at least 15%." He paused, his expression growing serious. "But even accounting for that..."
"The readings are still fatal," Cipher said. "Children are growing up in this, Professor. Playing in it. The environmental progress we've made in Piltover means nothing if it's built on poisoning those below."
"The Council has discussed measures—"
"With respect, Professor, the Council discusses many things. But while they talk, people suffer." Cipher gestured to the various inventions around them. "Your work here could save lives. Not hypothetically, not eventually, but right now."
"The Undercity needs your practical wisdom," Cipher continued, his voice earnest. "Your hands-on experience. Your ability to see solutions others miss."
Heimerdinger set down the meter, his brow furrowed. "And what makes you think I'd be welcome there? The divide between our cities runs deep."
"Because you see people, not just progress." Cipher's answer was simple but struck at the heart of what he knew about Heimerdinger, his genuine care for others, his desire to help, his frustration with the Council's endless debates.
The old Yordle was quiet for a long moment, his fingers absently adjusting the gears of a nearby invention. Perhaps it's time to see these problems firsthand, rather than through reports and statistics.
Ever since their chance encounter at the Hextech Lab, Cipher had maintained a friendly relationship with Heimerdinger.
Since then, he had made sure to be polite whenever they met, knowing he might need the professor's expertise one day.
That day had come sooner than expected.
"Professor," Cipher spoke carefully, seizing the moment. "Could you develop something to help? A portable device for air purification perhaps? Something our people could actually use?"
Heimerdinger's ears perked up at the technical challenge. "Hmm... a portable purification system? The power requirements would be substantial, and the filtration mechanism would need to be..." He trailed off, lost in calculations.
"I know it's a lot to ask," Cipher said quietly. "But you've seen the readings yourself."
The Yordle looked at the air quality meter again, then at his workbench full of projects meant for Piltover's comfort. Something shifted in his expression.
"Very well," he said finally. "I'll help develop these devices. But I'll need to see the conditions myself to properly calibrate them."
And that was how, through a mix of timing and truth, Cipher managed to bring Heimerdinger down to the Undercity. At his request, Heimerdinger began work on portable air purification devices and fresheners that could actually help Zaun's people.
---
The next day, Heimerdinger had already spent a night at The Last Drop, woken up, and was preparing to enjoy a hearty breakfast before beginning his field research in the Undercity. He had agreed to Cipher's request to develop environmental improvement devices, but firsthand observation was necessary.
"Good morning, Professor. Did you sleep well last night? Would you like something to drink? We have alcohol, juice, milk, and cof… coffee." Powder yawned widely, barely covering her mouth.
Sitting on a high stool, she rested her chubby, baby-fat cheeks against the bar counter, her half-lidded eyes dull with exhaustion as she lazily greeted Heimerdinger.
When Cipher brought Heimerdinger back last night, it was Powder's first time seeing such an adorable Yordle. Unable to resist, she sneakily patted Heimerdinger's fluffy head when she thought no one was looking. The act left Vander, Silco, and Sevika utterly speechless.
Through Cipher, they already knew that this seemingly delicate, easy-to-make-cry Yordle possessed terrifying scientific prowess capable of completely shifting the balance between Piltover and Zaun.
Cipher, however, remained unbothered. He knew that Professor Heimerdinger was noble in character and had a fondness for children. In the original story, after being expelled from the Council, Heimerdinger met Ekko in the Undercity and, while staying at the Firelight hideout, created small inventions to entertain the kids.
Powder's head-patting didn't upset Heimerdinger.
Contrary to Vander and the others' expectations, while Heimerdinger wasn't particularly fond of having his head touched, he remained friendly toward Powder. He didn't dislike her for it; instead, he played with her and even joked around.
At some point, realizing Powder's remarkable talent in science, he took her on as a student, crafting fun inventions to spark her interest in learning. Their bond grew quickly, Heimerdinger enjoyed her company, and Powder, in turn, adored the fluffy and kind professor who played with her.
"Good morning, Powder. I slept alright, though the bed was a bit hard."
With his short legs, he waddled over to Powder's side.
"But you still look half-asleep. Why not get some more rest? Children need plenty of sleep to grow properly."
Observing her drowsy expression, he voiced his concern.
"I wanted to, but Vi said we had to get up and train. She doesn't want to fail her next exam again."
Powder lifted a finger and pointed toward the corner, where Vi was sweating it out on a punching machine. "Can't fail... again..." Vi grunted between punches.
"She's been like this since 5 AM..." Powder muttered, slumping further onto the counter.
"This is terrible. Why is she training instead of studying at such a young age?"
Following Powder's gesture, Heimerdinger poked his head out, watching Vi throw powerful punches in the ring, utterly baffled as to why she wasn't reading books instead.
Vi and Powder were sisters, yet to him, they seemed nothing alike. Powder had a genius-level intellect, but Vi…
He refrained from commenting further. From his perspective, Vi was far too fond of violence.
"She doesn't like studying. The moment she opens a book, she gets a headache. Vander says all her talent went into her muscles." Powder took a slow sip of milk. "He says everyone learns differently. Vi learns by doing."
"Child, you're exhausted. Go back to sleep. Vi may not rest, but you still can."
Heimerdinger advised, watching as Powder looked like she might collapse onto the counter at any second.
"No, I can't sleep anymore. Professor, do you want something to drink?" She refused his suggestion and asked again.
"Well, if you insist on staying awake, that's fine, but you'll just feel tired for a while."
The barstool was designed for taller adults. Heimerdinger, even shorter than Powder, had to struggle before finally hopping onto it.
"If possible, I'd like some tea, preferably black tea."
Heimerdinger folded his hands together, smiling as he spoke to Powder.
"Sorry, Professor, we don't have tea. Cipher says tea is too expensive, and he's too broke to afford it. How about some milk instead?"
Powder paused, then added quietly, "He always says he's broke, but I saw him buying medicine for the factory workers yesterday."
"No problem. Milk is fine."
"Milk, along with toasted bread, fried eggs, bacon, and some fresh fruits and vegetables, makes for a nutritious breakfast."
His fluffy head still carried a warm smile as he glanced around. The large was nearly empty, with only him and the two little girls. He didn't see anyone else.
"Powder, is it just you and your sister here? Where are your brother and Vander?"
Heimerdinger asked a little hesitantly. His stomach was starting to grumble, and he wanted to find someone to ask when breakfast would be ready.
"I know Silco is cooking. I saw him in the kitchen when I woke up, and he even greeted me. But as for the others, I have no idea."
Cipher had developed a portable device that made heating milk incredibly convenient. Powder always drank it warm. She poured Heimerdinger a cup, then tilted her head in thought, trying to recall where everyone was.
After confirming she only knew Silco's whereabouts, she lazily slumped onto the bar counter.
She absentmindedly bit down on the straw, occasionally taking a sip of milk.
Without enough rest, she looked completely drained, like a wilted plant. Even with Heimerdinger's fluffy head right in front of her, she had no desire to reach out and pat it.
In this state, she seemed unusually well-behaved, far from the mischievous ball of energy she usually was. It was the kind of exhaustion that made people feel bad for her.
"Oh, do you know what's for breakfast today?"
Heimerdinger patted his small belly, looking forward to the upcoming meal.
"I don't know. He makes something different every day, but it's always delicious. I really like his fried eggs, they're so fragrant."
"He makes them for me every day, but I still love eating them." She brightened slightly. "Except when he tries to make us eat vegetables."
"That sounds delightful. A good day always starts with a delicious breakfast."
Heimerdinger lifted his cup and took a sip of warm milk. I must admit, I didn't expect such... normalcy down here.
Just as he was beginning to imagine how delicious Silco's fried eggs would be, the bar door swung open. An enforcer entered, followed by Viktor and two others.
"Professor? What are you doing here?"
Their voices carried different emotions, surprise, shock, and even joy.
"Why shouldn't I be here?"
Heimerdinger responded, unimpressed. Jayce's tone annoyed him a little.
Why were they so shocked? What, was he only allowed to work for Piltover, and not to help develop the Undercity? His expression hardened slightly at their presumption.
