With staff finally settled, the Academy seemed to settle a bit also. The outside world was going crazy, but inside the walls of the Academy, things were generally peaceful.
While there were still issues, they were nothing compared to what they had been. Students had taken their vows seriously, and the other measures that Noble had implemented seemed to also be keeping problems at bay.
Most of the changes were minor, but the biggest one was her reorganization of the dorms. Before, legacies were intermixed regardless of clan and allegiance.
Now, they were more carefully grouped by the citadels where their family resided in the Dream Realm. It not only made the students have more in common, but thanks to strengthened security measures, it also alleviated some of the stress and allowed residents to get a good night's sleep.
Noble had some concern that this might make an echo chamber in the dorms about the "other side," but so far the reports she got were positive.
Time would tell if it was a long-term solution, but at least this way any fighting would be out in the open.
Mori had done an excellent job of training the security team to be as unobtrusive as possible but still be a presence.
Noble wondered how many of them would stay when war was officially declared—a question she had in the back of her mind about all of her staff—but for now, she would accept the moment of peace.
Just now, Noble was sitting at the Provost's desk. The requisition before her was for new cleanroom suits for the laboratory.
Noble furrowed her brow.
'I didn't realize I was in charge of that funding and not another branch of the government.'
The same had been true for the archives. Both had stemmed from legitimate needs of the Academy, and since they required little oversight, they had remained nominally under the Provost's purview.
Noble was under no delusion that she had complete control of either agency. Since they both had internal organizations, she was mostly a figurehead. But it seemed even figureheads had to sign requisitions.
'Maybe I should get a stamp with my name to make this faster…'
Really, most things could be digitized and would be over the course of the next couple of months. Until then…
Noble placed her signature on the page and set it in her completed pile. She reached for the next page.
But there wasn't one!
Noble looked to confirm what her hand was already telling her. The never-ending pile of work had done the impossible. It had vanished.
"Const!" Noble called through the open door of her office.
The delightful scent of chocolate filled the room as her personal assistant entered almost before her voice had finished speaking.
"Ma'am?"
"I think you forgot to give me the next pile of paperwork." Noble wasn't about to fault him. He had been extremely busy also.
Const lowered his head with a small smile.
"No, ma'am. I didn't forget. There is nothing else to bring you at the moment."
"You mean…I've finally caught up?" Noble blinked.
"That's right, ma'am."
The new Provost scratched her head. This was uncharted territory.
"Your timing is impeccable, Provost Noble." Const pointed to a clock on the wall. "Your class with your new associate will be starting shortly."
Noble's communicator chimed a second later, alerting her to the same fact.
'And just when I thought I might get a moment of quiet.'
Noble couldn't remember the last time that she had been well and truly idle. Perhaps during the Nightmare when they were traveling? Could being on the lookout constantly for Nightmare Creatures count as relaxing?
Probably not…
Noble rose from her seat. "Thank you. I will be on my way then."
Const stepped out of the way to let her pass.
"Do you plan to return after your course?"
"Unless you contact me with more work, I will head home when I am done." Noble wouldn't shirk her work, but she had a husband and kids who were sorely in need of her attention.
"Have a wonderful evening, Professor." Const nodded, smiling at her meaningfully.
"I do love it when you call me that. And I will!"
Adjusting her bag, Noble bid her personal assistant goodbye. As she passed down the hall, she noticed one of the empty offices was being cleaned. Const had been very busy indeed. Even with so few people in the job market these days, he had found someone to help him get a handle on the administrative tasks.
That was good for everyone involved. Miss Mabel had been a force of nature, and it would take at least a small task force to replace her.
The afternoon sun fell on Noble's face as she exited the building. She tilted up her chin. While the sky wasn't remotely blue due to the haze of pollution, she could still enjoy the warm rays on the cool day.
Her trip between the buildings was all too brief but pleasant.
The students she passed were cordial to her. One even went so far as to ask if she was hosting a seminar today.
"Not exactly. I will be sitting in on one in my classroom with a new teacher. It will be starting in a few minutes!"
Noble smiled at the young woman before heading on. She heard the girl whisper.
"If Provost Noble will be there, it must be worth seeing!"
'Uh oh…' Noble realized her friendly words had caused more of a stir than she intended.
While she wanted Kakuja's first attempt at a seminar to be well-attended, it would be easier for him if the crowd was a more intimate number.
Alas, it was not meant to be. By the time Noble reached the classroom, a large following had gathered behind her.
'I am beginning to wonder if I have a secret attribute that makes me into a mother duck…'
Shaking her head at the silly thought, the Provost made her way into the classroom. The students filed in behind her, finding seats as they were available.
'I need to find a seat too.' Noble was here to observe, but she needed to be close enough to intervene if necessary.
'I'll check in with them first.'
The provost had already noticed the first glaring change to her room.
In the front of the room, a large display was being erected. Kakuja was tinkering with one of the components under the watchful direction of the 'Senior Android.'
"What's all this?" Noble gave the pair a curious glance as she approached.
Kakuja flicked his eyes toward his robotic companion before shaking his head. "It's a surprise. You'll have to see with everyone else."
Bee Two nodded. "It's not your show anymore. Please take your seat. Class will begin shortly."
Noble had been planning to ask if the young man wanted to be introduced, but it seemed not. The provost shrugged.
Finding one of the last available seats on the far side of the front row, Noble hovered over the chair and took out her paper and utensil to take notes. She didn't want to forget anything that might be helpful for her protege.
A moment later, class began.