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"How do you guys feel about this?"

"I want to know what everyone thinks."

Powder was momentarily stunned, then immediately looked at Silco with her puppy eyes.

She hoped Silco could help speak for her.

Silco, of course, noticed Powder's gaze. A hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes as he turned his head, pretending not to have seen Powder.

After all, Silco wouldn't speak on something he wasn't familiar with. More weapons might be good, but for the now stable Zaun, it wasn't the same Zaun that needed any weapon.

Silco's mindset was no longer extreme. All his decisions were aimed at allowing Zaun to develop better.

Clearly, what Powder wanted to create was rejected by everyone. Even Ekko, a fellow Zaunite, thought it was extremely dangerous. So, perhaps it shouldn't exist.

"Linwin!"

Heimerdinger grumbled discontentedly.

Linwin first smiled apologetically at Professor Heimerdinger, then turned to look at Jayce and Viktor. 

Jayce and Viktor exchanged glances.

"If the fire power can be reduced a bit, I think I would support it. Because, from the current situation, rather than worrying about the excessive power after success, it's better to worry about possible accidents during the experiment."

The corners of Jayce's mouth twitched. "Her idea is too horrifying. She wants to use highly heated Shimmer to destroy massive amount of Hextech gemstone at the same time. She can't guarantee, Linwin, that the projectile will only explode when it reaches its destination."

"What if it explodes in the barrel before being launched? What if it explodes right after launching?"

"That kind of explosion, a large explosion within a hundred meters, Linwin, only monsters like you have a chance of survival."

"I can guarantee!" Powder interrupted Jayce, "I will conduct various experiments, Viktor will help me. We have been studying Hextech gemstone in various ways. I am researching it carefully!"

Jayce looked at Powder, shaking his head. "Studying Hextech gemstone? There is no one in this world who understands Hextech gemstone better than me."

Jayce was a proud person. The stability of Hextech gemstone was achieved by him and Viktor.

Now, after numerous updates, Hextech gemstone had become even more stable. But Powder wanted to change the structure of the gem, ensuring it would destroy Hextech gemstone after Shimmer combustion, causing an explosion.

Could the structure of Hextech gemstone be arbitrarily changed?

"Professor, Jayce, I believe Powder's idea can succeed." Viktor's thoughts differed from Jayce's. "Powder and I need your experience, Jayce, and we also need your knowledge."

Viktor certainly didn't like manufacturing weapons.

But Viktor had been studying Hextech gemstone.

Jayce claimed he was the person who understood Hextech gemstones the most in the world? 

That was just because Viktor had been hiding in the shadows.

Now, Viktor was indeed the person with the deepest understanding of Hextech gemstone research, and Powder's idea touched Viktor.

Changing the structure to diversify Hextech gemstone was what Viktor had been devotedly researching.

Although the effects of the original crystals and artificial crystals were not significantly different, why did gemstones created from the original crystals exhibit vitality?

Is it alive?

Is it sentient?

This is what Viktor has been tirelessly researching.

"No, that's too dangerous!" Heimerdinger shook his head.

"That's why we need your help!" Powder exclaimed loudly. "Even if you can't help me, please don't stop me."

"I've made a lot of sketches, and you rejected its potential without even looking at my ideas. It's unfair!"

Silco, no longer a mere spectator, spoke up. "Powder, we can repel Noxians with our current power, and the development of Hextech weapons is underway. Why do you insist on making such a weapon?"

Powder held a painted cannon, correction, a cannon barrel, and shouted loudly, "Because I want to help Linwin. I want to protect Linwin! I don't want him to always be the one protecting us!"

"Child, I didn't say your idea is wrong. I'm saying that what you want to create is wrong." Heimerdinger walked up to Powder, speaking with deep concern. "It's too dangerous; it will change this world."

"I have lived for a very, very long time, and I have seen all sorts of things. But the only thing that can make me feel fear, child, do you know what it is?"

Powder, of course, didn't know.

She's only eighteen this year!

"It's the Rune Wars, child. That was a magical war nearly a thousand years ago. People used the power of runes to change the world's situation, and I see its shadow in your weapons. This time, I won't be wrong, child."

"Can you guarantee that this weapon won't spread everywhere? Can you ensure that other nations won't replicate the same weapon later?"

"You need to think carefully before answering me, child. How long can you live? How long can you control it? And what changes will happen after you die?"

Heimerdinger looked at Powder sternly, saying with seriousness, "If everyone has this weapon that you call fishbone, the world could be destroyed in no time."

"Whether it's Piltover or Zaun, can they really protect themselves under such weapon attacks?"

"With just a few shots, the explosion event from three hundred years ago might happen again. Is this what you want to see?"

"I..." Powder blinked, a look of confusion flashing in her eyes.

Then, Powder lowered her head with a sense of grievance.

If Heimerdinger remained unreasonable and said it was not allowed, Powder would continue to resist.

But now, with Heimerdinger looking at her seriously and giving reasons for not allowing it, Powder suddenly deflated.

"Alright, Professor."

Seeing Powder compromise and lower her head, Linwin couldn't help but speak up.

All eyes turned to Linwin.

This man, who sometimes looked like a mascot, was the true backbone of both Zaun and Piltover.

"Professor, there are many things that can change the world."

"Magic changes the world. Should we resist magic like Demacia?"

"The spiritual realm changes the world. Should we be as dull as the Ionians?"

"I know very well what Powder wants to create. I understand what it is, and I agree that it is a weapon that could potentially change the world's current situation."

While the majority of the Valoran continent consists of humans, the introduction of firearms can change the battlefield's dynamics. 

However, in this magic-dominated world, Powder's fishbone undoubtedly carries terrifying power. 

Yet, facing those lofty gods, its power may not be sufficient.

After all, in the Celestial Realm, there's Celestials who can straight up pull down meteorites to strike people.

Wouldn't that be more terrifying than a missile?

Linwin looked at Heimerdinger, then continued, "The future may become worse, but Powder is not the one in the wrong."

Is it dangerous? Of course, it is.

Because this is only Powder's initial development, but her ideas could pave the way for others. In the future, Linwin doesn't dare to deny the possibility of even more extravagant weapons.

If nuclear...

The destructive power of that thing could rival the small meteorites pulled by a certain Celestial.

But even if such a situation arises, can anyone really blame Powder?

Blame her? Anyone who dares to say so, Linwin dares to confront.

Heimerdinger found it hard to understand. "Linwin, are you supporting her?"

Linwin nodded, then turned to look at Powder.

Seeing the change in the situation, Powder had already stood up.

She looked nervously at Linwin, who was in conversation with Heimerdinger.

Does Linwin believe in her?

Yes, Linwin has always believed in Powder.

"Professor, Zaun and Piltover cannot be a sword that severs wings."

Linwin smiled at Powder.

"She should soar upward, the higher, the better."