Zack nodded weakly and began the mental process of revising their plans. If the teachers and those in authority at the academy would be acting against them, then their time there was indeed not going to be pleasant. It would have been hard if they were dealing with just the students. Now it was looking close to impossible.

It was becoming increasingly likely that the mysterious Major would have to step in on their behalf once more. He could only hope that the man had his subordinates watching them closely.

“That is worse than what we were expecting honestly, but I don’t see as to how we have any other choice. The only thing we can do is push back when they are being unreasonable. Besides, I have a feeling that the academy will find it hard to expel us for such a weak reason.”

The older woman tilted her head in thought and nodded once. “As long as you are aware. Come along, we have other places to visit and things to do.” Her disposition was noticeably warmer than in the beginning as they climbed the polished steps.

The process of getting Zack registered for his classes was a short one, as all first years had to take the same classes. Getting them both measured for uniforms, however, took longer. They had come with few clothes and the academy-provided uniform was going to need to take up the slack.

It was decided that even though Zara may not have been an official student, she could still get a supply of uniforms, since she would be working there.

After that, they went to a different section of the building and were given cards with tiny mana stones in the upper corner. The cards would allow them to buy things on and off campus were connected to a newly created bank account in their names. Since they didn’t have one before, the school had been forced to create one for them so they could be paid for their part-time jobs.

Edith waited patiently as their measurements were taken in separate rooms and a set of clothes were quickly modified for them. They would start wearing them the next day.

“Where to now?” Zack asked, his arms full of clothes. He was carrying his sisters’ uniform along with his own.

“Why is there no ivy or other plants crawling up the outside of the building?” Zara wondered before the older woman could say anything.

“It was decided that certain buildings were more imposing without them. In the case of the dormitory, it was believed the plants softened the feeling it gave off, which helped the students relax easier at night.” Edith back at the central building and its looming spire. “Not that some of the buildings need the help to be imposing.” She shook her head and led them away. “Now, first I am going to show you the grounds, and where your classes will be held. Then I will introduce you to the people you will be reporting to each night for work.”

Zara walked a half-step behind her brother as they toured the grounds. There was an arena, several training grounds with workout equipment and padded blades, and, of course, a multitude of buildings with classrooms hidden within. That was discounting the other dorms and the large cafeteria with restaurants nestled in-between them all. Then there were also the gardens, and groves of trees growing fruit that were for more practical purposes.

At last, she led them to a lone single-story brick building sitting off to the side of one of the lesser-used sidewalks.

“This is where you will report to each night. The staff will then decide if you are needed for the night or are free to do other things. I would plan on being busy each night, simply because of what we discussed earlier with the headmaster. That said, you are only allowed to work for two hours a night, no matter what they might say. You can leave after those two hours are up. And look on the bright side, it will mean more spending money coming your way.”

They could always use more money. It was impossible to say what would happen in the future and being able to save up for the unexpected would be a nice change of pace.

“What do we now?” Zack asked her, as they stopped outside their dorm building.

She looked up at the position of the sun before answering. “There is still some time left before dinner will be served. Why don’t you finish unpacking and then just relax? I’ll knock on your door when it is time.”

Edith had continued to warm up to them as the day wore on. By the end, the frowning, scowling woman they had initially met was nothing more than a memory.

Inside their dorm, Zara collapsed onto the comfortable-looking couch, exchanging George for Zelda at the same time. She lay there, nestled between their bags, and looked blankly up at the ceiling. “Are we going to be safe here?” She asked at last.

Zack was sitting on the ground with his head resting against the couch near her. “What do you mean?” He returned. Hers had been a loaded question.

“Wellll…” She drew out the word. “I guess we’re probably safe from the gang. No way are those idiots going to follow us here. We have a steady supply; I’m guessing of good and healthy food.” She stopped and gulped at the thought of non-rotting food, with flavors besides the cloying taste of mold or cardboard. “The students may bully us, but as you said earlier, we can just fight back without worrying about the major repercussions. I guess what I’m worried about is interacting so closely with the military, and then there is the research institute.”

“They caught everyone there.” He said weakly.

She snorted. “You know as well as I do that there were other facilities, and considering that they supposedly lost us in a system of their own making. I have no faith that they managed to catch everyone involved. Before we were hidden, no one knew where we were. That isn’t the case anymore. People can find us now, both the good and the bad ones.”

Zack reached behind his head and grabbed her arm, and then her hand. “I’ll do whatever I need to keep us safe.”

“That’s what I’m worried about. Neither the military nor the institute knows all our secrets. If word of them ever gets out-“ He could feel her curling into a ball on the couch. “I’m not going to become a test subject for anyone ever again, and I won’t let them do that to you either!”

The pure venom and hate in her voice should have been shocking to the teen, except he felt the exact same way. That lack of ability to save her, let alone himself, and then to be forced to watch as they were experimented upon. Never again. He had no problems understanding her feelings on the matter and matching them with his own.

“What do you think I should do, then? Just roll over and let it get worse. Never standing up for myself or us?” Depending on the situation, he had nothing against turning the other cheek. In a school environment, if he did that, it would only make things worse. It would encourage the bullies and convince them that the siblings were an easy target.

“No.” The words were muffled as they were spoken into the side of a stuffed animal.

“It doesn’t matter in any case. I’m no different from any of them until I go through a portal again. Even then, it is only when I’m over there that they would be able to tell the difference.”

“Oh, that’s right, I forgot.” She uncurled and rolled over to speak into his ear, her hot breath tickling the fine hairs within. “That means you are limited to your fists if anyone does track us down or tries to take us.”

He shrugged and stood, swiping at the phantom tickle in his ear. “Come on, let’s stop worrying about things that likely won’t happen. We need to get our stuff put away, and then I don’t know about you, but I am going to give that tub a try until dinnertime.”

“Not fair, I called dibs on it first!” Zelda soared through the air and hit him in the face as Zara jumped up with George in hand and sped into the bathroom, locking the door shut behind her.

“You betrayed me for a tiny swimming pool?” He yelled at her in mock anger, placing the stuffed plushie back on the couch.

She dared to open the door wide enough to poke her head through and stick out her tongue.

It was moments like this that allowed Zack to honestly believe that they had begun to heal.