Chapter 173

  The last few hours passed quite quickly. William read a lot of eye-opening properties considered important for any Walker. He looked like an idiot a lot of times, thinking that some things felt too weird or not true at all. But they were here for a reason, and Ellie certainly didn't want him to belittle or misinterpret anything.

  There were also mouth-openers, or so he wished to say from time to time, but with Ellie and without Kaufman aside, it was hardly a time and place for jokes. He still made his comments known to Ellie, who was there for him at a time when he should be glad for any peace of mind.

  She often laughed at him for his reactions and learned he could get silly when trying to understand stuff between principles and lessons. He had a surprising number of opinions, so she read what he did and then some more. She had no qualms about caring about face or manners since Heidi had already decided to see through everything.

  She allowed her, in a sense. Tolerated her.

  And shoved her into this tricky situation that was bordering on high-class affairs.

  After all those hours and multiple lectures and exchanges with Kaufman, Ellie gave William the last book for today.

  “What is this?” he looked at her, standing steady on his feet by many objectively secret and classified materials.

  “I am exhausted, and you should be even more after all that stuff and... what happened before. That thing, you know. Are you alright? I was really worried when it happened. What was it even?” Ellie whispered, touching his shoulder and trying to be discreet.

  William shrugged it off, not thinking it was nearly that bad or sinister. If he were honest with himself and her, he would say it was his problem to deal with, and something he knew very well.

  However, dealing with it was never as easy as he thought.

  “It is fine. What is done is done. Also, it was something that Kaufman wanted. He is.... savage, but that is what old monstrous Walkers are like, right? Not that I know a lot about them. I just know stuff out there is shitty and new generations are sought and tested. And those tests and stuff, it gets gnarly and weird.”

  “I... know that, William.”

  “Yeah? I don’t get it. Not really. I’ll try. Also, he didn’t even say what he wanted to do. I can tell it is not as simple as going or offering to go under him. This experiment reeks of feelings that... I mean, it is not new to me. At least I know they are there, even though I don’t know much about him. At least I know that, so is it assuring? No book seems to indicate anything, or I don’t know what to read and where.”

  Ellie glanced back to where Kaufman used to stand with his back facing the room. She understood why William was like this. “He spoke to us. He is trying, at least. I wish to help you, but many Walkers are against it or really weird, and there are ways their elevated senses, powers, ideas, or Emblems could do very nice tests. Strange tests... filled with savage metas. I wonder what they do behind the backs of people like me, but no matter. I don’t care. I can’t give you anything but words of encouragement. Oh, and I am sorry for what happened and am glad you feel better.”

  “Don’t be sorry; I should be the one thanking you, while this Kaufman... Who is he, really?”

  “Who? We talked about him already, and... well, he is enigmatic and weird, so today isn’t very strange for that matter. But it is still terrible what he had done, so let’s get it out of your system, and first, let’s face it and not get ahead of ourselves. Calm down and move out of here, alright?”

  For some reason, such words and Ellie’s proximity helped with his nerves. The ones that he didn’t even need calming, that is. For quite a few hours, he spent time in this room mixed with Ellie and Kaufman, who, unsurprisingly, knew a lot of things.

  No one visited this room at all! Not even before or after Kaufman left, declaring that the time was getting out of hand and that he had places to be. Either way, neither of them complained about him leaving.

  William looked at a book called First Enigma of Darks, all alone with Ellie right now. It was full of factual, insightful material surrounding habitats, dungeons, and the overall society of Darks within a couple of specific lands. He barely glossed over them before putting it back in her hands.

  He had no mind for it.

  He was over these monsters. He was tired, and his mind needed a break. William stretched his stiff neck from all this reading and considered his Emblem, feet, and eyes. Today was as tiring as the rest of the days combined. Kaufman gorged him far too much, and he studied even more, so no wonder he couldn’t keep up.

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  While he had regrets and confusing anger and understanding about Kaufman, the studying part was wonderful, and he had no regrets about anything. Whatever he had done, it wasn’t his problem. Never and always.

  Ellie was the opposite. She already omitted issues that Kaufman depicted, and felt brainstorming those books was her new worldly prospects. Which is to say that it was far more to her taste than worrying about a kid bearing monstrous claws within that close arm.

  Of course, she also cared about William because that felt like a good thing to do. Or it was clever. Either way, with all this work and stuff, she felt grateful for him and knew it didn't hurt her, and he didn't mean to do anything bad. It was Kaufman, so that crimson thing felt curious more than ominous.

  That wasn’t everything, but this little bit should be enough for her right now. Kaufman’s experiment won’t disappear from his mind for a long time. Simply put, William wanted it as a reminder and lesson that was overlooked by Walkers such as Kaufman.

  Those were things he had to learn, tolerate, and accept. This was no place to act stupid or brash. Dann said it as well. Walkers were there, here, and now, and he was bound to see them once or twice all the freaking time. Some of those could be quite personal, soon to be important, and critical to his future.

  After all, the apprenticeship was up to most youths these days.

  Kaufman offered one without any tests, which was an odd thing to do. Richards would agree for sure.

  William realized he shouldn’t be naive or too trustworthy. Dann used to say it a lot, and Outside was quite adamant about what trust was roughly about. It wasn’t about selflessness, selfishness, or greed. It was about living, focus, stability, and knowing there were boundaries between everything.

  People often took advantage of others. It was common. Walkers also had such an ideology, as their human nature marked them as people of distinction brought by humanity. Those aspects could get worse because of sheer power and status.

  But if they weren’t that, would humanity no longer be present? Would it be worse for regular people?

  William saw glimpses of many sentiments on numerous occasions, and since the moment he entered that helicopter, a lot of things have kept happening. They won’t stop because he wasn’t supposed to stop.

  “He is also a person, William.” Ellie suddenly said, patting his back. “You need to understand that perfection and responsibilities fall on many hands. Not just one or two. Well, apart from mine; they are on you because I am meant to teach you. That is hard if I don’t know you, did you know that?”

  “Maybe. I try to be open, but what can I say? Some stuff is just not happening. And...” hesitating, he glanced at her since this whole debate started. Her face was way too close to his liking, and he didn’t know why. “Did I hurt you? This... dream? This snatch. I don’t want to repeat that before I am a proper Walker.”

  Kaufman didn’t help with those steady steps. Luke did a little bit, while Ellie was the best in his opinion. She cared, and he cared, but their difference was just way too steep.

  “Then be glad nothing bad happened. I will try to see you turn out decent, alright?” Slamming his back slightly, Ellie was done with this topic.

  “Time to get food and sleep. Yeah. Sounds about right.” He yawned and decided to end this today.

  Ellie glanced as he took his bamboo bottle and drank the remainder of the water.

  “Not the stuff of Darks? Why are you done?! I wanted to know your opinion about that book. Just for a reference, since you are an Outsider.”

  “Monsters bad. Darks badder. See? Even I can teach you.” William chuckled.

  Ellie was also tired and hoped for rest, and today, or for a long time, she knew she had to grasp this opportunity and not let this go. Sleep be damned! She was in no hurry whatsoever.

  After all, nobody summoned her. She recalled such events as noteworthy, but then, she also knew Heidi was a very spontaneous person. Did she make a promise for today, or was Kaufman truly a very big issue for her?

  It should be. She remembered examples, and she will probably touch upon them very soon.

  Walking through the door back to the hall outside, William noticed Burton beside the door. Ellie bumped into him as she went out first. Resting beside him were a bunch of youths, either by the railing or leaning on the wall. Most looked bored and sat on the floor.

  “Are you done?” Burton said, walking closer without hiding his impatience and surprisingly odd mood. Ellie never saw him speak to her like this.

  “Y-yes?” Ellie mumbled.

  William wasn’t sure what this was about and eyed the group. Most of those youths wore some kind of uniform and looked like young soldiers. Walkers, or those like him, He realized without seeing any of their Emblems.

  They looked normal, but that wasn’t very difficult to notice. Instead, there was something about the air and intensity—or these upper floors—that assured him they were like him. They wanted to learn and be better.

  William disregarded them and looked at Burton. “Apologies, but is this...”

  “I have been notified that Kaufman made his appearance. That is that. You may leave, as we locked down this place for the time being. The next time it happens, please notify me. Seeing him in this place ever again means something to everyone. Me included.” Burton said the latter half in near whispers, and William felt nerve-wracking anxiety coming from those words. He even leaned closer and didn’t care much about Ellie.

  Burton looked slightly different from the stern man from days ago. Now, he looked as if he hadn’t slept for two days and nights and couldn’t keep that stern face up. His uniform was tidy, at least. A responsibility of his work and position, William assumed. He gestured for this fortunate pair to move on and leave this perimeter.

  “Sir?” Ellie caught up with her usual mind and wanted to see if this was truly happening. An assurance from Burton should clear that up.

  “Oh, I almost forgot. You... what these upper floors do is deep, and you might keep up with him for a couple of days. After a while, there might be a change or a chance for something else. It is still up for multiple discussion---for now, you don’t need needless worries. Follow that young man and learn your materials. They defines and do not play with anyone or anything terrible. Miss Heidi is still deciding on what is right and factual, but after today, she... has other issues. Now, go.”