Hearing her words, William nods in meaning. “I know. I read about the Accelerator before.”

“Read? Did..you? You did glance at the restrictive information, didn't you?”

“Who says it is restricted to me? I have this, after all.” William flickers a card up his pocket, with no intentions of hiding what he did. He has no need to hide anything from Mi-Yung, while this knowledge would be plenty useful for him to know. The matter of the forceful awakening and the regular one is a few things, then he researched quite a bit.

When young Walker reaches 18 years of age that is considered a regular awakening. One is where the Emblem reaches its basic potential with fusion with the body. It could also be something regarding the Arcanite, but there weren't a lot of things about that on the 6th floor. The Accelerator and the regular Awakening have drastic results and the process.

The former is more painful as the Accelerator, like its name, increases the progress of the Arcanite. This process adds a few years of heads-up before adulthood. It causes fundamental changes and a decrease of years, which is very important. It can increase the potential of Rank-Ups of the Emblems. It has no name in particular, apart from the Accelerated Awakening, or some call it a Forceful Awakening.

After years of research, the Federation even made the results public to the entire world. I was to increase the chance for humanity and add morale to people all over the globe. After it was made to the public, it was obvious that it was the beginning of a better chance against the Dark Age.

William learned about that through the many documents. Young Walker who reaches Rank 1 when 18 years have a harder time reaching higher ranks than one who is forced when 15 or 16-year-old. There are even some cases of much younger tries of forcing the Awakening, but those were, of course, not made public, nor recorded in the documents William read. It goes much deeper and is hidden by the Federation.

Mi-Yung looks at William with a gaze that could only be called amusing. She doesn't even state any other question or talks regarding this past, as it is not her problem at all. Since the one who owns it is Kaufman, who would care? It is not like there are guards who watch everything happening on the 6th floor.

“I have no issue with any of your time in the library. I just have to tell you, that the Examination is held by the official channels of the Federation. One has to be a citizen or have special permission to join the Examination. I already informed the citizenship to you a while ago, so the papers should be ready in the next week. You will join it without trouble, that I guarantee.”

“Thank you. I won't disappoint you.” William bows his head, as the plate in front of him is already empty.

Having his fill, he will finish all the tasks he put on himself. All for the sake of this time. That is, the focus on the Dark beings, and getting familiar with the necessities for a Walker.

To his disappointment, the talk of combat, or anything regarding it, is nowhere. It is not like he is afraid of death or killing. He hoped to have some experience with combat, other than hurting something other that a human.

In truth, he has plenty of experience when it comes to brawls. Adults or children his age caused trouble for him, so it made more work for madame Anderson. Those were memories he couldn't shake, because growing up in camps Outside, was never peaceful.

Humans are not peaceful.

He grew up to be at least a person who is not shaken by authority, but... he is to some extent.

After some inquiring about the needs of combat, Mi-Yung laughs and tells him not to worry about it. Focusing on completing all prerequisites that she thinks are necessary is better. That, and finishing the recommended materials she gave him more than 3 weeks ago.

Telling him the little what she wants, Mi-Yung pats his head. “I am going, Will. This talk was pleasant, but remember to be cautious of some people. While... Don't be too afraid to befriend some young Walkers yourself. Having some connections or friends is not bad at all at the current age. The military requires a belief in comrades, and no one likes lies or schemes. Understood?” Pointing a finger to his forehead, Mi-Yung looks at William with a deep gaze.

A flick of the matter is within her eyes, which left the shining emblem hidden underneath the military uniform.

“I will. Have a good day.” William waves back at disappearing Mi-Yung, who seems different from usual. It is most likely caused by the uniform, which makes her look more mature than usual. Though give her 5 or so years, and it wouldn't be a stretch to call her someone who could be a mother.

“I will go out as well, I suppose. I still have a lot to figure out. The Dark beings... there are a lot more of them than I would dare to imagine. This is gonna be a rather depressing 2 weeks, but whatever, at least I have an accompaniment of El... Oh... damnit!” William slaps his cheek as he remembers the last night.

Breathing in and out, he wished he wouldn't remember that, but for what? Should he feel embarrassed? What he should even feel? He is only confused.

“I... I will see her today, won't I?” he mutters. He isn't even sure if he is afraid or anticipating her presence. She would wait there. No, she is already waiting there. He bet.

“W-whatever... I bet it is more of her play than anything else. I am sure she wouldn't like me that much considering she is from the Federation, while I am not. Yes. Yes. Yes. That must be the case. I bet. Yes. I bet it is. Nothing... yes.” Mumbling like a madman, he walks out of the apartment with a full bamboo bottle, and his mind as well.

He already got his mind full of the wonders of Mi-Yung's words, and now, he is going to the library to finish himself. Whatever the cause is. Unfortunately, the hat that he was given yesterday is left out on his bed.

Out in the wild streets of the Central District, a boy in distraught is walking forth. He isn't at least mumbling like a madman. Though he feels like one, for sure.

A sight of the Grand Library of the Federation is the least bit surprising by now, as he isn't even sure if he wants to walk through the opening gate.

To his lack of options, he has to.

And he does with already standing Ellie in the corner. He looks at her. A beaming smile is talking to some colleague. Yet... No. That is not the first thing he notices at all. Though he would lie to himself if he didn't. He is unsure of knowing it all that much. The talks between her and himself consist of the Library for most of the time. With occasional visits to the streets of the Federation of her own decision.

Once again, he stops himself.

Thinking of the times she took him outside without a shred of hesitation or anything. He agreed since he was curious about the city, without even thinking too much about it.

Although, now is a different time. He is thinking too much into this mess that is in his mind.

Talking to some colleagues, Ellie soon notices a familiar figure of William. He stands in a trance and sweat is visible on his forehead. Creeping some form of a smile on her face, she hesitantly walk to him after finishing whatever her colleague wanted.

“H-hello. William. Again with the visit to the library?”

“H-hello. Same as usual. Yes. Yes.”

“You said yes twice.” She looks at his nervous face up close and an idea comes to her mind. It seems her yesterday's idea was effective, but what if it wasn't and the cause of his strange behavior is different?

“Did something happen?” is her question.

“I... Don't know. No idea. I am going. Yes. I am going to the library.” He mutters and walks forth in unsteady steps towards the staircase.

Watching his back, Ellie isn't smiling as she couldn't do so all the time today. Her own complexion isn't the least bit fine, since she could count her sleep hours in one hand or a few fingers.

Yesterday, her run towards her home was very exhausting to her, and her mind... even more so. A fleeting moment of hesitation, or what remained as a kiss on his cheek, was a moment she won't forget for sure.

She has long calmed down from that, but even the sight of William leaves the memory fresh in her mind. Perhaps she wouldn't mind another cheek...

NO! Calm down, Ellie. She shouts in her mind, as blushing cheeks make her that much awkward to see.

“I am at work. AT work! A dream WORK!” she mumbles as she placed her palms around her face. This is her try to face whatever is in her mind.

“Did... I? Have I... made a mistake? What should I do now? I don't feel like not talking to him about whatever topic is in the library.”

“Ahhh... Oh, no...” She scowls in embarrassment upon realizing certain things about herself.

She does like him and even some more if she is braver.

Maybe the reason is obvious. She is yet to be aware of it completely, or the reason is obvious, like a sun in the sky.

On the upper floors, William follows the road without even being aware of his legs. He appears on the 6th floor as if he appeared here all of a sudden. Like the moment yesterday, when he appeared in front of Luke's and Mi-Yung's apartment.

“I am here... Yes. The 6th floor. Here I go.” He mumbles, while looking at the floor and his feet. Walking to the hallway of the 6th floor, William is yet to realize he is not here alone at all.

In front of him, a group of people he had seen before walks out of some room. In charge, Stark Takker is conversing with a chubby-looking youth in a familiar manner. As a son of an Assembly member, and a damn good Walker called Prime Hunter, he knows how to socialize.

Suddenly he pause and noticed a passerby. “Look who we got here? I never thought I would have the opportunity to avenge my pain from the last time! Heheheheheh.” Stark laughed in mania, and watch in silence, as William walk through the group as if they are dust. He doesn't bump into anyone but ignores everyone who steps away.

The bodyguards around the two youths look at him and even the chubby youth stares in confusion. Stark looks at William's back, while a speck of vein in his forehead is about to rupture.

“C-calm down, Stark. That boy. He sure is a madman! Don't trouble such people.” A chubby-looking boy grabs Stark by his shoulders as he is about to cause another trouble.

“Let me go, Fatty Louise,” he shouts back as he wants to charge at this foe of his.

“Boss. He is not worth it. See? He is already gone.” A stern man among the bodyguards points in the direction where there is no one any longer.

“Man! What a disappointment. I won't live it down until I will punch him right to his forehead. I swear to my old man.”

“Young master... you shouldn't swear about your father like that.” another man tells visibly angry Stark.

“Shut up Connolly.” Stark barks back, before getting out of Lousie's grip and placing his arm around his shoulder and neck.

“Nevermind. Listen, Louise, I've got this...”

Stark, as if completely obvious to his uproar or not, changes his words and anger away. As if nothing happened, the guard follows the two young Walkers. They know quite well that their young master is an utter piece of work, and his mood shifts are sure a piece of work, too.

Like his father, he has a personality worthy of being called a Walker.

In any particular room on the 6th floor.

William stands there amidst whatever is in front of him. His mind is still in a drift of whatever there is. He feels like he is dreaming the moment he comes to this library.

Turning around, he watches the shut door with a decisive look.

Bang!

Bang!

He hit the door with his forehead.

Another few soon follow as a few drops of blood appear from the hits.

Huffing and pouting, a twisting expression on his face reveals a much-relaxed face. “This helped. Much better. Much better. Let's go by this day, or I will regret not doing more hits.” He says in a clear voice and with the intention of forgetting any worries.