The next day the team was preparing to leave.
They packed their bags into buses.
A lively conversation was in the air.
Alexander was loading his bag near the back of the second bus when he noticed Raphael staring at him.
He hadn't spoken since yesterday.
By the time Alexander finished packing, Elizabeth and Hinata stepped to his side.
"I've rented a carriage, Alex."
Elizabeth said, taking Alexander's hand.
Alexander smiled.
"Why? Don't you love the sound of a rumbling engine?"
Elizabeth pouted, tugging at his hand.
"If you think I'm getting in a bus full of sweaty players, then you're mistaken."
Alexander laughed, pulling her into an embrace.
"Right, princess."
Hinata crossed her arms, smirking.
"Alright, team!"
Raphael shouted, "We're heading out, I don't want any stragglers!"
The team piled into the buses, but Alexander lingered with Elizabeth.
Raphael caught his gaze a final time.
A long, unreadable stare.
Elizabeth squeezed Alexander's hand.
"Don't worry about him, we have a carriage to catch."
Alexander exhaled deeply, nodding.
"R-right."
— — —
Meanwhile, at Stuttgart Academy, M was getting prepared in the locker room.
She often entered before everyone else.
Preferring the silence.
Clara paced back and forth, her arms tightly crossed.
"M, I have a really bad feeling about today."
Her voice echoed against white and blue walls.
M adjusted the straps of her uniform, her mask resting on the bench beside her.
Though the majority of her face was hidden behind long black hair, her chin was exposed.
Revealing a burn mark that stretched both up her face and down her neck.
"You always have a bad feeling, it's why I bring you along."
M answered, her voice low.
Clara hugged herself tighter, biting her lip.
"But this is different," she began.
"That woman pulled a gun on us, and Princess Elizabeth was no better. Do you really think they'll let you talk to Alexander? After that?"
M scoffed.
"It doesn't matter what they'll allow, I would've won."
Clara frowned, "How can you be so sure?"
M slid the mask onto her face before looking to meet Clara's gaze.
"I've killed an imperial mage with my bare hands, a D'élite is nothing."
Clara shook her head.
"Okay, but please be cautious."
M rose with a sigh.
"Yeah, cautious…"
The locker room door swung open as the rest of the team filed in.
— — —
The roaring fans waved the flags of their respective nation as confetti rained on the field.
While the stadium was packed to the brim with excitement, Alexander stood on the outside with Elizabeth and Hinata.
Their carriage had just arrived, and Alexander was about to rush out.
But Hinata yanked him back by the collar.
"Hinata!"
Alexander pleaded, pointing towards the stadium where his team was filling in.
"I'm gonna be late!"
He struggled against her grip, protesting.
Elizabeth giggled as Hinata turned Alexander around.
"I know," she said, her voice low.
"But this is a matter concerning your safety."
Alexander groaned, "Seriously, now?!"
She reached into her robes, pulling out a pill.
"Yes now, I've noticed you've been tense lately, so I've gotten you something to help."
Help?
Alexander glanced at her open palm, grabbed the pill, and swallowed it.
It was a bitter thing that made him shiver as he swallowed.
"Okay, is that it?"
He asked eagerly, glancing back at the stadium while bouncing.
Hinata squeezed Alexander's cheeks.
"Open."
Alexander opened his mouth and lifted his tongue.
"See?"
Hinata sighed as she let him go.
Finally!
Alexander turned towards the stadium.
"Alex!"
Alexander slumped his shoulders as he turned back around.
Elizabeth had exited the carriage and was waiting expectantly, fluttering her eyes.
Alexander blinked, nearly popping a vein.
Oh my—she's lucky she's cute…
He stepped back to Elizabeth.
Taking her by the hand and pulling her into a kissing embrace.
As her lips pressed against his—warm and gentle—the world seemed to fade.
If only for a moment.
When he finally pulled away, the pre-match horn began blaring.
"And let's welcome the challenging team, François Academy!"
Cheers echoed loudly as flags waved in the chaotic wind.
Shit!
Alexander released Elizabeth, careful not to push her.
He then sprinted towards the stadium.
Elizabeth and Hinata watched as he disappeared inside the stadium.
They exchanged a long glance.
"Oh, if it wasn't for his ambitions I'd never let him go."
Elizabeth said, brushing a finger against her lips.
Hinata smirked as she dropped down from her carriage.
"You really are smitten… aren't you?"
— — —
As Alexander scrambled onto the field his team was already taking their positions.
"Oh!" The announcer called with amusement, "There's the Little general, finally gracing us with his presence."
The crowd erupted into cheers as he jogged to his spot in the backfield.
His eyes scanned the opposing side of the field.
Academy Stuttgart stood like a statue on an open plain.
With a dominant figure standing in the front.
The masked empress, poised and silent.
She had been staring at Alexander since the moment he stepped on the field.
Her gaze was almost oppressive.
Alexander shook off her stare with a smirk, pointing a finger at her.
"Watch out."
He mouthed.
And though he meant it as a taunt, she smiled.
"Players, on my mark!"
The referee's voice boomed through his brass megaphone.
The official raised a green flag.
Alexander jumped in place as his heart pounded.
This is it, the final game of the season…
"Go!"
The official threw down the flag—both teams sprang into action.
Raphael led his squad to secure the center, while a second team moved to secure the midfield.
Alexander and his squad stayed in the backfield.
But on the opposite side of the field, only one player moved.
M.
She walked slowly.
Each step was a deliberate message.
The crowd went silent as they watched the scene unfold, their gazes curious.
Raphael and his squad stood at the center, their grips tight around their weapons.
"She's making a mistake."
Raphael growled, locking his foot in the turf.
Hinata's warning echoed in his mind, bloodshed.
"Lucie, as soon as she's in range—flank her."
Lucie spun her twin blades, her expression stern.
"Got it."
Raphael glanced at Aloïs.
"Aloïs…"
Aloïs gripped his hammer, "I already know."
M stood just short of the center.
Holding her sword off to the side, pointing the blade towards the ground.
"I'll give one opportunity to surrender."
Her words were cold—calculated.
But Raphael didn't falter, instead gritting his teeth.
"Bring it, bitch."
M hummed.
"Have it your way."
She moved like a blur—the fight had begun.