The days went by quickly for Alexia as she began her training at the academy. She was smart and excelled at the academic part of her education. When it came to physical training, however, she struggled. Part of the problem was that she was trying too hard and being too aggressive. She also didn't think fast enough or completely understood everything that was being taught to her. Alexia didn't dare ask for anyone's help, even though she knew deep down that she needed it.
She continued to steer clear of confrontation with the other students—particularly Hercules—and in turn they avoided her as well. Alexia liked this, and hoped that it would stay that way. Little did she know that things were about to change drastically.
---
It occurred when the cadets were in the training hall to improve their sword fighting skills and Cheiron was assigning everyone a partner.
"...Iolaus and Jason, Lilith and Alexia, Hercules and—"
"Cheiron, sir?" Alexia interrupted.
The centaur looked over in her direction, a bit surprised that she had chosen to speak up at that particular moment. "Yes?"
"I don't mean to be rude, but why did you pair me with her?" Since Cheiron was the headmaster and her elder, she was more polite to him than she was to her peers, but not by much.
He seemed a bit puzzled by her question. "I was randomly pairing everyone."
"But you probably stuck us together because we're both girls, right?"
"Well yes, I suppose so," he answered. Cheiron wondered why she was challenging his authority. He had noticed her peculiar behavior ever since her arrival, and he didn't understand why she appeared to have a problem with her assigned partner.
"With all due respect sir, I expect to be treated like everyone else here. I think I can handle combating a boy," she remarked.
The headmaster sighed, as he realized that she wouldn't give up until she got her way. "Very well then. Jason, you will be partnered with Alexia. Iolaus, you will be paired with Lilith."
Alexia smiled in satisfaction as he continued to pair off the rest of the cadets. She didn't seem to mind when Iolaus, Jason, and Lilith all gave her unpleasant looks. Hercules shook his head, thinking she was shamelessly bold to stand up to her teacher like that, especially to someone as respected as Cheiron.
A bell tolled and the dueling began. Alexia was fairly confident that she could take on the future king of Corinth, but the young cadet couldn't have been more wrong. Jason was much more skilled with a sword, and he easily missed her blows. Even though it was only practice, she knew that she had been severely defeated.
Alexia was ashamed of herself because she had done so badly against Jason, but that gave her more motivation to do better in the next round. The bell tolled again, and the cadets switched partners. This time, Alexia was paired with Iolaus. She grinned snidely at the stocky blonde, thinking that beating him would be easy, but she soon found out how false her judgment was. Iolaus was swift, and he dodged her attacks with ease. He also came at her with several hits that took her by surprise. The overconfident brunette had a hard time accepting that she'd been clobbered once more.
The cadets fought several more times, and Alexia continued to do poorly no matter how hard she tried. Her heart sank when she was finally paired with Hercules, knowing full well at the rate she'd been going that she'd never be able to beat the demigod. Yet her body surged with determination, as she couldn't bear the humiliation of losing again.
Though it was only a drill, Alexia fought with all her might. Unfortunately, she was no match against Hercules. He was an incredible fighter, and every move he made seemed effortless. Finally practice ended and the cadets were given a short break. Alexia went over to a water basin and splashed her face, trying to cover up her disgrace.
What would father say if he could see me now? she thought. I can't let him down. I have to prove to him and everyone else that I can do this.
"Hercules, may I have a word with you?" Cheiron asked before drilling began again.
"Sure," Hercules said as he went over to his teacher.
"I need you to help Alexia. She's been doing inadequately in the drills and I would like for you to work with her."
"Um, I'm not sure that's such a good idea," Hercules said skeptically.
Cheiron raised his eyebrows in question. "And why would you say that?"
"Well, it's just that she pretty much shuts herself out from the rest of us," he explained, "and she acts like she doesn't want help from anyone." Especially me, he added to himself as he thought back on the day he had talked to her in the dining hall.
The centaur nodded in understanding. "Yes, I've noticed that, too, but if she continues to perform poorly, she'll jeopardize her chances of staying at the academy. I know she may not be willing to cooperate, but at least try to help her."
Hercules sighed. "All right, I'll try to help," he promised.
Reluctantly, he made his way over to where Alexia was standing. Her back was facing him, so he didn't see the expression on her face at that moment; it was a look of doubt, disappointment, and dejection. Her gloomy feelings were interrupted by the sound of Hercules loudly clearing his throat to get her attention. Alexia turned around and rolled her eyes when she saw who was standing not far behind her.
"I thought I told you to leave me alone, pretty boy," she said, walking over to pick up a sparring staff.
"I know you did, but Cheiron told me to help you with the drilling," he informed her.
Alexia gave him a cross look. "Thanks, but no thanks," she said bitterly. "The last thing I need is for you to boss me around."
Hercules sighed heavily. "Look, I'm not too thrilled about the concept of working together either, but I have to unless you want to risk being kicked out."
"Fine," she agreed irritably as he picked up another staff so they could practice. "So tell me, oh mighty son of Zeus," her voice dripping with sarcasm, "what could I possibly do to live up to your superior fighting standards?"
Hercules disregarded her mock compliment. "Well, for starters, you need to think before you act," he advised her. "You also need to be more alert, so you'll be prepared for anything your opponent might throw at you." He looked over at Alexia, who was clearly ignoring him. "And when instructions are given you need to LISTEN," he said, emphasizing the last word.
"Great, great, sure," she said heedlessly. "Are you done yet?"
By then, Hercules was getting really fed up with her attitude. "You know, if you just pay attention to what I'm saying, we'll get this over with sooner."
"Whatever. I'm not going to let you stand here and tell me what to do. You think you're so high and powerful because you're half god, and that it gives you the right to rub it in everyone's faces to make them feel lower than you. Well let me tell you something, you're not going to do that to me."
Hercules could no longer hold in his fury. He grabbed Alexia by the shoulders and yelled, "WILL YOU SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME?!"
His eyes were ablaze with anger as he looked into hers, but then he saw something that surprised him. She wasn't enraged or shocked in response to his outburst. In fact, when he looked into her deep green eyes, he saw nothing but fear.
Alexia trembled beneath his fiery gaze and her eyes began to well up with tears. She had never been so humiliated in her life. All of the other cadets in the room were looking at them with confusion. This uncomfortable staring contest between the two only lasted for a brief moment, but to Alexia it dragged on in slow motion. She hastily broke free of his hold, threw her staff on the ground and ran out the door, stumbling on the way.
"Way to go, Herc," said Iolaus from behind him.
"What just happened here?" Jason asked.
"I... I'm not quite sure," he replied. All of the anger he had towards Alexia moments ago had changed into worry. "I better go after her," he said before running out the door, leaving his befuddled friends gaping after him.
