Scrimmage.

The rest of the class period was spent with the students familiarizing themselves with each other. 

The instructor watched everyone with a keen eye, noting friend groups, rivalries, and all that lay between them. 

After the class ended, the school day was over, and it was time to head back to practice.

Jules went to the dorm to fetch both his and Alexander's casual wear while Alexander walked Elizabeth to the Student Council hall.

— — —

"Are you coming to get me later?" Elizabeth asked as she and Alexander stood near the Student Council hall.

She had that same expectant look in her eyes, the kind that grew harder for him to ignore.

And even harder for him to reject. 

Alexander hesitated for a moment, shifting his feet as he looked down at their laced hands. 

She always did this, so much so that Alexander was barely aware of it happening anymore. 

Is that good or bad?

Alexander sighed as he met Elizabeth's gaze, "Yeah, but I don't want you waiting for me outside."

Elizabeth had a look of disappointment on her face, "Alex…" she began, her voice soft.

"Stay in the building." Alexander said, cutting her off, "I don't want you getting sick waiting for me."

Elizabeth's eyes grew wide as her smile came back ten times wider. 

Her grip on his hand tightened as she let out a soft giggle. 

"What would you do if I got sick?" She asked teasingly.

Alexander hesitated, blinking several times as his mind searched for an answer. 

It was such a simple yet strange question, one he wasn't sure how to answer.

Alexander then frowned as he studied Elizabeth. 

She was fragile and innocent, something he was responsible for protecting as her friend. 

"I guess I'd be mad at myself," Alexander answered, averting his gaze. "Maybe guilty."

Elizabeth nodded slowly as she took in each word. 

Her eyes flickered with thoughtfulness.

She then smiled, "Okay then, I'll be waiting in the building for you." 

She then pulled away, before turning on her heel and walking inside.

Alexander sighed as he watched her go, a curious question popping in his head.

Why am I doing this?

— — —

After dropping off Elizabeth, Alexander met up with Karl and Jules.

They were standing in front of the academy practice field.

It was a moc field used by the Pathfinder team to practice the sport. 

The field was about 110 meters long, (or 360 feet,) and 50 meters wide, (160 feet).

The field was split into five sections two on either side of the field with a large circle in the center.

In the center of the field was a large control point with three flags forming a triangle.

The rules of the game were simple, 15 players for each side, with both teams attempting to hold the center. 

Along with the center and its flags, the four other sections all had a central flag known as a control point. 

Players collect the flags to win the control points, if the enemy holds a flag then your team has to retake the flag to advance past the control point.

This includes one of the central three flags, you cannot advance past the center without all three flags.

On the other hand, if the enemy held the flag they couldn't leave the control point.

If you lost both control points and the center, you lost the round immediately.

A round lasted about 15 minutes, and there were six rounds in total.

If you controlled the center with 2 out of 3 flags, you won the round.

If you held one center flag, you lost.

If the enemy crosses over to your side of the field and takes a flag, the round timer goes down faster, if they take both you lose.

A player is knocked out of the round if they're knocked over, or pushed out of bounds.

If both teams have three wins at the end of the sixth round, then there will be a final seventh round.

If a team wins four rounds or more then the match is over.

"Here you are, Sir Alexander," Jules said, handing Alexander his gym bag. "All packed and prepared."

Alexander nodded as he accepted the black bag, "Thanks, Jules." He said with a half-hearted smile. 

Karl tilted his head curiously as he studied Alexander. 

"Is Her Highness okay?" He asked, his tone soft.

Alexander raised an eyebrow, "what do you mean?"

Karl sighed as he adjusted his bag, "I mean with that girl, Mimi." He clarified.

Alexander shrugged, "I never asked." 

Karl frowned, but his expression quickly softened. 

"Well, you should, just a suggestion."

Alexander sighed, he wasn't sure if it was a good idea to bring that up with her. 

But Karl was suggesting it so, "Maybe I'll ask her later."

Karl nodded, and with that, the conversation was over.

The three boys made their way onto the field.

Standing in the center of the field was Raphael, and all around him were seniors in shorts and T-shirts. 

About nine in total, including Raphael.

Standing on the sidelines near a few benches were the three other first-years from tryouts.

They were still dressed in their academy uniforms but had their gym bags close by.

Alexander and the others walked up to join the other first-years, while Raphael gave them a subtle glance. 

He then smirked.

"Alright, everyone is here," Raphael said as he clasped his hands together. "That means it's time to teach those idiots how to play the damn sport."

The seniors all looked towards the first-years with malicious grins. 

"Oh, this is gonna be fun." One of them muttered, a tall girl with long blonde hair and white eyes.

"I call the scrawny-looking blonde!" Another senior said with a point to Jules.

"Then I'll take the one with the stupid face." Another said with a laugh as he pointed towards Alexander.

Alexander smirked as the seniors picked them out. He could tell this was going to be a trial-by-fire situation, and he wasn't scared.

These seniors have nothing on Béatrice!

With the senior's finished picking out their prey, Raphael clasped his hands together. 

"Alright, you birdies will change into your gym clothes here," he then turned his attention to Josephine, the only female first–year, "and you, I'll let Lucie take you somewhere private."

The girl with white eyes and blonde hair stepped forward. "Come along Josephine." She ordered, her tone soft but commanding.

Josephine nodded as she grabbed her bag and followed her.

As they left the field, Raphael turned his attention back towards the remaining first-years, his grin wide. 

"The rest of you, strip and get changed!"

— — —

After the first-years were changed and ready, Raphael had them and six seniors stand on the field.

This meant twelve people were on the field, with Raphael and two other seniors standing on the sidelines.

"Alright!" Raphael said with a laugh, "We're going to do a seven-on-seven scrimmage, seniors versus First-years."

Alexander felt himself growing eager at the thought of a scrimmage. 

He was ready to prove himself after that stunt at tryouts, and he was eager to embarrass a few seniors.

Raphael then exchanged glances with the seniors at his sides.

It was Lucie and another senior on the shorter side, maybe a fifth or fourth year.

"Vice captains, choose your team to lead."