The duel continued for several more intense exchanges, but the outcome was inevitable. Despite his determination and tactical knowledge, the rifleman was ultimately just an ordinary person whose understanding of magical combat came from secondhand sources and theoretical speculation.
His shooting skills, while adequate for basic marksmanship, couldn't compete with Lux's systematic magical training. Each time she detonated another Radiant Mark with perfectly timed light bolts, his health dropped precipitously. Under the relentless barrage of combination attacks, he finally collapsed in defeat.
After claiming victory, Lux chose to return to her base for resupply. While she had won the engagement decisively, the extended combat had drained her mana reserves significantly. Better to retreat, recover, and purchase upgraded equipment than risk being caught in a vulnerable state.
When she returned to her defensive tower, her available gear had improved considerably thanks to the gold earned from her successful plays. This enhanced equipment allowed her to deal even more devastating damage with each spell rotation.
Through continuous accumulation of these advantages, her combat effectiveness grew exponentially. What had initially required multiple spell rotations to defeat an opponent gradually evolved into single-combo eliminations. She was becoming a true magical artillery platform, raining destruction across the battlefield.
Various spells flowed from her staff with increasing fluency and precision. Her minion waves advanced steadily under her protective fire, pushing deeper into enemy territory with each successful engagement.
Even opponents from other lanes found themselves unable to withstand her assault when they rotated to provide assistance. She had transformed into an unstoppable killing machine, snowballing her early advantage into overwhelming dominance.
Under her relentless pressure, the red team's middle lane defensive towers fell one after another. When she finally led her accumulated minion army to assault the final crystal towers protecting the enemy base, all five opposing players materialized to make their desperate last stand.
"We have to stop her here!" their apparent leader shouted over team communications. "This is our only chance to turn things around!"
While the other two lanes had seen mixed results with victories trading back and forth, the middle lane had become completely untenable. This final confrontation represented their last realistic opportunity for comeback.
Victory here would allow them to launch a counteroffensive and continue contesting the match on equal terms. Defeat would eliminate any remaining hope of resistance.
Every member of the red team understood the stakes—they had to focus everything on stopping Lux's rampage.
Facing the coordinated five-person team assembled before her, Lux raised her staff with calm confidence. Her equipment had reached near-maximum power, transforming her from the nervous novice of earlier matches into a devastating force of magical destruction.
She waved her staff in a graceful arc, launching a Lucent Singularity that exploded directly between the clustered enemies. Brilliant marks appeared on all five bodies simultaneously as they staggered from the unexpected area damage.
Such concentrated marking represented extreme danger for the opposing team—they now faced the threat of multiple detonation combos that could eliminate them instantly.
"Light up the way forward!" Lux declared, her voice ringing with newfound authority and power.
A crimson targeting laser appeared, painting a line across the battlefield. Before the red team members could react or scatter from the ominous indicator, blinding radiance erupted from Lux's position.
Final Spark!
Facing five opponents standing directly in her path, Lux could only resort to her ultimate ability to clear them efficiently.
A massive beam of pure light energy burst forth, instantly covering the entire frontal area in devastating magical force. All five members of the red team dissolved within the radiant torrent, their forms disappearing as the system transferred them to respawn waiting areas.
"Yes! I did it!" Lux shouted in pure exhilaration, practically bouncing with excitement as she witnessed the destructive potential of her ultimate spell.
The overwhelming power satisfied her completely—this represented the culmination of magical theories she'd studied for years, finally proven effective in actual combat conditions.
After celebrating her triumph, she rallied the surviving minions behind her for the final push. With the enemy team locked in resurrection timers, she had a perfect opportunity to end the match decisively.
Her timing proved flawless. Just as the red team completed their respawn sequence, her concentrated assault shattered their crystal base, concluding the battle in decisive victory.
Word of Lux's performance spread rapidly throughout Zaun's gaming community, and recordings of her brilliant magical displays shocked countless observers.
This was their first encounter with a genuine mage in action, and the reality far exceeded their preconceived notions. Most people had imagined spellcasters as frail scholars who required lengthy incantations to produce powerful but slow effects—vulnerable targets who traded mobility for raw magical force.
But Lux's demonstration revealed an entirely different paradigm: a mage capable of devastating offense while maintaining excellent self-protection and tactical flexibility.
"From today forward, she's my idol!" one spectator announced loudly, his voice filled with newfound admiration. "Now I understand what a true mage should look like—elegant, confident, and absolutely lethal!"
News of Lux's performance quickly reached the ears of Vander, Silco, and Zaun's other leadership. After reviewing the battle recordings, the city's top administrators fell into contemplative silence.
Unlike casual observers, they possessed deep understanding of the Phantom Canyon's underlying mechanics, which made Lux's achievement even more significant in their eyes.
Everything within the simulation environment was based on real-world data and authentic physical laws. This meant that Lux's magical capabilities were genuinely that powerful—not artificial game enhancements, but accurate representations of her actual combat potential.
That devastating final beam could literally melt opponents in an instant. The question haunting each leader was simple: could any of them survive such an attack?
"It seems I need to accelerate my research programs," Viktor spoke first, his mechanical voice betraying unusual urgency. "However, her spells can potentially be replicated through technological means."
"Really?" Silco asked, clearly intrigued by the possibility. The raw power displayed by mages represented a significant strategic concern for Zaun's future security.
"The underlying principles involve energy gathering and focused release—not particularly advanced techniques," Viktor explained analytically. "The difficulty lies in achieving her level of efficiency and control. Even with successful replication, we'd essentially be creating heavy weapons rather than portable personal equipment."
Silco nodded thoughtfully at this assessment. As long as the basic capabilities could be reproduced, that represented significant progress. He wasn't expecting to develop conventional infantry weapons—understanding that Lux's reluctance to use her ultimate repeatedly indicated substantial casting costs or cooldown limitations.
"This represents our first encounter with a genuine mage," Silco continued, his expression growing serious as he addressed the assembled group. "She possesses such incredible power at such a young age. We must remain vigilant about the implications."
The room's atmosphere grew tense as everyone contemplated his words. If a single mage could achieve such devastating effects, what would happen if they faced an entire team composed of magical specialists?
The assembled leaders shared appropriately grave expressions, realizing that their previous confidence in Zaun's defensive capabilities might have been misplaced. When confronting mages outside the city's protective systems, they would be as vulnerable as any ordinary civilians.
However, they weren't completely without hope. While they might prove inadequate against magical threats in external conflicts, within Zaun itself they possessed the Hextech Crystal Towers that Marcus had provided. Even in defeat, those defensive installations would prevent complete catastrophe.
The Crystal Tower network represented the foundation of their confidence and the key to Zaun's continued independence.
Several Days Later
Marcus summoned Vander to inform Lux that her commissioned items were finally complete.
"These represent the exchange value for the materials you brought," he explained, gesturing toward an elegant collection of artifacts arranged on his workbench. "This staff was crafted specifically for your use. If you want to properly channel your radiant power, you need appropriate focus tools. This will provide that guidance."
He indicated a beautiful crystalline rod that seemed to capture and refract light in impossible ways, making it appear to glow from within.
"And these ten gilded orbs activate when charged with energy. Deploy them when the situation demands their use."
Lux stared at the strange-looking artifacts with obvious confusion. As a high-ranking noble of Demacia, she understood perfectly the desperate military situation facing her homeland. But could these seemingly simple objects really provide meaningful assistance against Noxian enhancement potions?
Marcus remained unconcerned about her skeptical reaction, waiting patiently before continuing his explanation.
"Remember to give that feather to your brother—or better yet, directly to your prince. Have them integrate the feather into their armor through direct contact fusion. Don't worry about the process; they'll understand the benefits immediately."
Despite her lingering confusion, Lux nodded slowly. She sensed no deception in Marcus's manner, and someone powerful enough to seal Void incursions would have no logical reason to mislead her about such matters.
"Thank you for everything," she said gratefully, then hesitated before asking, "But are you truly unable to intervene personally?"
The question reflected genuine curiosity—she desperately wanted to witness Marcus's full capabilities firsthand.
"Direct intervention?" Marcus laughed, though not unkindly. "Playing casual games with you would be fine, but if I deployed my full power, you'd be destroyed along with your enemies, your allies, and probably several kingdoms in between."
Seeing that his warning carried no trace of exaggeration or humor, Lux accepted his explanation with appropriate gravity.
After escorting Lux to her departure point, Marcus turned back toward Vander and the other Zaun leaders with a knowing smile.
"It appears you've finally grasped the gap between yourselves and practicing mages."
Indeed, the past few days had seen unprecedented activity throughout the city. Even normally rambunctious individuals like Jinx and the various gang members were dedicating serious effort to their studies and training programs.
Lux's demonstration had clearly rattled them. The revelation that Demacia—a nation notoriously hostile to magical practice—could still produce mages of such devastating capability forced them to confront uncomfortable questions about magical threats elsewhere in the world.
However, Marcus chose not to mention that while this world certainly contained powerful mages, very few could match Lux's specific capabilities. A being who served as light magic's chosen avatar was essentially unique—there was no other individual quite like her anywhere in Runeterra.
"Have you developed any countermeasures?" Marcus asked with genuine interest. "You needn't worry about immediate threats, but when I eventually leave, you'll need to handle such challenges independently."
"Are you leaving soon?" Vander asked, his concern immediately drawing everyone's attention.
After all, Marcus represented the fundamental catalyst behind Zaun's transformation, and none of them wanted to face his departure before the city had achieved true stability.
"Not immediately," Marcus reassured them. "While my planned departure time approaches, I'll remain here for a while longer. During this period, you must focus on rapidly strengthening your capabilities."
Everyone nodded understanding at his words. Marcus possessed complete freedom of movement, and they had no authority to restrict his choices. If they wanted to maintain Zaun's prosperity long-term, they needed to develop sufficient strength to confront various powerful entities without external assistance.
"I'll leave protective measures when I depart," he added. "They'll provide permanent security for Zaun, so don't worry excessively—unless you decide to provoke demigods deliberately."
With that reassurance, Marcus gestured for Jinx and Ekko to follow him, leaving the other leaders to contemplate their city's future.
He did indeed plan to leave eventually, but several important tasks remained incomplete. He still needed to collect power from various demons and Celestial Aspects. The Aspects would require a personal visit to Mount Targon, but the demons should reveal themselves naturally once Garen received the Void Feather and accessed its spiritual transformation abilities.
"You two have been remarkably dedicated to learning recently," Marcus observed as they settled into his private workshop. "Today I'll teach you something special."
He began sketching several modified runic patterns that he'd developed through careful experimentation and theoretical work.
"Memorize these symbols carefully. They represent crucial elements for your future development."
Seeing Marcus adopt such a serious instructional tone, both Jinx and Ekko immediately focused their complete attention on his demonstration.
The modified runes Marcus had created lacked the reality-warping power of their original World Rune inspirations, but they offered the critical advantage of mass reproduction. Once properly integrated into energy circuit systems, they could grant access to scaled-down versions of runic magic.
This technology could dramatically enhance Zaun's overall capabilities, providing the city with tools to compete effectively against magical threats.
However, despite their simplified nature, accurately reproducing the modified runes remained extremely challenging. These symbols contained genuine magical significance—they weren't mere decorative patterns that could be copied through artistic skill alone.
Jinx and Ekko worked intensively for hours, but consistently felt that their reproductions lacked some essential quality. While their drawings appeared visually identical to Marcus's examples, they seemed somehow hollow or incomplete compared to the originals.
"Why can't we get them right?" both students asked in frustration, scratching their heads in bewilderment.
Previously, even when they couldn't fully understand Marcus's lessons, they could at least replicate the basic mechanical aspects of his demonstrations. But these seemingly simple symbols completely resisted their efforts at duplication.
Observing their growing frustration, Marcus smiled and shook his head with amused understanding.
Several Months Later
After an extended journey across multiple kingdoms and through various diplomatic channels, Lux finally returned to Demacian territory.
"Home at last!" she exclaimed joyfully, gazing at the familiar gates of Mithral City rising majestically in the distance.
The sight of those gleaming white walls and golden banners filled her with relief after months of foreign travel. Despite the wonders she'd witnessed in Zaun, nothing could replace the comfort of her homeland.
As their caravan approached the city's entrance, Lux's attention was immediately captured by the massive statue dominating the area before the gates.
"Wait! Stop the caravan!" she called out impulsively.
The moment their convoy halted, Lux jumped down from her carriage and ran toward the imposing figure with obvious excitement.
The Colossus of Justice
This represented Demacia's largest and most prominent symbol—a massive sentinel carved from pure petricite and designed to serve as the ultimate barrier against magical threats.
"A statue built from forbidden magic stone," Lux murmured affectionately, reaching up to touch the giant's base. "You must be so lonely, standing here by yourself."
She'd always felt a strange connection to this guardian, often speaking to it during childhood visits to the capital.
The instant her fingers made contact with the Colossus, the staff secured at her side erupted in brilliant radiance. Endless streams of light poured from her body and flowed directly into the massive statue's petricite structure.
Such an extraordinary phenomenon immediately alarmed everyone within Mithral City. The pillar of light shooting skyward was impossible to ignore, visible from every district of the capital.
The royal family, the Crownguard estate, the mage-hunter units—all were mobilized by this unprecedented display. Armed forces poured from the city gates to investigate the magical disturbance.
But compared to their human alarm, the Colossus of Justice responded to its sudden energy infusion by slowly beginning to move. Centuries of motionless vigil ended as ancient mechanisms activated throughout its massive frame.
"This... how is this possible?!" Lux gasped, staring up at the awakening giant with her mouth hanging open in shock.
She knew from historical accounts that the Colossus could theoretically be activated, but such awakening required enormous magical power supplied by multiple high-level mages working in concert. She'd merely touched its surface, and while her staff had reacted strangely, there should have been no way to rouse this ancient guardian!
As more radiant energy flowed into the Colossus, its movements became increasingly fluid and purposeful. The massive head turned downward to regard the tiny figure at its feet, and slowly one enormous hand descended toward her.
"Come up, beautiful child," the Colossus spoke, its voice resonating like distant thunder.
Staring at the giant palm offered to her, Lux hesitated momentarily before stepping onto the massive hand with trembling determination.
The hand functioned like a living elevator, lifting her smoothly toward the Colossus's head and allowing her to observe the guardian of Demacia from an unprecedented perspective.
"What is your name?" the ancient being asked, its thunderous voice somehow conveying warmth and curiosity.
"Lux," she replied with a growing smile, sensing the genuine kindness radiating from this awakened protector. "Luxanna Crownguard."
For the first time in her life, she felt completely accepted for exactly who she was—magic and all.