Finding Goals

Entering the dorm lobby, Alexander and Jules were greeted by about a dozen boys waiting in line. 

The line was to a large desk upfront, manned by two older women with reserved expressions. 

They sat before a wall of drawers and keys, with a book in front of them.

"Oh, this just won't do," Jules said to Alexander, who had already gotten in line. 

"I have much to do, much more than waiting in line like a sheep following the masses."

Alexander looked at Jules with a contemptuous stare. 

Is this kid serious?

Alexander watched as Jules marched his way to the front of the line, ignoring everyone and their complaints. 

"Excuse me, fine dames," Jules began, placing both hands on this desk as he brought out a charming smile. 

"I know the day has been rough on both of you, it makes a young man like me feel the utmost sympathy and gratitude, for your service and dedication."

One of the women ignored Jules completely, while the other just glared at him silently. 

Jules nodded slowly, but he didn't falter. "I understand your quiet frustrations. Allow me to ease your burden, madam, by handling my own room assignment, with you promising of course."

Alexander watched the interaction with crossed arms and curious eyes. 

Was Jules really attempting to sweet-talk this woman into giving him a key?

This would be genius if the woman was stupid or gullible…

The woman's jaw tightened as her eyes narrowed. "Get in line and wait your turn." She said in a low, commanding tone, "Or don't."

Jules let out a slow, heavy sigh as if the weight of the world had been dropped on his back. "I understand." He said with a soft, low voice, "I respect your decision, and know I hold no resentment, my lady."

There was a flicker of emotion in the woman's eyes but was quickly masked by her hardened expression. "Next!" She called.

Jules joined Alexander in line, smiling smugly despite his failure. "Ah, I've always respected hard-working women, they never take anything for granted." 

His voice was low, but also loud enough to be heard by the women up front.

Alexander gave Jules a skeptical look over his shoulder. "You're full of it." He muttered.

Jules simply smiled as he tilted his head. "Am I?" He replied. 

Jules is definitely into women with no sense of self-respect, hell, he looks like a guy who'd make a harem.

Alexander opened his mouth to respond, but another voice filled the air.

"Your name isn't on the list, I can't grant you a key." The woman up front spoke coldly, her gaze locked onto the in front of her.

The boy, who had green eyes and deep red hair, had an expression of surprise. "Surely that can't be right?" He asked, his tone lacking the surprise it should have. "Was there a mistake, or is it genuinely not there?"

The woman let out a long sigh as she looked through the book again, her finger tracing down the page. 

"No," she finally replied, "it's not here, if you want you can take this up with the headmaster in the morning."

The boy nodded slowly, a frown growing on his lips. "Thank you." He said softly, before stepping out of line. 

As the boy walked towards the exit, Alexander caught a glimpse of his face. He immediately recognized him as the boy from the tailor shop. 

Without thinking, Alexander called out to him. "Hey wait, I remember you!" Alexander said, "From the tailor shop."

He paused in his steps as he looked at Alexander, his eyes widening in recognition. 

"Ahh Alexander, it's good to see you're doing well." He said with a smile, "How have you been?"

Is this kid seriously asking about me as he's about to be kicked out?!?

"I'm fine I guess," Alexander replied, his tone baffled, "but what about you, you're about to be kicked out."

The boy gave a small smile. "Indeed."

Alexander blinked. 

"It seems our friend here is slow on the uptake," Jules whispered to Alexander.

You think?!

Alexander felt something was off, with both the boy and the situation. 

There's no way they forgot to put his name in, but the fact he was so calm about it, was questionable.

Still, Alexander couldn't leave behind a familiar face, especially in a place like this. "Well, you can stay with me if you want." He offered.

The boy chuckled softly. "Would you really do that, for someone you don't know?" 

His tone was curious and his eyes twinkled with amusement. 

Alexander wasn't the kind to offer shelter to just anyone.

But this kid was different, he held information about the masked Empress.

Someone Alexander hadn't forgotten since he heard of her.

"Yeah," Alexander said with a nod.

The boy stepped forward with an outstretched hand. "Thank you, Alexander, I'm Karl du Calme."

Alexander took Karl's hand and shook it firmly. "It's good to see you again, Karl."

Jules crossed his arms with an approving smile. "Yes, this is the moment you've saved the feline."

Alexander raised a curious brow. "What?" 

"Next!" A sharp voice cut through the air, drawing all three boys' attention. 

As they looked to the front desk, they realized the line had whittled down to the last student. 

The three students approached the front desk just as the last student left. 

The receptionists greeted the boys with emotionless expressions. 

"Name." The woman with the book asked. 

Alexander was the first to step forward. "Alexander du Nova." He answered.

The woman flipped through the book, before landing on his name. "Room 1-50." She said while handing him a brass key. "You have a roommate, named Jules du Leclaire."

Alexander groaned as Jules smiled happily. "Oh, how the goddess shows her affection." He said with a haughty laugh as he hugged himself. 

The receptionist from earlier raised an eyebrow, her expression softening briefly before grabbing a second key and reaching out to Jules.

Jules smiled warmly as he placed his hand underneath the receptionist's. "Thank you, my lady." He said, his tone filled with theatrical gratitude. "I truly admire the work you do."

The receptionist rolled her eyes but there was a subtle smile on her lips. 

"Just be sure to follow the dorm's rules, and do not let your friend wander." She said with a glare to Karl.

Karl remained silent.

Jules nodded. "You are too kind my lady." He replied, before turning to Alexander. "To our humble abode my good lads."

— — —

It wasn't long until the three boys entered their dorm. 

It was a simple main room with an extended bathroom.

There were two large beds, fitted with large white blankets and one pillow. To the opposite side of each bed was a wooden dresser, which held an electric lamp. 

Between the two beds was a large window that was covered with white curtains.

"Hmm, you'd think for how large this building is it would have grander rooms," Jules murmured under his breath as he flicked the light switch.

"Well, each dorm has to hold five hundred students, divide that by two and you need at least 250 rooms," Karl commented, while looking around curiously.

Alexander nodded in agreement as he approached the right bed. "Yeah, plus this isn't a Hotel it's a dorm room."

Jules chuckled as he approached the left bed. "Well, forgive me for wanting to be cared for."

Alexander let out a sigh as he settled in his bed, the soft mattress sinking and forming around his bottom. "So, Karl, I'm sure you know I didn't invite you to our room for free." 

Karl's expression hardened as he turned to face Alexander. "Yes, I figured you'd want something, so what is it?"

Alexander leaned forward, resting an arm on his knee. Luckily for him, the day had been so busy that he didn't have time to think about Marcia. 

But now, he wanted to know what happened, to his family, and with this Masked Empress.

"Back in the tailor shop, we were talking about my family and the Masked Empress." Alexander sighed, "I want to know everything."

Karl raised a surprised brow, "that?" He asked, his expression softening, "are you sure?" His tone was filled with concern, a flicker of remorse in his eyes.

Alexander nodded, "Yeah, I won't freak out again, I promise."

Jules, who was happily lying in his bed, was now sat up and fully aware. "Interesting…" he said quietly, holding a pillow to his chest.

Karl nodded, "the Masked Empress, she claims to be the last ward of House Daname. A warrior to restore the House to its old glory. 

She's the youngest head of the Royal Academy Pathfinder team and is on record for becoming the most powerful Pathfinder out of the Fallen Kingdom, maybe even the continent. 

She's on record for beating this Academy's pathfinder team last year, with a score of 10-11, beating pathfinder initiates like Lord Raphael and Lord Aloïs."

Karl then sighed, "She's dangerous, almost to a monstrous degree."

Jules then chimed in. "Are you related to her?" He asked Alexander, a small smile crossing his lips, "You said she's part of your family."

Alexander sighed. "I don't know her," he admitted, "that's why I'm asking because I don't think I've ever met someone that strong."

Karl crossed his arms. "But I don't understand, how could you not know someone that strong, you are a Child of House Daname."

"Not anymore." Alexander replied, "I haven't been for years."

Jules then perked up. "Well then, I say this gives you a reason to take Raphael's offer."

Alexander sat in silence.

It made sense, joining the Pathfinder team would put him on the path to meet the masked empress. 

Meeting the masked empress would give him a connection to his House, and if he had connections to his house, it would be easier to rebuild it.

Not only that, but Raphael had extended an invitation to join the team's practice. 

Karl and Jules watched Alexander carefully. 

"I'd be careful about joining a Pathfinder team." Karl said, his tone cautious, "It's good for finding opportunities after you graduate, but it's brutal, you'd be fighting other teams of pathfinders throughout the year, and from other kingdoms."

Alexander nodded slowly, "I figured, but I'm not scared, I've trained enough to hold my ground."

Besides, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

Jules grinned, "If you join them I'd be a fool not to!" He said with a laugh.

Karl smirked as he put his hands on his hips. "Well, if you're down, I'll try too."

Alexander looked up to face his friends, "I've only met you two a few hours ago, but screw it, let's do this."

Today was just an introduction, but tomorrow was the start. 

Towards his goals, and the Masked Empress.