Arcane: Mage from Noxus

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Ryan paced to Mel's side, followed closely by Katarina, who kept her sharp eyes on the burly man before them.

Noticing the faint purple droplets dripping down from the airship's hull, Ryan quickly pieced together what had happened without waiting for an explanation.

According to Noxian intelligence, a Zaunite alchemist had developed a volatile potion called Shimmer—an alchemical potion capable of unlocking hidden potential within the human body.

But its power came at a price. Shimmer was dangerously addictive, and its effects wreaked havoc on weaker individuals, rendering it unsuitable for mass deployment in Noxus.

Yet, aboard this very airship was a shipment of that forbidden potion.

"Your Excellency Meredith, this has nothing to do with you," Mel said firmly, her voice steady despite the tense situation.

"But your people don't seem to have found any leads on the attacker," Ryan replied smoothly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

He gestured to Katarina, who promptly shoved their captive forward.

"And I happen to have a living trophy."

Katarina, ever the professional assassin, ensured that the prisoner remained alive, regardless of his efforts to resist or escape.

The man, a hulking figure dressed in ragged green attire with the air of a vagabond, hardly seemed capable of standing up to Noxian methods.

Mel's sharp gaze fixed on the captive as her brow furrowed in contemplation. She knew Ryan wouldn't hand the man over without a price, but this was her only lead—the key to uncovering the truth behind the attack.

This wasn't the first incident of its kind this year. Fortunately, every airship targeted so far had been carrying contraband, preventing larger-scale disasters.

Mel's expression hardened as she mulled over her options. At last, she gritted her teeth and asked,

"What do you want?"

"The Shimmer stockpile aboard this airship," Ryan replied without hesitation.

Mel's face darkened at the suggestion, but Ryan continued, his tone almost casual:

"Piltover's code emphasizes a people-first philosophy, does it not? Even if you secure this contraband, the Council will inevitably order its destruction. Councilor Medarda, I'm sure you wouldn't mind trading something destined for the furnace for a measure of goodwill from Noxus."

The unspoken threat in his words was clear, and it brought to Mel's mind the memory of her mother. Noxians, she thought bitterly, were all the same—unyielding, relentless.

Her voice grew icy as she countered, "The side effects of Shimmer are dangerous. Surely Noxus has no need for such crude and dangerous measures."

"Of course not," Ryan agreed with an air of nonchalance.

"The Empire understands that this potion isn't suitable for the battlefield. But that doesn't mean Shimmer lacks research value. Personally, I find its potential... intriguing."

There was no pretense in Ryan's words. He made no effort to hide his intentions, his confidence bolstered by the power of Noxus behind him.

In his mind, Piltover was no match for the might of the Empire, and there was no need to sugarcoat his demands.

"I believe Councilor Medarda will see the merit in this exchange," Ryan added, his patience waning as his fingers began to toy with the ring on his right hand.

The deep blue glow emanating from the ring caught Mel's eye, and she stiffened, realizing she had little choice in the matter.

No matter how unwilling she was, she couldn't afford to escalate this confrontation. With a reluctant sigh, she conceded:

"Fine. I agree to your terms."

Ryan's demeanor softened at her capitulation, a polite smile curving his lips.

"Thank you, Councilor, for your cooperation. Your gesture truly reflects Piltover's... hospitality."

At his subtle signal, Katarina delivered a harsh kick to the captive, sending him sprawling toward a female enforcer who had just arrived on the scene.

As Ryan and Katarina turned to leave, the young officer, unable to contain herself, glanced at the bloodied man on the ground.

"Why did you use such excessive force? He was already captured!"

Ryan's expression remained calm and indifferent, but Katarina shot the enforcer a disbelieving look, her gaze flickering toward Mel as if questioning how such a naïve soul could serve among Piltover's enforcers.

"Miss Kiramman, I don't think you should be here at this time," Mel said coldly.

"Councilor, something happened at the port, and I think I'm needed here," the female enforcer replied stubbornly.

"Hey, you haven't even heard me out."

Ryan, seemingly indifferent, commented, "It's great to see someone from Piltover with such kindness. It suits you well. I look forward to our next cooperation."

He casually turned, ignoring further conversation, and walked away.

Piltover had a Noxian residence where Ryan would be staying. He believed Mel would have the shimmering potions he needed delivered there.

The enforcer wanted to ask something, but Mel's frown deepened as she pulled her back, warning her sternly:

"Caitlyn Kiramman! Know your place, and don't bring shame to your family."

After this, she instructed the middle-aged sheriff standing beside her to lead Ryan and his companion to the Noxian embassy, while she handled the rest of the situation herself.

Normally, this would be the sheriff's responsibility, but Caitlyn's presence forced Mel to stay and oversee everything, lest things get out of hand.

Caitlyn understood justice better than anyone, but justice didn't stand a chance against Noxus.

Sure enough, within a few minutes, Caitlyn approached Mel again.

"Are we really going to give them the contraband? You're breaking Piltover's rules," Caitlyn protested.

"Rules?" Mel's icy gaze bore into Caitlyn, her voice sharp.

"Noxus doesn't concern itself with your rules." She continued, her tone scathing.

"And Miss Kiramman, be mindful of your words. Not even your mother, a member of Council, would speak to me like that."

With that, Mel turned and walked away, her expression cold as she headed towards the airship.

No one understood the power of Noxus better than Mel. Piltover needed to be able to defend its own principles, or it would fall.

Her gaze shifted toward another airship, one adorned with the image of a young man and a hammer logo. Her eyes deepened in thought. She knew it was time to speak with him. He was the future of this city.

Less than an hour after settling at the Noxian embassy, a wooden barrel filled with purple liquid was delivered to Ryan's room, along with an invitation.

"The banquet invitation of the Medarda family for Piltover is actually the same as the Medarda family of Noxus. That Miss Mel is really interesting." Katarina said casually, placing the invitation on the stone table in front of Ryan with a smug smile.

"Miss Mel certainly knows how to entertain."

Ryan's right hand glowed faintly as he manipulated the rune above his palm. A cloud of purple liquid hovered in the air, mysterious runes flickering within it.

"It's not surprising. Do you really think she could become a councillor on her own?" Ryan spoke casually, his attention focused on the glowing runes.

"Aside from Heimerdinger, the city's founder, no one in Piltover has ever reached the council purely through their own strength."

Katarina leaned against the wall, her expression mocking.

"It's just surprising. My father often tells me that Mel was exiled to Piltover by Lady Medarda for her innocence and kindness, she a daughter of one of Noxus's most ruthless general."

She smirked, eyes glinting with disdain. "In a way, she's no different from me now. My father was ruthless enough to hand me over to the Lord. But unlike him, I don't mind serving someone who rises through their own strength. You, Ryan, are a true model of that."

Ryan, still absorbed in his manipulation of the rune, responded without looking up.

"Your father and General Medarda are not on good terms. But Mel is far from exiled. She manages her family's assets in Piltover, and over the years, her family's wealth and military strength have given her leverage. They have a significant force here."

Katarina's expression shifted slightly.

"I don't need to understand all this family drama. Do you want me to prepare for the banquet in the afternoon?"

She was more focused on what Ryan needed her to do than on the intricacies of Noxian politics. She had always been the sharpest blade in the hands of the powerful, a belief instilled in her by her father.

"We'll go together in the afternoon," Ryan replied, nodding slightly, still focused on the rune in his hand.

As Katarina turned to leave, Ryan added without looking up:

"Find someone from Piltover to dress you for the occasion. You'll be accompanying me as my guest."

Katarina paused at the door, a flicker of hesitation on her face.

Ryan, sensing her thoughts, remained unfazed.

"This is part of your training. I don't need a weapon that only knows how to fight."

"Understood," Katarina responded, her resistance gone.

With a respectful nod, she left the room, closing the door behind her.