After selling their home, Noble had anchored herself to the small dormitory that she kept at the Academy in the NQSC. It wasn't much, but it was a place to refresh in between classes or to rest during her longer stays in the waking world.
Arriving in the familiar space, Noble heaved a deep sigh. Unfortunately, she wasn't alone.
"I knew you would be back today. Where in two worlds have you been?" The metallic voice scared the new Saint out of her skin. She jumped, floating up and hitting her head on the ceiling.
The alloy dented, creating a head-sized divot. Noble rubbed her scalp as she glanced at the damage she had done.
'Whelp, I'll have to get that fixed before anyone sees it…'
Her head didn't hurt nearly as much as she felt it should.
Already the throbbing was subsiding. Her essence was circulating more efficiently. That was a nice feeling. What was not nice was the intruder in her room.
"Bee Two! What are you doing here? This is my room! You are supposed to be in the classroom!"
The android held up an alloy finger in objection.
"And you were only supposed to be gone 'a short while.' It seems like we both are liars."
"Bee Two…"
"Six weeks since your last class. I checked in all the government databases for news of your death!" The android scolded.
"You shouldn't have done that!" Noble felt a small amount of panic.
Inquiries like that could arouse suspicion.
"I cleared my tracks." Bee Two waved dismissively. "Back to your disappearance. Where were you? Why is your hair yellow? Was there some terrible accident that caused that abominable color to appear on your head?!"
Noble's brow knit. "Excuse me?! I'll have you know this is the height of fashion in some parts of the Dream Realm."
"Then I'm glad I cannot go there." The android rolled two eyes upward.
Summoning a Memory, Noble combed her hair. As she did, it returned to its normal auburn hue.
Fort had somehow found a dealer to obtain this Memory. Even in the Dream Realm, he still had connections. Apparently, the combs were being mass-produced by some unknown distributor—likely a smith from Clan Valor looking to make some extra money.
Either way, having one would not make anyone in particular suspicious that she might be hiding anything like her Transcendence. But just in case…
"Bee Two, I need you to erase from your database that you ever saw me with blonde hair. Now."
"Initiating directive…" Bee Two's normal humanoid demeanor stiffened. "Directive complete. Now, where were you?!"
Noble took a deep breath. Now that her stint as Master Bel had come to an end, she would need to stick to the cover she had in place.
"I told you I was going on sabbatical."
"And I upheld that story to anyone who asked. But the data doesn't add up." Bee Two held up many fingers, ready to list all of the points of inaccuracy.
Noble didn't want to argue. She was too tired.
"Fine. I was on a mission for the protection of humanity. It went about as expected, all things considered. I survived, at least. Anything else I tell you might cause your memory to get wiped." Noble waited for the reaction from the android.
Bee Two took a step back. "Wiped?"
Child of Promise nodded. "When it is no longer confidential, I will tell you everything."
"You better." The android flipped back the synthetic hair. "When will you resume classes?"
Noble thought for a moment. "Tomorrow. Post a schedule that includes a class tomorrow afternoon."
"Understood. I will head back to the classroom then." Having gathered the required information, Bee Two prepared to leave. "Welcome back, Professor Noble. Don't leave like that again."
Noble blinked. "No promises, but I'll try."
Who knew what the future held? Certainly not her!
"Oh, a package came while you were gone. I left it by the door." The android pointed to the small table located there.
Noble gave it a passing glance. "Thank you, Bee Two. I will see you tomorrow."
Bee Two left her in peace, and Noble dismissed her armor. Thankfully, the android hadn't commented on it or how dirty she was.
It was time to clean up.
The hot water felt amazing on Noble's skin. She had built up days of grime, sweat, and blood.
Summoning her casual clothes, Noble reluctantly checked her face in the mirror. She was both relieved and disturbed to see her reflection: relieved because the image seemed to be completely mundane, but unnerved because she felt it would come alive at any moment.
She laid the mirror face down on her nightstand. "That's enough of that…"
Noble summoned her bracelets, immediately feeling her aura lessen.
She was still a Master to the world, and so her bracelets would be her constant companion from now on.
'At least they look pretty!'
That was that. There was only one thing left to do.
Heading out of the dormitory, Noble picked up the package that was waiting for her. Looking at the tag, Noble smiled.
"Boss said you might need this. See you soon! -Teddy."
Noble shook her head as she examined the package and the paperwork attached to it.
"That works."
The air outside the building was brisk, but Noble paid the weather no mind. Package in hand, she searched for any faces that she might recognize. Or rather, one in particular.
However, her emotional sense told her that Julius was not on campus at the moment. Child of Promise would have to let her mother know that she was alive and well tomorrow.
'Alright. Time to head home.'
Noble could feel herself connected to the gateway she had helped create in Bastion. That was unfortunate, but not completely unexpected. The gateway wanted someone to claim it, and she was a Saint now.
But Noble didn't want to make a citadel there any more than her companions, so she was forced to make a choice.
She could travel overland from Bastion back to Ravenheart in the Dream Realm or find another Saint to bring her back to either Ravenheart or even Crestfall.
However, that would mean answering uncomfortable questions.
Fortunately, there was an easier way, and as Noble prepared to approach Clan Song's compound, she slowed her pace to hide the urgency in her steps.
She was ushered through the compound to the Dream Gate checkpoint. The guard there looked her over carefully with his keen green eyes.
An invisible cloud surrounded the Awakened man's dark hair, making the area closest to him slightly toxic.
"Name and reason for your visit?"
Noble took a step back to avoid the fumes around him.
"Noble," she smiled. "I'm heading home."
The guard frowned. "You are Awakened, aren't you, ma'am?" He watched the woman nod. "Then why didn't you go through the citadel?"
Noble held up the package in her hand. "Government business. I didn't have a Memory big enough to transport this."
She passed over the document attached to confirm her story.
The man took one look at the paperwork, and his eyes went wide.
"Did you say Noble? As in Professor Noble?"
"I work at the Awakened Academy, yes." Noble smiled shyly.
"You!" He held up his hands. "Talitha told me if I ever ran across you, that I better give you anything you want."
"Tali?" Noble remembered the lovely student who had helped her when a crazed fan had tried to take advantage of her. "You are friends with her?"
"You might say she's like family." The toxic guard chuckled.
"I always did like her. How is she doing?" While she wanted to get through the checkpoint, she also didn't want to miss an opportunity to check up on a former student.
"That spitfire is in Bastion. A regular little dragon! Wait until I tell her I saw you!" The guard handed her the papers.
"Give her my kind wishes." Noble dipped her head.
"I certainly will, Professor. Welcome home!" The guard waved her through.
Noble thanked him, hurrying through the gate a little faster than she intended.
With the package still under her arm, she flew down the streets of Ravenheart amid the flurries of snow.
Her heart pounded as she reached her doorway. Noble knocked lightly before pushing her way into the room, holding out the box proudly.
"Special delivery!"