As the headmaster stepped aside, one of the professors stepped forward with a clipboard and pen. Upon reaching the podium, he immediately began reading off names.
Alexander sat up in his seat as the names were listed off. One by one students began to walk up to the stage, forming a line near the professor.
When he finished, the professor gave a curt nod, before leading his students out of the auditorium.
The next professor took to the podium, and she began to do the same. But as she read the names one of them immediately caught Alexander's attention.
"Mimi Foucher."
Upon hearing the name, Alexander's gaze immediately rolled to the student who it belonged to.
A girl rose from her seat, small in stature with tanned skin and long blue hair. Covering her eyes was a black cloth that wrapped around her head.
Is that…
"What's with the stupid look?" Louise asked curiously, looking over at Alexander with a raised eyebrow. "Do you know her?"
Alexander nodded as his jaw tightened. "Yeah, that's Mimi, I think, I met her in the demon continent." Alexander was almost certain it was her, but there was a tinge of doubt.
Louise seemed to frown at the revelation, "were you two close?" She asked.
Alexander shook his head. "No, we're just… companions of misfortune." He replied.
Louise smirked, "Yes, I doubt any girl wants to get close to you." She laughed, "They'd be a fool otherwise."
Alexander frowned as he glared at Louise.
Suddenly another familiar name came.
"Princess Elizabeth du Ambur."
Alexander shifted his gaze to another girl rising with a bright smile.
She had long white hair, bright pink eyes, and a bubbly demeanor. She seemed to practically float towards the stage, waving happily as she did so. "Hi everyone, hello!"
Some young boys blushed as she looked at them, while girls gave unreadable smiles.
Alexander himself had a faint smile on his lips, as the fond memories of his time with Elizabeth flooded his fogged mind.
"Stop smiling, you look foolish," Louise said, her tone colder than usual.
Alexander rolled his eyes as he slouched in his seat. "Why are you so damn negative?"
"I'm not," Louise answered, crossing her arms as she averted her gaze.
Names continued to flow as professors rotated out of the auditorium until eventually it was Alexander and Louise's turn.
"Alexander du Nova."
The professor who called his name was a tall man with a stern gaze and chiseled jaw. His eyes were silver and his hair was blonde.
Alexander rose from his seat, letting out a long breath as he slid past Louise.
He couldn't tell if it was on purpose or not, but Louise subtly kicked one of her feet forward, almost tripping Alexander.
Alexander frowned as he glared at her, only to be met with a smug smile.
"Damn you," Alexander muttered, before making his way down the aisle.
Walking down the aisle Alexander could feel the eyes of other students boring into him. Some of them looked at him with curiosity, others with indifference.
Alexander ignored them all.
Upon reaching the stage, Alexander gathered with his fellow students. Who all seemed to be curiously looking around.
"Louise du Nova." The professor called.
Louise swiftly rose from her seat while smoothing out her uniform. Before confidently walking down the aisle.
After Louise, the remaining students gathered on stage, began eventually the professor gave a final nod. "Follow me." He ordered the students on stage, before turning towards a side door off stage.
The students filed off the stage in a line, all following their new professor.
— — —
Walking down a long corridor lined with large windows and tiled flooring, the professor began to speak. "Alright, I'm sure you all have questions but they'll remain unanswered for now.
In the meantime, you all need to know four things.
Number one, the first part of your entrance exam is a written test, with subjects varying from advanced educational subjects, to personality questions.
This test must be passed for you to be accepted at this academy.
Number two, following the written test, you'll be expected to perform a small series of physical feats.
But don't worry, It's nothing a first-year student cannot pass. And even if you do underperform it won't affect your acceptance.
And finally, you'll take an essence aptitude test, which will not affect your acceptance but will have a play in the classes you can attend."
The professor's voice was calm yet stern.
His words seemed to have left a tense atmosphere behind, with students exchanging glances and hushed words.
Alexander and Louise also exchanged a glance, but for them, it wasn't fear or worry. Béatrice had drilled them tirelessly for the written exam.
But while Alexander was certain he would pass the second two exams, he was curious as to how Louise would fare, as she wasn't much of a fighter.
And it seemed she thought the same thing.
I guess she's wondering if I follow Béatrice's words, to rely on each other.
"I'll protect you," Alexander muttered, averting his gaze as he slid his hands in his pockets.
Louise quickly turned her head as she scoffed. "As if," she retorted, keeping her voice low. "I don't need your worthless protection." Though her words were cold, her tone was not.
Alexander pressed his lips together as his chest tightened.
Part of him knew Louise was probably just blowing hot air, but he also couldn't help but feel there was more to it.
Shaking his head, Alexander's mind drifted to the names he heard earlier. Mimi Foucher and Princess Elizabeth.
Mimi was almost certainly a surprise, as after splitting from her he had thought they'd never met again.
She hadn't sent any letters, she didn't visit, hell even the Royal Blades she left with didn't stop by.
I'll have to talk with her when I get the chance, just to find out what happened.
But Mimi aside, The time Alexander spent with Elizabeth was lovely, and if anyone could help him out of this fog he was in it was her.
And if Alexander was being honest with himself, he wanted Elizabeth to fuss over him as usual.
He loved how touchy she was, her constant ramblings about the most mundane things, and how much she cared for him.
She reminded him so much of Ava and even his sister from his previous life.
I'll speak with her before the day is over, just to say hi.
"What's with that ignorant smirk?" Louise asked, barely moving her lips as she kicked his ankle.
Alexander chuckled softly as he shook his head. "Nothing, I just… I miss Elizabeth."
Louise's cheeks grew red as she narrowed her eyes. "Well, I'm sure she doesn't miss you." She muttered, before picking up her pace.
Alexander rolled his eyes as he let out a sigh. Dealing with Louise was always a pain, but now he didn't have the energy to chase.
Especially since closing his eyes was still a risky endeavor. Every blink held the chance to see Marcia again.
A shiver ran down Alexander's spine just at the thought.
The professor eventually stopped in front of a classroom door and turned to face the group. "Beyond this door is your homeroom, and I will be your homeroom professor."
Obviously.
The professor then turned to open the door, "That is if you pass the exam." He continued, punishing open the door with a serious expression. "You may enter."
With those final words, he stepped into the room, allowing the students to follow.
As Alexander entered, he was greeted with a room that looked similar to a lecture hall. With curved wooden tables stacked behind one after the other.
On the tables were spaced out test packets, alongside a large gray divider and fountain pen.
The professor's voice soon cut through the air again. "Sit wherever you see a test packet, and do not move them."