Viktor stared at the long and tediously typed up note pinned to a bulletin board in the main hallway to the entrance of Piltover Academy. Students passed by in a rush—jittery freshman bumping into his shoulder to lounging juniors briefly peering over in slight disinterest and curiosity.

Viktor’s eyes were locked on his name, neatly printed and standing by another name: Jayce Talis.

“…a tie.” He muttered it aloud, a mixed jumbled of drumming shock and bemusement as he read the final scores. A perfect 1600 on his final test set of his senior year.

Bewilderment shifted into rage.

Viktor spent his entire life building himself up from nothing. He fought against any possible barrier a crippled, undercity boy could’ve since the age he was enrolled into school.

As a reward, he was gifted the honor of tying with Jayce Talis?!

They had a bit of an academic rivalry in the midst of every single test Viktor had taken his four years at Piltover Academy. Every test result was compared to the Golden Boy Prodigy of the school.

Viktor found himself storming to the library in the spur of a moment idea. He planned to retake the final exams—why? Because if he perfectly axed all of them again, that would be another one up on stupid Piltie boy Talis.

It appeared Jayce had the same idea, considering he was already present, checking out a stack of books he had no right borrowing when Viktor knew damn well he could easily afford them.

Anger overwhelmed rationality, and for once in his life, he confronted Jayce Talis. Sort of.

“I need that book.” He tapped the cover the moment Jayce had set it down on one of the many mahogany tables scattered across the luxuriously spacious library that was the Academy’s. Viktor instantly felt out of place, tightening his grip around his cane with a sense of boiling frustration. “It’s the only copy this library carries, and I know it will take you forever to finish.”