Scrimmage, final part.

After that first defeat, Raphael slowed the scrimmage down to a play-by-play. 

He explained various rules, strategies, and tactics used in a game. 

And after a few more rounds Alexander got into a decent grove.

He knew he had to avoid situations where he'd face more than one opponent, and he also couldn't stay in one spot for too long.

The other first-years also began to find their zones, Jules with his flashy displays and faints, and Karl with his hyper-awareness.

But no matter how good everyone got, the seniors always won in the end.

It always started with the fall of one first-year, before Lucie started blitzing around the field.

After a few hours of training, Jules had the teams run a few laps before calling it a day.

With practice over, Alexander let out a long breath while hunched over.

Sweat dripped down his forehead as the evening sun dipped below the horizon.

Jules stood beside him, his breaths short as placed his hands on his hips. "I… I thought this would be… easier." He wheezed.

Karl, who had somewhat caught his breath, chuckled. 

"I can tell you're a natural talent, you haven't worked a day in your life." He joked.

Alexander smiled as he straightened up, "we'll have to work hard to catch up with Aloïs and Raphael." 

And the Masked Empress.

Raphael approached the group with a satisfied smirk.

"Good work birdies, you didn't completely embarrass yourselves on the first day." His grin widened as his cold black eyes swept over the group, eventually landing on Alexander. "Especially you, little brother."

Alexander returned the smirk but remained silent.

Raphael might not be so bad if it wasn't for his appearance and lack of sanity…

"Practice is over, but be here at the same time tomorrow, we're just getting started."

The team nodded before Raphael turned on his heel and walked away.

Followed closely by Lucie.

Alexander sighed as he stepped forward. 

I hope this is the right path to rebuilding my House, otherwise, I'll be in a world of misery for nothing… Well, maybe not nothing.

Still, continuing down this path was a bold move.

— — —

After splitting from Jules and Karl, Alexander met up with Elizabeth inside the student council building. 

She was sitting inside a small lobby, on a brown leather couch with her head resting against the armrest. 

She was sleeping peacefully, her small chest rising and falling with each breath. 

Alexander slowed his steps as he approached the couch. His expression softened while he stood before her.

I think this is the first time I've seen her sleeping, what a rare sight.

Elizabeth really was a princess and even the way she slept seemed regal.

Her long white hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her long ears drooped down the side of her head.

Alexander smiled, before sighing. "I should probably wake her up, instead of standing here like a creep." He muttered, stepping closer as he placed a hand on her shoulder. 

"Elizabeth," he whispered, gently shaking her, "I'm here to pick you up."

Elizabeth's eyes slowly fluttered open, before settling onto him. 

As soon as she saw him, a soft smile crossed her lips while her ears perked up. "Alex." She whispered, "You're back…"

Alexander nodded as he stepped back. "Yeah, but we should go, it's late."

Elizabeth nodded as she reached out her hand. "Okay." She replied.

Alexander took her hand without second thought, before pulling her close and off the couch. 

"How was practice?" Elizabeth asked as Alexander led her outside, "Did you have fun?"

Alexander chuckled as he opened the door for her, a cool breeze blowing into the room. "I wouldn't say it's been fun, but it's not boring."

Elizabeth giggled as she stepped outside. "Oh, what did you do?" She asked curiously.

Alexander shrugged, "A lot of physical stuff, battle training, you know, war stuff."

Elizabeth giggled as she tightened her grip on his hand. "You have such a way with words."

Alexander smirked, "Sorry, I'm just, I got a lot on my mind." 

Elizabeth tilted her head curiously, "like what?"

"It's nothing, I promise."

"Don't you like talking to me?" Elizabeth asked, her expression softening, "am I bothering you?"

Alexander paused mid-step as he turned to face her with a concerned expression. "No Elizabeth," he said in a firm voice, "why would you ask that?"

Elizabeth studied him for a moment, her pink eyes locked with his. "Because you're being distant, I just want to talk, is that wrong?"

Alexander tightened his jaw as his brow furrowed. "It's not that I don't want to talk to you. I just don't want to talk about it, yet."

Elizabeth frowned as her grip on his hand loosened. "Okay." She replied, her voice softening, "I won't ask anymore."

Alexander winced as he felt her pull away, his eyes squinting as he turned his head.

Shit…

Elizabeth then sighed. "Will you still walk me back?" 

Alexander nodded slowly as he turned his attention to her. "Yeah, I was going to do that regardless."

Elizabeth gave a soft smile, before looking away. 

Alexander's shoulders slumped as he walked forward. The cool night air filled the awkward atmosphere between them. 

Alexander occasionally glanced over at Elizabeth, her hand loosely wrapped in his, and her expression distant.

Guilt gnawed at him.

He hated seeing Elizabeth so distant, hurt, and confused. 

I'm a terrible friend and an even worse person.

Alexander didn't want to bother Elizabeth with his problems, but by trying to avoid them, he made the situation even worse.

"Elizabeth." He finally called.

Elizabeth looked up with a curious expression. "Hm?" She replied softly.

Alexander took a long breath, "I've been thinking about my future, about the path I'm taking."

Elizabeth's eyes widened as her grip tightened around Alexander's hand. 

Alexander felt the pressure in his chest loosen at her reaction, "I'm curious about the choice I've made, to join the Pathfinder team, do you think it's a good idea?"

Elizabeth's expression shifted thoughtfully, a moment of silence passing between the two before she answered.

"Well, I think it depends on why you joined." She answered, her gaze zoned in on him expectantly.

Alexander smirked, "I want my name to be known, to build connections and get stronger."

Elizabeth smirked as she leaned closer, "Then yes, you've made a very good choice, Alex."

Alexander smiled as his chest felt lighter and warm, he tightened his grip on Elizabeth's hand as he pulled her closer. 

It felt good to talk to someone, even if it was just the surface details. 

"What about you Elizabeth, do you have anything you want?" Alexander asked.

Elizabeth smirked as she nodded, "I do, but I think it's going to take a while before I get it." She said knowingly.

Alexander raised a curious eyebrow but said nothing.

— — —

Louise found herself in her dorm, flipping through a book as she took notes. 

She was sitting on her bed near the window when she noticed Alexander and Elizabeth outside.

She immediately looked up from her book with a frown and narrowed eyes. 

This was the seventh time this week she had seen him walking her back, and each time infuriated her more and more. 

"Ugh, I swear she is doing this on purpose," Louise muttered, squeezing her pin in her hand as her cheeks reddened.

Louise's roommate, a young girl with black hair and white eyes looked out the window curiously. "There's that boy and the princess again, do you think they like each other?"

Louise glared at her roommate. 

"Obviously Not!" She hissed, "Elizabeth doesn't know boundaries, and Alexander is too much of a fool to understand the word, no."

Her roommate smiled as she watched Alexander walk away while waving. 

"I don't know, he seems happier each time–"

"Because she's a princess," Louise said, cutting off her roommate. "I know Alexander, I've lived with him for years, he's like me." 

"Except he doesn't have the backbone, he'll never tell her no, he's afraid."

Her roommate tilted her head curiously, "Well if you know him, why don't you talk to him?"

Louise's cheeks turned crimson as her eyes narrowed. "How dare you speak to me like that!" She barked, "You're nothing but a fool from a weak Pathfinder House."

Her roommate giggled as she sat back in her bed. "Maybe, but I'm just saying, you shouldn't let Alexander get away if you know him so well." 

She teased with a shrug.

Louise frowned deeply, before letting out a huff. "Hmpf, maybe I will." She replied.