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Michail’s suggestion was a sound one. He was a fair duelist, but he needed less flourish and more finish, even in practice rounds. Kayden made sure to keep that in mind as he strode into his guild’s classroom, taking his regular seat since it was in the center of most of the other Eagle’s seats anyway. It would be a poor show to deliberate in their own classroom, and he found he was quite interested in speaking with the other students. As the servants came, Kayden took a mug from one of the tray’s as one of them sauntered by. He crossed his legs and leaned back, the prince just beginning to speak before he took his taste of the drink, until his mind caught up with him. Were all of the Black Eagles present? Something felt off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. 

Rudolf sauntered in and collapsed into a seat next to Kayden. Four hours. Four. Whole. Hours. Casting that same spell over and over and over again. His one reprieve was that the spring heat of Gronder hadn't quite reached the peaks of the Oghma Mountains yet. Well, the icicles that kept popping up around him probably helped too, but the threat of being skewered might've induced more sweat than it prevented.

The next part of the class didn’t sound any more enjoyable. Sure, he got to sit down, but evaluating the future rulers of his nation would’ve been a daunting task even if he knew anything about them. He hadn’t watched either of their performances, and they probably never realized he even attended training. Maybe they’d forget he was there if he kept his head down well enough.

Unfortunately, he was also hungry, and the food that had been served only looked more appetizing on an empty stomach. Rudolf reached in for a sandwich as unassumingly as he could, only for his chair to creak quite noticeably. The boy’s face sunk into a flat glare, though not aimed at anything in particular, and he wordlessly turned his attention to his lunch in hopes no one would put him on the spot immediately.

[color=4851AA]“Oh, right. Sorry, Rudolph, I forgot about you.”[/color] Kayden remarked curiously, brow furrowing. [color=4851AA]“That seems to happen a lot…”[/color] 

The Prince hailed over another servant with a sandwich, thanking them and taking one eagerly. Getting up early hadn’t bothered him too much, but hurrying through whatever breakfast there had been wasn’t optimal to him. He tried to not be irritable, however. Even if he thought their time would be better spent discussing their rival guild’s talents rather than their own. With a shrug, Kayden let it go. This would like as not have it’s merits as well. 

[color=4851AA]“Rudolph, I’ve only spoken to you very little, but let’s start with you. You seem very much like the watch and observe sort. Start us off, if you would. Tell me what you think of my performance, and then I’ll tell you what I thought of yours, yeah?”[/color] Thankfully, he had already had Rudolph on his radar earlier this morning. Kayden was nothing if not sharp, even if he lost himself in his own ego sometimes. He had made sure to keep watch, so what better time to talk?  

Rudolf winced as he was addressed, then perked up a bit to meet Kayden’s glance. He wanted to say he was used to being forgotten, but that would likely be interpreted as fishing for pity rather than a matter-of-fact statement. They really needed to have a conversation about his Crest when there wasn’t a Crestology expert looming overhead, waiting to nitpick all the half-truths weaved in with his explanation.

He had larger concerns anyway. What [i]did[/i] he think of their performance? Nothing, really. At least not to the extent that he had paid attention, anyway. Those girls said Kayden was a show-off to the point of idiocy, but he couldn’t exactly say that outright to his future liege. Besides, he did better than Rudolf could. Veronica was a topic he didn’t want to broach with a ten-foot spear, but even with her usual… [i]Veronica-ness[/i], she was miles ahead of that one kid that the tall blond kept critiquing - err, was still critiquing, judging by the glares he could see being shot across the Blue Lions’ table. 

[color=b300b3]“You were both… fine,”[/color] Rudolf mumbled anticlimactically, [color=b300b3]“Kinda showy, I guess. N-not that that’s inherently a bad thing. Um.”[/color] His voice trailed off and his eyes sunk back down to his lap.

Veronica had taken her seat without a word, occupying herself with a drink in an effort to avoid talking. She was still greatly heated from interacting with the stupid Deer from Deidru, and while she assumed she would eventually calm down, her mind had become clouded with the thought of wringing that moron’s neck. First, she’s nearly assassinated by the Lion, now this! Honestly, the academy experience was hurriedly turning into one of the more stressful times of her life, and not for the reasons she thought it would be.

She tuned into the conversation as Rudolf spoke, the only thing stopping her from scoffing being that she was emptying her glass. Placing it down, she leveled Rudolf with a disapproving look. [color=lightsalmon]“We’re supposed to be giving each other [i]constructive[/i] feedback. Don’t hold back on account of the difference in rank,”[/color] She stated. [color=lightsalmon]“What have you to say about our techniques? Our stances?”[/color]

[color=b300b3]“Uh. Nothing?”[/color] Rudolf offered awkwardly, [color=b300b3]“They looked fine to me. You hit the target, so…”[/color] Was there more to archery than that? [color=b300b3]“And His Highness looked… superficially impressive. I mean, it could’ve been actually impressive too! Err- I’m really not good at this.”[/color] The boy quickly stuffed his sandwich back in his mouth to avoid digging his hole any deeper.

Useless. While she didn’t say the word out loud, her stare made it obvious. After a few seconds of staring, she simply let out a sigh. He wasn’t going to produce anything productive. Fine. [color=lightsalmon]“Superficially impressive is best left for ceremonies and demonstrations, not in battle,”[/color] She ended up taking one thing she agreed with and adding to it before giving Rudolf her attention once again. [color=lightsalmon]“I believe your magic lacks intent. You cast it simply because that was what you were told to do, there wasn’t any effort put into it.”[/color]

Rudolf offered no defense, and simply kept his attention on his food. She was right. Hypocritical and lacking any amount of introspective ability, but right. He guessed she really had been paying attention, then. The feeling wasn’t as pleasant as he would’ve hoped, but if Veronica had noticed, Professor Malathice definitely would. With luck, he was one horrible battlefield mistake away from being sent home in shame.

Kayden kept his lip buttoned for the moment, trying to give Rudolph some room to speak, which he supposed only let Veronica swoop in. Honestly, he didn’t know if he could have done much better, seeing as how Rudolph somehow managed to consistently escape his notice and he spent most of his time trying to avoid Veronica, even in the arena training. But he had managed to catch a few things, like his fiance’s manner. [color=4851AA]“She’s right Rudolph, taking the initiative is important. You’re a Black Eagle, you can do impressive things if you try.”[/color] He encouraged, and decided to turn to Veronica to continue. [color=4851AA]“And you need to stay calm and keep your ego out of the training area.”[/color] 

Kayden might be showy, but he wasn’t actively antagonistic. [color=4851AA]“Even if they’re in other guilds, these are fellow students. Showing up Jorah or acting like you’re better than everyone else isn’t beneficial to anyone except your ego. I know some people here think I’m an asshole, but I’m trying to make sure that’s a mistake rather than the truth. You should too… As for your shooting, good job.”[/color] The last remark was lightly said, as if an afterthought. [color=4851AA]“I didn’t do as well I wanted. I don’t remember the form I was taught at court, but that’s what training is about, yeah?”[/color] 

The Empire will likely quake when they marry, he thought sardonically. 

The air got a lot colder around the table as Veronica looked directly at Kayden. Her gaze was empty yet sharp. A small smile formed on her lips as she took a fork, deciding to take a piece of fruit.

[color=lightsalmon]“I [i]am[/i] better than everyone else here,”[/color] She stated outright. [color=lightsalmon]“Would you rather I hold myself back? Or should I lower myself so my classmates don’t feel bad about themselves?”[/color]

Kayden took a poise that would have suited an Emperor, staring at her back with all the surety he had. [color=4851AA]“I would ask you to be diplomatic, as an Empress would be.”[/color] He declared flatly. [color=4851AA]“Lienna I can understand. But unless someone gives you real reason to be abrasive, try to see it as... practice for when we’re married and you’re dealing with someone at court.”[/color]

[color=lightsalmon]“If I [i]ever[/i] have to deal with that monkey in court, then I’ll make sure I am not around,”[/color] Veronica muttered, crossing her arms. 

Kayden silently wondered if he could invite Lienna to court if the matrimony went through without a hitch. [color=4851AA]“Fair enough. And good job, both of you. [i]All of you[/i],”[/color] he said to his team. [color=4851AA]“If the Blue Lions meeting is any indication, we’re a step above the others so let’s keep at it.”[/color] 

Rudolf opened his mouth to protest, but as Lienna stormed out of the room, whatever point he was about to make died in his throat. Okay, they were doing well comparatively. No thanks to [i]him[/i], of course, but they were doing well. The blond Lion’s mention of Crests left a sour taste in his mouth, which led him to shoot an apologetic glance in Kayden’s direction even if the prince probably had no clue why. As much as he hated to admit it, his House Leader being unable to contact him unless Rudolf himself initiated it was unproductive and detrimental. 

[color=b300b3]“Um. Your Highness? We need to talk later. Privately,”[/color] Rudolf muttered, then frowned. That sounded weird. Or conspiratorial. Oh Goddess, what if Veronica thought he was plotting something against her?

Kayden raised an eyebrow curiously, and gave a nod. [color=4851AA]“Of course,”[/color] he said. He wouldn’t be much of a leader if he didn’t meet with his team members whenever they wished to discuss something. Subtly he glanced Veronica’s way to gauge her reaction, but kept his real focus on Rudolph. Whatever it was, he was certain she would be interested, unless she felt it beneath her to notice. [color=4851AA]“Let’s meet once the professors are done with us, wherever you feel is best.”[/color] 

Veronica was all too aware of the noise happening at the Blue Lions’ table, mouth slightly ajar in a gleeful grin as she watched Lienna leave. No, she stormed out! Whatever happened, she greatly approved of it, her mood improving immensely. She wasn’t able to catch exactly what happened, but she’d be sending the finest drink to the redhead’s room at the first opportunity. She didn’t normally approve of such a ruckus, but if it meant an inconvenience to that bitch, so be it.

She turned back to the conversation to catch Kayden staring at her, at which point she raised a cup to her lips to buy herself a minute. [color=lightsalmon]“...yes, of course,”[/color] She said simply, clearly not having heard what the two were talking about and choosing to feign ignorance.