Eniah took a look around his new room surprised at the vacancy of his residence. The room was about the same size as the one Jarvan had lent him at the palace, but lacked all furnishings except a desk and bed. The far wall had a window overlooking what he assumed were the training grounds, a giant open space surrounded by targets and combat golems. He barely noticed the private bathroom and showers before he collapsed into his sheets, too mentally exhausted to consider that it was still barely past midday.

For the first time in days, he awoke by himself and relished the comfort of silence. The sun had just begun to set over the training grounds, lighting his room in a fiery orange. He snatched up the map that was provided and located the cafeteria. Willing his kris to his side, he opened his door and sent a summoner sprawling on the other side.

He quickly moved to help him up, stretching out a hand in apology. "Sory about that. I didn't know I had a visitor," he said.

"N-not at all, sir," the young boy stammered. He looked to be about Caleb's age, perhaps a bit older, though he wore a bronze medallion on his chest. "My name is Michael. High Councilor Ashram asked me to be your guide as long as you need me and I know I was to meet you tomorrow, but I wanted to come introduce myself, sir."

"Fair enough. One thing though." Michael raised his eyebrows. "Stop calling me sir. I'm nineteen."

"What should I..."

"Eniah is fine. Cut the formalities kid. I grew up killing people, not getting fat and drinking tea."

"Yes, si... Eniah..." He sheepishly ducked his head, stepping aside for Eniah.

"Now, I'm hungry so come eat with me, Mike."

"Alright," he said with a much brighter smile than before. "This way." Walking through the halls, he noticed various doors with plaques that marked each room with the names and crests of their owners. One particularly large set of double doors radiated enormous amounts of sealing magic and he couldn't help but ask. "That is the Arcanum Majoris. Well, it's where they operate. They are a group directly under the Council of Legends, the seven highest ranking summoners. One of the Legends each head a major committee and the Arcanum is probably the most important. They deal in magical artifacts, securing and replicating relics and other items for use on the Rift and Treeline."

"I see. How do they find these relics? I don't imagine people are happy to part with them," he asked guardedly.

"That depends on each item. Some are donated by important summoner and noble families or from city states, like the Orb of Winter, it came from the Avarosan I think. Some are the achievements of a champion's genius. I think Viktor made the hextech gunblade and revolver. Or did he just make the gunblade? The revolver might have come from a Zaunite model anyway though. The vast majority of relics are found in remote locations like the Kumungu Jungle, namely by Ezreal, the Grandmaster Explorer of Piltover. And yes, some are bought like the recipe for wards. Does that help?"

"Yes, that was very inclusive. Tell me about summoner ranks."

"How should I put this... Each summoner starts as a novice who spends some time summoning minions and holding turrets during matches. I'll cover those later. After he/she is ready to summon a champion, that summoner is assigned level one and promoted to an apprentice. Experience in matches, coordination with champions, and a good win rate gets you levels. You cap out at level 30 and you are no longer considered an apprentice and are given ten ranking battles. You are assigned to a tier from then on: bronze, silver, gold, platinum, diamond, and legend. Platinum ranked summoners can challenge one of the seven for their position once a year in an event called the Legends' Trial. It's really famous."

"Yes, I think I've heard of it."

"When you hit 30, other than the 10 ranking matches, you are free to settle disputes or take more ranking matches to improve. I'm new so I'm bronze."

"And what's that kid Caleb?"

"He is level 28 so I'd imagine he'll be coming up soon." Michael pushed open a simple birch door, holding it open while Eniah took in the sights of the bustling cafeteria. He saw masses of people dressed like Michael, with an occasionally unique flair of the collar or headpiece. More summoners, he guessed. What really caught his eye was the seemingly endless collection of the strangest denizens of Valoran. Members of city states were easy enough to spot; they basically sat together under banners signifying their allegiance. Along the northern end of the cafeteria, a host of mysterious beings gathered, each dining on something different. He spotted a spiked armadillo, white man-lion, and a being of pure blue energy chained in the most enchanted metal he'd ever seen. Unsurprisingly, he wasn't eating, but poring over a glow crystal, trying to siphon energy. Sweeping his arm in a jester's bow, he said, "Welcome, Eniah, Desolate Wolf, to the League of Legends."

Michael took Eniah to the southern end of the hall. Rows and rows of delicacies lined the tables in an endless buffet. Picking up a light meal, he turned to look at the Demacian table. He could only spy a dark haired woman with a giant crossbow and a spearman who looked to be of Ionian descent. Seeing no one he recognized, he followed Michael to a table he assumed held no allegiance. Already sitting there was what appeared to be a mermaid, a minotaur, and a giant green blob. "Hello, everyone. This is Eniah, a new champion of the League. Eniah, I'd like you to meet Nami, Alistar, and Zac. They each fight for their individual reasons without influence from any organization or city state. I thought they'd be the best company for you."

"Hello, Eniah, I am Nami," said the mermaid, her voice splashing like waves from across the table. She smiled and took a bite of what he assumed was fried kelp.

"Alistar," the bull-man said. He was heavily muscled, his purple skin bearing countless scars. Taking a bite out of his lamb chops, he slowly sounded each syllable of his name as if he was moving through tar.

"Um, I don't mean to offend, Alistar, but can I ask you something?" Seeing the bull nod, he continued. "Is it... ok... for you to eat lamb? I get that its not bull but..." The table burst into laughter as Alistar gave him the most bewildered expression.

"Nami eats fish too. Should she stop that as well?" he asked.

"Well, I suppose no-"

"Eniah, do not assume that minotaurs see livestock as cousins. We are a whole new breed: stronger, faster, more intelligent. We can digest meat as well as plant so should we waste the blessings of nature because we look a bit like our food?"

"I'm sorry, I just jumped to conclusions."

"No worries, human, though you are the first to have the courage to ask," he laughed.

Still laughing, the blob identified as Zac extended a tendril of slime towards him in what amounted to be a high five. "Now I have a question for you, Eniah," Zac said. "You gonna eat that pudding?" With an amused snort, he held the pudding out to the sentient blob. Zac slowly engulfed the pudding in his outstretched tendril as the table watched in fascination.

"A jello eating jello... beautiful," muttered Michael, making Nami let out a bubbly giggle.

How long has it been since I've had idle chatter? thought Eniah. As the dinner progressed, he began to feel more and more at home. Pleasantly, no one got up, screamed, or even looked twice at Shyvana's appearance. Eniah waved her over to their table, saving her from the dubious honor of meeting the other Demacians. "There isn't anything wrong with a Demacian sitting here right?" he asked.

With their consent, Shyvana sat down next to Nami and introduced herself. After staring at Alistar for a while, she spoke up. "So Ali-" Alistar snorted as the others laughed and relayed the joke. "Ok, fine since Eniah beat me to it, Nami, can I ask you something?"

"Um... Sure," she said hesitantly.

"You laugh, but can't take the fire huh?" Michael laughed.

"S-shut up! That's not it."

"So, how do you sit on your tail?"

"I don't sit. I'm standing right now, if you call this standing..."

"Fine, but don't you tire? You're a support right?"

"Supports are not weak, Shyvana," Alistar rumbled. "I am a support as well. Bear that in mind before you move to stereotypes."

"Ok, sorry, didn't mean to insult you."

"Besides, feet are strange," Nami sniffed. "A fish's tail is much more muscular than your foot size for size because we use it to swim constantly in every direction. In the water, even when you're resting, you must swim."

"Fair enough."

The conversation died down again until Eniah asked Michael. "So what exactly are matches like? Shyvana mentioned supports right?"

"Oh yes, thank you for reminding me. I assume Caleb briefed you, Shyvana but Eniah still has to hear this." He took a bite out of his cornbread and kept talking. "League matches are conducted like sporting events, for lack of a better comparison. The Rift and the Treeline are the two stadiums, although I expect my superiors to have some designs on the nexuses found in Kalamanda. The Rift is a five on five while the Treeline is a three on three. Each summoner partners with a champion of their choosing and fights through a mental link. The champions can fight as they would in normal battle, though powerful spells surrounding the arena will revive anyone killed. The summoners have the power to lend limited assistance through map vision, certain spells, and gold management. Basically you hit golems that are programmed to fight each other for gold. The gold then is used to provide champions with powerful relics to strengthen them by the summoner. Any leftover gold is given to the champion along with the original summoning fee, and if you won, the victor's prize. That's the gist. Any questions?"

"You're a bit more detailed than Caleb," said Shyvana. "Here's one. Can anyone summon us?"

"Well, no. Each champion is required to fight at least twice a week. The best way to meet your quota is to sign up as a free champion, meaning anyone may summon you. Otherwise, you will be left alone. The quota isn't high because some champions, like Jarvan, must manage the governance of their states. Also, you must volunteer as a free champion at least one week every two months. The other way for you to be summoned is to grant a summoner the right by forging a contract. Some contracts are permanent, meaning they grant absolute control to the summoner while others are restrictive, like always leaving Saturdays free or something. You can also just lend your services to someone for a day or just one match. It's up to you."

"I have one," said Eniah. "What do champions get? I realize some matches are important, but I doubt every match has some global consequence."

"You're right. Summoners need to train just as hard as champions and there are ranking matches to consider as well as matches for display on major holidays. Champions get gold and fame as well as influence in their city states and beyond. You wouldn't believe how much a bit of publicity can get you."

"It gets you a death warrant," said Eniah. "I'm not down for the fame bit."

"It's not just the worship, Eniah," chided Alistar. "I fight equality between humans and all sentient species from yordles to minotaurs to whatever that lion-thing is. Fame can get you influence. Influence gets you power."

"He's right," chimed Nami. "I am looking for the moonstone, an item that my people cannot exist without. The summoners are using their magic to help me find one in exchange for my service here."

"Fair enough," he said. "I don't have anything like that though. I guess I fight because I want to keep myself from losing control.." He trailed off, remembering his Judgment.

"Whatever you fight for, Eniah, you can find it here," Michael said. "Also, you are free to decorate the room as you see fit, or not at all. Go down to Circe, the town here by the way, if you need furniture. You are also free to leave the Institute at any time, as long as you come back for the matches."

Thanking his new friends, Eniah turned back to his room, thinking about his past and his uncertain future.

A/N: Long chapter... I'm sick of writing... I hope you enjoyed my writing. I think someone asked me for champion interactions.