Waves of bright energy swayed outwards from their core, wandering around Mi-Yung's head and eyes to make a weird-shaped helmet that glinted in striking resemblance to her hair. It almost looked like a long veil of silk, made of a wavy and straight pattern of sharp wind.

  Her hair started to dance behind her as if a powerful force wrestled with the surrounding gravity, but in truth, it was because she was going against an unmovable force, and she knew it.

  It was shaking the kids behind her. William looked at this pair in shock and backed away even further, even though he wasn't facing this power. It was keen pressure, as if he met a raging storm. One could see it, feel it, and imagine the weight and force within.

  Here, nothing was shattering. Trees mildly danced and swayed in this pressure, while houses remained untouched, though he felt something worse right now. He saw her shrouded and perfected form, which was close to a weird uniform. Just what was that? He couldn't compare it to Luke’s Arcalyst at all.

  “Why are you so agitated over a small discussion? I want to do business with you—a business worthy of our time and attention. Not dealing with this like some unpleasant people is my current option. I changed my mind, you know.” Kaufman said in an unbothered expression as he kept his hand behind his back, and his face remained unshaken.

  His hair and clothes felt the wind and pressure, either due to his own power or Mi-Yung's. This wasn't some show off. Kaufman could tell that she was a very serious person when cornered, and he did corner her, so...

  There was also no doubt he could wipe the floor with her pretty face and clean hair at any given moment, but what would it show other than utter dominance that he wasn't looking for?

  “I don't care what you want,” Mi-Yung stated as her Arcalyst intensified and her loss became ever so clearer.

  “But you asked what I want.”

  “...” Mi-Yung wasted her voice and put her arms over her chest, appearing like a big, shining wall. “Fine. Here is my shot: I will be his proxy and medium, whether you like it or not. I know what you are like, and I don't want William to be like you or people in the past.”

  “How so? You want to guide him. You? Well, people are people, and you think you can change them. He already got the taste of hell and people, so is what you are doing even that different?”

  “I don't plan to change anything. Just elevate it. Push it out. He won’t be like me either.”

  “Sounds like the same thing to me.”

  “Do you know something I don't?” Mi-Yung clicked her tongue, and this time, further waves pulled down from the bottom of her Emblem, affecting her legs into a spear-like dress with two sides. Now, it was almost like a large flashing armor that stuck onto her body.

  Each leg shall be a weapon, and her last piece to her Arcalyst had grown. It took some time, which was one of the most hideous problems many Walkers faced. It was about cooldowns and castings, as well as overall cycles and control.

  “Have you seen the past and what we experienced? No. You are young and Asia has its different shares. I doubt it was wrong, but America was diverse. Different.”

  “Your point? You aren't here for me. It is about William, so what do you want out of him?”

  “Same thing as you. Have you figured it out from him or not, or... are you really acting like an aloof idiot because of his father alone? How... unexpected.” Kaufman asked with an amused face while stroking his short beard.

  Considering Mi-Yung's flaring acts and face, he figured he had asked a meaningless question.

  “What’s different about a kid of his parents? I don't care. Why should I?”

  “Oh, right... Songs. I forgot your nonsense. Then let me change the subject. What do you plan to do with him? In distance or close, I mean.”

  “Why should I care about it right now? I don't care if you found something odd out of nowhere or if it was directly pointed out to you. You won’t tell me about it. I am the same. Karma is enough for me, old man, whether it is bad, good, or false.” Mi-Yung said in the same manner as Kaufman and didn't change her mind about anything.

  Through vigor and cold sweat pouring and turning to mist at the same time, she took a step forward.

  Kaufman remained as calm as a morning lake and faced her pressure like Monday.

  “Your words are your choices. I am still interested, even if you are in my way. Don't you think his place in the Academy would create an interesting narrative? The kind that you might want?”

  “For whom? Me? Shut the fuck up.”

  “That’s not really clever anymore. In fact, I am not even part of this idea. Richards is.”

  Richards whistled from further away, acting as if this didn’t concern him in the slightest.

  “You want to toss him out there? I thought... something else.”

  “I changed my mind.”

  “As if!” Mi-Yung gritted her teeth and didn’t believe him in the slightest. One more step was all she managed to do before she couldn't continue. Then, her Arcalyst started to waver like a flame out of air, yet her body tensed up.

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  Oh, how much she wished to put her hand forward and fight this old man. It was her dream once. A very distant one, back then, and even now.

  “Alright. How about the Divisions? Would Cloud work? Maybe extensive research and experience of the First Head sounds the best. Some fifteen years ago, it nearly happened.”

  Mi-Yung clasped her fists and straightened her Arcalyst. “You won't go that far... You wouldn't dare.”

  “No. Someone might, which is why I am here.”

  “I won't let anyone do that.”

  “I won’t, either, but here we are, dancing on the palms of our hands,” Kaufman said without care.

  William felt like a third wheel and didn’t know what they were talking about. Did these Walkers fight for him? It was excessive, but what if Kaufman had good intentions in mind? Perhaps it was worth listening to, as he shared a couple of interesting facts through Mi-Yung.

  She was naive to think she could weather this storm. Acting stupid or overbearing was no longer about it either. Neither of them wanted to back down, and the cooperation seemed even harder.

  “What do I think of your ideas can be found right there, now, and below?”

  “Which is?”

  “In a pit of doom, I don't give a shit about. I will teach William, so don't even think about running into stupid conclusions. The Examination is up for talking, and everything can change later.”

  “Then put him through tests.” Kaufman offered yet another reasonable idea, but Mi-Yung was past that point.

  Arcalyst did that for many Walkers like her, making them affected, focused, and far too heavy and draining to change. Kaufman couldn't refute that and decided on compromises instead.

  “Being early is not a bad thing, Mi-Yung. Your touch on this matter won't be the last or good-lasting if it’s like this. Seeking happiness might be a far-reaching doom. I wanted to help out, you see, as you cleaned up your mistakes first.”

  “Like yesterday? Or today? I bet it must have been quite informative for you and Richards, eh?”

  “Mostly for Richards. Well, scratch that; I don’t think this is appropriate.”

  “I bet. William told me all about it. How you are terrible and old and how your hat stinks.”

  Kaufman whistled and looked at William with a questioning look. Then he chuckled because his flabbergasted face was far too funny.

  “Ah, you are too forceful and sweet, little song.”

  “Stop your worm, and I will be sweeter.”

  “Nah.”

  “Then I won't back down either. Is there someone else? Are there others like you who are interested?”

  “Less than six weeks can go by in the blink of an eye. Within this timeframe, changes will come to this place. The Examination is looming, and it comes with changes. In short, people are coming.”

  “And?” Mi-Yung said impatiently.

  “I wanted to say something. There are certain problems in California right now. They heed my attention, and left a couple of problems out there. Not your stuff, I bet, so let’s say it is better to let this go off now than later. I will give it one month. When I return, I damn hope your vigor remains like this. Then, let’s meet again.”

  Kaufman gave her a strange ultimatum that came like an offer. Speaking in a calm tone was like a slap to her raging mind and Emblem.

  “Don't think I will lose forever! You can’t be like this forever.”

  “I couldn't care less. When I do, you won’t like it. Everyone says that. Someone like you does and will understand it. I will give you ten days at best. For now, I have plenty of things to care about, and giving everything time might not be that bad.”

  Mi-Yung could stand there all day like Kaufman, and she won't budge him, or waver him like storms. This could go on forever.

  “You are backing out...” Mi-Yung muttered, eyes wide open and fists clenched.

  “Yep. I am leaving the worst start for others. Clever, isn't it? I realized it later...”

  Mi-Yung grunted. “You will regret it!”

  “I hope, because if I don’t, it sounds wrong. Since you insist on being his proxy, your position won't remain untouched. Although you act independently right now, I fear that my position could complicate it further, and you will get another scolding. It would be better if you didn't go far. No one will touch me after all, while you...” Kaufman ended his sentence at a tough sign and lacked finish.

  “I know there are plenty of organizations, let alone Divisions that would like him. It’s not trivial. I don't need lessons or reasons. I know it!” Mi-Yung argued and stepped back, easing the space and pressure in the air. Gravity lessened, dust settled, and the air started calming down.

  Mi-Yung didn't. Her Arcalyst shone in the same vigor, and the Cycling Arcana kept revolving, latching onto her spirit and body and making every move meaningful.

  Kaufman's hat hovered above him, and he felt it nearing. “Hm... Wait. Maybe it sounds unreasonable, after all, or too late.”

  “Look for Heidi, old man.”

  “Oh... that one was cruel!” Kaufman scoffed and stepped away, awfully aware that his boundaries might be less stable. He underestimated this girl. Maybe that’s why others do so all the freaking time and end up regretful.

  The last thing he wanted wasn't far. Richards waited, standing in the dim shade of the tree.

  Mi-Yung messed up his nose and face pretty badly, and he kept sniffing like a hurt dog.

  “Huh? Is that it? That... wasn't what you mentioned, Kaufman! Y-you... That wasn't what we talked about?!” He blurted out when Kaufman snatched his neck and dragged him away.

  Just in time.

  Mi-Yung breathed a sigh of relief and slight astonishment when she finally sensed her surroundings. Around the street, a team of lurking figures stood on top of the buildings, overlooking this situation and preparing for the worst.

  Dreadus was there. Reaz as well. His entire squad came to pick up Celeste, arriving at a rather unusual time. Or their leader was too adamant about picking Celeste, and didn’t even consider Kaufman or Mi-Yung.

  Who knew his hunch would pay off? It wasn't part of his problem, however. Kaufman didn't really care for Celeste, even though he should do so a lot more than he realized.

  “Hey,” Dreadus said in the calm night, aiming his hand at leaving Kaufman.

  “I am just about to leave.” Kaufman excused himself, still holding onto Richards as if he had caught a thief.

  “Is that so?” Dreadus frowned and put his right arm up, gesturing for others to move on.

  They flashed in the night: a red moon and wavering light from Mi-Yung became another mysterious hue for this night. Reaz and the rest landed behind her to make a very deep point even clearer. Dreadus himself landed aside from Mi-Yung; he was probably thinking this was too much of a hassle already, and he didn’t care to make this worse.

  “Surprised?” he whispered to her.

  She had no mood for him, let alone his taunts. “Nope. This is nothing. I can solve my problem myself.”

  “But Kaufman, eh?” Reaz said, puckering her lips and waving at her back before turning to Celeste. Looking around, a fight was obvious. Even an idiot understood it.

  “I wouldn't recommend pissing either of you off,” Dreadus said, chuckling. “Which is a good thing since I came over.”

  “What does it even matter to you, boy?” Kaufman glared at him, lifting Richards with a single finger to make a statement.

  “Ah, ain’t that a Butler?” Dreadus realized and scratched his head. It didn't mean shit all to him, since he didn't respect the Academy in the slightest.

  “Ah, this is turning shitier and shitier...” Mi-Yung reckoned helplessly.

  “Well, I came to pick Celeste, so see ya!” Patting her back, Dreadus turned and walked to Celeste.

  Mi-Yung didn't need to hear him, but she wished to do it better. That came with other things, but as with many expectations, many of them were no longer possible. It was time to assemble and consider tough choices, as well as reasonable compromises.