Chapter 125

Hours passed and disappeared into obscurity and no one could think of what occurred in William's room. Not even Luke, Yungmin, or Mi-Yung herself.

For many, it was a tight night that would pass like any other, even if the Rifts opened and wars were yet to calm down. At the new dawn, people usually regain their strength for the next day, re-entering a new cycle. Such ways were natural and the same across the worlds or realms. Now or in the past, humanity should keep them, even if the last century was an utter pile of shit.

The small creature wouldn't agree or disagree with that, for it didn't care for anyone but one. It remained standing before the window and enjoyed its rain of thoughts. It occasionally crouched down, and walked back and forth on the inner parapet, keeping up with its enjoyment and time.

It never left or did something else that would oppose it. One thing had to remain the same, no matter its core conflicts. Its head, which was colorful like the rest, remained transfixed to the window, but it also saw William from time to time just to see he was still there, sleeping, and taking on the dream.

Good. Seeking the sight beyond with seeming happiness was delightful. Until the wrapping rays of light appeared beyond the horizon. Then, it looked onward with anger and unlikely fluster. It panicked and began flaring its hands around the air. As if it wanted to bathe in its glory and praise of the sun, it was hard to tell if it was a glorious graceful dance or an embarrassing panic.

It kept moving in strange patterns, leaving flaring lines until its gaze on the sun stopped and time-shifted. In contentment and less grief, it disappeared into a pile of dust, matter, particles, or who knew what else it could even be called.

All that remained in its place was a familiar gem-like object with a crimson color. It was less glossy and seemed like an unwavering storm the size of a coin.

Then, crisp shifts and rays flickered, and dense lighting particles turned in the air, locking the Emblem under the curtains of gloss. Bathing in the rays of the sun this time around was just another Emblem.

***

Before the night became weird, or a certain little fond vermin locked onto its escape plan, Ellie had different expectations and a great day behind her.

She left William on his own accord and felt small bits of remorse after ditching him. She kind of enjoyed her time in a different way than she thought. All because of that Emblem, she knew shamelessly.

She wanted to continue giving that clueless boy some attention and lessons. They didn't stop her no matter what, which was either good or touching on something she found weird. It seemed like a fun and perfect way for her to do her dream job, albeit it was still strange because William wasn't that much older than her. So, wasn't it kind of reasonable and perfect? Almos fun? How many chances like this would come wasn't in her mind.

Ellie thought little of the whole picture, for there was that Emblem that kept reappearing in her mind, clicking against her fingers, dancing in waves, and showing her intense patterns.

Walking around the floors wasn't up to her right now, let alone greet people who arrived at the entrance. Her job today was over, yet something else wasn't. She went back to the bottom and was unsure what William was up to, or if he even left or not.

She entered the offices and quickly found Burton sitting beside common areas, checking on some progress, or waiting for her specifically. He had a bunch of documents and piles of books around his desk, though that was common for anyone here. He had piles of documents and locked ideas on his desk all the time, seemingly waiting for Ellie to glance at them.

“Evening, sir Burton,” Ellie said right beside him. He wouldn't notice her otherwise.

Stopping what he was doing, he glanced once at her before shifting his chair. “You seemed to be in a delightful mood, Ellie.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Depends.”

“Is something... wrong?” She cocked her head, noticing that not many people were around.

“Depends,” Burton said in his usual stern tone. By now, most offices were empty and only a few workers remained to run the night shifts, which was less active than the mornings or usual day.

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Ellie was the same. She wanted to go home and rest, or prepare herself for what was to come tomorrow. She promised a bunch of things to William that she had to check, read again, and do him justice. It wasn't about pride or anything like that. She wasn't even kidding or feeling bad about working hard. She had been doing it for years and did so with a smile.

She always took care of her priorities and William's issues were nigh impossible to ignore. She wanted to clutch this change with every fiber of her body.

“Well, sir. About William...”

“Where have you gone today?” Burton cut to the chase.

“Nothing much. The first few floors went for longer than I anticipated because he showed some interest in numerous weird objects. Like a kid, perhaps? Well, he is really just an Outsider, though a weird refugee. He is just a Walker if I have to call him for who he is. It wasn't as if I was talking for hours, sir. We ended up on the culture floor, which he found oddly interesting. Not the computers though, which I find shameful. Just a tiiiny little bit, that is. Not much to call it disgrace, sir. Oh, he likes some comics for sure. I saw that in his eyes.” Ellie exaggerated nothing, pinched her fingers, and spoke freely to this man.

“Culture, eh?” Burton frowned and seemed peculiarly interested in something. “It seems... well, it doesn't matter. Do you think he is strange?”

“Calling any youth with Emblem normal would be an understatement, sir.”

“Oh, so you do know that. So, do you like him?”

Humming, she didn't find this question odd. “Not sure. He is strange and interesting and like a weird book with scribbled pages and surprises. I think he is a fine example of an older young Walker who is right upon the Examination. While he isn't the dumbest, he isn't the brightest. He is like a dull sword, I reckon. Still good in the tip, but the edge is...”

“I mean, from the academic point.” Burton reminded, cutting the chase of her useless talk.

“Well, the answer remains the same then. I can teach him. He is good and not some moron or... well, stupid Outsider or refugee who is full of some nonsense. I am unsure why that's relevant or what caused it. Without his parents, he seems a bit awkward, but he isn't as introverted as a stone. It's more like a gem. Yep.” Ellie bluntly said and stood as straight and polite as she could. Reports and dealing with Burton required this sort of attitude. He didn't make silly mistakes for something small.

Ellie learned that the hard way.

“Hm. What about later?”

“I suspect that I will keep up with him for a couple of days, though I am not sure what the next two floors will deliver. As you know, William has Kaufman's card and you said that I should accompany him as part of this library and protector of that card. He isn't dumb enough to use it for something nefarious, sir. It was uncalled for.”

“I did it because of Kaufman, Ellie.”

“Oh, sure. Is he even back? I don't know. It seems weird to me. That card won't be an issue. William will take care of it.”

Burton took a deep breath. “I suppose that is fine then.”

“Did Miss Heidi change her mind about something? Does she... not want him here?”

This time, Burton frowned deeper. “Sharp girls tend to get lost in vacations, Ellie. You figured out her interest or is it something else?”

“I mean, I know Miss Heidi. I tend to speak to her often. Is she here?”

“Yes, but she left to deal with something minor. Meanwhile, I will take care of your next position and options. Your schedule is free and your working hours will go through a triple bonus and some checks, followed by your personal opinion. Ten-hour shift? Twelve? You know my point.”

Money wasn't an issue to her, so Ellie didn't cheer. “What checks? What changes?”

“I think some things about Walkers are seldom under your correct measures and awareness, even though you've... done some dealings under the table.”

“Oh.” Ellie didn't hide anything, nor did she act surprised. “Is it bad?”

“Curiosity is not bad, as long as it has boundaries, Ellie. Boundaries!” he said firmly, which Ellie took as not that bad news. “We want you to get some stuff going and give this one sample a fine-tuning if not a steep and profound shake. Can you do it?”

“Oh!” Ellie seemed surprised and couldn't keep up with her front. She clutched her fists and became excited. “You mean that! Will you give me this chance for real? This assessment is high and checks or clearances are there as well. You won't back down from it, right?”

“Temporary, texts, locks, and checks proceed under undisclosed indications, as they are good for you to know. But some official matters need something else. Miss Kaufman thought of you and that boy as an interesting topic. Checks will do the rest like your elevated clearance, but it will be under my assessments and William's needs. There are limits here. What he does and needs is secondary because that can be under our supervision, while his card is the real issue. A lot has changed since Kaufman was here, and that card is old and not part of most protocols. I asked Dave, the Hacker, to temporarily shut down some matters but acting like scared dogs isn't what the library is about. Kaufman or that card, we won't yield!”

“Well, if that's the case. William wants to go to the upper floors tomorrow and I wanted to inquire about their matters. It seems you already knew what this is about, sir Burton. Is that why you mentioned the checks and my clearance? What can I do and not do?” Ellie was more than aware of how efficient and strange Burton often worked, especially with Heidi.

He might be a cold-blooded librarian, but his passion for this job and Kaufmans were never-ending and closer to obsession.

“Yes! You will adjust according to some matters and works. You will handle this suitable tier-four clearance.” He handled her some badge and Ellie took it with trembling hands.

Advanced Realm Officer? It was beneath the one Burton held.

“Isn't it... too much?”

“And this is...” Burton handled her piles of papers and books on his desk. “Learn the benefits and bits to take care of, for this is about Walkers and protocols. For now, I suspect William won't be an idiot and Sir Kaufman had his strange thoughts about him or fleeting considerations. I want you to take care of these things and teach him what it means to know this world. You will do it like him. Learn and play some role. Can you do it?”

Ellie accepted it without hesitation.