Away from the group, Kaufman looked at Richards with calm eyes, knowing that this Butler feared and respected him, yet at the same time, he was using him.

  Richards knew how unreliably savage this old freak could get, which was why it was important not to dwell on his ego too much.

  Maybe he was thinking too highly of himself, similar to Mi-Yung, but both of them didn't have an equal status for sure. Richards knew many underlying stories Kaufman was part of, and they were worth taking as a warning, even if they might not be all truthful. It was old news, or an underwhelming reality, since the truth was buried under corpses.

  “I am sorry... if that's what you want to hear,” Richards shook his head. He no longer glared back at Mi-Yung or aimed at that boy.

  “I want faults, Richards. I will also leave, so don't even think of messing with me. But again, if you dare, it is not your fault, right? Because you are an insignificant piece of shit that is just acting for someone higher.”

  “Fine. Fine!” Richards gave up.

  “Scram. Both of you! You knew my answers, Kaufman,” Mi-Yung shouted and gave them her own ultimatum when a pretty damn good team backed her up.

  It was a weak expression, and she even halted her Arcalyst by calming breaths that forced those waves and light back to her Emblem. Out of convenience, she grasped Reaz’s cloak so she wouldn’t be half-naked and no longer cared about pushing against that old asshole.

  “How rare of you to not be prepared,” Reaz snickered, smiling at Mi-Yung’s misfortune, yet wasn’t overly sassy.

  Mi-Yung didn’t even look at her. She slowed the flow over her head, then her hair and legs, until the whole ethereal, dress-like uniform dissipated, and she was back to normal. The pressure, power, and light disappeared in around five seconds, and then, the goddess was gone from the street.

  Kaufman gave her a last look and ignored her threat. He said it enough. If she failed him, moving was his right. That was all that mattered.

  Turning around, Mi-Yung wrapped that cloak around herself and regarded the unexpected team. Between her and Reaz, there was no space for gratitude. Dreadus wanted to leave, but failed because Celeste wasn’t listening. It created rather awkward timing between everyone, yet Mi-Yung didn’t care and walked to William. At first, she apologized for the mess and felt that it was her fault.

  It helped nobody. William was tired of this problem stemming from others rather than himself. He had had enough of it yesterday, and whatever happened today was far from appealing.

  But she was still before him, helpful, and… that Arcalyst? It was a savage battle of attrition that showed much more of her than before.

  After a couple of days in this land, he felt as if his world had become stranger than Outside. That was a very excessive assumption, even for him.

  Where had it started to fall apart, or go downhill? William felt like it was a rollercoaster of emotions and people he didn’t even understand.

  “Is this because of me, or is this funny for everyone? I heard you talk. It feels... strange. I don't think I like it or want it.” William let out.

  Cringing a little, Mi-Yung didn't know how to answer him or correct his words. There was some truth in there. Maybe she had messed everything up, forced William into this path because of her desires, when he would have gone in this direction even without her. She was sure of that, as it was in his blood and arm.

  Still, if not her, Kaufman wouldn’t be here. Then, someone else would have found him instead of her because time was ripping, and what-ifs and research weren’t too terrible either.

  William was coming of age, so the taste of Forced Awakening was incoming regardless of his choices, unless... well, there would be no choice. If he fled the entire of humanity, that was it.

  The Examination shall see him now, and everyone will recognize him! That's the assurance Mi-Yung leaned on, and whatever Kaufman had in his mind, it probably no longer mattered because this meeting was over.

  Lies were pictures written in reverse, and her System and ideas about opportunities were correct. Mi-Yung didn't need any tests. She didn't have to feel guilty or weak.

  But she did. Ever since their first meeting and reading his report cards, and reading between the lines, she knew the truth wouldn’t be pretty or mild.

  William felt that many things had become strange in the middle of the ocean. Out of politeness, Kaufman gave William his last regard and attempted to say a brief goodbye.

  “We do things according to the wishes of the top. There is more to this apocalypse than meets the eye, boy. Realizing it is to see behind the veils and fog.” Kaufman finished and put Richards down. He put his arm towards Mi-Yung, pleading, as if he were sorry.

  She didn't even turn her head to them.

  “Are you not at the top?” William asked Kaufman, who had yet to leave the street.

  “Who knows? The fact that you don’t is enough. You also don't know a lot of details. It is fortunate you don't need to worry about it because young lads and gals aren't something that deals with it.”

  “Shut it, old man,” Mi-Yung barked in annoyance.

  “I say the truth. The Federation has to perceive the youngs in better ways, and we hold the Examination for less than ideal prospects. Many others have their own tests and ways. Fresh blood to our ranks is like a sacrificial lamb. We tend to use great ones and see the best of the best outside and inside. They are as important as any new human settlement, if not more important. I hope this one won’t fumble.”

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  William wasn't sure what to think, except to go home and think about this tomorrow. “Oh... I am going home. Bye...” Shaking Mi-Yung's hand off was shockingly easy.

  Before leaving, he waved at Celeste, who stood on the spot, observing them alongside Dreadus, who wished not to be part of this drama. He miscalculated, it seemed.

  Waving at Ellie afterward, William walked away. He found no good answers tonight, except for a suggestion that Kaufman would let him be. It didn’t sound right. Maybe there was a catch? He didn't even mention his card, which was still in his pocket as he walked into the street.

  Mi-Yung stayed behind and looked at Dreadus. “I am not sorry for this, but... your whole team?”

  “He insisted,” Reaz argued, pointing at Dreadus.

  “Yeah. Who gives a shit? How did it go with Celeste?” He masterfully changed the topic and didn’t regard Ellie at all. For a good while, she was like a grass swaying in a storm. So many Walkers were before her until she felt like air!

  Mi-Yung saw through her and figured Dreadus might appreciate it even more.

  “Ask the one helping her yourself. I failed. Now, I think that one is a wonderful change of pace, but it's younger. Don’t regard every girl as a bother, Dreadus. There is a lot behind youths and even more ahead of them. I think. Does she think the same way, I wonder?”

  Dreadus patted Celeste's shoulder and looked at her face. “Is that right? That… girl?” Eying Ellie, he recognized her a little, but didn’t have a clue who exactly she could be. Not that it was his problem.

  Celeste nodded at him. “I want to learn.”

  “What exactly?”

  “D-dunno? A lot? Fighting? Stars? Planets... how to jump? Play? Oh... and read?!” Celeste tried her best, and Dreadus cheered internally. So many words came out of her mouth at the same time that he felt a new sense of wonder, or like a dad seeing his child take their first steps.

  Poking into his side, Celeste insisted on something else. “Tomorrow?”

  “It is fine. Fine. I will support your choices. What else do you want?”

  Celeste pointed at Mi-Yung, who frowned at that pair of weirdos.

  Dreadus wasn't sure what Celeste meant.

  “I think Ellie will do so, Celeste,” Mi-Yung added, recognizing a problem and fixing it at the same time.

  Celeste sighed, feeling disappointed, but not afraid. She turned her head and went to Ellie. She hugged her arm and dragged her to Dreadus, who saw her being like this for the first time.

  “That... A friend?!” Once more, something in him broke, and tears almost spread. Great. These emotions were very new to him, yet he didn’t entirely rebut them. This was way too much for his old-military ass. Dreadus was getting soft and softer. That night, a lot of choices ended up happening and changing everything.

  Celeste had secured a brilliant teacher, and Mi-Yung had dozens of tasks to attend to next. Neither of those will be that easy or pretty, but many of them require more throughout reviews. Assembly was one of them.

  By now, Kaufman had gone far away and left them alone.

  Mi-Yung waved at Celeste and Ellie. However, before leaving, she seized Dreadus and pushed him away for a small talk, and even Reaz followed behind, but Mi-Yung didn’t stop her. She probably knew why and where this was going.

  “Listen...” Mi-Yung said to him. “Although I've promised something, there are layers and checks to anything. Celeste is fine and good. Maybe too much for you, for that matter. Also, I have my problems.”

  “No vacation? Shame. Maybe you should retire.” Reaz said with a smile, taunting her.

  “I wish. Anyway, there are ways we can help each other out. How about it?”

  “Nah.” Dreadus waved a hand and was one step from leaving or fleeing, but he couldn't stop her grasp on his arm that latched to him like a freaking Leech.

  “It is no oath. I don't think the future before or within the Examination will be calmer. Until then, it is whatever, but now? I hope for cooperation. Is that hard?”

  “For nothing? That doesn’t work like that here,” Reaz argued as if she were Dreadus's secretary. Sometimes, she felt like something more. Maybe a caretaker? The oldest daughter? Shadow? A lower employee behind a slacking boss?

  “What is free? No. I don't care if there is something silly in your heads. I have William to care about. You have your missions and Celeste, and let me tell you something, she isn't simple. nor is her Hound. Take it as my barking warning and care about her.” Mi-Yung said, let go of his hand, and left.

  Reaz furrowed her brows, and Dreadus left in a heartbeat for Celeste. All this time, Hound was further away, lurking like a night shadow and observing this street. He still had that package, and after noticing Mi-Yung leaving, he swung his head and tossed it to Mi-Yung, who caught it and winked at Hound.

  Reaz caught up with Dreadus. “Will you let this go like this? Mi-Yung is doing something stupid! Way too stupid. She asked for help. Can’t you realize how rare that is?!”

  “I do it all the time myself, and nope. It is not rare because she knows how valuable comrades and helpers are, and the moment she does it, it means trouble.”

  “But that's different... and... oh...” Reaz lost her reason and felt she was speaking to a bull. It seemed she was turning stupid herself. “No! Wait. Richards visited me yesterday!”

  “And?” Dreadus said nonchalantly.

  “They want our help.”

  “Fuck. More help. That's just great... I don't care. Wait. Not really. In fact, fuck them! I don't want anything to do with Fain!”

  “There were some very lucrative ideas. Maybe it could help Celeste, and us!”

  Dreadus halted his steps and turned to her. Considering her words and Celeste, he bit this bait. “Speak.”

  ***

  Following this incident, which had drastically different endings if Kaufman had been brutal with his methods, Mi-Yung raised her steps and mind. She knew that fucker. He would recognize almost anyone like him. Dealing with his kind was almost a daily occurrence, and it had its charm.

  The Federation was the only serious force in this hemisphere, which generated a great deal of attraction.

  Other places might be more cohesive, smaller, linked in strength and greater minds, yet they were still about people. This one was massive thanks to its rules, focus, and less chaos. Walkers were there for a reason, second behind the mash of cultures that were a bunch of pasts struck together.

  Acting as if everything was fine wasn’t worth it. She will have to be different or do something greater, so the future will be easier and help everything.

  However, Mi-Yung reconsidered Kaufman's words and noticed he was really weird about this talk and the future. In fact, most of his peers were like that, but they were treading unknown realms of Rank 8. Some of his observations must be valid, while his propositions to let her have this time indicated he might have other plans.

  She pulled her strings and actions that others saw as mistakes, and she didn’t care for them. There were Walkers like Kaufman who would do many things for their own benefit or do everything themselves because they could.

  It was a fine business. A chunk of the Examination was exactly the same, with older generations playing games with the upcoming generations. Such recruitments changed the world and children, forever staining and pushing their culture.

  It wasn't always for the better. Thousands of recruits impacted the Forced Awakening and subsequent Examination every year. That was a substantial number, and around this time, the Federation was full of new currents, including soon-to-be guests and foreigners.

  Many places offered great deals for new recruits, and finding someone new and exceptional wasn't easy. Competition was fierce, and organizations allowed any deals and methods, as youths with power could not remain unchecked.

  Kaufman knew it more than well, while Mi-Yung was the same, although not at the same level as him.

  The surname Gale will open many doors and raise even more eyebrows. It might be tricky for the Federation, as that name was part of its past, and Mi-Yung hoped it wouldn't bite her back, or uncover what was left to pass, or stay hidden. By all means, she was still looking for answers from ten years ago, and there was no way William alone would satisfy her. She needed answers, and they were hiding for a decade everywhere.