Biggest Fans

Noble smiled at her proposal. She would be foolish not to use her fame to make her classes easier and more efficient. There was only a little time she had left before the solstice, and she needed to connect with her students and impart her knowledge quickly. This solution did both.

"Yes, you in the back! Come on down." 

"Akuma, Ma'am," the tall, muscular young man replied as he was motioned forward. 

The volunteer turned out to have a pair of [Six-League Boots] that allowed him to walk great distances with a single step. Thankfully, Noble was able to stop Akuma before he could demonstrate and possibly make a hole in the wall or hurt herself.

"This is one of the few times I advise trying this somewhere outside of my chamber. I might be able to find a safe location after class."

Akuma nodded, dismissed the Memory, and returned to his seat.

"You know just about everything!" Lorne gushed. "Are you taking on research assistants at this time?"

The professor studied the man's face. Something about the stilted way he spoke bothered her. His slouch also felt like he was trying to mask his height.

Noble shook her head. "I am not looking for an assistant at this time. And even if I were, Sleepers should be focused on the upcoming solstice first and foremost."

"Of course," Lorne looked away. "The solstice. But after that…"

"We can have this discussion after the winter solstice." Noble cut him off. "Now, where were we?"

Noble went on to explain her philosophy for how to handle Memories and that practice makes perfect. She even managed to diffuse yet another incendiary Memory in her blast chamber.

'It never fails. The ones Sleepers cannot figure out always blow up.' Noble laughed internally.

"Please come back and practice before December," she told the student seriously. "That little bomb might save your life if you can use it effectively."

Noble turned back to the room and frowned. Was it her imagination or had Lorne moved forward a couple of rows and displaced another student? Could he not hear well enough where he was?

Noble raised her voice. "The same goes for all of you. Know your Memories inside and out. They are just tools for survival and are only as good as the one who is wielding them. Cunning will save you more often than brute strength. So exercise the mind and the body regularly."

Things went surprisingly smoothly for the professor's first lecture back. It helped that everyone wanted to be there.

Noble was in her element, and the students were eager to absorb her wisdom.

Time passed quickly. Lunchtime came.

Noble expected at least some of the students to answer the call of hunger. They weren't required to be there at all, so it was reasonable to assume they would leave when they were bored. 

Yet no one moved.

Only Bee Two returned silently to recharge in the special alcove. Noble wasn't sure how long it had been since the android had a rest. 

Bee Two's power could last for days, but the battery was not unlimited. Yet even that movement at the front of the room did not deter any of the human listeners.

It was strange and humbling to have so many young people's undivided attention. So the professor tried very hard not to disappoint.

In between her mini-lessons, Noble fielded questions about Queen Bee. Some of them had to do with her time in the Dreamscape.

Others had to do with her heroic escapades defending the Nightmare Gate.

Noble quickly learned who she could and could not trust to ask thoughtful questions based on their emotions when she looked their way. Some people were just weird.

It was one thing to ask for an autograph after class and quite another to request other souvenirs.

Fortunately, those questions were few.

"What was the hardest part of being in the second Nightmare?" A student with eyes like emeralds asked most recently.

"Hard? It was all hard." The professor felt her eyes swirl.

But there was no need to freeze them in their usual blue hue. Everyone knew who she was now, and the turmoil in her eyes reflected the feeling in her soul. These teens needed to see her sincerity.

"I didn't choose to conquer the second Nightmare. It was never something I sought, just like most of you didn't seek out infection by the Nightmare Spell."

Noble laughed dryly and continued.

"But you asked what was the hardest part? That is easy to answer. For you see, when you enter a Nightmare, you leave your family, everyone, and everything that you love behind. I had no warning when I fell into that gate. No mental preparation or training. No tired feeling to let me know to expect the worst."

Noble smiled faintly.

"So, the hardest part was the suddenness of it all. I was not ready. The moment came like a thief in the night."

The professor paused to collect her thoughts. The room was deathly silent. When she spoke again, it was barely a whisper.

"Some of you may choose to enter the seed of a Second Nightmare, and all of you will be forced into the wilds of the Dream Realm on the solstice. My advice to you is: do not end up like me. Be vigilant. Be ready. Be prepared."

Applause rose as Lorne stood from his desk—how had he made it to the front row? And when had he taken over Bee Two's seat? The man acted like he had never been anywhere else. 

"We bow to your superior knowledge, oh Queen of Bees."

Lorne stepped off of the final step and came forward and addressed the room.

"You should all listen to this woman. I have been following her for years. Why, the last time I was this close…"

"We have met before?" Noble furrowed her brow.

"As if you could forget meeting me," Lorne laughed.

"Um, Professor?" Talitha called out from somewhere in the crowd. "I don't think that man is a Sleeper…"

Focusing on the man's presence, Noble had to agree. He was too strong to be a sleeper and had good control over his essence. 

He was already an Awakened.

While Awakened were welcome to continue their education at the Academy, most did so in separate seminars.

"You are Awakened Lorne…" Noble tried to turn the name over in her mind.

"I knew it! You do remember me! I know I changed my hair, but I knew you'd never forget my winning smile…"

Noble's eyes opened wider, but her face remained neutral. Her voice when it spoke again was firm. 

"Class is over until tomorrow. Everyone go have lunch with my blessing. If anyone tries to say the cafeteria is closing, tell them Queen Bee sent you."

There was some grumbling in the room. Many of the Sleepers were reluctant to leave.

It took a sharp look and a small emotional jolt to get people moving. Slowly, the classroom emptied.

Talitha paused at the door. She held her bag tightly in her hand as she gave Noble a concerned look. "Professor?"

The older woman held up her hand.

"Later, Sleeper Talitha. We will talk soon, but not now. If you see Awakened Rock, please let him know I have someone special I would like for him to meet."

Talitha nodded. "Yes, Professor."

The young lady hurried out of the room and allowed the door to shut.

The professor and her guest were alone.

Noble strode casually toward her desk but did not take her eyes off Lorne. He smiled brightly at her.

"I'm glad that you remember me!"

Noble nodded slowly. "Of course I do. You're my biggest fan."