That the students' discussion would evolve into this, even gradually taking on the feel of a sci-fi exchange convention, was something Viktor, as the speaker and host, had completely failed to anticipate.
But what he could be certain of now was this:
Compared to the "what" and the "why," the "how" was indeed a problem a hundred times more difficult.
After all, the world was right there. It was what it was, and there was simply no room for dispute.
Furthermore, the method of understanding the world introduced in the article was inherently a scientific theory, capable of withstanding questioning and scrutiny, so everyone had no disagreements on the question of "why."
However, after understanding the world and knowing the "what" and "why," a massive problem arose when it came to the question of "how."
To change or not to change?
Through what methods?
Into what form?
Who needed to be united, and who needed to be overthrown?
To what extent should they be overthrown?
Should they only change Zaun, or the entire world?
The scope of the questions was simply too large, and the divergences were far too numerous.
Viktor had only just thrown this question to the crowd, yet it immediately sparked an uproar.
The students naturally divided into various factions, each holding onto their own opinions and refusing to yield. From discussion to debate, and from debate to hurling Zaunite profanities at each other, they were just short of breaking into a physical brawl.
The issue was simply too massive, and there was no standard answer.
Since Viktor himself did not know the correct answer, he had no choice but to let the students discuss it freely.
Consequently, the direction of the discussion grew increasingly outrageous, and the proposed solutions became more and more wildly imaginative. After all, this was a world where supernatural powers existed, so some ideas were not entirely baseless.
Then again, for some unknown reason, Viktor found himself inexplicably interested in the "turning people into robots" proposal.
'If a Hextech Core was used to fuse with the brain, it might just work. I just don't know if the human body could withstand that kind of evolution...'
"Ahem," Viktor coughed, using his rationality to dispel his crazy scientific fantasies.
He did not know what to do now either.
He needed someone who could point out the most viable path for him and these students, helping everyone unify their thoughts and see the future clearly.
Otherwise, if this continued, the mere arguing would be enough to tear these highly enthusiastic students apart.
Just like right now:
"What do you mean focus on a scientist's proper duties and focus on improving productive forces? And smart robots and infinite Hextech energy... By the time technology actually develops to that point, all Zaunites will be fucking dead!"
"Fuck off! Isn't the solution you gave even more unreliable?!"
"We're just a bunch of students, and you want us to smash our heads against the Piltover Council? And protest? Protest my ass! Do you have any fucking idea how many rebelling Zaunites the Enforcers slaughtered on the Sun Gates Bridge ten years ago?"
"You're a fucking spy sent by Piltover, trying to lure everyone to their deaths!"
"Fuck you! Going to our deaths is better than lying down and doing nothing! I think you just want to use the excuse of 'developing productive forces' to continue being a wealthy scientist in Piltover, acting like a Piltovan lord!"
"..."
As they argued, they had evolved from discussing solutions to spewing Zaunite profanities at each other, and even to mutually revoking each other's Zaunite heritage.
Viktor knew that if this continued, all his previous efforts would be in vain.
But who could provide that most viable path?
Who had the ability?
"Everyone, quiet down. I have something to say!"
Suddenly, the classroom door was pushed open.
A young man dressed in simple work clothes walked in. He still had injuries on his face, a bluebird stood on his shoulder, and he was followed by a delicate, pink-haired young lady...
"Who are you?" Everyone was very curious.
"Brother!" Lina called out his identity.
"Brother, why are you here?" Looking at Levi and Seraphine beside him, her heart was filled with questions.
But now did not seem to be the time to answer her questions, because everyone present was currently concerned with another matter:
"Levi?"
"You are Lina's brother, the author of this article?"
"Yes." Levi proactively stepped into the center of their line of sight.
"You are Mr. Levi?!" Viktor leaned on his cane and quickly walked down from the podium.
Carrying a thirst for knowledge and an attitude of respect, he solemnly extended his hand toward Levi.
"Hello, I am Viktor, a professor at the Academy of Hextech—"
"And, of course, a loyal reader of your article."
'Viktor?' Levi was slightly startled. 'So it's him.' The image of a three-armed figure constantly chuckling "hehehe" popped into his mind.
'Ahem...' No wonder Janna had said his spiritual power was different from ordinary people. So that was why.
"Professor Viktor, hello." Levi straightened his expression and solemnly extended his hand as well.
Just as their two hands were about to clasp together, under the gaze of the entire room, Levi spoke as if he were guiding Viktor into some sacred domain, adding in a serious tone:
"Welcome, my friend!"
Saying this, Levi grasped Viktor's hand.
At that exact moment, through their clasped hands, that invisible power of faith was transmitted into Levi's body in a much more efficient manner.
The power of faith from the two of them resonated, granting him temporarily stronger power.
The bluebird on his shoulder gently flapped its wings, and immediately, a light breeze was born out of thin air, blowing leisurely around the two of them.
This wind was extremely weak, only capable of rolling up a few sheets of manuscript paper.
But it was clearly not a wind naturally formed within this classroom.
"Is this magic?"
Viktor appeared slightly surprised, but quickly regained his calm.
Magic was not a rare novelty in Runeterra. This tiny bit of weak wind was not enough to frighten anyone.
However...
"Brother!" Lina cried out in shock. "When did you become a mage?"
"No." Levi shook his head. "I have never been a mage."
"Then how did you..."
"This is simply the power bestowed upon me by the Goddess Janna."
"Janna?" Viktor was finally astonished, and the seated students were equally so. "Wait... the Goddess Janna you mentioned at the beginning of your article actually exists?"
"That spirit wandering Runeterra for thousands of years wasn't just a literary device you used to express your ideals through ancient myths?"
'Eh?' Janna was slightly shocked.
She was horrified to discover that under this brand-new belief system, believers could actually become her "followers" without even needing to believe in her existence.
Then was she currently a god, or was she also a follower of this great faith?
Janna could not quite figure it out.
Meanwhile, Levi temporarily had no time to discuss this issue with her. He simply met the gazes of everyone present and solemnly proclaimed to the crowd:
"That's right, Janna truly exists!"
"The reason I was able to understand those ideologies is entirely due to the enlightenment of the Goddess Janna. Otherwise, how could a barely literate Zaunite apprentice like me write such an article?"
"Regarding this point, you can ask Lina. She should know that just the day before yesterday, I was still a muddle-headed semi-illiterate."
These words drew another wave of astonishment, and of course, some skepticism.
And Levi's actions—exhausting all his strength just to blow up such a light breeze, and publicly proclaiming the miracle of himself turning from an illiterate into a wise man overnight—were actually no different from the tricks used by charlatans.
It was just that the god he was pretending to represent was real, not fake.
And Levi had to do this.
From those discussions just now, he had already heard many voices of compromise, concession, and reform, and even ideas that held absolutely no hope for realistic struggle, relying purely on fantasies of science and magic to solve problems.
At first, Levi thought it was just that the students had overly rich imaginations and wild ideas.
But thinking about it carefully, the fundamental reason behind this phenomenon was still that these students were afraid.
Yes, although they had plenty of enthusiasm, they were fundamentally afraid of struggle, terrified of conflict, and extremely pessimistic about the outcome of any fight.
They did not believe that through their own hands, they could change this world.
Therefore, they absolutely needed wild fantasies like Mechanical Ascension, Psionic Ascension, and Technological Leaps—things that seemed somewhat plausible in Runeterra but were extremely difficult to achieve in the short term—to answer their questions.
This could not be blamed on these Zaunite students either.
The enemy's power was simply far too great.
It was not that the Zaunites had not rebelled in the past two hundred years, but every rebellion only invited merciless slaughter. The Enforcers of Piltover had never once shown leniency, leaving corpses strewn across the fields and rivers of blood every single time.
They had long been terrified by the killings.
Therefore, Levi had to display his extraordinariness.
He had to make these students believe that they had power, that there was hope.
They needed to know that Janna truly existed. And Janna...
"The Goddess Janna—"
Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Levi slowly walked up to the podium:
"—will always stand on the side of the suffering!"
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