William appreciated the past a lot. He liked to think of it as a bunch of stories that were closer than far. In a while, he stored the book in its rightful place and looked around for something else.

  “How about this one?” Mi-Yung lifted a book from the shelf and tossed it to him.

  “This?” William caught it, looking at the hard-covered book with a text that said: Statistics, Money, and Value.

  “Statistics are the clever side of possibilities and tactics. Their case affects the economy and people. It is like a game of numbers and strategies. I mean, there used to be board games for this sort of thing. I liked this book when I was in a similar position as you, since it is simpler than others, but... let's just say it like it is: you don't need to think about it, William. This game is not for you.”

  “Thanks for your kind consideration,” William took this basic idea in and felt dumb, chuckled, and opened it.

  It seemed old, and many management issues were in all nations, and one was depicted in this book. Then, a lot of numbers and many pages were full of graphs, words, and cryptic ideas. It was as she said. This shit was wild and screwed.

  It was well beyond him. Fortunately, he got that, and ran into fewer details and more interesting concepts. Money was one such thing. There was a dollar, a euro, and a couple of pages even described the credits of the Federation.

  Credits weren't really... money. It was somewhat printed, but its protection and value were much more sporadic than metals or simple papers, since the rules dictated the value. How come? Well, the way to spend them was rather fixed and limited, so no inflation would happen. For some reason, it felt wrong, or so this book suggested.

  William was confused about this currency. Federation was manufacturing their demand as if it was mere token of authority. Maybe it would work without any of that, or it would break sooner than it would even get to people.

  “Credits, eh?” Mi-Yung perked her brows and wondered if she should talk or not. William seemed preoccupied and didn't want to hear her.

  The Assembly was the sole possessor of making credits into their fitting worth.

  There was a near-unlimited amount of them, but the economy shouldn't toss them out the window. There had to be a balance between work, benefits, and the future.

  Unsurprisingly, the words about inflation and deflation could not confuse William any less. He couldn't wrap his head around those topics, and even when Mi-Yung tried to explain them, he didn't want to hear it.

  It was a terrible idea for him and many others.

  Supply and demand were stable anyway, and people worked with what they had to, or what the market demanded. It was a balanced economy with ease of doing business popular, and doing good deeds for the Federation never went unnoticed. There were some minor transactional payments when doing work, which acted almost like taxes, but they were nothing harsh.

  It was a long-term investment and decision of many past figures to make the Federation a new core of the future.

  Walkers and people died for this place, so this side of this land came to William's eyes with a confusing perspective. For the past decades, everyone has accepted these ways and nothing will change it.

  William took it slowly after her lectures intensified. Mi-Yung's determination to teach him moved him forward like the sun in the sky.

  The amount of knowledge he discovered on his first day with Ellie went along these floors. So, whether he liked it or not, taking every book into mind was less than feasible.

  Mi-Yung said the same thing and argued limited awareness wasn’t ignorance. A good start should be there.

  A few more books moved under his hands, and credits passed on. They were for the people. Spending them was better than having them rot away.

  Businesses had thousands of distinctions, if not more. There were no big conglomerate giants or holders of big companies or masterminds of credits. Everything was strictly under the economic house of one portion of the Assembly, circling in loops and adjusting for decades.

  Surprisingly, this portion wasn't about Mi-Yung at all, but about someone else. William wasn't too interested, so he moved on.

  Tougher times forced adjustments and compelled politics. Like with weather and Darks, the Federation also had to change and evolve, and it often came with people and its economy.

  New people were arriving in the thousands every year, and it could be even better if the land and workforce allowed more. New buildings opened every week, spreading work opportunities and homes.

  The Federation wanted to provide that, and then, some people worked for Walkers, who might think of it as a small matter, but their focus on bigger threats was a thoughtful display of leadership.

  That was the goal for balance.

  If the humanity reached the best point with fewer dangers, it had to be steady and not lose its momentum. Precursors to a counterattack might appear soon.

  Taking up land wasn’t a problem, as what was the problem was keeping it safe and sound with people and Walkers alike. Outside knew that very well, and it required resources and food, and all that stuff.

  That wasn't a big problem here, though a couple of things needed a lot of labor.

  Most specks and ideals Outside were more than there, and for once, lost territories were what the Assembly wanted, since who knew what they were hiding? They needed to advance and push against the Darks. It had to happen.

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  In a more expansive definition, this oceanic location started to show issues.

  There seemed to be no end to the Dawn and Darks. Mi-Yung was one of the few people who truly knew the full picture of the dangers and hopes of this place, even if she was an outsider, all things considered.

  She was no key either; just yet another figure to appease this era, unless she would leap behind it and establish it like those who were beyond capable. There were layers to it, and leaping past them was borderline harder than pushing this place further. Everyone said so, at least.

  Mi-Yung didn’t want to trust that.

  A lot of things weren’t fine. They could or maybe should reach William, and not even Luke knew everything, and they were partners, and Luke wasn't someone weak.

  An hour later, William felt it was time to get rid of this floor for good. After securing yet another boring book where it belonged, he looked at Mi-Yung and had to make this right for his heart and mind.

  “I apologize how I acted before,” he said, bowing down a little.

  “For what?”

  “I am sorry for doubting you.”

  “That's good. Good.” She smiled in self-satisfaction and lifted his head up. William wasn't sure why she was doing this so often. Maybe she found it annoying after being a golden spoon?

  “I will teach you more if you are up for it. Being a great Walker is a big deal. Taking care of the knowledge isn't. At least Outside, it should be full of sorrowful survival and tough lives, and I am sure you got that point.”

  William nodded. “Agreed. I also must say... that there are a lot of trials and not that many good people Outside. I am stubborn for a good reason because of it, and... the Federation is different. I am, too.” With a healthy amount of embarrassment, his stubbornness lessened by a great deal.

  It seemed Mi-Yung was a much bigger wish than his little hopes. It was a fair deal vaster than Ellie, and countless times better than being alone and going through these books or whatnot.

  Mi-Yung was speaking through direct experience, while Ellie thought learning had a curve and a different kind of expertise.

  “I—”

  “No. Not you.” she interrupted. “I will make sure to teach you what I can and what you must get to your body. That is the smallest of gifts I can give you until the rest comes later. Walkers. Arcana. System. That’s what I am good at. This? Don't even mention it. I am not even one tenth of a teacher like those who got this into my head.”

  “I see,” William said reluctantly, and couldn't imagine anyone sane teaching such a tigress.

  “Who knows, maybe someone will miss me and I will have to disappear again, so get it. Understand? I want to use my time and give you enough recognition, since no one has clearly done their duty with you of all kids. Five years old and lost... God. Your parents were great, but nothing about them is concrete.”

  “Right... I will try my best,” William lifted his heart, and even his eyes beamed for a better future.

  With this finally ended, Mi-Yung smiled with excitement. She let his head go and started to recite and voice many things that a young Walker needed to know, and even points he should know because of her.

  There was a lot to go through, and screw any common sense. She still believed William was lacking at the edges, but deep down, it wasn't as if it was a bad thing.

  It was nothing strange for Walkers and their duties. Even Dreadus ended up good, although a bit weird at most angles. He made up for it by his damn accomplishments and power. Same as her, in a sense.

  Many didn't have to know nearly as much as she was telling anyway. However, it didn't overestimate the truth of facts. Though loftier than Ellie, she will approach it directly, while her experience will do the rest.

  Then, William will proceed with this foundation until the Awakening, where she had considerably different plans and more work to do. The upcoming weeks will be nothing in comparisons what Walkers had to go through. It was worse than the regular military.

  That will work the best in her opinion, and no one will change it. No Kaufman, Ellie, and certainly no one from the Academy or the Assembly. At least, not as far as her current steps were. Later, when the time would say otherwise, anything could happen.

  With Mi-Yung as his instructor, William followed her demands and quick steps. Going from bookshelf to bookshelf, she found mandatory topics for him to understand. For dozens of minutes, this went without any stops and described no lesson.

  Soon, William built up a substantial list of texts and topics in his mind without touching a single book. He just listened ot her barrage.

  “This is the last one I would suggest. Basic order of national militaries. Present. Past. You name it, it has it. The second half of the book talks about the Federation's departments. It's updated every so often, so I think it will be helpful for your immediate future. It is not as usual as the real deal, however. Having personal experiences and seeing the truth is different from the books. I think your Outside factors might give you an interesting head-start that you don’t think you have.“

  “What kind? I don't think of it like that. Isn't it worse?”

  “No. You've lived a vivid and dark life. I don't know very deep details, but from the looks of it, your last camp did its tolerating duty. Before that, how was it?”

  “What?” William said with a shudder as a forboding idea about her intent passed his head.

  “Outside.”

  “How should I answer it? Isn't that obvious? Deaths and constant struggle to go onwards. I clung to my life like many others.”

  “Hm. Interesting.”

  “So, what sort of head-start is... or... Wait. Don't tell me...”

  “Right. Dark knowledge. I know a couple of your main problems, William....Gale. I don’t think having seen the terrible past will substantially change a dire future. It might be one way to grow and see your willpower. Reading about Darks and feeling their dread is different, right? But who am I to suggest anything when I know you like to pretend everything is fine? It isn’t.”

  William grunted in agreement. “I get it. It's bad, but not any different from anything. Continuing is correct and—”

  “It is fine to be hurt. It is fine to cry!” Mi-Yung raised her voice and almost snatched his neck or head. She didn't, which he was thankful for because he sure as hell was busy holding his right hand.

  That shook him by surprise and stopped his thoughts. Hell, if he ever cried. He won't. Why would he?

  “What is the right way to go forward, William? None. One has to keep their wits and not get lost along the way. Many Walkers end up lost, so ensuring proper numbers is like an endless pursuit of stability and dread. There are sacrifices. There should be no sacrifices. There is pain, whilst there is death. A lot of dead.”

  William supposed he comprehended this point much more than the last hour.

  Military and Outside were familiar in his mind. He saw soldiers and Walkers dying and working, let alone normal people. He always hung on that thing called life, or sheer instincts about not dying were even stronger?

  Perhaps what he was thankful for was his Emblem's unnerving flashing and taunting idea.

  And Mi-Yung had a hunch about it, or a much stronger assessment because of... stories? Ideas seemed confusing Outside, but it was true William knew what crazy things were out there.

  Just what made tactful words good? What could shape him for the future was mainly his mind and personal growth. That's what Mi-Yung wanted to touch upon ever since he met him. Then that changed after she understood he wasn't like his father at all.

  It came with some suspense, wonder, and caveats of facts.

  And it could also change, go further, and shock even Mi-Yung, who couldn't possibly point those stories to a kid who was bored and confused by a bunch of cryptic books.

  Maybe he was like Dreadus or others. Maybe her approach was far from adequate.

  Although he was yet to get familiar with the structure of the Federation and its Walkers, William was in no hurry. These books won’t even cover the basics of what this society stood for, since... well, it was not about Walkers.

  Monsters did not ask for consent, credits, money, or food.

  They just took it.