Looking below his feet, William notices the flowing waves of these strange Vectors. They feel like having bare feet in the mud. It doesn't have the consistency of it, nor it looks like much at all. Their dull texture feels as if his feet go through very dense water, which is trying to lash at him like glue.
Ruger stands still, appearing almost invincible when the rush of Vectors spreads from his body toward the ground. Not black, white, or colorful in any way. The only thing about them is just a visual view of their shimmering properties like glaring at glossy water. It is probably the light that is shining at it, enabling their vision to be noticeable at the lowest of points.
The use of Velvet Eyes would give William a better vision, he believes, but doesn't dare to do much with it. For once, he is curious about it, albeit in this situation, he doesn't seem to have a chance to try much. He feels tired beyond his senses, and Jullieta gave him plenty of reasons to feel this way.
The toughness and strikes she can gift others are beyond common means.
Though, most of his tiredness comes from his inner self. His cycles of Vectors are straining his muscles and Emblem has reached the limits. In an hour or so, he believes he will be able to fight at full strength, but not sooner, so he hopes to get some rest when 1st Trial is over.
Below his eyes is a peculiar representation of unique Walker's power. William is yet to discover or see how many versions or potential Emblems are out there. He sure knows there are hundreds of kinds of possibilities under the written mentions in the library. It is much better to see the world with one's eye, while proper teaching and information gatherings deal with the rest.
Ruger has a very rich space element as Rank 6 Space Walker. It isn't as rare as Annihilation, but in terms of usability and care, it is much more important than one would guess.
At least in today's age where travel isn't that great, it isn't powerful while power over destruction and physicality has more common visions across the majority of Walkers. For some, supportive work means more than the means of destruction. That is the vision of the Emblem Academy that is currently possessing 3 quarters of all these precise and specific types of Elementalist Walkers in the world.
Space isn't alone in its unique aspects of travel. There are even some Mutant types, who have some uniqueness like Space, but those are rare to see.
Without question, they are precious help and kind of Walkers that can change the status of this do-or-die war. That is at least the vision that goes on for many decades already, but it wasn't always the case, unfortunately.
It's a broken piece of the System, allowing humanity to change much more, than what combat Emblems allow.
For example, many military or humanitarian missions are incredibly important and viewed as possible with them alone. Objects or humans alike could be ported by such a Walker, who would teleport a squad of others to their location which could be far away, or close. The farther it would be, the more power it would consume and the more requirements in terms of Rank it has. It is a matter of the power of their Emblem that is the cause, albeit their progression can sometimes be unlike the norm.
There are a few important rules about this topic.
It is some sort of balancing factor set by the System or limitations of the Emblems. Universally, any of the teleporting Walkers can travel by themselves how they see fit. The only determining touch is their own Skill, and handling of their Emblem, which is best done for oneself and without any obscurity of others. However, that goes without question across the board of all Walkers.
When involving others, teleporting can cause some troubles, and make things difficult when other powerful Walkers are included. On the other hand, if they want to teleport others, they aren't able to travel with them, which may add another issue to their potential mission or location.
This could have drastic changes in the status quo of a potentially threatening situation on the opposite side of the teleport, or the current one. That, or if a rescue mission ended up disappearing to the Teleport, the Walker who sent them away would be left out. It was a major weakness.
For the most part, the important part is to send others out and be safe afterward. The teleportation of the squad of Walkers to the dangerous territory of the Dark can lead to hard-pressing possibilities to flee. They could straight up go into the enemy territory as well, and unless the Teleport would be great, they can be often inaccurate depending on the length of the teleportation. That would be quite a bad situation, but there is nothing much they can do about it, but improve, try, and experience more of their Emblem powers.
The piece of good news is that they can bring nonliving things with them too, which means some sense of quick drop of cargo. All of this depends on the Skills of Space, Void, Wind, and a few other cases of Walkers. Not all of them are the same even within the same Rank. Some could have drastically different Skills, but their ability to cause Teleportation or other variants such as Drift, Void, Portal, or others, can be similar to others or not so much.
There are also other things around this System. Individually, Walkers who can teleport others and themselves alike have power like none others, with limits and advantages.
William feels the Space Element for the first time, and they are Vectors.
Rugar presses more Vectors to the ground, and footing around Jullieta and William slowly becomes to drop and wavers. The Vectors on the ground tremble and rise around the two youths, letting them to the other side below. The distinct feeling of dizziness envelops William's head and he feels sick to his stomach when the feelings spread. These things surge around his body, giving unnatural touch as if it is squeezing him.
It is unnatural to see his own body part disappear to nothingness as he starts to descend to the ground from his feet up.
“You will fall to the ground from the ceiling on the 1st floor. Careful about anything below you. I don't know if there is someone there.” Ruger tells, watching and reminding indifferent Jullieta and curious, yet apprehensive William who seems sick and nervous. He holds his fists tight, trying not to fall on his feet and calm his cycling.
This doesn't go on for long. In 2 seconds, they descend towards their chest, then neck, and William feels a weird and terrible sensation all over his body. It feels like drowning if he even ever imagined how it would feel like. Teleportation is really strange. It brings a sense of lightness, yet firm touch as if someone is shoving someone through a tight hole, while the next thing that happens, is blink and darkness.
Sometimes there is a flash of light and so on, but it isn't terrible and most will get used to it.
Right as his vision goes through the floor, and his head and his bag disappear, all feelings jolt back to his mind. Tighness and sick feelings fade away too, and the body no longer feels so restrained.
In fact, it is the opposite of that, and he ends up in a free fall. Below him is the ground, which is empty of anyone, but more so than 5 meters tall. He ends up falling from the ceiling indeed, as Ruger said a few seconds ago.
“AH! Who in their freaking mind made this ceiling so tall!? HOW? Why!” He shouts, grabbing something, but couldn't find a thing in the wide empty space. So, he has no choice but to shut his eyes, expecting the not-so-pleasant landing, that never comes.
Instead of bearing for an impact, someone catches him from his fall. A pair of hands to be exact.
Opening his eyes, he watches the mocking expression on Jullieta's face, who is finding this situation quite hilarious for one reason or another. She holds him as if he is a child, her right arm below his legs, left one below his back.
“You are lighter than I expected. Have you been eating properly?” she tells, mocking the surprised expression on William's face which turns red in embarrassment. He couldn't fault himself at all, nor he feels like commenting about her remark.
“I... do... eat,” William mumbles, feeling a bit embarrassed so he tries to wince to the ground.
But before even trying to do so, feeling tired and all, she tosses him to the ground, figuring he is fine but tired.
“Well!” She tells, stretching her arms high in the air and moaning. “That's your first teleportation I suppose? You weren't kidding. I saw dozens of youths like you piss and scream their hearts out. You took it better than I expected, so is this really your first time traveling through void and space? Emblem would usually jolt up and make this entrance, travel, and end harder for walkers like Uncle Ruger. Is it that Talent of yours, or Annihilation?”
Willian doesn't know how to even reply to that. Getting to his feet, he figures they are on the 1st floor.
“I know this is first... honestly,” he replies, and looks around. No one is around. They end up in a wide and tall hallway. “Where are we supposed to go?” He asks, trying to get some idea from Jullieta who must know what this is about.
“I have no idea what Overseer or Butlers are planning next. Maybe the instruction room is where we go next? It's for me, and there are a bunch of butlers, so let's go there I guess? I doubt 2nd Trial will start here.”
“Is that so?”
“So-so. I was on the 1st floor with Overseer and Butler A, so I suppose there will be something to happen? Wait, we can wait for Uncle Ruger to tell us more, he will be here in a minute.” Jullieta offers, smiling at William in a carefree manner.
Alas, she also realizes it won't happen that fast. He has some things to do so she figures that waiting won't be the best thing to do, even though he would know where or what will happen next. She forgot to ask him that before, or it's the case of Ruger also forgetting about what he should do, but that's not that important.
Thinking for another moment, Jullieta shrugs her arms since walking towards their most likely destination is better than waiting here. So she steps forward, remembering the layout of this floor like the palm of her hand.
Catching up to her, William will follow her behind. He doesn't want to get lost. He has not a speck of care about thinking of traversing this skyscraper ever again and even dreads to think about it.
“Err...“ William tries to speak up and hopes to start a conversation. “What was that deal with that Teleportation thing? I never heard of it before, which is strange.” he thinks he got plenty of knowledge from the library, but things seem to be much larger than he thought. And he has no idea how rights of an idea this is.
“Oh? That? It's kind of an obscure topic that isn't that new, or common to learn about at your previous Rank. It's an advanced Skill of Elementalists, with many elements behind them. They are all rather rare ones, at that. They have rather unique Skills and options, with lower might of combat and hunts. Think of them as doors and shortcuts to where you should go. Simple things that Walkers nowadays use a lot.” Jullieta explains, feeling proud to broaden the horizons of this Outsider who she wagers doesn't know much.
“Wait!” she pauses, causing William to bump into her shoulder. “Are you really an Outsider? I hear there is someone very powerful amongst the first-timers. An Outsider.” she pointed a finger to his face.
“How am I supposed to know that? Who told that? Any details then Outsider?” William replies with 3 questions, obviously unable to answer that. “I doubt it is supposed to be about me. There are 12 others, and everyone is talented in their own right. This is Academy after all!” he reasons, and this time he is sounding like the one to broaden someone's mind.
Jullieta slaps his shoulder, looking at him as if he is a joke. “You brat... I'll take you for it later, but you are correct. None are normal, and neither are you.”
“Righ? I have the Annihilation Element, but I don't think I am that kind to be described as very powerful, since I am nothing but new to all of this.” Seeing her questionable look, he argues with his truth. “Hell! I am not even that powerful myself. I never fought anyone to full, and neither have I killed any Dark beings at this Rank. I bet they would bite my head off if they would have a chance, now that I have full-on Emblem.”
“Alright. Alright.” Julieta grabs his both shoulders with her hands, patting his agitation down. “Calm down with all of this unnecessary talking. I see your sincerity but also... fuck you! I fought you with my all, yet you kept at it and now you even have time to argue about it to me? You wish I was joking, but I am not. I was being curious, and serious so don't think about it... I will know more soon enough. Ehm...” she hesitates, figuring that there is something she forgot to do. “I don't think we had a proper interaction or a greeting. My name is Jullieta Monroe. Yours?”
“William, nice to meet you... I suppose.” William says, feeling a bit weird about this interaction, considering they fought not long ago.
In fact, Ruger told his name and hers as well, so what is important isn't some greeting of a proper lady. She isn't one, to begin with. A proper, that is.
“Good, Let's go then.” Jullieta let her hands away, jogging through the halls of the 1st floor to reach some destination.
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On the 30th floor.
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There are still Louise and Stark who feels his blood boil, desiring to meet his fated opponent which may be last or not. To their absolute disappointment, there is a middle-aged man before the stairs to the 31st floor.
“What! A Butler? No....” Stark shouts in a questionable manner and loudness.“No way! Wait, Dont' tell me it's fucking over! Don't tell me that!” He shouts, falling to his knee and cursing this man to oblivion as he punches the ground.
“It seems so... Excuse my friend, sir. Is it over?” Louise walks crying Stark, since they made their rock paper scissors game right before coming here. Stark is the winner of his little hunt, which explains his current poor mood.
Before them is Ruger, wearing a helpless and bothered face. He is seeking this pair of first-timers, who are unfortunately late to their party. Even with the 3 quitters, they would still get their fight, but it won't happen, considering the variable called William. Jullieta was meant to fight them both, or one of them if things would go wry.
Not paying much attention to disappointed Stark, Ruger nods in confirmation. Revealing them the news of the end, and 3 quitters, he teleports them back to the 1st Floor.
He will follow after a few minutes of a cooldown. His Element of Space couldn't work at all times, teleporting left and right. It needs some recharge and care since Cycling through Space and moving through distances isn't that fine. To teleport people dozens of meters isn't that heavy but for miles? Citie's worth of distances?
It required talent, skill, and care since one would be unable to see the ending path unless it would something they would know. Even then, it isn't good to teleport that far. At least under the sole premise of one's Rank. It would mean a cooldown of no minutes, but dozens, if not an hour. At least for Ruger, that is.
There are a few rarest kinds of Walkers with boastful claims and legends. It is all about Rank. That is what sets Skill and one's might.
Speed, cycles, efficiency, and precision depend on the distance and many factors. Overall, such Walkers have one of the highest survivability out of any Elementalist, but their physical and offensive powers aren't that great. One would even think that if the teleportation is over, and they sent others back, they may soon follow after then, right? That would solve the cooldown since they can teleport on their own freely, but that isn't right. A few minutes is always guaranteed by any teleportation of others. More potent would lead to few hours, which means many variables in the way.
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Back on the 1st floor.
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Jullieta finally finds the hall she remembers from her memory and sees many others like her. There is Alex, Zech, and many of her peers. First-timers are also included, but it doesn't seem there are that many of them.
Walking past the group that stays around the walls, resting and talking to one another, William makes just casual greetings to a few he met. Alex and Zech are about that since he feels their fighting has been great. He fought Zech with most of his newly acquired abilities as a Walker that stems from his time with Roman. Dealing with Alex has been easy enough, however.
Other than that, he also notices a pale, and quite acrobatic girl that seems as if she is trying to hide. There is also that overly serious girl with a blue flame.
Other than that, there is no one to pique his interest, but he can take note of a few things. For once, every student has some form of uniform, while first-timers doesn't. It makes knowing them better, and William notices a lone figure of a boy he met at the bending of the trial. Rozzante is his name, and he made quite a nice impression on him and vice-versa.
Walking to him, he decides being friendly for once wouldn't hurt him. He wants to greet him with a proper look, give him a word, or straight up befriend him since this is a world that requires that. Walkers are no sore loners, and humanity needs team plays.
“Hellow there, Rozzante.” William stops before his leaning self, arms crossed and head almost sleeping. “So, you've finished in the top 10 after all? I've taken you for no quitter so no surprise.”
Rozzante flinches his neck, glaring at a familiar face he remembers.
“Oh, you? I remember you.” He says with a yawn. “Likewise, I assume? This was easy as eating a cake.”
“Cake?” William asks, unsure what sort of analogy is that.
“Hehe. Nevermind that. What are we supposed to be doing next? Do you know a thing? None talk at all.” Rozzante scowls, and straightens his body. “Not even 10 hours passed before the end of the Trial. Will there be a 2nd part of these Trials next? Things moved quicker than I thought.” he asks, unsure about how things are going in this place.
Before William has a chance to tell him the little of what he knows, a much quicker figure goes right beside them. This is one of Jullieta's fortes. She has little or no breaks, and nothing will stop her words. She points her finger right into Rozzante's face, pushing William away.
“You! I remember you, so I hope you remember me as well, hm? Dare to tall otherwise?!” she tells, being quite clear and unaware of how personal space works.
“Yea. Right. I remember you. 3rd opponent. We met not so long ago, so what's your problem?” Rozzante says and flinches her hand away from his face by his.
He is over a head taller than her, making Jullieta quite unhappy but her personality is heads taller and mightier than gloomy Rozzante. She isn't that small by any means either ~ around the same height as William who is slightly below average for his age.
Still, it's nowhere near Zech who is quite a unit of a teenager and would overshadow them both. Who knows who he is eating to get to such height and mass?
“You played with me like some kind of toy! You have no manners...” Jullieta tells, pressing her arms around her chest too, and getting higher by standing on her toes. She remains before him but slightly away, as if he did something crazy to her.
William doesn't think so, since this girl seems like one to exaggerate things. He has at least some common sense and can read the atmosphere.
“What? It is true William!” She snaps at his head with her more than a quick grab. Not even a step helps him, and his neck is around her armlock. “He defeated my Dragon Claw as if it is nothing, but you took it too. You cherry dear newbies. You know nothing about caring to hold back.”
“Yea. Right. I can see that.” William argues, not knowing whether that is even true.
“You... Did I make a wrong impression? I am not that weak, you know?” she reasons.
“Alright. Calm down, Jullieta.” Rozzante steps forward, making a small bow. “I am unable to hold back a lot. 10 days isn't a lot, I was told. My powers can't do that sort of thing, so I was quite forceful. It hasn't been fitting... so apologies are due. It was unlike you, who had restraints on Rank 2s.” Rozzane says.
“Really?” Jullieta releases William's neck, almost catching Rozzante's but he backs off in time.
“Yeah. Righ. That is an undeniable truth.”
“Phew... I am glad if that's the case. See you later then.” Jullieta, unbothered by nothing much, or changing her mind in a sense of seconds, walks away. “Oh! Wait, before that, I heard your question before. It's going to be time for 2nd Trial. Wait here for everyone to arrive, and Overseer will make the appearance. Bye.”
With that, she is gone bothering some other people, since that's one of her favorite things she is good at.
Sighting, Rozzante is glad she is away. “What a fierce girl. I've never met someone like that in my life.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Don't tell me you did meet such... girl?” Rozzante asks, curious about William's experience.