Time continued its flow for another year, and as Alexander grew older his skills improved and training became harder.
— — —
"After three years you still rely on that trick?!" Béatrice barked as she slashed her sword down, aiming to slice down Alexander's chest.
Alexander blocked the attack with his spear, the steel blade of Béatrice's sword digging deep into the wooden handle. "What can I say!" Alexander replied, "It works!"
Béatrice narrowed her eyes as she yanked her sword back, before shifting into a kick.
Her foot struck his spear, sending him skidding backward as it snapped in half.
Alexander gritted his teeth as he tossed the useless half of his spear, "dammit." He muttered, preparing to block again.
Béatrice let out a long sigh as she twirled her sword in her hand. Her expression was cold as she lowered her shoulders.
Alexander stood defensively, he could read Béatrice like a book after three years, and she was testing him. "I won't fall for your tricks Béatrice, I know you're baiting me."
Béatrice turned to look at Alexander, tilting her head curiously. "You've already lost, Alexander." She answered, her tone icy.
Alexander raised an eyebrow, "what do you mean?
"Look at your weapon."
Alexander looked down, to see the tip of his spear had shattered. The color drained from his face at the sight, no doubt he'd be outside tonight.
Shit…
Béatrice let out another sigh as she placed her sword down, "You've improved significantly, yet you lack keen awareness." She said, her tone critical as she walked towards him.
Alexander tightened his grip around the broken spear as he frowned. "Yeah I know that, but it's hard to keep u–"
"Excuses." Béatrice cut Alexander off midway, her tone unforgiving. "However, I will admit you've lasted longer this time, three hours is no easy feat, be proud."
Alexander quickly looked up with an expression of disbelief.
Did… did Béatrice just praise me?
Béatrice frowned at Alexander's reaction, stopping before him with a hand on her hip. Her clothes were ripped and skin bruised, and she bled from her nose and lip. Alexander had done quite a number on Béatrice, especially for a nine-year-old.
But Alexander was no better, his cheeks were swollen, his shirt was gone completely and his pants ripped. His body ached from head to toe, and blood covered him like a second skin.
On top of that, he had completely exhausted his world energy about an hour ago and was fighting on pure strength.
He would no doubt be going hungry tonight.
Or so he thought.
Béatrice turned her attention towards her estate, her expression softening as she wiped the blood from her nose. "You've earned a meal tonight," she said simply, her voice lacking its usual cold mockery.
Alexander's eyes grew wide as he lowered his broken spear. He wondered if he had heard her correctly, or if he was hallucinating. "What?" He replied, "Did you say… I thought…"
"I won't repeat myself," Béatrice replied, her cold edge returning as she looked toward him. "Besides, I have something I wish to discuss over dinner, with you and Louise."
Alexander let out a sigh, he knew Béatrice'a invite was too good to be true. For the past week, he had spent his nights outside, and today was his worst performance yet.
He felt himself filling with dread at just the thought of spending dinner with Louise and Béatrice, yet feeling the warmth of a hot meal sitting in his stomach pushed him forward.
"Fine," Alexander replied, dropping his broken spear.
Later that evening Alexander found himself sitting at dinner with Béatrice and Louise.
Béatrice, as usual, sat at the head of the table, a few stacks of paper in front of her alongside a glass of water. She had freshened up since her sparring match with Alexander, and her healing had kicked in completely.
Louise sat across from Alexander, she had grown even colder over the years, her eyes permanently narrowed and gaze cold.
She looked unapproachable, like the girl who bullied everyone and was more haughty than sensible.
Alexander meanwhile was barely hanging onto consciousness. His body aching under stress and his mind was foggy. Though despite his condition he forced himself to sit tall, unwilling to show weakness.
Béatrice soon broke the tense silence, tapping a finger on the table as her gaze shifted between Louise and Alexander. "I'm sure the two of you are aware of this year's academy exams, but I wanted to discuss further what's to come and what's expected."
Alexander stiffened up, he had been so lost in his training sessions and plans of vengeance he had completely forgotten.
Louise meanwhile, remained cold and unfazed. "Of course mother."
Béatrice nodded, leaning back in her chair as she grabbed the stack of papers before her. "Both of you have performed well in your academics, top marks across the board in all fields."
Though the news seemed well Béatrice didn't look happy. "But as you both know academics aren't enough to enter the François Academy of Excellence."
It's not? It's that the entire point of a school?
"It's about status, connections, how you carry yourself and how others see you." Béatrice words hung in the air like a guillotine.
Alexander had access to none of those things, yet here Béatrice sat, going on about how he needed them.
Béatrice turned her attention towards Alexander, her eyes narrowing. "Get out of your head." She commanded, "I'm not saying you should have those things now, even though you do."
Alexander raised an eyebrow as he looked up. "Who–"
Before he could even finish, Béatrice cut him off. "Princess Elizabeth, Queen Charlotte, my daughter, me, and your friend from the demon continent." Béatrice listed off names like it was a game, and the fact that she included herself and her daughter was interesting.
And his friend from the demon continent, was she talking about Mimi? He hadn't seen her in years.
Alexander sighed.
Béatrice wasn't wrong about Princess Elizabeth as she clung to him like he was gold.
But the Queen… that remained questionable.
Béatrice turned her attention towards Louise, "same for you, if necessary you should rely on Alexander and Elizabeth, assets like them will prove valuable."
She then sat down her papers, "especially when it comes to building reputation and relationships."
Louise glanced over at Alexander, her expression unreadable as her gaze bore into him.
Alexander meanwhile wanted to let out a frustrated laugh.
Rely on Louise? The daughter of the devil herself? It was nuts to even consider.
But Alexander wasn't blind to Béatrice's vision, as even in his previous life Alex observed different friend groups forming.
Those who remained isolated were often outcasts, people who were looked down upon and often bullied.
With no one to turn to.
Still, Alexander would rather put all his eggs in the Elizabeth basket or be alone, before he ever even considered turning to Louise.
Béatrice leaned forward, reading Alexander's expression like an open book. "You need to let go of that thinking, I'm not blind to the fact you and my daughter aren't friends, but there's no room for pettiness in the world of politics." She said coldly, leaving no room for argument.
Alexander clenched his jaw and fists, the urge to argue was strong but he resisted it.
He knew arguing would be futile, especially over something as trivial as this.
Louise however, didn't seem thrilled at the thought either.
She crossed her arms as she narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure I can rely upon him, mother?" She asked, "he doesn't seem worthy of my attention or dependence."
Béatrice turned towards Louise, unimpressed with Louise's remark. "I know you've watched his training, watched what he endured. Alexander may not be strong enough to beat me, but he could certainly put your classmates in their place."
Louise nodded subtly, the tension in her shoulders evident despite her calm expression.
Béatrice then turned towards Alexander, "and Louise is sharper than you know, betrayal and manipulation will be rampant, and you'll need someone who can see through the deception."
Alexander let out a long sigh as he relaxed his body. The weight of Béatrice's persistence weighed on him.
She was asking the impossible, not only was she telling him to rely on her, but her daughter too.
It all felt like a cruel joke, yet Béatrice's cold yellow eyes held anything but amusement.
Not to mention Béatrice had a point, as despite how much he hated it, having allies was better than not.
"Fine." Alexander muttered under his breath, "I'll rely on her."
Béatrice nodded with satisfaction. "Good, because you only have a week before the exams."
"A week!?" Alexander asked in surprise, his eyes wide.
Béatrice nodded, "Indeed, tomorrow you'll head to the capital to be fitted in uniforms and familiarize yourself with city life, after that, you'll take your exams."
Alexander slumped down in his seat as he massaged his temples. Everything felt as if it was moving too fast and slow at the same time.
Louise on the other hand remained stoic, either she had a strong poker face or was genuinely ready for their sudden departure.
Béatrice rose from her seat giving a curt nod as maids filtered into the room with hot plates of freshly cooked food. "Enjoy your meals," she said, her tone final, "tomorrow you'll be leaving at dawn."