In not that long, since the eating has been happening for a while, everyone is full, including Ellie whose appetite is lacking.

Luke is the first to leave since his work dictates the mandatory time he has to follow. Giving Mi-Yung his goodbye, he gives William his fair share of words of wisdom, making his last day in this apartment worth it, since he won't see him in a long while.

“Good luck kid.” He tells, obvious to Roman or Ellie in the room. “I took you out of Outside, so let me be brief. Showing you Walker's world has been my involuntary purpose, but not like I gave you, or showed you a lot. In fact, the world that is further outside is much wilder than you probably think.” he says, while William glances at him, opening his mouth in a try to speak.

“No.” Roman shuts him instead. “I know what you would say. You spent the time Outside in many things, and saw and went through things that your little lady to your left has no idea about since she grew up in the Federation. A lucky thing, right? It's unimportant. The world is not fine for either of us. Walker, or a regular person. It matters not when those monsters kill and eat us all the same.”

“Luke....” Mi-Yung glares at him, not wanting to have such a nasty message be his intended words.

“Oh? Was I too harsh?” Roman chuckles and roughly shakes William's hair, wincing him on the spot in a try to get out of his touch. “Trials are tough so don't hesitate and have some determination, conviction, and confidence in your abilities. A good head is also required to have. Not just a good Emblem, so think about it and have a tough time. Good luck.”

Then, he stops his hand, getting out of the kitchen to take his jacket in purple colorful strips that indicate his military department.

“Thank you,” William mutters before Luke disappears beyond the front door.

This leaves Roman, Ellie, William, and Mi-Yung alone in the kitchen, while Roman is long done with his meal. He too is preparing himself to leave since the time is night. As he wants, going out with William to the Trial is up to him.

Ellie is inclined to ask William or Mi-Yung some wondering questions, but she doesn't want to sound suspicious. Instead, Mi-Yung leaves the table and goes to confront the sitting Roman alone.

“So. This little treasure hunt passed?” she says, taking a seat next to him.

“I suspect you must be quite happy, but not like I blame you for doing what anyone would do.”

“Yea. I guess you can call me shameless enough.” Roman answers, leaning on the sofa wide and deep. It has been a while since he sat like this, yet from his posture and face, Mi-Yung noticed something suspicious and weird about him today.

“Finishing this business has been quick, albeit it has been 9 and not 10 days as usual.” Roman comments.

“Usual is usual, Roman.” Mi-Yung sights. “But I can tell that something is wrong, so tell me. Is something wrong?” she asks with a serious face.

“Not at all. I have my orders that seem a bit strange this time around. I have to follow the direction of the Trial as a member of the Instructors. Rest does the same, or so I think?” he explains, yet his face doesn't change much at all.

“Schultz?” Mi-Yung asks, rising her brows.

“Doubt it. Must be Academy itself, so I will have to tag along.” Roman sights, leaning far with his head that he sees William behind. “It's pain, but it's whatever. William, get ready and stop eavesdropping.”

“I am just listening.” William glances at him, oblivious to the conversation that he wants to hear. “”

“You listen to elders. Prepare some baggage with you or something. We leave in a bit. It shouldn't be big. Something that will give you freedom of travel without hindrance. Also, a change of clothes is necessary. Especially for you so hush, leave and prepare.” Roman waves at him, indicating him to hurry and not waste time. “How much time do I have? It's already 8:30 AM.” William says, pointing to the watch that he picks from his pockets.

“At 10.” Roman bluntly answers, uncaring for his lazy attitude.

Hearing he still has plenty of time, William feels like scowling and complaining, but he still leaves the kitchen to pack his things. Not like he has a lot, so he should be quite quick in this preparation.

Ellie glances at their conversation, and a hand that clutches hers stops her wonders. William looks at her. “Wanna help me?” he asks.

Elli looks at Mi-Yung from a distance, noticing Mi-Yung nod and shaking her to tag along. Some private conversation between Walkers is due, or so she assumes, so she follows William to his room.

So, the Mi-Yung is left with Roman, who backs his head to a normal position.

Sitting beside Roman, Mi-Yung makes herself comfortable by closing her legs and getting a bit close to him. Roman pretty much ignores her, which isn't the usual case.

“What happened last night?” she asks openly.

“Nigh? Should have? Happened is a wide term since it has been a long night. If you are asking about William and his Sparring session with me, I doubt you care about my opinion.”

“Kids have memory loss,” Mi-Yung tells the facts straight as they are.

“They too?”

“Wait, you too?” Mi-Yung asks in surprise. Prior to Ellie's question, she already figured something is wrong with her memories too, and her question makes it that much more confusing. Mi-Yung didn't want to make her worried, so she lied instead and didn't include her in memory loss either.

“I swear I saw something strange last night... Not sure... what, since I remember nothing of it.” Roman tells, shaking his head in a try to remember.

“Something bad, I presume? A deal of the Assembly or someone private tried to do something? Considering the Awakening, and following business, a lot of forces are trying to do some shady things.” Mi-Yung voices her wonder, but Roman can't answer anything, as he doesn't know.

“Doing something nasty in the Federation seems unlikely, but the fact the memories have been lost between me and your? Someone is trying to hide something, and it doesn't make me happy.

“Then what do you want to hear from me?” Roman asks in annoyance, wincing his head in her direction. “I am unbothered with whatever happened. I just want to leave and get this over with. Is what I wish to tell, but making people forget?”

“I swear I don't like this one bit too, so think about it for a second,” Mi-Yung says. “Something is happening regarding William. That is one thing, but involving civilians like Ellie is another.” Mi-Yung frowns in an unhappy mood.

Asking some other questions is all she could do, but there are no good answers Roman could tell her.

He is curious but more angry and confused. The lack of something important seems to be lacking. It's a feeling he can't help to stop.

He feels he shouldn't question this too much, but he feels he should. There are confusing feelings in his mind since he woke up along with pain and whatnot. After all, there has been a searing wound across half of his body when the sun woke him up in his hotel.

Like William, he can't remember how he got there.

Roman folds his arms around his chest, frowning deeply in return at Mi-Yung's worry. Layers of cloth make it clear that he hides it. The bloodied bandages from strange wounds. He barely got hold of himself with some bandages and thanks to his strong Vector body, he had no trouble bleeding out when he woke up in bloodied bed.

At last, Mi-Yung notices his tight chest and forceful face that tries to remain calm. So, she forces her hand, jumping at him to uncover his bloodied bandages while he cries and complains in annoyance.

Roman is unable to do much against her in this condition. He couldn't react properly thanks to his wounds, and perhaps even if he could, Mi-Yung would be more brutal.

“What's that?” Mi-Yung asks, pointing to Roman's chest as she forced him deep into the sofa.

“You aren't gentle at all....” He complains, trying to pull her hands with his, but it isn't working.

She looks at him with a serious face, forcing her hands to his chest to pat it a few times. He scowls in pain, forcing his hands to push her back a little.

“No idea. No idea. It's there, so it's there. That's all to it.” Roman answers through gritted teeth. He doesn't hide the truth per se, but he is annoyed for not knowing the rightful truth. It is more embarrassing for him to not remember what happened than to think about his own injury.

“Your injury and memory. Who would do both? Injuring you like that is more suspicious. Why would anyone do that?” Mi-Yung says in agitation, getting off of him and forcing his layers of clothes away. Visibly worried, she places a hand on his wound to see it deeper.

However, before even starting, the talk between Ellie and William returns along with their footsteps. They appeared in the kitchen, involuntarily glancing at her and Roman's situation with silence.

Without any words, William takes some leftover meal from the table, dragging Ellie back to his room without any thoughts.

Mi-Yung picks the pace afterward, unbothered by them at all. She grasps Roman's clothing and forces them away to uncover the majority of the bandages.

The wounds are wider than a blade, but also not different from cuts, or swipes either. There are many scorched wounds along with lines of blade origin. Blood seeps from the bandages, making the wounds obvious.

They go from the shoulder, across the chest, and abdomen region, to a side, right along the ribs. It's nasty, and there are at least 12 lines along with not-that-pleasant fleshly bloody wounds.

Roman turns his head away, giving up escaping. “It's Walker's wound. Not one I recognize. It's not William's by the way. He didn't injure me yesterday.

“He did before yesterday?” Mi-Yung chuckles meaningfully, before uncovering a medkit underneath the corner of the coffee table.

“Forget it...” Roman chuckles as well, continuing. “Why someone did what they did is a question in my mind too. Either some assault or someone didn't like me. I wonder what would be likely to happen more, but the variable in William is a big plausibility too. What do you think?”

“There is no difference between assault and not liking you...” she says the obvious thing. “But... We don't fight each other here in the Federation, Roman. Rules are here for that, and peace too...”

“Yet someone did not only that but destroyed the evidence.”

“Right.” Mi-Yung nods, releasing the old bandages to change them into new ones. “It's nasty, but you should be fine, won't you?

“Sure. Give me hours, or a day, and I am like a fish in the water again.” Roman chuckles.

“I swear... It seems it wasn't a good night at all. What about the memories?”

“Vague. Past my leaving the Institution, I can't remember anything. You?”

“Assembly Island. Leaving from it is vague along with some parts today too. Of course, that also includes what I did after leaving... which is more worrisome.” Mi-Yung says with an unnatural frown on her face. It seems she wishes to tell more words, but the majority stays inside her mind.

“Assembly?” Roman frowns. “That's a bit different when you mention it. Someone is hiding something, and it includes such a place? What if more people are involved too? You should investigate more about it.”

“You bet, even though I have no idea where to start. I will look into it as I can, but kids were also included, so don't forget it!” she argued, patting his stomach to make the pain memorable along with her words.

Roman scowls, forcing his next words out. “Are... kids fine? They seem to me, but I am... unsure.”

“They are, as far as my eyes are.”

“Good... I will figure something out after this business is over. If I will discover something, I will contact you. Let's just pretend everything is fine.”

“Even though it's not?” she asked, using 3rd roll of bandages to cover his chest and back where many crystal-like spikes in dark green fog were inserted into his flesh.

“Precisely. Someone acted behind the scenes... No clue why I was included or what for, but here we are. Even William and that girl of his... It's strange.”

“Fine, Roman. This time, I will go by your words, but be damn sure you will contact me, or I will contact you sooner. I don't want you in trouble, but my words lost these meaningful words long ago, you lone wolf.” She says, slapping his shoulder to ease her anger.

“I won't leave the Federation until I will get to know who wounded me. No worries. Memory or not, this disgrace... Hmph!” Roman sneers in certain confidence that he wouldn't make some stupid mistakes.

So, this leaves Mi-Yung, but forgets the forgotten part, and solves his wounds in the following minutes. Bandages are all necessary, since Walkers are monsters anyway, so no stitching or anything is necessary.

Leaving the bloody wound under more layers of fabric, and Roman's jacket, she leaves him free.

“Be sure to be careful.” she points with a finger to his face, standing up to leave him be.

after Roman's helpless nod and sight, Mi-Yung goes to check on the kids.

This leaves Roman alone, but he isn't one bit less agitated.

With this void of the night, the 4 people in this apartment have their wonders and ideas, but no choices to solve them.

Nothing bad happened as far as the kids are concerned. Whatever the deal with Roman is, it's not a normal kind of problem to have.

By this point, William is long back in his room, uncaring about whatever Mi-Yung and Roman were doing. His old bag is packed with some change of clothes. The majority has been Luke's old clothes since Mi-Yung has been quite adamant about using them since Luke doesn't have any use for them.

Past 9 AM, Roman calms his heart, and appears normal, without any paleness or any strangeness around him.

The big meal helps with regaining stamina for Walkers, while time too, is a major factor in his recovery. He didn't expect to hear Mi-Yung reveal William's and Ellie's lack of memories from tonight, but not like he has clue to help them.

In William's room, he keeps storing and figuring out what to take.

Knocking sounds stops him from thinking, while Mi-Yung's appearance doesn't do anything either.

“Is everything good?” She asks, not even knowing what to tell. She glances at Ellie who sits on the bed in the same whitish dress.

“I am packing, so I hope it's good,” William says, crouching back to the ground to see the content of his bag.

Mi-Yung walks forward, ignoring Ellie's questionable glances. Noticing Mi-Yung suspicious activity of having both hands behind her back, she feels right to feel strange since memory loss isn't a good thing.

Mi-Yung stops before William and places her right hand towards his bag. It's a box. A wooden one with indistinct features and size as if made for shoes.

William stops what he is doing and glances at her figure. “For me?” he asks, glancing at the box afterward.

“It's something that Ellie mentioned. Once or twice. I hope it's put to good use since a proper Walker needs something good.” Mi-Yung tossed the box onto his lap. “You will get a better one in the future, but think of this as my last gift for you, William. I am sure you will be a good Walker,” she says, before leaving the room.

William takes the box to his hands, unknown what to even say. She left before he even says any thanks.

“What is it?” He turns to Ellie, who hops from the bed to crouch by his side.

“I forgot about it...” she says, sighting. “It's a gift I figured you would need, because of... what you mentioned. Mi-Yung thought so too, but unlike me, she had access to more resources and whatnot. Open it and see. My words are useless as my memories, it seems.”

Hearing her words, William struggles with some screws on the box, but after some powerful lifting, the upper wood cracks and William opens it up.

Inside are no shoes, but clothing. It's something much better, in fact than any regular ones, one would buy in any shop.

William grabs the white-grey and black patterned cloth, unfolding it above his head. It is a shirt, made of tough-looking fabric. It has no sleeves, but on the right one, an adjustable piece of sleeves is notable behind that tough fabric.

“This kind of clothing was called Gi in the traditional style of martial arts. Karate or other sports used this sort of thing. It's easy to wear and use. Free movement is nice too, but one thing stands above the rest! Do you know what?” Ellie asks cheerfully, almost forgetting about her lost memories.

“It doesn't seem like a regular one, right? Gi, or whatever it is.” William guesses.

“Right. From what I know, it's a material that Walker's uniform is made of. It's like.. Carbon something. I don't know. It's not a topic that Library has, since Academy or someone in Japan or China manufactures this sort of thing. Not Federation.”

“Oh, so something that Walkers use? Interesting.” William nods, getting to his feet to try it on.

It's a set. Trousers, and a sleeveless shirt with a fabric rope to secure it around the hips or stomach. It's similar to the bath robes which William sees selling in some shops but with much better quality.

Trying it around his clothes, it fits like a charm. His arms will pop off from this sort of clothing, but it's probably for the better. His right arm seems to eat the fabric quite easily but not this, or so he thinks.

Trying the whole set, he finds it quite good. Trousers are in a more grey color with black fabric at the edges. The shirt can be opened, revealing the body behind. The rope secures it, providing an easy solution to undress if he needs to.

“This seems good. Too good, in fact.” Willaim says, giving a right sleeve a bit more attention. It had a secondary sleeve underneath the grey main fabric. It stretches, covering his arm all the way to his wrist.

“Oh, it's for my Emblem?” he figures. “Won't it get destroyed though?”

“I doubt,” Ellie argues. “But don't take my words for granted. Take Mi-Yungs. She said this would last you years.”

“Years....” William nods, but before he wishes to care for this more, the door shoots open, revealing Roman who comes inside without knocking.

Walking to William's room, Roman looks at this rather nice mansion-like living, and can't help but voice it.

“You will miss out on this sort of living for sure. Academy is nothing like this.”

“Are you sure you are telling this to the right person?” William turns to him, telling the intruder his truth.

“Oh... Right. I forgot you are already keen on the Outside... This was already more than luxurious for you, wasn't it.” Roman says with a bit of embarrassment in his voice. “Oh, these clothes?” he raises his brows, coming closer to him to see it himself.

“R-roman, if you say so like that, sure. I don't care about luxuries or bad places. When are we going out?”

Roman takes a round around him, nodding to himself. “Hm. Hm. It's past 9 already, so you have 20 minutes at best. Being a little early for the Trial is always better.”

“Alright. I have nothing much to pack, so I am pretty much ready.” William says while Ellie backed away the moment Roman started to observe him. She has nothing much to add or tell, but that doesn't mean Roman doesn't.

Wincing his face to Ellie, he says. “Still, makes your farewell or whatever young people do these days worth it. Remember, 20 minutes.” Roman tells and walks away, shutting the door behind his back as he leaves.

“I guess a 5th farewell is due?” William sighs, and turns to Ellie.

“You count them?”

“No. I made it up.”

“Really? Hehehe.” Ellie chuckles. “What other things you made up? I wonder.”

“I am no liar. I can't do nothing but say the truth.” William says honestly.

“Then what happened last night?” Ellie asks the intriguing question since they are alone.

This leaves William a bit apprehensive, as he too, has no idea what he is even supposed to tell. He tried to forget the forgotten. He hates the fact of figuring out

something that makes no sense whatsoever. He was always like this, so trying to distract himself from those problems is his coping mechanism.

He already talked about it when they woke up beside each other, and it left him in a frightened mood.

The fact of memory loss is most questionable, but sleeping together? William would be very hesitant to do so, and Ellie... is... She would mind it, but he doesn't know the answer to anything.

Seeing Allan frown in silence, Ellie has enough of it. She sights and shakes her head in annoyance as she falls with her back to the bed.

“Its so annoying... what are we supposed to do with that?”

“I can't... do anything. Sorry.” William awkwardly steers away, taking his uniform off, and storing it in his bag. “I will leave in a bit, so nothing I may tell will leave you satisfied. Even with the strange night, I remember seeing the moon on the beach. That is something I know for sure, but then....” he hesitated, not knowing what to tell next.

“Moon? I still feel wrong about this, but as you said, I doubt it can make sense. Not for me at least.” Ellie sights, glancing at the unfamiliar ceiling.

William stores the rest of the things and then sits beside Ellie in a try to make up for his inability to help her. He sits there along with his bag. Taking something out of it, he shoves it around his head. It is the hat that she gave him around a month ago and it is still in crisp condition.

Ellie glances at him, almost forgetting about it like the last night, but for different reasons. She smiles since seeing it in one piece is great. After all, William seems like an expert at destroying whatever he is wearing.

“This was a gift, and I will keep it,” he tells, pointing to his head, and then to his left hand. “So is this little watch, and time we spent together. As for the night, if you feel wrong about something. If some memories return, or anything is wrong, I suggest telling this to Mi-Yung. She is open-minded to anything, and she is helpful with a lot of things.”

Ellie nods, still laying in the bed, so William also stretches, falling beside her.

“I bet it's better to ignore this issue for the time being,” Willam says, leaving Ellie in silent agreement.

That sounds like something she would do if it wouldn't include William's memories. But they both know nothing much, so what to think about it? It's suspicious, and both got involved with something, and for both to forget the same night makes no sense. This isn't any coincidence, but Ellie chose to follow his advice, forgetting it for now.

If something wrong will happen, she will ask Mi-Yung about it. After all, she is freer than ever regarding the contents of the Walkers. This includes Mi-Yung and contacting her as well.

As time slowly ticks by, William spends more time talking to Ellie, with the remaining time he has.

20 minutes later, William keeps the hat to his head and walks out of this room - that has been his home for 2 months - with confidence.

Roman is already waiting in the hallway, with a watch in his hand.

“Time's up.”

“I am not afraid. Let's go.” William says, noticing Mi-Yung standing in the hallway to the kitchen. She seems worried, but she changes her face for William. A bright smile and wave of her hand leave William confident, and happy.

“I am gracious for your gift and time. Incredibly so!” William bows, giving her due thankfulness that he won't ever forget.

Opening the door first, he also walks from this apartment first. Ellie is left standing beside his room, noticing his disappearance which was expected. She said everything that she wanted, so only a goodbye can go next.

Saying farewell in some kind of melancholy isn't fine, as this isn't the last time they see each other.

It also isn't the end of the world or anything. Just a Walker going by his fate, and a girl that fell in love with him. She said what she wanted, and there is no need to say it any longer because this isn't the last goodbye.

Just a temporary reason to be apart.

----------------------------------------

Outside of the apartment.

----------------------------------------

Roman follows William who is strangely eager to walk on the paved path.

“Calm down, you freaking lunatic. That's the wrong path.” Roman argues as he sees him turn left.

“We aren't going to the Central District?” “No. Why would we? North one. We go there.” he says, pointing to the north. It's to the right path on this street.

“The North one?”

“How do you think we are traveling to the Academy? The usual stuff.” Roman answers William's ignorance.

Although William doesn't know why he planned to go to the Central District, he changes his route and follows Roman instead. Their journey starts now. William knows the route to the northern parts of the Federation quite well by now. He would go there and don't get lost either.

They don't talk on their stroll around the Federation. Even when William has some questions himself, he doesn't voice them in preparation for this important Trial. Those wonders will be answered and revealed soon, so choosing to wait it out isn't a bad idea.

It just makes him more apprehensive and nervous, but he isn't alone in that.

Many others around the Federation are like this.

Young Walkers that hope for a bright future.

With his hat, watch and not that big, nor heavy bag, he sees the northern docks in around 15 minutes of faster walking. Roman continues his pace, and soon enough, he reaches the coordination that he is supposed to enter. It's common sense, but his mission descriptions mention it too.

Tonic Tune Company.

A ship-making company that is privately owned, unlike the majority of other companies of this caliber.

This huge building beside the ocean will be the start of William's journey and his long-awaited Walker career.

[End of the Arc 2/ Book 2 - Path of a Waker]

[Next one - Emblem Academy Trial]