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

"Besides, when it comes to scientific research, there's no such thing as shortcuts. We have to take it step by step, one solid footprint at a time."

Duke's words prompted Jayce and Viktor to reflect deeply. His bold idea to bypass the long search process and instead forge a new path showed not only daring but also his innate spirit of innovation.

Viktor, who had initially tried to take a magical shortcut, lowered his head in guilt. Sensing the tension, Jayce chuckled and tried to lighten the mood. "Alright, let's not dwell on that. Let's focus on how we can actually build a new passage."

"Now that we know Hex Crystals resonate with each other and generate energy that naturally attracts and synchronizes..."

"By installing a flow-restrictor mechanism around them, we can disperse the Hex energy and create a stable, real-time transmission channel for sound and visuals."

"Since we've found this principle, we can now test different rune groupings and guiding techniques to create a stable channel capable of transporting objects or even people."

Duke stood before the towering Hextech platform, ideas flooding his mind like a tidal wave.

"Then let's begin!"

Jayce rolled up his sleeves while Viktor adjusted his goggles.

Five Days Later – Hextech Workshop

"Experiment 36: Countdown to initiation!"

Duke, wearing his Edith-brand goggles, observed the setup. The Hextech platform had undergone dramatic changes.

First, the number of Hex Crystals had increased from one to four.

One crystal remained fixed in the central support, while the other three were embedded in a rotating ring around it, an innovation that came after more than thirty rounds of testing.

Magical energy radiated outward through the rune patterns. To trigger resonance between two Hextech platforms and open an energy channel, not only was a steady power source required, but the gems themselves needed to resonate in harmony.

With simultaneous resonance, a stable energy path could form.

Jayce slowly rotated the dial, and as the restrictions loosened, the central crystal began to float, emitting a radiant blue glow.

The glow of magic.

The three orbiting rings began to spin faster, and the crystals embedded in them started discharging energy.

Bzzz...

A deep humming sound echoed as both platforms released intense magical pulses. Duke felt a sour taste in his mouth but ignored it, his focus was absolute.

"Energy is stabilizing! Single-unit resonance initiated!"

BZZZ!!

The forward-facing Hex Crystals sparkled like stars, their glow expanding into luminous halos. Three overlapping rings surrounded the central crystal, spinning in unison.

The central crystal began to tremble violently under the pressure of the overlapping rings, eventually transforming into a glowing blue orb.

The orb, about the size of a ping-pong ball, rotated rapidly. Mana streams began flowing from the rings, which shifted from horizontal to vertical positions.

BZZZ!

One ring detached.

BZZZZ!!

Then the second.

Finally, all three rings aligned in a progressively shrinking formation, a tunnel-like structure replicated at both ends.

"Resonance achieved! Portal opening in progress. Begin testing!"

Viktor's voice trembled slightly. Duke gave Jayce a signal. Jayce let go of the dial and hit a red button.

Ding!

A harmonious chime echoed as both Hextech platforms connected with a stream of light. Between the six aligned rings, a faint energy channel emerged.

Jayce and Viktor could only make out its outline. But Duke, with his magical vision, removed his Edith goggles and instinctively stepped forward.

"It's beautiful."

The energy path formed between the two platforms was a spiraling tunnel, filled with bi-directional mana flows.

These streams allowed Hex energy to circulate endlessly between the two bases.

"Duke, how is it?"

Jayce and Viktor waited anxiously.

Duke slowly turned with a satisfied smile. "Gentlemen, celebrate. We did it."

"We've just created something extraordinary. From this day forward, Runeterra will be forever changed by the Hexgate."

"YAHOO!" Jayce jumped with joy. Viktor was just as ecstatic. After five sleepless days, their prototype was finally complete.

"Hold your excitement for a moment. Let's run a real test."

Duke walked over to a nearby table and picked up a scaled-down model of an airship, specifically crafted for this experiment.

"Let's begin."

Jayce and Viktor watched nervously as Duke placed the airship onto the platform's lift. Duke stepped back. Jayce hit the activation button.

The lift slowly rose.

The model was guided to the center of the rings. The smallest ring formed a perfect gap for the airship to pass through.

"Activate!"

With the pull of the rings, the airship model was locked into the center. Energy surged around it, like a spring coiling to launch.

When the buildup peaked, the foremost ring expanded, and the model vanished from the sender's side.

At the receiving platform, the rings reoriented and softened their resistance, gently guiding the airship to the landing pad.

Duke rushed over and picked up the model, inspecting every inch. Jayce and Viktor joined him.

"Hull intact. No loose parts. Sails undamaged. All internal components are untouched."

Duke handed the model to Jayce and slumped into a chair, exhaling deeply.

"The Hexgate prototype is born."

"We did it."

"It's amazing."

"Absolutely incredible!"

Jayce and Viktor celebrated, but Duke simply crossed his legs, popped a malt candy into his mouth, and stared into the distance. Another challenge conquered. Now what?

"Duke, why don't you seem happy?"

"I am," Duke replied. "But to be honest, I enjoy the process more than the result. Overcoming each challenge excites me. Now I'm just wondering... what should I work on next?"

"Next, we invite the Council, perform a live demo, secure funding, and build the real Hexgate!"

"That's the official plan."

"But before that," Viktor added cautiously, "shouldn't we do one final field test? So far, we've only transported within a closed lab. Our goal is to connect distant lands."

"Agreed."

Duke crunched his candy, stood up, and stretched.

"A field test sounds great."

"We need a geographically ideal location. A few kilometers won't give us proper data. We should aim bigger."

"Bigger?" Duke arched a brow at Jayce. This guy was really feeling bold now, already pushing for long-distance teleportation?

"But where?"

Jayce and Viktor paused, stumped. Too close, and it wouldn't prove anything. Too far, and it would require massive resources.

"Gentlemen!"

A graceful voice came from the doorway.

Mel stood at the entrance, offering Duke a polite nod.

"May I borrow a moment of your time?"

"Duke," she said gently. "Your family has come to see you."

Behind her stood Dakora.

"Dakora? What are you doing here?"

Duke raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised.

End of chapter...

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