The conversation went on for a bit longer than any of them had expected, but it got Mikella and Zeke the much needed reprieve after going through so much.

They went with the plans to have the Lords aid the otherworlders in their training before the others from Eve Glade show up, for several reasons.

One was to help them with the otherworlders. While that was kind for them to do so, Mikella knew they had their own issues to work with, so she would've never asked them for help if it meant uprooting their lives just because of their business.

The other reason was more understandable. Myra and Piker were getting too strong for their own good in Eve Glade, and there wasn't much to attain while sitting pretty in the city while everyone else continued to improve. They can always help the new soldiers coming in to train, and perhaps take on the role as teachers just like the Lords did.

But not only did they not want to stay in the city for all of their lives, the Lords didn't wish for them to stifle their growth any longer. Hence, what was a better way than to help Mikella and Zeke conquer towers and help otherworlders? Especially since conquering towers would help them gain natural treasures that would take them years to even find, let alone collect and get them for themselves.

Zacharia was the only one planning to stay and for several good reasons, one of the most important is that he was still part of the kingdom of Sham-la, so his duty is to Eve Glade and the continued safety and security now that it became a bustling city with its own biodome.

As for the Lords themselves, they wanted to take care of Ana and ensure that her time in the school was safe and sound. That, and what better way to improve themselves than to join in with the otherworlders themselves? No matter how one saw it, it was better to join the otherworlders, at least for the benefits that came with it.

Mikella didn 't even see a problem with it. One could say that they were only doing it for their own benefits, but what kind of person would gladly risk their lives and their loved ones for mere altruism? If anything, that was even more suspicious than actually getting something out of it in return.

The Lords also planned on staying in the housing, so once Zeke did his fancy magic, now improved thanks to Tir, they made some extra room with even some good furnishing for the Lords to stay in, impressing them further.

As for themselves, Zeke had a good question regarding their living situation.

"Is it a good idea to bother Alissa by staying at her place? I mean, now that Val and Cloud are here, wouldn't she feel annoyed with us there?"

She understood what he was implying. While it sounded childish, anyone deserved some privacy to work out their feelings, especially Alissa who had such a long grudge against her sister and Cloud just appearing out of nowhere. After hearing their story, it made sense that the drama is real there, and there could be dire consequences if anyone of them were to intervene.

"I think it's even more important that we go there," Mikella concluded. After receiving a curious tilt of the head, she continued. "I don't want Ali to think that we're only on Cloud and Val's side. In the end, we only heard one side of the story. Isn't it important to get the complete story?"

"But that's implying that she's willing to talk to us about her past," Zeke added in, making a good point as she nodded.

"She doesn't have to talk to us. In the end, it's just better to show that we're on neither of their sides. I trust Cloud and Val, and I can understand that they changed after a long time. But I also like Ali too. I think she's awesome, even if she can be pretty intense sometimes. Hell, Clara likes her a lot, so I don't see why I shouldn't. I want to let her know that I'm on her side too, and it isn't because I'm better friends with her twin instead. Does that make sense?"

She knew she was grasping a little too hard at the sentimentality, but seeing Zeke's gentle smile rose appeased her as he nodded.

"I think that's great. I totally agree."

"Right? It just makes sense," Mikella preened, raising her head up pridefully.

Then without hesitation, Zeke kissed her cheek with that damn smile of his. "That's why you're awesome."

Her cheeks blushed at the sudden flirting from Zeke of all people, but her heart hammered at the praise. Somehow that felt different than before, and she certainly wouldn't let Zeke see it to have the chance to tease at her. That would be a crime against humanity.

Of course, she'll make sure to point out he only did so in the privacy between the two. He still didn't have the balls to do that in front of anyone.

Not that I mind, she thought traitorously to herself.

When they got out to the living area, they saw a surprising number of otherworlders talking animatedly about something. When they appeared, the otherworlders suddenly ceased, as though the boss of the room appeared. Mikella raised a brow before finding Clara running over with Tigger in tow. Her eyes widened at how quickly the two somehow got along. What the hell happened?

"S–Mikky! I got a huge favor to ask you!"

"...Mikky?" Zeke asked in surprise, somehow finding Clara calling her name the most unnatural thing out there.

Mikella can hazard a guess as to why she suddenly changed from using Sissy ever since she was a baby as she asked. "What is it?"

"Can Tigger come with me and Ana to the academy? Please!"

She begged, and Tigger, standing right beside a few steps back, pressed his lips together in anticipation. Their eyes widened at the proposition, but then the two looked at each other.

Was it possible for Tigger to join? Considering that Clara can join as well, it should be fine. However…

"Tigger, you want to join the academy?" Zeke asked. Tigger nodded enthusiastically.

"I want to get better and get stronger! Plus, if we're good enough, we can get the system early! That's way better than just standing around here!"

Tigger said, but he quickly apologized for saying something that implied that his time here was pointless. Zeke waved it off, his face already turning inquisitive at the idea of having the system initialization early.

Was that even possible? She didn't even realize that was true, but considering how often the world can be strange, and considering that the academy is normally for nobles, it wasn't that surprising to think that those rich folks somehow got a way to get to the system early. Especially for those who did better beyond their peers. She can understand the fun and the drive for that.

"Clara, we first gotta ask Alissa first before making promises like that," Mikella added, wanting to ensure that she still learned about consequences, but Clara raised her head up, her eyes fully determined.

"I know! That's why I wanted to ask you to help me! I wanna convince Ali to let Tigger come with us!"

Seeing her expression, Mikella couldn't stop thinking about it.

Man, she really wants her crush to come with her to school, Mikella grinned, somehow getting to Clara as she shivered underneath her heightened gaze.

"Alright then. We were just about to head home. Come with us and we'll see what we can do."

"Really? Alright! Thanks so much, Mikky!"

"Ooh, isn't it 'Sissy' before? Like how you also called Zeke 'Bobo'? Because you couldn't get our names right and instead call us those nicknames since you were a baby?"

Mikella's grin grew sharper and ferocious as she could see Clara pale from her words. Her cheeks blushed and her eyes widened at the betrayal.

"N-No, I never called you that… not at all…" She muttered, while simultaneously glaring daggers at Mikella.

What kind of big sister would she be if she didn't bully her little sister over something like this?

…..

Once they got back home to Ali's house, it was no surprise that Ali wasn't back yet, and it didn't look like she intended to come back at all. Mikella felt her heart ache, knowing full well just how exhausting dealing with family matters can be.

Hearing the story, she can't imagine having such a relationship with Clara herself. Even if things didn't head their way, she wouldn't treat Clara any differently. Then again, she practically raised Clara while her parents were dealing with their own issues.

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Can she really say she wouldn't treat Clara any differently if she had the same lifestyle as Val and Ali? When their parents completely ignored you and your suffering, only focusing on what you can't do without magic in a magic city? What about having to deal with parents that constantly relied on you for everything, while your sister does nothing at all and enjoyed herself?

Either case was terrible, and she realized that it was only after getting away from such a life that got Val enough self-awareness to realize her faults. It was the reason why Ali was the only one steeped in hatred and grudge while Vale only wanted to reconnect. Ali never got away and only ended up getting caught up in the aftermath of her sister's consequences.

Zeke said that Ali still had Tir around, so it was most likely that she was focusing on the remainder of her work with Tir's aid. And on a side note, Zeke also swore that even if Tir is amazing in a lot of ways, he wouldn't use him to uncover secrets to get Ali's perspective on things.

That was good. She was worried that Zeke would dig out secrets from other people who let their guards down by having Tir around, but it was natural that he'd only do so if their lives depended on it. That was fine by her–they needed some leverage every now and then.

Still, the day just kept getting stranger and stranger by the hour. First Ceru moved in with the otherworlders to learn about their world, then Zeke improved by leaps and bounds in just a matter of seconds thanks to Tir's interaction, and finally Cloud and Val appeared, revealing that Ana was coming with Clara to head to school in Arcelot, which ended up with them confronting Ali in a tense mood which revealed their large and complicated past.

She just wanted to lay down and just not think for a second, so without prompting, she landed herself straight onto Zeke on the couch, letting her head rest on his chest and cuddling up her face near it. Zeke didn't even talk back. He just brushed her long hair aside and patted it, enjoying the feeling of her hair.

It was a new experience for her, to just openly lay on a man without worrying about what it might mean later, or thinking about what to do next. But instead of worrying about anything, she actually felt relieved, and her mind cleared up.

"It was a pretty rough day," Zeke admitted, his voice low and calm. Clara was already up in her room, probably visiting the still sleeping Zoan. She wasn't that worried for Zoan, but Clara was too much of a sweetheart not to visit from time to time.

"Tell me about it," Mikella admitted. "And we still got so much crap to work with. The otherworlders, Ceru, Val and Ali…"

"Actually, Ceru never introduced herself to Cloud or Val, did she?" Zeke mused. Mikella frowned at that.

"You're right, she didn't… why is that?"

"You think she knew them?" Zeke asked. "Or maybe she didn't want to make it more complicated?"

"Something tells me she doesn't care how complicated it gets," Mikella scoffed. "I bet she's got some stupid plan for them or something. As long as it doesn't bother us, it's fine."

"So, just leaving Cloud and Val to deal with the Master living with us, huh?" Zeke chuckled.

"They're adults, they can handle it," Mikella ignored his jibe, wrapping her arms around his neck as she nuzzled closer. "I don't wanna think anymore."

She knew she was being pretty clingy, and maybe annoying, but Zeke hugged her back, brushing her hair and patting her back contentedly.

…..

The next day, Ali finally came back, but there was no way for Mikella to ask about her side of things when she came in, had her breakfast, told them of her plans and to let them know what else she needed to do for them before leaving again. Apparently it got her more riled up than usual after seeing Val again, and her only recourse is to overwork herself.

A good trait, but not really. At least in her opinion.

"Should we catch Ali or something?" Zeke asked. "I feel like she's avoiding us."

"Nah, let her fume," Mikella answered. "No point in trying to force her to talk about her feelings."

"I get that much at least," Zeke mused. "But… at this rate, she'll never talk to us."

"I like to think that she's mature enough to know that she can't avoid us forever," Mikella muttered. "If she isn't, then at least we got Val to try and catch her. Either way, this isn't our problem. It's their problem. If Ali doesn't want us to hear her side of the story and just sulk to herself, that's fine by me."

"Kinda harsh, don't you think?" Zeke said, his face creasing into a frown.

"I'm not gonna tell a grown woman how to act like an adult," Mikella chided. "We got way bigger problems than some family drama, you know."

Zeke relented, nodding slowly to that. She was glad that he kept insisting rather than immediately give up on the matter. If anything, she'd be glad to hear more ideas on how to deal with this, but right now, it was too personal for them to just dive in guns blazing and expecting to settle a deeply-resented grudge of twenty years or so.

"So, what's the plan?" She asked, wanting to shift topics to something more productive.

Zeke had that look in his eyes, showing his thought process to the world, and Mikella suddenly had a good idea as she turned to Tir in her head.

"Tir? Mind telling me what he's thinking?"

She wondered if she was being too brazen about it, knowing full well that peeping on someone's mind is incredibly screwed up and rude. But something told her that Tir wouldn't really do that himself if he doesn't want to.

Thankfully, she was right on the money.

"He's planning several dozen ideas right now and I'm churning through most of it. We pick up and drop ideas to see what's better to spend our time with today."

"Cool…" Mikella mused in her head. "So we can share thoughts or something now?"

"Not exactly," Tir answered readily. "I can't exactly let your thoughts get close to one another. It's the same as mixing one water source to another and affecting each other's properties. I don't mind being a messenger, but I can't share your thoughts like you can with yourself."

"Ooh, cool," Mikella grinned. "So if I ask you to tell me Zeke's deepest darkest secrets, would you tell me?"

"Why not ask him?" Tir asked. It didn't even sound mocking. It was a genuine question.

Mikella pondered on that for a while before asking again. "What about my secrets? If you find out what I was thinking about, would you tell Zeke that?"

"That sounds really rude. I don't like doing that."

"Even if Zeke asked you?"

"I mean, if it's a danger to our lives, yeah, but why would you want to hurt us?"

"Can you… do this with someone else? I mean, not just with Synchronized Parallel Thought?"

"Nah, only you. If Zeke trusted someone else, I can be shared with them, but I don't want to share their secrets if I don't have to."

"Is that like, a rule you put yourself, or is it you can't really do it?"

"Mmh… yes and no," Tir answered, actually sounding curious as he continued his thoughts. "Thoughts are sensitive. It's more difficult to manage than magic, and more convoluted than even some complex rune patterns. I can control them with ease, but only on the surface. I can't really dive into someone's psyche where their deepest, darkest secrets lie. I have to get them to let me in. Even if I did, in a way, their psyche won't let me out with the information from within. And I don't think this has anything to do with how one uses Steadfast Mind. Instead, it's just… human nature, I think. They want to protect themselves, and in a way, their secrets are a way to protect themselves."

That was… deeper than she expected. She only asked out of curiosity and to make fun of Zeke, but she instead got a lesson about human psychology from a Mind Construct only a few days old. Though at the same time, she became relieved.

Zeke would never become the sort of person to dive into her thoughts and secrets, even if it means she could be lying to him. Even if he wasn't, what kind of person wouldn't want to protect themselves by figuring out their partner's inner thoughts? To know that Tir literally can't steal secrets from you is a blessing, and can only be found out if the partner entrusted you with that secret.

"So, can you enter into my psyche and get back out?" She asked. She specifically didn't include the part where she admitted that Tir can enter and leave as he pleased.

"Not at all," Tir answered, surprising Mikella.

"But… I trust Zeke," Mikella pleaded, hoping that somehow she didn't have any strange resentment she didn't even think she had.

"It's not about trust, it's about the principle. You trust Lyle and Janet, but you wouldn't undress yourself in front of them, would you?"

That completely caught Mikella off guard. "Well, no. I'm sure Lyle would enjoy the show but that'd be fucked up to do."

"It's the same. I can't enter your mind even if you trust Zeke wholeheartedly. It's just as I said, thoughts are complicated to convey, and even more so the closer they are to someone's psyche. The closer they are to the person's inner self, the more concrete the thoughts become, and the more difficult it is to pull them out. If I had a specific mind or thought control, or even some emotion controlling skill, I could probably do that. But I don't."

"And those skills are illegal, right?" Mikella asked again.

"Illegal in most countries and even by the system," Tir added in. "There are several books written about the justification of mind-control magic, but most of them were considered taboo as the system itself punishes those who tried to pierce into someone's psyche to control it."

"Whoa…" Mikella breathed. "But wait, you said you can enter into someone's psyche, right? Wouldn't that mean Zeke would get punished?"

"That's precisely the reason why I can't go into your inner psyche. Not unless I have express permission, but I doubt you can let me do that even if you give me permission. If you're in a life or death situation, you might consider giving up partial permission, but you have to be absolutely and utterly destroyed inside and out for that to happen, and that alone might actually damage your mind from being so vulnerable even for a few short moments of scrying into your psyche."

Mikella had to take a second to figure that out. Thankfully, now that they were sharing Synchronized Parallel Thought, her own thought process was faster in comparison to yesterday, as Zeke was still thinking about what to do in just a short amount of time.

"Wait, then why was I tired from yesterday? I could handle thoughts way faster than before…"

"Emotional turmoil can easily disturb your thought patterns, putting more mental strain onto your mind and forcing you to seek out rest. It's a natural human instinct that everyone has," Tir aided helpfully, reminding Mikella once more why Zeke was so damn excited to have Tir around.

"Tir, you're gonna ruin me," Mikella teased, getting Tir to tilt his head at her.

"Weird, Zeke said the same thing," Tir admitted, getting Mikella to grin.

"Okay… but I don't care how close to his psyche it is, if Zeke ever tries to cheat on me, you'll let me know."

She was only half-joking. Mikella trusted Zeke with everything she had. But that didn't mean she would let him walk all over her if he ever got a big head. Stories about men being corrupted by power and greed are famous in every world for a reason.

"You'd be surprised by how impossible it is to keep those kinds of thoughts into the psyche. The idea of cheating for you two is so alien that I can probably pry them off of you to the point where you never had them in the first place. Not that I have to, anyways."

That got Mikella to pause. "Wait, you're serious?"

"The human mind is very fickle," Tir answered with such a genuine tone and determination that it honestly scared Mikella a little.

She was definitely glad Tir was on their side.

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