Chapter 126

The world of Walkers was in Ellie’s palms and she had the willingness to clutch it, even if it was heavy. Like literary; she was wavering because of the weight of books so she let them to the desk to catch a breath.

“Thank you.” She said to Burton, bowing and shaking in her hands alone. She quenched them, trying to calm down.

Burton had much more to say but things weren't that simple when Kaufman decided to act after so long. Then, there was the other Kaufman to think about, because it wasn't... the finest timing imaginable.

Things were bound to get complicated. Many rumors were brewing around the fundamental details of this library and it provided excellent services for this society. The hidden one as well.

The Examination was coming and some big shifts were occurring in the Federation as they talked. Library found out about them long ago thanks to its rich information network and understandable strong connection to all sorts of organizations, Division included.

Right. They found some things about William, but the main course was Celeste, the recent upheaval in Australia, or the journey of hundreds of Walkers around North America and back to the Federation. The end? Not in the slightest. The Federation became flocked with Darks and battles raged for the day in numerous defensive layers.

Frankly, it was an incredible story for Burton, who knew Australia was far too detached from the Federation, and anything about it was hard to acquire or obtain. Ways to get back for this single mission were numerous, or even simple.

One way was to go through Africa. That was... well, not suitable. North America was a better option, while travel above the ocean was the subsequent choice.

That trip worked thanks to many clever Walkers, supplying spots, and one surprising alliance. Emblem Academy's sudden powerful involvement exceeded some expectations and turned this mission into a once-in-a-decade event. The best choice would be the involvement of the Teleportation Formation, though they were apparently ineffective, which Burton found interesting.

Fain himself then showed up. Burton was curious if there was something else that was missing, but before getting any deeper, the door shot open and a person flew to the ground before he told Ellie his final words.

Who flew in was a sorry person, beaten up and crying. Whimpering and hugging his head, it was Yungmin, Mi-Yung's younger brother, and a Rank 4 private and autonomous Walker filled with some internal issues and no management. It seemed he asked for a beating. Of course, he got it, even if he were no wild dog.

He rolled on the ground, but not for long. A foot flew and snatched him back to the ground, forcing him to cry out without the ability to speak.

Ellie and Burton got a headache after a hefty woman flew and landed on Yungmin. “Got you, a tiny weasel meandering around my dungeon.”

“Hello, Miss Heidi,” Ellie said respectfully and bowed her head without shock and surprise.

Burton didn't want to get involved with either of them.

Heidi was quite busy and her face was fierce. She was surprisingly young and strong, so calling her a principal might be an overstatement because she looked like none. Thankfully, she had many good features from her parents that gave her charm and a fitting personality. Mainly from her father, of course.

“Oh, weasling, Song Yungmin. Tell me....” she started and enjoyed her feet on his back, putting some weight on it, and pushing it upwards. “Tell me about it. What were you doing and sneaking around my library? You know the rules and got so happy to do such madness right before my feet? You think I am blind, or what?”

Yungmin coughed up blood and felt no remorse. “Shut up... It's none of your business what I do!”

“Oh... then you must feel no remorse about my business. Good. If that's the case, then bear with my feet for the rest of the evening.”

Heidi Kaufman was terrible at business and negotiating. She was as endearing as savage, but also fair and powerful as long as it suited her. She used Yungmin as a chair and gestured for Ellie to come closer.

“How was your day?” She asked Ellie as if they were going on a picnic. Her face changed and shifted to a bright nice smile.

Beneath her, Yungmin felt like crying. He fucked up and forgot about the rules, but he genuinely had no regrets. He was already preparing for his escape route because he got everything he needed. Almost, that was.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

He saw William's day and did enough to feel good about himself. But William? That brat mishandled his expectations and put weird things into his head.

Of course, Yungmin noticed Ellie, who was close and watching his embarrassing position. But he was full of pride even when beaten up. He appreciated her ways of words that revealed William's background without him talking to this brat who stole his sister.

Ellie approached Heidi, recognizing her chair, and was curious about what she wanted to know. “It was kind of a busy day, but such days are fine. Mister Burton already told me about some changes and my clearance. I must thank you on my behalf as well.”

“Yeah? Whatever. I want to have some fun and see my father again. I didn't know he was back, but... where should we go with him? That guy. Hm. Little Gale, I reckon. It puts roots in my head, that one. I think I don't wanna meet him, so you will deal with it and do something nice while can.”

“I say we destroy the evidence and get rid of those silly cards.” Burton suddenly said behind Ellie.

“Seems excessive. My father wouldn't be happy. Wait. No. Perhaps this would be better for everyone...” Heidi argued and clicked her tongue in hesitation.

Burton nodded and felt more right about it as if his suggestion turned into a lie.

“I am happy!” Ellie suddenly asserted and hugged her new papers full of secrets and opportunities that she previously might've known, but this was official business. So what if she was aware of some bits and pieces? At least half of these papers would no longer surprise her, which meant what? The other half would shake her up, making the rest so much more enticing.

Heidi liked that about Ellie. So much so that she permitted these privileges and nepotism even if it was largely against the norm. Usually, only the Assembly and Divisions asserted suitable candidates for this knowledge and clearance.

But this was a library, and Ellie was Heidi's favorite. Nobody will stop this!

“Then have fun, Ellie. Meanwhile, I will have my own fun in this new seat. Good night. I will be hearing from you soon afterward. Tomorrow night, that is. I need to think about some propositions and ideas. Hm. Yep. Deeper pondering, and also some helpful discussions and integration demon charms.” Heidi got up and dragged Yungmin to her own private office.

Ellie was curious about that unlucky guy. Frankly, she knew who he was but she had no good impressions about him. His sister was the exact opposite matter, however.

“Good night, Ellie. Work hard for our sake.” Burton said beside her and gestured to the door out of the offices.

Ellie hugged her new hope and left with many emotions and hopes. In her heart, she didn't know if sleeping was possible tonight. Warm and almost trembling, she was extremely grateful that William showed up.

***

A new day soon arrived with beaming sunshine across the horizon, hitting against some distant clouds. The bustling of the Districts intensified like every morning, and countless people began working and moving around the streets. It was either for a job or for food.

Federation had many essentials and many people didn't know how much work went into its infrastructure and running.

Unlike most of them, this wasn't a worry for William, who didn't want to wake up early or know what was making this place that crazy. Not like he didn't want to wake up, but no. That was correct. He hated the morning and didn't like how sunlight felt on his closed eyes.

Alas, as all things had their norms, William woke up, taking on this continuous attack of the sun. They would never leave him alone because he forgot about the curtains again.

“Ahhh!” Moaning and almost grunting in annoyance, he shifted his hands and shielded his closed eyes. “There we go. I should've moved those damned curtains against this evil sun of a...” William stopped there, opened his eyes, and looked at the clock on the wall. He slept for eight hours, and no matter what, there was no excuse for laziness. Not right now.

He had work to do and wasting Ellie's time wasn't his promise.

“I slept like a baby. What a good start!” Cheering himself up rather forcefully, he lied as he adjusted his eyes. He slept almost naked after a very long time. It was quite a nice feeling. Being in the middle of the ocean, the weather was nice and refreshing all the time.

William still didn't know where he even was, since the general common knowledge of the Federation wasn't known Outside. Just the truth that it existed was enough, or that it was somewhere in the ocean. In which direction or how deep, he didn't know.

Sitting up in the bed, William thrashed his hair and scratched his temples. Yawning twice, he noticed something missing in his forearm after a couple of strokes. It was kind of notable and he could feel it being wrong. Facing the bones of his inner forearm, he sighed and felt a terrible foreboding feeling hitting his mind as if he lost half of his soul. Then he cursed, blinked it, and slapped his head and forearm.

And the day started so well! Now, it was bound to cause a storm. Perhaps even getting out of bed was too much. He should stay put, lest something terrible happen.

“Again? Wasn't it a day ago when you disappeared, eh? No words, huh.” William sighed and looked around the bed to find his cursed Emblem. No matter how, he never understood why it was happening. It wasn't often. Not back-to-back like this for sure, and whenever it happened, the day wouldn't end up well.

He didn't find it in the bed, so he glanced around and found it glistering under the sunlight right before the window. Its beauty was there to catch his eyes, or was it for the sun?

William frowned and was a little glad he found it; he wasn't even sure what he would do if he ever lost it forever.

“I don't remember going to the window, but whatever,” William, unbothered by this mystery, jumped from the bed and grabbed it back.

Turning it upside down, he noticed no difference from yesterday, or was it the glint, flow, or color that seemed different? He watched it so much, that even a small change didn't escape his eyes. At least his arm remained the same. Empty, dull, and making his mind weird. Its structure should better remain like this, not turn weird, ugly, or bothersome.

Gritting his teeth, and after a deep breath, he pushed it back into his arm. Sizzling pain and a thud later, he exhaled and felt whole again.