Arcane

- You wanted to see me, Professor? - Ah. Come in, Jayce.

Can you believe it?

Our city is about to turn 200 years old.

A bicentennial.

It's shaping up to be an amazing Progress Day.

"Stanwick Padidly"? Huh, I don't know much about him.

Everything he built either exploded, melted, or toppled over.

And yet, here he stands.

Stanwick set his personal ambitions aside

and focused on something far more important.

Our future.

He realized nothing he could accomplish

could compare to the contributions of his students.

I had no idea.

That was his sacrifice.

A dear friend.

The Council has recommended you give the Progress Day speech this year.

What... But you always give that speech.

I... I could never take your place.

I agree with them.

Your Hexgates have done wonders for our city.

Brought scholars from distant lands. Reignited passions in arts and science.

You deserve this honor.

I... I will do my best to make Piltover proud, Professor.

It's short notice, I know,

but perhaps there's something in the lab you might be able to share?

People love a grand reveal.

Viktor and I have just the thing. The next chapter of Hextech.

Come to the lab this afternoon, I'll show you.

I'll look forward to it.

You certainly have something to live up to, my boy.

Happy Progress Day. Happy Progress Day.

Our most famous protégé, Jayce Talis.

The visionary behind the Hexgates,

a beacon of trade and prosperity for our great City of Progress.

Excuse me.

Sorry, sorry. Yeah. Excuse me.

He's a very busy man.

- Cait. - Serves you right.

You still avoiding her?

I'm working.

Oh, I can see that.

I mean, there's so much crime to thwart outside your family's tent.

I can only imagine the strings she pulled to have me posted here.

It's your fault really,

for not following her into a career "more befitting your station."

She'd do anything to keep me from seeing the real world.

Well, at least you'll have front-row seats to the speech.

Speech?

Mm-hmm. I'm giving the big address tonight.

Hmm. We really have descended to anarchy.

Have fun herding the drunkards.

Happy Progress Day.

Uh, shipping manifest?

From your friend. Downtown.

Let's go!

Ah, shit. The Firelights.

We have five minutes till they're out of there.

You ever seen this much Shimmer before?

They're expanding. Check for more below. Burn it all.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Open up.

Open the door.

Oh, no. She's here.

What the...

Hi.

Vi?

I can't lose you.

Why did you leave me?

Because you're a jinx.

- I want to fight. - You're not ready.

No.

You were supposed to guard the cargo.

You think he will approve?

Heimerdinger believes science should be used

to improve lives as much as we do.

We just need to show him it's safe.

And what about the Council?

We stabilized the crystal like they asked.

Built the Hexgates like they asked.

It's our turn to decide the future of Hextech.

Professor. I'm so glad you could make it.

Wouldn't miss it for the world, my boy. What do we have on the docket?

It all began with this.

A crystal of magical energy,

too volatile to be handled outside our workshops.

Hextech was supposed to bring magic into the life of the common man.

And now, it finally can.

A Hextech Gemstone.

Wait.

Holy sprockets.

We've found a means to fortify the crystals.

This new version is stable and absolutely safe.

We present to you the next chapter of Hextech.

We can now design portable devices.

Oh...

The Gemstone can power virtually anything.

The Atlas Gauntlets.

The mining colonies in the fissures can work faster and without fatigue.

The Hex Claw.

A mechanical arm, equipped with a powerful ray of light.

Imagine what our artificers could do with such a device.

I want Hextech to be a tool for us to build a new world.

And now, it's finally possible.

Anyway, this is our presentation.

Quite amazing, gentlemen. You should be very proud.

Obviously, there are a few kinks to iron out and screws to be tightened,

but give it a decade of careful research, and it will be ready.

A decade?

Oh, don't worry, my boy. It zips past you in the blink of an eye.

With respect, Professor.

We can be improving lives with Hextech now.

A breakthrough like this takes time, Viktor.

Putting that kind of power into everyone's hands is dangerous.

Keep at it and I'm sure you will discover a way

to safeguard Hextech against misuse.

There must've been four, five of them. I don't know how they got inside.

You're from the undercity.

I didn't do anything. She's crazy.

Easy.

She shot me.

Who shot you? Who were you working for?

- I can't. He'll kill me. - Who?

I can protect you.

Caitlyn Kiramman, why does that not surprise me?

Interfering in an investigation, again.

You're supposed to be guarding your mother's tent.

I was, Sheriff, but she doesn't need it. And clearly, this takes priority.

I realize you're used to getting your way, Kiramman,

but we have a chain of command for a reason.

I understand.

But there's more going on here than just the smuggling.

- If I could just question him I could... - I'll take it from here.

Since you're looking for more work,

you can take the graveyard shift tonight at the fair.

- Yes, sir. - Good.

I want this one on a boat to Stillwater prison.

Yes, sir.

She fired on us.

There are always mishaps in battle.

The Firelights were her target and most are dead.

It wasn't a mishap, she froze up and lost her shit.

I could've handled those brats.

- She's a problem and we all know it. - We?

Who's we?

I expect better from you than excuses.

It was your job to make sure things went smoothly.

You failed. Don't disappoint me again.

The world's growing smaller every day, thanks to the Hexgates.

And now, we're cut off.

The topsiders are leaving us further and further behind.

What happened?

She already told you.

I'm asking you.

One of those Firelight wackos was a girl.

- With pink hair. - Hmm...

Your sister's gone.

You know that as well as I do.

I know. I know. Sisters, right?

You can't live with 'em, can't stuff 'em back in the ol' babymaker.

Today's screw-up will set us back weeks.

I'm sorry.

- I need to know that I can rely on you. - Phew.

I'm doing this for us, Jinx. All of us.

The sons and daughters of Zaun deserve more than their runoff.

It won't happen again.

I know.

Sevika will clean up today's mess.

Sevika? That ogre couldn't clean a dust bunny with a blowtorch.

She'll suffice. You should focus on your gadgetry.

Ugh.

Take some time.

I don't need time.

Take it anyhow.

Fundraiser's going well.

Your mother would be proud.

Hmm... Would she?

Tired of mingling?

Hmm. These people have nothing new to offer me.

The only one actually worth my time is him.

The golden boy.

Ah, he's won Piltover's heart.

Oh, speak of the devil.

Could I borrow you for a minute?

To what do I owe the pleasure?

It's Heimerdinger.

When is it not?

We've shown him our research.

He thinks we need more time.

It's Progress Day.

Representatives from all over the world

have come to see what new wonders the City of Progress has to offer.

If there's a time to present a new creation, it is now.

Great.

Heimerdinger is a great scientist. But he's old. He only ever sees the past.

Piltover needs a leader who looks forward.

Someone like you.

You really believe that?

Hextech has the potential to change everything.

The world is ready.