Leo led his younger sister away from the grand staircase, letting her steps fall softly on the clean paths of the campus garden.
The morning chill began to fade beneath the high sun, warming the groomed hedges that lined the peaceful walkways.
Tessa clutched her gold-foil receipt against her ribs, her breath catching as she stared down at the embossed seal of the academy.
"I still don’t believe it," she whispered, her voice a soft murmur as she looked up.
"Twelve thousand credits cleared in minutes, and we even have advanced funds sitting in the laboratory account."
"Your big brother promised he would handle the finances, so you never have to look back at those factory debts," Leo answered with a relaxed smile.
He guided her toward a secluded bench made of dense stone, sitting beside her under the shade of a flowering vine.
"Let me see your hands, Tessa."
She hesitated, then slowly rolled her sleeves back to expose her slender forearms to his gaze.
Perception thrummed beneath his ribs, and his keen vision immediately caught the yellow markings fading along her wrists and collarbone.
Sudden fury flared over his heart, though his expression remained perfectly calm as he reached down to inspect her skin.
"Julian and his lackeys did this to you during the lab seminars," Leo said, his voice flat, level, and deadly.
"They threw my books into the mud and grabbed my wrists when I tried to recover my formula sheets," she whispered, looking down at her knees.
"I didn’t want to tell you because you were already working extra night shifts at the docks to pay the bursar."
"You are staying here to study biochemistry, not to nurse bruises from arrogant trust-fund brats," Leo replied, gently tapping her wrist.
"Those days are finished forever, and no one is going to touch you on this campus again."
"But Julian’s father is a board member, Leo," she warned, her eyes full of genuine worry.
"He carries deep influence in the upper districts."
"Let his father try," Leo smiled, helping her stand from the bench.
"Remember how we used to count copper chits just to buy a single loaf of dry bread at the corner dock stalls?" she asked softly, her gaze drifting toward the clear water of the central garden pool.
"I remember," Leo answered, his fingers tracing the edge of his stone seat. "And I remember promising you that those days would have an end."
"But Julian was right about one thing," Tessa murmured, her fingers tightening around her books. "The people in District 7 don’t look at us like we are human, treating us like dust that drifted in from the south."
"Then we will make them choke on the dust," Leo said, his voice quiet but carrying an unyielding weight that made her look up in surprise.
"We have some shopping to take care of before I catch the evening train back to District 9."
They walked past the high spires of the commercial sector, where wealthy residents rode in polished electric shuttles.
"This is too much, Leo," Tessa protested as they entered the plaza, her eyes darting toward the luminous displays of designer fashion galleries.
"You shouldn’t spend so much on things that will only make the other students look at me with envy."
"Let them look," Leo replied, his tone relaxed but firm. "I want them to know that the scholarship girl from District 9 has better equipment than their families can buy."
He led her out of the school gates and into the commercial plaza, where high-roller caddies and automated cafes lined the promenade.
They entered a premier tailoring boutique, where optical beams scanned her frame to select three sets of academy uniforms.
The fine weave was resistant to tears and foul weather, tailored to fit her petite frame with crisp elegance.
The tailors added a thick thermal coat, two pairs of walking shoes, and an advanced research datapad to the order.
"That will be four thousand two hundred credits, sir," the clerk said, checking his card with brief hesitation.
Leo tapped his payment card against the counter, and the machine flashed a green confirmation light.
[ Personal Transaction: -4,200 Credits ]
He guided her next to the electronics emporium, purchasing an encrypted neural-sync memory crystal to expand her terminal’s processing power.
"This crystal will let you render complex organic molecular simulations in seconds," he said, inserting the module into her data slot.
They stopped at a gourmet market, loading a portable thermal cooler with crisp fruit, organic dairy, and nutrient-dense protein packs.
Leo added two boxes of sweet almond pastries, watching her face brighten as she held the box with care.
[ Personal Transaction: -3,800 Credits ]
[ Financial Ledger Reconciled ]
[ Total Deductions: -8,000 Credits ]
[ Current Liquid Wealth: 171,500 Credits ]
"Four thousand credits for clothes, and another four thousand for research gear and groceries," Tessa muttered in disbelief as they walked.
"Leo, please tell me you aren’t involved in anything dangerous."
"It’s a genuine, safe security contract for independent corporate clients," Leo lied smoothly, ruffling her hair.
"My job is simply solving high-priority problems, so focus on your books and let me handle the rest."
They walked back through the gates toward the eastern quadrangle where the scholarship dormitories stood.
Several wealthy students who had previously mocked her frayed clothes stopped in their tracks, watching in silence.
They stared at her premium cases, her tailored terminal, and the tall, sharp-jawed brother walking by her side.
Leo carried the boxes up the stairs to her third-floor room, setting the updated datapad on her study desk.
He stocked the refrigerator with the chilled groceries before checking the window latches and the door deadbolt to ensure her safety.
Tessa unpacked her formula binders, showing him her drafted research on cellular ether regeneration.
"I want to create affordable healing serums for the slum clinics," she explained with silent resolve.
"People shouldn’t suffer just because corporate hospitals charge thousands of credits for basic medicine."
"You are going to change this whole city, kiddo," Leo said, pride shining in his chest.
She tried on her tailored blazer, turning in front of the mirror with a radiant smile.
"It fits perfectly," she beamed, smoothing the yellow embroidery along her lapels.
"It suits you," Leo smiled, leaning his back against the doorframe.
Before he could say more, three firm, deliberate knocks rattled the front door of the room.
Leo opened the door to find a proctor in a shadowy formal uniform, flanked by two automated security droids.
"Student Tessa Marsh and her visitor are summoned to the central administration hall immediately," the proctor announced coldly.
"Board Director Marcus Gruber and Headmaster Sterling are waiting to address the assault on Julian."
Tessa’s smile vanished, her face turning pale as she stepped behind Leo’s shoulder.
"They are going to expel me anyway," she whispered, her fingers clutching his dark sleeve.
"Julian’s father brought his private corporate lawyers," the proctor added with a smug sneer.
"Assaulting a board member’s heir on campus grounds carries criminal detention."
Leo stepped past the threshold, placing himself squarely between the proctor and his sister.
"Nobody is expelling anyone, and nobody is going to prison," Leo said, his voice flat and dangerous.
"Lead the way to the boardroom."
The proctor flinched beneath his gaze, turning down the hallway with stiff, hurried steps.
Leo glanced back, giving his sister’s hand a gentle, steadying squeeze.
"Keep your chin up, Tessa," he whispered.
"I will handle the headmaster and the director."
They followed the proctor down the grand corridor, passing under the vaulted arches toward the executive boardroom where their future would be decided.