'What?' Cassie's voice in Noble's head seemed genuinely confused.
'I didn't do the research for this particular project. I had the idea, but then I went on a trip, and my android took the initiative to reach out to you and complete the project in my absence."
'Bee Two?' Lady Cassia's eyebrows shot up from behind her blindfold.
Noble was impressed that the young Saint had remembered her assistant's name.
'That's right. Bee Two used my name in communications. I hate that you were lied to and hate even more that I let the lie continue.' Noble would never have let the charade continue if she hadn't worried that the government would take away her android for good this time. 'I am sorry to have deceived you. I don't deserve this award. If you want me to come out with a formal statement...'
Cassie began laughing audibly. Her face looked truly childish when she did, wiping away the heaviness that seemed to hide behind her pleasant facade.
'I cannot believe it was Bee Two this whole time! It all makes sense now. No wonder my foresight was so strange. Well, stranger than usual. Ah, that is such a relief!'
She lifted her blindfold to wipe away a stray tear. When she regained her composure, she continued easily.
'No statement will be needed, Professor Noble. Your accomplishments are many and varied. If anything, this Award is long overdue for the entirety of your work. I would never take that from you. You've earned this and more.'
The professor was at a loss for a moment. Her relief was profound. Not only had her companion been merciful about being misled, she was so gracious as to insist that the professor still deserved the merit that was being bestowed.
'Thank you, Cassie.' Noble felt her affection for Song of the Fallen grow.
A connection formed, albeit a tentative one. She wanted only good things for her former student. The younger woman tilted up her chin, her brow knit in contemplation. Had she felt the connection between them?
That would be a first, but Noble couldn't rule it out. Other than Song of the Fallen's ability to perceive people and events in the future, Noble wasn't certain what other powers she possessed. It was quite possible that by losing her sight, she had gained another sense which allowed her to also perceive the invisible connections between people.
Even if it wasn't the same way Noble did, which was through emotions, there had to be hundreds, or even thousands, of ways of looking at things beyond what was visible to the naked eye.
'No thank you needed,' Cassie's face relaxed, returning to its more neutral expression. 'Though I do have a favor to ask.'
Noble glanced at the other Saint with a hint of surprise. 'What's that?'
'Would you help me walk to the podium when the time comes?' Cassie tilted her head.
'But you just...' Noble caught herself too late. Lady Cassia had maneuvered herself through the crowd without a guide, but it was such a small favor that refusing it seemed silly. 'Of course I will.'
The woman understood her unfinished sentence. 'Yes, I can walk on my own, using my Abilities. However, it is much less stressful when I have someone to guide me. I will be thinking about our speech. It would be nice not to worry if I might embarrass myself by falling off the stage.'
Noble smiled. 'I'll do my best, but I may not be the best person for the job. My directional sense is questionable at best. The good news is that if we fall, I can float us back to where we should be.'
Cassie chuckled. 'I'll take my chances then.'
Behind them, on either side of the center of the stage, two large white screens lit up with images of the podium and government seal behind it. The whole event was being internationally broadcast, and the audience would not be left out of seeing the recipients up close and personal.
A ripple of clapping turned into a roar.
Walking with his cane, the master of ceremonies, Mr. Ambrose, took the stage. The crowd quieted as he made his way slowly up to the podium and tapped at it lightly.
He leaned forward as he spoke.
"Welcome to all who have joined us for this auspicious occasion. I am delighted to have been invited back to host the festivities for yet another year. These old bones live for days like these. Beside me, I can see the future. Each one of those sharing the stage with me has earned their place as one of humanity's heroes. Not all of them wear armor, but each one is an integral part of the lasting civilization we hope to build. Today we gather to honor them. So without further ado, I will turn the ceremony towards the people you actually came to see!"
A slender woman came forward to speak and present plaques and monetary awards to those who had helped humanity in some notable way. There were mundane and Awakened recipients, and each of their stories was incredibly inspiring.
Noble listened attentively, getting lost in the excitement of other people's triumphs. Hearing other people overcome incredible odds almost made her forget her own troubles, and for a moment, it felt like the waking world might be able to break their ties with the Nightmare Spell and the gates that plagued them.
It was a nice feeling.
The feeling didn't last. After the second presenter, Mister Ambrose once again brought his feeble body up the steps and spoke at center stage.
"Didn't think you would see me again so soon, did you?" The old man's joke received the appropriate ripple of laughter. "I am here to announce the honorees for research and development..."
As he spoke, the distinguished gentleman seemed to get younger. Instead of running out of breath and energy, the ceremony had the opposite effect. He was serious when he said he lived for days like these.
His mind was clear, and his heart was full as he talked about each individual's accomplishments.
"And now, for my final award before I pass the baton to our next speaker...This team made progress that we previously did not think was possible. Professor Noble is renowned in the field of Memory research and discovery. Lady Cassia is arguably the foremost seer of her generation. So when they got together and added a little Spelltech in the mix, the results were memorable, literally."
Ambrose grinned, quite pleased with his own whitisism. He coughed lightly, the sound reverberating through the speakers as he smiled for the cameras and continued.
"Now, the information students and alumni can get from their Memories has more than doubled. Thanks to the new methodology, Awakened are better armed with knowledge of what enchantments their items possess. With that information, they can be more effective in their daily lives as they strive to become the leaders of tomorrow. These two ladies have fundamentally shifted how our most powerful warriors can learn about their arsenals, and for that, we honor them today. Please help me welcome Saint Cassia and Master Noble!"