The rest of the week passed in a painful blur and the day of the exam had arrived.
Alexander found himself in the back of a limousine, dressed in his academy uniform, a red blazer with a gray trim and golden buttons. Along with a white button-down shirt and gray tie, finished off with gray pants with black shoes.
His hair was pulled back in a small ponytail with a few strands hanging loose over his face.
Beside Alexander was Louise, who wore a similar style uniform, but instead of pants she wore a gray and red skirt. Her hair was pulled into twin drills.
Neither of them looked particularly happy they both held unreadable expressions, with cold gazes and icy demeanors.
For Louise, she had always been that way, but for Alexander the past week hasn't been good for his mental state.
Ever since that day in the tailor shop, he couldn't stop seeing Marcia's corpse.
It eventually got so bad that just closing his eyes caused it to flash in his mind.
After seeing it so much, he just grew numb to it all, especially after Béatrice threatened him.
The limousine soon rolled to a crawl as it fell in line with dozens of other cars and carriages that sat in front of a large iron gate guarded by dozens of guards all around.
Dozens of children filtered through the towering gates, all dressed in the same uniform Alexander and Louise wore.
And all heading to a large university-like building in the center of the campus.
When Alexander's carriage rolled to a stop in front of the large gates, a guard approached the front door with a stern gaze and clipboard.
As André rolled down the window the guard began tapping his finger against his clipboard. "Ahh, the Novas, it is a pleasure to meet you." He began with a respectful nod, "but protocol remains all the same, Names of attending students?"
Béatrice simply glared at the guard while André let out a sigh. "Alexander and Louise du Nova, first years."
The guard nodded as he looked down at his clipboard, he had already flipped to the Novas name and just needed to confirm.
Another guard was already opening the back door and reaching a hand inside. "If you will, Lady Louise." The guard had a respectful bow.
Louise took the man's hand as he guided her out of the carriage, meanwhile André was looking over his shoulder at Alexander. "You'll do great buddy," he said softly, "I know you will."
Alexander looked to André with an icy gaze, before giving a halfhearted nod. "Thanks." He muttered, before following Louise out of the limousine.
He knew André was only trying to cheer him up, but only Béatrice's words stuck with him.
'You carry the Nova name now, and you will carry it with dignity. Or goddess help you I'll make you regret not dying with your House.'
Stepping out of the limousine, the guard guided the duo towards the gate as the next limousine rolled up.
As they walked past it, the academy loomed ahead. Alexander felt a weight pressing down against his shoulders, as his chest grew tighter.
I just need to stay to myself and get through this, that's all I need to do.
As the duo walked past the large entrance doors, and into the academy building Alexander was greeted with a loud voice.
"All first years head to the main auditorium, everyone else, head to your class as usual!"
It belonged to a professor, draped in dark gray robes with long blonde hair. "Again, all first years head to the auditorium, everyone else, go to class!"
Alexander glanced at the woman curiously, watching as another first-year approached her. "Excuse me miss, but where exactly is the auditorium?" The boy asked cluelessly, his expression bewildered.
"It's down the left hall on the right." The professor said with a warm smile. "You can't miss it."
Alexander let out a soft sigh as he continued his journey.
Students danced past him, their chatter filling the air with anticipation and excitement.
As the duo reached the auditorium, Alexander noticed Louise walking with confidence. She kept her head held high and her composure stoic.
A stark contrast to Alexander's internal turmoil.
Stepping inside the auditorium Alexander was greeted with a high ceiling and the smell of polished wood. The air continued to buzz with conversation as groups of first-years began to gather.
Looks like everyone is already making friends…
Alexander knew he should've been doing the same, seeking out allies early before things got complicated.
But he just couldn't, not right now. He was barely able to keep his expression neutral, let alone hold a friendly conversation.
And due to that, Alexander looked around the auditorium for a seat in the back corner.
He soon found one, on the far back row in the left corner.
He took the seat at the edge of the row, next to one of the three aisles that led towards the stage in the back of the massive room.
As he sat down, Louise stood next to him, her eyes narrowed. "I'm going to sit here." She said, pointing in Alexander's seat, "Move over."
Alexander frowned but didn't have the energy to argue. He moved a seat over to the right, allowing Louise to settle in the aisle seat.
As she crossed her legs Alexander cast a tired glance her way.
He truly disliked how assertive and arrogant Louise was, but he couldn't deny the fact he wanted her presence.
She was all he had at the moment…
"You should fix your face." Louise said as she glanced over at Alexander, "Otherwise you'll look like a target."
Alexander frowned as he leaned back in his seat. "I'm not in the mood for playing pretend." He replied, "If anyone tries me I'll make them regret it."
Louise scoffed. "Bold words, for an idiot." She muttered.
Students continued to trickle into the auditorium, but after about ten minutes the flow stopped and the chatter began to settle.
And after about a minute a figure walked on stage, drawing all eyes and silencing any remaining noise.
It was an older man who was dressed in a black suit with white robes draped over it.
His hair was long and silky, his beard thinly trimmed, and his ears long and droopy. His face was covered with wrinkles, and his eyes shone gold.
His posture was rigid and his gaze was sharp.
"I am headmaster Grégoire," the man began, his voice booming through the room as he spoke into a microphone. "And I welcome you all to this esteemed academy, whether you're on scholarship or because of your family you are all equal in my eyes."
Alexander listened as the headmaster gripped the edges of his podium. "Today you all are here for one reason, your entrance exams. You will be tested in all fields, mentally, physically, emotionally, and magically."
Alexander frowned as he shifted in his seat, he wondered how the academy planned on testing that aspect.
Hakshi weren't known for their magic, not like humans anyway.
If anything, to test a Hakshi's magic ability, you'd practically have to beat them and force them to heal or have a series of reaction tests.
The headmaster continued. "Of course, your experience here will not be the same as others, some of you will perform well physically but fail mentally, and vice versa.
And that's to be expected, for none of you are the same, it is when we come together that your strengths will shine and your weaknesses will be covered…"
As the headmaster continued Alexander barely listened. His mind was still haunted and at this point, all he craved was for the day to end.
Yet Louise seemed intrigued with the headmaster's speech, her eyes glued to the man as he began speaking passionately about cooperation and the future of the kingdom.
"Don't tell me you actually buy this stuff." He murmured as he glanced at Louise, unknowingly speaking aloud.
Louise glared at him. "Of course not, but It's better to hear him out than to self-brood." She jabbed, her tone icy as usual.
Alexander sighed as he looked back towards the stage.
"…but if given the opportunity I'd speak for another hour." The man said with a chuckle, "So I'll allow my professors to take over."
The headmaster then gestured toward his right, where professors in gray robes began making their way onstage.
The headmaster spoke again, "Listen for your name to be called by a professor, then join them on stage." The headmaster then gave a subtle bow, before stepping back.