"Anything!" Virt continued in his enthusiasm as the spine of the tome changed size once again.
'Be careful what you offer!' Noble wanted to tell him. However, she was too relieved by the man's generosity to vocalize that advice.
"There's a young woman who has just joined the road crew. She's very capable and motivated. I know she would do a wonderful job. The only issue is that she's mundane."
"Roadwork is dangerous even for Awakened warriors," Virt recalled his last expedition into the wilderness. "Is there no way this girl will think the better of her decision? No one would fault her for backing out even if she has already signed a contract."
"She's determined." Noble shook her head. "Otherwise, I wouldn't bother you. I know it's a lot to ask…"
"You want me to assign her to one of the less perilous crews?" Virt raised an eyebrow at her.
"Her family is concerned for her safety. It would mean a lot." The professor held her breath.
"There is no safe region on the Dream Realm, especially in the wilderness," Virt tapped his chin. "But some directions carry a higher casualty rate than others. If she just signed up, I can assign her to a crew that leaves the day after tomorrow. I know the foreman. He will look after all members of his crew and not take unnecessary risks. It's the safest option I can offer. But I guarantee that nothing will happen to the young lady without the foreman putting his life on the line to prevent it."
Noble nodded slowly. From his records, Fort had already found out about the crew going out in a couple of days. While he didn't know the foreman personally, he had heard good things.
All things considered, this was the best possible outcome.
"Her family will be very grateful to hear that. Thank you."
Virt smiled at her expectantly. "There's only one thing I need."
"What's that?" Noble furrowed her brow.
"Her name? I can't exactly assign someone when I don't know who they are." The man chuckled.
"Oh, of course!" Noble had intentionally held back the name in case her request was denied. But now there was no reason. "Her name is Rani. R-A-N-I."
"Rani?" Bee Two tilted the alloy head. "That sounds a lot like…"
Noble leaned back on her desk, pressing the button on the edge as she did so. The android suddenly went slack, heading to the alcove without a word.
"Huh," Noble pursed her lips, "I guess it's time for a recharge!"
Virt shrugged and opened his book to a blank page. "Rani? Rani…"
The letters appeared on the page with a note about the foreman. Noble was relieved to see that his name matched the one that Fort had given her.
"I'll get this taken care of later today. Assuming she hasn't left with another crew, it shouldn't be a problem." Virt nodded.
It was always possible that Sunny had smuggled Rain into an existing crew. Noble had no idea what kind of resources the shadowy Saint had. However, the professor doubted it. Few things were as suspicious as a mundane girl showing up in the wilderness unaccompanied.
The best way to do things without being suspected was to transport Rain to the recruitment office and then hide her away until the group left. No one would be looking for Rain among people leaving Ravenheart.
So Noble was confident that Fort's plan to help their daughter would succeed.
"Would you like to get updates on this Rani person?" Virt asked, surprising Noble.
She thought for a moment. "I will not request that of you. But if something comes across your desk, I wouldn't mind hearing about it."
Virt chewed his lip for a second before deciding against making an additional note. He shut the journal, examining it a final time with a contented sigh.
"Perfect."
The leather-bound book disappeared in a rain of sparks.
"Is there anything else I can help you with?" Noble really did enjoy people with Memories. There were few things more satisfying than solving a Memory puzzle.
Virt glanced toward the alcove. "I thought your assistant just went to charge?"
"Oh, uh, that's true," the professor rubbed the back of her neck, "but I can do analysis by other means."
"Not just now, thank you. I should return to the Dream Realm. But I will be sure to come another time if I have additional questions now that I know how valuable your help can be!" The man picked up his coat from one of the desks and draped it across his shoulders.
"I am glad I could be of service." Noble walked her guest to the door. "Reach out any time with your inquiries!"
As Virt left her classroom, Noble performed a final emotional sweep. No one was in the hall or in the classroom on either side. If someone from Song had overheard their conversation, then it was a person like Ray who left no trace.
'That's highly unlikely.' Noble relaxed slightly.
That was, until a voice echoed from behind her.
"This is all very strange, Professor Noble. One moment I was speaking, and the next I found myself charging in my alcove. Would you know anything about how that occurred?"
"I leaned on the button here at the edge of the desk. I'll be more mindful going forward," Noble pointed to the spot in question.
"You wouldn't have been trying to prevent me from pointing out that Rani has the same letters as your daughter's name, Rain, would you?" Bee Two placed alloy hands on hips.
"It does have the same letters. How curious! What are the odds of that?" Noble scratched her head.
"One in three point six billion." Bee Two answered without hesitation.
Noble nodded. "Quite a miraculous event!"
"I don't believe in miracles," Bee Two's hair flipped from side to side.
"Well, that makes one of us." The professor shrugged. "Each day I am alive is a miracle, and I won't take it for granted."
"But the odds…"
"Are worth beating sometimes." Noble nodded. "Anyway, we should probably prepare for class. I've noticed this new crop of students is ready and excited to learn. It promises to be a great day. First, we should..."
As Noble prattled on to redirect her android, her mind was with the man who was heading toward his sleeping pod. He had meant it when he said he would take care of Rain's placement.
Noble and Fort had done what they could to both hide their daughter and keep her out of too much trouble.
The rest was up to Rain.
Noble sighed internally, thinking of her lovely daughter covered in grime as she braved the wilds of the Song Domain while completing backbreaking manual labor. Noble knew she would not have been able to cut it if she were mundane. But Rain?
The young woman was more tenacious than most legacies. The fact that she was still trying to awaken naturally after so many years was proof of that.
Now she would face a new trial—road building. While Noble wasn't sure of the actual numbers, she knew the mortality rate was uncomfortably high.
Noble wished her daughter well.
'Beat the odds, Rainy. I know you can…'