Alexia no longer tried to stop the tears that poured down her cheeks. I can't do this, she thought. I'm never going to be able to pass the examination. I'll have to go back home and father will be disappointed in me... As those thoughts raced through her mind, her tears flowed out even heavier. She soon became overwhelmed with emotion and couldn't stand there a moment longer. Without thinking, she dashed out of the academy as fast as her legs would take her. She didn't know where she was going, she just kept running in hopes that she could somehow escape from it all.

Hercules, Iolaus, Jason, and Lilith were outside playing a game of bag ball when they saw a figure rush past. Hercules froze as he watched the person whiz by, and consequently the ball hit him square in the chest.

"Oof!" he exclaimed after the impact.

"C'mon Herc, pay attention! We're already down by four points!" Iolaus scolded his teammate.

"Sorry," he apologized after he'd recovered from the hit, "but wasn't that Alexia who just ran by here?"

"I'm pretty sure it was." Lilith replied. "She didn't look too happy, either."

Hercules nodded in agreement. "I'm going to find out what's the matter. You guys can finish the game without me," he told the others before heading off in the direction she had gone.

Lilith, Iolaus, and Jason were worried about Alexia as well, but they figured it'd be best to let Hercules talk to her. The three resumed the game, with concern for their friend in the back of their minds.

The young demigod ran through the woods once more to find the runaway cadet. His first instinct was to go back where he had found her before, but Alexia was nowhere around that area. Hercules searched all throughout the forest and found no sign of her. He was about to head back when he saw a figure crouched beside a nearby pond.

"Alexia!" he called as he ran over to her. She didn't react at all to his voice, and instead kept staring blankly out at the water. He stopped once he reached her side, taking a moment to catch his breath. "Alexia, what's wrong? Why did you run away again?" he asked.

"I just needed some fresh air," she replied as she continued to look vacantly out at the horizon.

"Alexia, please tell me what's bothering you. I was worried when I saw you run by, you looked so upset—"

"Hercules, just leave me alone!" she exclaimed. "You shouldn't waste your time fretting over a nobody like me," she paused for a while, then added quietly, "and you won't have to for much longer."

"What are you talking about?"

Alexia sighed as she turned to face him. "I might have to leave the academy."

Hercules didn't quite comprehend what she meant. "Leave? Why would you have to leave?"

She then told him about her visit to Cheiron's office and what he had said. Hercules could hardly believe his ears. Alexia had worked hard and was beginning to make real progress, and now she might have to leave it all behind. It just didn't seem fair. Hercules saddened at the thought of losing his new friend.

"Cheiron has given me five days to prepare," she added, "but I doubt that will make much of a difference. I might as well start packing now."

"Don't talk like that." Hercules said. "Remember what I said before: you can do it as long as you believe that you can."

Alexia shook her head. "No, it's time for me to face the facts. I can't be who my father wants me to be. I can't be anything but a silly, useless girl." She could feel more tears threatening to come out, so she got up and walked away.

"Alexia!" he shouted, making the brunette quicken her pace. The demigod bolted up and ran after the stubborn female cadet. "You know, the only reason you can't do it is because you've already given up on yourself," he stated once he reached her side.

She stopped and turned to face him, pain reflecting in her eyes. "I've given up because I know I'll fail. I'd be saving the trouble if I left now."

"You'll never know for sure if you don't try," he said. "You have five days before the exam. We would be more than willing to help you train for it. C'mon Alexia, what have you got to lose?"

She lowered her head and murmured, "Nothing. It's just that I don't think I'll be able to pass."

Hercules looked at her solicitously. "You've got to have a little faith in yourself. If it's any consolation, I believe in you."

Alexia looked up at him. "Really?"

He smiled warmly. "Yeah, I really do."

Alexia exhaled deeply. "All right. I'll go through with the exam, but I don't want to get my hopes up too high."

Hercules nodded. "I understand."

The two walked back sullenly, both absorbed in their personal thoughts. Hercules knew that all he could do was lend a helping hand and moral support to Alexia. She had to find the confidence in her abilities on her own.

---

The next five days were hectic, to put it mildly. Alexia practiced and prepared for the exam every chance she could find. Hercules, Lilith, Jason, and Iolaus all helped her in different areas of training—sword fighting, sparring, one-to-one combat, javelin throwing, archery, balancing poles, on the ropes, etc. She had to do some drills blindfolded to strengthen her senses and from heights to work on maintaining her stability. She was easily frustrated, and would sometimes take her anger out on her opponent, but only because the pressure was getting to be too much. Fortunately, her friends understood and kept practicing with her until she got the hang of it. Under all of the stress, she hardly had time to worry about passing. She just kept going and hoped that everything would turn out for the best.