Arcane: Broken Mechanism

Sirion put his thoughts on «Improvement» aside for later. Right now, his main goal was to understand how to use «Design» and «Engineering» as efficiently as possible. He called up the system interface once more, this time focusing on the «Engineering» section.

«Engineering, level 1. Available: creating simple tools and basic items from available materials. — *Additional function: Catalog of inventions of other worlds — closed until level 5.»

«Catalog…» — he thought, selecting the item. The window changed: a huge number of items appeared on the screen, from the simplest, like stone knives, to complex machines and technologies reminiscent of Piltover inventions. Each item was accompanied by a short description, the required materials and skills for creation. There was just one big problem — each section had a sign of a lock under a key.

«This is simply a treasure trove of knowledge. But what can I create with the current level? Is it really only through Design that I can level up engineering? Although it's not bad, both skills will be pumped evenly," he thought enthusiastically.

Sirion sat down at the table again, taking out a piece of paper. He needed to think of something that could be created in theory, something simple that wouldn't require a lot of resources and a lot of time to make. Something that could help him even in everyday life or in everyday life. For example, if something breaks... The idea popped into his head almost immediately while thinking about the breakage. He put a pencil to the surface of the paper and began to draw. Once again, the structure of the drawing and the sequence of production came to him as he was creating the Design. And a minute later, the drawing was ready and a new window appeared before his eyes.

"Item: Universal wrench. Description: a tool that can replace up to ten different types of wrenches and screwdrivers. Suitable for repairing mechanisms.

Materials: steel or other hard metal. Engineering: level 1."

"This is what we need. A simple but useful tool. Just the thing to level up the skill. Maybe if I can level up enough, I can get into the Piltover Academy in the next few months in the long run," he thought about the future in advance. Of course, it would be good to get out of Zaun. For him, as a person from the 21st century, it was quite difficult to go from a fairly comfortable life to the poverty of Zaun. Of course, he had already gotten used to the way of life here, but who would refuse a more comfortable life in the same Piltover?

So, he walked around the room for a while, turning circles. It was necessary to check the new gloves and find materials for creating a wrench. The necessary materials should be highlighted in yellow and even an icon with a signature appears, it will not be difficult to find.

"While I have time before the next task, I will do the collection. But for the future, make a note: ask Finn or Jerry about my salary, at least the minimum. I can't steal or beg for them on the street every time. The people here are neither understanding nor generous, they will most likely rob me with such a request with a high chance," he thought with a grin, leaving the room.

***

It took him about three hours to find it. Fortunately, the system helped to identify materials suitable for work - as soon as he found the necessary piece of metal, the interface immediately highlighted the material in yellow. He didn't even have to beg anyone, almost every third building in Zaun was made of metal, and accordingly, there were a lot of useful things lying around on the street.

Returning to his room with a full bag of scrap, Sirion sat down on the floor.

"System: Creation activated. Select a project for implementation."

He selected "Universal wrench" in the Design section. The screen blinked, the process began. Faint lights lit up in the room, hands automatically rose. Blueprints and the sequence for creating the item appeared in his head. But this time something new happened: for lack of a foundry machine, which was needed for melting and forging metal, he did not know what to do and to his surprise all the materials that he took in his hands lit up with a bright yellow color and automatically folded together. He could stop the process at any time and find a foundry machine at the same factory, the sequence of creation in the usual way he already knew, but decided to see what would happen. The materials connected and took the shape of a wrench and the glow disappeared. The finished product fell on the table with a ringing sound.

"It... it was just like magic," he thought with a slight shock. Change of plans, he had to be extremely careful. The system had laid down traditional methods of creating things during engineering. If he had time, he should create things in the traditional way and look for tools that would help in creation. It would be nice to work with his hands as well. Only with a minimum amount of time and in a closed area like this room could he think about such a quick production of the material. If Piltover caught him, they would consider him a sorcerer and put him in prison, judging by the series, they did not like magic. If these abilities were noticed in Zaun, it was easy to guess what would happen. Finn would begin to fully exploit his abilities. And if other crime lords and Chem-barons found out about his abilities, they would try to either eliminate him or lure him to their side. He had to be extremely careful.

But nevertheless, Sirion cast aside his inner fears and worries. He had already decided for himself to be extremely careful. His gaze became focused and he stared at the wrench in front of him. Sirion picked it up, examining it:

"It looks solid... but I need to test it out." He found the nearest mechanism, an old valve that had been jammed for a long time, and tried to unscrew it. The wrench worked perfectly.

This system opened up many paths for his future. Sirion knew that playing with the criminal gangs of Zaun was dangerous, but this was his chance to remain useful and gradually get out from under the boss's control. He needed to continue doing his job as a courier and keep a low profile, and when the time came, he would hit Finn from under the weight of creating and going free…

Sirion took a deep breath, clutching the universal wrench in his hands. His thoughts were seething, but he tried to organize them. Now he knew for sure: the system was his trump card. However, this trump card was dangerous. Every time he decided to use the system, it had to be as unnoticeable as possible.

"Finn... and everyone up here are snakes. If you show them what you can do, they'll eat you. Or make you a slave for life. You need to plan your moves in advance, like in chess. First, become indispensable to them, and then...", He did not finish his thought. Sirion stood up and examined the key again. It was his first invention, but it opened up many possibilities. The old valve now rotated smoothly, as if it had just been lubricated and its parts replaced.

"It works. Which means I can create other tools. Maybe even improve those that are already in Zaun, or come up with something completely new."

The system seemed to sense his thoughts:

"Advice: to increase the level of Engineering, create new items and improve existing ones. Current level: 1. Progress: 1/10."

"Like an RPG. Good. I will level up, but by my own rules." Sirion grinned. He hid the wrench in the hiding place he had made under the bed. If Jerry or any of Finn's men came by, it would be unnoticed. Then he sat down on the bed and unfolded the route map.

"We need to move on. Each new order is an opportunity to learn more about the city, about the people, about their weaknesses. And also about where to find the necessary materials and how to improve your skills." His gaze fell on a small note lying next to the map. It was the next task from Finn. "Courier. Just a pawn... For now."

Sirion put the map in his pocket, stood up and headed for the door. He had already made his decision. For now, he would be a courier, an obedient performer who did not arouse suspicion. But inside, step by step, he would prepare his freedom. And each next item he created would bring him closer to this goal.