“Path... What about that, mister Kaufman? What else is there to that than progressing higher?” William readily changes the topics as he isn't ready to let go of that card.

“What do you mean? Your path is just starting. Your time in the Academy could be quite a shock for you, but be brave for the harsh world of Walkers, boy.” Kaufman tells after getting up from the bench.

“Is that really what you wanted to tell?” Mi-Yung glares at him with clear suspicion. She doesn't even give William a chance to ask about the Academy, or why he is so sure he will succeed to get there.

“I suppose it is? It could be... more intricate than that, but I am in no hurry nor in any kind of pressure. I want to see you, William grew up, before... the world shall see something different. Right now, you have no path before your eyes, but you have your Emblem and the System. Try to follow them through the obstacles that is the Dark Age. Be it the missions, death, and obscurities of the Dark beings. Good luck in the future, and I am sure we will meet other soon.” Kaufman gestures with his hat once more, as he walks away from this section of the seating, close to the entrance to the Institution. Simple as that, he disappears like an ordinary human being inside the institution, and not the street.

“Why do I have a feeling he was... kind of nice about this?” William asks Mi-Yung who is frowning, sighing, and everything in between. She is glad that he is gone but stressed because of various reasons.

“I don't know anything any longer... Kaufman's words were new to me, so it could all mean he never intended to kidnap you or force you to become his disciple, to begin with. Maybe he was playing with me instead of you.” she says with pity, pointing to her own fate.

“T-this? Isn't it a bit harsh?” William asks a bit surprised. Noticing a bitter look on her face, that tells the clear answer, he continues with the following words. “I never wanted to be his disciple, but that isn't all that important, am I right?”

“I am sorry for sounding, or being like this. It's just...Kaufman is like that... In the past, he even killed some Walkers. Some dispute or something I heard, or... Nevermind. I don't care what you think of that. My caution towards him was always warranted and I don't feel any remorse for that.”

“But now, he wants to help me? Could it be a change of heart or he has some other intentions?”

“I wouldn't bet on the former, but the latter is indeed something that he would do. I don't even want to think about it right now, so come on. Deactivate your Emblem and let's go home already. We don't want to meet another obstacle before our eyes.”

“Yeah. I guess that's a good idea.” William agrees while the obvious bother that is visible on her face makes him hesitant to ask her more questions. Kaufman's words sounded honest and curious. He could tell that since there was no indication of it being different. Kaufman wanted to know the information and first-hand experience with him. Things that are within Wiliam's Emblem, while the System was a bonus.

Motioning his fist, the Vectors subsides into the tiny Emblem, and William no longer feels like something is haunting his mind.

With that out of the way, the pair of Walkers go by their definition, home. Both of them don't notice the crumbling part of the bench, that has been William's seat.

No longer obscure to the world, William's path is open, but to what, or what for, to be exact? He doesn't know that, but he for sure knows that his future is starting. Even the words between him and Dann who has been his friend for as long as he could remember, echo in his mind.

The time of this single day has been long. Spending almost 20 hours awake leaves William exhausted as if he worked in the field for 10 days in a row.

In no time that he couldn't perceive, William, at last, sees the familiar door that Mi-Yung opens up, for him.

Almost like a blink, he doesn't even remember how he got here.

“Is... Is that the sleepwalking that I read about?” he wonders, but couldn't fault him. It is as if his long expectant mind, which went through a lot, shat down, and now, it suddenly awakens.

Looking at him without any visible exhaustion, William sees Mi-Yung's gaze, but what he could tell, other than. “Good night,” while she remains all so casual, and not tired at all.

“It's already morning, William.” is her small, smiling reply.

Without the energy to retort, William, with his tired face, enters his room as if he couldn't be bothered by his small mistake. Falling face down to his bed, he falls asleep in a few moments what could only describe a dying position.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Mi-Yung makes herself a cup of tea, while reminiscing about the day that has been quite a journey, even for her.

In a small motion of patting her chest, her own System emerges.

Looking at it, she is reminded of what it looked like for the first time, but can't do it properly, since it is a long time ago. This is her regular way of spending a few moments every day. Seeing the life before her, which is her System, makes it worthwhile to travel, and live this life.

However, her Emblem isn't active, as she long ago learned to open them separately. After all, seeing the System's screen in the middle of combat is annoying, and not a great way to fight. It is distractive and could cause some problems.

William will learn about this too, but it's too early for him to do so.

In a bit, as she is sipping from her cup, Luke appears past 7 AM.

“Morning.” He greets Mi-Yung, who embraces his greeting arm, while he embraces her long ashen hair with head in turn.

“It's morning. Nice observation.” She replies as she looks at his face.

Still a little sleepy, Luke does find her words rather strange, but not that much. After all, he just got from the institution now, while Mi-Yung was waiting for him all this time. Yondu forced him to be his lackey for a few bothersome things while excusing himself to be in the presence of the Conference hall, and Schultz's command.

“Are you not tired?” he asks, caressing her cheek, to see what's the deal with her.

“Not really. Do... you want... some... fun?” she replies with a meaningful smile, which appears as if she turns indifferent to her worries.

“I wouldn't say no to that, but I will need to go to work today... Yondu is ruthless, as you know.”

“I know... That bullcrapper will never stop bothering the working class... Even after all that happened today, he wants you to come over? Is he insane?”

“I agree! So much!” Luke slaps the table. Taking his seat beside hers, with a cup of tea, he thinks of not going, but it's not unusual for him to remain sleepless for some days. After reaching Rank 5, he has some trouble with sleeping, but it may be because he almost lost his life. Something that should be lost! That goes without saying, as there are no second chances in life.

Leaning on his shoulder, Mi-Yung forces herself upon his left side. That isn't something Luke fights against, as he sips his tea in silence and acceptance.

That goes for a few minutes until a certain topic enters his mind.

“So, Academy?”

“Yes. Margaret was the presenter, so I guess she doesn't find it all that strange to accept such a request. It may as mean she is interested in more things than some would guess. William wanted to join, while the Trial will... well. It will be difficult, but who knows? I bet some first-timers will succeed nonetheless, and there is no way William won't be with them.”

“I suppose. It's gonna be like every year, but I bet some things will get much worse this time around.”

“You... Did you discover some things or something was said in the military division?” Mi-Yung straightens her head and gazes at Luke's face.

“Some deals in the Academy are there to exist, and they won't end. I heard some things about the 3way Trial, but that's about it. Just because when one reaches Rank 5... it seems certain things... changes, and others, not so much.”

“So you can't talk about it. How totally unexpected.” Mi-Yung says with clear sarcasm.” It seems your Rank-Up is like any other. After the 5th one... it's definitely a different journey. What is yours?”

“Need blood vials of the whole Pouncer species... Bloody hell... Even the Crystalite of the Rank 6th for improving the Skills.” Luke reveals his little problem while accepting the warm look of Mi-Yung who knows what it takes.

A warm hug to half his body eases a bit of worry on his face, while it goes much deeper.

“You did great for reaching the Rank 5... I don't want to lose you, Luke,” she whispers to his ears, while a kiss is discharged before she gives him a chance to reply.

Alas, this time, Luke prevails, while shoving her face away with his palm.

A bit unhappy but still smiling, Mi-Yung stops with it, as he is clearly not in the mood.

“I am sorry Mi-Yung.. I was thinking of William's situation.”

G“Obviously you did... You wouldn't ask about the Academy otherwise. What do you want to hear? My mouth is itching to reveal any secrets!”

Seeing her so exciting face, Luke chuckles, while loving this side of her very much.

“When is it? The Academy Trial?”

“25th.”

“10 days? What about his current time... Are you going to do that?”

“ "That" I don't think I can do. I plan to tell him the majority of things regarding the Academy, and the Trial tomorrow... or the day after? He doesn't get his Emblem that much, so I guess some lessons are due, while the Federation will probably send someone even with my intervention... I don't know... I still want to teach him... whatever he has.”

“Yours is also a Vector type, while half Elemental type as well, his is... stranger. Perhaps it's better to include someone who would be more fit for that role?”

“You don't say... Schultz will tell me something anyway... Considering the mess that happened in the West of the USA, I bet he will want me included.”

“You heard the news?”

“I did... Of course. The sight of the Rank 8 Dark beings is never a good piece of news. The Federation doesn't want to lose the Minor Headquarters for the early Rank Walkers over there. They will send someone some folks there for sure.”

“It's a mess...”

“So was your "voluntary" mission, Luke.” Mi-Yung shoots him a glaring look and almost slaps his cheeky nose.

“That was evil... You mischievous fox.” he retorts and almost bites her nose in a playful manner.

“You bet. Wanna go to bed now?”

“I will follow you...” Luke gulps down the cup of tea while having no choice but to follow the course of time, which is always happening whether he likes it or... No way. He likes this for sure.

In William's room, his motionless body is sleeping, with his hands across the whole bed sheet.

His Emblem lights the room ever so slightly, while it no longer can escape his forearm. At least he is a lucky one, since his forearm isn't in the touch of anything, so it can't destroy anything. Whether it means something good or bad, the swirling matter of Vectors is in a constant state of turmoil. William doesn't feel them, as they long fused with his whole body, and now, his body is going through the many motions that go unnoticed by him.

He sleeps even amidst the sun, which couldn't bother him at all. Tiredness was long overdue, and long sleep is even more important to him than anything else.

The Sun doesn't even bother the Emblem, which is facing it on William's forearm.

After a long while, when lunchtime is near, William rubs his eyes, while his glued-together eyes are forcefully open.

Seeing the time on his left wrist, he sees 11 AM, which means 5 hours of sleep. It's not bad, nor too great.

Feeling terrible, and half asleep, William feels like his world turned upside down, as this is his first time being that late. For what? The living, he guesses, but at this point, he can't care for that either. He may as well be half dead for what he cares about.

Nonetheless, this exhaustion was for the Awakening and corresponding Examination of his fate. That, he understands, but it doesn't mean he couldn't curse that he dislikes how he feels right now.

Letting a growl of unhappiness, Wiliam turns around to face the ceiling and tries to quench the sun away with his palms.

Watching the blurry sight, which goes clearer with every blink, his sight is restoring itself very little over time.

Even his mind is feeling better after staring at the ceiling because he leaves his palm on his chest instead.

Yet, he remembers there are more things to stare at than some sort of boring ceiling that doesn't mean shit.

That's right. The System.

Pulling his hand forward, he clenches his fist and releases it with mindful intent. It's the source of his calls and the Mindless Eyes. It's a strange source of things, and it isn't also fine to call it radio, person, or even human language. At least the kind that William knows of, that is.

His Emblem activates with the explosion of Vectors, and the System appears before his eyes.

“Looks the same. Feels the same. I guess I am the Walker now. Whatever that means.” he tells with a focused look at the sight before his eyes. “Monsters will run away from me from now on! Heheheheh. That's great! Excellent.” He laughs in cynicism, while obviously knowing it ain't the truth. It wouldn't hurt if it is, but that can't happen, or shouldn't.

In fact, it is the exact opposite, since his own discoveries on the 6th left quite a series of surprises and overall knowledge. He plans to hide that for now, but it's not like Mi-Yung doesn't know that by now. William already sought out the bits of the System's information. That also includes a few things surrounding the Emblem, Walkers, and Dark Beings.

One thing that made his shocks is the possibility of Dark Beings undergoing their own little evolutions. They like to hunt the Walkers for that reason, while the "meal" is the body, and Emblems alike. Though, the latter is much more delicious and needed for their evolution.

Whatever that means good, or bad... No. It means terrible news! Every Walker is a hunting prey for their taking, while Walkers... They are similar to them, while not at the same time.

It is a messy situation, where hunters are hunting the hunters. Nothing would make it stop, and perhaps, not even what is before Wiliam's eyes, and not at the same time.

It is there but hidden behind the potential of the veil of the Dark Age, and the Mindless Eyes.

It could be a far future that he can't even tell, or imagine.