Tryouts.

The next day Alexander was walking hand in hand with Princess Elizabeth. 

Along with them were Jules and Karl. 

The day had been spent exploring different classes, as the first-years had a few more days before they had to submit their schedules.

"Alex, I like the classes we took today," Elizabeth said with a soft giggle, "do you think you'll keep them?"

Alexander wiped the back of his neck. 

He still wasn't comfortable with holding Elizabeth's hand like this, but she didn't really give him a choice.

With a nervous chuckle, Alexander looked down at her. "Well," he began, his tone cautious, "I don't know, I want to take an alternative language class or one based around strategy and combat."

Elizabeth sighed as she massaged the back of Alexander's hand with her thumb, sending a shiver up his spine. "I see, I guess it's no question you want to be a warrior, but at least take one class with me."

Alexander winced as he gulped. "Well, which one would you suggest?" He asked curiously.

"Court Etiquette and Diplomacy." Elizabeth replied eagerly, "I have to take that class as a princess, but I'm sure you'd need it too."

Alexander sighed as thought about it. A diplomacy class could be beneficial, but not at the moment. 

To use diplomacy he'd need a baseline, but to get a baseline he needed power and connections.

But, he could also build connections out of the class itself. Make friends with the students who'd no doubt be in high places when they graduate.

But does that matter when you're friends with a princess?

"I think you broke him, your highness." Jules teased as he flanked her right. "Perhaps you should go easier on him."

Karl chuckled, "You know, I wouldn't be able to tell she's a princess if she never mentioned it."

Alexander smirked as he looked back at Karl. "You're one to talk," he joked, "at the tailor shop I thought you were a pretentious noble, but now you act like a regular kid."

Karl shrugged, "Well I had to play a role, my mother was there."

Alexander laughed but was quickly silenced by the squeezing of his hand. "You didn't answer my question," Elizabeth said, looking up to him.

Alexander let out a long sigh as he narrowed his eyes. "I'll consider it." He answered, "But I still need to explore my options, I have things I need to do."

Elizabeth smiled sweetly as she tilted her head. "Thank you, Alex, it's all I ask." She let out a soft breath, her eyes holding a satisfied glint.

Alexander felt his heart skip a beat as he quickly averted his gaze. "Of course." He muttered.

"Ahh, young love," Jules said teasingly.

"We're just friends," Alexander muttered with a glare over his shoulder. "Don't make this something it's not."

Elizabeth giggled softly as she gazed upon Alexander with longing eyes.

Jules raised his hands in surrender. "My apologies, Sir Alexander." Jules said with a chuckle, "It's just, you must be close friends if we were walking Her Highness to the Council hall."

Alexander rolled his eyes as he looked up to the dome-roofed building before them. 

The building where the student council operated was made of white stone and large windows. With an arching entrance that was made of polished oak.

"Well," Alexander said, releasing her hand. "we're here, Elizabeth." 

Elizabeth sighed, gently squeezing Alexander's hand before letting go. 

"Thank you, Alex," she said softly while stepping forward a few steps. 

She then turned around, "Will you come pick me up, when you leave practice?" Her eyes held an expectant gaze, while her hands were clasped together. 

Alexander hesitated, feeling as if a weight had been dropped on his shoulders. He hadn't planned on retrieving Elizabeth, as he didn't know how long practice was going to last. 

"I don't know." Alexander answered honestly, "I don't want you waiting for me, especially if it's late."

Elizabeth smiled as she slightly lowered her head. "I want to wait for you." She replied, "So come and get me, okay?"

She then turned on her heel and walked into the dome–roofed building. 

Alexander sighed softly as he tightened his fist. 

"Shit." He muttered softly.

"What's wrong?" Jules teased, gripping Alexander's shoulder. "Do you miss her Highness already?"

"It's okay to feel frustrated." Karl chimed in, "Her Highness is a beautiful girl."

Alexander groaned as he shook Jules off his shoulder. "If I have to tell you two again to drop this crap, I'll beat both of you."

Jules shrugged as he took a step back, "whatever you say, Sir Alexander."

Karl sighed. "There's no way you're this dense." He muttered under his breath.

Alexander scowled, "I'm not dense, she was like then when I first met her, so you two need to stop." 

He then turned on his heel and began walking the path toward the training hall, "besides, I refuse to become a prince consort."

After a quiet walk through the campus grounds, the trio arrived before a large training hall with dozens of students all dressed in different uniforms. 

Some looked to be preparing for martial arts, while others seemed prepared for sword training. 

"It seems all the physical clubs train here," Karl commented, looking around to see the students stretching and chatting.

Alexander sighed. "Just keep an eye out for Raphael, I don't want us to get surprised." 

Jules saluted with a hand to his chest while Karl nodded. 

Stepping inside the training hall, Alexander's boots connected to the lined wooden floors.

The building was illuminated with electric lighting.

But the windows were also opened, alongside a glass-like roof that let in natural light. 

Walking further into the hall, Alexander spotted Raphael along with about a dozen other students. 

Some of them looked to be seniors, with hardened expressions and toned muscles, but several first-years looked a little out of their element. 

"Hm, seems we are Raphael's only victims," Jules said with a laugh.

Karl slid his hands into his pocket as he narrowed his eyes. "I guess these are tryouts, which explains why we're in the training hall, and not the arena."

Alexander nodded.

After the tenth-years from last year graduated it would make sense to recruit new talent.

Spotting the trio growing closer, Raphael looked up with a wide grin and narrowed eyes. "Finally," he said with a knowing laugh, "the real talent." He stepped away from the group and towards Alexander. 

"I was starting to think you weren't going to show, little brother." 

Alexander met Raphael's gaze with a firm gaze. 

He knew Raphael wasn't going to beat him on the spot, which gave him a little confidence.

"I had to take a detour, you understand." He replied, his tone calm but cautious.

Raphael chuckled, "Sure, but now that you're here, let's begin our little game." His grin then widened as his gaze grew sharper. "And try not to disappoint."

Jules let out a confident chuckle as he crossed his arms. "Please, spare me the challenge, victory is all but assured."

Raphael let out an amused breath before stepping back. 

"Alright, since this is my first time as captain I'm going to make this easy for everyone." His tone was clear, but he wasn't loud. 

He gestured towards a rack of wooden weapons on the wall. "All first-years grab a weapon of your choice, then meet me near the dueling ring."

A few of the first-years looked at each other nervously, before moving to grab a weapon.

Jules grinned as he rushed to grab a wooden long sword. 

While Karl took his time grabbing a pair of short swords.

Alexander was always good with a spear, as it's what he always trained with when given the opportunity. 

So that's what he grabbed.

When everyone had a weapon, Raphael gestured for the group to come over. 

He was standing near a white ring with a rope-like barrier. 

As everyone gathered around him, Raphael grinned. "Now, unlike the captains of the past years, I have no intention of drawing out this process." 

He then looked at Alexander specifically, his grin shrinking, "I only need six of you, the rest could die for all I care." His tone held no edge, but with the way his fist tightened, you could tell he meant it.

A tense air formed around the gathered first years. Some shifted nervously while others held stoic expressions.

Alexander wasn't scared however, he knew he just needed to pick a weak opponent. 

He then turned his attention toward the ring, "So, which two lucky birds are first?"

For a moment no one moved, but then, like the flamboyant attention seeker he was, Jules stepped forward. "I'll be the first to take this challenge," he said with a confident grin.

Raphael gestured towards the ring. "Be my guest, First heir Jules."

As Jules entered the ring, Raphael looked at the group of gathered students. "Who's taking him on?" He asked challengingly.

A larger boy with broad shoulders and a wooden axe stepped forward. "I'll do it." He said, a frown crossing his lips as his purple eyes narrowed. 

Jules raised an eyebrow as Raphael scoffed with a laugh. "Oh, this is going to be a massacre." 

As the large boy entered the ring, Raphael clapped his hands together. "Three rules, no killing, no cheap shots, and I choose the winner."

"Begin."