“The Body System is practically a foundation of life itself. It brings people closer to those monstrosities, so think of it like building a temple. Some people are better at it than others, while Arcana requires a suitable environment to thrive due to our contrasts. That aside, without this point bearing the fruits of hard work, we would die and explode, so it is not wise to ignore it. Both of you, I hope you understand it.”

  Celeste sat down and nodded with vigor. William tried to calm his shaking hands, knowing that training his body was even more important than worrying about silly mental issues. He was wrong, but that was his point, rather than the common psyche of others. That would be his contrast.

  Then Mi-Yung pointed to their arms and realized how common their Localization seemed. But again, it wasn't an issue. Their Emblem were quite different, after all, as they should be.

  “Your Emblems are on your right arms, or more than that, forearms. They embody that point, rather than your palms. That means your right arm is your foundation where your power will be the strongest. If you want to influence your left foot, it is the furthest away, so it is the hardest to change. If you prefer to play with your left hand instead, it's better, but not perfect either. Influencing the whole body is also harder from this Localization.”

  Again, William found no faulty logic in that. In fact, this probably answered a shit ton of questions and he realized how good and quirky it sounded. It meant... a fixed position and talent, no?

  “A single arm will be impressive. Focused, I mean,” Ellie suggested, speaking because a pair of young Walkers could not even blink as they gazed at their hands. This lesson shook both of them in many ways, while Celeste never looked so thrilled and expectant to hear someone speak about her monsters like that.

  “It is a powerful position, though not that rare or terrible. It still depends on what kind of Emblem you have and what its face is like. Body Systems, like veins, blood, bones, and marrow, are secondary. Mine is literally on my torso, so it affects everything with appropriate strength. It is balanced, so I do not have a very pronounced focus. In fact, I don't think a single Localization is much stronger than others.”

  “I see,” William said like a dull, broken record.

  Ellie didn't. “Does it make a big difference for Walkers when creating Molds or anything like that?”

  “Depends on what you call a difference. Localization of the Emblems can have varying well-rounded qualities and give an edge to the body and System. Theirs will be rather focused, but a forearm is a forearm. Palms, or fingers, are totally different, or are they focused less? What do you think about it, Ellie?”

  Ellie quickly recognized a test and didn't fear it in the slightest. “Yes. A finger would be the farthest from the brain and the rest of the body, but its power would be extraordinary and... weird? A bit ahead of the power curve, no?”

  “Exactly. It could be an enormous advantage early, or a serious disadvantage later. Or maybe it would be broken? The System works with it, but Walkers do it much more than anything else. Get it? How to use it is different than flaying around and cursing about how it got born in us.”

  “I get it a little.” William lied.

  Celeste patted Hound, not blinking and thinking about it anymore.

  “I guess it makes sense not to know a lot. Good. Cool. Effects are so much more accessible after the Awakening and unlocking the System.” Ellie said, as the only one who got what Mi-Yung meant.

  “At least someone gets it.”

  Sighting in helplessness, William couldn't get every little word into his head. And those were just the basics? He wanted to cry, sleep, and shout at the same time.

  Unfortunately, this was one of the better examples of explaining basics like this, and it had a lot of additional information underneath or beyond.

  “Another pondering question, William. What do you think will happen when someone cuts off your arm?”

  “That...” Ellie paused and wondered why Mi-Yung asked this question.

  William frowned and escaped his internal depression. “Huh? That is rather grim, but I would have... one arm. That's simple. I still have my right!” He said and quenched his fist.

  “Sure, but I don’t suppose that’s my question. What about the Emblem on your right arm?”

  “Same thing. It would get lost... and lost?”

  “Maybe you would live on as a crippled Walker. Its glitter and crimson would either turn into a tasty meal for Darks or into dust, and your body would slowly become weaker and weaker. It might even die because of the shock, you know? Some Walkers straight up die, or their bodies would decline, and their minds would break. There have been numerous instances of this phenomenon. Walkers with such an Emblem as you can become limbless very easily, and palms, or finger spots, are even more prone to this cutting theorem. It isn't as hindering, of course, but it can be dangerous.”

  “I will be careful about it.” William nodded, hugging his right arm with as much strength as he could. Celeste just scratched hers, unsure if losing it would make any difference. It will persevere like always.

  This grim topic was still a possibility, albeit not as gloomy as it could have been. It was just one problem that Walkers had to deal with, and Mi-Yung wanted to test them. Nothing More. Nothing less.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  It was a sensitive danger, and everyone should be prepared for it.

  Lost. Death. Dust. Meal. Arcana. There was only one way William thought about those words, and it aimed at one critical junction. His disappearing Emblem! Should he ask about it right now and reveal his tightest secret?! This little piece of news made his heart pound, and his mind turned frantic.

  Was he freaking dead? Did he die, but his Emblem stuck to him or something?

  “Don't worry.” Mi-Yung laughed, trying to ease the mood. It didn't help either of them, though her intentions were good. “It's not as if you can do a lot about this issue. Emblems are where they are, what they could be, or what they wish to be. One thing could still make it easier. Can you guess what?” She pointed to herself, aiming at her torso and neck.

  William was unaware of where she was going with this.

  Once more, Ellie honed her skill in this conversation. “Theirs could increase in volume as well? It sounds normal if it can grow like people.” She hypothesized her own logic before Mi-Yung answered.

  “It is food for thought, Ellie. I hoped that William would know it better. It is a possibility, such as growing and skillfully progressing into higher realms. Some Emblems could be in pieces, scattered around the body, but deep down, they are connected. Theirs is singular and looking decent, yet how, where, and when could it change? How even?”

  “By simple progression,” Ellie said resolutely, and William nodded and expected nothing else.

  “Their defense and offense might be good or bad, or their effects might be stronger or weaker. I bet the right arm will be pretty good. Maybe even better than mine, a well-rounded one when I was your age. That's how to think about it.”

  “Thanks... that puts me in a great mood,” William said stoically. “Makes sense. Makes sense. I am just a tool walking on two sticks and like a carrot waiting for the hand to pick me up.”

  William made an important note in his mind that there wasn't much he could do. Perhaps even his curiosity had its limits, and he far underestimated himself, his mind, and what was bound to him.

  But as this conversation and learning continued, there wasn’t just one way to look at it. He shouldn't be hurrying anywhere, and taking things slowly sounded reasonable.

  “Can I have a specific question?” Ellie inquired.

  “Not like you need to ask twice. Usually, you just do. What is it? Since I am bothering with you, and no one cares about it yet, I might find it shocking that you keep up with this better than those two. Or three?” Mi-Yung asked, patting her shoulders and smiling at the trio before her.

  “It is my pride and pledge, Mi-Yung. Anyway, those positions. What sort of wonders do they have? What changes, or meaning they have or can’t have? Could they be really anywhere?” Ellie said with a bright smile.

  “Yes. Yes. Your curiosity is beaming as usual. Maybe I should have a word or two with Heidi.”

  “I won't run!”

  “Maybe you shouldn't promise that.”

  “It wasn't a promise. This is my dream job!” Ellie asserted, puffing her chest.

  “Nothing new. As for your question, positions are like parking slots, and what I've said is enough for the basics.”

  “And further?”

  “Further? Oh, you are digging around something you've found out recently, isn't that right?” Mi-Yung said, and swore Ellie sneered and glanced away like an innocent little devil. “Fine. It touches upon Walker's growth and Ranks. So yes, there is a lot to tell and show. Ranks could change like an increasing river. Mine did that, and many others could do so as well. Some won't at all. Gems in heads are often limiting but curious... or worse... The worst!” she lamented, picturing Fain in her mind with his Emblem akin to a third eye.

  “Emblems have their share in human systems—skeleton, veins, and so on are very suitable. You talked about it a lot, Mi-Yung.”

  “And?”

  “Er...” Ellie wasn't exactly sure where she was going with this and forgot her manners. “Localizations don't have ingenious points, right?”

  “A slap with a gem in a palm sounds better than no gem at all. The sturdiness and weight of a gem in a torso, chest, or back means balance and stability. Feet are a bit odd for Localization. One can't have them between legs, unlike in the arms, but they could hold their share of speed and outstanding kicks.”

  “And head? The brain is involved when it is in the eye, forehead, or head. Is it weaker than others?” Ellie took a vague guess that it could be the case.

  “Probably. It’s bizarre. Let's just say it has no answer since archetypes and Walkers have layers, and what they are good at might go well over your head. Don't toss oranges and apples into the same sack.”

  This answer satisfied Ellie and no longer irritated her demands.

  “What else? What else...” Mi-Yung hummed in contemplation. “Those are the most basic ideas I could think of. Maybe I forgot something else.”

  “No. This will do!” William suddenly said, hoping to change the topic or escape. “What about the next room? Let's go to the next room!” He hurried, almost stumbling and falling.

  “Your word, your cause, and your card,” Mi-Yung agreed, realizing their mood wasn’t perfect and that it was a good idea to change the pace.

  Moving out of this room, Ellie had to force Celeste away because she wanted to read about those gems more. But with Hound in hand, she somewhat managed to suppress that interest and moved on.

  They went to the outside hallway. The first lecture was about the Dark Family Cluster Room, while the second went with the Elementary Emblem Room, which ended up shorter than Mi-Yung thought. Then she wondered about her next choice.

  The day was still long, and there might be time for two more rooms if she hurried and worked well with her words. Maybe one more will be more than enough for those two. Then there was Ellie, who could easily lengthen this whole day by many hours if she wanted to.

  Mi-Yung made her choice and turned left, walking to the other side of the hallway. There were many doors, and she chose one with a rather similar idea to the Dark one.

  Beyond the door were no cabinets, or big shelves, or many books. Instead, there were many scrolls, posters, and exposés for savage ideas and contexts. It was about Darks, but not them. There were no locks either, as everything was relatively open and full of dreadful details. It reminded William of a museum or a memorial service of some sort.

  It was insane. Many scrolls and pictures illustrated history meant for true Walkers. It wasn’t poor or lacking. It was worse and crazier than anything below.

  “What is this room?!” William demanded.

  “I said bits about it already, and I bet Ellie did too. It's for the understanding of Darks and their nests and instincts. It has a broad number of names, and we've tested and researched many gathered ideas over the years. Nests are one such word. Dungeon. Dents. Dwellings. Darks like to live in many places, after all, and a couple of Families like broadness, while others like little dark spots, caves, or rich places with Dark Fog or full of Corruption. It's all about their living. They are bloody terrific, that everyone needs to understand. It is not some System blasphemy. It is not a game or fakery.”

  Once more, she had no misgivings to give and spoke like an experienced Walker.

  “That's... not so extreme,” William said, turning, and deduced that this place was much smaller than the last one, yet it showed much more terrific things than expected.

  And he liked them. He thought they looked interesting and good.

  “Not much? There aren't many Dungeon types, but they are much more dreadful than you think. Do you first Delve, or Dive, and let's hear what you would tell and feel afterwards.”

  “Same thing,” William argued to her, and didn't think Delves or Dives were very complicated. He looked forward to them.

  “Wanna bet?”

  “Nope.”

  “That's what I thought,” Mi-Yung said victoriously, turned, and looked around the room.