Twin Cities: Who says scientists can't be conquerors?

Chapter 27 A Morning with Different Thoughts

The next day, the weather was very nice.

Although Aaron didn't know what Hilko and Singed had discussed last night, he was quite happy to see that Hilko had arranged for people to clean up the mess in the market early this morning.

This may mark a crucial step for Hilko, signifying his acceptance of the "shared responsibility" concept he has always emphasized.

It's unclear why Singed, who rarely shows his face, is standing by the dirty market, watching his men collect the corpses of those armored monsters.

strangeness……

Good morning.

Aaron didn't want to think about it anymore.

He was short on time and had a lot to do today. After greeting Caitlin, who had also just gotten up, with a beaming smile, he started brushing his teeth.

After "confessing" to Caitlin last night, Aaron arranged for the policewoman, who had already picked up some "Zaunian vibes," to sleep in the same room as her closest friend, Jinx.

Aaron's intention was to let Caitlin get a good night's sleep and feel his kindness.

This would make it easier for him to send Caitlyn back to Piltover and mark her as a "Research Assistant".

But when Aaron turned around and saw Jinx rubbing her head as she walked out of the house, looking somewhat downcast, he felt a little strange.

Aren't these two on good terms?

Judging from the looks of it, Jinx seems to be quite resentful about what she did last night.

"Okay, good morning."

Caitlin showed no unusual reaction and responded to Aaron's greeting.

She gracefully picked up Jinx's comb, squinting as she combed her slightly tangled hair, like a well-rested cat.

If it weren't for the limited resources, Aaron had no doubt that this young lady could have used every "weapon" imaginable to do her hair and makeup in a more leisurely and methodical way.

"Awoo!"

Before he knew it, Aaron was struck in the chest.

Jinx looked as if she had been greatly wronged, and rushed into Aaron's arms with her hair down.

She muttered incoherent curses, as if she wanted to break Aaron in two with her bare arms, her whole body brimming with inexhaustible strength.

It rammed its head into Aaron's stomach and began to drill vigorously.

"What's wrong now?"

Aaron had never seen Jinx look like this before.

He chuckled and pulled Jinx out of his arms by her braid.

"Go wash up quickly, we're leaving soon."

As he spoke, Aaron glanced in Caitlin's direction, his meaning quite clear—

Whether it's resolving Jinx's kidnapping of Caitlyn or Caitlyn needing to report information about Urgot, they both need to go to Piltover today.

Jinx certainly understood what Aaron meant.

She pouted, stared at Aaron for a moment with obvious displeasure, and finally exhaled like a punctured balloon:

"...Gurgle."

Jinx then obediently went to wash up.

However, she kept her distance from Caitlin, as if intentionally avoiding her, showing no trace of their intimacy before going to bed last night.

That's strange too...

"You slept well last night, Aaron."

Before Aaron could figure out what was going on, Caitlin, who had quickly finished fixing her hair, had already walked up to him.

It's visibly clear that Caitlin looks quite well.

Aaron felt relieved because the other party had finally "figured out" his secret, so he smiled and nodded in response.

"You too, Caitlin."

"We'll cross the Bridge of Progress in a bit and head to Piltover. Remember to let Mrs. Giramane know you're safe when you get home."

As he finished speaking, Aaron's smile faded somewhat.

He thought of the misunderstanding that Lady Gilamann and Jayce had about him when he left Piltover yesterday.

Although he felt he had a clear conscience, Caitlin, the person involved, was still kept in the dark.

If they see me and Caitlin together, then...

Never mind, that's not important.

Aaron stopped his wandering thoughts and focused his attention on the black box inside his body.

The main reason he was so excited this morning was that last night, when no one was around, Aaron tried to use the "inspiration" that the black box had collected from Jinx for the first time!

To be precise, that thing is called "Jinx's Inspiration - Instinct Level".

According to the ranking provided by the black box, inspiration is divided into five levels: instinct level, general knowledge level, insight level, barrier breaking level, and ultimate level.

Among them, instinctive inspiration represents scattered and aimless thoughts, mostly simple ideas for solving immediate problems.

When Aaron used the instinctive inspiration from Jinx, he immediately discovered that this thing was far more complex than the black box described—

Almost instantly, Aaron was standing in Jinx's shoes, thoroughly examining his "almost perfect" mech modification plan.

Those "new ideas" that Aaron learned by consulting Piltover University Library were, in Jinx's mind, a natural instinct.

It's no exaggeration to say that if Aaron wanted to, he could immediately replicate Jinx's inspiration and build a Zaun-exclusive mech... How could he not be excited?!

However, Aaron ultimately did not do so.

After calming his excitement, he took advantage of the darkness and realized the shortcomings of his "inspiration":

Many things that Aaron had long taken for granted were problematic in Jinx's eyes.

Why make a mecha that's so big unmanned?

How impressive it looks to wear!

Why do mechs need sensors? As long as the pilot has good eyesight, that's enough.

Mech...

In short, even though Zaun is one of the few areas in Runeterra where magical power is scarce; even though all of Aaron's senses are Jinx's instinctive, unthinking thoughts.

However, the confusion about mechs from Jinx's perspective that lingered in Aaron's mind made him realize for the first time the huge difference between a world with magic and a world without magic.

This is a much bigger difference than the difference between Piltover and Zaun!

In Jinx's mind, mechs should be piloted by humans, and there is no need for mechs to consider detection devices and infrared systems.

If your mech is attacked, it proves that you are an unqualified pilot!

As for what kind of driver is considered qualified?

Perhaps only when that bald, blue-haired guy who has absolutely no use for mechs arrives will Jinx finally give him a second glance...

"I have a feeling that if I follow her line of thinking and make the changes, even if I complete the order, the people who receive the order probably won't be able to use it."

Aaron thought to himself.

This is also the biggest problem he encountered after using the inspiration – it is not easy to find a balance between two worlds with different power systems.

His good habits, cultivated as a scientific researcher, prevented him from immediately drastically changing the entire plan. Instead, he identified various issues that seemed problematic based on his instinctive inspiration and then strived to find the optimal solution that balanced the different characteristics of the two worlds.

This means that Aaron himself gave up his greatest advantage—"inspiration"—and gave up completing orders as quickly as possible—he was still clinging to his own idea: to one day benefit the people of his hometown...

"Although it's difficult, I can persevere."

Aaron encouraged himself, his gaze simultaneously drifting towards Caitlin:

"Besides, Jinx isn't the only research assistant who can provide me with inspiration."

"Perhaps Caitlyn's inspiration can just balance out Jinx's overly 'Zaun' style."

"only……"

He silently bit his lip, looking at the black box system that had been brought up in front of him:

[Task Tracking Marked - New Research Assistant Acquired (Caitlyn Giramann)]

[Method for Acquiring Inspiration - Opening the Channel for Gathering Inspiration in the Spiritual Realm]

"Opening up channels for gathering inspiration in the spiritual realm?"

"I don't understand what this means at all."

"If Jinx is a successful case, and I unknowingly gained a research assistant, does that mean...?"

Aaron swallowed hard, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Do I have to do to Caitlyn what I did to Jinx?!"