Noble had always wanted to try this, and now that she had spoken the words, she was dedicated to seeing it to completion. As she floated up the steps, the professor shot off a quick message on her communicator.
Feeling the confusion around her, Noble sent a jolt of excitement to her befuddled pupils.
"Follow me!"
Coaxed from their seats, the students pushed back their chairs and wandered after their professor like sheep after a shepherd.
A ding of the communicator gave Noble the response she needed. Her course altered as her movement became more determined.
Noble anticipated losing some of her little flock as she came to the open air. Nothing was keeping them in class, after all. They were free to come and go as they pleased. Surely at least a few of them had other places they wanted or needed to be.
However, the ragtag group did not shrink as they traipsed across the campus. Quite the opposite. The class, which was a sizable group, gathered the attention of many in the Academy. The hushed questions of those who sidled up beside their friends did nothing to answer the burning question of what was going on. Curiosity won in the end. The group had nearly doubled in their short trek to the gymnasiums.
Instructor Rock was waiting for them. He stood in the entryway with his arms crossed.
"This is more people than you messaged about."
"I picked up a few stragglers. I hope that is alright." Noble would send the extras away at a word from her colleague.
The corner of Rock's mouth tilted upward as he shrugged.
"It's your class. I'm just here to watch the show."
"You are joining us?" Noble raised one eyebrow at him.
"Try and stop me," Rock chuckled. "I don't want to miss this."
"I would be happy for any assistance you might provide."
With things settled, the two teachers filed inside with the crowd following closely behind them.
Rock led them into the largest battle arena, which Awakened Warriors sometimes used for demonstrations. While not as large as the auditorium where Julius and Lena got married, it was more than equipped to handle anything these Sleepers could throw at it.
The students took their seats on the risers surrounding the center ring.
Out of the corner of her eye, Noble watched Tamar and Fleur find a spot on the third row, a few people apart. They hadn't actively avoided sitting near one another, which Noble took as a positive sign.
What was less positive was the young man who took his place on the row right behind them.
'Perhaps I should have assigned seating.'
Noble couldn't worry too much about that now. She would have to decide whether to warn Tamar or let the girl handle her own affairs later.
Just now, she had a stadium of onlookers to address.
"For those of you just joining us, I am Professor Noble. I teach Memory Analysis and Utilization, and it is that second part that we are here to focus on."
Noble floated in a circle in the center of the ring as she addressed the crowd.
"Whether you have an arsenal of Memories or just a few, you need to know how to use them effectively. But that is only the first step. Next, you have to practice a critical part of survival in the Dream Realm."
Beside her, Rock tilted his head. "Timing?"
"Timing," the professor confirmed. "The best Memory in two worlds is useless if your sense of timing is off. You need to know when to summon them, when to use them, and when the occasion calls for it, dismiss them. And does anyone have a guess of where I perfected that skill?"
A few hands shot up. Noble selected a young lady wearing a purple body suit.
"The Dreamscape?"
"That's right." Noble allowed her eyes to swirl. "I thought about taking us all to the dream pod lab, but didn't want to bother the technician with creating a simulation to fit my exact needs. So we will do a modified version here. Some would say the pain is more motivating when it's real, wouldn't they, Rock?"
The instructor nodded.
"I am one of those people. While you should practice taking risks in the Dreamscape while you are here, nothing beats the hard learned lesson of a bruised cheek or thigh."
"Failure will teach you more than success." Noble held a finger in the air. "However, try not to fail. You'll learn less, but you will stay alive. Today is the exception. We have not had a death of a student during class in the history of the Academy, and I do not plan on breaking that record. For that, I will leave the rules of combat to Instructor Rock."
Rock placed his hands on his hips.
"For this particular combat, I think simpler is best. A match will be based on points. A point for a properly timed attack and a deduction for one that goes amiss. Three points to win. There will be no bonus for follow-ups, so pull the punches. This is practice only."
The professor nodded. "You may summon any Memory at any point, but you may not use your Aspect or an echo. The focus is on the use of your assets, not the strength of your powers or the prowess of an echo, though both are invaluable as well. Rock, will you judge?"
"I will." The instructor took his place at the edge of the ring.
Noble grinned as sparks formed in her hand.
"Now…who wants to face me?" The air was sucked from the room until the professor laughed. "I am kidding, of course."
The Staff of Sages finished manifesting.
"A tap from my staff means you need to separate. Do not ignore my gentle warning."
Selecting the first two participants, Noble moved to the edge of the arena. "You have attracted some attention." Rock pointed to the arena entrance, where a few of Noble's colleagues were gathering.
Noble locked eyes with Nezha, who smiled and shrugged as he joined the rest.
"Who told them?"
Rock did not seem surprised by their presence.
"I imagine your march across the campus grounds turned a few heads. Even Awakened can't resist a little drama now and then."
Noble had no answer to that. The legacy clans were an excellent example of intrigue.
And aside from the odd minor disagreement, people at the Academy were usually on their best behavior. This location was an agreed-upon neutral zone by the entire human world. For years, personal vendettas had to be put aside when entering the campus gates.
The Academy was a place of peace.
So it was no wonder that a small thing like a collective jaunt across the grounds had gathered so much attention. Most people enjoyed some innocent entertainment. The learning opportunity was a bonus.
"You sure about this?" Rock glanced at the petite woman.
Noble shrugged, "There's only one way to find out." She raised her voice. "Combatants, take your positions!"
The girl in purple spread her feet, her armor forming around her. The boy, already clad in a silver suit of plaited armor, tilted up his chin.
The crowd hushed in anticipation.
Noble raised her hand in the air.
"Get set. Aaaand begin!"