Malphegor
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Arcane: TTB: Ch. 49
🕑 Added 2025-02-14 22:00:11 +0000 UTCViktor resigned from all his positions at Piltover Academy, returning everything that belonged to the institution. Each item he handed back felt like shedding a layer of his Upper City life.
Even the decent clothes provided by the Academy were returned by him. He folded each garment carefully, remembering the years he'd spent wearing them in pursuit of progress.
No, he wore a set of cheap clothing, produced by a Zaunite textile factory. The rough fabric scratched against his skin, but it felt honest somehow.
Viktor regretted not being able to see Professor Heimerdinger one last time. Heimerdinger had provided significant help in allowing Viktor to establish himself in the Upper City.
However, when he went to Heimerdinger's office, he was informed that the professor was no longer at Piltover Academy.
Viktor stared at the vacant desk for a moment longer before turning away. There was no time to wait for Heimerdinger to return and say goodbye.
The beast wouldn't wait, neither could he. His steps quickened despite his limp as he headed for the exit. Cipher would know what to do.
In the end, with slight regret, he took the lift back to Zaun, accompanied by Mel and Jayce.
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"Councilor Medarda, Jayce, you both didn't have to do this."
Inside the lift, Viktor looked at Mel and Jayce, especially at Mel.
The councilor had taken off her expensive white robe adorned with gold and replaced it with cheap linen clothing.
She even requested Jayce to do the same. The contrast between their usual attire and current state was striking.
This gesture deeply moved Viktor. It spoke of a willingness to understand that he hadn't expected from a Piltover councilor.
He could see it clearly, Jayce was quite reluctant when changing into the cheap clothes. Every movement showed his discomfort with this temporary descent into what he clearly viewed as dangerous.
He grumbled from time to time, complaining about the discomfort and poor fit. "These clothes itch like burns," Jayce muttered, tugging at his collar.
"Sometimes discomfort is the price of understanding," Mel replied smoothly.
"And some pay that price their entire lives," Viktor added, his voice quiet but sharp.
What was this? Jayce, a scientist who pursued the truth, was unwilling to accept the rightful and glorious evolution.
He even subconsciously rejected and despised the Undercity, refusing to acknowledge the suffering it endured.
And as a high-ranking Piltover councilor, Mel was supposed to be an enemy.
Yet, this so-called "spokesperson of the beast," with her deep roots in privilege, longed for the glorious evolution.
She even put aside her lofty councilor status and chose to integrate into the Undercity.
Thinking about this, Viktor couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment in Jayce.
"Viktor, while I believe your vision of glorious evolution is beautiful, theory and reality always differ. I want to see it with my own eyes."
"One has no right to speak without firsthand experience, don't you think so?" Mel smiled faintly. Even though she was dressed in cheap clothing, her calm and composed demeanor was as dazzling as a black pearl. "You seem surprised, Viktor. Did you think a councilor couldn't lower herself to the depths?"
"No, I'm surprised you understand that sometimes one must descend to rise higher."
"I want to see where the vast funds I invested in the Undercity have gone. Cipher doesn't seem like someone who follows the rules. That means I also have a part in the Undercity's development."
Viktor reassessed Mel. He suddenly realized that his understanding of her had been quite shallow.
He only knew she was from Noxus, the richest person in Piltover, and a councilor. But after this close interaction today, he felt that she was completely different from the other councilors.
Perhaps, she wasn't an enemy. Maybe she was someone he could bring over to his side.
The boundaries between friend and foe aren't always as clear as the line between our cities.
"You will see. The one who can write the Book of Revolution is someone whose nobility I admire." Viktor had great confidence in Cipher. He believed the Undercity must have improved significantly since the last time he was there.
The lift stopped, and the three of them arrived in Zaun.
"I'm looking forward to it," Mel said with a slight smile, stepping out of the lift first with Jayce, while Viktor limped behind them.
As soon as they stepped out of the lift, Viktor immediately sensed that Zaun had changed.
The air was different!
The last time he was here was when he and Cipher worked with Jayce on Hextech development.
At that time, Zaun was still the same, filled with the pungent stench of industrial waste in the air.
But now, although that odor still lingered, it had significantly weakened. The change was more than just superficial.
He noticed that many Zaunites were carrying strange devices with large loudspeakers, walking around.
"That should be a type of mechanical device capable of purifying the air, but why not use fixed-patrol robots?"
"Manual labor is too inefficient."
Viktor was deeply engrossed in his observations, already contemplating ways to improve the system.
However, his intense focus was misunderstood by a law enforcer responsible for maintaining order in the area.
Vroom!
With a roaring engine, a uniquely designed chem-powered motorcycle came to a stop in front of Viktor and his companions.
"Are you Zaunites just returning from the Upper City?"
A law enforcer in a black uniform stepped down from the bike, pulled out a small notebook, and questioned the three of them.
His eyes lingered on Viktor, he was a cripple, someone who, in the enforcer's view, might need assistance.
As for Mel and Jayce… suspicious individuals!
"Yes, we just came back. What is this about…?"
Viktor was puzzled, and looked at the enforcer.
The officer's black uniform was well-fitted. Probably made from high-quality fabric, and expertly tailored to accentuate his physique.
At a glance, it was clear this was a meticulously designed, high-end uniform.
He also noticed that the enforcer's hand was not made of flesh and blood but was instead a chem-enhanced prosthetic.
This meant that he had once been an enforcer for the Chem-Barons, a former gang enforcer.
Ordinary Zaunites could never afford a chem-powered prosthetic.
He instinctively tensed up. Gang enforcers under the Chem-Barons were notorious for their brutality and lack of humanity.
"Nothing much," the enforcer replied, "just saw that you don't seem to be in great health, so I wanted to check if you have stable employment and whether you need any assistance from the government."
To Viktor's surprise, this ex-gang enforcer-turned-law officer was unexpectedly polite.
What shocked him even more was that the man genuinely seemed to want to help.
Was this really the same type of person who used to kill without hesitation and eat people alive?
"I… I just lost my job and have no work. I… might actually need some help."
After some thought, Viktor decided to play the role of someone in need, experiencing the city's transformation from the perspective of a disabled person who once struggled to survive in Zaun.
"Unemployed? No worries, we Zaunites don't need to go to the Upper City to make a living anymore."
"Do you have any skills or special talents?" the enforcer asked, as if trying to avoid making Viktor feel pressured.
Before Viktor could respond, the enforcer quickly reassured him, "Don't worry. If you have a skill, I can arrange a suitable job for you."
"If you don't, I'll send you to Zaun Academy, where you can choose a skill training program you like. You can study there for free, and they'll also provide free meals and accommodation."
Viktor's pupils contracted, Zaun Academy, skill training programs, no tuition fees, free meals and housing…
These words, when put together, struck him to his core.
His first reaction was disbelief.
Zaun used to be a place where people had to fight with knives just for a single meal!
"Are you saying… even if I don't know anything, I can go to the Academy, learn a skill for free, and they'll also provide food and shelter at no cost?" Viktor asked in disbelief.
"Yes. No tuition fees, free food, free housing, but you have to take your studies seriously and not cause trouble on purpose."
"You must have been away from Zaun for a while. It's not the same place anymore, it's much better now!"
"As long as you're not lazy, anyone can have enough to eat and drink clean water. Who would've dared to dream of that in the past?"
The enforcer laughed heartily, raising his hand as if to pat Viktor on the shoulder in a friendly gesture.
But after noticing Viktor's frail physique, he hesitated and scratched his head instead.
From the enforcer's hearty laughter, he saw something he had never expected to see before, hope. It shone in the man's eyes like the first ray of sunlight breaking through Zaun's smog.
A former gang enforcer, once devoid of humanity, was now helpful, enthusiastic, and full of love for life.
Zaun had truly changed. And perhaps, Viktor realized, so had he.
