Weapons practice wasn’t exactly fun either. Fort didn’t seem to be making much progress working with the staff, but at least Sergeant Tower stayed supportive and positive the entire time. That was more than enough to make him Fort’s favorite teacher at the school, even with all the bruises he gained in the class.

“Soreness is just a sign that you’re getting stronger,” Tower said in their third class, slapping Fort’s aching shoulders. “You’re hulking out already, look at you! You’re doing great, Forsythe. Keep it up!”

Of course, Justine immediately knocked Fort to the floor as soon as the sergeant’s back was turned, but she liked to say that was to keep Fort humble.

Cyrus seemed to have disappeared, just like he’d promised, and for all Fort could tell, so had Jia and Rachel. They were either steadily avoiding him, which was fair, or whatever special projects Dr. Opps had them doing were keeping them both so busy that they were never around. Fort wasn’t sure which he preferred, but he did feel thankful for Gabriel, secrets and all, especially at meal times. At least he didn’t have to sit alone, and in spite of it being a little demeaning, he found he sort of liked being seen as a little brother.

“You want to see some real magic?” Gabriel asked at lunch one day, looking around to make sure no one was listening.

Fort rolled his eyes. “No. No I don’t. Especially not if it’s just you pulling another coin out of my ear.”

Gabriel frowned. “I don’t know what you’re suggesting, but that sounds like a trick. I’m talking about actual magic.”

“You mean like the kind we’re studying? That actual magic?”

“No, nothing so ordinary,” Gabriel said, then scrunched up his face. “Hold on, I have to sneeze.” He leaned back, then faked a sneeze, sending a rainbow scarf flying out of his nose and into the middle of Fort’s green beans.

Fort just stared at his roommate, who wiped his nose innocently, then gave Fort a curious look. “You going to eat those, or can I have them?” Gabriel asked, pointing to the beans.

Each night after dinner they would take the book of Healing down to the room with the dragon skeletons and practice Heal Minor Wounds. While Fort felt a bit more comfortable there with Gabriel around, since apparently his roommate had permission to do anything he wanted at any time, each hour Fort spent studying Healing was an hour he wasn’t practicing teleportation, so by the time they were done, he was practically ready to explode.