Arcane: Twin Cities Mechanic

Li Lin's sudden mention of "Prototype Zero" and the "Turing Test" left Caitlyn and David in stunned silence. 

After a brief pause, David shook himself out of his daze. "I'm sorry, Chairman Li. I don't quite understand what you mean... Are you referring to me?" 

Caitlyn, on the other hand, seemed deep in thought, occasionally glancing at David while keeping her gaze fixed on Li Lin. "Is this your latest research?" 

"Precisely," Li Lin replied with a faint smile. "Did you really think I—or the AI—would make a mistake on such a matter?" 

David looked bewildered, glancing between the two. "I'm sorry, Li... Are you saying that I'm a bionic robot?" He pointed to himself with a hesitant smile, his voice tinged with disbelief. "That can't be right... I'm human." 

With a casual snap of his fingers, Li Lin summoned the AI's projection, its bluish glow encasing David's head. In an instant, David's eyes mirrored the blue hue, data streams flashing across his pupils. 

Gradually, David's expression shifted—from initial surprise and confusion to a vacant, almost tranquil state. Eventually, his face became an impassive mask. 

A heavy silence settled over the room. Caitlyn's expression fluctuated between worry and frustration. She wanted to pull Li Lin aside and demand an explanation but hesitated to leave "David" alone in this state. 

Just as she struggled to make a decision, the bionic robot spoke. 

"To think," he said, his voice calm and emotionless, "that I was only born today." 

The anxiety and unease that had once marked his tone were gone, replaced by a steadiness that seemed inhuman. He had accepted his new identity—or rather, his original one. 

Li Lin had the AI erase the implanted memories of David Black, which were designed solely for the purposes of personality testing. Those memories were never meant to shackle "Zero." As the first of his kind, Zero deserved to create his own memories. 

With the AI's intervention, the cuffs around Zero's wrists clicked open. Stretching his arms, Zero stood, his movements measured and deliberate. 

Li Lin gestured for Zero to follow him as he turned and left the interrogation room. Since Zero was not a criminal, the enforcers monitoring from the control room had already been informed of the situation and would not interfere. 

As they walked out, Caitlyn lingered for a moment before catching up with Li Lin. Casting a quick glance at Zero, she frowned and whispered, "So... what's going on?" 

Li Lin took her hand and gave a small, reassuring smile. "We'll talk at the academy." 

---

In the underground lab of Piltover University's experimental building, Li Lin, Caitlyn, and Zero entered a room where several people were already waiting: Heimerdinger, Jayce, Viktor, and their assistant, Skye. These were Li Lin's primary collaborators on the project. 

"Oh ho ho! My boy, we did it!" Heimerdinger exclaimed, practically skipping over to pat Li Lin's leg before circling around Zero several times. 

"Come along, young one," Heimerdinger said, waving Zero over eagerly. "Let's run one final set of tests and register your identity. Congratulations! You're Piltover's very first bionic robot citizen!" 

With the AI's assistance, the testing process no longer required manual data entry or cumbersome equipment. The intelligent scanning system handled everything. For the sake of creating a more human-centered experience, however, Viktor and Sky remained at Zero's side as he lay on the examination table, while Jayce and Heimerdinger closely monitored the data on the projection screen. 

Meanwhile, Caitlyn, standing next to Li Lin, cleared her throat softly. In a low voice, she asked, "Now that we're here... care to explain what's really going on?" 

"My apologies," Li Lin said with a faint trace of guilt as he took her hand. "I couldn't tell you beforehand that it was a test." 

Caitlyn blinked, her puzzled gaze locked on him. "I don't understand. What kind of 'Turing Test' were you running, exactly?" 

"The Turing Test," Li Lin explained, "was originally proposed by Alan Mathison Turing as a method to evaluate artificial intelligence. I made some modifications to the rules, tailoring it to test Zero's capacity for personality-driven thought and reaction." 

In Li Lin's world, Alan Mathison Turing was revered as the father of computer science and artificial intelligence. However, in this world, Li Lin himself had pioneered the development of computers. There was no record of Turing's existence—until now. 

To lend credibility to the concept, the AI had fabricated historical records, inserting Turing as a minor, obscure figure in Piltover's history. This ensured that even Heimerdinger, one of Piltover's founders, would find it reasonable to be unfamiliar with the name. 

Looking toward Zero, who lay calmly on the examination table, Li Lin's expression softened into a proud smile, akin to a parent admiring their child. "If even you couldn't detect anything unusual, then it's safe to say our experiment was a success." 

Caitlyn's eyes flickered with concern as she pressed her lips together, hesitating for a few seconds before speaking. "You're calling him a true mechanical lifeform—something you created..." She trailed off, leaving her thought unfinished. 

Li Lin understood what she was trying to say. Caitlyn's concerns revolved around the implications of creating robots with human-like intelligence—would they replace humans? What moral dilemmas would this new race bring? 

Li Lin sighed softly, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." 

"If your concern is what I suspect…" Li Lin paused and asked, "Have you ever considered the implications of AI and mechanical laborers?" 

Caitlyn froze for a moment. "What do AI and mechanical laborers have to do with this?" 

Li Lin shook his head, withdrawing his gaze from Zero and meeting Caitlyn's eyes. "Even if I hadn't created a race of bionic robots, AI and mechanical laborers already possess intelligence and physical capabilities far beyond that of ordinary humans. Would they eventually replace humanity?" 

"But they're under your control and revere you as their creator," Caitlyn countered. "Bionic robots are different. They have independent thought, just like humans, and…" She hesitated, her words faltering. "I'm not doubting the value of humanity, but… I think it's a shared concern. Have you really considered the deeper implications of this?" Caitlyn's expression turned serious as she locked eyes with Li Lin. 

"I understand your concerns. I've discussed these matters extensively with AI, Professor Heimerdinger, Jayce, Viktor, and the professors in the humanities department," Li Lin said, lightly brushing her cheek with a smile. "Truthfully, there's no need for us to worry so much. This new mechanical race is indistinguishable from humans in appearance. For now, we won't disclose their true identities. At this stage, secrecy helps them integrate better with humanity. 

"Besides, who says ordinary humans are necessarily inferior to bionic robots?" Li Lin raised an eyebrow at Caitlyn. She caught on to his meaning instantly, her expression shifting to surprise. "You're not thinking of revealing genetic enhancement technology and strengthening everyone's bodies, are you?" 

"For now, only the foundational first stage of enhancement," Li Lin replied, exhaling deeply as his gaze shifted back to Zero, who was nearing the end of testing. "The Void is coming. While I don't intend for ordinary people to participate in the final war, there's always the risk of a sudden Void incursion. At the very least, people need the ability to defend themselves, so they aren't left completely helpless as prey for the Void. 

"And," he continued, gesturing upward, "creating bionic robots and enhancing human genetics isn't just for this reason." 

He pointed toward the sky. "If we truly defeat the Void and possess such advanced technology, why should we limit ourselves to a single planet?" 

Caitlyn was momentarily speechless, her eyes shining with realization. She recalled Li Lin's grand vision of interstellar travel, which he had once shared while persuading the professors at Piltover University and other influential figures to support the creation of artificial satellites. What had once seemed like an impractical "fantasy" now appeared entirely plausible, especially after she visited the orbital space station constructed beyond Earth's atmosphere. 

Without the looming threat of the Void, such aspirations could even be realized sooner. The notion of preparing a race of self-replicating bionic beings, untethered by traditional reproductive limits, suddenly seemed like a logical step toward such ambitions. 

Still, Caitlyn didn't fully grasp the true purpose behind Li Lin's creations. 

As she mulled over his words, the transparent door of the scanning lab slid open. Zero, Viktor, and Skye emerged, their expressions tinged with satisfaction. From another room, Jayce and Professor Heimerdinger also appeared, having reviewed the final test results. The five of them gathered before Li Lin. 

"The results are in!" Jayce announced excitedly. "We can officially register Zero's identity!" 

Creating a new intelligent race was an achievement that could cement Piltover's place in history. For the Talis family, this breakthrough was not just a scientific triumph but a legacy that would be celebrated for generations. Though Jayce didn't care much for fame, he reveled in the scientific accomplishment itself. 

"I am deeply grateful to you, my Creator, for giving me life," Zero said, bowing respectfully to Li Lin before turning to acknowledge the others. 

"With Zero's prototype complete, we can now construct a factory to mass-produce bionic robots," Heimerdinger said, his bushy white mustache twitching as he patted Zero's shin affectionately. "Soon, you won't have to worry about being alone!" 

"With such esteemed company, including my Creator, loneliness is not a concept I am familiar with," Zero replied politely. 

"Well said!" Jayce laughed heartily. 

Zero's lips curled into a modest smile. "I've been learning through internet access, and AI has been an excellent mentor." 

Viktor, who had been thoughtfully stroking his bare chin, suddenly raised a point. "Wait a moment. Now that you'll be registered as a free citizen, calling you 'Zero' seems a bit... impersonal." 

"Why not stick with David Black?" Jayce suggested. "Why overcomplicate things?" 

"David Black was just a virtual identity we used for testing," Viktor retorted, casting a pointed look at Jayce. "It's not Zero's real name, and we should respect his choice." 

"I'll need to adjust his appearance soon anyway," Skye chimed in. "David Black doesn't fit anymore." 

Zero turned his gaze toward Li Lin, who smiled and said, "Don't look at me. You're an independent individual now. You can choose your own name. Just don't pick something that could confuse people by overlapping with one of us!" He ended with a lighthearted chuckle. 

"In that case…" Zero furrowed his brow in thought, lowering his head. After a brief pause, he raised his eyes once more. "If I may, I would like to call myself Alan Mathison Turing." 

(End of Chapter) 

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