The Exams, pt4.

As Alexander and the other students prepared for the exam, their classmates who opted out simply watched. 

The first few tests were nothing serious, especially for someone as drilled as Alexander. 

Things like push-ups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks.

Alexander practically ate each exercise for breakfast during his time with Béatrice.

But as he breezed through the tests, he couldn't help but notice Louise slightly lagging. 

She wasn't completely helpless, as she was able to keep up with some of the weaker participants. 

It was obvious she was out of her element, the way she staggered, the way she breathed.

Unlike Louise, the blonde-haired boy was almost as skilled as Alexander, if not better. 

I need to find out who this guy is.

Alexander knew he had to talk with the boy, even if he wasn't keen on making allies, it would be stupid to avoid/antagonize him.

As the tests continued, the professor seemed to note down everyone's performance. His expression was unreadable. 

When the final test came, Alexander was handed a weighted metal ball.

"For the final test, your goal is simple, throw the ball, the further it goes the higher your score." The professor said as he gestured down a narrowed patch of grass. "Each marker represents ten points, reaching the last marker gets you a hundred." 

The professor then turned towards the students, "Any questions?"

It was around this time another professor and her students came onto the field. She kept her students at a distance, but even so, Alexander spotted Elizabeth and Mimi almost instantly.

They looked down at him, with Elizabeth waving and Mimi remaining stoic.

"Pay attention." Louise hissed from behind Alexander as she kicked his ankle. 

Alexander stumbled forward a step, before rolling his shoulders and sighing. 

"Right." He murmured under his breath as he watched the student ahead of him step forward. 

That blonde kid from before.

He stepped up almost lazily, a wide confident grin plastered on his face. 

With a short breath, the boy took a step back before shortly hurling the steel ball like a projectile. 

It felt like the air snapped with a loud bang as the ball soared in the air, curving beautifully before crashing into the dirt at the final marker. 

A perfect score.

"Well done." The professor said with an impressed nod, before gesturing up the hill, "Join the rest of the class, the others will come shortly."

The blonde boy smirked confidently as he left a lingering glance on Alexander. "Try to measure up, wouldn't want you embarrassed." His tone was challenging but his expression was friendly.

Alexander scoffed as he tightened his grip on the steel ball. "Watch me."

He stepped up the the narrow strip of grass, narrowing his eyes as he focused solely on the final marker. 

He took a deep breath through, catching the scent of freshly cut grass and wood. 

As he attempted to clear his mind, a thought popped into his head. 

Wait… I can use what Zara taught me and launch this sucker. 

A devious grin spread across Alex's lips as he began to charge his world energy. 

What he was about to do could not be replicated by normal Hakshi adults, let alone children.

But then again, Alexander wasn't normal.

He began pouring world energy into his palm, enough to make a difference but not enough to glow white. 

Then with the power of cheats, Alexander hurled the steel ball forward. 

The air cracked with energy as the ball took off with speed, twisting like a baseball thrown by a professional pitcher. 

As it soared through the air, the professor's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped.

The steel ball crashed in the dirt about a meter further than the hundred-point marker.

"Sweet goddess, how the hell…" the professor murmured in disbelief as Alexander grinned satisfactorily. 

He hurriedly turned to look for the blonde boy, spotting him on the hill with an equally wide grin. "That was unexpected," He called out, "fair play, Sir Alexander."

Alexander rolled the shoulder of his throwing arm with a smug grin. "I aim to please." He said with a wink.

The blonde boy laughed, but his eyes stayed focused on Alexander.

Meanwhile, Louise firmly pressed her lips together as she glared at Alexander. "Idiot." She whispered annoyedly, her gaze flickering towards Alexander's steel ball. 

Alexander stood to the left of the professor as he crossed his arms. He wasn't going to leave without seeing Louise's throw up close.

He had no idea why she decided to join, and after the stunt, he pulled she looked highly irritated. 

Louise used both her hands to pull the steel ball back, between her legs with a squat. 

She lobbed it forward, sending the steel ball in a small arc that crashed near the third marker. 

Alexander smiled as the professor began jotting down the results.

"Great work Lady Louise." The professor said, noting down her score.

Louise barely listened to the professor, instead, she bore a cold gaze towards Alexander before walking off. 

Alexander raised a surprised brow as he moved to follow her. "Louise," he called to her, his voice low. "Louise, what's wrong?"

Louise remained silent as she made her way uphill. Alexander followed closely behind her, confused as to what he had done and annoyed by Louise's silence.

"Fine, be that way," Alexander grumbled, though he didn't stop following her, he did stop trying to speak with her.

Louise wasn't someone Alexander understood, but he did know she wasn't someone you could just pester.

She was done talking.

Upon reaching the hill, Louise left Alexander's company and was immediately replaced by Elizabeth.

"Hi Alex, did you miss me?" Elizabeth asked curiously while approaching Alexander with an outstretched hand. "I missed you."

"Uhm, your Highness." Her professor called nervously, her eyes filled with uncertainty as she followed Elizabeth. "You can't interfere with other classes."

Elizabeth looked back at her professor with a smile as she firmly gripped Alexander's hand. "Oh it's fine, I won't be long."

Alexander blinked, he barely had time to mull over what he did wrong with Louise before Elizabeth showed up. 

"But your Highness."

"I promise it's fine," Elizabeth said as she grew closer to Alexander, "right Alex?" She looked to him for confirmation, her pink eyes drawing him in like deep pools.

Alexander felt his chest grow tight as a bead of sweat ran down his forehead. 

It had been three years since he had seen her, but even then, was she always this… assertive?

"Oh… uhm," Alexander hesitated, his stomach churning as Elizabeth pushed her small fingers between his. 

"Alex?" She called his name with a quizzical tone, her voice was soft as her pink eyes stared at him relentlessly. 

With a nervous gulp, Alexander gave the professor a nod. "Y-yeah." He stammered, "Elizabeth is my friend, so… it's fine."

Elizabeth's smile grew as she looked over her shoulder. "See, I told you everything was fine."

The professor gave a hesitant nod before stepping back. "Of course your highness, but please keep it brief."

Elizabeth nodded as she turned her focus back to Alexander. "So," she began, tilting her head as she stepped closer. "Did you miss me?"

Alexander swallowed as he averted his gaze, immediately spotting students staring back at him with bashful expressions. The girls looked jealous and confused, while the boys were lit up like Christmas trees.

There were only three exceptions.

Louise, who had a cold and emotionless glare. 

Mimi looked aloof to everyone and everything.

And the blonde-haired boy, who was slowly making his way towards Alexander with a wide, shit-eating grin. 

Alexander let out a sheepish chuckle as he tried to pull his hand away, only to be met with subtle, yet firm resistance. 

Elizabeth was not letting him escape.

"Of course I missed you." Alexander answered, unable to look into Elizabeth's eyes, "But, isn't this a little close?"

Elizabeth pouted, but before she could reply the blonde-haired boy from earlier gripped Alexander's shoulder. "Ara ara, Alexander I have misjudged you." He said with a soft chuckle, earning a glare from Elizabeth. 

"Not only is my rival and man of strength, but popular with the royalty as well," he whistled, "a worthy opponent indeed."

"Who are you?" Elizabeth asked, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. 

The boy placed his free hand on his chest as he held his head high. "I am the one and only Jules du Leclaire, of the seventh Major House, a pleasure."

Elizabeth gave Jules a look of contempt, before releasing Alexander's hand.

"I see," she muttered softly, before shifting her attention towards Alexander, her smile returning. 

"I'll talk to you later Alex," she said softly, before turning on her heel, "it was good seeing you."

Alexander watched as Elizabeth joined her classmates, her presence lingering in the air like a fine perfume. 

Alexander let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, before running a hand through his damp hair. 

Whoever that girl was, she's not my innocent friend anymore…

"Huh, Sir Alexander, did you always have something poking out of your pocket?" Jules asked curiously as he looked down at Alexander's uniform. 

What!?

Alexander's cheeks flushed red as he hurriedly looked down, only to hear the sound of soft chuckling. "Oh, you are simply too gullible my friend."

Alexander rolled his eyes as he pushed Jules off his shoulder. "Go to hell, Jules." He muttered angrily, furrowing his brow.

Jules continued to laugh as he backed away with his hands raised in mock surrender. "I don't intend to unless the devil has a daughter." He gave a subtle wink, before turning on his heel and walking away.

Alexander frowned as he rubbed the back of his neck. He had just joined the academy mere hours ago and things were already spiraling. 

Louise was pissed at him for some reason.

Jules was overbearing and confusing. 

And now Elizabeth had done a full 180, blindsiding him with her new attitude.

Today was certainly interesting…

But before Alexander could delve deeper into thought, his professor began making his way up the hill. "Alright, that concludes the physical assessment, now let's return to class for the final test."

Alexander sighed as he watched his professor walk uphill and Elizabeth's professor walk down. 

Her students followed closely behind.

Part of Alexander wanted to stay behind to see how Elizabeth performed, but he knew it wasn't possible. 

Oh well, I'll see her later.