"The lab isn't as well equipped as the Academy, but it's enough.", the click of Viktor's crutch echoed off the blank walls as he gave you a tour of the building he'd been working in since the invention of the Hexgates.

Thanks to the revenue other people generated, he and Jayce had been able to research independently of the Academy and further away from Heimerdinger's influence.

Of course, that wouldn't be enough. As soon as they wanted to commercialise their inventions, the Council had to give its approval. And many of the members still respected the opinion of the founder of Piltover.

"We're living in the past.", you mumbled, lost in thought.

Viktor pushed open the heavy door that led to his own laboratory. He had wanted to show you Jayce's, but the new council member had locked it.

"Strange.", Viktor had remarked. "He usually never locks up."

You were beginning to get the feeling that you had missed your chance with him. Maybe last night had been too intense.

However, you didn't think Jayce Talis was someone who was squeamish. Shy, perhaps, and still a little unsure of his new role.

A warm blue glow spilled over the white tiles of the floor. The feeling of electricity immediately sent a shiver down your spine. All of a sudden it felt like your blood was singing. Air pressed into your lungs.

It felt like the world was suddenly complete.

"What is that?", your eyebrows furrowed, your attention fixed on a rare structure.

The familiar blue glow of the Arcane seeped from the gaps between plates of metal. Runes were carved into the small discs.

As you took a step towards it, it seemed to awaken from a deep sleep. The discs turned, formed a new shape and returned to the one that resembled a star.

"That...", Viktor sat down at the table on which the thing was floating. "I call it the hex core."

You leant forward hesitantly. But when a small flash came from inside the core, you backed away again. It was better to be cautious about things you didn't know.

"Is it... new hextech?", the doubt in your voice was undeniable.

At the same time, it didn't seem like something one could use. At least not for good purposes. Viktor looked at his work thoughtfully.

"I have a theory that the Arcane can learn."

"Learn?"

"Of course it can. Unlike simple technology, you can teach it things, change it and adapt it. So it would be possible to develop Hextech even further. It could be more than just a tool."

These words gave you a strange feeling.

You looked around briefly in this small, windowless room whose walls were covered in paper. It was cold and seemed lonely. Like a cell in which he locked himself away.

At the same time, you could feel it. The arcane.

The power filled the air like lightning that would soon burst from the clouds. The future sang for you. And only a fool would claim that progress could be held back.

Viktor was ready to give everything. He had a vision. Heimerdinger would fear it. Maybe he already did.

"What about Councillor Talis?", you felt strange talking about him like that.

He had been the first to offer you his name. And yet. After last night, you felt that your relationship with Viktor was better than with him.

"Jayce...", Viktor looked thoughtfully at the hex core.

"He doesn't know anything about it yet.", it wasn't a question, just an observation.

With a deep breath that came very close to a sigh, Viktor closed his eyes.

"It may be that he agrees with Heimerdinger more than he trusts me."

At that moment, you couldn't help but think of the Progress Day speech. Jayce had been the poster boy for the Kirammans. His speech had inspired many and impressed even more.

But for some reason you couldn't remember him mentioning Hextech and his plans for its future. Which was strange considering that this was now his bread and butter.

Suddenly, a small bolt of lightning flashed from the hex core. Torn from your thoughts, you flinched slightly, turned your head and could just see Viktor wiping the blood from his nose.

The core reacted.

From the few drops of red that had dripped onto the table in front of Viktor, a perfectly round, red pearl rose into the air. Carried by small flashes of lightning, it floated towards the inside, where the blue briefly turned red and then rested again.

The sight was mesmerising. At the same time, you didn't want to get too close to it.

"You are dying.", there was no question about that either.

Embarrassed or just trying not to be seen as a sick cripple, Viktor pulled a handkerchief from his breast pocket.

"Life in the Lanes is not fun.", he said, dabbing his bloody lips. "I want to make it better."

Your eyes travelled over his pale face. In the blue light of the arcane he looked so much more dead.

A bad development for you. This man was a visionary like no other. And he was capable. Unlike Jayce, he didn't seem to be influenced by Heimerdinger either.

There it was again, that slight feeling of amusement. Councillor Medarda could have elevated either of them to the status of councillor. Everyone knew that Jayce Talis was the face and Viktor the doer behind it.

But she had chosen wisely. Namely, the man she could most easily control.

At the realisation, you couldn't help but chuckle quietly to yourself. This woman was dangerous. Bloody dangerous.

Viktor frowned in confusion.

"What's so funny?", his voice sounded sharp.

He had not yet come to terms with his fate. It was a sensitive subject. Shaking your head slightly, you rummaged in the inside pocket of your perfectly white suit and pulled out a card with the seal of your house.

Clutching the paper between two fingers, you handed it to him with a smooth movement.

"I think we agree that Heimerdinger should not stop progress.", you gave him a smile. "This is the address of a doctor. The best in all of Piltover. Tell him I'll cover the costs."

Viktor took it hesitantly.

"We have doctors.", he said wearily. "They can't help."

You shook your head.

"This one is different. And if he can't promise a cure, then at least time. You'll have more time to research that.", you pointed to the hex core. "And until then, I'll take care of our other problem child."