"We are very interested in your design, but you should be aware of the impact your invention will have.
"In other words, your design could almost completely overturn Piltover's current industrial system, which relies on Hextech crystal energy."
Cassandra had no doubt these weren't Lilin's original designs—or rather, she wasn't worried about it at all.
Before becoming a senator, she had been an accomplished Hextech artisan, so she could easily tell whether Lilin's schematics—filled with uniquely innovative ideas—were genuine or not.
If these blueprints were truly Lilin's, then the Kiramman family would have a prodigious inventor on their hands, one who could rival Jayce himself.
But if Lilin had stolen them from another family, the theft would inevitably surface in his future inventions. At that point, they'd only need to alert the Piltover Law Enforcement Department to have him arrested. The Kiramman family would suffer no loss—in fact, they'd gain a cache of technological schematics that could usher in a new era.
The same logic applied in reverse. The Kiramman family enjoyed an impeccable reputation and wouldn't stoop to stealing someone else's designs for short-term gain.
Besides, even if Lilin had genuinely misjudged the Kirammans and his designs were indeed stolen, he still had his mechanic system. There were countless technologies on Earth that Runeterra had yet to discover—it wouldn't be difficult to introduce a few more high-tech inventions.
Both parties continued negotiations over the patents, each driven by their own calculations.
"We can offer you as much sponsorship as you need," Cassandra said. "All we ask is that you produce these devices and continue refining them for practical, everyday use.
"Don't worry about anything else. The Kiramman family has no intention of claiming your patents. We'd simply like to add our name alongside yours. Would that be acceptable?"
Lilin nodded. He understood Cassandra was asking a purely symbolic question—his agreement was merely a formality. "Of course. No problem."
"Excellent," Cassandra replied. "Now let's discuss the profit split. Please bring out your design schematics."
She'd negotiated dozens of student-inventor sponsorship contracts and knew this part by heart.
"Let's start with the first drawing… a bicycle? Hmm, that's a curious name. It's powered by pedaling, using gears and chains—a very novel concept…"
Cassandra paused, and Lilin knew this was the turning point—the moment she'd begin undervaluing his invention on behalf of the Kirammans.
"But you must realize," she continued, "Piltover already has transport options like the Cyclo and the Hextron. Compared to those, your bicycle offers no real advantage. And frankly, the sons and daughters of high society would never be interested in something so… rudimentary."
"You're wrong—absolutely wrong, Mrs. Cassandra," Lilin countered firmly.
The Kiramman couple's brows furrowed in unison.
"First," Lilin said, "while my bicycle can't match the Hex Cycle or two-wheeled motor vehicles in speed or range, it doesn't require Hextech crystals at all—and its mechanism is incredibly simple. Have you considered the cost?"
Cassandra and Tobias exchanged glances, momentarily stunned into thoughtful silence.
Lilin let the moment hang, then added with a faint smirk, "And who said my bicycle was designed for noble families anyway?"
"If it's not for the nobility… then—" Tobias's eyes suddenly widened. "You intend to sell these to ordinary citizens?"
"Exactly," Lilin affirmed. "I designed the bicycle with common people in mind. It's not just transportation—it's also perfect for leisure rides, exercise, and daily errands.
"And because it's cheap to produce, we should pursue a low-margin, high-volume strategy. Make it affordable, and it'll become a household item in no time."
He laid out the bicycle's advantages and market potential so thoroughly that Cassandra couldn't find a single weak point to exploit.
"I think it's brilliant, my dear," Tobias said, warming to the idea. "Other families ignore the common folk entirely. If we lead this charge, we might even outmaneuver those scheming Antoines…"
You fool—why are you giving our competitors ideas?! Cassandra shot her husband a sharp glare.
But both Tobias's enthusiasm and Lilin's reasoning held water. She had no counterargument—and no choice but to relent. "Fine," she sighed. "How much do you want?"
To her surprise, Lilin wasn't greedy. He raised three fingers. "Thirty percent. Thirty percent of the sales profit is all I ask."
Piltover was an independent parliamentary city-state—though some called it a nation in its own right. As the premier trading hub linking Runeterra's east-west sea routes, its products didn't just stay local; they were exported worldwide.
In other words, the bicycle alone could earn Lilin enough wealth to live in luxury for life—and even elevate him into Piltover's upper echelons, where he might found his own noble house.
Yet he was willingly giving up that golden opportunity?
Cassandra couldn't fathom why.
Before she could ask, however, Lilin added, "But I have one condition."
"Go on," Cassandra said, sitting up straighter.
"Going forward, I'll keep inventing new things—some of them may seem incomprehensible, even impossible. No matter how outlandish they appear, I need your unconditional support."
Just how many tricks does this boy have up his sleeve?!
Cassandra felt that she was finding it increasingly difficult to understand this Ionian boy shrouded in mystery.
The corners of her mouth twitched slightly, and she tried to remain calm. "Okay, I agree—but the main premise is that it won't affect the family's interests… What else?"
"Second, I can share some of the core technologies behind my inventions with you, but I must retain full control over the more dangerous ones. You're not allowed to force me to hand them over."
"Dangerous technology…" Cassandra nearly lost her composure. "Just how dangerous is this 'dangerous technology'? If it violates Piltover's laws or threatens the city's stability and its citizens, we won't be able to protect you…"
Cassandra's words stopped abruptly when her husband poked her.
Though she didn't finish her sentence, Lilin knew exactly what she meant.
Isn't it the Steel Shadow who controls Piltover behind the scenes…?
But now that it had come to this, maybe he had grown up enough not to be afraid of her anymore—right?
Lilin comforted himself slightly and replied, "Well… it's hard to say for certain right now, but don't worry—there won't be any problems."
"…Alright. Anything else?"
"Finally, I'd like a larger share of the profits for my more complex inventions—like generators, for example."
"Of course, for simpler inventions with lower technical content, I'm willing to accept a smaller percentage. Ten to thirty percent would be acceptable. How does that sound?"
"…"
At this point in the negotiation, Cassandra felt a little numb. She couldn't tell whether Lilin was just being deliberately mysterious—or if he was genuinely a genius.
She looked into his eyes, speechless. All she saw was quiet confidence—nothing else.
Forget it. Let's take a gamble. It's not like we'd lose anything.
Cassandra sighed inwardly. "Fine. I agree. From now on, for the inventions you designate, I'll give you fifty percent of the patent profits."
"Thank you very much, Mrs. Cassandra." A bright smile spread across Lilin's face.
Then, he and the Kirammans stood up at the same time.
As Lilin's dark brown eyes met Cassandra's azure blue ones, they simultaneously reached out and clasped hands.
"It's a pleasure to work with you!"