William thought that letting girls' feelings down was not good, which was one of many changed opinions. It was for the better, as did so many other lessons over the week.

  However, no words or books could do Ellie justice, so he had to figure this out by himself, by gut feelings, or Ellie might help him much more, since she was like a bright light these days.

  The previous weeks were different. Days were tightening. He won't spend his life with her over this, but he figured out something else. If that were the bare willingness she wanted, he would give it to her if that was what she desired, and he might even enjoy it, because living in the moment was a satisfying belief he trusted for a couple of years—a courtesy of Miss Anderson.

  To his shock, the same mindset took deep roots in Celeste, who got it going like a wild spark after leaving her former home. Thus, William adapted to Ellie and didn't mind her feelings, and a week passed in the blink of an eye.

  He continued with his research, of course, and there was still a matter of that that was about to begin. This morning, MI-Yung gave him another ultimatum. It was tomorrow.

  Secondly, there was less than a week until the Examination, and no matter what he thought about it, he couldn't give it less attention because of Ellie. She was very nervous about it, all because of the heavy workload and involvement from Burton and Heidi Kaufman.

  It wasn't wrong; Ellie repeatedly stressed how important it was, and even forced William to focus on it. Perhaps it was her conscience speaking, or awareness, or she felt it was the right thing to do after she invaded his heart.

  His future was not hers. There were reflections to think about, or unfilial excuses if he had troubles because of her. She had no intention of bothering his path because she knew what it might imply. She was getting it more and more, and her projected future was almost there.

  Like William, she had her own things to do in both the Awakening and the Examination, and she barely talked to him about them because... well, she was uncertain what it entailed. After all of that, she will focus on her future, while William will take care of his. Both were close, yet different. It wasn't about her feelings; liking a future Walker might have drastic consequences and even nasty distractions. For many, love was a luxury, and fucking around was another job.

  But Ellie didn't want to lose the pure, enjoyable trust. Her feelings. Her hope. Her weeks of frantic minds and tougher and lonelier nights weren't for nothing.

  There would come weeks, or even months, when she wouldn't see him, or eternity itself would pass, if William met with an unfortunate incident. It was no joke.

  Ellie slipped a small book into his comic. Mysterious Island, written by Jules Verne, depicted a wonderful journey and, by this point, a centuries-old story.

  “Have a look at this instead. It is quite a romantic journey.”

  “This one? I have it on my list, and I like this author, but... I have read a few of his books. I feel like reading them all is no fun when there are so many other authors out there.” William argued and gave it back to her.

  Pouting, she refrained from another slide of recommendation and figured he might be stubborn and reasonable if he wished it. It was good that William was getting comfortable with her. She felt she couldn't help him with little things anymore, and instead, she might rely on him and have more fun. Taking him for that simple kid back then was no longer manageable. He had changed.

  Then..

  Celeste was also there, and her changes were even more drastic. Her timid, barely speaking, and sorry head was no longer present. Instead, there was this wild beast of a girl who enjoyed herself and every little thrill and interest. She was younger—still a kid, in a way—and in a proper freaking civilization.

  Ellie had a surge of disappointment when she realized she couldn't be helpful to them forever. Yep. It was yet another lesson for her, as most teachers eventually have to accept these facts. It was close to being a parent, no? At one point, they had to let kids live their lives. Like birds with their eggs and nests?

  There was also that stuff with Dreadus, while Heidi seemed distracted and Burton was busy. Not as if Ellie complained. Dreadus might be a little awkward at times, but he cared about his missions, jobs, assignments, and Celeste, and what he offered to Ellie was a respectable time indeed, even if the underlying reason was still Celeste and paying back for worrying about his 'daughter'.

  Having a look into the world of a Rank 7 Walker of his caliber was the result of this assignment. It was nothing simple. In fact, it gave Ellie something greater than Heidi could even ask any of her secret friends, politicians, or family.

  Dreadus and his position were sensitive and powerful, if not higher than Mi-Yung's, and his involvement in this project might ease some of the stress on Heidi's shoulders. All because of Celeste and his willingness to give Ellie something in return to make Celeste greater, talkative, and like a different person, Dreadus planned to assist this project.

  Maybe Celeste asked for it, or not? Nobody was sure, but many whispered that Dreadus's actions were shocking, borderline psychotic, and insane.

  Seeing Ellie like this, William put his comic away and looked at her.

  “I don't think your recommendation is bad. I will read it when I can.”

  “Can? Your fated day is not so far away. Do you have time to worry about a Mysterious Island? Wake up!”

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Instead of faking her mood, Ellie struck like a smiling Viper. She was teasing him a bit and didn't mind his reaction at all. He smiled and fidgeted on the sofa.

  “You are telling it to me, who spends a couple of hours a day on this floor, while you have much more on hand than I do. Don't think your words have an impact on me, Ellie.” William argued, and a mischievous smile on Ellie's face disappeared in a moment.

  “That's not fair. You always end up like a winner! I know all too well what is going to happen. I will be there, watching. You don't have to remind me of anything, and I will see you bleeding, breaking, and hurting. And I will enjoy it.” Facing him away, Ellie ended up on the other side of the sofa, where she began to play with her hair.

  William looked aside and noticed that Celeste was distracted and too engrossed in her comic. He shifted his position and approached Ellie. “You said some stuff yesterday about the result of your project. How did it go?”

  “Go? Look, who is so curious? It is a top-tier secret! Why should I tell you?”

  “Because. There is nothing strange in being curious.” William countered.

  Squinting her eyes at him, she accepted this talk. “If I am being honest, I am rather hungry today, so how about talking outside and I will speak about it, eh?”

  It was another date-thing bait.

  “That is very bad indeed. I am out of credits.” William bluntly lied, and Ellie was aware of it. And even if not, she was loaded in credits as of recently, so the idea was reclusive. She helplessly gazed at his calm face and felt that food for a couple of credits was less than an issue for anyone on this sofa. Perhaps only Hound would find it problematic, but he was on the ground, so it didn't count.

  Seeing her nonchalant silence, William coughed and realized his mistake. “Alright. I do have credits...”

  Hearing his argument, Ellie looked at him as if he were silly. Still, she chose to tell him about what happened and what will happen.

  “It is related to the summons from a week ago. Heidi Kaufman announced a brand-new department, in line with the Federation's standards, yet it will be personal, independent, and greater than usual. So far, without a name, this project is like a school program, or almost like a camp for any foreign or young Walker in general. Applications are getting started, and a lot of interest is sprawling about, but it is not about buying way in. We can't accept everyone right now, though Heidi thinks too many will be interested, and contracts and stuff like limitations and lessons are yet to be confirmed.”

  “Sounds like what I was doing with you.”

  “You've started it, yes. That's the thing.”

  “Oh. Is that so?”

  Ellie also pointed to Celeste. “Heidi said so. I am not doubting this project anymore, and they talked to me about it for many hours already.”

  “I never doubted you.”

  That took her by surprise, and she even blushed a little.

  “This project will be huge for this library, and the Emblem Association is the primary sponsor. The goal should ease the harsh requirements across the Examination, and give Walkers something they wouldn't get otherwise. It would be free for youths without a background, but some families and foreigners will have to pay a toll. As for the teaching, there are a plethora of topics that are worth discussing, being customized, or being up for discussion. It is still in progress. I am not alone in this project and have no final say in most things, but how I do things is still up to me, as what I will accomplish with them will be seen as the accomplishment of this entire project. It's quite heavy, isn't it?”

  “Is that bad?”

  “No. I am just a regular person, William. Heidi knows this, and that is why she is addressing potential issues and giving us the freedom to do it well. It needs time, care, and acceptable protocols. You can imagine how old-school Walkers dislike it.”

  “Oh, I think I am getting it by now. That sounds incredible.”

  “Right? Heidi did a very nice job with her persuasion, and the Association Pillar and others generally agreed with it. The majority did! It still meant some opposition, but as long as there are results, nobody should overlook this project, unless we're talking about those who would boycott or hate those who will miss out on something because of it. It's shitty politics, mostly.”

  “Oh, cool!” Celeste suddenly said behind William. She had sharp ears and figured this topic was intriguing. “Who is Heidi?”

  “My boss,” Ellie explained again; she had said it to her a long time ago, so why did she ask?

  “Never saw her face.”

  “I guess.”

  “How does she look?”

  Ellie was about to explain Heidi's look, but felt distracted and still in the middle of talking to William. “Later, Celeste.”

  Celeste frowned and sat beside William in order to listen to her words. She curled up like usual and hugged her comic.

  “Where have I left? Oh, this deal is about the Assembly since we are essentially creating a new kind of organization. Success means Heidi is a winner, even though the Academy voiced concerns, but since the majority of the Higher Pillars aren't against her, there was little the Academy could do about it.”

  “Academy?!” Celeste shouted, speaking even deeper in excitement, and her face beamed in curiosity. Of course, she knew that name and what it entailed. That SICK man!

  Ellie gave her five whole lessons about the Academy and its mysterious history and points of interest. Celeste found it most interesting, if not borderline majestic and pretty cool. However, Dreadus did talk about it less than well, so that was that.

  “I didn't think the Academy would be against something that doesn't concern them,” William said.

  “Yes, but you should think from a position of Walker's hierarchy. They have the most Rank 8 Walkers in the world, and they have a pretty big interest in the Federation and its Walkers. This project will impact their potential students and the Examination as a whole, so please keep this point in mind.”

  “Really?” William didn't believe it, though he knew that the Academy's recruitment was peculiar and not always the same. Trials ranged from simple tests to full-blown trials that could get dangerous, and Mi-Yung said it more than some of the books around this place because she used to be an actual instructor.

  “Yes!” Ellie said imperiously, puffing her chest with pride. She was about to do it! She will teach them all!

  “Oh. That sounds great. Should I join such a program?” William tried to joke around, which caused Ellie to make a difficult face. She told him it was meant for various youths, including Rank 1s —so what did that mean?

  He might join it just for fun.

  Ellie nodded in defeat.

  “Oh, can I as well?” Celeste enthusiastically asked.

  “No... Wait. NO! Both of you, shut up. This program and... Well, not really. I don't think you two are meant for it — or you won't even need it. I mean, do you think what I've done with you was for naught?”

  “Naught?” Celeste didn't understand this word, but it sounded like fun. Thankfully, William helped her out.

  “She meant she taught us enough and how we should keep that in mind and not do something useless.”

  “Oh...” Celeste hid her face in disappointment.

  “William... Kaufman's card is the best program you could've gotten, and I was just a little guiding hand, nothing more. Then, Mi-Yung's personal guidance was for what? How many times were you here with her, or with me, in total? I know, so don't joke around with the help. You got plenty.”

  “You've counted how many times I've visited with her?” William wondered, watching her flabbergasted face with delight.