A cool wind blew through Zaun that evening. It felt raw against Viktor's face, unaccustomed to being uncovered, as he sat by his open window and swirled the sweet aroma of anise up and through his chamber. Great puffs of steam rose from the depths of Zaun as factories let out a yawn as they shut down for the day. On the far side of the gorge, a glass elevator descended. Inside, a group of young men from Piltover chattered among themselves as they prepared for a night of indulgence in Zaun's more raucous night life. Viktor took a sip from his sweet milk as he watched it disappear into the gorge.
He understood how they felt, at least partially. For all the glittering buildings and open skies the city above had, it could be as confining as Zaun's narrowest alleys. Unspoken rules entangled its people. Who it was appropriate for you to be seen with, rigid expectations for social manners, and unflinching trade policies were just a few of the city's unseen cages. But the ones that came to Viktor's mind first were the restricting policies that had hampered his work in the name of morality.
Viktor scoffed. The notion hindering objective progress in the name of subjective ideals was beyond foolish. He remembered how the college master surrounded themselves with a pitiless air as they expelled them. He hoped that they remembered him every time a dock diver died.
Another breeze flowed through the open window and disturbed the papers on Viktor's desk. This distraction pulled Viktor's mind from the dark place it was headlining. Viktor reorganized each paper into its proper pile with care. The last paper he placed on the top of the pile for subject N-12 was the illustration of Lady Science. In the corner of the page, Viktor had attached a small note. It read:
"Subject presented this as a gift of gratitude."
Ren's gift had struck Viktor as an odd reaction. Viktor had had acolytes before, and they had served him because of shared ideals. He had aided many patients, but their relationships but theirs was always a clinical relationship that would always end once they were mended. In both cases, repayment was impersonal, either providing money or grunt labor, but now his current subject was trying to return the favor in a more personal, albeit embarrassing, way.
The idea that Ren had tried to offer his illustration skills as payment made Viktor chuckle. He had asked for no additional payment other than to be a test subject, but Ren gave more anyways. Beyond what he had asked was more than what any of his acolytes had ever offered. Subject N-12 was proving to be more entertaining than he originally anticipated.
Viktor opened his notebook to write:
"Subject's progress is steady. Considering becoming more involved with training. Will begin preparations to spar subject myself."
But first, he needed supplies, and he knew the woman to see for them.
Greetings Summoners,
Wow, 20 chapters. I never imagined that I would become so invested in this story. Thank you for your support. As thanks, I will be doing another contest/giveaway. The rules will be posted at the bottom, but first, an update. Good news, I am moving in with my betrothed. Bad news, this moving will occupy the bulk of my time over the next few weeks and I will not be able to post a new chapter until July 1st. There will still be a posting of Deathsinger next week though. When I return, I promise that it will be a longer chapter and that it will feature an exciting fight scene for you all to enjoy. Thank you for understanding.
Contest rules:
-the contest will only be open for one week, after which it will end, even if there is no winner
-after a winner emerges, this notice will be taken down
-participants must submit their answers to me over private messaging please
-only one chance per user
-due to the nature of the question, I kindly ask that those who know my summoner name please abstain from participating.
Question:
Who is my favorite champion from Zaun to play?
Prize:
My favorite skin for that champion.
Good luck on the Rift and with the contest.
