Ark Rune Reactor

With the resources and technical support provided by Councilor Mel and Viktor, Jayce was quite well-prepared for this experiment, though he himself was still somewhat anxious and worried.

After all, this was infused with all his ideals and beliefs.

"Don't be nervous, Jayce. You may not believe in yourself, but you can believe in me."

After inspecting the Resonance Triggering Device in front of him and confirming there were no issues, Chen Nuo said to Jayce.

"That does sound a bit comforting."

Jayce forced a strained smile. As soon as the words left his mouth, he saw Chen Nuo take several steps back, hiding behind him, causing the strained smile on his face to instantly freeze.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm still young, so of course you should be the one to shield me from any danger."

Chen Nuo said righteously.

Now you admit you're still young?

Jayce couldn't help but mutter to himself, but he gritted his teeth and stepped forward to prepare to operate the Resonance Device.

Viktor was assisting nearby. Everyone knew the dangers of hextech crystals, but he still chose to do this.

Just like Jayce, Viktor had also poured his ideals into Hextech, willingly risking his life for it.

As the hextech crystal was placed into the Resonance Device, Jayce pressed the start switch, and the experiment officially began.

Just as previously calculated, activating and controlling the energy contained within the hextech crystal was indeed possible through resonance.

Vast energy began to gradually disrupt the stable electric field around them, emitting a cool light and stirring up gusts of wind.

The ping-pong ball-sized hextech crystal spun restlessly, giving off a rather dangerous feeling.

"Can this really succeed?"

Mel couldn't help but quietly ask Chen Nuo.

From Jayce, she had learned that the Hextech Resonance Theory was proposed by Chen Nuo, and they had jointly completed the theoretical formulas.

"Of course. The correct resonance frequency can stabilize the energy output of the hextech crystal."

Chen Nuo replied with a confident expression.

"And if it's not correct?"

Chen Nuo didn't reply, just casually shrugged his shoulders. Mel understood the implication and couldn't help but swallow nervously, looking worriedly at Jayce and the others.

Mel did believe that Jayce possessed extraordinary talent, but attempting to master magic was indeed a dangerous taboo. Deep down, she didn't hold much hope for it.

At the very least, she didn't expect Jayce to succeed on the first try. As long as everyone was safe, that would be enough; there would still be opportunities in the future.

Jayce grew calmer, continuously operating the device and adjusting the resonance frequency, making the energy output of the hextech crystal increasingly astonishing, now clearly visible to the naked eye.

Seeing this, Chen Nuo silently moved further away.

Just as Mel was about to ask, a powerful surge of energy erupted, shattering all the windows in the workshop. This meant the hextech crystal had been activated to a critical threshold.

It was also the most dangerous moment.

If Jayce's hand slipped and he failed to grasp the correct resonance frequency, the hextech crystal would be unable to maintain stability, turning into an energy bomb.

According to the normal course of events, this wouldn't happen.

But with Chen Nuo now involved, the course of events was no longer normal. So, to avoid getting splattered with blood, it was better to keep a bit of distance.

Fortunately, the worst outcome did not occur.

The energy dissipating from the surface of the hextech crystal gradually revealed various mysterious runes.

The runes stacked and rearranged themselves under the resonance frequency.

Finally, a Rune Array shimmering with magical light appeared above everyone's heads, illuminating the world in their eyes.

The energy output of the hextech crystal also stabilized.

The runes combined with magical energy, forming a kind of magic.

It directly overturned Newton's coffin lid, disrupting the original laws of physics. Gravity ceased to exist, and all objects instantly floated.

Looking at the Hextech Energy Field shining like a star, Jayce couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh. He knew his experiment had succeeded.

As for what this Hextech Energy Field could do?

Chen Nuo flicked his finger, and a gear flew past, precisely passing through the energy field. As if accelerated, it passed through in an instant.

Spatial teleportation?

No, this was time acceleration!

The hextech crystal contained the magic of time.

"I say, gentlemen, could you put me down now?"

Mel held onto her skirt, her tone carrying a faint sense of helplessness. The feeling of losing gravity was indeed novel, but this posture wasn't very elegant.

"Oh, right!"

Jayce paddled his limbs in the air, trying to return to the Resonance Device to shut off the Hextech energy output, but his body uncontrollably began spinning in place.

Seeing this, Chen Nuo gave him a kick, helping him out.

Jayce rubbed his buttocks, shooting a resentful look back at him... For a long time after, Chen Nuo wouldn't see Jayce around. He needed to quickly organize his experimental thesis to present Hextech at the next council meeting.

The original apartment room had become Chen Nuo's temporary workshop.

With tangible experimental results and the support of Councilor Mel, it was believed that Jayce's Hextech could progress more smoothly.

In fact, Mel had already courted Madame Kiramann in advance, and both sides had begun laying the groundwork early.

What is the most important thing in Hextech?

Of course, it's the hextech crystal!

Without hextech crystals, Hextech would be a castle in the air. By controlling the hextech crystals, one could largely control Hextech.

Currently, the mines capable of producing hextech crystals were quite limited, with many controlled by other nobles. For Mel to seize greater benefits from this, it would require considerable effort.

But as the angel investor in Hextech, she was already far ahead of the other councilors.

However, these matters had little to do with Chen Nuo.

He had contributed to Hextech, but to dominate the benefits, he was still far from it.

Moreover, Chen Nuo didn't want to invest too much energy. The future development of Hextech could rely on Jayce and Viktor; these two were the destined ones for Hextech.

Chen Nuo could just reap the rewards in the background with his original shares.

For now, the Arc Reactor was his top priority.

Energy is the lifeblood of industrial development. Compared to the still-unperfected Hextech, Chen Nuo had his own path dependency.

"Damn bastard!"

Vi cursed at Chen Nuo's back.

She couldn't understand why Vander valued him so highly, even sending his own daughter over to do hard labor.

Though she didn't have a kind word to say, Vi's body obediently moved the various equipment to the designated locations as Chen Nuo requested.

There was no helping it; the guy paid too well.

"Well done."

Chen Nuo praised. Despite Vi still being in her developmental stage, her strength was quite impressive.

Vi didn't speak, glaring with her big eyes, panting as she looked at Chen Nuo. Only when he took out a gold coin did she reluctantly retract her predatory gaze.

Earning a gold coin in a single day—this kind of job would be fought over tooth and nail anywhere.

If everyone in Piltover were as generous as Chen Nuo, then Zaun wouldn't harbor resentment towards the people of Piltover.

To put it bluntly, the fundamental conflict between the two sides is uneven distribution.

For the same work, people from Piltover earn at least twice as much as those from Zaun, and they don't face discrimination either.

"Nuo! I've refined the element you wanted!"

Powder excitedly brought the results over to Chen Nuo, her face wearing a small expression eager for recognition.

Chen Nuo naturally wouldn't be stingy with his praise, nor would he skimp on material rewards.

Watching Powder receive two gold coins, Vi couldn't help but secretly curl her lip, while Mylo and Claggor beside her almost had their eyes pop out.

"I've already had someone help you get your work permits sorted out. After this, you'll be able to freely enter and exit Piltover."

Chen Nuo said, taking out four documents and handing them over.

People from Zaun can't stay in Piltover for long without a proper identity.

"Who cares about this thing? With those Enforcers, they'll never catch us."

Vi wore a look of disdain.

"Is being chased all over the streets something to be proud of?"

Chen Nuo retorted, leaving Vi momentarily at a loss for words. Seeing her other companions happily accept the documents, she could only grit her teeth and take hers.

Damn it. If this continues, not only my sister, but even my two sidekicks are going to defect to the enemy.

"That hextech crystal you're looking for—Dad already has a lead. Some miners at the lowest levels once found something similar, but that mine was later sealed off."

Vi reluctantly relayed Vander's words. Seeing Chen Nuo look somewhat interested, she added,

"Let me remind you, that's not a place someone like you can go down to. Even with Dad's influence, it won't help."

"Thanks for the reminder."

Chen Nuo replied with a smile, earning a disdainful little expression from Vi.

Although Vander controls The Lanes and is Zaun's current leader and spiritual figurehead, not all Zaunites agree with his current stance towards Piltover.

Unable to oppose Vander, these people have hidden in Zaun's deepest levels, where pollution is most severe and the environment is extremely complex. Even Vander finds it hard to exert his influence there.

After completing all the tasks Vander assigned, Vi didn't want to linger any longer. She led her companions away from the apartment, lest Powder immediately cling to Chen Nuo.

"Leaving already?"

Powder bit her fingernail, her face full of reluctance. It was only with Chen Nuo that she felt the recognition and satisfaction of her value being realized.

"Take this notebook back with you. Study it seriously—I'll be checking your progress."

Chen Nuo said, handing a notebook on Mechanics to Powder. This was also part of his deal with Vander.

Alchemy is too dangerous, especially for a child.

So why not guide Powder to channel her talents into another field? Piltover's Mechanics are much safer by comparison, and it would also deepen Chen Nuo's ties with Zaun.

"I definitely won't let Nuonuo down!"

Powder hugged the notebook to her chest.

"I told you, don't call me that... Fine, fine, have it your way."

Chen Nuo looked at Powder's big, watery eyes and couldn't help but sigh, signaling his surrender.

"Time to go, Powder."

Vi grabbed Powder and was about to climb onto the roof to leave.

"Use the front door!"

Chen Nuo pointed. The roof tiles of this apartment building had been cracked by Vi and the others countless times. At this rate, it would leak during rainy days.

Before, without work permits, it was one thing, but now that they can openly walk the streets, climbing onto roofs is a bit much.

Is this some kind of good habit?

Maybe in Zaun, it really is a good habit.

"Fine, we'll go."

Vi huffily changed direction, though her body remained honest.

Hmm, beaten into submission.

Before, Vi had tried many times to get even, but the results were predictable. If Vi were a bit more fragile mentally, she'd probably have become withdrawn.

Soon, only Chen Nuo remained in the apartment room. He sat at the workbench, examining the metal element Powder had refined. From the various reaction results, it was indeed the element "palladium."

But Chen Nuo had a different premonition in his heart—this time, the results might not go as he hoped.

Even though it had undergone multiple theoretical validations beforehand, in this magic-dominated world, anything could happen.

"Magnetic confinement normal... Cold fusion reactor constructed successfully... Attempting to initiate reaction..."

Chen Nuo no longer needed recordings to document the experimental process. His memory alone was enough to recall every detail, allowing him to review and analyze in his mind at any time.

The arc light of the cold fusion reactor began to flicker.

Everything seemed to be proceeding normally.

But the premonition in Chen Nuo's heart grew stronger. What would happen? He was actually a bitexpect. Scientific progress is often driven by curiosity.

Suddenly, a faint rune slowly appeared within the arc light.

Chen Nuo realized the issue.

Sure enough, on this Runeterra, all material elements are derivatives of Rune Power.

Chen Nuo increased the intensity of the reaction.

The rune flickering in the arc light became increasingly clear, and an intangible force spread outward from it.

Though extremely subtle and hard to detect, Chen Nuo could clearly sense it—space itself was trembling.

Chen Nuo stopped the reaction output. The arc light extinguished, and the rune vanished.

He knew clearly that his Arc Reactor hadn't created the rune. Instead, this power had used the Arc Reactor to radiate its own energy into the material dimension.

Runeterra is a truly wondrous existence.

This holds true across the entire universe as well.

It is composed of the Material Realm and the Spiritual Realm.

And Rune Power exists in thegap between these two realms. When this power establishes its anchor point in the Material Realm, the rune can manifest in physical form.

That is what most people now recognize as Rune Stones.

As for hextech crystals, they are merely another derivative of Rune Power in the Material Realm.

However, the danger of Rune Power lies in its self-awareness—it can distort the user's mind, body, and even soul.

Most extensions of runic power are what people call magic, which is why people fear and dread magic.

Because the more powerful the magic, the closer it is to runes, the more susceptible it is to Rune Power's influence, ultimately leading to loss of control.

Perhaps the consciousness within Rune Power harbors no subjective malice, but some of its inherent attributes and traits can severely impact the Material Realm.

Chen Nuo picked up the Arc Reactor, examining it closely.

Now, calling it an Arc Reactor is no longer appropriate. Perhaps it should be called an ark rune reactor.