Arcane: Mage from Noxus

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Silco looked serious as he tried his best to belittle Jayce.

He still pondered the demands the other party might have: Hextech, Piltover's famed technology.

For a powerful Empire like Noxus, variables are eradicated as often as possible. However, Piltover, with its illustrious reputation, cared deeply about appearances. That's why they needed someone else to do the dirty work.

And Silco was the best man for the job. After all, just as he had control over the Sheriff of Zaun, he understood that sometimes an influential figure from Topside needed someone to handle things discreetly.

Realizing this, Silco's mind began to clear, and his expression grew calm.

"I don't care if he's truly innocent or not," Ryan said with a faint smile, his sharp gaze drilling into Silco as though reading his every thought.

"I need you to act against him. This morning, Jayce ordered a thorough investigation of Zaun as one of his first acts in office. It's a threat to both of us, wouldn't you agree?"

Silco frowned but masked his irritation.

"I'd like to comply with your wishes, but..." Silco said regretfully, "Zaun's strength isn't on the same level as Piltover's."

"200 sets of armaments from Noxus."

"My lord, they have guns," Silco added, choosing his words carefully.

Ryan let out an amused chuckle, his expression relaxed as he stared at the cunning snake before him.

"I seem to have received some information recently. Yesterday, the Lady of the Kiramman family visited Stillwater Prison—on the orders of Councilman Talis, no less—to collect a prisoner."

Silco's face stiffened, a flicker of confusion and irritation crossing his features.

Ryan ignored the visible tension and continued, tapping his forehead playfully as though struggling to recall something.

"Now, what was that prisoner's name? A bit of a tomboy... pink hair... Ah, yes." Ryan paused, his smile growing.

"How careless of me; I seem to have forgotten such important details."

At this, Silco's composure faltered ever so slightly.

"Tomorrow—no, tonight—I'll send someone to kill both the Kiramman girl and the prisoner," Silco declared, his voice ice-cold.

Ryan's smile widened. "I appreciate your decisiveness. The 150 sets of armaments I promised will arrive within two days."

"Consider it done," Silco responded without hesitation, as though the offer of 150 armaments was what Ryan had promised all along.

"Happy cooperation, Silco!"

"A pleasure," Silco replied, suppressing the killing intent bubbling inside him. He lowered his head slightly in feigned deference, forcing a smile.

The other party knew his weaknesses. All of them.

As much as Silco wanted to strike, he would only make a move if he was certain of success.

Ryan took note of Silco's carefully controlled demeanor and gestured behind him.

From the shadows, Katarina stepped forward. Her cold smile cut through the tension as she looked at Silco and his subordinates with open disdain.

"Lord Meredith," she said with icy arrogance, "allow me to challenge the strongest fighter under Mr. Silco. I can't tolerate the disrespect they showed you earlier."

Silco's sharp gaze narrowed as he looked between Katarina and Ryan. He immediately understood the true intent behind her words.

"If you don't mind, Sevika will fight this lady," Silco responded evenly.

He knew exactly what was happening here: a demonstration of power. Ryan was showing Silco just how far behind Zaun still was—despite Shimmer.

But Silco welcomed the challenge. He, too, was curious to see the results of his precious concoction against a warrior from Noxus.

At the sound of her name, Sevika stepped forward, her dark skin gleaming under the light. A twisted grin spread across her face as she cracked her neck.

"You don't mind if I use some... special means, do you?" she asked, her voice dripping with confidence.

Katarina regarded her coldly, drawing her blades.

"Do whatever you want. I won't kill you."

"Arrogant little devil," Sevika sneered, her mechanical arm humming with Shimmer-infused power.

Sevika's entire left arm was mechanical. A sharp hiss sounded as a tube of Shimmer was injected into her prosthetic limb, the liquid glowing with an eerie violet light.

Her mechanical arm flared with energy, the purple glow pulsing violently. Sevika's face twisted into a snarl as she raised the arm and charged toward Katarina.

Swish!

In her disbelief, the strike whiffed through empty air. Before Sevika could process what happened, a sharp, stinging sensation spread from her right arm.

The unmistakable sting of a dagger cutting through flesh.

"Too slow."

The whisper was playful, mocking. Katarina's voice rang in her ear as blood began to ooze from a fresh gash.

"Damn it!" Sevika roared.

She spun and swung her arm in a wide arc but hit nothing but air again.

"Have the guts to face me head-on!" Sevika spat furiously.

"Words of the weak," Katarina's disembodied voice taunted, her tone laced with disdain.

Sevika's fury turned to exhilaration when Katarina appeared directly in front of her.

This is it, Sevika thought. The assassin was too fast, but if she could land even one solid blow, she'd crush her.

The mechanical hiss sounded again as another vial of Shimmer was pumped into her arm. The violet glow intensified, the limb humming with volatile energy. Sevika's face contorted into a wicked grin as she raised the arm, gathering every ounce of strength.

"Die, kid!" she bellowed, swinging the mechanical arm down with brutal force.

Swish!

The strike landed.

Or so Sevika thought.

Instead of the satisfying impact of crushing her opponent, there was only a tearing sound.

CRASH!

The mechanical limb shattered mid-strike, the severed piece slamming into the ground with a heavy thud.

Sevika stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at the broken remains of her once-mighty prosthetic arm.

"How… How is this possible?" she stammered.

Katarina stood before her, the blade glinting with violet streaks of Shimmer as she effortlessly sheathed it.

"You thought a machine could be sharper than my blade? Foolish."

Her voice was icy and indifferent. She turned on her heel and began walking back toward Ryan without sparing Sevika another glance.

The brief battle had ended, its purpose achieved—a display of Noxian dominance.

Silco had watched the entire fight. Even though he had anticipated the result, he couldn't help but be stunned.

Sevika had been outmatched from start to finish. Even with Shimmer coursing through her veins and enhancing her arm's strength, Katarina had danced circles around her.

If this had been a real battle, Sevika's throat would've been slit in seconds.

But it wasn't just speed. Katarina's strength far surpassed anything Silco had expected.

And that blade… Silco narrowed his eyes at the memory of it slicing cleanly through Sevika's arm. No ordinary weapon could have done that, not even against a Shimmer-infused machine.

"I'm sorry, Silco," Ryan said cheerfully, his voice breaking through Silco's thoughts.

"I seem to have accidentally broken a valuable piece of equipment. But don't worry—my butler here will see to its repair."

Ryan's bright tone held a subtle edge, and when Silco looked into his eyes, he saw the unspoken command.

Silco hesitated, then glanced at the frail figure beside Ryan. Viktor—Ryan's "butler."

"I'm honored to have the help of your butler," Silco said carefully, hiding his irritation.

"Just… is he staying here? Zaun's environment isn't exactly accommodating."

Silco's instincts flared. He didn't want Noxus planting spies in his territory. Even so, Viktor's gaunt form intrigued him. If he had to accept someone, he would've preferred Katarina—the strong could always be reasoned with. But Viktor…

"Mr. Silco," Viktor's voice rasped softly, yet there was an undeniable resolve.

"I was born in a place much like Zaun. I will adapt."

Viktor understood Ryan's unspoken intent. He was here to keep a close eye on Silco. But Viktor didn't mind.

With Ryan's resources and power, he was closer than ever to achieving his vision of transforming Zaun into something greater.

If it meant bending the knee to Noxus, so be it. After all, Piltover served its council families. If both cities were subordinate to another power, Zaun could rise as an equal.

"Very well," Silco relented, though his mind raced with possibilities.

"I'll have someone arrange the best accommodations Zaun can offer."

Ryan smiled warmly, his sharp gaze lingering on Viktor. "I hope the two of you get along well."

He turned slightly toward Viktor.

"Oh, I have something for you."