Marvel: Playing Iron Man, Falling In and Out of Love with Jinx

"We've accidentally created a device that can transmit sound and image in real-time—a Hextech communicator!"

Duke calmly voiced his conclusion to the stunned Jayce and Viktor. The energy fluctuations from the Hex Crystals, when passed through the cut gemstones, had somehow projected the image from one end to the other, perfectly.

What else could this be but a video call?

The original Duke had spent his life trying to create this exact communication device, only for it to now be built by sheer accident. Fate clearly had a twisted sense of humor.

While attempting to build a spacecraft, they ended up inventing the very first communication device. What irony.

Duke had intended to guide Jayce and Viktor in recreating the Hexgate from the animated series, a portal powered by magic and scientific principles. Thanks to his mastery of the relevant theories, Duke had already internalized all the necessary technical knowledge.

To him, the Hexgate was simply a matter of channeling magical energy through mathematical laws to open a spatial conduit between two fixed points, allowing instantaneous travel and revolutionizing transportation.

He had a grander vision: to transform Piltover into the transportation hub of Runeterra and make his future exploration of the continent vastly more convenient.

And yet, in the process of developing the Hexgate, they'd accidentally created a Hextech communicator. Truly, destiny had other plans.

"What a beautiful mistake this is!"

Viktor marveled at Duke's image reflected on the cut crystal. On Duke's end, Viktor's voice echoed back. Aside from a slight distortion, the connection was clear.

"This proves our theory was correct!"

Jayce was ecstatic. His body trembled with excitement as he looked at the prototype of the Hextech communicator, which had successfully opened an energy channel capable of transmitting both sound and visuals.

"Ahem, Jayce." Viktor tapped him on the shoulder, gesturing toward Duke. "Technically, this theory belongs to Duke."

Jayce froze. The look in his eyes was a complex mix of admiration and envy. He had pursued this dream for so long, yet it was Duke, someone who had only glanced at his notes for less than fifteen minutes, who managed to push the theory forward and realize it first.

Such natural brilliance was enough to make anyone go mad with jealousy. But beneath that envy was a quiet, aching sense of powerlessness, the kind that comes from facing a gap one could never bridge.

"This is a team effort," Duke said casually, tapping the crystal and drawing both men's attention. "Gentlemen, our journey has only just begun. We may have built a working Hextech communicator, but it's just one small step on our larger path."

"Sure, it could change some aspects of life as we know it. But it's not our end goal."

"And even if we wanted to miniaturize and mass-produce this device, it would take at least two to three months. For now, let's compile our data and archive this experiment."

"You don't think this communicator is a big deal?" Viktor looked shocked. A breakthrough of this scale could reshape the entire world, and Duke was calling it minor?

After all, the free exchange of information was vital. A perfected Hextech communicator could connect the Twin Cities, and the world, more tightly than ever before.

But Duke merely shrugged. "It's not that it isn't important. It's just not practical. The cost of production and maintenance is way too high. It's completely unscalable."

"But with this, we could share information faster than ever. It's revolutionary!"

Viktor tapped his cane against the floor. Duke, unconcerned, replied, "Exactly. But if we focus too much on this, we're losing sight of our real goal."

"Our mission is the Hexgate, something that can bridge distant places instantly. Imagine crossing oceans or continents for just a few Gold Marks. Ordinary people could reach lands they never even dreamed of seeing."

"That kind of impact far outweighs what a communicator can offer."

Duke rapped the crystal casing with his knuckle. The disruption made the image and sound momentarily flicker and distort.

"Besides, this thing is way too fragile. It's easily interfered with and will cost a fortune just to maintain. Let's organize our notes, log what we've learned from this experiment, and push forward with the Hexgate."

"What do you think?"

Viktor was momentarily speechless. He hadn't considered any of that, too wrapped up in the excitement of the discovery.

"Alright, Viktor. Let's compile the findings and document everything," Jayce said, patting his friend's shoulder. Then he turned to Duke. "We should begin a series of tests, identify its strengths and weaknesses. If needed, we can return to it in the future."

"Fine by me," Duke replied, indifferent. The communicator was certainly impressive, but it was nothing compared to the Hexgate. Why settle for pebbles when you're aiming for the stars?

After half a day of organizing data and writing reports, Duke stretched and looked at the twin Hextech platforms.

"Alright, back to the Hexgate."

"Now that we know Hex Crystals can transmit sound and image through energy pathways, everything else becomes simpler."

"Exactly," Jayce agreed, rubbing his chin. He was trying to follow Duke's logic while also thinking of ways to catch up. "If we can figure out how to send physical objects through these energy channels safely, we're nearly there."

"Then we refine the method, finalize the design, and scout for suitable locations to construct the real prototype," Viktor added.

But Duke remained quiet. He stared at the twin bases, lost in thought.

"Duke?" Viktor called gently.

"Hm? Sorry, what were you saying?"

"Did you think of something?"

"I might have," Duke said, rubbing his cheek as he turned to them. "The communicator proves that energy channels can exist. Now we just have to find the right one and build it."

"Right. So what's the problem?"

"It's too slow."

Duke shook his head, frustrated. His time was precious, every second vital to becoming stronger. Delays were unacceptable.

"So what's your suggestion?"

"This trial-and-error process is too inefficient, constantly ruling out failures, inching forward."

Jayce and Viktor exchanged glances, both feeling a sense of unease. Duke's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Instead of searching for an existing channel... why don't we build one ourselves?"

"No way! That's insane!" Jayce immediately objected. "We're already on the right track! Why risk more by overcomplicating things?"

"I think it's worth trying," Viktor said, his eyes gleaming. "We're venturing into completely unknown territory. Playing it safe won't lead us anywhere. We need boldness. Innovation."

"Exactly!" Duke grinned. "We'll open a brand-new energy pathway and fast-track the experiment. Let's build the Hexgate, now."

"What do you say, Jayce?" Duke smirked. "You broke into a lab once to run your own experiment. Don't tell me you've lost your nerve."

"Sigh..."

Jayce scratched the back of his head and muttered, "Alright, fine. But how do we even start?"

"Don't forget, I've got a magic affinity."

Duke lifted his finger. A soft blue glow shimmered at the tip. A mysterious, knowing smile spread across his face.

"Oh right!" Jayce snapped his fingers. "I almost forgot you have magic."

"Wait!" Viktor suddenly clapped his hands, eyes wide. "You can give life to inanimate objects. Why not breathe life into the gate itself? Let it find the path on its own!"

"Sorry, no can do."

Duke was blunt. Seeing the confusion on their faces, he explained, "According to Professor Heimerdinger, my magical talent is a miracle among miracles."

"But the cost is enormous. To give true, permanent life to a non-living object, I'd have to split off a fragment of my own soul. That fragment can never be recovered."

"That's why beings like Pride and the others call me 'Father.' They were born of my soul."

"Then what about temporary life?" Jayce asked.

"Still no," Duke said, shaking his head. "Temporary constructs contaminate my soul. Too many uses would make my soul unstable, open to fatal weaknesses."

"There are enemies out there who specialize in targeting souls. They could kill or control me easily."

"Besides, there are no shortcuts in science. We take this one step at a time, the right way."

End of chapter...

Translator's Note:

This chapter blends subtle world-building with character depth, exploring the tension between invention and vision. Duke's personality shines through not only in his ambition but in his pragmatic approach to power and creation. The emotional and philosophical contrast between him, Jayce, and Viktor elevates the stakes of the Hexgate project.

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