Noble didn't wait.
The deformed polymer of the barrier surged forward under her command and wrapped around the final rabbit.
The bunny released its charge. The polymer warped, ready to burst.
Before it could, the barrier became heavy and closed in on the tiny creature.
It stopped flexing, reflecting the explosion on the creature that had detonated. The rabbit would have hissed his disapproval, if he had any mouth, once the blast was complete.
[You have slain a Dormant Monster, Fusewhisker.]
Noble didn't have time to mull over the odd name. There were fifteen other sedated bunnies waiting to be dealt with.
"What do you want to do with them?"
Yoa picked up the rabbit he had subdued and waved to Noble. "Follow me."
Yoa placed the creature he was holding into an alloy cage and hurried into the hall.
Noble chased after him, her unconscious cargo floating behind her down the corridor. Spade took up the rear, waving off anyone who might have questions about the strange parade.
They paused only briefly as Yoa entered a code on the keypad two doors down. This room was almost intolerably cold and held more alloy cages like the one in Yoa's hand. Setting his cargo down, he opened the other containers as droplets poured down his face.
"Any cage will work!"
Noble obliged, tossing each bunny into its own space. With another set of commands, the doors shut and locked.
Yoa heaved a sigh of relief.
"These will keep them calm."
Noble wished she could say the same about herself. "You thought exploding, acid-spewing bunnies were a good analog for humans?"
"That wasn't just acid, it was flammable acid…" Spade corrected her.
"That doesn't make it better!" Noble pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath.
"Their digestive system is markedly similar to ours," Yoa explained, "and their powers are only usable in a group setting. That is why we only used one as a test subject."
"Until it wasn't one anymore," Noble looked at the sleeping bunnies. They looked deceptively cute when they were unconscious.
'Don't feel bad for the demon bunnies!' She reminded herself.
"Will they try to blow up this area when they wake?"
Yoa shook his head, sending his hair undulating side to side like waves of the ocean.
"Those cages should cut them off from each other. And we won't be feeding them anymore. The worst is over."
"That's good." Noble felt a bit of relief.
The researcher checked on the status of the monsters. He wiped his brow and smiled.
"All in all, that was an interesting development. While it wasn't the desired outcome, that could have been much worse." Yoa slid his goggles back into his hair.
"W-worse? Are you saying worse things happen here often?" Noble felt the men's amusement.
Spade chuckled lightly. "You should have seen what happened last time I brought him one of those little buggers. That incident is why I have that special bag now."
'I…have no words.'
All this time, crazy things had been going on below the Academy, and no one had been the wiser. Now, Noble would have to wonder if a pack of Fusewhiskers was going to flood the campus at any given moment.
That was a harrowing thought. 'Ignorance really is bliss.'
"Don't get us wrong, we are glad you are here. We certainly would have had more than one creature casualty on our own." Yoa smiled at his good fortune. "Feel free to visit any time."
"Thank you." Noble knew that this visit would be unlikely to be repeated. She much preferred research on inanimate objects instead of biology. "Will you be able to get the data you seek?"
"I already am. Those containment units are monitoring the vitals of our furry friends. After you leave, I'll get a blood sample, and then I will have a better idea of what went wrong. My guess is that my combination of that red fast-growing plant from the Dream Realm and our plant life was off a bit." Yoa mused more to himself than anyone else.
Spade's eyes opened wider. "You don't expect me to get more of that red stuff, do you? I nearly lost my life the first time!"
Yoa didn't immediately answer. "I think we should be fine for now. I still have a little left to try again. Thank you both."
"The Academy will be getting my bill, don't worry," Spade winked. "Let me know the next assignment soon. I'll check my communicator in a couple of days."
"Will do," Yoa waved as his colleague took his leave. "What about you, Professor. Will you be sending a bill as well?"
Noble knew he was kidding, but her mind returned to the warped polymer wall in the damaged lab.
"No bill, but do you recall my request?"
Yoa smiled as recognition dawned on his face. "I do. And yes, you are welcome to it."
A short time later, Noble was very happy to get a lungful of crisp, wintry air. Being below ground was unpleasant, and she was relieved to have the cloudy sky overhead once more.
Prying apart the polymer was not as easy as when Noble compressed it. Even lessening the weight of it had done little to ease the damage that was done. But in the end, Noble succeeded in her quest and got her prize.
She cradled the shiny object in her hand.
'Yoa might need lab renovations, but at least I got what I came for.'
Blaze would be very happy to get his hands on the soul shard, and Fort would be very happy with the price tag.
'And I am very happy not to have to do that ever again.'
While not the most dangerous thing Noble had ever done, the adrenaline had certainly been pumping along with her essence. Now the chemicals were draining off, leaving Noble feeling drained as well.
The day was nearly over. Noble would be able to head home to her comfortable spot by the fire and curl up with a good book. Ren had recommended a short story from the library about a traditional Valentine's Day, and Noble was anxious to learn about its ancient traditions.
Summoning her little box Memory, Noble was barely able to stuff her two treasures inside. Now that she was a Saint, she could carry them without it, but Noble was reluctant to let anyone notice the change.
Noble so rigidly adhered to her routine and habits that sometimes she even forgot she was a Saint. Perhaps it was better that way. It was hard to slip up and admit something when she herself didn't remember.
Someday, the world would know she was a Saint, and she would be free to be herself. That day was not today. Noble sighed.
'Now I just need to drop by my room to check on Bee Two, return my bag to my living quarters, and then I can...'
Noble felt the emotional spike before she saw the frantic young Sleeper running across the campus. Seeing the professor, the girl veered off course, heading directly for the floating teacher.
Child of Promise furrowed her brow. "What is it?"
"Professor Noble! He's at it again. You have to hurry!"