187 -183- No need to recall yesterday

The students stood side by side, and Orianna positioned herself in the crowd.

Two to three hundred people stood on the open ground, and in front of them was a trapezoidal platform. Behind the platform were two large flags – one with a golden cogwheel, and the other with a vial containing green liquid. In front of a solid yellow table, there was a stand with an oversized microphone.

People started walking up one by one.

"Is that Councilor Medarda?"

"The one over there is Councilor Kiramman!"

"Ekko, that's Ekko! I recognize him; he's the one who sang on Twin Cities Day."

"Councilor Talis is here too!"

"Miss Powder!"

Discussions arose until a young man appeared, walking slowly step by step to the front.

Orianna, accustomed to receiving and greeting customers in the shop, quickly noticed the man had a leg disability. However, despite the crowd, he didn't show any signs of timidity. Instead, he approached the microphone with a gentle expression.

"Good morning, everyone. My name is Viktor."

"I am the dean of the Department of Chemistry at Piltover University."

The young man speaking on the platform was Viktor. Over the years, with the help of items provided by Linwin, Viktor's physical condition had improved. 

Now, with a healthy and ruddy complexion, aside from the persistent leg issue, Viktor, who regularly dealt with alchemical and hextech, looked healthier than a twenty-year-old.

"For the opening ceremony, I'm not sure what to say to everyone, so I'll talk about my understanding of science."

Viktor calmly addressed the crowd.

He was no longer the young man from Zaun who went unnoticed when he entered Piltover. 

Now, Viktor, entering middle age, should have lost the confidence and enthusiasm of his youth. Strangely, with age, both Viktor and Jayce became more confident.

They became more pure.

"Some say that science is meant to serve humanity, but I don't agree with that statement," Viktor began, and it immediately stirred whispers among the crowd.

Science is not meant to serve humanity?

Discussions started among the crowd.

However, Viktor continued, "In my view, science serves the truth, not humanity. Only technology serves humanity, just like hextech, Hex Gate, Hextech Bikes, Hex Phones, and Zaun's alchemical technology – those seemingly dangerous potions can make human life more convenient."

"I share the same view as Jayce," Viktor tilted his head to look at Jayce, who had placed his hands on his hips, standing not far away. Jayce smiled and nodded at Viktor.

"Science is not the development of human civilization; science is a rule. It's something humans imitate and create technology from to make their lives more convenient."

"So, if someone stands in your way, talking about the wrongs of science, attempting to hinder progress with theology and feudalism, then tell them, history will prove that science will crush all obstacles and continue to advance."

"Like the hextech we invented, like our alchemical technology."

Viktor saw some students in the front row bowing their heads, deep in thought. He smiled and continued, "So, move forward, and explore."

"Human science has boundaries, but no upper limit. As long as we, as scientists, maintain a strong desire for knowledge, science has no limits and can be continuously surpassed."

"Our generation has ushered in the era of magic and science, the era of hextech. But I firmly believe that the future belongs to you."

"It belongs to every scientist who is willing to explore and innovate!"

Silence enveloped the audience.

Viktor looked around the entire venue, smiled, and said, "My speech is over. Thank you, everyone."

With that, Viktor took slow and firm steps down the stage.

Down below, as Viktor walked to the other side and stood next to Mel, the students erupted in vigorous applause: "Clap, clap, clap, clap!"

Linwin was also applauding.

This speech was so characteristic of Viktor.

Science is not meant to serve humanity; technology serves humanity.

But what's different is that Viktor is not extreme.

He's not the same as the machine harold from his story because Viktor never had a moment of despair in this life.

He has the support and the trust of his dear friends.

Therefore, Viktor is still Viktor, the genius born in poverty, persistent in his beliefs, a genius dedicated to changing the fate of his home.

But he's not a lonely genius that no one understands.

Soon after Viktor, Zevi, the dean of the Department of Engineering, Jayce, the dean of Hextech, spoke, and in just over ten minutes, the three deans finished their speeches.

Then it was the turn of the dean of the Department of Weapons.

Linwin held Powder's little hand and said to her, "Powder, take it easy, don't mess things up."

"Don't worry, I'll speak well, you can rest assured."

She forcefully shook off Linwin's hand, and the next moment, Powder ran up to the stage.

She couldn't wait during Jayce's speech.

Powder is someone who loves to show herself.

She's a lively and active girl.

When Powder appeared on the podium, Orianna and the other students were stunned.

"This... this girl looks even younger than myself! But she's the dean of the Department of Weapons?

Wait, why her? Okay, let's see who the people in front of Powder are.

The pioneer of science, Mr. Viktor, one of the Twin Pillars along with Jayce.

The chief mechanical engineer of the original Piltover University, top engineer Zevi.

The founder of Hextech, the brightest star in Piltover, Jayce.

So, why is she standing alongside these three deans?

"Is she the girl who plays the drums?"

"Yes, I remember her; it seems to be her."

Piltover students recognized Powder but were puzzled, whispering among themselves.

Adjacent Zaunite students, who overheard, immediately glared at them and said, "What are you talking about? This is our Miss Powder from Zaun."

"Don't underestimate her just because Miss Powder is young. In our Zaun, she was the head of the Weapon Development a few years ago."

"Powder is a genius; all of Zaun's innovative weapons were created by her hands."

At this moment, Powder, still with a beaming smile, walked to the front, adjusting the microphone that Jayce had lifted high.

Facing the microphone, Powder began, "Hey hey hey, good morning, everyone."

"I'm Powder, the dean of the Department of Weapons at Twin Cities University."

Immediately, discussions erupted below.

These discussions were all from Piltover students.

After all, Powder was indeed famous in Zaun, and while they might not have seen her appearance, they had certainly heard her name.

But in Piltover? How could Piltover people really know Powder?

Their impression of Powder is – a girl who plays the drums, very pretty.

And now, this person, who is probably younger than themselves, has become their dean?

Who can accept that?

"I know you might have doubts about my age."

"But, you see."

"I..."

Powder chatted on and on up there.

When the students below started to get impatient, and Linwin was about to ask Powder to step down, she suddenly stopped.

"Because of Headmaster Fuzzy, I can't give you classes. But it's okay; students with excellent grades can come to my lab to watch me experiment."

"I'm currently making a powerful weapon. I call it Fishbone No. 1."

Powder raised both hands, tilted her body, lifted one foot, and with a beaming smile, said, "It's very powerful, very powerful!"

"And it will also carry my dream."

Powder paused here and suddenly blinked at the audience below.

That action seemed intentional, as if passing a message to the students below.

And because they were peers, coupled with Powder's unconventional actions, some students below actually caught Powder's words:

"Dean Powder, what's your dream?"

"Fishbone? Is that a scientific tool for catching fish?"

Powder raised her hand, extending her fingers.

"My dream is to blow up Noxus!"

"Fishbone is not a fishing tool; it's a super powerful cannon!"

A cannon?

Powder was about to explain further, but at Linwin's signal, Kaisa, who came along to watch the show, walked up to the stage.

"That's the lady who can fly."

"The one who dance?"

The Twin Cities Day also introduced Kai'Sa to the people of both cities.

"What are y-- Mmph!!"

Kai'Sa went up and covered Powder's mouth, carrying her down.

When the students turned to look, they saw Powder being carried to a man sitting in a wheelchair.

The indignant Powder sat directly on the man's lap, hugging his head with both hands.

"Come on....Behave."

Linwin quickly reached out to pat Powder, signaling her to get off him.

This wasn't at home; doing such things outside was not appropriate!

Hundreds of students were watching!

But Powder completely ignored it because she didn't care how others viewed her.

Seeing this, Linwin could only helplessly look at Kai'Sa.

With a raised eyebrow, Kai'Sa understood Linwin's meaning.

Kai'Sa immediately took action, reaching out to the back of Powder's collar.

"Wow! You two are bullying me together!"

Powder, lifted up by Kai'Sa, protested loudly.

But Kai'Sa paid no attention, letting Powder fuss in her hands.

Anyway, if it got too chaotic, the one feeling uncomfortable from being squeezed wasn't herself.

As for why Kai'Sa transformed into "Tool'Sa," it was strange. When she saw Powder hanging on Linwin so intimately, at that moment, Kai'Sa suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.

How that strange feeling came about, Kai'Sa couldn't explain.

But Kai'Sa knew she seemed not to like the close physical contact between Linwin and Powder.

But... she used to not care about these things!

That's Linwin's sister; is it weird to hug your own sister?

On the trapezoidal platform, Heimerdinger had already stepped up.

Unlike others standing inside the podium, Heimerdinger stood on top of the podium.

"Children, as Viktor and Jayce said, the future belongs to you. In these years at school, I hope you can forget disputes. In the school, there are no Zaunites, no Piltoverians; you all have a common identity – students."

Jayce's mouth showed a hint of curvature because Heimerdinger's speech was written by him.

The small principal stood on tiptoe, approached the microphone already lowered to the shortest, and continued, "These will be your best years!"

"No need to recall yesterday; we are going to live in the present."

Then, Heimerdinger explained his understanding of this sentence again.

Just when the crowd thought the opening ceremony was about to end and started applauding enthusiastically, Principal Heimerdinger suddenly pursed his lips, as if not satisfied, and said, "Well then, let's welcome the founder of Twin Cities University to say a few words."

The professor spread his hands and jumped off the table, looking kindly to his left, saying, "Come on, Linwin, it's your turn."

"The founder?"

"Who's Linwin?"

After Principal Heimerdinger stepped down, a young man in a wheelchair appeared on the stage.

"I think I've seen him before."

"Yes, wait, isn't he the one who drove the Noxians away?"

Someone in the crowd recognized Linwin.

Linwin looked at the microphone in front of him.

Interestingly, Heimerdinger standing on the table was just about the same height as Linwin sitting in the wheelchair.

Without moving the stand, Linwin pushed the wheelchair closer to it.

Actually, if he had to say something, Linwin felt there wasn't much to say.

Viktor talked about science, Zevi about the precision of machinery, Jayce about the role of dreams, and Powder... Powder was just talking nonsense. But that line about blowing up Noxus did cause a wave of cheers.

Piltoverians currently harbor the strongest resentment towards Noxians. Professor Heimerdinger's words stirred up the students' anticipation for their future campus life.

When it came to Linwin, who wasn't the dean or a teacher, he pondered for a moment, then remembered Heimerdinger's statement. He raised his head to the microphone and said, "Professor Heimerdinger mentioned that he believes the motto of Twin Cities University is - 'No need to recall yesterday.'"

"I agree because I also believe that we don't need to recall yesterday."

Heimerdinger immediately perked up, swaying his body and standing there with a smile.

"And what I believe 'No need to recall yesterday' means..."

Is remembering the past truly unimportant?

No, memories are essential.

Linwin smiled at the audience, at the first-year students of Twin Cities University who were looking forward to the future with anticipation. He spoke to them, who were already filled with expectations for what lay ahead:

"It's because every success and failure over these years, every bit of experience, is absorbed into us, shaping into who we are today."

Enforcer from the Undercity, co-founder of Hextech, leader of the Mist association in Shurima.

Linwin's face lit up with a broad smile.

Over these years, Linwin had experienced various events, witnessing the rise of Zaun and the compromise of Piltover. He often found himself reflecting on these events, each time with different feelings.

"Professor Heimerdinger believes that people should not stand still, that we should be proactive. What matters is what we do today, what we do tomorrow, and what kind of person we become in the future."

"But I have a slightly different view from the principal. I believe memories are important, and we must cherish our memories."

Not everyone is like Heimerdinger.

Not everyone can live for hundreds of years.

Professor Heimerdinger cannot impose the yordle's concept of time and views on the future on humans.

Yordles and humans are fundamentally different species.

Linwin continued, "It's precisely because of these countless memories that enable us to shape the future. Our efforts contribute to who we are today."

"Free and casual, sincere and passionate."

"No need to recall yesterday; we don't have to bid farewell to memories because they have long become a part of us."

"I've finished. Thank you, everyone."

...

"Clap"

"Clap, clap, clap!"

Orianna vigorously applauded from the audience, clapping until her small hands turned red.

Linwin's words reminded her of the clockwork lady she created.

That clockwork lady, built bit by bit, carried all of Orianna's childhood fantasies.

Principal Heimerdinger said Twin City students don't need memories because they should live in the present, focus on the future, think about what to do today and tomorrow, instead of constantly dwelling on events from yesterday and the day before.

But Linwin conveyed a different message.

"No need to recall yesterday" means that all the bits and pieces along the way have already been etched into our bodies.

Principal Heimerdinger values the results.

Mr. Linwin values the process.

Even if the efforts end in failure, the bits and pieces along the way are genuine.

One is no need for memories.

The other...

Is in need of memories.