Interesting points made. Can someone have a look at the TRPG1 dialogue again, please (the one with Noctus, and the one with Tastidian). 'Cause I got the imrpession that Noctus did notify Tastidian of a cheeky fleshling coming into his camp (don't forget, for money Noctus allows Main to leave, certainly not considering him a worthy or un-beatable opponent) and when Tastidian explains his presence to the Main, it seems that he is doing so in retaliation- although he was notified, I suspect he was not expecting that the fleshling in question would actually dispose of Noctus. Impressed, he makes a personal visit to the Main. And as mentioned above, it's highly unlikely that Tastidian wanted to risk getting into the Psy Academy more than once- surely if he expected the Main to beat Noctus, he would've arranged for hismelf to be near the Shadowling Camp and to take the Main as soon as Noctus is done with. Then he could keep both (as stated before), instead of going for one only.
The fact that Noctus has a nickname shows that he probably was a highly succesful and known soldier (see his current rank) before, so I am also convinced, like im2smart4u, that he has valid bragging rights. The way he behaves with the Main just shows how sure of himself he is. I don't really think it would matter whether Noctus would lead the Shadowlings or not- after all, they're on a stealth mission, so it's likely that they operate in small groups, with many sub-commanders controlling each small unit. Think how special ops are structured.
Frosty- good catch, that. Very good point to make. Apart from Craig's obvious like of perfecting music, I think you might be onto something there! (Woudln't it be sweet to come up against Noctus in an anti-loyalist mission?)
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