Wild. That seemed to be the most fitting way to describe the ordeal that had been the final challenge - the entire competition, really. There was nothing Kyle could really say in response to Jesús' comment, and though he nodded his agreement, he otherwise maintained his silence and watched the clips from the challenge as they were replayed on the screen.

It felt like a fair amount of time before Hawthorne returned, long enough that Kyle could mull over a dozen different things and stew in his thoughts. Now that the final challenge was over, all that was left was for the scores to be announced, along with the winner. He was aware, of course, of his consistent lead throughout the competition, but Kyle had tried to not let that lull him into complacency, a false sense of security. Nothing was certain, and he was ready for any result; it had, after all, taken him some time to subdue that Runespoor.

His mind was on the scholarship when Hawthorne made her reappearance, but then Kyle found himself sitting up slightly in his seat. As much as he wanted to tell himself he didn't mind about losing, that he didn't care about a scholarship, he couldn't help but wonder... and hope. That scholarship was more important to Kyle than he was willing to admit, even to himself.

He didn't know what to expect, not having seen any of the other competitors' experiences of the challenge in full, which only served to heighten the suspense. Kyle glanced automatically towards Brent when his name was called, and then at Valerie. At first, Kyle was more focused on feeling regret for the latter, for her missing out on the scholarship that he knew she also needed, and it was a moment before he realised that that meant it was only between himself and Levi Kenning. Ilvermorny and Hogwarts.

It felt like an age before the winner was finally announced, and when it came...

... Kyle only stared stupidly.

There it was. His name. Winner of the International Magical Pupil Standoff.
After everything that had happened this year, he'd actually gone and... won.

Hawthorne was suddenly right there in front of him, and Kyle snapped out of his daze for long enough to accept her hand and shake it, luckily only needing his good hand. "Thank you Pr-... Headmistress Hawthorne," he replied, not really knowing what else he could say, nor having much time to think of anything. Just past Hawthorne, he could see his name up on the screens, the confetti falling everywhere was impossible to miss, and he could hear that Wampus girl, Madelyn, cheering his name. It was... such a strange scene, especially with all the components thrown together, like something from a dream.

Then Levi Kenning was there, providing another hand to shake. Kyle obliged, breaking into a smile at last as he quickly processed all that was happening, squeezing Levi's hand and shaking it.

"Thanks," he said, his eyes flitting back towards the Hogwarts Healer and then back to Kenning. "And to you as well. Not much in it, after all." The fierceness of the competition had been clearly evidenced in how close the points were. As for his arm... "Definitely smarts a bit. I'll have to get it seen to." Seemed like he'd sort of missed his opportunity so far, at least in terms of the immediate future. There was... a lot going on, and it was an issue trying to get his head straight, to know who to talk to or what to do next.

Both Brent and his... friend? Girlfriend? Probably girlfriend, right? Well... when they both sent their congratulations his way, Kyle was gracious in return, giving each a nod of appreciation, because he was in danger of sounding like a broken record with all the 'thanks's and 'thank you's. "Good job out there, Brent." They'd both done well, being only fifth years and yet making it this far in the competition. It didn't exactly take a genius to see it.

Finally, Kyle turned his attention back to Jesús - who got a genuine grin of appreciation in return for his congratulations - and to Valerie who had, by now, joined them. Celebrations? "Sure. I'm in." Not usually his scene, but this... was a special occasion. Kyle moved his good arm to brace his left one again, and turned his attention back to Valerie. "You good?" It was a carefully weighted question, with more than one meaning. He wanted to talk to her properly, of course, and everything that had transpired - his win, what it meant - but perhaps later, in private.

For now, though, he broke into a smile - a genuine one, one that perhaps conveyed his relief to Valerie that this was all over, and that she, too, had made it out of the challenge in one piece.