Chapter 86

This boy was a Walker. Not just any, but one with Rank 0, quite some history and interest looming near. If Kaufman got interested in him, then it was settled. Burton ought to respect it and take that card as a gift for future generations. A future granted by Kaufman of all people.

Impossible...

It was worth questioning it again. It seemed Burton had to argue and talk plenty more with the current headmaster, the daughter of Kaufman.

There was one correct mindset in such a situation, and that was to give up and let this boy handle this card according to the wishes of both old and new headmasters. Turning his head to Ellie, he ordered her something that both of them didn't expect.

“Since this young man feels like this, and is like this, all I can allow is some hierarchy. Ellie, you will follow Mister Gale across the library, so he won’t get lost and learn some nonsense. You have been around here for almost a decade. You ought to see more, so I will give you this chance for a promotion. If the headmaster likes it, we can talk more about it later.”

Ellie shuddered and eyes beamed in delight. She bowed deeply and thanked him thrice.

“Don't get me wrong, girl. Getting a better understanding of the world through pictures and words isn't all to life, nor is it that simple. This boy has seen life Outside, filled with doubts for who knows how long, while you did not. With you at his side, perhaps it will be more pleasing. Call it your duty for a couple of days and you don't have to guide others or do your routine. Work with him alone.” Burton finalized his order and gave Ellie no time for protests.

Not as if she had some. She wouldn't mind anything as long as it meant something great, and some private teaching was something she enjoyed. And this boy was curious because she heard quite some interesting words and nice topics in their conversation.

She was curious about who he was, where he came from, and how he had such a card. Bowing, she agreed. “I will follow through with your order, Mister Burton.”

“Teach yourself well, boy,” Burton said to William next. “The world is not adjustable for dumb or clueless people, so don't waste that card and take it with a grain of fear. No. A Mountain of it! That's all. Take care of it as you can. Ellie, before you leave today, visit my office. Until then, good luck to both of you.”

Then, Burton left for the offices feeling some sour taste in his mouth, and his steps were heavy. Dealing with Kaufman was more than sour. It was more like a poison that dragged one down. It was anxious inducting. Not every day was a good day, apparently.

Ellie looked at him leaving, before glancing at the boy she was meant to tutor. It felt rather forceful, but she was excited about it in many ways. Seeing new people in front of the gate and greeting them could get stale quickly.

“I am sorry if this caused trouble between you or your boss. It was not my intention, Miss Ellie,” William awkwardly said to her and scratched his head.

“Don't be. I actually do not mind this one bit, William, is it?”

“Yeah.”

“If so, you can simply call me Ellie. I am no miss. That honorific is just respect to nobody. I am not even an adult! I am seventeen and live in the Federation. However, it doesn’t mean everything. This work is my dream that I've chased for ten years. Can you understand that? This is a freaking Federation Library and not everyone is allowed to work here! Secrets are under every corner, while the historians and research come here even from the Emblem Association and Assembly. There are some hideously important people behind this place even if it is about history or books.” She started to speak far too enthusiastically, giving William a new light onto his life and an even brighter smile.

“I thought Assembly Island was full of insane people,” William added.

She smirked as if he watched a fool and approached him closely before whispering small secrets to his head. She seemed much more friendly than before, though William wondered if that was even possible. She also smelled nice, which took William by surprise. Her eyes were even more green and glistering than he supposed. Still, he took it as an interesting situation and took her words much more seriously.

“People and Walkers are different, while Emblem Association is simpler than the Assembly, which is for Walkers alone. The Association is full of researchers and busy people in different layers of cognitive matters and education. It is about science. They don't care about politics or economics. They work for Walkers and care about Emblems, Darks, research around them, and other things that I don't even know. I am normal, you see. Just a regular human.”

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William wasn't surprised by this and nodded twice. “Alright, but it was still not my intention to make any kind of trouble with you and your boss. I can tell it might be bad. Job is important. Dreams are too.”

This took Ellie by surprise. He was far too apologetic over nothing. She got rewarded, so what sort of nonsense was he spouting?

“When did you come here?”

“Yesterday. I hope you will bear with me, Ellie.” William apologized again since it wasn't his nature to make trouble for others. That was as long as they deserved it, or if there was some worth in it.

Burton sounded like a total asshat, so he chose to play tough and speak with him like he wanted. He regretted it a little afterward, even if it was a discussion between some important adult and nobody.

Ellie was at least glad that he didn't deny her this position set up by Burton. As he heard him, she almost thought he would be sorry to waste her time on his insignificant life.

Ellie almost laughed when this idea crossed her mind. She basically imagined him begging her to leave him alone. “I see. Since you managed to attack my job for a couple of days, I will follow you and teach you. You must be glad since you are speaking to an expert who went through the knowledge venture for years. Getting accepted isn't simple. Can you imagine that? Three years went for core education, followed by five years of work and more education. I spend eight years of my life on that. That is almost half of my life.”

“Oh? You look like a hardworking person. It is a pleasure to have you. I can't even imagine what it all means. It is different than Outside, so...” William said and shook his head.

“That was just the figure of speech,” Ellie sighed to herself. “It wasn't... anything hard. Outside is a savage land. A land of death.”

“Anyway, I want to look at the library and glance at what I can. I have many days ahead of me. Since you were forced at me like that, I won't be polite about you.”

“Good! Don't be.” Ellie nodded and felt proud.

“First, can you tell me about this card and what to take it for? I doubt your boss spoke of everything. I remember his reminder before he left and I genuinely don't know what it is besides what is written there.” It was a small gray lie, as Luke spoke to him about it briefly.

Ellie glanced at the card he pulled again and saw a full pass without any stops, so what was he asking about? Everything here was open to him and that included the stuff that was well beyond her understanding. What rules did it have? What sort of secrets did it hold? For her, it was like an unknown mesmerizing master key to her curious dreams or ideas. She almost salivated just looking at it.

He has no clue. How cute, Ellie thought and smiled behind her confidence. “Alright. This card is actually very simple. It grants everything, so what about things that can’t get you everywhere? I don't think it is right. For example, a regular pass costs ten credits a week and unlocks almost everything below the seventh floor. Access for the eight and above is a little bit different. A lot of sections in them are like shops with goods that one purchases one at a time. One might even purchase access for cheaper but have a limited range of options. That goes for the regular pass as well. A single credit can go a long way, while some things are much more expensive.”

“Why?” William wasn't impressed by locks and credit limitations. He blinked at her as if he was worried for her head because she was far too proud of these limits.

“It is half-business. Operation costs, expeditions, getting knowledge, or workers are not cheap. I reckon we do more charitable work than anyone because even refugees can come in and teach themselves for almost anything. Oh, and we grand grants and stuff. Many can come here anytime and basic education is almost free.” Ellie cleared her thoughts before continuing. “Sure, there are many floors that have some restrictions, while there are even those that are free to enter, or sponsored on rare occasions. Then, there are courses and places, or books to buy, or borrow.”

“What? It... Don't tell me everything is about money?”

“Money? No. Not at all. The last thing we want to stop is the knowledge, so if there are some citizens or refugees who want to learn because of some specific jobs, we grant them access to classes, or sections in the library free of charge. Those depend on job applications and business. We connect them. Oh, and technology floors are almost entirely free, but many take the regular pass and learn whatever they can whenever they want. There are more open sections than restricted ones, so don't think this is some extortion. Got it?”

He nodded doubtfully and asked. “What about other passes?”

“They depend on context, but a regular pass is enough for most of the public. Things get harder when we see Walkers or restrictions bit by bit. Upper floors and some sections of the museum and history have limits depending on what we are looking at. Depending on how much one wants to see them, one can see them if they want to pay or have good enough cards or connections. Some doors and rooms show some nasty things that the public shouldn't access for free unless one is from the military or their connections are with some organizations.”

“I see. What about Walkers? Do they have some benefits or are they seen like any other citizen or.... refugee?”

“What? Of course, they are different!” Ellie said as if she couldn't believe his words. “Walkers are the core of the Federation, so of course they go a long way. Their restrictions and benefits depend on their Rank, who they serve, what is their family like, or their home organization. Citizens are normal people and Walkers, whereas refugees are those hoping to become citizens and get various benefits. Of course, when I speak of everyone, it is not equal Outside or here. Walkers are built different. They are like Gods of this place.”