When they returned to the academy, Hercules explained to Cheiron what had happened. The headmaster excused them, but they still had to make up the work that they missed. He was fairly lenient, for he sensed that their conversation had somehow turned Alexia in the right direction.
That evening, Alexia addressed the rest of the students and apologized for her rude and heartless behavior. Jason and Iolaus, among others, were suspicious about her turning over a new leaf all of a sudden, but Hercules assured them that her intentions were good. So when she asked for their forgiveness, the majority of the cadets managed to mumble a "Sure, whatever."
Alexia was not distraught by the lack of response. In fact, she was actually relieved that she was on her way to starting over. There was just one person that she wanted to apologize to individually.
---
"Lilith?" Alexia asked for her bunkmate's attention right before it was time to turn in for the night.
"Yeah, what do you want?" Lilith responded curtly. She still hadn't forgiven Alexia for the way she had treated her.
"Listen, I know I already apologized to everyone as a whole, but I wanted to say I'm especially sorry to you. I really hope you can forgive me for being so rotten."
"Whatever," she muttered, not believing that her words were sincere.
"I'm also hoping that we can become friends," Alexia continued, "and I want you to know that I admire your strength."
That comment caught Lilith's ear. She looked at Alexia with a surprised expression. "Really?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, before I came here you were the only girl, and you probably had to put up with a lot because of it. Yet you were able to make the other cadets respect you instead of ridicule you."
Lilith nodded as she thought about how true those words were. "Yeah. I did, didn't I?"
"I think together," Alexia added slyly, "we can teach those boys a thing or two about fighting."
Her remark made Lilith smile and chuckle. "All right." The two female cadets shook hands, signifying the beginning of a new friendship.
Alexia climbed onto the top bunk and situated herself beneath her blanket. "Good night Lilith," she whispered.
"Good night Alexia." Lilith whispered back from the bottom bunk, then blew out the candle beside her.