Marvel: Playing Iron Man, Falling In and Out of Love with Jinx

Blue Rose Manor, Waiting Room.

"Madig Weiner!"

The old butler, adjusting his monocle, slowly called out the name while holding a clipboard. With a formal gesture, he motioned toward the door.

"You're up, sir."

"Right, thank you."

The man called was a young man in his twenties. Hugging his invention nervously, he passed through the doors into the evaluation hall.

Duke sat with both hands resting atop his brass case. He had long since cleared his mind of Camille's sudden appearance. Eyes closed, body relaxed, his fingers lightly tapped the surface of the case as he mentally simulated rune sequences for the clockwork armor.

He visualized one configuration after another. If a sequence failed to meet his standards, he would dismantle it and begin anew.

In just a few minutes, he had already simulated over twenty different rune matrices.

"No, still not quite right…"

Opening his eyes, Duke realized the room was nearly empty, only he, Jayce, and Viktor remained.

"Looks like we're closing the show, huh, buddy?"

Jayce noticed Duke's glance and stood up with a grin, extending a hand.

Duke returned the gesture with a polite smile and handshake.

"I know you, you're the guy caught up in that academy explosion. Heard the mastermind vanished into the undercity and was never seen again."

"You're well-informed," Duke replied coolly.

Jayce's expression stiffened slightly. No one enjoyed having their past mistakes aired so openly.

"Duke Sanchez, from Zaun. Currently apprenticing at Colin's workshop," Duke introduced himself, then looked toward Viktor. "And you must be Viktor, also from the lower districts, now Professor Heimerdinger's assistant at the Academy."

"Pleasure to meet you," Viktor nodded with a soft smile.

Jayce, however, drew his hand back and frowned. "Let me correct that. Viktor isn't just anyone's assistant anymore, he's my partner. We work as equals now."

"Oh?" Duke tilted his head with a trace of sarcasm. "Then, as his partner, you haven't noticed your friend's condition?"

"What are you implying?" Jayce stepped in front of Viktor, his voice sharp. "Are you threatening us?"

Duke calmly shook his head. "Since we arrived, I've been observing. Viktor has coughed six times. Each time, his face twisted in pain, brows deeply furrowed. That doesn't look like nothing to me."

He stood, locking eyes with Jayce. "If that's not being troubled, then what is it?"

"Is that true?" Jayce turned to Viktor.

Viktor opened his mouth, but a fit of violent coughing cut him off. Still, he forced out a response: "I'm fine, Jayce. Don't let this affect the evaluation."

"You'll die."

Duke's tone turned serious as he looked Viktor straight in the eye. "If you don't treat this soon, you'll pass the point of no return."

"That's just your opinion," Viktor coughed again, clearly struggling.

Duke shrugged. "Advice falls on deaf ears when people are determined to dig their own graves. That's all I'll say."

"Duke Sanchez, Jayce Talis, Viktor, your turn!"

"Excuse me," Viktor said to the butler. "Aren't candidates evaluated one at a time?"

"You're the final group," the butler replied, shrugging. "The council and the review board have decided to assess you simultaneously. The order's already set."

With that, he gave a respectful bow and left.

"Well, well," Duke chuckled. "Looks like they want us to battle it out onstage."

Jayce snorted. "This is a fair competition, not some underground deathmatch."

Duke casually lifted his case and slung it over his shoulder. "I've heard a bit about your project, but I've got faith in my own creation."

"See you on stage, Mr. Talis."

He paused, turning to Viktor. "And seriously, get checked out, Mr. Viktor."

With a wink to Jayce and a nod to Viktor, Duke strode toward the stage doors.

Jayce watched him go, brows furrowed. Viktor walked over and teased, "Nervous?"

"No, just… something about that guy bugs me."

"Oh?"

"It's his eyes. Like he knows everything. That smug confidence, it really ticks me off."

"Now that you mention it…" Viktor thought back. "His gaze felt strange, like pity mixed with hope. As if saying, 'Just listen to me and you'll avoid tragedy.'"

"Exactly," Jayce muttered. "Creepy."

"Well, at least he shows some concern for others," Viktor said with a tired smile. "True or not, I should probably see a doctor."

"Don't push yourself."

Jayce patted Viktor on the shoulder, then looked at their invention.

"Come on, let's bring Piltover a new future."

Evaluation Hall, Backstage

Behind the grand curtain lay the backstage area, mostly deserted save for a few essential staff.

Through a gap in the curtain, one could glimpse the enormous, theater-like evaluation hall.

"Damn, they built a whole theater in their house?" Duke muttered as he entered, case in hand.

Orianna was already there, dressed and waiting. She rushed over when she saw him.

"Duke! You made it! I was starting to worry."

"No need. Best shows always close the night. Besides, didn't you see anything interesting back here?"

"Oh, I did! Someone brought in a mining drill, it exploded and covered him in soot!"

As Orianna chatted excitedly, Duke nodded occasionally while scanning the backstage. One person in particular caught his eye, Councilor Mel Medarda, the woman exiled by her own family.

When Jayce and Viktor entered, she approached them at once with words of encouragement.

Duke scoffed. "So she's already placing her bets, huh?"

"What?"

"Nothing."

He patted Orianna's bun playfully, then set the case down.

"Get ready, Orianna."

"Let's show them the future of clockwork tech!"

"Right!"

Evaluation Hall

The jury panel sat alongside the council members. At the center was Heimerdinger, both councilor and lead judge.

The small yordle stroked his white mustache and raised his voice to quiet the room.

"Gentlemen, please! Let's pause the discussions."

"I know we've seen many promising entries today, but the next two might just take things to a whole new level."

"First, we have Duke Sanchez, recommended by Master Colin Levek and numerous other artisans. His project: a clockwork-powered enhancement suit!"

Heimerdinger tilted his head, examining the schematic in his hands, a design for a mechanical exoskeleton.

"Quite an ambitious concept. The creator claims his invention will redefine how Piltover views clockwork tech and endure for the next century."

"A bit arrogant for someone so young," he chuckled. "Please excuse his bravado."

"Master Colin's students are always full of surprises," said Caitlyn's mother, smiling. "You're too modest."

"He's just a bold kid," Colin replied with a humble smile, eyes fixed on the stage.

"Well then, seeing is believing. Let's meet the young man himself."

"Please welcome Duke Sanchez!"

Backstage, a staff member approached Duke.

"Mr. Sanchez, it's your turn."

"Thanks."

"Wait for my signal, Orianna."

Duke refused assistance and hefted his case alone, jokingly noting that it weighed over a hundred pounds. No way that petite assistant could carry it.

He stepped onto the stage, calm and deliberate. As he reached the center, the theater lights dimmed, leaving only a spotlight on him.

He bowed to the audience with a smile, but froze slightly upon rising, two familiar figures stood at the far back of the hall.

Both had silver-gray hair and stared at him with unreadable expressions.

"Damn it. Why's Camille here?"

Duke forced himself to stay focused.

"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce myself and my creation."

"I'm Duke Sanchez from Zaun, currently apprenticing under Master Colin."

"I know many of you think of Zaun as a backward, ignorant place…"

"But today, I'm here to show you what a kid from Zaun can really do!"

Colin winced slightly. Mentioning Zaun right now could hurt his chances.

Backstage, Viktor listened with a hint of shame in his eyes. "Just for that alone… I'm not his equal."

"Don't beat yourself up," Jayce said, patting his shoulder. "You're still the best partner I've ever had."

Onstage, Duke slapped the side of his brass case.

With a hiss, the clockwork mechanisms inside whirred to life. The panels slowly unfolded, the top plate rising to reveal the sleek skeleton of the clockwork exosuit.

Heimerdinger's eyelids twitched.

A strange sense of foreboding crept into his chest.

"This," Duke stepped aside with a flourish, "is my creation, the Clockwork Exoskeleton!"