A Small Trial! (update)

"The enforcers have all rushed over. Let's hope everything's okay."

"Who could've done something so terrible?"

"If you ask me, it's definitely those sewer rats from the undercity. They've always hated us. Remember the chaos during Progress Day? This has their fingerprints all over it!"

...

As Link walked through the streets, he couldn't help but overhear the chatter about the recent explosion.

He carried his toolbox on his back, following closely behind Tamara.

They had left the apprentice dormitory a while ago.

The dormitory was located near the Sun Gate, far from the heart of Piltover.

Because of its proximity to Zaun, property values in the area were low and hadn't risen much.

But this also meant the rent was cheap, which was why Link and Tamara could afford to live there.

Still, even cheap rent was enough to drain Link's meager savings. The original owner hadn't left him much, and what little remained wouldn't cover next month's rent.

Fortunately, Tamara had connections. While working on her own projects, she also acted as a middleman to earn extra money.

This time, it was a job to repair a clockwork clock. Tamara had arranged the deal, and if successful, she'd take a 15% cut.

Though her commission was steep, the jobs she offered were high-paying and required technical skill.

If you were good, the money came fast.

Plus, Tamara's clients were mostly upper-class gentlemen and ladies of Piltover. Working with them not only brought more opportunities but could also lead to bigger breakthroughs—maybe even fame and fortune.

"It's just ahead. Hurry up," Tamara urged. Link adjusted the strap of his toolbox and quickened his pace.

Soon, Tamara stopped in front of a clothing store and pointed. "Here we are. Also, are you okay?"

Link forced a smile, trying to steady his heavy breathing. He nodded.

The original owner's physical condition was terrible—worse than his own in his previous life.

No wonder he had been designing that clockwork enhancement device. If he'd succeeded, he probably would've been its first user.

"Look at you, all sweaty," Tamara said, handing him a handkerchief. "Wipe your face. You can't let Madam Norlin see you like this."

"It'll ruin her impression of you!"

"Thanks," Link rasped, wiping his forehead before handing the handkerchief back. After catching his breath, he followed Tamara into the store.

"Madam Norlin—" Tamara greeted the store owner, who was helping a customer.

The owner, dressed in a wool coat with silver hair and a kind face, turned to them.

"Oh, dear, do you have good news for me?"

Madam Norlin nodded to the customer before walking over to Tamara.

Tamara warmly embraced her, then introduced Link. "This is Link Star, a talented apprentice."

"When I heard your beloved clock was broken, I brought him straight to you."

Tamara gestured for Link to step forward. He did so, standing tall and exuding confidence.

Madam Norlin looked him up and down and smiled. "Dear, this young man is quite handsome, though he looks a bit frail."

"A craftsman needs brains, not brawn—just like your late husband," Tamara said, earning a pleased smile from Madam Norlin.

"But you know, several people have already looked at the clock. They all said it's beyond repair."

"Dear, are you sure he can fix it?"

Faced with Madam Norlin's doubt, Tamara gave Link a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, Madam Norlin. Link is the best clockwork craftsman we have."

Madam Norlin studied Link for a moment before sighing. "I hope so."

"Come, I'll show you the clock."

Tamara shot Link a look, and he adjusted the strap on his toolbox before following.

The clock sat in a corner of the room, covered with a cloth.

It was an antique mantel clock with an exquisite enameled exterior and gem-encrusted hands.

Tamara gasped. "It's beautiful! Madam Norlin, your husband must've loved you dearly."

"Of course," Madam Norlin said, glancing at a portrait on the wall.

Meanwhile, Link picked up the clock and examined its structure.

Hmm, a classic clockwork mechanism.

It used a pressure valve to provide power, with a unique kinetic transmission gear system unique to clockwork tech.

There should also be a kinetic recovery gear system to collect excess energy and recharge the pressure valve.

A single twist of the key would keep it running for three months.

As for the problem—

Link removed the clock's outer casing, exposing the gears.

Holding the clock in one hand and a screwdriver in the other, he quickly disassembled it into a pile of parts.

Madam Norlin, who had just finished reminiscing about her late husband, turned to see her beloved clock in pieces.

"Oh my goodness, what have you done?!"

Her scream drew the attention of the customer, who hurried over.

"What's wrong, Madam Norlin?" The customer gasped at the dismantled clock. "Oh no—"

Tamara looked uneasy, shooting Link a subtle glare. She was about to intervene when Link pulled out a pair of tweezers and held up a few tiny gears.

"Madam Norlin, your clock stopped working because fine wool fibers got into the gear system."

Link glanced at Madam Norlin's wool coat, and she instinctively touched it.

"The fibers jammed the gear axles, causing wear and misalignment."

Link set the tiny gears aside and pulled out a piece of wrought iron. Using the original gears as a template, he quickly crafted new ones.

"I'll install these new gears, and your clock will be as good as new."

As he spoke, Link reassembled the clock, inserted the key into the pressure valve, and gave it a few turns. The gears clicked into motion, and the hands began to move.

"Fixed."

Link set the clock back on the table, noticing a few books tucked underneath.

"Oh my—" Madam Norlin picked up the clock, her eyes lighting up as she saw it working perfectly.

"You're amazing, dear... uh..." She paused, and Tamara quickly supplied, "Link. His name is Link Star."

"Dear Link!" Madam Norlin beamed, and the customer also gave him an appreciative look.

A young, skilled craftsman was a rare sight, especially one still an apprentice.

After all, Jayce Talis, now a prominent figure in Piltover, had also been discovered as an apprentice by Lady Kiramman.

She saw the same potential in this young man.

"Excuse me—" Link pointed to the books under the table. "May I take a look?"

The customer was even more impressed. Valuing knowledge over wealth—what a noble quality.

"Of course," Madam Norlin said, bending down to retrieve the books. "These belonged to my late husband. If you like them, you can have them."

"Thank you," Link said politely, subtly reminding Tamara to collect the payment.

Tamara took the hint, leading Madam Norlin aside to discuss the fee.

Left alone, Link flipped through the books.

They detailed clockwork tech, explaining the functions of pressure valves, gear systems, and kinetic recovery devices, as well as how to design and utilize them effectively.

"Excuse me, young man," the customer said softly. Link looked up. "Yes?"

"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that I serve House Ferros."

She handed him a business card—gray with blue accents, bearing the Ferros family name and a gear-shaped crest.

Link turned it over and read the motto:

"For my family, I give everything."

House Ferros...

It sounded familiar.

"You have talent, young man," the woman said, stepping closer with a kind smile. "And talent needs a platform to shine."

"Madam, I'll consider it."

She chuckled. "I'm just a gardener, not a madam. But our patriarch, Lord Stevan, might be interested in you."

"If you want a contract or an investment, come to Bluewind Estate. This card will grant you an opportunity."

She tapped the card in Link's hand and left. Tamara returned with the payment, and they headed back.

On the way, Tamara chattered like a sparrow.

"Link, you were amazing! I can't believe you fixed the clock so quickly."

"I bet you'll be the first in our dorm to land a contract!"

"It was nothing. Just a stroke of insight," Link said casually. "Besides, what about Sia? Didn't he already get a contract?"

"Sia?" Tamara scoffed. "He got scared out of his wits a few days ago and ran back to Zaun."

"Back to Zaun?" Link was puzzled. Tamara leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Yeah! Rumor has it he saw some kind of spider-human hybrid. It moved between buildings with the sound of grinding cables, had legs like blades, a glowing blue chest, and eyes scarier than a shadow wolf's!"

As Tamara rambled on, Link stopped listening.

Grinding cables, blade-like legs, a glowing chest, blue eyes...

That sounded like Camille, the Steel Shadow.

Wait—

Link suddenly froze. Now he knew why House Ferros sounded familiar.

Because Camille's full name was Camille Ferros.