~~1. Always make time for her

She often wondered if all this effort was worth it, she knew as she stood in front of the main office of the Otranto Academy. She knew that when the person she cared about disappeared this was the place that withheld the only clue for where she had gone.

She knew that where ever she went, Alex promised Lily that she would always make time for her and be by her side. She broke that promise once and she paid for it, now she hoped it would be different. At first she didn't want to go to Otranto Academy she merely wanted to go to college and live a happy if boring life but when she heard that Lily was involved with that place then she almost begged Marisa to help her get into this academy.

She would first have to see if she was even applicable as she walked through the door. A stingy little man sat his desk staring at her. She was someone that would try and apply this late when the year would start a week from now. He watched her with annoyance, though he knew who would be coming in and was ready to start questioning her.

"So you must be Alexandra Belmonte, I'm Vice Principal Deacon Elizalde" Vice President? Alex though she would be meeting Silvia not a snooty old man.

"I thought I would be meeting a secretary first" The little man was upset by that notion and merely stood from his chair.

"Normally you would but when someone that can pull strings like The Belmonte family you became a sort of special case" Alex wasn't happy doing something like that and if he wasn't right about this being a special case she would have never brought it up.

"So let's go over your profile shall we?" He pulled out a page skimming through it quickly.

"It says you were attempting to change to a regular college what made you change your mind?" He quickly had his eye on her and even with his short stature it was a stare not to be underestimated.

She was worried, would it be better to simply tell him the truth, she almost had no reason to lie to him but something about letting him now would jeopardize what she set out to do.

"Marisa wanted me to have the opportunity before but I didn't realize how grand of an idea it was until now, sorry I had to have her do what she did but I am willing to learn and fight" Elizalde stood from his chair and motioned to her to follow him as he walked to a drawer.

He opened it to her view for her to see the many white shirts and black pants.

"If that is how it will be then fine your family has had a help in building this academy so there is no need to be sorry, Now the school used to enforce an entire school uniform but due to students constantly modifying them we decided to simplify it" he then let her pick her size.

Alex wasn't exactly happy with that but she did understand that if she could get this to work out she would have to play by some rules and if that meant finding her then she would play well. She found the size she was looking for.

"Before you go I have to remind you of one thing" Alex turned to the scrawny old man as she was about to leave.

"I am indebted to The Belmonte Family as well as this school, but if you break any of our rules then I will take care of the situation myself" She looked down into the eyes of this small man yet he stared back with every intention of carrying out this threat.

"Fine, but I have to ask you a question myself" He nodded waiting for her to let him know what was on her mind.

"Do you know anything about a student named Lily Vorden?" The question seemed to catch him off guard as Deacon had a look of confusion from a split moment before a mask of calm took over.

"She is class president but I'm afraid you'll have to wait until the academy starts before you can talk to her" Alex was going to ask why but then a phone went off interrupting her.

"The rest of your questions will have to wait, we will send your uniform and proper forms, I have to take this call" He quickly rushed her out the office and as the door closed she knew it would be better to simply let Marisa know what she learned here.

-=Sometime later=-

She didn't even get a foot through her bedroom door before Marisa decided to drop by asking questions.

"Did everything go the way it was supposed to? I swear if Silvia really didn-" Alex suddenly spoke up.

"Try turning the questioning down Marisa, I got everything I need, I'll just hold out until I can get to start the year and find Lily" Marisa gave her sister a comforting smile.

"Don't worry Alex, Lily is there and I'm sure you'll change things with her, Now about your uniform" Alex already didn't like where this was going.

"The white shirt and black pants are mandatory but we can wear whatever we want on top of that" Alex merely shrugged as she started up the computer.

"The cranky vice president already told me this" She leaned back in her chair.

"Well I figured but if you are going to be with me and I have to make sure you're in tip top shape for your girlfriend" Alex's eyes widen as she blushed.

"No, I got it; I so got it, she might recognize me better if I dress how I usually do on top of this uniform" Her sister merely smirked as Alex turned around in her chair.

"Alright but if you really need to look good you know where to find me!" Marisa started to walk out the door but stopped at the frame.

"If anything goes wrong you also should know that I'll be there for that to" Even if Marisa was not looking at her Alex grinned.

"Don't worry, after all if Lily proves a challenge like back then it may be fun, besides if anything-" Marisa knew what was coming up, despite their differences they still like one thing. A little battle yell that they had when they decided to work together.

"The game's afoot; follow your spirit: and upon this charge, cry-God for Harry! England and Saint George!" They both said at the same time and Marisa knew that Alex would do better than ever with her old friend.

-=A Week later=-

Alex looked at herself in the mirror and wondered if maybe it would have been wiser to have her sister help. Dark messy hair with bangs somewhat covering her amber eyes, under those eyes were noticeable shadow like bags as she often slept late and it started to show, she often stressed herself and stayed up too late a trait that Lily tried her best to stop.

She couldn't think about Lily, not until she made up to her about past times, for now she looked at her current outfit hoping it would work out. The white dress shirt worked out, the Otranto emblem visible on her left, the black dress pants were baggy but she was okay with this.

She did decide to make some changes to it so it could be so much better no matter if her sister would lose her mind over it. She walked out of her room, grabbing her coat on the rack before exiting the house. Marisa was driving and seemed happy until she discovered the changes. She tore the long sleeves off though she does this with her other shirts she assumed that Marisa wouldn't have thought she would do so. Alex liked proving her wrong. With that she put on her jacket and was ready for school.

As she entered the car Marisa had a few choice words.

"Please at least tell me you left those things off your wrist in that outfit" Letting the sleeves of the coat revealing her stylized arm warmers.

The grim stare of her sister made Alex grin and almost laugh.

Marisa started the car and drove off but did mutter a few things as they got close to Otranto.

"Next time I'll think twice before car pooling with a savage, I don't care what the situation is" Causing Alex to chuckle.

They arrived and as soon as they entered the academy Alex was already tired of the school's emblem. Six stars all in a circle each with swirls of Green, Red, Blue, Violet, White and Gray trailing behind one for each star. Something about this made her uneasy and she really couldn't understand why but it was just off putting.

Deciding to simply forgo any attempts to figure out why she simply decided to move on. Marisa directed her to the auditorium, after going through and finding a seat they both decided to find out what this was they were expecting for this whole year.

She recognized Deacon immediately but he wasn't on the mic which made her happy. Who spoke instead made her even happier. Silvia Leone was the Belmonte Sisters mentor and taught them well, the fact that she was the principle of Otranto was one of the things that helped her get here in the first place.

"I am happy to see so many new faces in the start of the new year, I understand that a school of this magnitude is not something that is normally planned in your lives and for you to make such a choice is phenomenal and I thank you for your willingness to learn" She smiled as the crowd started to cheer at those chosen words. She pushed back a strand of blonde hair back before continuing.

"Though you have my thanks and gratitude I will tell you this: Otranto was founded on the belief that human and arcane kind could coexist, with that we are now preparing you for upholding the peaceful coexistence and even protect the world itself if need be" She then took a short pause letting the words sink in.

"What you will learn here will change the perceptions of anything you have ever learned, I won't lie this will be the toughest time if you wish to protect your loved ones and the world at large, so with no further delay"

She motioned to the right and from that side of the stage a few women appeared and trailing behind them was someone that shocked Alex and how diligently she held herself when before Lily was less so.

Alex almost wanted to run to the stage but suddenly her arm was grasped by Marisa who shook her head no and if care free Marisa thought now was a time to be strict then something was up.

"The school President Lily Vorden and her selected staff has decided to see the best classes for each of you so follow her to the gym and show her your abilities" As the doors to the auditorium opened up and the people started to get out of their chairs the door opening was enough of a distraction that when she turned to look at the stage Lily walked past her and her entourage was already blocked her off from turning and calling out her name.

Alex was now quickly walked trying to get Lily's attention but as she was at the very least close to reach one of her entourage but then was cut off as she bumped into someone else.

As they hit into each other the force was enough to knock Alex down but the other woman was not as quick on her feet and feel to the ground butt first.

Alex almost wanted to leave her there but she knew that with her sister trailing behind her that would have started an argument she was not willing to hear and thus helped this woman on her feet.

"Sorry about that I wasn't paying attention" Alex just wanted to say sorry and get it over with but the other woman wasn't that easy to get rid of.

"Don't worry about it, I got lost looking for the auditorium and then a crowd walked the other way and I didn't know where to go and I suddenly ran into you and I was hoping that if you were willing to apologize then you are at least willing to help me find out where everyone else is going, my name is Lainey by the by and-"

Lainey went on and on to the point that helpfulness be damned she was going to shut this girl up. But that would be a bad idea to get Lily to talk to her if she started fights again.

Then something dawned on Alex, she didn't know where everyone went as she stood besides Lainey.

"Um…Crap, well I guess we can get lost together cause I have no idea where we are supposed to be"

She looked around for some kind of tip but alas there didn't seem to be an obvious answer and already annoyed.

"I think I can help, follow me" They both turned around to a woman in red crossing her arms giving them a blank expression, she then walked passed by them and continued walking.

Caught in embarrassment they simply decided to not question it and follow her. As they walked her sister showed her amazing ability to try and sneak up on her sister without announcing herself first.

"Alex who's your friend?" Alex would have jumped but Lainey did that for her. Despite the scream Alex answered Marisa.

"This screeching bird is Lainey, and the other lady is helping us figure out where we are suppose to be" Marisa's eyes went to her and with hands behind her back she explained herself.

"Alice, and I saw them babbling and I wanted to help" Ignoring a glare Alex was giving she turned around and continued walking.

"Alright I guess we should just get a move on then" Alex resigned herself to this strange moment with stranger people.

"Yes Ma'am!" Lainey nearly yelled earning a groan from Marisa and Alex.

-=A Long Awkward Walk Later=-

They had finally found it, though it really didn't take long, it felt like an eternity due Lainey talking up storm. As they opened the doors to the gym they realized two things. A platform was set up for Lily and her cohorts and the gym was bigger on the inside as it seemed to go on forever.

"To test your abilities is to decide your destiny" The woman currently giving the speech was someone that Alex found strange, a red head with a look of a magician was giving the announcements.

"I am Cameron Durant and if any of you wish to see where you will go step up to the left of your school president" Alex looked over up to the platform and Lily sat perfectly on her chair with the two other flunkies.

Lily realized that someone was staring at her more than anyone in the crowd. When her eyes crossed to the one person she cared about for a moment they widened in surprise before snapping back to cold indifference yet Alex caught that moment.

Cameron started the next moment announcing what was going down.

"We will start with each student showing off a bit of their abilities and that will show us where you're best suited" She started going down a list and started alphabetically going backwards on last names, each showing powerful magic and strength.

"Alice Royce, please stand up to the stage" The girl that helped them before stood up .

She stood proud tinkering with a armlet on her left arm it started to glow with a red aura, the energy flowed from her arm to her hand as the white gem on her finger turned red. She turned her hand left and a red sigil of energy formed around her hand.

Clutching the power it burst into red fire.

"ENERGIA: ARDER!" She then moved with the flame, showing skill and speed with the fire she was using it with ease and after an impressive show she stopped.

"Alright as we analyze your display we will determine what is best for you, for now we will move on to the next student" As Alice walked back to where she was standing Alex noticed a person next to Lily writing down all that was going down. Her hastily put together bun was almost undone with the fierceness of her writing.

"Alice? ALICE! Woo you did awesome!" Lainey yelled much to Alice's annoyance. Though a small grin still formed on her face as a grinning Lainey started showering her with praise.

"As we wind down will Lainey Orsini please come to the stage?" Lainey puffed up her chest and with excited grin readied herself as she started to go up the step.

"Yesh!" Despite mangling a simple word she was fully ready. She raised her right arm and a golden hue surrounded her arm. She then took a position and with her right leg in the air was ready to pitch a ball of energy.

She winded up and before they could stop her over exaggerated pitch she let loose and was thrown as far as she could muster. A large orb of golden magic flew above the crowd straight into a wall, the distance of her magic lasted long enough.

"Woo new record Baby!" Everyone turned to Lainey.

"Nyo-Ho~!" She had a large lopsided grin with her hands to her hips enjoying the moment.

"Alright, great show of power, you may step down and let's continue down the list" She jogged down to Alex her grin never changing.

"Now how was that little show of Fairy Magic?" Lainey flexed her arms enjoying the moment.

"Alright Tinkerbell calm down" Alex's snark only incited laughter from Lainey, the laughter turned out to be infectious as Alex grinned along with her.

"Marisa Belmonte please come to the stage" Marisa flashed a thumbs up to Alex as she advanced to the stage.

"Quetzalcoatl!" A multicolored glow erupted from her back and Cameron prepared her own magic as she flipped the ten of diamonds and the card grew in size.

"Feel free to use your attacks on this" Cameron explained though no explanation on to what she did exactly but Marisa chose not to care.

With a powerful punch it unleashed a large rainbow scaled fist from a seal hitting the card. Marisa wasn't sure what to expect but what she wants was to at least break into it more than the dent she left.

"Well done, you can step down" Marisa felt insulted and with a simple "hmph" stepped down arms crossed. One of Lily's friends in a leather coat wanted to get up from her throne. Lily stopped her and had her keep observing, which was good if she was going to start something then Alex was going to end it.

"Sister please don't start something" Pouting Marisa looked to Alex.

"That is something I should be saying to you and besides I have a very powerful summon, it should have done so much more than nothing at all" She had great pride in her magic. Alex knew after seeing it fail like that Marisa was going to be in a rotten mood all day.

Alex was going to try and at least get Marisa out of it but then the moment of truth had arrived.

"Alexandra Belmonte…Just get up here" Cameron's tone went from bubbly to annoyed midsentence.

"Did Lily tell them?" Alex thought to herself, It was hard to believe that Lily would tell anyone else anything after what happened.

She looked to the crowd trying to ignore what was going on behind her as she would earn her spot and make sure to have the time needed to square things out with Lily. The Magic card was still in the air still dented from Marisa's attack. She took a deep breath trying to keep focus.

"Xiuhcoatl!" Unlike her sister she did not put all of the summoning power into one powerful limb attack. Green energy poured from her back then a green humanoid with a jade mask appeared behind her. Her summon was not as powerful as her sister's but that wasn't always a bad thing.

The power needed to control Marisa's summon only left enough time for a powerful limb attack but not a full assault.

Alex on the other hand did not have that problem though weaker she had something just as good. She pointed to the card and suddenly with a barrage of fists Xiuhcoatl struck the card denting it even more. Then with a mighty final punch broke a hole into it shattering it completely.

She took another deep breath.

"Well with that I believe that concludes the last names starting with, Alex you may step down" Alex really wanted to step down maybe leave this all behind. But she turned to the observing Lily who eyed her suspiciously.

She walked towards Lily one of her compatriots stood up.

"Lily, I want to talk to you, can we just talk?" The one that stood up walked in front Lily blocking her off from Alex. She glared at the stranger.

"I don't know how you are but I just want to talk to her that's all" When she didn't seem to even register what Alex said it made Alex angrier.

"You get one, Trust me, you don't really want this, If you step up you will get beat down" She was blonde though she cut it short, and her long ears suggested Elf, The Leather coat and brown boots played off as trying to be more than that.

"My name is Gabrielle and if Lily doesn't want to talk to you then she won't, and threaten someone who gives a damn about you because a little Witch isn't going to scare me"

As it was escalating everyone watching started to worry. Marisa was going to walk onto the stage and try to diffuse the situation. A magical seal filled the stage blocking every off, before questions could be asked Cameron spoke first.

"This is our first showing of the Ichor Duel to see if Alex Belmonte is worthy enough to be in the presence of our school president"

Alex turned to Gabrielle who had a big grin on her face. Alex was going to turn and ask what the hell Cameron was going on about but turned to Gabrielle feeling something was wrong and turned to her punching her in the face.

Alex was knocked back in the force field of the magical circle forcing her to her knees. Gabrielle thought it was an easy win and grinned widely at the notion that was until her jade summon appeared trying to sweep her off her feet with a well timed leg sweep. Gabrielle jumped over and was ready for the retaliation. Suddenly Xiuhcoatl ducked from her next attack and grabbed her by her feet holding her down.

She attempted to slam her fist down and remove the summon but then jumping from the air Alex readied a punch of her own and Xiuhcoatl pulled back making Gabrielle lose her equilibrium and for the hit to connect returning what Gabrielle did to her back with just as much force.

Though unlike Alex Gabrielle didn't fly back but merely stood her ground grunting through the pain grabbing Alex's fist and throwing her to ground. Then a large pole surfaced from the ground hitting the Jade Dragon away from her and grabbing it she swung down at the fallen witch. It connected hitting her on the back knocking her down and the quickly kicked her in the gut knocking her to her side.

"Alright Little witch, this is your first lesson, Try and go to the school president without permission, mess with the student council and you're going down" Gabrielle crossed her arms and Alex was still on the ground. Gabrielle was not allowed to kill a student in these duels that wouldn't stop her from putting this little girl in the hospital so she was ready to make another slam down on Alex's head.

Then Xiuhcoatl grabbed the beam, the jade parts like the mask was cracked, green flames sprouted from those cracks. Alex looked up with rage in glowing green eyes, the veins starting to glow with dangerous power.

"Xiuhtecuhtli!" Marisa had to get in there. Xiuhcoatl the turquoise serpent was the spirit form of the god Marisa called out in her mind.

Alex called on the power but did not want to have to rely on a few strong attacks like Marisa did and she decided to simply power it down to the weaker form of Xiuhcoatl.

Though due to its strong connection to the sun god if it were to get damaged enough it would revert to Xiuhtecuhtli, Alex only had the magical power to summon the Serpent, if she were to rely on the power of Lord of the turquoise flames for too long then its power would literally burn her out.

Bashing on the force field Lainey could not let her new friend get hurt, if she got in trouble she didn't care. She would have kept bashing away with magical power if someone didn't grab her arm. She turned to Alice with another ring one the yellow gem of her armlet glowing.

"ENERGIA: TIERRA!" A large stalactite formed above Alice's hand and with a flick of the wrist and it quickly spun slamming into the barrier weakened already by fairy magic. As this was going on Alex burned through Gabrielle's weapon. Gabrielle dropped it and readied for what was next.

The green in Alex's eyes seemed to glow brighter as the arms of the turquoise summon broke off and attached to hers. With a yell that almost sounded like a roar Alex charge and Gabrielle blocked hoping that the attack would do little.

Gabrielle thought that being as strong as she was and how seemingly weak Alex had been before. When the hit connect and knocked her back she had her doubts. When it knocked her to the barrier and she fell on her knees, she knew better then to underestimate her opponent, especially when that opponent was in the air ready to bring down jade blazing fury with the fire threatening to devour both of them alive.

Gabrielle summoned a hammer from the magical depths and was ready to counter attack this powerful punch. Then a large rainbow scaled hand grabbed Alex and pulled her through the force field.

Marisa watched as her sister struggled in the grasp. The Hand slammed her to the ground and suddenly let go a finger pointed to the green gem on Alex's belt buckle. Muttering a spell the gem glowed and it broke the rage induced fire from Alex returning her to normal but she was left unconscious.

Gabrielle walked down from the stage the other students moving out of her way. As she advanced Alice and Lainey stood in front of The Belmonte Sisters.

"IF you value staying in this academy Move out of my way!" They stood firm and Gabrielle was ready to simply wipe them all out. Had she looked back she would have noticed Lily whispering in one of her compatriots.

The one not named appeared next to Gabrielle.

"Xian! Get out of here I got this!" But the lady simply spoke up.

"Ms. Vorden wished to apologize for the rude interruption, students please come back tomorrow to get your schedules and be ready classes start early" The students started to file out confused on what was going on.

"Ms. Orsino, Royce and Belmonte, I would like to inform you that though the infirmary is ready for the other Belmonte I would advise not to approach Ms. Vorden unless the proper rituals have been cast, Now please leave or Ms. Morgenstern will be allowed to finish her fight"

Marisa glared at the two of them but she decided it would be easier to get out of here. Picking up Alex she walked out with Lainey and Alice walked besides her.

Gabrielle turned to Lily.

"Why? I had it handled!" Lily glared deeply and Gabrielle backed down.

"She has something very important that she has to willingly give to me and putting her in this much danger is not exactly persuasive" Lily rose from her chair as Gabrielle looked at her as though she was mad.

"I want her to help us but if she starts the ritual then you have every right to destroy her" Gabrielle could not contain her joy ready for such a battle.

-=A few hours later=-

Alex felt like she got slammed by a slab of frozen magma. She opened her eyes to the florescent light above her. She looked around seeing the medical tables, chairs and desks to make her believe that she may have been in the hospital or she was in The Work Shop (something that would scare her to no end).

Someone started opening a door on her left though she was worried she let those fears slide when her sister walked through then stood next the bed she laid in. It now just dawned onto Alex that she was laying in a bed and she attempted to rise from it but pain in her arm forced her back.

The green gem still glowed healing the damage. Alex was happy to have the Queen Stone as it helped with small injuries like this.

"So this is The Otranto Infirmary, what a happy Place" The sterile walls and bland furniture seem to indicate so.

"You wouldn't have to know what this looks if you just didn't try and force a meeting with the school president" Lily sitting there watching her getting beaten was still fresh in her mind and just as painful.

What should she have done? She didn't think Lily would come to her after what happened but still if she did nothing then she would never have the moment to say what she wanted to say.

"Look what you wanted is fine but how you went about it is all wrong" Alex mewled it over and while she wanted to agree but still there had to be a chance.

"Well I hope you got another plan in that ponytail Marisa, I will do that again if it means talking to her" Marisa knew that would be the answer and with Xian's hint knew what was next in mind.

"Well to gain proper audience we would have to go through what one of the council brought up" Alex was going to ask what that meant but then others walked into the room.

"OH MY GOD! What you did there was crazy and awesome but are you alright?" Lainey look with eyes glimmering with worry, or maybe joy at her being alright, for Alex it was hard to really get a read on her.

"Lainey's right, you didn't need to get yourself hurt if you just need to talk to someone" Alice stood by with a sly smile on her lips.

"I just need to talk to her alright!" Alex had enough of the rundown of her actions.

Lainey just grinned.

"Don't worry about it we got a plan, well your sister has a plan" Everyone turned to Marisa who grinned at her scheme.

"Xian was right in a sense, there is a ritual to be able to have the school president go into a meeting with a student for hours if it is shown to be of upmost importance" Marisa was waiting for Alex to give a look of surprise but Alex gave her a look of sure annoyance.

"Umm, Marisa that's really stupid, I mean she probably talks to students about school problems all the time, I'll just talk to her then" Marisa shook her head.

"And you would just keep getting into fights all year getting nowhere with her, at least with my plan you have to go through a few" That caught her interest.

"Look to show that you have to speak with the student council president you have to fight with the council itself" On one hand that was not usually the way that such a situation should be handled but at the same time if this was what she had to do then she will do it.

"Alright how about we get this started" She tried to rise from her bed but pain in her arm forced her back.

"Let the Queen Stone heal you, I'll come get you after I get my schedule" She turned to leave and looked to Lainey then to Alice.

"I really hope you can help us"

"Ro-GER!" Lainey yelled as Alice shrugged her shoulders merely nodding.

The three left the room and Alex was there wondering what she just got herself into. She would just have to wait until tomorrow and see what the future held. And all of this was just to speak to an old flame.

"What a Heavy Day" She muttered and let her eyes close to take a short nap and be healed before the school day was through.