After classes ended for the day, a handful of cadets headed outside for a game of bag ball. The game was about to start when Hercules noticed a figure approaching out of the corner of his eye. He directed his attention towards the mystery person, and as they came closer, he could see that it was a young woman around his age.

She was fairly tall for a girl, with pale skin and medium-length brown hair, which was tightly woven into a braid hanging down her neck. She wore a tan leather vest with matching pants, and a small bag was slung over her shoulder. The girl wasn't what most would consider beautiful, for she seemed featureless and plain. The only characteristics that stood out were her intense green eyes, framed by long, dark eyelashes.

The girl continued making her way down the hill towards the academy, and the others soon began to notice the stranger's arrival.

"Who is that?" Jason wondered.

"Maybe it's the new cadet." Iolaus guessed.

"Aww man, not another female cadet!" Jason exclaimed. "What is up with women these days? Why can't they stay home and take care of the kids instead of beating up us guys and—OW!" he yelped as Lilith gave him a sharp nudge in the stomach with her elbow.

Iolaus grinned. "Hey, I don't mind another girl at the academy."

"Neither do I," Lilith said. "It's about time we get some more females here."

"Let's not jump to conclusions now. We don't know for sure if she's the new cadet," said Hercules cautiously.

"Well why don't we go and find out then?" Lilith said as they went over to meet the newcomer. They approached her hesitantly, for they didn't know whom she was or what to say. Hercules gathered the nerve to speak to her first.

"Excuse me, can we help you with anything?" he asked.

The girl had a stern expression on her face. "I'm looking for Cheiron," she said as she folded her arms across her chest.

"He's probably in his office." Hercules told her. "May I ask who you are?"

"I'm Alexia, and I'll be attending this academy."

"Hi Alexia, I'm Hercules. It's nice to meet you," he greeted, sticking out his hand to shake hers.

The cold look on her face remained. "Hercules, huh?" she said, ignoring his gesture of welcome. "I've heard of you."

Hercules drew back his extended hand. "Really? You've heard of me?"

"Yes you, son of Zeus," she snapped. "You and your two friends," she turned to face Iolaus and Jason. "The thief and the prince of Corinth."

"Former thief," Iolaus corrected, offended by the mention of his past livelihood.

"Yeah, whatever." Alexia snorted. The three boys exchanged startled looks; evidently they shared the same first impression of her.

"I'm Lilith. It'll be nice to have another female around," the petite blonde said as she introduced herself.

"Hah! I wouldn't care if there was one or one hundred other females here." Alexia scoffed. "I'm here to become a warrior, and I can assure you that I am just as good as any boy." She eyed the three males that stood before her as she spoke, her hard gaze falling on Hercules during the last statement.

The cadets were at a loss for words. Her cocky, hotheaded attitude had turned them off, and had destroyed any chances of them trying to make friends with the new student.

"Um, Alexia? Why don't I show you to Cheiron's office? Then maybe you can start to get settled." Lilith said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Alexia simply nodded and followed her inside the academy. As they passed by a group of boys, she viciously shoved one that whistled at her.

"Man, what a bit—"

"Don't say it, Iolaus." Jason cut off his friend's comment. "Although you're right. Looks like we won't be talking to her anytime soon."

Hercules sighed as he looked on in the direction she had headed. "Well, maybe it's just a front. Maybe she'll warm to everyone once she's comfortable here."

"I doubt it. C'mon, let's get back to the game." Jason urged. The three friends turned their attention to the game that was already in progress, but Hercules kept thinking about Alexia. He sensed that her tough act was a façade, and she acted the way she did to hide her nerves. Even after that sour first encounter, he decided to continue being friendly to her. She couldn't really be that bad—or so he thought.