"Duke, Colin Workshop apprentice!"
Duke immediately let go of Caitlyn's fingertips, appearing very gentlemanly. Caitlyn curiously scrutinized Duke for a moment, then casually remarked, "Mr. Colin's workshop, so you're from Orianna's junior sister's family!"
"It seems Mr. Colin trusts you greatly, to bring you to the council to witness the Judgment!"
"Capable people are welcome everywhere; I merely showed a little of my talent!"
Duke shrugged, appearing indifferent. Colin bringing him to the hearing meant he intended to nurture him diligently, as Duke's displayed talent had left Colin full of praise.
Although it was just a bold attempt, Colin saw many things in it!
And nurturing Duke was also a bold attempt by Colin!
"It seems you can't stand the atmosphere in the hall either!"
Caitlyn leaned against the window, turning her head to look outside. Duke glanced at Caitlyn's profile and indifferently said, "I just think everyone is too rigid, stubborn, and only focused on the present, not considering long-term development!"
"Then what do you think of Jayce?"
"Jayce?" Duke pressed his pen against his chin, looked up at the ceiling, and sneered, "A reckless unlucky fellow!"
"Reckless? Unlucky fellow?"
Caitlyn tilted her head. She had a good relationship with Jayce, and Duke's words made her feel a bit indignant on Jayce's behalf.
"Tell me your reasons."
"He's too impulsive. If he had soft-pedaled and admitted his mistake before the council, he would still have a chance to make a comeback.
Temporary compromise is not a disgrace. Accumulating strength and starting over is fine. He should present real results and let everyone see his technology!"
"But unfortunately, his luck is bad, and he lacks an opportunity!"
"Even if he outwardly compromises, he can secretly regroup."
"Your ideas are very dangerous, Duke!" Caitlyn moved closer to Duke, staring at him without blinking. Duke smiled, "On the path of science, those who stand out are often the unconventional and daring!"
"Sometimes, a single impulse can change the future!"
"Clearly, Jayce has the impulse, but he lacks the opportunity."
"Then what do you think will happen to him?"
Duke scribbled and deduced data in his notebook, not even raising his head, saying, "The worst outcome is being exiled from Piltover!"
"But Heimerdinger is there, Jayce's mother is there, and Councilor Mel doesn't seem overly aggressive. He'll probably be placed under house arrest and have his academy qualifications revoked!"
"Who is Heimerdinger?"
Duke's pen paused. He had accidentally blurted out Heimerdinger's nickname. Duke, holding the pen to Caitlyn's forehead, pushed her away and laughed, "What do you think?"
"You're really bold! Professor Heimerdinger is one of the founders of Piltover, and it's no exaggeration to call him the Father of Piltover. If others knew you were giving him such a nickname, you'd be in big trouble!"
"Don't worry, Heimerdinger won't care. In his eyes, we're just a bunch of cute kids at most. As an immortal who has lived for over three hundred years, he won't care. He might even make fun of himself!"
Duke didn't care at all about what Caitlyn said. Heimerdinger isn't someone who cares about these formalities, otherwise he wouldn't have taken Ziggs as his apprentice back then.
Speaking of which, where is Ziggs?
Heimerdinger has been here for over three hundred years, so what about Ziggs?
Did Riot retcon it again?
Damn it!
Duke scratched his head with the end of his pen, a headache brewing. Arcane itself was a fan-made expansion of the lore, with the focus on the sisters Vi and Jinx, and the good friends Viktor and Jayce. Of course, Caitlyn's role was also indispensable, but to be honest, many things were still not shown.
"Forget it, I won't think about it. If I meet him later, I'll ask for the reason. I hope that little midget won't throw his Q at me rashly, otherwise..."
Shaking his head, Duke continued to immerse himself in calculations. Noticing Duke's changing expression and eyes, Caitlyn stood beside him, chatting with him idly.
Before long, a loud discussion came from the upper level. Mr. Colin and Orianna came down from the upper level. Mr. Colin was slightly startled when he saw Duke and Caitlyn talking to each other.
"Is that your child?"
Caitlyn's mother, Mrs. Kiramman, came to Mr. Colin's side. Mr. Colin bowed slightly, doffing his hat as a greeting: "Hello, Mrs. Kiramman!"
"Hello, Mr. Colin!"
"That's my apprentice. He's very talented and creative, so..."
"No wonder you brought him to the council hearing. You have great courage, Mr. Colin!"
Mrs. Kiramman looked at Caitlyn, who was chatting happily with Duke, a hint of thought in her eyes. Jayce was already out of the picture, so a new person needed to replace Jayce.
Although it seemed a bit heartless, this was a necessary and indispensable method for top families.
A young man who could be recognized by Mr. Colin should have good talent and ability, especially since he was still young and easy to control. It was worth placing a bet.
"When you have time, bring him to my house for a visit. Young people always need to broaden their horizons!"
Mrs. Kiramman, releasing a friendly signal, bowed slightly to Mr. Colin, "I'll take my leave first, Mr. Colin!"
"Goodbye, Mrs. Kiramman!"
"See you later!"
After Mrs. Kiramman took Caitlyn away, Duke also put away his notebook and walked towards Mr. Colin.
"It seems your luck is very good, Duke!"
Mr. Colin's nonsensical remark left Duke a bit confused. The young man scratched his head and looked at Orianna, sending her a questioning look.
"Just now, Mrs. Kiramman invited Madame and you to be her guests at her home!"
"Oh!"
Duke instantly understood. This was because Jayce was out of the picture, and she intended to place a new bet. He had entered her sight at the right time, and with Mr. Colin's assistance, she intended to invest in him.
"It all depends on Mr. Colin's arrangements!"
Investment is investment, but one cannot neglect their current boss. If you hear someone wants to invest and excitedly run over, abandoning your original boss, they won't take you in!
Even if someone is a genius, if their character is problematic, no one will easily recruit them!
"We'll talk about this later. Wait until you've achieved something!"
Mr. Colin put the matter aside. As he and Duke descended in the elevator, he pulled out a money pouch from his pocket.
"Here!"
"Is this my severance pay for being dismissed early, sir?" Duke joked, playing with the money pouch in his hand. Mr. Colin snorted, "I'm taking Orianna to a concert. If you go back alone, you'll probably just lock yourself in the attic!"
"Then this money..."
"It's for you to buy materials. Aren't you going to craft battle boots?" Mr. Colin leaned on his cane and left the Council Hall on the first floor. Orianna and Duke followed closely. Mr. Colin, holding Orianna's arm, said directly, "This is your material fee. Go buy some materials and prepare for your creation!"
"Only with a creation will you be qualified to accept more people's goodwill!"
"Yes, sir!"
After watching Mr. Colin and Orianna leave, Duke weighed the money pouch, a smile spreading across his face. He had been worrying about how to get money, and now it had been delivered to his doorstep.
"Mr. Colin is truly generous to me. If I don't achieve something now, I'll simply be wasting his kindness!"
"A thousand gold is easy to give, but a favor is hard to repay!"
"I owe more and more!"
Duke, playing with the money pouch, felt the weight of the coins in his hand and was eager to spend all of it. However, considering his material needs and the need to recharge, he restrained himself.
"I need to find a good place to buy materials. It must be cheap and have sufficient quantity!"
Putting away the money pouch, Duke walked forward with his hands behind his back, swaying. "It would be best if I could also get some kickbacks!"
"That way, it would be comfortable!"
"But before that, I'll absorb the wealth value and have a lottery draw!"
"I wonder what I'll get!"
Duke, lost in thought, merged into the crowd and slowly disappeared.