"What was I thinking?!?" Noble mumbled to herself as she put her signature on yet another page.
She hadn't anticipated that when she delivered her answer to the Provost—Former Provost—that he would announce his resignation within the hour.
Less than a week after she had heard about the upcoming vacancy, she was in the very spot where Alden had given her the news.
What full days these had been!
Given the intense political climate, Noble and Fort had agreed that the new Provost would dive headfirst into getting things in order. That was easier said than done.
After three days of no sleep... or was it four? Noble had lost count. However long it had been, she felt no closer to finding the staff she needed to fill either the position of her secretary or research assistant.
The few people that personnel had sent over for the administrative position were either a poor match for Noble's temperament–one of them smacked her gums constantly, and it could be heard even through the soundproof door–or lacked any skills in organization, making Noble's job harder. If things didn't change soon, Noble would have to ask to borrow Teddy for a few days. That was only a short-term solution, though.
As for the research assistant, Noble hadn't even had a moment to look through the applications. So, that position remained vacant as well.
Without those key figures, it felt like the work never stopped. If anything, it snowballed. The professor had been determined not to give up the seminars that were already on her schedule. In hindsight, that had been unwise.
Every student in the whole Academy had tried to cram into her room in the hopes of making a good impression on the newly appointed head of the school. Noble had a great propensity for remembering names thanks to her Clarity and Quick Study attributes, but even she felt at her limit at this point when it came to meeting new people.
The students were not the only ones who wanted to make her acquaintance.
Someone named Summer Knight had contacted her on behalf of Clan Valor. His speech of welcome sounded flowery but overly practiced and stilted. Unless he always spoke that way, Noble could guess that this 'honor' had been forced on him in addition to his other duties.
While he hadn't stated that he was unhappy about her living in Ravenheart, Noble could easily guess that she would not have been Valor's first pick.
"To honor our continued partnership, I have been asked to extend a special invitation to the next Valor Ball. If you need anything, you may always reach out, and Lord Anvil and his knights will do what they can to assist the Academy."
"Thank you, that is very kind." Noble didn't need her emotional sense to tell her that both were lies, or at the very least, polite half-truths.
The war would make a Valor Ball virtually impossible, and all resources would be diverted to the war effort. Unless one of their scions needed something to save his life, the new Provost doubted that the Clan would give her even a tube of synthpaste to help her if they could use it for their cause instead.
That call had happened the day before. Noble was just as happy to end it as the man opposite her.
'If they actually wanted to help, they could send someone to help me wade through this mountain of paperwork.'
The amount she had left to do made Zenkai's weeks' worth of notes look like a novella.
Noble sighed. 'I need help and soon.'
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Enter!" Noble expected to see another staff member with a request.
Instead, she was greeted by a man holding an oversized basket.
"Special delivery for Provost Noble." The courier set the gift on the desk. "Have a good day, ma'am."
Noble set aside her work to look at the package.
"Fruit?"
Indeed, the goody basket held rare fruit and other delicacies. Noble turned over the tag attached to the bow.
"Courtesy of Clan Song."
Noble felt her mouth water. In addition to not sleeping, she couldn't remember the last time she had eaten a proper meal. A snack break was just what she needed.
While she was still selecting which piece to have first, the datapad on her desk began to buzz.
Noble did not trust Bee Two to run the front office, so no one was out there to screen the calls. Setting down the fruit in her hand, Noble pressed the screen to answer the call. She found her finger was right on top of a very beautiful woman's nose.
"Lady Eunbin!"
Noble snapped her hand away from the screen and hit the basket with her elbow. The pieces of fruit and other goodies went flying through the air. Fortunately, they never hit the ground. They hovered before drifting back to their rightful container as if it had never happened.
'Please let all of that have happened off-screen!'
By the Song sister's smile, it had not. Beastmaster dipped her head.
"Greetings, Master Noble! It is wonderful to see you again."
At least through the screen, the new Provost wasn't affected by the beautiful Saint's charm. Or if she was, it was offset by Noble's embarrassment.
The floating Saint quickly recovered.
"It is good to see you as well. To what do I owe the pleasure? If it is about your sisters, I can assure you they are fitting in quite well here at the Academy. Nothing like what happened in that video has occurred again, I assure you."
"They have spoken very highly of you." The princess nodded. "However, I was contacting the Provost's office to greet the new fearless leader. Congratulations on your well-deserved promotion."
Unlike Summer Knight, Lady Eunbin seemed genuinely pleased with the development.
"I thank you for your well wishes and the basket. Both are very kind." Noble motioned to the gift.
"Clan Song is always grateful to those who nurture the next generation." Lady Eunbin paused. "And speaking of the next generation, I am not sure if Master Alden communicated this…"
As the Princess searched for the right words, Noble cleared her throat.
"If I may, I think you are referring to the expected influx of members of the royal family? If so, he made me aware."
"Excellent. My mother will find it most comforting to know her daughters are well taken care of in this difficult time."
"I will continue to care for all students under my care as I always have," Noble assured her. Other than accidental injuries during training exercises, she had no intention of anyone being harmed while on campus, be it students or staff.
"Thank you." Beastmaster's expression softened from its usual alluring smile.
Her face was somehow more beautiful when she wasn't trying. "That brings me peace of mind."
"Of course." Noble finished the call uneventfully.
Beastmaster's closing remark elicited a humorous chuckle.
'Peace of mind. That might be the only peace to be found in two worlds…and speaking of disturbing the peace.'
Noble could already feel the staff member rushing through the hall toward her.
The door to her office flung open with a breathless woman leaning against it.
"Ma'am!"
"Again?" Noble's question received a frightened nod in response.
"Yes, ma'am. This time they might actually succeed in knocking down the gate!"
The new provost heaved a great sigh and pushed aside the stack of papers closest to her.
"I'll be right there. Message security that I'm coming."
"Yes, ma'am!" The woman fled to relay the news.
Noble slowly stood from her seat and shook her head.
'Here we go again…'