After sending off her package, Noble shuffled through her paperwork faster than even she imagined. Her Quick Study was more potent, and her Clarity helped her determine what items were worth stopping to examine.
Bee Two had done a splendid job of organizing. The Android had kept up with Noble's professional communications as well, making it seem like she had hardly left at all. The results were almost frightening.
"I'm beginning to think you can do this job better than I can," Noble commented over the top of a page.
"Who me?" Bee Two pointed an alloy finger at itself. "I can process the data, but human interactions are still beyond my grasp."
The professor smirked, remembering what Nezha had told her. "Perhaps only answer the questions asked and don't add commentary. It's harder to offend people that way."
Two synthetic eyebrows came together. "Do I offend you?"
"Often, but I'm used to it. I helped program you, so anything that happens is largely my own fault." Noble shook her head as she clicked her tongue.
"I will only answer your questions then." Bee Two started to walk toward the alcove.
"That's not what I said or meant. You can say things to me. Just be more careful with students and staff." Noble watched Bee Two's eyes flicker.
"Protocol has been rewritten." The android continued walking to the alcove. "I will recharge before class."
Noble nodded, focusing even more on her work. There were only a couple of Memories that would need some follow-up, assuming the students were even still here. If not, Noble was not going to sweat it. Thanks to the additional sketches by Bee Two, the professor had enough information in her readings to make assumptions without laying eyes on the pieces.
Soon it was time for lunch.
Noble stood, glancing at both the blast chamber and the alcove before she departed. The former was fully healed. If Noble hadn't known better, she would have had no idea that the polymer had been shredded just a few hours before.
As for the alcove, it was quieter than a mouse. The most Noble could hear if she listened was the soft hum of electricity.
The familiar sound brought a smile to her face.
'It's good to be back.'
The professor floated on the stairs between the desks with an extra bounce in her movement.
She even found herself humming as she turned to lock her door. Some people hated work, but Noble found that getting back into her routine was good for her soul.
"Hey, Teach!"
The words startled Noble, and she spun around, bumping a young man onto his rear as she turned to face him.
The irreverent greeting was nothing compared to the fact that Noble hadn't sensed the boy at all.
He had no physical presence, no emotional sense. If Noble hadn't accidentally touched him, she would have assumed he was an illusion or even a hallucination.
'Or worse…' Hadn't she just finished encountering a whole race of beings who could mask themselves?
Her heart flew into her throat.
Yet, she remained calm.
Holding out her hand, Noble helped the young man to his feet.
"Excuse me. I did not see you there! I am Professor Noble."
"No, you aren't," the boy smiled at her.
Noble froze. What did he mean by that?
'I swear if he calls me Lady Bel, I will run him through and find a way to explain it later.'
Had an Other somehow followed her out of the Nightmare? Was that even possible?
"You are Queen Bee! I grew up watching your matches." The young man shook her hand excitedly.
"Oh," Noble allowed the sparks in her hand to dissipate. "So I am."
That was a reasonable response. The young man was between her children's ages, and their peers often asked either them or her about her Dreamscape escapades.
Her status at the Academy was common knowledge.
Still…
"What's your name?"
"Me? I'm Ray, Teach."
Noble's eyes swirled softly. "Very well, Ray. Why were you lurking outside my door?"
Noble did not think the meeting had occurred by happenstance.
"Lurking? No, you've got it all wrong. I was coming for y-your class!" Ray defended himself.
"My class isn't for two hours." Noble narrowed her gaze.
"Oh," Ray rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, well…I'm not great with timing."
An idea struck Noble. "Was there perhaps a Memory you wanted me to examine?"
Noble had never seen an Other with a Memory. She wasn't certain, but since they weren't carriers of the Spell, she doubted they could.
"Nothing in particular," Ray took a step back.
'He is hiding something.'
"I see. Well then, you should get something to eat before my class. I am heading to the cafeteria. Walk with me." Noble wasn't ready to let the boy out of her sight.
His presence, or rather, the lack of presence, was unsettling, but letting him loose on the world without more information seemed irresponsible.
Ray's eyes opened a little wider, but he did not object. As Noble moved down the hallway, Ray fell in step beside her. Even his footsteps seemed to lack substance.
"How long have you been at the Academy, Ray?"
Ray held his hands behind his back. "Less than a week."
"How much less?" Noble stared steadily forward, but watched the boy squirm out of the corner of her eye.
"This would be my second day," Ray answered. "I don't suppose you have any advice on what to do around here, or perhaps who to know?"
"Who to know?" The Professor raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sure you come in contact with people worth knowing all the time. Perhaps today even…" Ray glanced away.
The young man opened the door for the professor. The normally creaky hinge was as silent as a tomb.
Noble couldn't take it anymore.
"How are you doing that?!"
"What?" Ray seems genuinely surprised.
"I cannot sense you at all." The professor knew she was tipping her hand, but at the moment, she didn't care. Either the boy would explain himself or he wouldn't, and at least she would have some sort of answer.
"It's my Aspect. I am undetectable." Ray answered.
"All the time?" Noble didn't like the sound of that.
"No." Ray shook his head. Suddenly, she felt his emotions and sensed his presence.
"Stay like that, please." The professor tried to feel any fluctuations in his signature, memorizing it for future reference.
"Sure thing," the young man shrugged. "Now about that advice."
"I have nothing to give you on that front. Nothing…" Noble drew the word out.
The young man frowned. "That is disappointing."
'He didn't react.' Noble noted with some relief. Of course, she hadn't called Ray Nothing. That would have been too obvious, though.
As they neared the cafeteria. Noble sighed. She would have to continue her investigation later or risk spooking the student more than she already had.
"If you are new, you really should come to my class this afternoon like you planned. This morning, I ran into two ladies who are also new. At least one of them plans on attending, so you wouldn't be the only new face." Noble felt Ray's emotions soar at the invitation.
"Really? Thank you. I'll be sure to be on time. Early even!" Ray nodded.
"Not too early," the professor warned. She didn't want to have to worry about him waiting by her classroom when she returned.
The young man thanked her again before departing for the student part of the dining hall. Noble turned away and pulled out her communicator.
She had a few calls to make.