The next morning, just after dawn.
Duke had just gotten out of bed and hadn't even had time to wash up when Camille startled him by suddenly leaping in through the window.
"Seriously? Don't you sleep at all this early in the morning?"
Duke grabbed a shirt from nearby and threw it on as he walked over to the window, closing it to block out the chill that kept pouring in.
"Change of plans, Duke!"
Camille stood in front of Duke's desk, which was cluttered with his sketches and notes. She casually picked up one of the papers and saw a strange machine, part light orb like the ones used in dance halls, part propulsion device.
"Holographic Illusion Drone?"
Camille slowly read the title of the blueprint and turned to Duke. "What are you trying to build this time?"
"Just a little gadget to throw people off. Humans perceive the world through sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and a bit of intuition. If we can interfere with at least four of those senses, sight, hearing, smell, and touch, and combine it with realistic projections, we can create an illusion that feels indistinguishable from reality."
"Not bad. Could be useful for spy training."
"If that's the goal, I've got better ideas for that."
Duke finished dressing, lit a cigar using his Echo of Fate lighter, and asked, "So, what's this change of plans about?"
"Have you heard of Uroya's elixir?"
"That legendary potion said to harden skin like antimagic stone and temper the soul for a thousand years... with just a single drop?"
Duke raised an eyebrow. He actually did know about it. The potion appeared in the backstory of that blonde kid, Ezreal, it was something he found in a temple in the northwestern region of Parosa, near Ixtal.
"According to intel, a noble family from Noxus has set their sights on it and plans to seize it."
"And what's that got to do with us?"
Duke looked at Camille, expecting an answer. After all, who even knew what ingredients went into Uroya's elixir? He'd had his share of bad experiences with magical potions.
Last time, Miss Fortune had given him a drink spiked with a rare magic compound.
And yes, Duke had "persuaded" her to spill the truth... in a not-so-friendly way.
Camille continued, "The noble family is playing it smart. They're using the excuse of developing Ixtal to go searching for the elixir. Even if they don't find it, they'll gain access to valuable resources."
"You know Noxus, they've always been resource-hungry."
"They've had their eyes on Ionia for years. Why wouldn't they do the same to Ixtal?"
Camille's words made something click in Duke's mind. Noxus had been suffering from a scarcity of natural magic ever since Mordekaiser's rampage. That same lack of magical flow naturally resulted in a shortage of resources.
Which is why the Noxians used slogans like "expansion" to redirect internal conflicts born from scarcity.
Now, the Ferros family was targeting the untouched forests and mineral veins in Ixtal. And Noxians? They'd stake a claim with axes and blades the moment they saw profit.
Even if it wasn't spelled out in the official lore, Duke didn't believe for a second that Noxians would overlook such a goldmine.
Some northern port cities across the sea from Shurima had already pledged allegiance to Noxus. That made it dangerously easy for Noxus to invade Ixtal from the east and southeast.
That would severely disrupt the Ferros family's development plans. If they wanted to stay ahead, they'd have to act fast, strike like lightning, forge diplomatic ties with Ixtal's hidden capital, Ixaocan, and beat the Noxians to the punch.
Even Zyra hadn't been able to detect Ixaocan, which spoke volumes about how hidden and powerful the city was. If they could win its support, the Ferros family would be way ahead.
"So, the Noxians' plan is to 'develop' Ixtal as an excuse to hunt for Uroya's elixir, and even if they fail, they still win?"
"Exactly."
"When do we leave?"
"The advance team's already departed. You'll leave in five days."
"Five days, huh?"
Duke calculated the time he'd need. Camille stayed quiet, watching the design sketch. Eventually, Duke nodded. "Five days is enough. Worst case, I'll just sleep all the way through the trip."
"Take care of your body, Duke. Don't forget to rest just because you're buried in research."
"Word is Corin Leivik wants to marry off his daughter to you."
Camille gave him a teasing look. Duke scowled. "How do you know everything?"
"We'll talk about that later."
"I don't see the issue, honestly. Duke, you should know..."
"Let's not get into that now. Focus. Tell me more about Ixtal."
Duke waved off the topic. He knew if it dragged on, his head would start throbbing.
Camille sighed and changed the subject. "Also, try looking into Uroya's elixir yourself. We're bringing Professor Lemire this time. He might be able to help you."
"That's fine, but I need someone else's help too."
"Who?"
"A girl from a sound equipment shop. She can hear souls. I need her to wake Pride. Without him, I'm at least one power level lower."
"She'll be here in thirty minutes."
"Also, Lemire's bringing his nephew to visit. Ask him about the elixir, it might be useful for you."
"Got it."
After Camille left, Duke rubbed his temples.
"Things just keep piling up... Noxus again, huh?"
Half an hour later, Duke met Seraphine in the parlor. Her father had accompanied her. The girl was clearly nervous in the unfamiliar setting, clinging tightly to her father's coat.
In her own backstory, Seraphine had admitted she was a sheltered shut-in as a kid, naturally gifted, but socially anxious.
"Hello again," Duke greeted her, wearing his white lab coat.
Then he turned to her father. "I'm sorry we brought you here under these circumstances."
"Not at all. I'm honored to be of service," her father replied nervously, shielding his daughter behind him.
Duke sighed internally. Camille's methods really were as blunt as ever.
"Don't worry. I just need your daughter to use her gift to help me awaken a family member. Regardless of whether it works, I'll make sure you're handsomely rewarded, with everything you've ever needed."
"I know how hard it is to move from Zaun to Piltover."
He gave the man a reassuring smile, which somehow made the man even more anxious. Duke cursed in his head.
"That just sounded like a threat…"
To a man who sacrificed everything just so his daughter could be born in Piltover, this offer was completely overwhelming.
No matter what Duke said now, it would only make the man more afraid.
"This isn't helping. Follow me."
Duke led them outside. He'd already moved Pride out of the lab, there were too many dangerous materials in there. Best not to risk an explosion while trying to wake him up.
They were heading toward a lavender garden when Duke spotted a scholarly-looking man walking with a spiky-haired blond boy...
If Seraphine was a textbook introvert, then Ezreal was the complete opposite.
The blonde kid was restless, bouncing around as Lemire went ahead with the butler toward the estate.
Then Ezreal spotted Duke and exclaimed, "Hey! It's that sneaky-looking guy from the council meeting!"
Duke twitched. Sneaky?! That was curiosity, not shadiness!
Was Ezreal always this mouthy as a kid?
"Show some manners, Ezreal! Didn't I teach you better?"
"But I've totally seen him before!"
Ezreal pouted. Duke sighed, kid's memory was oddly sharp.
"That's Mr. Duke Sánchez Ferros, our family's Chief Engineer," the butler said smoothly.
Lemire looked surprised. "The Father of Exosuits?"
"That's him."
"Can I go with him instead? Pretty please?" Ezreal asked excitedly. His uncle's meeting sounded boring. Duke, on the other hand, looked fun.
"Uh…"
"It's fine. Let him come," Duke said, waving the boy over.
Ezreal bounced happily to his side. Duke smiled at Seraphine and led the group toward the parking lot.
Soon, they reached a small fountain plaza. Duke pointed to a motorcycle.
"That's him."
"A bike?" Seraphine asked.
"Whoa, that's awesome!" Ezreal rushed up to it.
Duke didn't stop him. If Seraphine succeeded in waking Pride, the kid would soon learn how reckless he was being.
"Can you awaken him?"
"Sir, I think, " her father began, but Seraphine stepped forward, eyes unfocused.
"I feel... pain, confusion, fear... and longing."
She placed her hand on the bike's headlight.
"An overwhelming fear... and deep longing for you."
Duke raised an eyebrow, he'd found the right person.
"Can you do it?"
"I think so."
Seraphine placed both hands on the headlight and began to sing, her voice ethereal.
The moment she started, the engine growled, a low, beastlike rumble, like a slumbering T. rex.
As the hum grew louder, Ezreal gleefully climbed onto the bike.
Duke gave him a silent two-second prayer.
Pride hated anyone else touching his seat.
Back when Ezreal's parents were still around, the kid was always pulling pranks.
Soon, Seraphine's face went pale and she stepped back.
"He's awake."
"ROOOOAR!!"
A wild roar echoed across the plaza. Pride transformed instantly, throwing Ezreal off. Before the boy hit the ground, Pride caught him midair, eyes glowing blood red.
"You insect!"
"How dare you touch the great Pride?!"
Ezreal turned pale, shivering in terror, and promptly wet his pants.
Duke sighed and waved. "Alright, I get the grumpiness, but don't scare the kid too much."
Pride turned to Duke, the red glow fading into a gentle blue.
"Yes, Father."
(End of chapter)
We're still in the early chapters fam! and to everyone who's joined the Patreon, thank you so much! 🙏Your support truly means the world. You're the reason this story keeps growing, chapter by chapter, world by world. I promise to give it my all! more content, more depth, more epic moments, to make sure your support is always worth it. You're part of the foundation that keeps this universe alive.
🔹 Hexcore Initiate – 15 chapters ahead
🔸 Arc Reactor Elite – 35 chapters
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