The three former Sleepers—now Awakends' voices overlapped one another as each told his version of events.
They couldn't all be true! One claimed that the monster, who could speak, had both fire powers and flying ability. But he was also certain it wasn't Saint Kai.
Another told of claws and teeth that could rival the ancient extinct dinosaurs.
And the third, well, he spoke of nearly becoming monster barbecue before being rescued. But that was absurd. Abominations did not cook their meat!
Mori sat in a seat beside the Provost's desk, fighting the urge to place his head in his hands. He listened, trying to process all the information.
Perhaps in his tired state he had somehow dozed off enough to daydream and not actually fall asleep, and this was all a delusion.
Unfortunately, one pinch to Mori's arm convinced him that this was not the case. This wasn't a fever dream. This was all too real.
Weeks of abductions had culminated in this most outrageous event yet. How could he expect to keep his job when he couldn't keep track of students while they were on campus?
This was a disaster! He glanced at his superior, very curious about her take on the events that had unfolded.
Behind the desk, Noble received the testimony with an unreadable expression. She remained silent, letting the students give all the information they desired without interruption.
When they finally grew quiet, Noble leaned forward above her seat.
"This is very distressing."
She paused, pressing the tips of her fingers together as she shut her eyes for a moment. When they opened, they were full of an ocean of colors.
"I will get to the bottom of it. Thank you, gentlemen. You are welcome to stay at the Academy as long as you like and take advantage of our psychiatric care. Any physical injuries should have been healed when you awakened, but if they have not, our healers will be able to attend you presently. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
The boys looked at each other. The provost's calm demeanor helped settle their nerves. She was right that they were not physically injured, and now they could avoid the trial of the solstice.
It had been a traumatic night, but there was a silver lining, at least.
"No, ma'am."
"Thank you, Provost."
"I have nothing to add."
"Very well. Const will get you connected with a sleeping pod for the remainder of your stay here and set you up with a government appointment on how to move forward. I will reach out if I have any more questions. Get a good meal in your bellies, gentlemen. You've earned it." Noble watched the boys stand and trudge from the room.
They had started the night as acquaintances, but Noble was sure that they had formed a bond that would not soon break.
'I wish them well.' It was the same wish she had for all her students.
As the door shut, Mori rose from his seat and bowed.
"You have my deepest apologies, Madam Provost. I take responsibility for letting the situation get to this point. I will stay on until you find a replacement for the head of security, at which point I will humbly submit my resignation."
Noble furrowed her brow. "You are quitting? Did you find a better position suited to your taste?"
"No, it's just after all that has happened…" Mori lowered his gaze.
"Have you been the one abducting students?" Child of Promise arched her brow.
"What? No ma'am. It's just, I have failed to keep the students safe." Mori wrung his hands.
Noble tilted her head.
"Which students were harmed?"
Mori scratched his temple.
"Well, I suppose the technical answer is none."
Unless the provost was asking about emotional shock. But the head of security could argue that the solstice could have done way more to them than a sudden trip to the Dream Realm. After the initial fear and confusion, the new Awakened generally didn't regret the outcome of their abduction.
Everyone except Err, of course, who had threatened to tell Clan Valor about the incident as he marched away indignantly from the Academy gates.
"No one was harmed, and you didn't abduct them? Then I cannot accept your resignation. You have said yourself that these nightly adventures seem to be the result of someone who knows the campus well enough to avoid detection." Noble watched Mori nod.
"It either has to be a Saint or a monster. But why would a Saint bother hiding like this, and why would a monster help humanity at all? It doesn't make sense." Mori missed the subtle change in Noble's expression.
"If it is a Saint, then I am sure they have their reasons. And if it is a monster, well…it is unlike any we have seen so far." The Provost tapped the desk with a sigh. "You may not resign, but you can close your investigation."
"Ma'am?!" Mori's eyes went wide.
"If it is a Saint as you suspect, what good will exposing them do? It will only bring trouble on you and the Academy. For now, let it go." Noble pressed her lips together.
Mori's back straightened.
"But ma'am, last night, the abductor threatened to eat the students!"
The colors in Noble's eyes turned green.
"Last night will not happen again. I give my word on that as provost."
The head of security was taken aback. "How can you…"
"Do you trust me?" Noble raised an eyebrow.
"Implicitly." Mori did not hesitate.
"Then trust me in this. Any future awakenings before the solstice will not involve students being hunted." The provost was confident in her assertion.
"So there will be future awakenings?" The head of security tilted his chin.
"That does seem to be the pattern." Noble nodded. "I see no reason that it should stop. And since no one has been hurt, I think at this point it is a misuse of our resources to chase down ghosts who want to help."
Mori hesitated.
Noble could feel the man's emotions. He was torn between accepting what the Provost said at face value and trying to delve deeper into the situation at hand.
The head of security considered the ramifications. Noble was right; angering someone who was helping the students of the Academy, especially a powerful someone, was fundamentally unwise.
After a fierce inward battle over his own curiosity, Mori conceded to his superior.
"Yes, ma'am. For the time being, if it is your desire, I will close the investigation. But if someone does get injured or harmed…."
"Then we will reopen the case and prosecute the offender to the fullest extent of the law." Noble nodded. "But if that happens, you better hope it isn't a Saint behind this, or we will both be sunk."
"Understood, ma'am." Mori bowed again. "I leave this in your capable hands."
"You are a good man. I will let you know what I find out when I am able." Noble smiled warmly at him. "And don't ever think about resigning again like that. You are far too valuable to me and to the Academy."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you." Mori left the room feeling more at ease than when he came. The burden was lifted from his shoulders, at the very least.
As he shut the door, Noble heaved a heavy sigh and headed into the living quarters behind her office.
There she found a man with a reptilian head leaning leisurely back on the couch, waiting for her.
Noble frowned.
"I hope you are proud of yourself."