Chapter 8: Ready, Set, Innovate!
At dawn, in the student dormitories, Link received a reply from Mrs. Kiramman of another dimension:
*"Link, thank you for everything you've done for me.
Seeing Caitlyn again has brought me immeasurable comfort.
Though I reside in a different timeline, my love for my daughter is eternal.
Please, protect her for me.
As promised, I'll grant you what you need.
If there's only one difference between your timeline and mine, it's that the Mrs. Kiramman in your dimension must have also prepared emergency funds for the family.
I now give you the key to one of these accounts, granting you full access to all its resources.
Additionally, if there's anything else you require, don't hesitate to ask—I'll send it via mail.
Let's stay in touch.*
"You've received a gift from Cassandra Kiramman: Vault Key."
With the intricate key now resting in his palm, Link collapsed into his chair, releasing a long, drawn-out sigh of relief.
After pulling an all-nighter, he finally secured the funding needed for the initial stages of his plans.
Now it was time to improve and upgrade the designs left behind by the previous owner of this body.
But first—
Clutching the mechanical key tightly, Link decided to visit the Zodiac Vault to assess the extent of his newfound wealth.
Before leaving, he slid a note under Tamara's door, knocking softly to get her attention. He had no time to arrange a workshop rental himself, so he entrusted the task to Tamara, confident she'd handle it efficiently—for the right price.
Rushing to the Zodiac Vault, Link confirmed that one of the anonymous emergency accounts prepared by the Kiramman family indeed existed in this dimension.
When he unlocked the private vault with the key, the sight of mountains of gold left him utterly speechless.
This… This was an emergency fund?
At least 300,000 gold crowns gleamed before his eyes.
It was absurd!
In Piltover, most noble families maintained emergency accounts to safeguard against financial ruin during unforeseen crises. These funds ensured future generations would have the resources to rebuild if necessary.
But even by noble standards, the scale of the Kiramman family's wealth was staggering.
If this was just one of many accounts, did the family's total reserves exceed several million gold crowns?
Shaking off his shock, Link quickly opened a new account, transferred the funds, and secured a checkbook for future use.
By the time everything was set, it was already 9 a.m.
As Link exited the vault, the sunlight felt almost blinding.
"Link?"
Tamara's voice pulled him back to reality. She had been waiting patiently outside the vault.
"Tamara," Link greeted her with a weary smile. "Thank you for waiting. How's the workshop situation?"
"I've found three workshops available for rent," she replied, handing him a list ranked by price.
Glancing at it briefly, Link returned the list.
"I'll take the best one. Lead me there so I can sign the lease on-site."
"You're in quite a rush, aren't you?" Tamara observed, her sharp eyes catching the tension in his demeanor.
Link rubbed the bridge of his nose, forcing a grin. "Just excited, that's all. Let's wrap this up quickly."
Hailing a carriage, they set off for the southern district.
An hour later, they arrived at the industrial heart of Piltover, near the famed Sun Gate.
The chosen workshop was nestled within a sprawling estate—a combination of a residential manor and a fully equipped workspace.
The estate's strategic location, flanked by the canal to the east and the materials market to the west, even included a private dock for transporting goods.
Such prime real estate came with an exorbitant price tag: 1,500 gold crowns per month, with a three-month deposit required upfront.
After inspecting the facilities and confirming everything was in order, Link wrote a check to cover six months' rent.
Money, after all, was meant to be spent.
Having secured the estate, Link left Tamara to handle the moving logistics while he locked himself inside the workshop.
It was time to innovate.
The Clockwork Exoskeleton Project Begins
For materials, Link turned to Mrs. Kiramman of the other dimension, requesting premium-grade resources via mail: Demacian Runesteel, Noxian Black Iron, and Ionian Copper.
"A true craftsman never skimps on materials," he muttered, spreading out the schematics left by the body's original owner.
The initial design was noble in intent, aimed at creating mechanical enhancements for individuals with disabilities.
However, the previous owner had veered off course, focusing instead on crude augmentations.
"Such a waste," Link sighed. "This blueprint was so close to achieving a breakthrough."
Determined to correct the mistakes, Link began sketching anew, reimagining the project from the ground up.
"Clockwork technology relies on precision mechanisms powered by dynamic gear systems.
The heart of the system is the power valve, which channels energy through interconnected gears and kinetic conduits, enabling prolonged operation.
Its beauty lies in its precision and stability—transforming minimal kinetic energy into mechanical marvels."
As Link narrated his thoughts aloud, his hands worked tirelessly, drafting a new blueprint.
"The elegance of clockwork is unparalleled, but its potential has been overshadowed by the rise of Hextech and the proliferation of Zaunite chemtech.
But…"
He paused, holding the completed sketch up to the light.
"...with the right opportunity, clockwork can shine once again."
The blueprint depicted a humanoid figure, its frame constructed from power gear assemblies serving as bones, hydraulic devices acting as muscles, and power valves as the heart. Kinetic conduits formed its nervous system, with gyroscopes functioning as joints and energy reclamation systems as blood vessels.
"This will be the rebirth of clockwork technology," Link declared, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"Mark my words—I'll make clockwork great again!"