Like Abyssal Fire, the Dreamer Academy had undergone a change as Ravenheart became more established. Her initial loan, which had cost her dearly, had built the basic compound.
But with the growth of enrollment and the needs of the students becoming more apparent, the school had needed to adapt.
More classes were added. More buildings were constructed. And more instructors were brought from both the Awakened Academy and the residents of the Song Domain.
Noble's program had been so successful, in fact, that the government had opened a school in the Sword Domain using the same principles.
Now, two Dreamer Academies were fully functional in the Dream Realm, with a third being discussed for the waking world. That one would need a few modifications, which is why it was still in discussion. Noble had missed the last couple of meetings due to her time in the Nightmare, but she trusted that the rest of the board would come to the best decision.
One thing hadn't changed at all: the ceremonial gate that each student touched for good luck when they entered the campus grounds.
Noble kissed her fingers and pressed them to the alloy metal. She wished herself and all of her students well.
Inside the campus, classes were already underway.
Neither the fresh snow nor the midmorning hours had deterred the sizable group that had gathered. Some were outside doing combat training in the elements, but Noble could feel the rest were inside the cozy warmth of the Academy's many buildings.
However, before entering, she caught sight of someone who arrested her attention.
The young man was in the nearest courtyard, pummeling his opponent with a quarter staff. The second youth was tall and lean, yet he still collapsed under the assault of the first man's raw power. Hitting the ground, he raised his hands in defeat.
Noble clapped, a small smile forming on her face.
"Director Noble! You've returned!" The Instructor rushed over to greet her.
The victorious youth dropped his staff.
"Mom?" Brock's face reddened. "I can explain."
Noble addressed the boy's opponent. "Brock lowered his guard early on the final assault. If he does it again, don't hesitate to give him a bloody nose. That and a good sweep kick would have given you victory."
She helped the boy off the ground before turning to the victor.
"As for you, if you come home with a bloody nose, I will know what happened. Make sure it doesn't."
The gentle censure brought a smile to Brock's face. "Yes, ma'am. I'll keep that in mind."
Noble nodded at the other students. "Your defense and offense both need to be solid to survive in a fight. Neglecting either one will get you killed."
With that, she turned and headed to the building. Brock hurried after her. "I'm sorry, Mom. I really was going for a run when I ran into Dylan. One thing led to another, and we wanted to have a friendly competition. I won and…"
Noble chuckled. "And then a line formed of people who wanted to challenge you…I think you are forgetting who you are talking to. My Dreamscape days may be behind me, but I remember them well."
Brock was relieved to see the winsome smile on his mother's face. She had been relatively hands-off with his education at the Academy unless he asked, and he wasn't sure if she approved of his choices. But feeling the warmth emanating from her soul to him gave him the confidence he needed to take the next step.
"I'm glad you feel that way. Queen Bee was the best and always will be. No pun intended."
"I wouldn't have minded if it had been." Noble winked.
"Yes, well, uh, I have been meaning to ask," the young man took on a professional tone. "That is to say, Director Noble, will you tutor me?"
Noble pursed her lips.
"I don't tutor one-on-one through the school, and I do not think you can afford my private fees."
"Moooom!" Brock whined.
"Oh? Are you trying to pull your family connections to get special treatment?" Noble raised one eyebrow at him. "In that case…" her face softened, "of course I will tutor you."
Noble had trained Rain, but she had always felt a little awkward about how it had come to pass. After all, the girl hadn't known she was training with Queen Bee at the time.
The boys knew now, though, and Noble was determined to get them the resources that would help them shine, even if that training did not involve her.
So Brock's question brought her more pride and pleasure than she could describe.
"Really?" The teen was unwilling to believe his own ears.
"I would be honored. I may be biased, but out of every student I've had at either Academy, you, Blaze, and Rain are my favorites. I am overjoyed that you want me to help you reach your full potential."
A half smile formed on the boy's face. "Rain took barely one class, and Blaze only comes when I make him, so does that make me your favorite of favorites?"
"Nice try," Noble bumped the boy's shoulder with her own. "When would you like to start?"
Brock thought for a moment. "The sooner, the better. I'm ready when you are."
"Friday, then. I'll meet you here a half hour after sunrise." The floating woman decided.
"I'll be there!" Brock promised.
"Brock! It's my turn to spar with you!" One of the boys called to him from the training field.
Noble's eldest son straightened his back. "One more, Mom, and then I'll
See you at home."
"Mhmm," Noble was all too familiar with the thrill of 'just one more' turning into a dozen more duels in a blink. "Keep your guard up. If you come home with a black eye, don't blame me."
Blaze shrugged. "Then I won't come home with a black eye. See ya, mom."
The boy rushed back to his companions with a wide grin. His mother—one of his heroes—was back, and she had agreed to his request. He felt like he could conquer the world!
But first, he would conquer the competitor who was banking on him being too tired from his last four rounds. Brock cracked knuckles and picked up the quarter staff. "Let's go!"
Noble wished she could stay and watch another match, but that would be unfair. Her presence made the other students nervous, and that would certainly influence the outcome of the fight. So with a sigh, she wished her son well, feeling the strange, deep connection form with him that she had felt earlier in the day.
'I really need to figure out what that does.'
Noble turned toward the closest building and hurried inside. The warm air from one of the many fireplaces made her cheeks turn rosy. She did not stay to bask in the heat.
Classrooms were filled on both sides of the hall as she floated down the corridor.
"This rune is the symbol for danger. If you see it, think twice before crossing any line drawn around it." The instructor from one of the language classes informed her students.
"Drinking water can be obtained by creating a simple apparatus from objects around you. Today, we will assemble a device together." The survivalist teacher in the next class was pulling out a backpack of commonly found implements.
Noble passed class after class, marveling at all the knowledgeable people collected within these walls. Finally, she reached the one she was looking for.
And wouldn't you know it? A very special lesson was going on inside.