Chapter 89

These books were generous enough to keep people returning. From cars, generic war machines, and weaponry, to electricity, most of the engineering described how things worked or why. As for more personal teachings and interests, they needed physical ideas, which was up to the apprenticeship.

Ellie settled on some minor calls and didn't force William through some bad choices. She just talked, led him around, and gave him some ideas.

Most jobs came with tests, with knowledge being good, and experiences coming later. That was not acceptable in some of them or not good for younger or older refugees. Filtering people was inevitable, so many tried their best in the library as if it was a precious opportunity of their dreams.

This didn't interest William too much, although he was interested in Enginists or Machinists, who were two of three vast fields in the current world that had substantial benefits and important history. Of course, those had multiple bookshelves that provided a ton of research materials that were up to date with incredible weight behind them. Of course, a lot of people were around those shelves.

When Ellie showed them, including a particular peak of these fields, he got hesitant since they seemed like a completely different thing compared to how Enginists were Outside.

They were about true Engineers, whose jobs and importance were almost as great as some Walkers. There was a need for them, and a lot of people dreamed of jobs in tech or manufacturing that were all over the Federation, or below. Slowly, it made sense to William.

Learning about many problems required technology and great minds, while Walkers could not give it justice, though they were a necessary part of this flow. They couldn't dwell on everything and be good Walkers at the same time, so society had its standards.

And those were something shocking indeed. Ellie talked about how some Walkers were fit for industrial duties, due to their inferior talents, age, or the right fit because it would eclipse their regular Walker duty. That touched on Enginists, Machinists, Engineers, or various other professions that required some powers for timely, efficient, or costly reasons.

That was when William gave up after skimming through some technological books. He found his world shattered, expectations in pieces, and his past had been ruined.

Not for long. Ellie finished him off in her various snarky comments that no geniuses fell from the sky. She said that he was no genius but a silly youth who might only grow despite wanting to reach the sun from afar.

“Perhaps in a couple of decades or a century, you might take part in this land,” she said back then, patting his back as if she was sorry.

Details in books were too much for him, and unless one had some teacher, things would get very difficult. Ellie said and enunciated that point numerous times, while the library had answers for that on the floors above. She will show him and blow his mind completely. But for that, she needed to be patient and lead him further despite the first two floors proving to be the end for him.

“This stuff about Enginists is like a different word. It didn't seem that complicated Outside. You put things together until they work,” William muttered, lost in sorrow, and unknown.

What had he expected? What did he want to broaden? The world? His mind? He started to doubt himself, wanting to see the broadness of the world and not learn every little bit. He wanted anything. Perhaps he got that first and foremost until he felt nothing but void.

“Enginists are just a start. Technology is important, so everyone who can't comprehend this sort of level should better give up. Of course, we can't stop the dreams, so one might master the basics in some years and reach some lower level position before becoming Machinists. The library doesn't judge hopeless people, let alone those trying really hard. Many middle-aged people are like that. They hope, build themselves up, and learn.”

“Why do I feel you pity me?” William mumbled.

“I don't. Well, perhaps a little?” Ellie said, grinning. “Anyhow, I know some friends who learned about technology for more than a decade, yet still failed to get stable work in the industry. Not like there are little to no opportunities. In fact, the Federation is expanding every year, and the amount of work is adjusted by workers, availability, or how the expansions are going to be. It is very hard to manage, but there are many clever people in charge of everything, and requirements go up every year. This library is like a knock on people's potential and a provider to make them work. Like a pat on the back or push to get them going, we watch and learn as well,” Ellie explained it like a teacher lecturing her student.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Although they were close by age, they carried very different living experiences and expectations. Ellie had yet to get into her burning sensation that she realized and hadn't touched yet. There was a Walker aside from her with an unknown Emblem. With a secret, a great gem with a vastly different life than hers was there, hiding beneath that sleeve.

Out of respect for something, she had yet to go in that direction, but she was slowly itching to get there.

“It doesn't seem right to me. If there are interesting books or simple notes, I will give them a try in the upcoming weeks. There is no need to get depressed on the first day.”

“Good idea,” Ellie agreed. There were too many books and materials to read from. Almost all of them came through work of the past, where certain institutions before the Dawn held their books with utmost importance. They protected them, sealed them, and caused them to be like treasures after more than a century, if not longer. It was quite an impressive consideration for the former generations of humanity.

“Let’s go to the next floor,” William decided and Ellie led him back to the entry corridor. Multiple entrances and exit points led to that long balcony.

Walking out, a humongous entrance ceiling was in his eyes and its big colorful window panels shined in daylight. Aside from the existing, there was another route with new stairs going to the third floor. This style seemed to be the norm. A lot of stairs meant a lot of walking.

William didn't mind it.

There were handrails all across the edge of those long balconies, made of either metal or wood filled with carved details. Once he looked down, William could only imagine what sort of view would he watch from the last floor. It could wait. He had a lot to see until then.

Going to the upper floors was not on the list for today, but in the next six weeks, he will get plenty of time to see them. With some days with Ellie, he had no doubt he would get accustomed to this building and life in this city. He planned to. Who knew if his new life had different plans for him or not?

He had yet to meet the reason for everything. A lofty Mi-Yung snatched him out of nowhere, deciding to embrace him without him knowing her in the slightest. It was not common. It was practically like a rude kidnapping.

Unfortunately, it might be more complicated than that, and various important sections of the Federation had different worries altogether.

William saw nothing shocking on the next floor. The single massive wall had some pictures, paintings, people, everyday objects, and portraits of abstract meaning around the wall. In the wall were many doors that went straight to the academic foundation.

Those were very different floors from those below, suggesting major education transformations, compelling practices, and purpose. It was about details, lessons, courses, and less wideness that technology floors showed. Those build up the intrigue and motivations of those interested. If that was a spark, this was where these sparks would grow to be small flames.

Ellie had great anticipation for this floor because its worth for younger generations was enormous. Frankly, one didn't have to read everything. Just a few matters were enough, and focusing on one career was better than being lost. But this boy was already lost, and also a Walker, so she was kind of tricky and leading him by his nose.

“I think these floors will be better for you. Well, apart from upper floors, that is...” Ellie said mysteriously and pointed to the doors. “Also, here is one thing that I have not talked about a lot. The first two floors have no restrictions on going inside. One could come there whenever one wishes, and you don't even have to pay for it.”

“Why?”

“It is simply a work of economics and providing the best push on education as possible. For people who want it, it is there. On the third floor, it changes and all the people here have to pay for entry passes per week. There are also some premium options, but depending on some courses or mentorship, it could get expensive and worth it.”

Just when William wanted to argue, she stopped him.

“I get what you mean. Why restrict it by some rudimentary money, right? Some people can't afford it. That is fine. Many do. Those who don't can get a scholarship if their base from the first two floors is adequate. The reasons are there, followed up with answers, and many communities have their own segments to push people forward, or here. They are private, but not simple because people are really trying.”

“I am not arguing about that,” William argued.

“Yes, you are. The whole premise of this floor and the next one is to educate any person who is serious about providing for the future. You might call them the deepest. There are also regular free or paid seminars or conference rooms where one could learn from experienced scholars or people in the trade.”

“So, a school?”

“Yes. It is close to that and available. Failure is less daunting, while the faults of a person or the teacher do not have a place in this system. Everyone works for what they can achieve, and everyone wants others to succeed. The Federation requires that, so a lot of attention goes into this. In return, the Federation fills their fields with a constant flow, and it gives many things back like rewards, homes, or safety. You would be surprised how little failures we have here, unless some people are stupid or lazy, of course.” Ellie sighed and felt as if she had been the only one speaking for the past two hours.

Honestly, she was far from over.

“While we provide help to those that are interested, or willing, it is worth it. I spent years here myself, and I regret not a single day or spent credits,” Ellie proudly puffed her chest and smiled.

William nodded, giving her an unbothered approval, which still pleased her a little. Just a pinch to her otherwise cheerful mood couldn't possibly make a huge difference.

But it did.

“What to do inside, or how to get there?”

Unlike the previous doors, these were closed.