Noble could tell something was amiss as soon as she entered her classroom. Bee Two was out of the alcove but did not react to the professor's entrance.
Usually, the android had a pithy remark or an update of some sort. The total lack of a greeting made the professor ill at ease.
Noble set down her bag and waited, but her assistant remained completely still. The only sign of life was the flicker across the Android's eyes.
"Bee Two? Is something wrong with your mechanics? I don't think you are scheduled for maintenance for at least another couple of months."
Perhaps the assistant had a loose wire. Humans could get sick, so maybe Bee Two had the android equivalent.
"Nothing is wrong with me, Professor."
Bee Two's head turned, but the odd flickers continued,
"That's…good." Noble squinted. "What is going on with your eyes?"
"I don't have eyes, Professor. Only sensors. Right now, they are searching for information."
Was it just Noble, or did the Android seem annoyed? Whatever was occupying Bee Two was particularly engrossing.
'Wait, what information have I told Bee Two to collect recently?'
Nothing immediately came to mind.
At that moment, the room began to fill with students. Was it that late already? Noble could see by the clock on the wall that it was.
"Bee Two, stop collecting the data and help me get ready for class." The Professor watched her assistant begin to move.
"I will do both." The android went to work checking the settings of the polymer chamber in the corner of the room.
Noble did not feel like arguing. She had many things she needed to do, but the most pressing was to prepare for the seminar that she was about to host. It was good that she had eaten a bit with the princesses earlier that day, or she would be lamenting missing the delicious food that the cafeteria offered for lunch.
Noble's favorite food was the delicious kind that she didn't have to make. Ah, well, she would have to catch a snack after class. Food was mostly optional once a person reached Sainthood, but the professor never liked missing a meal.
'Later,' Noble pushed aside other thoughts to focus on the task at hand. She had planned to give her usual introductory lesson to Memories today, but there were too many familiar faces entering through the door for that not to be redundant.
In fact, there were many more students than Noble would normally expect for this time of year. The seats were quickly filling. Were there simply no other classes going on just now?
No, it was more than that. The excitement in the room was nearly electric.
'Memories are amazing, but I don't usually have so many who are so passionate.'
Something was going on.
The whispers did nothing to ease the professor's mind.
"Her eyes look pretty blue to me. Did someone add the swirling effect?"
"Of course not! Have you seen any of her old duels as Queen Bee? She can turn those colors on and off."
'Old!' Noble got stuck on the word. 'Wait, why are they talking about my eyes at all?'
Noble glanced up from the papers that she was organizing, but the students averted their gaze and went silent.
That did not stop any of the others from gossiping.
"I wish I had levitation powers. Being able to make things dull or shiny is a lame power by comparison."
"What would you levitate?"
"Anything I want! I'd never have to do chores again!"
Noble frowned. She had telekinesis, but they hadn't mentioned her. Was it a coincidence?
'Unlikely.'
Noble felt the heat of all eyes on her, but whenever she looked up from her pre-class routine, the students conveniently found other things to occupy their attention. Even the students she had met since the solstice were not quick to greet her.
'I'd better start class. I'm getting very paranoid.'
"Everyone, please take your seats. I'm ready to begin."
The Sleepers sometimes dawdled when selecting a chair, but today the compliance was nearly instantaneous. Noble nodded.
"Good afternoon. I am Professor Noble. For those of you who don't know, I teach Memory Utilization and Optimization. Whether you have one Dormant Memory or a hundred Divine ones matters little if you don't know how to use them. But you already know that, or you wouldn't be here…"
Noble paused. Many of the students' emotions shifted at her final statement. Some felt guilt and confusion.
Noble pushed forward, a sinking feeling forming in her stomach.
"I will be happy to help you with any of your Memory needs. However, I cannot always be here. In the event of my absence, my assistant will be able to help you by completing a thorough analysis of any Memory you bring." Noble motioned to the Android. "May I present Bee Two."
Normally, the alloy android would make a sassy remark. Instead, synthetic eyebrows knit and the alloy chin tilted upwards.
"Which one of you is Merkle's Best Friend?"
A young man in the third row tentatively raised his hand. "That's me."
"Keep up the good work." Two alloy thumbs lifted into the air.
"Got it!" The young man nodded.
Noble blinked. "What work?"
"Don't worry, it isn't work at all!" The boy smiled.
The professor shook her head.
"That's great, Merkle, but…"
"Oh, I'm not Merkle. I'm his best friend. He goes by Jame's Best Friend."
"I see. So you are Jame?" Noble watched the young man nod his head.
"Who else would he be?" Bee Two clicked a synthetic tongue.
"Yes, well, that does settle things, doesn't it?" Noble coughed.
How had they gotten so off topic?
More people poured into the room. By now, it was standing room only.
The professor pinched the bridge of her nose.
'So many! I need to bring things back into focus.'
"Before we go any further, does anyone have any questions that they would like addressed during this session? I will make sure to incorporate the answers into my lesson today."
One hand raised into the air, followed by several others. Noble was spoiled for choice among all the curious minds. The students certainly came eager to learn.
"You, state your name and your question."
"Cam, ma'am. And my question is a little silly." Cam's ears were already turning red.
"There's no need to be embarrassed," Noble smiled. "Ask away!"
Cam rubbed the back of her neck. "I was wondering…what are the most people you've ever lifted into the air?"
The professor blinked.
"What?"
"I mean, what's your upper limit? Could you lift everyone in this room? This campus? The city?!" Cam bounced in her seat.
Noble's smile became strained.
"Ah, you were there earlier?"
'I don't remember her emotional signature…'
"No, but I have watched it at least a dozen times now," Cam announced excitedly. "I cannot get enough, so I just had to see you in person!"
"Watched it?" Noble saw the whole class begin to nod, making their heads look like they were bobbing in the ocean. "How?"
This time it was Bee Two who answered. "Someone recorded the confrontation. As they said before the Dark Times—Professor, you have gone viral."