The journey towards the West Ward has been smooth sailing. On one hand, William has all the time in the world to look at the bigger picture around him. On the other, he has Jullieta beside him, bearing her sight at him in interest about Roman and his journey so far.
She is honestly split in her interest. One is Roman itself--a Rank 7 Walker, who has been a legend in the world of students of this academy. She hasn't met him as a student, obviously, but she knows a plethora of people who speaks of him in higher regard. There are a lot of things that one could imagine about all kinds of Walkers.
This place has the most of them out of any place on Earth, so it is no wonder.
The second thing is William's explanations about him and Roman. He couldn't help but talk about his training, Annihilation, and Roman's ideas, views, and how he made him train.
She is jealous and understanding that William got this kind of chance. It isn't even that long since she had to resort to this after her Awakening.
But she isn't upset. Not at all, in fact. She wonders if she will meet him if she will help William a bit better, so she does exactly that.
In a surprising turn of events, Jullieta managed to keep their journey safe, and quick. Before knowing when or how, they arrive before the West Ward, even though her unfocused gaze has been on the road most of the time.
It takes a great afford on William's side to notice the change of pace, since they walked through the paths, and even one forest. He
coughs, showing his finger onward to let her regain clarity over the situation.
“Oh? We are already here?” Jullieta asks, bewildered it's indeed the case. “That went faster than a kill of a Slog. Alright, let's go inside, so we can continue with our conversation there, or later if your injuries are too bad.” Jullieta says and drags William by his collar towards the West Ward.
She doesn't have to do this, but she hurries as if he is bleeding out, and he doesn't have much time to live.
The West Ward is an honest place. It is a small section of the archipelago, which is a lot of places connected via many paths, roads, and even bridges. This one is at the west, and special in its prose.
The buildings here are no skyscrapers, but one is right there as a supporting pillar, with a deepness that stretches all the way down to the bottom of the ocean. It goes thousands of feet down, perhaps?
William has no idea about the construction of such an extravagant and way out-of-line kind of construct. In fact, all of the skyscrapers are the foundation for the land to stick together, so they wouldn't sink, as any land has been here before. It is all a work of the past Walkers, or the current ones?
Anyway, the West Ward is a small town, with many buildings surrounding the skyscraper at the center. That indicates they are somewhat connected but built separately throughout the years.
But one thing is clear to William. They are pristine, clean, and no matter what, no side of the apocalypse is here like he saw from that helicopter. Luke showed him the world back that. The kind that is broken, and impossible to restore, but freedom is better than the dread.
Dark Age must end. That is what everybody wants.
He is no longer speechless since he saw this West Ward from far away from those balconies. Now, he is on the ground and watches those buildings close. They are places where many Walkers live and work and where a lot of development grows.
This is what the current humanity achieved!
This is what he heard about from the rare additions and words from many people through his growth Outside.
Jullieta leads him through the West War, which is many circular streets surrounding the skyscraper. There are about 5 circles of streets, with hundreds of smaller buildings around. There are 5 bigger buildings that resemble the Institution of the Emblem in their weight and mass. But that's not where the similarities end.
After all, this is a section of the old, and important research facilities that date more than a century. Not in its physicality, but a lot of words, knowledge, and research is old and survives no matter what. This may be a couple of decades old place, but the people here are older and remembers the apocalypse. The last century of Walker's research and their Emblem takes unprecedented importance. It is worthy of every penny and sacrifice.
The case of the Emblem Academy creation is a finite place to let it rest and develop. Without it, the research ended up scattered around many places, but here? There is no amount of waste in this organization.
Everything needs to be in the right place since the very beginning of the Emblems was quite an intriguing blessing for humanity as a whole. Since then, the research never stopped, while this place right here--while similar to the Institution of the Emblem-- has more things at its disposal, apart from Tom Hough and his Accelerator.
That's right.
They don't have it here, which is a neverending struggle for the local scientist, but Tom Hough is invaluable, and Federation is a keen helper of the Emblem Academy. Who knows what's the case of this sort of occurrence, or what goes behind the scenes of it? Although truth be told, the case of the Accelerator isn't all that crazy.
Considering the sheer talents that Academy wants, it doesn't matter all that much. Insane talents will appear no matter what. In fact, having a couple of dozen recruits in a year is about an average number.
Walking... Well, she drags him inside one of the 5 larger buildings, and William laments why is it happening. There must be something wrong with her since she drags him like a toy. He wants to get free, but the dragging continues no matter what since he is hurt and she isn't.
He notices the sight of the building. It is some sort of hospital, with the name: Cardiac Clinic. It doesn't seem that good of a name, he reckons, and Jullieta takes him in.
There, she lessens her grip, and William manages to force himself away from her. Then, William looks at her, but a giant figure greets him instead.
Right. A giant is the right term. A man of wideness, mass, and also quite some height is right before his eyes. He is a man of stature like a building, with at least 8 feet of height. “Who we do have here, young miss Jullieta?” the man speaks in a tough, yet calm and soothing tone. It sounds sincere, but deep as if the man speaks from his heart rather than the lungs.
“Evening.” Jullieta waves a hand at the man and explains the situation. “I was tasked with the Trial that is messing with many schedules recently. Some pairing is there too, as you can see.” she points at William. “This amounts to nothing but taking care of him for half a day. No idea why it is that important, though. Haven't done it myself last time. There were no students too.” Jullieta argues, knowing the past and her case.
This man nods at her, and glances well enough at William, that he needs to bend his knees and stretch his neck down. He is well beyond even Tiberon's stature, which is both surprising and horrifying at the same time.
William angles his head above, uncertain about this giant's problem.
“Young man has a rather peculiar Emblem, but a complete shift in instabilities through some inner cycles and... Emblem? Is it the body, or the Emblem that is the problem? I wonder which is it. Also, what's that Element? It doesn't appear to be the blood type, corrosive kind, or is it with natural elements. It is crimson-like the blood itself. How savage and strange.” he says, and nods multiple times through his explanations.
William wonders why or who he is doing this for.
“It's Annihilation, mister Tompas,” Jullieta says, showing William a thumbs up to not be nervous.
The giant named Tompas scratches his chin, observing the boy, but more so his right hand.
“So new blood... I think I am getting the gist of the situation. It is the Trial I heard recently? Tiberon, hm? Oh boy... Follow me then. I have a free schedule for the Trial anyway. I've got two from before, and another few from the morning. All those 2nd and 3rd timers think this is some sort of joke or something. They come and think their chances go up rapidly when their growth is higher, but so do the requirements of the Academy. So youthful, but so wasteful. They should've gone with another organization. There are so many that would put on any restriction aside, and gift them the vials of their dreams, but no! It is academy that, and academy this. Trial and blood or sweat. It's quite something, this place.” Tompas says, speaking quickly and deeply while the mockery over this situation is more than apparent in his words.
Then, he straightens his back and indicates William and Jullieta to follow him behind with a swipe of his hand.
Unlike his stature from a close distance, William notices his rather... shocking display of power, stability, and strangely speaking, the air around him.
He is closer to 8 feet tall, or maybe even beyond that. He must have at least 500 or more pounds, but William doubts that's because he is overweight. No, he is in the prime of his life, even though he seems way too large.
William wouldn't give him more than 40 years of age, and he isn't that muscular either. He isn't even fat. Calling him a giant is more than understandable, and he wears some sort of tunic that is just one giant piece of white fabric. It folds over his arms and tucks around his belt. That is about his clothes. He isn't even wearing shoes.
Finding some sense out of this man, William has nothing to tell as he walks away. Instead, Jullieta whispers to his ears, obvious that he must think Tompas is weird, or strange. “Mister Tompas is a good guy. Don't worry about his demeanor, but hear and think about his words. He is older than he looks, and he is one of the first-ever Mutant types recorded. A rather keen example of Mutant type, in fact. That, plus he is pretty much addicted to the knowledge about Walkers, which makes him a rare case of both Walker and researcher. His body is this huge because he is a kind of freak of nature that used to roam the world. He is also strong, obviously. At Rank 8!”
“Hm... You mean he is some sort of bodybuilder or strongman?” William asks, aware of this topic through his curious weeks at the library.
“Oh? You know about that?” Jullieta asks, surprised by his knowledge. “Someone had their research then, and is cultured it seems.”
“I had some time for that. For once in my life actually.” William speaks with a mocking tone, but before continuing further, Jullieta nudges him to follow Tompas to his office.
A big, tall, and wide gate is the entrance, which is a must-have, considering his height.
Insides are surprisingly normal, considering the room for examination of small wounds, and issues that one may fix. It resembles a regular doctor's room, while Tompas thinks of himself as one of the better ones out there for sure.
Though, Tompas doesn't stop here. Instead, he walks past another gate further back, revealing stairs that go down. The densely reinforced room is past the 3rd gate, and it is even stronger than the finest of bunkers. It is also below the ground, and large to fit a few buildings.
There is only a chair, a table with all kinds of stuff. A bed beside the chair is for the patient to lie or sit down. Why he has two rooms like that is something that William wonders about, but the answer is clear. The first one is for lesser issues, and this one is for big messes.
The office in this bunker is simple but larger. The table and the chair are of massive size to accommodate Tompas. They are of some kind of metal, while the bed is the same. In fact, the whole bunker reeks of some special material, and it is some sort of metal for sure.
William looks around and sees many marks of battle and damage on the ground or the walls. It looks neat and good, however, unlike most bunkers that he went through like a storm. It seems this one is beyond sturdy since Tompas is keen on helping his peers, which requires specific care and could be often dangerous. As a Nursing Agrogiant, per his System's name, his reputation corresponds with his power.
Sitting on his chair, Tompas gestures for William to hop on the bed. Julieta is here too, awaiting aside since some privacy isn't needed. In fact, she nudges closer, since she is curious about the conversation, and what Tompas will say or do.
“N-nice room.” William mumbles, uncertain of how to even talk to this hegemon of a man. If one could be told to have a giant's face, it sure is Tompas. He has a bald head and a roughly shaved beard, but that's about it. It's quite a manly man's face.
“Alright then. What's the deal here, then? I hope it's the end of the 2nd trial so there won't be others coming to me like a flock. I am not alone in this, but the most peculiar ones come to me. Is this why you come here?” Tompas asks straight to the point.
“It is already over, mister Tompas.” Julliate ansers for William's sake. “And yes. Agatha told me to bring him to you. Precaution, she said. Not a big deal, he said.” she points at William.
“Well, sir.” William starts talking to appease his mind. “I don't want to sound rude or whatever, but I am sure this isn't some big deal. I know myself. My body and this thing in my hand have been with me for my whole life. Roman Antler is also my instructor and I went through this withdrawal syndrome many times already. It always calms down.”
“Many is what? Thrice? How often? Wait... You are the 1st timer, so you must have gone through many things in the last 10 days. How many times have you got this mess in your hand.”
“8th times...” William says the truth.
“8?!” Tompas shouts, surprised by this number and also this little hand and crimson-looking Emblem that seems to devour his Grasp. “Freaking mountain! He doesn't make any consideration for the youths. That sort of madman is back? Goodness. I am so glad he is gone from this place. There have been at least 20-fold lessened occurrences of such withdrawals ever since his absence from this land. Heheheh.“ he laughs, forgetting his manners for a few moments.
Even his laugher is quite robust, shaking the air, and is of the deepest kind.
“Well, young boy, I am glad your instructor was at least kind enough about your future, and he made you understand your Emblem. While that is commendable, you went with it along with it would any question and with quite a vigor, it seems. Correct?”
“It was bloody awful though, but yes.” William nods and glances away. He couldn't help but says the truth, confirming Tompa and his guess who couldn't help but chuckle instead.
“That's what I would expect from youngsters,” Tompas says, and in a moment, grabs William's right wrist, and shoves it closer to his face so he could see the Emblem and swirling Vectors.
He is quick, while his hands are thick, strong, and enough to grab William's whole face.
“S-sir? Does this need to happen? I will gladly show you my arm in the normal manner.” William tries to reason with this man, that everything is fine and he doesn't need any special care.#
It is his stubbornness, which is fitting since Outside doesn't care about any care at all. When one is injured, one is oftentimes left out or left with major problems. He saw a lot of people die because of a lack of proper medicines, and doctors.
Hearing pleading, Tompas doesn't care about any of his words. “An intricate one indeed. It showed away my Grasp too. It doesn't want to be seen. Your Vectors already went through some form of improvements?” Tompas asks, making a quick glance at William's face.
“Yeah. An affinity went up. Vector Affinity is the name of that Skill I suppose.”
“What? You already got that far in 10 days?” Jullieta shouts, but a glance from Tompas refrains her from speaking any further.
“It's an abnormal occurrence, but if we are considering Roman, he is a believer of Limit Breaking. I know and believe in that too, but he is too heavy on that.” Tompas explains his opinion to both of them, before paying attention to William. “If you went through the motion of the withdrawal many times, the mental strain and the Vector cycles must have been crazy. I can't imagine the flow of the Annihilation of this kind in one's veins and muscles. Is your body aching perhaps? Does it feel like you've run for your life twice over, and back from hell?”
“R-right,” William confirms his words, almost nodding repeatedly in the joy that someone understands what he went through. Tompas is right. He gets it all right.
“I thought so. I have no idea what is the deal with your Uniqueness, but that isn't up to me to decide. You are young and unrefined. Also wild. You should take things slowly, and tell me what happened. While the topic of getting stronger was for the sake of 10 days and the Trial, I suggest not overdoing anything in the upcoming months. Slow progress is fine, while Rank-Up can only happen once in a while. You batter don't lose control of your little life, young man.” Tompas let go of his arms, calming and assuring William that this is the right call.
“Of course, I will do that. Roman told me the same things. I just... No. Overseer just forced something and I wanted to do something too. It wasn't worth it as I see and feel this.”
“Right.” Tompas nods. “Right. In fact, there isn't much to do here. I see no direct... mess. Your Vectors will calm down on their own, it is up to them do to so, and none can fault them. You must've put forth some form of highly forceful Skill, didn't you? Did you make the cycling faster for the sake of higher power? In Annihilation, that may break the limits apart, but endanger the surroundings, body, and the Emblem. You better be careful, so you won't regret it.” Tompas insists on the truth, revealing his knowledge and understanding from his quick overview of William's situation.
It ends up as disappointing news for Jullieta, who expected some more interesting topics. But no. Tompas doesn't talk half as he could, since he shouldn't say that half.
“No regrets. Got that.” William agrees and gets off of the bed. “Was this worth it? This girl just forced me here for some reason.” William says, glaring at Jullieta after hugging his right arm closer to his body.
“This girl? Wait... Have I forgotten to introduce myself?” Jullieta asks in bewilderment.
“That was a figure of speech. You did, so let's get out of here. I am hungry.” William says, after a customary nod, and bows towards Tompas who is unbothered by either of their attitudes. In fact, he likes these youngsters very much, which causes him to become a properly relevant doctor in these trying times, even though he is a Rank 8 Walker.
Walking past Jullieta, William takes his bag and goes out regardless of her look.
With him gone from this room, Jullieta sights and bows towards Tompas. “I am sorry mister. I thought he has some problem with his Emblem and Agathat thought of something specific, I bet. She didn't tell shit, I fear, So I went ahead, and know what I know. I've read stuff about Annihilation, and was taught to look out for them, you know? Something about Control issues or whatnot. Dangers.”
“I don't fault you at all. I know it myself, albeit in a much worse way. It's better to be too safe than sorry, and I know that his Emblem is troublesome indeed.”
“Troublesome?” Julliat asks, raising her eyebrows and straightening her head. “How so?”
“What's yours like? Glittering gem I remember.” Tompas says. “His is out of his shell as a whole. Like a living thing. Like a cocoon without anything to refrain the insides from coming outside. It can be a complication, and his Uniquess, but I am not sure since couldn't Grasb enough. Not that many scientists have proper research regarding this topic. Such examples happen rarely, you see?
“Is that... bad or good?” she asks in hopes to get more out of him. having this sort of talk from TOmpas is worth the gold, and such feedback about new things is hard to come by.
“It is unique. Can't tell where it will end up at. The new interesting thing appears quick and could fade away, or become a disaster. Where this will end, I wonder. I even expect some people will contact him sooner rather than later since this is one of the rare Butchers. You know what I mean?
“Not good thing nor bad?”
“Depends on what he can take, but he is young, and.... strange. It is important to take some outlook on him, but that isn't up to me or you. He will have to realize it too, and others will make him go through some procedures or whatnot.”
Tompas words cause Jullieta to frown a little. She is aware of the intricate words he says, and her experiences with Walkers are well beyond her Rank. She grew up in this world, unlike William.
She knows Tompas is right about almost every Emblem and even the many teaching lessons in the Academy talk about this. Though, it is still surprising to see theoretical knowledge put to physical use. That means that William's case is unique, and not good or bad in that regard. Everyone has to see where it will go.
Bowing to him again, she soon catches up to William, who is long away. He is waiting outside of the building already, feeling hungry and lost. He feels his Emblem and Inner Cycling isn't something he is all that aware of.
It is how the body can improve, and he is far from getting it right. 10 days is too soon to worry about it, but it certainly started a long time ago.
It is how proper Rank 1 starts.
Vectors flow through the body, filling muscles and blood with the unique power of the Emblems. It is like an explosion in William's case. His Awakening was strange, and his previous gem-like Emblem ended up in a neat sight without any borders or usual limits. Everyone usually has some form of gem. That is only a proper vision of the Emblem, but his is different and much wilder.
He wonders why it is like that, but in the past few days, he learned to cope with that. Pain is temporary, and death last forever. He shouldn't waste time. And he wants to get stronger and clutch his hands in a better future.
“How troublesome...” he mumbles, right as Jullieta appears behind his back.
“What's got to you, William?” She asks, missing the grab of her shoulder because he sidesteps just in time.
“I don't like doctors. It's irritating and they seem to know things but don't. I know my body. They don't.” William argues, somewhat unhappy that he has to go through this process.
Jullieta almost wants to tell something but refrains from doing so. Biting her lips, she shakes her head. “It is your problem, and I hear you. I will get you a meal of your life. Though, it's about 15 or so minutes away.”
William takes this sort of word, and follows her lead, figuring nothing worse will happen when he will follow her behind.
Their time may not be the worst, but not that good either.
Meanwhile, as they left, in the Tompas's office. There is a clean and large sofa-like chair for him, but he isn't there. He stands by a window, glaring outside through a window. He sight at the disappearing pair of youngsters, and one huge mess.
There is also someone else in the room. No one knows when, or where she appeared, but it is Agatha. She is standing beside him and wonders what is his take on this issue. “Is that alright to let this go this way?” he asks, revealing some doubt in his voice that seems much deeper than before.