The crackling of the fire stirs you from uneasy dreams. Your head rests uncomfortably against your rolled-up blue poncho, and the embers in front of you glow faintly, casting shadows across the forest clearing. It takes a moment to realize why you woke so suddenly—your tattoos. They are alight, glowing softly with a rhythmic radiance that pulses in time with the deep thrum of magic coursing through your veins.

You sit up sharply, the leather of your boots creaking as you adjust. You're close, you realize. The map spread out beside you confirms it: Piltover is only a few miles away. The city's name comes unbidden, as if whispered into your mind. You've never been there, never seen it, yet it feels hauntingly familiar.

Your thoughts are tangled with fragments of visions—hazy images of grand halls lined with books and humming machinery, a towering spire of learning and experimentation. The headaches and dreams had come without warning, flooding your mind with scenes of a place unlike any you'd known before. A lab perhaps, but much too large to be a person one, that's right you remember—a university.

The visions were a beacon, guiding you here. Somewhere in this city, you were sure, lay a powerful rune of raw magic. Its energy called to you, and though you didn't know who or what might seek to use it, you knew the dangers. The consequences of misuse were too great to ignore.

Standing, you shake off the lingering drowsiness and brush ash from your long black dress. The slit along your thigh offers freedom of movement while maintaining a sense of formality, and your corseted top provides both structure and protection. The gold-trimmed boots are sturdy enough for travel, yet refined enough for the urban world you approach. The weight of your leather backpack settles against your shoulders as you pull your hood over your head, concealing both your face and the glowing tattoos along your arms.

(Your outfit for reference, if you don't like it feel free to imagine something else! ☺️)

The road winds down to the gates of Piltover, and your heart races as you take in the sight of the City of Progress.

You arrive to Piltover, immediately noticing that air here is alive, a mix of steam and magic that tickles your senses. Piltover's skyline gleams with the light of countless windows, its towers rising like metallic trees of knowledge and innovation. The streets bustle with activity—merchants shouting their wares, scholars poring over blueprints as they walk, and children racing through the crowds, their laughter mingling with the chime of clockwork birds.

You pass bridges of intricate ironwork spanning canals filled with boats. The people here are as varied as the city itself: aristocrats in tailored suits, and inventors with goggles perched atop their heads, though nothing out of the ordinary for you.

After navigating the labyrinthine streets, you find yourself at the door of a modest inn tucked away from the main city. The wooden sign creaks faintly in the breeze, its faded lettering reading The Copper Cog.

Inside, the inn feels cozy and warm, with a low ceiling supported by beams of polished oak. The hearth blazes in the corner, and the smell of spiced cider wafts through the air. The innkeeper—a rotund man with a thick mustache—greets you with a friendly nod and hands you the key to a small room upstairs.

Your room is simple but clean. A narrow bed rests against one wall, its quilt patched but soft. A wooden desk sits beneath the window, and a small wardrobe offers just enough space for your belongings. After setting down your pack, you unpack the essentials: your elixir, dagger, and enchanted trinkets, tucking them into the desk drawer for safekeeping.

As you sit by the window, gazing out at the city's glowing skyline, your mind churns. You need a way into Piltover's university—a place where you can keep a close eye on the rune while blending in to study and ensure safe keeping. Fortunately, you've always been a quick learner. With your knowledge of magic and your father's teachings, passing the entrance exam should be no challenge.

The next day, the university looms before you. Its grand façade is adorned with intricate carvings of gears and runes, and towering spires reach toward the sky. Inside, the halls are alive with activity. Students in crisp uniforms dart between lecture rooms, their arms laden with books, blueprints and whatever else they might need for their classes.

The entrance exam is as challenging as you'd hoped. Questions on theoretical mathematics, engineering principles, and ethical applications of power fill the pages, but your pen moves confidently across the parchment. By the end, you're certain you've passed.

Later that afternoon, a small yet striking figure approaches you. Professor Heimerdinger, he is unlike anyone you've met. His white and golden fur, thick eyebrows, and kind eyes radiate wisdom and curiosity.

"Congratulations, my dear!" he says with a beaming smile. "You've passed with flying colors! Welcome to Piltover University, where progress meets possibility."

He guides you through the university, showing off its gleaming laboratories, expansive libraries, and bustling common areas. After showing off the university and its amenities, he leads you to dormitory. The room is small but functional, with quaint yet comfortable bed, a writing desk, and shelves begging to be filled with books, a small yet practical kitchen and bathroom and shower. You unpack quickly, placing each item in its proper place.

As the evening deepens, the pulsing within your tattoos grows stronger, pulling you from the comfort of your room. Draped in your hooded poncho, you slip into the shadows of the university halls. Guided by instinct, you find yourself in the teachers-only area.

Pushing open a heavy set of double doors, you step into a laboratory unlike any you've seen. The room hums with energy, a mix of magic and technology. Tables overflow with tools and components, and glowing hextech devices line the walls.

Your eyes lock on the rune. It sits at the center of the room, its glow resonating with your own magic. You step closer, marveling at its power, until you hear the faint creak of the door behind you. You spin around, your hood slipping slightly as a man steps into the room. He leans on a cane, his tall frame casting a shadow across the lab. His sharp amber eyes narrow as they meet yours.

"It's rather late to be wandering the halls, isn't it?" he says, his voice calm but tinged with suspicion. His accent is of some kind of Slavic decent, soft yet carries a firm weight. "Especially for someone who seems so... interested in restricted areas."

Your mind scrambles for a response, though his intense gaze feels like it's unraveling your very thoughts. Keeping your posture relaxed, you give a faint smile. "I couldn't sleep," you reply, letting your eyes briefly dart to the rune glowing softly behind you. "I've always found late-night walks... calming. And I got a little lost."

His eyes flick to the rune and then back to you. He studies you for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. "This particular lab is hardly calming," he says, taking a step forward. "It's dangerous, even for those who think themselves curious."

"Curiosity is better than ignorance, wouldn't you agree?" you counter, keeping your tone light but careful.

His lips twitch in what could be a hint of amusement, but he doesn't let it linger. "Perhaps. But there are boundaries in place for good reason." He tilts his head slightly, as if debating how much further to press. "And as a new student, I'd recommend finding your boundaries before you wander too far beyond them."

You incline your head, masking the tension in your chest. "Sound advice," you reply smoothly. "I'll keep that in mind."

His gaze lingers a moment longer before he steps aside, gesturing toward the door with his cane. "Then I suggest you return to your dorm. I'm sure tomorrow will be an... enlightening day for you."

As you walk past him, your pulse quickens—not just from the encounter but from the faint hum of magic resonating in the air. Whatever secrets this lab holds, you know this is only the beginning.

(A/N: Hiiiiiii, I haven't written a fan fiction, in god maybe almost 10 years? I hope to have chapters out every couple days, but can't guarantee it either! Anyways enjoy 💗)