Marvel: Playing Iron Man, Falling In and Out of Love with Jinx

"This way, perhaps you'll finally understand the dangers of magic!"

With a wave of his large ears and a raised index finger, Heimerdinger exuded utter confidence as he spoke. Duke glanced at the dumbfounded Jayce and Viktor, who were clearly struggling to process the sudden twist in events.

Heimerdinger, the reclusive scholar who'd holed up in Piltover for nearly two centuries, was actually planning to return to his homeland. Though his motivation was to correct the misguided thinking of his students, the fact that he was willing to go back was nothing short of astonishing.

"Alright, it's settled then!"

"Professor Heimerdinger, may I interrupt for a moment?"

Unable to hide his envy and fascination with Bandle City, Duke stepped forward and sincerely asked, "Would it be possible for me to join your trip to Bandle City?"

"You want to come too?"

"Yes. I've always been curious. Legend says Bandle City exists outside the material plane, governed by rules and phenomena completely different from our own. As a scientific researcher, I'm incredibly intrigued."

"Hmm..." Heimerdinger stroked his mustache, deep in thought as the others watched. Glancing once more at the shattered rune platform, he finally nodded, "Very well, I accept your request."

"If you hadn't noticed the anomaly and shut down the rune platform in time, on top of summoning the Wind Spirit Janna to protect us, we might all be dead right now."

"So yes, you can come. Besides, your magic affinity is close to awakening. Exposure to Bandle City's rich arcane environment might help that process along, and it won't disrupt the material world."

"Professor Heimerdinger, is magical awakening dangerous?"

Orianna couldn't help but ask. After all, the very reason Piltover was founded was to escape the chaos wrought by reckless mages and arcane practitioners.

"Extremely dangerous," Heimerdinger replied solemnly. "To become a mage, one must possess innate magical talent. But most wild mages lack formal education, and their powers often awaken during moments of extreme crisis. In many cases, the explosive release of latent magic has obliterated everything around them."

"Duke's magical affinity is exceptional. His pre-awakening magic sensitivity is the strongest I've seen in centuries."

"For Piltover and your safety, I believe it's essential he awakens in Bandle City, where arcane energy is abundant. The process will be far less volatile there."

Heimerdinger laid out his reasoning. Duke turned to Mr. Collin, his nominal employer and the only one who could officially restrain him.

"You can go," Collin nodded, "but don't cause any trouble."

"Then it's settled. As for Jayce and Viktor's punishment, pack your things. We leave tomorrow and return by noon."

"But Professor Heimerdinger, isn't that a bit too lenient?" Councilor Mel raised her objection. While the others remained silent, their expressions showed agreement.

"Councilor Mel, you must understand the true purpose of punishment," Heimerdinger began, sensing the dissatisfaction. He didn't hesitate to turn the moment into a teachable lesson.

"Punishment is meant to make the wrongdoer reflect and avoid future mistakes."

"These two young men, driven by passion for scientific discovery, didn't act out of malice. They were reckless, yes, but unaware of the true dangers involved."

"If we were to inflict severe physical and psychological penalties, it could backfire disastrously."

"Sure, this might scare them into obedience for now, but what about the future?"

Heimerdinger looked Councilor Mel in the eye, his tone firm. "Frankly, I may not be as good at politics or governance as you are, but when it comes to teaching, you can't hold a candle to me."

"Crushing someone too harshly only breeds resentment."

"Lesson learned, Professor Heimerdinger," Mel responded coldly, her pride clearly wounded. Though she was old enough to be Heimerdinger's granddaughter, in this moment, he treated her like a child.

"That concludes today's session," she finally said, before approaching Duke with a smile. "Mr. Duke, we'll prepare everything you need for your invention as quickly as possible."

"Once you return from Bandle City, we can sign the contract. I'll personally ensure you get the best terms."

"Me too," added Lady Gilmeyn, jumping at the chance. With Jayce's Hextech proposal now on hold, it was time to invest in Duke's clockwork exoskeleton instead.

"Actually, there's no rush," Duke replied, raising his Azure Bird Amulet. "I'd like to submit a proposal to the Council first."

"Is it about a Spirit?"

"Yes. Janna has long protected us, yet people have forgotten her. I propose we build a temple to her and restore her worship."

"Absolutely. We'll support that wholeheartedly."

The other councilors chimed in.

"Such a benevolent deity protecting us today, it's nothing short of a miracle."

"Agreed."

"Mr. Duke, you've spoken straight to my heart."

...

Amid the warm praise, Duke whispered, "See? I treat you well, don't I?"

"That's your job!"

Janna huffed, unimpressed. A spectral Azure Bird appeared, circling overhead. A green breeze swept through the hall, and everyone felt a deep sense of calm. Even the magical damage from earlier seemed to fade.

"So what's the doctrine of your faith?" Mel asked. She was determined to win Duke over, hanging onto his every word.

"Ahem..." Duke's eyes flickered with guilt. Janna noticed and sensed danger, but before she could stop him, he declared, "It's free, so why not believe a little?"

Everyone froze, then burst into warm laughter.

...

The next morning.

Duke, sporting huge dark circles under his eyes from being pecked by Janna's bird form all night, hurried toward the academy. She'd been chasing him since he casually proclaimed, "It's free, so believe a little!"

"Quit it! I was just helping you gain followers!"

"With that kind of doctrine?!"

"It makes you seem down-to-earth!"

"Nonsense!"

"I swear it's true!"

At the academy gates, Duke looked at the towering structure and said to the bird, "I'm off to meet Heimerdinger. I'll be back by noon. Go take care of Powder and Vi in Zaun."

"You don't have to tell me."

Janna gave one final peck before taking off into the sky.

"Stingy birdbrain," Duke muttered, rubbing his head.

He entered the academy. The central plaza, paved with white marble, bustled with students in uniform.

Viktor was already waiting.

"Morning, Duke!"

"Morning, Viktor!"

They walked together toward Heimerdinger's lab. Viktor kept glancing at Duke, clearly wanting to say something.

"You want to ask about the exoskeleton?"

Duke smiled and patted his shoulder. "Once we're back from Bandle City, I'll craft one just for you."

"Thanks, but I was thinking of something else..."

"What is it?"

"If we combine technology with the human body, what do you think would happen?"

Duke frowned, studying Viktor.

"That's a dangerous but visionary idea. But let me warn you, Viktor."

"Go ahead."

"What makes us human is our flesh and blood. If we give all that up for machines, are we still ourselves?"

Viktor fell silent, troubled by the question.

"Don't overthink it. Let's go!"

"The trip to Bandle City should be... quite something."

"Yeah..."

Despite Duke's encouragement, Viktor couldn't shake his idea. Could merging with machines rid humanity of its flaws?

Like... fear?

...

Inside Heimerdinger's lab.

The professor was standing on a step ladder, sketching a doorway onto a wall. The outline was almost complete, and he was now adding details.

Jayce sat nearby, disheveled and silent.

"Ah, Duke, you're here!"

Heimerdinger tossed aside his chalk. A curious poro chased after it. These strange creatures were oddly cute, and often mimicked their owner's personality over time.

"Is that the portal to Bandle City?"

"Yes. Haven't used it in years, so fingers crossed it still works."

He pulled a small glass rod from his coat.

"Gentlemen, let's prepare for departure!"

"With pleasure!"

Duke looked at the portal excitedly. Viktor walked over to Jayce, giving him a reassuring pat.

Heimerdinger chanted in a strange, guttural language and tapped the door sketch with the glass rod.

Ripples spread out from the point of contact, turning the flat drawing into a three-dimensional gateway.

"Seems I'm not quite senile yet," Heimerdinger said with a satisfied nod.

"I'll close the gate, so I go last. Jayce, you go first."

"Understood, Professor."

Jayce stepped through, followed by Duke, then Viktor, and finally Heimerdinger. Just before stepping in, Heimerdinger extended his arm, tapped the doorway again, and let the gate seal behind them, returning to a flat wall.