"I hope Hextech can become the tool we use to forge a new world. At last, we see the dawn."
Jayce removed the Hex crystal from the controller of his Hextech Claw to prevent any accidental discharge.
He passionately promised the audience below, "These inventions will be shared with all of you!"
"Amazing!"
"Well done, Jayce! You're the pride of Piltover!"
"Jayce! With you leading us, Piltover will become even greater!"
The crowd erupted like a wave of cheers, shouting Jayce's name with fervor and showering him with unrestrained praise.
Most of Piltover's elites and high-ranking engineers were in the audience, listening to the speech. They had enough vision to understand the market potential of these two devices, and more importantly, they recognized opportunity when they saw it.
Jayce's willingness to share meant they could now make a lot of money, massive profits from licensing, manufacturing, and distribution.
Even the upper-class aristocrats of Piltover, who usually didn't like Jayce and his progressive ideals, were now clapping enthusiastically with genuine appreciation.
If not for their dignified status and social expectations, they would have gladly joined in the cheering with the same enthusiasm as common merchants.
Jayce, the new golden goose, had finally come around to understanding business.
The foreign dignitaries were also very satisfied, their earlier skepticism were replaced by eager calculation. They could now get a piece of the trade in the new Hextech equipment and profit from exclusive distribution channels in their home nations.
---
"That boy still doesn't understand how dangerous Hextech can be."
Heimerdinger said dejectedly. After all, Jayce was once his own student. He knew Jayce's character intimately and believed his intentions were genuinely good, that had never been in question.
But in his view, the two Hextech devices were too dangerous, the output power in the design was far too high for civilian applications. Rather than civilian tools, they looked more like highly efficient killing machines disguised as industrial equipment.
At the very least, they required a long period of in-depth research to ensure safety protocols and prevent misuse before being released to an unprepared public.
"Jayce has never seen war. His understanding of weapons is still narrow and theoretical. He probably thinks that just because the original design was for civilian use, that's what it will stay. In his eyes, high-powered controllable devices mean improved productivity for craftspeople and miners."
"But he's ignoring the fact that something with this much destructive power will definitely be weaponized within weeks of release."
Cipher wasn't surprised by Jayce's actions, having predicted this exact scenario. He wasn't malicious, just naive and inexperienced with the harsh realities of human nature.
"I'm partly to blame, too. This is a mistake both Jayce and I made. We were too idealistic when we started, and we overestimated the goodness in human nature. The Atlas Gauntlet was his design. The Hextech Claw was mine. I'll find a way to correct this mistake."
Viktor took a deep breath and calmly admitted his own error.
The Hextech Claw was his original design, born from dreams of helping people transcend physical limitations. The advanced version with the added mechanical hand came later as he refined the concept.
It used three Hex crystals linked in series as its energy source, had a built-in defensive field, and integrated automaton technology, making it extremely versatile and unfortunately, extremely dangerous in the wrong hands.
When he saw Jayce using the Hextech Claw for a live demonstration, he was deeply moved despite his frustration.
His friend hadn't forgotten him. He still remembered the vision they once shared.
But seeing Jayce acting like a clueless fool, oblivious to the harsh truths of the world, and watching Piltover play along with him like he was performing in some kind of theater... He felt a new surge of frustration.
Pity his misfortune, but blame him for not fighting harder against his own ignorance.
He felt an urgent desire to "upgrade" Jayce, ideally by slapping him hard enough to knock some sense into that brilliant but naive head.
"It's fine. He will understand soon enough. Let's just watch and see what happens."
Cipher rested his chin on his hand, sipping tea, with the look of someone enjoying the show.
The others fell silent for now, quietly watching Jayce perform his unwitting role in the evening's larger drama.
---
"Whether it's the children of noble families or the workers living in the Undercity, our inventions will help free all people from suffering. We vow to keep seeking knowledge, worthy of the City of Progress. Our future is full of light."
With the unveiling of two new Hextech devices and a speech full of vivid gestures and soaring rhetoric, Jayce delivered an inspiring performance that would be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
He raised his right hand high, the crowd cheered wildly in response, and outside, the operators lit celebratory fireworks.
Brilliant fireworks exploded in the night sky. It was so beautiful as a dream and just as fleeting.
---
Back in Zaun, the reaction to the speech was considerably more cynical.
"Councilor Talis truly lives up to being a high-level intellectual, his words sound even better than a song."
Silco put down his wine glass, unable to resist a mocking remark.
If the Undercity workers really believed the nonsense from the Upper City, they'd probably end up crying their hearts out and dying early.
"Powder, let's begin. Send a few big rockets to our great Councilor Talis."
Cipher walked up behind Powder with a teacup in hand. Seeing the two big bows on her head, he couldn't help himself, and untied them.
Then he rubbed her head twice, messing up her carefully arranged hair in the process.
"Quit it. You're such a grown man and still acting like a child."
Powder shot him a glare and slapped away his hand, then gave the final detonation order.
---
In the now-empty workshop, the last two butterflies were deployed, one stayed inside to maximize structural damage, while the other flew out the window and into the factory airspace for maximum visual impact.
BOOM!
The two butterflies detonated simultaneously. The thunderous explosions drowned out the sounds of celebratory fireworks and echoed across the night sky.
Orange flames bloomed against the darkness, visible even from the venue kilometers away.
"What's going on? Why did something suddenly explode? Are we under attack?"
Jayce turned to Caitlyn, who had been maintaining security outside the hall. His face was pale with shock and confusion.
Just moments ago, he had been smiling and waving to the crowd, they had warmly responded. Then suddenly, the massive explosion shattered everything.
Realizing what had just happened, he immediately began evacuating the crowd. He feared it was a terror attack aimed at taking out Piltover's entire leadership in one sweep.
He himself quickly left the stage and headed outside to assess the situation firsthand.
"I don't know yet. The explosion came from the industrial district. It's far from here, but the scale suggests something major."
Caitlyn was already directing the enforcers to evacuate the crowd and protect civilians.
While the rest of the enforcers were still stunned by the explosion and struggling to process what had happened, only she reacted instantly and took command of the situation.
Though technically just a regular officer in rank, she was a Kiramman, competent, well-trained, and respected by her peers.
The other enforcers instinctively obeyed her orders without question. Thanks to her quick thinking, the scene didn't descend into chaos and panic. Otherwise, with such a large gathering in the banquet hall, mass panic could have led to a deadly stampede, the consequences would've been far more disastrous than any explosion.
"Order is stable here. I have to go to the crime scene to investigate."
She unstrapped her Hextech rifle from her back. There would definitely be clues in the industrial district, and every moment of delay meant evidence could be destroyed or tampered with.
"Caitlyn, you can't go. It's too dangerous right now."
Jayce instinctively didn't want her heading toward the epicenter of destruction. It was obvious the explosion had been deliberate.
The factory was shut down for Progress Day, there was no way this was an accidental industrial incident or equipment malfunction.
"I'm an enforcer. Protecting civilians and fighting crime is my duty. I have to go!"
"Councilor Talis, you may stay here and receive the enforcers' protection, but do not interfere with me!"
Caitlyn was uncharacteristically stern. Her tone was firm and ice-cold as she addressed Jayce, cutting through his protests.
She was suddenly very disappointed in him, not for the explosion, but for his instinct to retreat when people needed protection.
This was exactly why Piltover had problems. When crisis hit, the leaders wanted to hide behind their guards.
"Then wait for me. I'll go grab my hammer and come with you!"
Jayce heard the distance and disappointment in Caitlyn's voice, the chill that hadn't been there moments before. Gritting his teeth, he turned and rushed to retrieve his custom-made Hextech warhammer.
If Caitlyn didn't retreat, then as the one supposedly leading Piltover, he definitely couldn't retreat either!