Chapter 146

  Walkers played with arts and laws of creation of the heavens and earth. They were about principles and learning, right and wrong choices, and the struggles of principles. Like magic and science, those could easily be about anything, be it space, air, flames, or even weather or rules of natural elements.

  William didn't know the heights of these concepts or what layers and lows were better than some heights. He knew about basic rows of elements and how Walkers fell into numerous categories. There weren't just three archetypes: Vector Type, Elementalists, and Mutants. Many layers within them created Classes, building and creating Walker societies worldwide, including rules, teachings, and necessities.

  Across them, Elements possessed important flavor and quality, with some specific ones showing much more throughout results or views than others, making them distinctive or extreme. Some Walkers could wield Elements differently from their peers. This pointed to talents and relations to their Emblems or growth.

  Elementalists were said to be the masters of their Elements, but it didn't mean Vector Types or Mutants were weaker than them or had no Elements whatsoever.

  At the heights of the Ranks, rules and gaps turned stranger and many transformations and rules could broaden or break. William simply couldn't understand such intricate possibilities even if he was Rank 0 Walker who lived through some peculiar times.

  He was confused, similar to Ellie, who finally began to see and feast on bizarre ideas of this era. It wasn't just about recent days; it had been always around her, but it crept on closer than ever by luck and opportunity.

  This old man before them was at the peak of the Walker era. His great achievements and legends were about the core of the Federation and this library.

  Rank 8 Walker! Such a person was a pillar of humanity and every one of them was undoubtedly outlandish and significant in countless ways.

  Unfortunately, every one of them was kind of odd, eccentric, or on the older side due to their Rank and how the Dawn toiled with them. Overall humanity didn't know what they were doing, but their acts and work were very important.

  At least in this hemisphere, they weren't kings but rather great protectors who felt the world on their shoulders. Ellie learned it was different overseas.

  Kaufman was among the oldest Walkers, so his historical significance went rather far and implied countless stories. Not many even knew how far they went, or what he had experienced. They just knew what he helped to build and that was the most recent and significant product of the past century. The Federation outstripped everything, this library included.

  Kaufman didn't talk much about the past, as much of his time went and time with people allowed. It was further back than the Federation or even Emblem Academy by many decades. Recent generations wondered how many destroyed societies had he experienced, or what Darks he met, fought, or killed.

  Secrets he was bound to must be worth more than just one room, yet many did wonder what it took to become Rank 8 or fight for that long.

  Ellie had these thoughts for a long time and heard everything he had said and couldn't refute or talk back. This person was like a huge riddle and a great treasure in her eyes. She was excited just to see and talk to him.

  Kaufman calmed down quickly and sized William next.

  “Hm. You kids. At least you are finally here, so what about you, boy? Had fun in my baby?”

  “Eh? What is this about? Is something wrong with us, sir? I don't think it is that strange to go through these floors and learn, and you said you've waited for two days. Why the hell would you do that?”

  “Why not? I have a certain idea and hope that you will do well and better. So I acted along and recalled you would want to be interested in the upper floor. If I recall it even better, I gave you my card for something, haven't I?”

  “Card? Oh, that thing. Ellie talked about it a bunch of times, but I wonder why you gave it to me. I mean, you didn't tell me anything, so what purpose do you mean?”

  “Does it matter what? You have it and this place is all open to you. Why not play with it and rather spend days with something meaningful?”

  “Why should it matter what is better or worse? Last time I remember, I didn't agree to your requests and I am convinced of my choices. I wanted to learn. What else?” William asked, confused.

  Kaufman stood like an old teacher, face stern and eyes set on him with experience and pressure. His hat was odd like the rest of his attire and William couldn't see him as a teacher.

  “What's a matter for you, yes? I gave it to you, so shouldn't it matter a lot that you do better!?”

  William was dumbfounded. “Er... does sir not know what went on with me? I mean, I get it. I am stupid, so I don't get it.”

  “Oh, William....” Ellie added, just to see Kaufman's eyes shift to her which made her shiver and stop talking. She stood behind him, half bowing and wondering what was about to happen.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Right. I didn't want to come here and that card? You don't think I care? Does that mean I can go through those floors like through a fridge? Floor by floor, eating, drinking, and not caring for the consequences of others or upper floors and my own head? Do you think I am an idiot?” William asked Kaufman, who looked at this youth in a new light.

  New clothes were whatever. Kaufman pretty much liked what he was seeing and some clothes weren't that. He was still having some thoughts about what to do or say. As if remembering some unpleasant memory, or idea, he chuckled and shifted his hat more upwards.

  He stretched his arms, cracked his fingers that swirled the whiteness of his Emblem, and smiled. He changed his expression into a much more relaxing mood and was curious just what sort of validating views were before him, or what exactly was hidden or right.

  Since he made his move and came after this long trip and time, nothing else was more interesting than finding answers to old wonders. He might as well use this opportunity and do it right because William wasn't as half bad as he thought.

  Right. William was a big reason for his visit. At first glance, it wasn't very deep, but who knew what was simple at first glance and complex at the second glance, or third, or hundredth?

  “Boy, I gave you a big gift, yet you look as if you don't know shit and act foolish. It is a rather nice one at that! Ah, so disappointing. Since It's interesting and usable for you, I thought you would go up to your knees and call me your master upon our next meeting. I suppose my expectations were.... baseless.”

  “I refused your offer, remember?” William was also adamant about his words and choices and did not yield before this person. He had yet to meet the mysterious important Mi-Yung. This meeting won't change it. In fact, it was another testament to his stubbornness, making him feel kind of awkward and wondering if the Federation was hiding more vipers and hidden poisons.

  He still remembered his decision and first exchange with Kaufman. Then, Luke clarified some ideas afterward and William was certain that running into quick decisions between these people wasn't smart. Working around them was also not simple, so... what was it? Not doing anything. Not playing with them. He might nod and do nothing.

  Doing something small might not be a bad thing either, but many great choices were hiding behind heavy responsibilities or consequences. He learned that the hard way. It put many thoughts in his mind thanks to Ellie and the past three days, so he had grown a little, yet some things hadn't changed.

  William wasn't sure if this person was trustworthy. It wasn't about Walkers, but common sense that people considered for millennia.

  He had his Outside head and instincts, and there was something very odd about the interest of a Rank 8 Walker. Was it related to his family? What about... the Academy?! His mother was from there, or so Luke had said in the helicopter, albeit with alleged further ideas that Luke had said with less confidence.

  Besides that, William hadn't found anything. This library won't be a place for his family explanations, while his father's side was.... here. He was part of this land a decade or so ago.

  In this place! Yondu Division should have some sources and ideas, or so William thought. Kaufman wasn't about either of those, though his interest might be personal and affectionate. It might involve his parents in some way. Talking about apprenticeship or mastery wasn't common, so what was Kaufman's deal, or what was this offer and big prospect?

  “You know I have no idea what I should know or even deserve, sir. What kind of card teaches how to live or do everything for me? Sure, it came with a good timing. I came here days ago and you could've found me, right? From where again? How? No one told me much besides Ellie. This whole mess or what awaits me is no gift like yours. It is like a push to get me going. Nothing more. I appreciate it, however, as much as it could be normal, so let's not speak about fairness. Just how many youths in similar shoes as mine are left aside, unknown, not taught, and so on?” William retorted with a much firmer voice.

  Even Ellie found many justifications in his words, but she was more surprised to hear his assertiveness and her lessons in them. Another shock was that he was speaking to this man in this form, which she wouldn't ever dare to do herself.

  She hadn't expected to hear this; she wanted to slap his back and push his head down, for this Kaufman wasn't some petty or simple Walker. He wasn't to be trifled with. He was the freaking first Kaufman! Those shouldn't be questioned.

  Ellie didn't make a move since Kaufman was interested in this discussion which moved no nerves or anger. He set his eyes on this boy and held surprising patience for some reason. It surprised Ellie that he had yet to push her away, so she remained and perked up her ears, listening.

  William had already grown up a lot in a couple of days. Both as a person and...well, as a Walker was a subjective matter and it seemed Kaufman was interested. That was a rather peculiar issue that might not be an issue. After all, not everyone knew what Rank 0 was implying or what was hidden in its charades. What could change in just a couple of days wasn't within Kaufman's eyes either; he clearly wanted something and changed his mind from before.

  Considering this place and cards, Kaufman hoped William would desire much firmer knowledge! That would be up to everyone's benefit and secrecy, albeit that was wrong. It was for his own belief; not for the Assembly, a place that might disagree with his practices and how to do this.

  If he hadn't done so, that meant his heart was lacking, or... the issue was somewhere else. For example, after seeing Ellie, perhaps he was missing some additional ideas about this boy, or the problem was what she had expressed.

  What had Burton or his daughter dared to do? Some ideas entered his head, so the whole reason was William's lacking knowledge or lack of motivation. What if it was both combined? Wouldn't that mean that William was a disappointment?

  In that case, waiting or playing with his card was laughable and almost ridiculous. Kaufman suddenly found this entire situation funny. Shrouded and out of her view, everything proceeded to shit. Maybe he should have not meddled with Mi-Yung's matters after all.

  But Kaufman wouldn't change his interest with cheap excuses, while his awareness over Rank 0 and some matters weren't little. They meant a lot to him and he conducted wonders about this boy, who was right in many ways, and unknown in even more layers.

  He grew very little in here because there was no need. Clothes changed the skin and counted for something diminishing.

  William was still unsure about the structure or hierarchy in the Federation, let alone in Walkers, whose societies, ranks, and terrific ideas were much more brutal than any ancient, feudal, or military units.

  Perhaps not every one of them was like a soldier and fighter. Some might be quite brutal or free like families, dojos, or training regiments, or... sports? He wasn't certain about them anyway, so could it be possible that some organizations were more relaxed about rules and even recruits? If so, it was important for every youth to know and make proper statements and choices.

  Stakes and survivors of humanity were far too big of a deal. Some orders were expected by everyone, regardless if one was a king or a peasant for hope.