Arcane: Mage from Noxus

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Jayce stood on the podium, his expression a mix of nervousness and determination. His green eyes scanned the crowd before he began:

"Well, I know many of you are surprised to see me here speaking tonight. To be honest, I'm just like you."

In the front row, Ryan, dressed in a finely tailored Noxian red aristocratic ensemble, leaned back in his chair and murmured to Katarina, seated beside him:

"Piltover's rising star, Jayce Talis. He's earned quite the reputation as a visionary driving Piltover—and perhaps human civilization—forward."

Jayce's gaze landed on a woman in the first row—his mother. His voice softened slightly as he continued:

"I come from a humble background. My family runs a forge that makes hammers. Maybe the tiles beneath your feet were set with one of those hammers. Growing up, no one expected much from me."

Katarina crossed her arms, her sharp green eyes betraying her skepticism as she listened.

"He has his flaws. Even if he could change the world, that's something for the future. I could take him out in ten seconds flat."

Ryan chuckled softly. "You can't always measure a person's worth by how easily you could kill them. Noxus respects more than warriors. Be it politics, science, strategy, or commerce, every skill is valuable."

Katarina gave a faint scoff. "I still don't see what makes him special. He sounds like a politician, full of self-congratulation. Honestly, he's not so different from the pompous nobles back at the Immortal Bastion."

As Jayce spoke of the revolutionary changes brought by Hextech, Katarina's expression soured further. She detested empty speeches. To her, soldiers belonged on the battlefield, and scientists belonged in laboratories—not on stages.

Ryan, however, seemed intrigued. He watched Jayce with a thoughtful expression, his voice laced with hesitation:

"Judging by his words and tone, he's not used to this kind of public speaking. But he's adapting. Maybe even enjoying it. I've never seen him in his element as a scientist, but here, he's showing natural leadership. It's impressive."

At that moment, Jayce reached the crescendo of his speech. He tapped the wooden podium with his index finger, the sound resonating across the hall, amplifying the crowd's excitement. His voice grew firm and resolute:

"It's precisely because of the advancements brought by Hextech that this moment is so extraordinary!"

He turned and pointed dramatically toward the window, where the skyline of Piltover glittered. A towering structure stood illuminated by the ethereal blue glow of hex crystals.

"Just a few years ago, Hextech brought the world together, pushing Piltover into a prosperity none of us could have imagined."

As he spread his arms wide, the Piltover audience erupted into cheers, their voices brimming with pride and celebration for their city's evolution.

Ryan and Katarina, however, remained unmoved, standing out amidst the fervent crowd.

"False prosperity," Katarina muttered with disdain.

Ryan smirked. "And yet, isn't it better to let them revel in it? Noxus doesn't directly involve itself in their little schemes, yet the profits flow far more generously to us than they do to Piltover itself. It's ironic, don't you think?"

Katarina said nothing, her lips pressing into a thin line.

It was true. Piltover's growth only strengthened Noxus's wealth, thanks to their carefully calculated trades. The city's elite grew richer, while even Piltover's middle class enjoyed modest gains. But for the people of Zaun, life remained bleak.

The divide between Piltover's golden towers and Zaun's shadowed undercity widened with each passing day. Though nominally one city, Piltover, and Zaun couldn't have been more divided.

Ryan's gaze shifted to the edge of the stage, where a shadowed figure with a cane stood watching silently.

"With the cooperation of Viktor, Zaun, and Piltover's elite, Piltover thrives. But what does Zaun get in return?" Ryan's voice carried a hint of mockery.

His lips curled into a small, knowing smile as if he were already anticipating the inevitable fallout.

Jayce's speech continued, moving into one of the most anticipated segments of this year's technology demonstration:

"The research is still ongoing. This year, we've prepared something truly groundbreaking for you. This batch of inventions…"

As he spoke, a brief hesitation flickered across his face. It was subtle but visible enough for the audience to notice.

Katarina arched an eyebrow. "The critical moment, and he falters. What's he hesitating about?"

Ryan, unshaken, gave a faint smile. "Do you remember Viktor's words at the banquet?"

Katarina's expression shifted as the realization dawned on her.

"Viktor… Yes. He said Heimerdinger rejected their invention."

Her sharp green eyes darted toward a figure seated in the front row.

There sat Professor Heimerdinger, Piltover's founding father and one of the most respected minds in Runeterra. The yordle's golden fur seemed to bristle as he glowered at Jayce, his mood dark and uncharacteristically grim.

Katarina smirked as she returned her attention to the stage.

"The clash of old and new. So, what do you think, Your Excellency? How will Jayce choose?"

Ryan tapped his knuckles lightly on the back of his chair, his voice calm but decisive.

"He's already shown his hand. From his earlier words, it's clear he'll opt for compromise. A win-win, or so he thinks. But in this case, to choose is to lose."

"Maybe the scientist is simply too focused on the dangers of the invention to realize the gravity of the situation," Katarina sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

She glanced around the hall. The displeasure was palpable—several Piltover council members wore stiff, grim expressions as they observed Jayce's wavering resolve.

Jayce wrestled with his thoughts for a moment before finally taking a deep breath. His tone turned solemn as he addressed the audience:

"The new technology will be shared with you… as soon as it's ready. We need more time for it to mature."

The collective disappointment in the room was almost tangible. Sensing the unease, Jayce quickly added:

"In Viktor's vision, once this technology is perfected, it won't just change Piltover. It will liberate everyone—from the children of high-born families to the laborers of the Undercity. No one will need to endure back-breaking work ever again."

In the shadows of the backstage, Viktor watched silently. While the crowd might have assumed he'd feel defeated, his metallic fingers tightened briefly on his cane before releasing—a sign of quiet relief, rather than disappointment.

Meanwhile, in the audience, Mel Medarda rose to her feet, her expression stormy. Without a word, she gestured for her butler and exited the venue, leaving a ripple of murmurs in her wake.

Jayce, seemingly unaware of her departure, continued speaking with passionate conviction:

"We vow to keep seeking progress and to live up to Piltover's name as the City of Progress."

He raised his voice for the finale:

"Our future is bright!"

As his words rang out, the sky outside erupted with a dazzling display of fireworks. The glass walls of the hall allowed the audience to marvel at the vibrant colors lighting up the night.

For a moment, the tension in the room melted away, replaced by awe at the beauty above.

The crowd applauded enthusiastically, swept up in the promise of prosperity Jayce had painted for them. Many believed wholeheartedly that he would lead Piltover into an even brighter future.

But not everyone shared the sentiment.

Katarina's lips curled into a faint smirk as she leaned back in her chair.

"He compromised. That hesitation will cost him, and in the end, it'll hurt him—and Piltover—far more than he realizes."

"For him, this is already the best outcome," Ryan replied, shaking his head slightly.

"He followed Heimerdinger's advice, preserved the hope of progress for the people, and managed to avoid completely alienating Mel. She's furious, sure, but she'll come back around. She's too pragmatic to abandon him while he's still useful."

Katarina glanced toward the doors Mel had left through, her expression thoughtful.

"Do you think they spoke about this in private beforehand?"

"Possibly," Ryan mused.

"But whatever was said, it's clear Mel expected him to present the new Hextech invention tonight. Jayce's decision to pull back wasn't part of her plan."

Still, Ryan wasn't worried. Mel Medarda was sharp, calculating, and, above all, patient. As long as Jayce remained valuable, she would find a way to repair their relationship.

For Ryan, however, his interest was shifting. He cast a meaningful glance toward the backstage of the lecture hall, his thoughts lingering on Viktor.

"The plan can't keep up with the changes," he muttered under his breath.

"Perhaps the Noxian embassy will soon receive an unexpected guest."