Viktor and you spent nearly the whole night searching for a solution to stabilize the crystal. It
was proving to be far more complicated than we had anticipated. Despite my knowledge of
runes and alchemy, crafting a prototype would take too long before the council made a
decision about Jayce's fate.
With each passing hour, your eyelids grew heavier, and you could feel your thoughts
beginning to blur and become increasingly difficult to grasp.
Viktor noticed that when your heavy, tired head slipped from the hand you were using for
support. As you rubbed your eyes in an attempt to refocus, he gently suggested that you
should take a short break to rest.
Frustrated by your fatigue, you let out a short sigh and say that you're going to lie down on
the sofa for 20 minutes. Viktor nods and turns back to his work.
Yet it had clearly been more than 20 minutes. When you woke up, the sun was already rising
on the horizon, filling the lab with golden rays of light. The only sound was the cheerful
chirping of birds outside. Slowly, you looked around, wondering where you were before the
events of yesterday came rushing back to you. Your eyes widened as you shot up and
glanced at the clock. It was still morning.
Viktor wasn't in the lab anymore, you tried to get rid of the stress that scratched on your soul
while thinking about jayces process and u were still empty handed..
You decided to get up and search for anything useful once more, wondering if you had
overlooked something last night. As you made your way to the table, you took note of how
much Viktor had accomplished, you observed his work and read his handwriting. A smile
crept onto your face as you read the small notes accompanying the drawings for the
prototype.
Would a prototype drawing help Jayce? You doubted it. Then, you noticed a note directed to
you. Your eyebrows furrowed as you picked up the small piece of paper, still a bit blurry from
the lack of rest.
The note says: 'Be right back, visiting Jayce with Professor Heimerdinger.'
For a split second, your brain stopped working... What the hell! Why didn't he wake you up?
Damn it!
You tossed the note back onto the table, frustrated that he hadn't woken you up to see Jayce
before the process. As you gathered your belongings, you noticed the crystal still in its
container on the table and instinctively reached for it to put it in your leather bag.
You approached the large automatic door of the lab, but it remained unresponsive. Normally,
it would open automatically when someone stood in front of it, but today, nothing happened.
"What's going on?" you wondered, your mind still a bit foggy. Then it hit you, Viktor had
locked the door.
With a sigh, you realized he had two reasons for doing this. First, he wanted to keep the
crystal we were working with hidden from prying eyes. Secondly, there was the matter of a
girl sleeping in his lab.
With your hair a bit messy from sleeping on the sofa, your thoughts turned to Jayce, a hint of
despair and guilt reflected in your eyes. You took a step to the side and leaned your back
against the wall next to the large door. In the next moment, you slid down until you were
sitting on the floor.At least an half hour passed before you heard the familiar sound of the
crutch drawing nearer. You stood up, and in the next moment, you heard the sound of his
keys.
You had some time to calm down, and you weren't as angry anymore about the fact that he
hadn't woken you up earlier.
The big door in front of you opened, and your gaze immediately met his surprised eyes.
"Oh, good morning! You're awake," he smiled, limping past you.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" you asked directly, prompting him to stop and turn back to
face you.
He leaned on his cane to relieve the weight on his leg. "It seemed like you needed that
sleep. I tried waking you up, but you told me to get lost..." he replied.
His expression was partly amused, but exhaustion was evident on his face. The sleepless
night was taking its toll on him as well.
For a moment, you were taken aback by his words, but your expression quickly shifted to
one of slight guilt. You couldn't remember being awake, but apparently, you had been
rather... cheeky in your sleep.
"Sorry..I don't remember." You said quietly not even sure if he could hear you properly but his
answer told you he did.
" Don't worry about it" he smiled but his expression changed in a split second getting really
serious. His amber eyes appeared more golden due to the warm sunlight streaming into the
chaotic laboratory. Dust particles danced through the air, sparkling softly.
He shared with you the news that Heimerdinger was not supportive of the vision the three of
you had.
"Unfortunately, Heimerdinger isn't backing our vision," he said, concern in his voice.
"Really? I thought he would see the potential in what we're trying to accomplish," you replied,
exhausted by the fact not even the blueprints might help.
Viktor explained to you that Heimerdinger had been speaking with Jayce, and during their
conversation, the topic of magic arose.
"Heimerdinger's reaction was immediate." Viktor said, his voice tinged with frustration.
"As soon as Jayce mentioned magic, Heimerdinger scolded him harshly. He reminded Jayce
how magic nearly led to our downfall before."
"Hmm.., I can understand his point, but he can't dismiss the advancements we're trying to
make just because of past failures." you replied.
Viktor nodded in agreement.
"Exactly, Heimerdinger's fear of magic clouds his judgment. Yes, there have been disasters
in the past, but that doesn't mean we should avoid exploring new frontiers. We're aiming to
harness our knowledge responsibly." His voice soft as always.
Then there was a moment of silence; neither of you said a word. Your gaze was fixed on
your brown leather bag, lost in thought. It wasn't until Viktor moved again, the sound of wood
against the floor breaking the quiet, that you looked back at the brunette. His eyes appeared
so tired.
"You should get some sleep," you said to him.
He glanced at you in surprise for a brief moment but then smiled gently.
"After the process..."
TIME SKIP
Later that day, after hearing the news of Jayce's outcome, you felt a wave of relief wash over
you. Though he had been banned from the Academy, the situation could have been much
worse. He was able to return to his family.
In the evening, you decided to pay a visit to the Talis household, but his mother informed you
that he wasn't at home. A flicker of curiosity crossed your mind as you wondered where your
friend could be. There was only one place that came to your mind, the spot he often sought
solace...his old workshop.
Your feet carried you down the familiar streets toward the place where everything began. A
small smile appeared onto your face as you approached, noticing the light flickering through
the broken facade of the building. It was a sign that, despite everything, the spark of
innovation and hope still lingered within those walls.
Without hesitation, you hurried up the stairs, eager to see your friend again after everything
that had happened. As you reached his floor, the sound of Jayce's voice made your smile
grow even wider.
You gently knocked on the doorframe, and the moment you did, his voice trailed off.
Stepping into the warm light cast by the flickering candles, you were met with Jayce's
brightened expression. He instantly stood up to wrap you in a warm embrace.
"I'm so glad to see you, Jayce," you exclaimed, squeezing him tightly.
He smiled at you but said nothing. After you both pulled back, your gaze drifted to the person
standing silently in front of the chalkboard. It was Viktor, leaning on his cane for support,
holding a piece of chalk delicately between his slender fingers as he rolled it back and forth.
He looked more rested than he had that morning when you left his lab.
"Viktor? What are you guys doing?" you asked surprised while reading the notes they made
on the big chalkboard.
"Good news! Jayce has already built a prototype," Viktor said, his heavy accent filtering
through the air.
"But the bad news is that it will be destroyed by tomorrow." His tone was surprisingly calm
despite the gravity of the situation.
"We decided to break in and try our new... hmm, how should I put it... upgrades?" he
continued, as if it were the most normal course of action.
"What?" you exclaimed, feeling like you'd missed something crucial that would somehow
justify this plan. You stared at them, trying to wrap your mind around the idea of breaking into
the Academy.
"And where is that prototype exactly?" You asked now.
"In Heimerdinger's office, I helped him with some tasks today, so... I know where the
prototype is," Viktor replied with a smile as he pulled a ring of keys from his pocket.
Your eyes widened in shock at his boldness, astonished by the courage this man displayed.
There was no hint of fear or worry in his expression, just a calm determination that left you
both amazed.