Noble was startled by Rock's interruption, but she managed not to let it show on her face.
She smiled at the princesses. "Come with me; I will introduce you."
The three sleepers filed behind her as Noble floated from the stands and across the length of the arena. Below her feet, the floor was still mending. Mick's Aspect and weapon had done considerable damage.
"Instructor Rock, may I introduce new students Dreamer Yuma and Dreamer Lumi. And you have met Dreamer Mei." Noble watched as Rock regarded the ladies kindly.
"Welcome to the Academy. That was quite a show, Dreamer Mei." Rock stroked his chin. "You have excellent control of your Aspect."
"Thank you for the compliment, teacher." Mei bowed.
"I hope we can find a way to challenge you while you are here with us." The battle master nodded. "I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. That goes for all of you."
"Any question? My old tutors didn't want me asking questions at all." Lumi's big eyes looked up at the stalwart warrior.
He smiled at her. "How about any question within reason? That seems like a good middle ground."
"It's a deal. Thank you!" Lumi grabbed Rock's hand and tried to shake it. He caught on a moment later and allowed his muscles to move.
"We thank you for your generosity. We will try not to be a burden to you or anyone else at the Academy." Yuma folded her hands
"I am sure you will do your best to contribute while you are here. It was nice to meet you." Rock turned his attention to Noble. "I need to go speak with you before you go."
The professor nodded. "If you ladies will excuse me for a moment. I'll join you again shortly."
"We will wait just outside." Yuma turned, and her sisters fell into step beside her.
With their departure, the arena was empty, yet Rock still waited before speaking.
"Is anyone close enough to hear?" He asked.
Noble felt for the emotions of those closest to them. "Unless they have super hearing, no."
"Good," Rock shifted his weight uncomfortably. "I heard the promise you were about to make to those girls. You were about to offer to train them personally, weren't you?"
"I think Mei is an adept fighter, and I don't mind helping her excel at her craft." Noble nodded.
"You want my advice?" Rock paused. "Be careful."
"Is that supposed to be some sort of pun because I'm Queen Bee?" Noble furrowed her brow.
"No. It's a genuine concern. Those sisters are Princesses of Song, aren't they?" Rick inclined his head toward the door.
"How did you…"
The instructor allowed a small smile. "I've been around long enough to know a royal when I see one. They all frequent the combat arena, though usually not this early in the year."
There was a question hidden in Rock's statement, but he did not go so far as to ask it. He continued.
"We have both seen how things are quickly changing. You will need to appear unbiased no matter what comes."
"Every staff member should treat all students with dignity, no matter who they are." Noble wasn't exactly sure of his point. "If you are insinuating I only offered because of Mei's status, that simply isn't true."
"I know that you value each Sleeper who crosses your path. Make sure others know this about you also." Rock's words sounded strangely stilted.
Noble's concern only deepened. "Is this advice that you would give to any staff member, or is it particularly for me?"
"Both."
The answer did nothing to ease Noble's conscience.
"What do you know that I don't?"
"Plenty," the instructor raised an eyebrow. "But I think it's more important what Valor knows. If I have heard that you are the hero who foiled Keth's plot to kill a legacy of Song, they have as well."
Noble was already aware that Morgan of Valor knew of her association with the incident. Anyone else short of Lord Anvil paled in comparison.
But Noble could see his point. The professor lived in Ravenheart. She had helped Tamar and saved her life. If Noble were particularly interested in the princesses' training, it would be easy for people to draw unnecessary conclusions. Noble would be accused of favoritism for doing her job well.
'Oh, the irony…'
When it came to raw power, Noble had done much more for the cause of Valor than Song. She had personally helped the King of Swords gain two new Saints, and unlike any of the Saints of Song, she considered them both to be friends.
This was not something the professor would ever be able to publicize, of course. Everything else being equal, Noble was rightfully wary of Roan's wife, Saint Tyris.
So, her secret connections to Valor would remain hidden both for her protection and the protection of her family.
Rock's warning gave Noble food for thought. There were no children of the King left to awaken, and no legacies from the clan as a whole were at the Academy presently. Unless they were planning to send their youth early this year, as the Queen had, equal treatment was impossible because there was no one from the Sword Domain to treat in any way at all.
So, in order not to cause herself any unnecessary accusations of favoritism or bias, Noble would have to be mindful of how close she got to Yuma, Mei, and Lumi.
Noble's heart sank a little. 'I don't like political games…'
She found herself wishing once again that everyone could just get along—or at the very least stop dragging other people into what appeared to be personal squabbles.
At least Rock had her best interests in mind. He had seen the problem forming and gently made her aware before she had gotten in too deep.
These girls did not need her to protect or nurture them. They had plenty of private resources and tutors to help them in ways she never could.
So although she hated not being able to put her best effort into this, Noble didn't think the princesses would suffer by not receiving the professor's personalized attention.
"Message received." Noble nodded.
Rock frowned. "I know it isn't ideal, and if it were me, I wouldn't care…"
"But you have my best interest at heart, and you know I have a lot to lose." Noble finished his thought.
"Just so." The battlemaster was relieved that his advice was not taken the wrong way.
Noble patted his arm gently. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet." Rock smiled. "It's possible I got you out of the frying pan only to throw you into the fire."
"What do you mean?" The professor felt a bit of panic in her stomach for the second time since their conversation began. What was going on?!
"You'll see." Rick squeezed the woman's hand. "Just remember to keep your head on straight when the time comes."
"Comes for what?!" Noble lifted slightly off the ground as her voice went shrill.
Unfortunately, she would not get an answer, at least not now.
For at that moment, Noble sensed an emotional spike outside the building.
Trouble had been brewing…and now it was beginning to boil over.