Next morning Hayate called up Nanoha. "Morning."

Nanoha was already up and alert. "Good morning, how are you Hayate?",

Hayate smiled. "Much better, thank you."

"So how can I help?"

"You and Fate will continue training Rin and Sakura, for a few more days, until I get the place I want. That, and Fabia would never forgive us if we left her behind. Shamal says she still wants her to rest for a few more days."

"Of course. Won't be a problem. So Sakura is joining in? Her device deemed her ready?"

Hayate started to laugh. "Yes. This morning, in fact."

Nanoha raised an eyebrow. "Did she do a number on Verossa?"

Hayate laughed even harder. "He called in a sick day."

"No! He didn't!"

"Oh yes he did. Seems he badly needs a rest." Hayate laughed gleefully. "I'll tell you plain. She was glowing this morning."

Nanoha gave an awkward chuckle. "If you say so."

Hayate snickered. "I'll tell her to be ready for exercises."

"Very well, anything else?"

Hayate's tone beacme serious. "Don't do anything rash. Rin and Sakura are under orders from me to also keep you under supervision."

Nanoha frowned. "Sorry for the trouble."

"You're never trouble Nanoha. Well, unless you get into trouble, that is. But when you try taking too much on, it makes us all sad."

"That's a bit unfair, but I understand."

"Good. Take care."

Nanoha and Fate began to get ready to go to the training area. Nanoha spoke with Artoria and Joan. "You two are opponents of far too high a caliber for either Rin or Sakura. You can practice against each other for now."

"Letting us go all out is a bad idea." Artoria replied with some apprehension.

"I'm not saying that, nor would I give anyone permission to do as such. But if you wish to make sure your skills are still sharp, then be my guest."

"Ah, I understand. Joan and I will keep guard over you, if that is not too much of a bother."

Nanoha sighed. "No, at this point it's not. But if you're coming, I'll have Fate take Nove and the children as well. They can have a few more days off school, even if I don't like it."

Fate smiled. "Thank you."

Vivio and Einhart were very happy to go with Nove's and Vivio's moms to the training area. "Yay! We get to spend the day with mom!" Vivio cheered.

Nove herself was affected by their enthusiasm. "If I can, I'd like to help out with the training. It doesn't suit me to just sit and watch."

Nanoha smiled. "Now that is an excellent idea. Let's go everyone."

A very happy Sakura and grimacing Rin awaited Nanoha at the training area.

"Good morning you two, I trust both of you are ready for today."

The sisters responded in unison. "Yes ma'am."

"Very well. Today I'll have Nove be your opponent. Nove, I trust you can asses their abilities."

Nove grinned. "Best be ready you two."

Equipping their battle jackets, the sisters flew into the arena.

Nanoha set up the environment. "Right, semi open field with heavy forest in places. The exercise ends when one party is exhausted or cannot fight on. Begin!"

Nove didn't hesitate and charged right at Rin and Sakura. She was fast enough that neither had time to set up a shield and could only jump to the side to avoid the attack. Rin turned around to get ready but Nove had already gone after Sakura. A heater shield formed from deep red magical energy, but Nove broke through it. The lavender-haired girl managed to throw herself back, yet Nove pressed forward and lunged at her. Rin, recovering, created a sphere and threw it against Nove as she moved. The combat cyborg avoided it deftly without interrupting her attack on Sakura.

Sakura had no time to do anything else and took a direct kick from Nove that threw her well outside the training field.

"Sakura is out, please stand down till the exercise ends."

Sakura made a frustrated grimace. "Damn it all!"

Rin had no time to adjust as Nove turned on her in a heartbeat, flying around the shield Rin created to deliver a strong kick to her torso. Rin flew back, all the way out of the training field.

"And that's the end."

Both Rin and Sakura growled a bit, more out of embarrassment than anything else. A now much gentle Nove spoke warmly. "Sorry I knocked you out so fast, but a real enemy won't hesitate."

Rin dusted herself with a sigh. "It's alright. Thanks for not going easy on us."

Sakura nodded. "It's perfectly alright. We learn from failure."

Nanoha flew down. "Speaking of which, mind explaining to them why they lost?"

"Not at all." Nove said. "You guys are slow. Terribly so. Your defense is good, but you move so slowly it gives me time to do whatever I want. You have to learn how to start up quick and be ready for anything. I think Nanoha made the right choice asking me to help. I'll make sure you learn what you need."

Rin and Sakura bowed. "Thank you for your tutelage."

Nove blushed slightly. "This is even more awkward than with the kids." She muttered.

Nanoha, on the other hand, was pleased. "I want you to join us and be their opponent from now on."

"Will do."

Sakura and Rin smiled with some apprehension.

"We'll need a proper long range mage as an opponent as well. I'll gladly fill in that spot."

The two looked even more apprehensive, but Nanoha forged on. "As soon as I'm sure you've even got the basics, and that's going to take a while. Today. I'd like both of you to work on raising your defenses as quickly as possible. Train yourselves to create a shield and raise your defenses at the same time, until it becomes a reflex. Starting today. Off you go now."

And so, Rin and Sakura set about practicing for the rest of the day.

Meanwhile, Fate and the children were spectating Artoria and Joan's mock duel.

The two were busy moving from one place to the other, looking for and trying to create an opening in the other. Artoria pressed forward and Joan moved to the side. Since neither was going all out the two had described a number of circles and semicircles all around the training field.

Fate was observing both of them carefully. "They haven't even landed a hit on each other." She noted to herself.

Indeed, neither came withing proper striking distance, even as Artoria kept pressing forward. Each time she dodged, Joan would feign a strike against Artoria, to which Artoria would follow up with a strong counter, which Joan would avoid and then feign another strike. After an hour, Fate spoke up.

"I'm sorry but you should probably stop."

Artoria sighed in agreement. "Correct."

Joan simply smiled. "Fair enough."

Artoria looked at her with discontent. "Why weren't you even trying Joan?"

"Because, your majesty, I'm very sure we'd both hurt each other."

Artoria sighed. "Fine. Have it your way."

Joan went on. "We won't get worse with time."

Fate spoke with a smile. "Then Nanoha's proposal is all the more important."

Both blondes groaned.

Hayate finished her day with a smile. The discussion within the bureau related to the incident had gone off far easier than she had ever expected. Sieg' family had taken responsibility, despite even her protests. Instead they pledged financial efforts to help efforts at containing and mitigating any more dangerous Belkan era relics and inheritances. Coupled with the defeat and purification of their foe, the Bureau had been quite satisfied in the end. The Church of the Saint king had also pledged to join in the efforts. A very productive day indeed.

With the unit properly established and its role defined, the Bureau was more than willing to let them go wherever they wanted as long as they were within easy reach. And that was a given. "Well then, we can have that down time. I have so many ideas going through my head." Hayate cackled.

The kids would have to keep going to school, but the quick transport could deal with that daily. So what would the best place be for the troop to relax? A hot spring would be nice. Close to nature and quiet. Or the seaside. This was a dilemma. Perhaps combining the two would be for the best. "I have to look for a proper place." Nanoha mused.

She wound up talking with Shamal at her office as she finished the last paperwork for the day.

"There's plenty of places with sun tanning areas and hot springs."

"Yeah, but I also want us to relax and have fun."

Shamal laughed nervously. "I'll tone it down then. You have my word."

"Then we'll find a place. I'll look through them and advise for the best. Relaxation and bonding, correct?"

Hayate smiled happily. "Yes."

"The church would also be very happy to help us."

Hayate's smile grew. "Indeed."

Nanoha's group arrived home and had the children bathe with Nove. Nanoha and Fate went to get dinner ready with Artoria and Joan's help. While the couple took care of the food proper, Joan and Artoria focused on the dishes and kitchenware.

Just as the family set out the table Hayate called in. "Hello friends, I have good news."

Nanoha's eyebrow raised. "Oh?"

"I've found the perfect place for us to have fun and relax. It comes highly recommended by the Bureau."

"Lovely, the team can finally relax for a while."

'That includes you."

Nanoha chuckled. "Alright, I get it."

"Don't be too worried though, they have a practice area as well. We can use it as much as want, but I'd like that to be sparingly."

"We have to stay sharp though." Nanoha countered.

"True, but not so sharp we get bent."

"Fair enough." Nanoha relented.

As Hayate turned off the video communicator with Nanoha, a new call came in from Ludwig.

"Miss Yagami?"

"Hello, General. How may I be of service?"

The man looked like he was embarrassed to ask. "Though you've had a long day, I would ask for a moment from you."

Hayate smiled. "Go ahead."

He drew a long breath. "Seeing that young girl like that. The damage done to our people and civilians... I've seen a lot of things, but nothing like this."

Hayate was genuinely surprised. "You surprise me general. But I understand where you're coming from. What can I do for you?"

Having composed himself, the man went on. "Having read your report upon the incident it seems to me that actively maintaining Belkan fighting styles with a history of being used in war leads to the appearance of undead. As such I think it would be wise to curtail those traditions."

Hayate frowned. "I don't think outright banning them would work, General, since many are inherited genetically."

"Of course not. I don't wish to tear the remembrance of ancestors from families. I do however wish them not use them in a way the Bureau has no idea of."

"A registration program then."

Ludwig nodded. "Yes, so we can find out and prevent any such events for all those who descend from Belka."

Hayate frowned "How strict do you propose?"

"If they register with the Bureau and we know of their activity, everything else would be fine. They could use their inherited abilities in much the same way all mages submit to the limiter system."

Hayate sighed. "That seems reasonable, but it may be tricky."

"That is why I ask for your help, Miss Yagami. I know no better person than you to lead this move."

Hayate sighed. "Indeed, I'd have asked for it. However I suspected we will need full support."

"You can rely on us, Miss Yagami. I do not ever want to see such a sight again."

Hayate smiled. "Very well, general. We agree completely."

"Then I shall start the talks right away."

Sitting down at the table for dinner Hayate sighed. "And there you have it everyone."

Sakura, had an uncertain expression on her face. "Will it affect our plans for the trip?"

Shamal clarified. "It'll take months, even with the universal approval this has for the thing to even get properly approved."

"Oh, that's a relief."

Hayate grinned. "Don't worry so much, you'll have your fun."

Sakura smiled meekly as Hayate waved an arm at her. "There is no shame in doing something you enjoy. In fact, I'd like you to get a few more people to do it."

Medusa let out a small chuckle. "If you're talking about the king and the saint, you're asking for trouble."

"Oh hush. Vacations are for trouble making after all."

As dinner wound down, Shamal went up to Sakura and spoke softly. "I know it'll be very hard, but I have been trained in psychological healing as well. When you feel that you're ready, come speak with me."

For a moment, Sakura was completely without words, looked down evasively and then trembled. "I don't want to bother you with that."

"It's no bother at all, Sakura. You need to heal and I am here for you."

Another long moment of silence followed. Sakura spoke softly. "Thank you. I'll come."