The Clockwork Heart (ViktorxOC)

Chapter 10: A New Path

The grand hall of Piltover's Academy of Progress was abuzz with the nervous energy of students awaiting their final semester results. The heavy doors of the main hall swung open as students poured in, gathering in clusters as they waited for the announcements. The air was charged with a mix of excitement and anxiety, the weight of months of study and hard work culminating in this single moment. Khione stood near the back of the hall, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she surveyed the crowd.

Her heart raced beneath her calm exterior, but to anyone watching, she was the picture of composure—her hair perfectly styled, her expression unreadable, and her posture flawless. Yet despite her outward calm, Khione felt the familiar knot of anticipation tightening in her stomach. This was the moment she had been waiting for—the announcement of the top students, the ones who had achieved the highest scores and would be recognized for their academic excellence.

The list was posted on the far wall of the hall, surrounded by a growing crowd of students jostling to catch a glimpse of their names. Khione hesitated for a moment, her fingers twitching slightly as she prepared herself for what she would find. She knew she had done well—her dedication and work over the past months had been relentless—but there was always that small, nagging doubt.

Jace appeared at her side, a supportive grin on his face as he elbowed her lightly. "Nervous?"

Khione allowed herself a small, tight-lipped smile. "Maybe a little. You?"

Jace shrugged, his demeanor far more relaxed than hers. "Not really. You know me, I'm just happy to have survived."

Khione gave a soft laugh, her nerves momentarily forgotten in his easy presence. She appreciated his ability to ground her, to remind her that not everything had to be a life-or-death performance. Still, this moment meant everything to her. She took a deep breath and began to move toward the growing crowd.

As they approached the list, Khione's eyes scanned the names quickly, her heart pounding in her ears. She saw her name almost immediately, at the very top of the list.

Khione Verena of House Devika – Full Score.

Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, everything around her seemed to fade. The world narrowed to that single line, that single validation of all the hard work and sleepless nights, the pressure and perfectionism she had carried with her since the semester began. She had done it.

Jace let out a low whistle beside her. "Full score? I'm not even surprised."

Before she could stop herself, Khione turned to Jace and threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. The suddenness of the gesture surprised both of them, and Jace hesitated for a moment before wrapping his arms around her in return.

"Whoa, someone's excited," he said, laughing softly as he patted her back.

Khione pulled away just as Caitlyn arrived, her usual confident smile in place. She raised an eyebrow at Khione's uncharacteristic display of emotion. "Looks like someone had a good semester."

Khione gave her a bright smile and hugged her as well. "I... I'm just... I can't believe it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You earned it," Caitlyn replied warmly. "And now you can breathe."

For a moment, Khione allowed herself to bask in the joy of her achievement. She didn't care about the eyes that were watching her, the curious glances from her peers who were clearly surprised to see her so openly expressive. But after a few moments, the old instincts kicked in, and she straightened, composing herself once again. She adjusted her hair, cleared her throat, and offered a more reserved smile to the onlookers.