Glancing outside, there was a sunny day as usual, and barely a few days of the storm had passed since he arrived. Lightning storms were a rarity that occurred only once, and it was gorgeous, thanks to the ocean and the incredible views of the sky. It was a shame he didn't share that moment with anyone, as he was busy running away from stuff.

  It was comparable to nights when the moon was great and sizzling in a red and charming light. Then, there were those Rifts that were bigger and closer, yet different skies, either swirling in closed terms or hoping to open up.

  Maybe it was fine to open up, too, just in case, before he would regret it forever. Or he might just keep running away like an absolute fool.

  In the kitchen, Mi-Yung alone greeted his heavy steps since Luke had been away on some big-boy mission.

  "Good morning," he said to Mi-Yung, who prepared breakfast for both of them. Buttered sandwiches had ham and tomatoes, followed by sauce and scrambled eggs. Two plates were already on the table.

  "Morning, William," she greeted him with a warm smile.

  "Hadn't slept tonight?" he inquired.

  "Nope."

  "Are you worried about Luke?"

  "Not really."

  At this point, William was familiar with her, and asking further questions wouldn't end well. From what he could recall, Mi-Yung had her anxieties, work, and assignments, and she wasn't sharing much of anything with him anymore.

  Yet even still, she was taking good care of him. One time, she came with him to the library to check his progress. Not twice, however.

  There was a distinct shine of her Emblem perking above her chest. The storm of light showed off her emotional state and made her appearance captivating. What else it could do was up to debate or imagination, but no more.

  William remembered that moment from weeks ago, where her Arcalyst pushed against Kaufman, and it left him speechless to this day.

  Mi-Yung revealed snippets of her Arcalyst to him, but that was it. It put more questions into his head than answers because Luke's was different, and a disparity of a single Rank wasn't too much. After all, Arcalyst might not change even with Rank-Ups, or... well, they might. It was hella confusing.

  He remembered the sight of her back, a sizzling beauty, with its flow, muscles, and light. It was a gaze of wonder and appreciation. Nothing else.

  Her position in the Federation went through turbulences, with nothing indicating anything specific because William didn't have news to gather. It was personal, and any work with the Assembly renewed many problems, and it seemed her Low Pillar position was back on the menu.

  She was very good at what she does, so Old Dream couldn't let her go, no matter the trouble or issues with those who disliked her. Then, there was Yondu, who was even less willing to get rid of her.

  Mi-Yung could leave any day, offering a leeway into aggravating acts, and they crawled back. That was fine. Perhaps it was also wrong because Prime Hunter was very skilled with words and even more effective in his department, thanks to the massive organization behind him.

  Not the Assembly, that is. It was about the Hunter Association, of which he was the principal. It was a unique guild-type organization, lacking significant political power. It was more focused on hunting Darks and completing missions, and any Walker could join it.

  In a way, Mi-Yung and Taker were very similar, yet different in beliefs and how they carried them. They were like a dog and a cat that didn't like one another, and nothing would change that.

  Perhaps it stemmed from the two-rank difference between them or the fact that she was the youngest Pillar and had pushed his past accomplishments behind? Not just anyone could get it. William didn't, even after many conversations with her.

  Only a worthy expert got a shot at Assembly Island. Tests or votes were also there, followed by great offers, clauses of work, and connections. Lower Pillars were shorter yet important, with missions and lower voting weight. High Pillars were few, and each was important, Rank 8 Walker. Lower ones still came with Rank 7s, with one Rank 8 and one being Rank 6, which was Mi-Yung.

  She was like a kid in a sea of lions, and she wasn't losing against anyone too much. They needed her, and she didn't complain, despite her pride and bloodline.

  From what William saw, the Assembly was a curious place that was outside the public eye and library, and no one could gain access to its information just because they wanted to.

  Mi-Yung explained it to him in conjunction with the military efforts. For example, South Korea existed at a time when the Assembly gained incredible momentum, and with its destruction, heavy prices, and so on, things changed. Japan didn't help because of fear of retaliation, and the Federation came blasting, surviving, killing, and taking all possible refugees out of South Korea.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  That left many people wondering why the hell it went that way, as no repercussions arrived whatsoever. Mi-Yung remembers it to this day, with tides of Walkers coming and lending a hand.

  A lot of them improved in such wars, and even if South Korea lost its pivotal sights, not everything disappeared. People made up nations, and nations completed lands, and lands assembled sentiments. For Songs, it was more than that, but with destruction... came acceptance.

  Mi-Yung came into the Federation when it was functional and helpful. It was a curious time when she saw this island, buildings, and places. People too. It was like an unbelievable paradise, surrounded by peaceful waters, free from the hideous lands of Asia and the darkness.

  The Federation already had its Pillars and many powerful Walkers. The Academy was also near, and Forced Awakening was attaining remarkable success. It had been tested for years at that point, and by the time it became near perfect, Mi-Yung was ready for it as well.

  Currently, Mi-Yung serves as a proxy for many internal and external affairs. The main issues that surrounded the Federation were dealing with political missions or essential tasks of the Assembly. Either by Old Dream or by a vote, she would travel and do all sorts of things for their name alone.

  China, Japan, India, and New Zealand; there were even Europe and Africa. She visited them all, showed her token of appreciation, and knew the Federation had yet to become the hegemon of this entire world. Many thought so; she laughed at that since many beings were unwilling to see the truth and how fickle and brittle things could be. After all, South Korea was killed. Not hunted. It was a total annihilation, and that meant anyone could be next.

  At Dawn, Europe found a quick death; it was almost wonderful that there were even communities alive and moving across its current lands.

  "What are you planning for today?" Mi-Yung suddenly asked him, compelling William to look away from his sandwich.

  "Same as usual," he replied.

  "It has been more than a month. Do you want to restart training? I might not do it with you, but I know good trainers who could push your mind and body alike. Cool guys, I mean."

  It was her trying to push boundaries or topics ahead, or she wanted to see him train more, or not. It was weird how William read between the lines and judged her lips and words.

  "I don't know. Your ideas are... well, anything. You've been designing what to do with me for a long time, and I don't really see the point. I am sorry. What is important?" William argued and bit the sandwich

  She hadn't changed one bit, and William knew he did. It was no longer honest, easygoing, and open-minded. Sometimes, Mi-Yung was all of that turned to another dimension where no decency mattered.

  When she was like that, or not so much, different words and matters were ahead. Like walking around half-naked at home, which should be normal. William was fine with it, too, because of the hot climate and gruesome, dreamy nights.

  Mi-Yung took a bite of her sandwich and supposed William's troubles weren't like hers. Maybe she was harsh on him? How? Why? She thought she wasn't as bad as she could be, for her childhood was different, and plans were elsewhere.

  "Having plans is not so bad, William. Or terrific. I mean it with depth. It's better to think of options. Not having them sucks. It is subjective and good in many ways. Frankly, most of what we do and hope for is related to the Examination, and I do understand that it is getting out of control. I know."

  "Is that so..." William muttered as he chewed through her words.

  "It's paramount. You read documents about it, right? I told you to keep the core topics for later. You don't have multiple weeks left before it's late, so how about you reach the final portions?"

  "I am starting those topics. I looked thrice into the Forced Awakenings in total, but the Examination is.... awfully similar to some tests of recruitments, or... not at all? What should I feel when it involves science, complicated things, and a crazy amount of people and Walkers? I don't get Arcana, or... what it does in science, or... my fucking hand, you know." he cussed and slapped the right hand to the table.

  Mi-Yung wasn't upset and knew the answer. "Rank 1 will show you the way."

  "Thank fucking moon for that."

  "Are you upset about something?"

  "Morning and stuff." he downplayed it, grabbed the sandwich with both hands, and minded his manners. It slipped again, alright? It happens to the best of men. "Forceful push to Rank 1 is cool. What comes afterward is like a precious cut into cages years ahead of nature. I... fear it. I don't know what that does, or will do. I think about it every night." William shook his head and felt silence devouring his mind. It calmed him as the sandwich decreased.

  Mi-Yung observed his layers like a canvas, wondering if those tests were even half as good as Rey assumed, or if they mattered to him at all. She knew William probably looked into what mattered, and he didn't need to know the details of the reports. Examination was a lot of things at the same time. His Emblem was part of it, so Mi-Yung looked at his arm and feared playing these games was enough.

  "Examination as a whole is Forced Awakening, followed by choice-making. Divisions and surrounding organizations come forth, and hundreds of youths are involved in it every time. Some make choices; others have already made theirs long ago, as part of their youth, through pledges, or as a result of organizations that took hold of them when they were young. They just want to awaken their Emblems and see if something changes, so there might be a change of heart afterward, or an unexpected offer might change their hearts. There is negotiation. Fights. Hassle. This falls on youths and aptitudes."

  "Every half a year, I know. That isn't a lot. I thought it would be more often if the Forced Awakening is so good. I mean, you took that so well, and half a year is a long time between each big event."

  "Yes, that is true. The issue is the rate and weight of this science that Emblem Association manages. Also, I was a unique case. Rare one, at that. Many youths can and will face problems within a couple of years, and stability may encounter some challenges. Let's not pretend that forcing teenagers onto this path is easy. Even Forced ones need to mind their spirit and calm before the storm settles after true adulthood."

  William gulped. "That sounds awful; I thought these issues were fixed already, since these years are advantageous and... stuff."

  "They are." Mi-Yung asserted and pointed to her Emblem with a sentimental glance. "Every bit of experience shows up. It's worth it, but everything is dangerous, alright? It's about the age being the problem, and how can we make fifteen-year-olds do well against it? We can't, but we ought to help them and do it best."

  "Problem is... if no Forced Awakenings mattered, right?" William asked an excellent question and made Mi-Yung hesitant.