Classes.

The rest of the week passed in a blur of random classes and brutal training from Raphael.

But by the end of it, not only had Alexander gotten a solidified schedule submitted, but he even had a routine to follow.

He'd wake up in the morning, shower, and brush his teeth. 

Then he'd get ready for the day with a light jog around the dormitory before meeting up with Jules and Karl for breakfast in the dining hall. 

After that, he'd take his maths class, which was taught by Professor Beau. 

A man in his more advanced years, but with a sharp eye and quick tongue.

He didn't share the class with anyone he knew, but that didn't matter much when the professor forbade anyone from talking. 

After two periods of maths, the third period rolled around, which was alternative language class, the first course. 

The first lesson was about the various other species in the surrounding continents, along with their language and customs. 

There were quite a few, but the professor, a woman named Belle, wanted to focus on the Western empire and the Jafren that lived there.

Alexander had chosen this class for obvious reasons, the most important among them being traveling. 

After the third period, the fourth period rolled around with Professor Dereck and his class, Essence Anatomy: first course.

Which was basically the study of world energy in someone's body.

Alexander took this class to better understand how world energy worked, and if there was any way to refine his skills.

After the fourth period came lunch, which Alexander shared with his friends and Elizabeth. 

Both of Elizabeth's friends tagged along as well.

Mimi and Louise still didn't join him, but that was something to be solved another day. 

For now, Alexander had too much on his plate.

After lunch came the fifth and sixth periods, which were both language arts.

A class he shared with Karl.

Surprisingly enough it was here Alexander finally learned the language he had been speaking for the past nine years. 

It was called Hallish.

When Alexander was done with language Arts and Professor Lena, he moved on to the seventh period.

That was his Court Etiquette and Diplomacy class.

He chose it solely because of Elizabeth, and the guilt he'd feel if he ignored her wishes completely.

— — —

Stepping into the classroom Alexander was greeted with a lavish room filled with long chestnut tables and high-arched windows. 

Standing behind her desk was the professor, a woman with long silver hair and sharp white eyes. 

She was dressed in the same gray robes as every other professor, but something was different about how she wore them. 

As the students filtered through the room, the professor watched each of them carefully. 

It was like she was analyzing each of them.

"Welcome to Court Etiquette and Diplomacy," the professor announced.

"I am Lady Marceline du Vanpurian, and I will be your professor."

Alexander took his place among the students, finding a seat near the wall. 

Elizabeth sat beside him, with both Chloe and Juliet sitting beside her.

Alexander let out a long sigh as he awkwardly shifted in his seat. 

He looked over the other students and how confident they looked.

How properly they dressed.

Alexander couldn't help but question his being there.

Elizabeth gave him a side-eye, before grabbing his hand. 

"Are you nervous?" She teased, giggling softly.

Alexander shook his head, "I'm not nervous, but I don't belong here either." His voice was low as his eyes darted around the room.

Elizabeth's grip tightened as her eyes narrowed, "what are you saying?" She asked, her tone quiet but firm.

"You belong here just as much as I do."

Alexander turned his golden gaze onto her, a weak smile on his lips. "Do I?" He asked, "I only came here because of you."

Elizabeth's cheeks reddened as she focused in on Alexander's eyes. "I know, but you'll like it, I promise."

Before Alexander could respond, the sound of the classroom door closing echoed throughout the room. 

"I assume everyone knows why they're here, and what's expected of them," Marceline announced while approaching the chalkboard.

"Diplomacy is just as brutal as the fields of battle," she began writing on the board, her hand moments swift. "Every word you say is the swing of a sword and every argument you win is another foe slain."

Marceline finished writing on the board with a hard press of the chalk. 

She turned to face the class, her sharp eyes washing over the class.

"By the time this course is finished, you all will wield your words as a soldier wields their weapon." She declared, "Or you will fall to the waste as an incompetent fool."

Elizabeth smirked as she glanced at Alexander, "See, it's Fun." She said as a matter of fact. 

Alexander sighed as he leaned forward, "We'll see."

— — —

After a long-winded lesson of, 'The War of Diplomacy', Alexander felt drained.

Alexander couldn't help but wonder if his sister in his previous life had taken a class like that.

But with that out of the way Alexander only had one class left.

Blades and ballistics: first course.

The class was as the name suggests, focused on learning various weapons and the skills required to use them. 

This class took place in the training hall, the same training hall where Raphael beat him and called it "training".

The instructor was a royal Pathfinder captain, a man with broad shoulders, a tall frame, and long blonde hair tied in a ponytail. 

He stood in the center of the training hall, surrounded by training dummies, excise equipment, wooden weapons, and guns loaded with blanks.

"Welcome students," the captain began, his voice booming as he smiled confidently. "I am Captain Vincent, and I will be your instructor."

As he spoke, his silver eyes looked out over the crowd.

"Today will only be an introduction, not to weapons, but to each other!" He declared.

"You all will spend the entire year together, sparing, competing, and training, so it's only natural to understand your competition!"

A murmur began running through the students as they looked around to study each other. 

Some stood confidently while others looked around nervously.

Alexander also took this time to look around.

He noticed a few familiar faces, Jules, Karl, and Elizabeth for some goddess knows the reason. 

But the person that really caught his attention was Mimi. 

She stood at the back of the group with crossed arms and an unreadable expression.

Alexander's eyes widened slightly upon seeing her, his hand twitching.

Mimi…

"So," the instructor's voice cut through the quiet murmuring, "take this time to converse amongst yourselves." 

With those words, the instructor took a few steps back before turning on his heel.

Conversations began spreading like wildfire as groups began to form among the students. 

Alexander could already see Jules and Karl making their way towards him, and Elizabeth was already at his side.

But Alexander wasn't focused on any of them, instead, he turned his full attention towards Mimi, who stood alone with a cold frown. 

"Mimi." He called to her, his voice steady but slightly tense. 

Mimi didn't acknowledge his call at first, but as Alexander grew closer she slowly turned her head toward him. 

Her eyes were still hidden behind a black cloth, but she no doubt had an expression of disinterest. 

"Alexander." She called back, her tone neutral. 

Alexander stood before her, his expression curious as he closely studied her face. "Hey," he began, "it's been a while since I saw you."

Mimi's frown remained. "Yes." 

Alexander chuckled nervously as he scratched behind his ear. 

So many questions ran through his mind at that moment. 

Where did she go after they left the demon continent? 

What had she been doing in all that time?

Why was her eyes hidden behind a black cloth?

And most importantly…

"Are you okay?" 

Mimi's frown softened before she nodded. "I'm fine, why?" 

Alexander opened his mouth to respond but was startled by the sudden appearance of Elizabeth.

Who made her presence known by lacing her fingers between his, sending a shiver up his spine.

"Who is this?" Elizabeth asked curiously as she leaned closer toward Mimi.

Mimi's frown deepened as she took a step away from Elizabeth, her body physically tensing. 

"Stay away from me." She said coldly, her warning directed solely at Elizabeth.

Both Alexander and Elizabeth blinked in surprise at Mimi's sudden shift. 

But while Alexander was bewildered, Elizabeth looked almost annoyed, her smile cracking briefly to reveal a frown. 

"E-excuse me?" Elizabeth stammered as her grip tightened on Alexander's hand.

Mimi remained unfazed, "you heard me." She stated, before turning her attention towards Alexander. 

"We're done talking." She said flatly, before turning on her heel and walking away. 

Alexander blinked, his mind still processing Mimi's sudden change in demeanor.

Elizabeth watched Mimi walk away with an irritated glint in her eyes. 

"How rude." She said, narrowing her eyes. "I've done nothing to her."

"My, my, who was that sassy glass of wine?" 

An amused voice echoed behind Alexander.

Alexander turned to see Jules standing with his arms crossed and gaze locked on the distant Mimi.

"Whoever she is, I don't think she likes Her Highness," Karl stated as he stepped forward.

Alexander shook his head as he glanced down at Elizabeth, noticing her tense posture and quivering lip. 

She's really done a number on Elizabeth…

Alexander sighed as he turned towards Karl. "She's somebody that I used to know," he finally said, "we were never close though."

Jules smirked as he stepped forward, "Ah, then you wouldn't mind if I attempted to woo her, no?"

Alexander shrugged, "You can try I guess."

Karl shook his head, "I'd say it's better to leave her alone."

Suddenly Alexander felt a tug on his hand, "I don't care who she is," Elizabeth said, her irritation barely hidden as she pulled Alexander away. 

"I won't waste my time on someone as hostile as her."

Alexander sighed as he allowed himself to be pulled away. 

He didn't blame Elizabeth for her behavior, as even he was surprised about Mimi's reaction.