"She's still just a child, isn't she?" "Can she really handle this?"
Looking at the somewhat nervous Renata, the councilors could not help quietly whispering among themselves.
"Relax." Caleb patted Renata on the shoulder and comforted her.
Strictly speaking, he was better suited to sitting at Piltover's table. There was a seat for him in the council. But Caleb was afraid that if he did that, the girl's composure would completely collapse. After all, Renata had not yet built that commercial empire, and both of her parents were still alive. Raised by healers with compassionate hearts, she naturally found it a little intimidating to face Piltover's highest council.
"Relax. You know Jayce, that famous Progress Day figure, right?" Caleb said with a smile.
"I know him. What does that have to do with this?" Renata asked, somewhat confused.
"What do you think it was like the first time he came to the council?"
"With the concept for the Hexgates, giving a passionate speech and convincing everyone?"
Even Renata, imagining that scene and the rise of such a legendary figure, had her eyes fill with admiration.
"No. After his Hextech core was discovered, what welcomed him was a trial."
As he said this, a hint of amusement appeared on Caleb's face.
"A trial?"
Renata was puzzled.
"What he was researching at the time was too dangerous. Although the Kiramman family funded him, they were unwilling to continue supporting his studies."
"In the end, the crystallization of all his hard work was confiscated, and he was expelled from the academy."
Renata stared at Caleb blankly, not really understanding what he was trying to say.
"At least your outcome won't be much worse than his."
Caleb smiled and stood up.
"So do your best."
This time, Renata was the one giving the work report. It had nothing to do with Caleb. So after comforting Renata, Caleb simply walked out of the hall. As for how Renata would be judged, that was something the remaining councilors had to worry about.
Worst case, he would just look for another candidate.
Either way, Caleb would have to set off for the Freljord sooner or later. He also had an extremely bold idea, which was to just let Silco manage everything directly. But first, Silco's methods were too harsh, too thunderous and ruthless. Second, Caleb suspected the councilors would throw him right back into Stillwater Hold.
So it was better to leave it to Renata, who had a mind for business. After all, the Undercity was no longer what it had been. Although it was still somewhat poor, it could develop now. It no longer needed others to scrape together crumbs and toss them down as charity.
At the same time, that meant the Undercity's economy would snowball and grow larger and larger. Right now, it still needed Piltover's support, but one day, Piltover and the Undercity would be able to truly look each other in the eye as equals.
Of course, that would have to wait until Mecha Malphite was put to work. It was not good to think that far ahead.
After finishing his thoughts, Caleb took out Serylda's Grudge.
Unlike other True Ice weapons, this weapon was an arrow. The arrowhead gave off a bone-chilling cold, almost tangible, as though it was about to freeze everything around it.
"I can only say, as expected of a True Ice weapon."
As Caleb examined the arrowhead, which did not look particularly ornate, he discovered in surprise that it was merging into his body.
"Is it because I've mastered True Ice?"
Caleb had done some emergency studying of the Freljord's champions and lore earlier, so he had a basic understanding of it. The Iceborn bloodline, which could control magical ice, was the bond that had allowed the Freljord's tribes to form. Because of this, the Freljord had many mages and demigods.
It was not just the classic examples of Ornn, Volibear, and Anivia. There were other demigods as well.
However, Caleb's current strength, if not exactly close, had at least officially crossed the threshold of T3 and was advancing toward T2. Unfortunately, Yaanogel was no longer here. Otherwise, with Caleb's blood-producing ability, if he grew a little more tissue, he would definitely be firmly in T2.
But thinking about it, even if Renekton and Nasus were Ascended, they could not be everywhere at once. Azir wanted to revive Shurima, and there was a great deal he had to do. Being able to help Caleb deal with Tahm Kench was already more than enough.
Caleb was satisfied. He knew he could not use that kind of divine weapon anyway. He might as well create goodwill while he could. Maybe one day, the Ascension ritual would be his turn.
As he thought this, Caleb suddenly realized the entire arrow had entered his body.
Was this the power of Serylda's Grudge?
Caleb could not only feel the arrow moving inside his body, he could also feel the powerful force contained within it.
"It's this strong?"
Serylda, the ancestor of the Iceborn bloodline, one of the Three Sisters. And as Caleb willed it, he only needed to pour arcane energy into it for the arrow to shoot out from his palm.
Looking at the arrow that seemed to fly all the way to the horizon, Caleb shifted his thoughts, and the arrowhead suddenly turned a full one hundred and eighty degrees.
"This is way too good."
The arrow was like hatred itself, endless and lingering.
Unlike Ashe's bow, which could fire an Enchanted Crystal Arrow, the arrow in Caleb's hand could chill its surroundings and pierce through armor and walls. This meant that Caleb's medium-to-long-range attacks finally would not feel like he was just tickling the enemy.
"In that case, paired with Pillar of Ice, I can completely disguise myself as someone from the Freljord."
Caleb reached out, and the arrow merged back into his body. He lowered his eyes and thought for a while.
"Next, it all depends on Renata."
Caleb looked toward the distant council hall high above, still somewhat worried.
"You'd better make this count, Renata."
"She has to consider this carefully. A chance to rise to the top in a single step might only come once in a lifetime."
Although Caleb admired the imposing air Renata had in the original story, that grandeur of a good person turning toward evil, he preferred seeing this somewhat immature Renata, still protected by her parents.
Some suffering, if you did not have to endure it, should be avoided. Some internal conflict, if it could be prevented, should be avoided as much as possible.
He could start preparing to see if there were any merchant ships heading to the Freljord.
...
"Excellent!"
Mel was the first to applaud. As someone who had repeatedly placed the right bets in Piltover, her vision was much longer-term than that of the other councilors.
"It really is a bold and innovative idea!"
"Caleb's eye for talent truly is unusual."
After listening to Renata's report, the councilors were not stingy with their praise.
Unlike Jayce's speech about "placing magic in the hands of the people," which had introduced a shocking new concept, Renata's speech was more practical and allowed people to see hope more clearly. It also let more councilors see an investment opportunity.
The rise of the Undercity would undoubtedly be the kind of boom where even mediocre investors could make a fortune. Unlike Piltover's slow process of accumulation, this rise was bound to be fierce and spectacular.
Life was a gamble, and fortune favored the bold!
Even if their families did not have much money, the councilors had to place a heavy bet on Zaun this time.
As for how to bet, and where to place that bet, that would depend entirely on each councilor's own ability.
"Looks like it went very smoothly."
Seeing Renata walking a little unsteadily, but without the slightest trace of discouragement on her face, Caleb felt sincerely happy.
If someone had talent, they ought to use it. And that was especially true when the current Renata still had a kind heart.
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