Bee Two opened the door wide enough to admit a single person. "The Boarish Vassal of Clan Valor," the android announced officially.
A smartly dressed young man entered the room. His hair was neatly cut and slicked back to give him a polished appearance befitting an Awakened.
Hearing his introduction, the blond Legacy winced. "I– that isn't exactly how I wanted to be announced," he said politely. "I only mentioned my boar and Valor so that the guards would let me through to see the professor."
"Awakened Jeremy!" Noble welcomed the young man graciously into her classroom. "Either you are early for our appointment or it is much later than I thought."
"I am a few minutes early. It does not look good for a representative of Clan Valor to be late." Jeremy dipped his head politely.
"Then you did well," Noble understood. Clan members were bound by expectations, especially legacies.
Since Jeremy was here on official business, he would be on his best behavior.
Noble only vaguely remembered the young man with the axe on the day she came out of the gate. He and his boar had stopped her from floating into space with who knows what...
So when Jeremy asked for a meeting, Noble immediately accepted. He was one of the reasons that she had been so determined to come to work today. Rescheduling was not an option.
"Awakened Jeremy, have you met my husband, Director Fort?" Noble motioned to the man beside her. "Fort, this is Awakened Jeremy. He was the one who found me at the gate last week."
The two men nodded from the opposite sides of the room.
"Thank you for your service," Fort's gratitude was palpable. Jeremy had rescued the person most precious to him in all the world. "I owe you a great debt."
"Anyone would have done the same," the young legacy waved away the praise. "And having Ascended Noble meet with me today is more than I could ask for."
The professor smiled.
"Please come in and make yourself comfortable. Let me get you a chair to sit by my desk."
A seat from the from front row floated gracefully to the opposite side of Noble's desk.
The vassal nodded.
"That works for me." Jeremey sent a furtive glance toward the door as he descended the stairs. When he reached the bottom, he was still glancing at the back of the room. "Forgive me, Master Noble, I knew you were an expert on Memories, but I had no idea that you also had an echo that could talk. That is truly fascinating!"
"While I appreciate the compliment, Bee Two is pure Spelltech. One of a kind and the best assistant anyone could ask for." Noble smiled thinking about her precious android.
"I see." Jeremy cleared his throat lightly. "Well, you are well protected with such a vigilant bodyguard. Do you always have so much security at your door or have I come at a bad time?"
"I am sure the security around the manor at Clan Valor is much tighter than even my room. Fort and I saw it for ourselves when we attended their most recent ball," Noble dodged the question.
Jeremy's eyes opened a little wider as he adjusted his glasses. "I am not surprised that you have been there. Valor only invites the best to their parties."
"I am honored that you think so highly of me, but it was my husband who secured that invitation. I was just another pretty face." Noble chuckled lightly. "But that isn't why we are here. Shall we get started?"
"Yes, please." Jeremy sat down, relieved not to have to comment on his hostess's looks. "Will you be joining us for this meeting, Director Fort? I had no idea my presence would get your attention."
"I was here on other business," the Director answered vaguely, "but I would like to join if I may."
Noble and her husband exchanged glances. Shouldn't he be asking her first instead of her guest? But his gaze told her that he wasn't yet ready to leave her side, and she conceded to let Jeremy decide.
"I have nothing to hide." Jeremy's emotions spiked. "At least nothing in this meeting," he amended. "Please join us."
Taking another chair from a student's desk, Fort joined Jeremy on the opposite side of the professor's workspace.
Noble cleared off the stack of papers that had accumulated during her class and pulled out a datapad.
Folding her hands neatly, Noble gave the young Awakened her undivided attention. "What can I do for you? Your message mentioned wanting to talk about Memories."
The world was getting more complicated by the minute, but Memories were Noble's happy place. Unlike people, Memories were something she could understand and study.
"Ah, yes. I do research for my clan. I do not forge Memories myself, but I use my Aspect to get the truth to my clansmen so that they can put out the best Memories possible." Jeremey nodded.
Noble guessed that his part in Memory development was more than the humble vassal was willing to admit. But even if it wasn't, their common interest in Memories was more than enough to give him Noble's respect.
"Anyway, I have read your books and I had a few questions about your findings."
Jeremy pulled out his communicator. On it were pictures and symbols of things he did not want to forget to ask.
Noble didn't comment on the strange organization of thoughts. Perhaps his flaw did not allow him to express himself in written words.
Clearing his throat, Jeremy started at the top of his unconventional list. "Before we start, I would like to know your philosophy on human-made versus Spell-created Memories."
"Oh," Noble had expected a question like this which would challenge her to disparage Valor's creations, but she had not expected it to be asked so soon or so bluntly. "I believe that both Memory constructs have their merits. At the end of the day, as long as the Memory works and protects the Awakened using it, the value of that Memory cannot be understated."
"I agree."
Noble could feel the relief from the other researcher. He would have been willing to defend Valor, but thankfully there was no need. He could move on.
Some of Jeremy's questions were about small details or clarifications. While Noble's published works were comprehensive, the works were geared toward a greater understanding of Memories as a whole.
The vassal of Valor wanted to dig deep into the minutia, knowing the Memories better than they knew themselves. It was rare that Noble found someone so committed to her passion.
Jeremy was a kindred spirit.
Fort, on the other hand, was bored out of his mind. Being mundane, Fort had never owned a Memory nor could he see the runes.
He had no access to his soul sea either, making some of the descriptions extra confusing. It took everything in him not to fall asleep while his companions carried on.
"Have you noticed any effects of tier on Memories besides the possibility of more or stronger enchantments?" The young man leaned forward in his seat.
"I think there are many things we don't understand. There is certainly a qualitative difference. I know you have felt it when comparing your own Memories. How can I put this? While I have no research to back it up, I feel more wholly connected to high-tier weapons. Even more so if they are an elevated rank as well." Noble thought of her Zenith. It was the strongest thing she owned and felt like an extension of her.
"That makes sense..." Jeremy made a note.
At last, the vassal of Clan Valor reluctantly sighed. His emotions shifted from one of curiosity to unease.
"I have taken up enough of your time," he apologized, "but allow me one last inquiry."
Idly, he pulled something out of his pocket.
Noble felt her heart skip a beat. Suddenly, she had an inquiry of her own.