Noble's communicator was already buzzing when she arrived in her dormitory. She groaned.
'Please don't be anything important…'
She picked up the device and glanced briefly at the notifications.
[VIP arrival.]
[VIP arrival!]
[VIP arrival!!!]
"Sheesh, you don't have to scream…" Noble wondered who in two worlds would have garnered not one but three notifications. They had been sent in the span of a minute. Didn't they know anything about patience?
Not even Tamar, who was the daughter of a Saint, had gotten that kind of treatment.
Noble felt a bit of pride well up in her.
Someone else could handle it. Normally, she didn't mind welcoming new arrivals, but this demand was too much!
So rather than heed the summons like an Awakened answering service, Noble called on Nectar and continued her morning routine.
Using Nectar's vision, Noble smoothed her hair and rebraided it.
'No, really. Who could make such a fuss?'
Noble's curiosity got the better of her. As she tied off her braid, the floating Saint extended her emotional sense.
"Oh?… Oh!" Noble's eyes opened wide.
She hurried from her room and flew across the campus to the spot designated on her communicator. Not that she needed her device to guide her. As soon as she paid attention to those on campus, the professor knew exactly why she was needed.
Close to the entrance of the Academy, a stunning Saint in red robes was talking to an older gentleman in a grey suit with matching eyes.
The Saint was smiling at her companion, drawing everyone within sight toward her captivating visage. Not even the scar on her cheek could detract from her beauty.
"We are trusting you," she said pleasantly, "and trust is not something my mother gives lightly."
"I assure you, Lady Eunbin, there is nothing to be worried about. We take excellent care of all of our students." The man responded with a dip of his head.
Beastmaster's stern expression softened. "I know. Saint Sorrow spoke highly of your level of protection."
"I appreciate his praise." The man managed to turn his head away from the stunning beauty and view the floating woman's approach. He hid his frown behind a neutral expression. "Ah, there you are, Professor Noble. I was beginning to think I had your schedule incorrect."
Noble could feel his frustration. His words might as well have been, "You're late!"
The professor dipped her head. "I am here now, Provost Alden. How may I be of service?"
The head of the Academy motioned to those with him. "Lady Eunbin has brought very special guests to the Academy. She asked that you might attend them personally."
"Me?" Noble was genuinely surprised. If they wanted someone with prestige from the Academy, there were certainly other Masters who could have attended to the matter.
"Saint Sorrow recommended you," Eunbin explained.
"Ah," Noble had heard Beastmaster mention the Saint only a moment before. Apparently, he had been satisfied with how Noble had handled the situation with Tamar.
'Of course... Does that mean that every Legacy is going to call on me now?' The professor pictured herself having to tend to every young master and mistress who deigned to join the Academy. 'I'm a teacher, not a servant!'
The thoughts, thankfully, stayed inside.
Noble's polite smile remained in place.
"I am happy to be of assistance. Who might these lovely ladies be?"
Eunbin gracefully moved her arm toward the girls with her. Each of them was fresh-faced and barely sixteen, if Noble had to guess. She pointed to each of them in turn.
"This is Lady Lumi."
The petite girl with dark black hair and bright blue eyes bowed.
"This is Lady Mei."
The second young lady with her hair in a tight bun and almond eyes smiled softly.
"And this is Lady Yuma."
The tallest of the three bent her willowy arms in a modified curtsy.
"…Princesses of Song," Eunbin finished with a flourish.
'P-princesses!' Noble had known the girls were important for Beastmaster to have brought them personally, but for some reason, she hadn't thought it was because they were her adopted sisters.
Actually, Noble knew the reason. It was because legacies never joined the Academy this early in the year.
They stayed with their Clans for intensive training and only graced the halls of the school in the late fall to make connections with other Awakened.
Noble had experienced firsthand how highly Clan Valor valued its training over what the academy had to offer. She imagined that Clan Song felt the same.
So why were the princesses here? Perhaps with so many people going to the Dream Realm early, they had become anxious to make those relationships sooner?
That wasn't the only oddity.
Song had never sent more than one of their daughters at a time, and here were three! Noble knew they were ramping up for war, but…
'The princesses who entered on behalf of Silent Stalker!'
The professor had heard the rumor in passing. Only, the rumor had listed many more than just three princesses having taken on the first nightmare in protest to Valor's baseless claim.
Either the number had been exaggerated as the story was told, or some of Ki Song's daughters had not survived their trial.
"Your highnesses. I am honored to make your acquaintance." Noble bowed. "Welcome to the Academy."
"If I am not mistaken, your first Seminar today isn't until early afternoon." Provost Alden tilted his chin.
'He is never mistaken, and he knows it. When did he have time to look at my schedule?!' Noble suddenly wondered if the Master of the Academy had an attribute that gave him access to untold amounts of information. His memory always seemed eidetic.
"I will be honored to show the ladies around so they can become acquainted with our campus." Noble wasn't sure that honored was the right word.
She would do it because it was right and kind, not because she was told.
Alden nodded. "Very good. I will leave you to it, Professor. Lady Eunbin, would you like some tea before you go?" He motioned toward his office.
"One moment." Beastmaster hesitated, sparing one last moment to look at her younger sisters. "Powers like yours are not to be taken lightly. The staff here knows that. They will protect you. Still, be careful and remain on your guard. Make our mother proud."
"We will," the girls answered in unison.
Yuma bowed, and Mei stood solemnly. Only Lumi broke from her regal facade to wrap her elder sister in a hug. Eunbin was surprised by the sudden show of emotion, especially so publicly, but she patted the girl on the back with a faint smile.
"Take care, Lumi."
"You too, Bin." The smallest princess nodded and reluctantly stepped away.
Beastmaster straightened her back, ignoring the adoring looks from the gathering crowd.
"My Lady," Alden offered his arm, and the princess took it.
Eunbin leaned over and whispered in the old gentleman's ear.
"Remember…"
"They will be safe." The provost nodded.
Noble wondered at the exchange. Something had been strange about it, though a Noble couldn't put her finger on what.
She would have to mull it over later.
Just now, she had three sets of eyes staring at her.
And Noble was their welcome party.