"Fate is truly wondrous!"
Looking at the awkward little girl in front of him, Duke suddenly felt like laughing. Powder had her hands behind her back and her head down, but she would occasionally look up to observe Duke's expression.
"It's good that you're still alive!"
Duke's expression softened, and he raised his hand to ruffle Powder's blue hair. Vi, standing at the entrance of the Underground Room, saw Duke's action, and an excited expression appeared on her face.
It was obvious that the person was the skinny boy from her and her sister's memories, who always liked to hold a gear and mumble to the sky.
Noticing Vi's excited gaze at the entrance of the Underground Room, Duke smiled and nodded, leading Powder over. As soon as they reached the entrance of the Underground Room, Duke teased Vi, "Vi, where's the top you snatched from me back then?"
"That was years ago, and you're still holding a grudge, how petty!"
Vi punched Duke in the chest. Duke felt nothing, but Vi felt as if her wrist had been twisted. She gasped repeatedly while shaking her bandaged fist.
"What are you doing now, you're so strong?"
"I'm an apprentice in a workshop. Life is pretty good right now. Today, I even went to see the Piltover Council's Judgment."
"Wow, I didn't expect you to be an Upcity big shot!!"
Mylo leaned against the wall and said something in an exaggerated tone. Claggor elbowed Mylo in the stomach, telling him not to be so sarcastic.
"Council Judgment?"
A deep voice came. Duke turned his head and saw Vander. Vander, holding a pipe, said to Duke, "I'm a bit interested in what you said!"
"Could you tell me more about it?"
Vander's palm rested on Duke's shoulder. As the former uncrowned king, the moment his palm landed on Duke's shoulder, Vander's expression subtly changed.
This kid is not simple!
He's not as weak as others his age; his physical fitness even far surpasses mine!
Vander, who had instantly analyzed some things based on his experience, smiled and said, "Of course, if you can tell me, I'll also try to help you find the materials you need!"
"Here?"
"Let's go downstairs!"
Vander pointed to the Underground Room. Duke walked down without comment. To be honest, this trip was originally just to visit Vi and Jinx, the two sisters, in Zaun. As for finding a channel to buy goods here, that was just an excuse.
But now there was an unexpected surprise, so Duke naturally accepted it. Don't forget, he was still thinking about the Hextech Gem that Powder held.
Although it was an unfinished product, the energy contained within it was very powerful.
If he could get his hands on it, he would definitely need to get two to play with.
Once they entered the Underground Room, Mylo and Claggor were sent to guard the entrance. Powder guarded the Underground Room's door, and Vi followed Vander and Duke into the Underground Room.
"It's a bit simple, don't mind it!"
"I'm also from Zaun. Vi and Powder and I were neighbors back then. Although I later went to Piltover, I understand what I need to understand." Duke, sitting on the sofa, looked at Vander in front of him and smiled, "What do you want to know?"
"What exactly is this Council Judgment you mentioned?"
"It's simple..." Duke glanced at Vi, placed his hands on his knees, and leaned forward, "Yesterday, a building in Piltover's rich district was blown up. It's said to have been done by four little rascals from Zaun!"
Duke, after looking at Vi, stared into Vander's eyes and said, "The victim of the theft is named Jayce Talis. He's a child of the Talis family. Because after the building exploded, the Enforcers found a lot of dangerous equipment on him. Coupled with the building explosion, he threatened the safety of Piltover's citizens, so you understand!"
"These guys in Piltover really overreact. There are things all over Zaun that can kill people at any time, why don't they do something about it?"
Vi crossed her arms and snorted coldly in displeasure. Duke, hearing this, leaned back on the sofa and rolled his eyes without speaking. If Vi and Powder hadn't interfered, Jayce's research might have proceeded smoothly, until he blew himself up, or succeeded directly.
"Let's not talk about that anymore, let's talk about the Council Judgment!"
"What happened to that guy named Jayce?"
"His qualification for advanced studies at the academy has been revoked. He's to reflect at home. That kid is too impulsive!"
Duke shook his head, clearly disapproving of Jayce's impulsiveness. Vander smoked his pipe, silent for a moment. Vi stood by, looking at Vander, then at Duke, unsure what to say.
She really didn't know that taking her three little companions out for a little mischief would implicate a completely unrelated person. Although the other party was an Upcity person, Vi felt a little bad about it.
"Vi, take him to Benso. He has what Duke needs!"
"Alright." Vi looked at Duke, tilted her head outwards, "Let's go, I'll take you to buy materials and get a kickback!"
"When did you learn to get kickbacks, kid?"
"Shouldn't that be something you learn by yourself?"
Duke and Vi's voices gradually faded. Vander sat on the sofa in the Underground Room, his expression serious, "This is big trouble now!"
Vander, who deeply understood the temper of Upcity people, knew what he would face next. The trouble his four children had caused was truly significant!
"Alas, it's a troubled time!"
Fugen Tavern, back alley.
"Benso sells and buys goods, many of which are stolen items that can't see the light of day, but there are also many good things. We'll take you there, and he'll give you a discount out of respect for Vander, but don't expect any kickbacks."
"Doesn't Upcity have everything? Why would people from Upcity come here to buy things?" Mylo circled Duke, who calmly replied, "I do my own research, and funding is limited!"
"Oh, wow, a big genius!"
As Mylo spoke sarcastically, Vi grabbed him and pushed him forward, "Mylo, shut your stinking mouth! Stop being so sarcastic!"
"Tch, a rich boy from Piltover!"
"Duke is from Undercity, he's a Zaunite. He was born here; his identity won't change no matter where he goes!"
While Vi was yelling at Mylo, Powder came over, "Duke, you're back. Are you going to leave again?"
"I'm an apprentice now, I've signed a contract. If I don't go back, I'll go to jail. Besides, your team is already full, isn't it?"
Duke stroked Powder's hair and directly said to Vi without beating around the bush, "The Upcity incident was your doing, wasn't it!"
He couldn't say these things when Vander was around, but he could say them to Vi and the others who were involved.
"What do you mean by that?"
Vi stopped, walked angrily in front of Duke, and stood face to face with him. Duke shrugged, "I gave you face earlier with Vander and didn't say anything, but when you escaped from the rich district, you passed right under my window!"
"Also, Jayce Talis's research is very special. If you took anything you shouldn't have, be careful not to cause a great disaster!"
"What else shouldn't we have taken? Everything we got our hands on was thrown away by Powder!"
Mylo picked his nose and spoke sarcastically, and Claggor elbowed him again.
"That's good. After all, Jayce Talis's creations are very destructive."
Duke's voice was very serious. Vi glanced at Powder and cautiously asked, "What kind of research is that Jayce guy doing? Is it that exaggerated?"
"He's researching how to artificially control magic energy. It's said he's already created a semi-finished product. If those things get out..." Duke pointed upwards, "Blowing up a building would be a small matter for you. Once those things go wrong, about one-third of Zaun will be blown away!"
"So I want to ask if you took anything you shouldn't have?"
Duke looked into Vi's eyes. Vi's gaze flickered. After a brief exchange with Powder, she pointed at Mylo and Claggor, "You two go guard over there!"
"Alright, alright, ever since this pretty boy came, Claggor and I are no longer considered our own!"
"You talk less!"
Mylo and Claggor, holding the back of their heads and walking with splayed feet, went to the alley entrance. Vi looked at Powder, "Where are those blue glass balls you took?"
"Here..."
Powder directly pulled out the unfinished Hextech Gems from the pouch behind her waist. Seeing those blue gems emitting a blue glow, Duke's mouth twitched.
"You guys are really brave!!"
"Is this thing dangerous?" Vi grabbed a Hextech Gem, but then realized Duke had instantly moved ten meters away from her. "Once this thing receives a violent impact or bump, it will detonate the magic energy within it, and then..."
"Boom!!"
Duke gestured with both hands as if fireworks were fading. Vi's scalp suddenly tingled. Duke's expression and actions didn't seem feigned, which meant her sister had been carrying a big bomb capable of blowing up one-third of Zaun on her person for the past two days?
"Powder!!!"
Vi looked at Powder reproachfully, and Powder lowered her head, "I didn't know this thing was so dangerous!"
"So you're planning to recover this thing and trade it to those Piltover guys for a future, huh?" Vi had also recovered, looking at Duke with a hint of playfulness. Duke shook his head, "I'm not that shameless. I firmly believe I can create an energy source that is better, safer, and cleaner than this thing!"
"Then why are you asking about this?"
"Originally, it was for your safety, just in case. Now, you name a price!" Duke took out his money pouch. "Even if I don't buy back any materials, bringing back this unknown Gem will allow me to study for a while!"
When talking to Vi and Jinx, you can conceal things or be a riddle-maker, but you can't run wild with lies, as these two have a natural Heightened Senses for falsehoods.
"You actually want something so dangerous?"
"This is the only energy source I can think of right now. With this, my design will be even more perfect!"
Seeing Duke's expression like a mad scientist, Vi casually extended her arm, "Then it's yours!"
"Mine?"
Duke asked incredulously. Vi turned her head away, her face slightly flushed, "We're friends, and besides, when I was little…"
"Anyway, if you want it, just take it!"
Facing the rough and blunt Vi, Duke smiled helplessly and took the blue Gems, but only took three, pushing the rest back. "Three are enough!"
"The rest are your trouble!"
Duke winked at Vi, and with a flip of his palm, the Gems vanished without a trace. Duke's face held a satisfied smile.
"Hextech Gem obtained!"