As Mi-Yung dealt with her own issues, walking and talking her way out, she was unable to notice a distant figure whose expectations about William were no lower than hers. This figure wasn't the only one being mindful, but Celeste definitely lowered that number after stunning this room and feeding them something that had never occurred before. Even this figure in a corner was smitten by the change.

  With a cowboy hat on top of his head, Kaufman observed everything in the furthest corner from the Assembly seats he found. Numerous obnoxious bastards were still close, but it was better than nothing. They didn't trouble him, for there was a peace in this room that might be very heavy when broken, and nobody should change it. Interacting with him would do it, so they didn't. Outside, they might trouble him, but that was fair. In fact, he expected that and looked forward to it.

  For now, he was a good old man and did not trouble anyone. Frankly, he didn't enjoy this experience at all, even if it wasn't all that bad to see the new generation of Walkers come and show off. The issues were with older generations.

  It took him decades back because he wasn't keen on the Forced Awakening as part of the First Generation. He remembered old times, and North America, USA, and shit that went on for decades until the world changed.

  He would prefer for William to spend more time and accept his natural callings. What would that create? Nothing bad, he assumed. Perhaps he wouldn't get too far behind Celeste, but... that reason soon changed, and he ended up laughing at his own thoughts.

  Right. Celeste was a young freak whose Forced Awakened will create entirely new devotions and assertions, and there was no doubt that her case was unique and would never be replicated.

  She created quite a ruckus in this room and shook even his heart and , and it wouldn't be equal to William, no matter how he thought about it. It was a damn shame, but the list of those who underestimated and overlooked Celeste and Dreadus was rather long at the moment. In fact, it was the hidden stuff that was most interesting, while some elite-level talents were obvious for a reason. They had backing and knowledge. Celeste had nothing besides young, unknown clauses known by few.

  This society had an order built on what was old yet working, and nobody was changing that. Not him. Not Mi-Yung. Certainly not the Academy, as that... well, it was an academy. By that word alone, it would never be something that it shouldn't trespass and do.

  Neither was fundamentally wrong at the moment. Waiting. Forcing. Kaufman understood the appeal of that chair and mirrors. One would establish the System earlier, which was a very powerful boon, compelling Leveling and familiarity with the energies and synergies. Natural cases had more stable Emblems and provided a solid foundation for quicker hunting; one would eventually grasp Leveling and the System anyway, so that was about it.

  In some cases, gaps and differences may not exist, as youths can accumulate sufficient means within their Rank 0s to act as natural cases, while mind and lectures followed suit.

  Kaufman appreciated each choice for what they created and considered Celeste one of the greatest youths he had ever seen, hidden in wonder, and lands that one wouldn't want to visit. He understood that the unknowns were moving. Perhaps something long forgotten was happening as well, since many youths would shake this room one or three more times if given the chance.

  Replenishing much-needed numbers was the births of Walkers, as well as their deaths. Forced Awakening helped to fasten the pace, and die faster. Shame, huh?

  Eras changed, but people never really did, which Kaufman recognized a long time ago. The number of Walkers was no longer depleting as much as they used to be when Darks changed and became wilder after the First Generation became strong enough to fight back.

  Unfortunately, replenishing numbers was slow because of the inherent limitations of human bodies and matters related to bloodlines, or emblem bloodlines. Expecting a child to fight early was a very tough compromise that not every land could afford. But they have to.

  The Federation was the spark that started it, where most forced Walkers underwent years of training beforehand, and many did surpass older generations, who were tougher and brutal, yet not that worse off either, if one looked at the actual results—fighting and killing Darks. Surviving? Well, Kaufman no longer thought there was a perfect answer to anything anymore.

  Not many in this room could understand that, but that was not their problem or expression.

  With a monitor in one hand, Kaufman held a glass of wine in the other. Two and a half full bottles were beside him, waiting. He had been observing the participants for a couple of hours without engaging in any bothersome conversations in this room. Nobody gets him, as they should.

  He had enough face to pretend he had come here with interest, curiosity, kind manners, and innocent ideas. He wore more serviceable clothes, a neat cloak coupled with a brown suit, yet his hat remained. If any of his kind arrive, things might get heavy very quickly, but that's the thing. They knew he was here, but they knew better not to approach him or test the ice.

  At least, there weren't his daughter or other children. Rank 8 Walkers were few in numbers, and he counted fewer than ten of them in this room alone. That was interesting, since Rank 8 was the peak of this world, yet those weren't to show off. They were old and powerful, like most protectors of their respective nations were, as much blood and deaths were behind them, snatching at their legs and souls.

  Reaching such heights was full of burdens that not everyone below their Ranks could imagine. Out of respect, most people left them alone, but it wasn't because of that kind of respect or Kaufman's Rank. It was because he was a freaking Kaufman!

  Soon, the number of participants moved into three digits, yet none was as brilliant as Celeste.

  “I wonder how it will happen. Or where? Why? I am doubtful if I will see more of the 90s. William might surprise me. He should... should. Damn. That fucking girl shook my damn expectations. Screw Australia!” Kaufman muttered before taking a few sips from the glass of finest wine he found.

  Alas, much to his disappointment at not finding any problems, troubles came his way instead.

  A person took a seat on his right without asking. A person Kaufman knew very well, with dubious chances, low expectations, yet still with the personality to show his face before him after a month of being apart.

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  “Good day to you, Kaufman.” Richards greeted him, adjusting his suit.

  “Shouldn't you be in your little corner, Richards?” Kaufman said without giving him a look. He continued to observe what was happening beyond the window.

  It will be a long day, for sure, since every youth took five, or sometimes even fifteen minutes each time, but those were rare and not necessarily correlated with potent Affinities. Celeste didn't even take that long, and everyone present understood that her case wouldn't be repeated today.

  “I am greeting you for the sake of it. You haven't made a visit or anything, you know. Odd. I was worried for a while because you were away for weeks. It is hard to get in touch with you.”

  “Good. I have things to deal with even at my age.”

  “Pity. You haven't answered any of my suggestions and propositions before, so what about now?”

  “I thought silent treatment was enough of an answer. I don't care about joining the Academy if you are getting me, and if you get me enough, the rest of the unspoken things are even worse. If you are asking that, I suppose the answer is the same nonetheless.”

  Richards wasn't surprised and took this old man for a calm nuke. “I suppose you got what you wanted?”

  “Gale, you mean?” Kaufman scoffed at him, aware that the family was messed up, but every clan-thing was like that.

  “We dealt with our business as professionals and people who know what's up. His prose is getting closer. He made a show a couple of days ago, in the arena of Yondu Division.”

  “Heard it. Not surprising.”

  “He is able to do something very unique.”

  “Controlling or playing with the Emblem isn't very unique. Ego is, or the methods for it are, but it is not equal.” Kaufman argued, lying because his expectations were that high.

  Richards chucked at him. “Fine. What he did is indeed not as stunning, but something or someone is. Have you seen that girl with 99 Affinity?”

  “What about her?” Kaufman said without changing his mood, but sipping, he did.

  Richards heard his clear, annoying disapproval of touching this topic and smiled. “What about Gale then?”

  “I think our words have long reached the unspoken territory, and I won't budge in on any terms.” Kaufman excused himself and drank the rest of the wine in his cup.

  Looking at the man to his right, who was dressed for this occasion, there was a vast contrast between them. Kaufman had a beige suit that was borderline fitting for a party. His trousers were raw leather from Crocs, while his suit-like coat was similar and complemented his hat.

  Without the cloak that Richards loved so much, he looked more mature and better than usual. All things considered, of course. Kaufman didn't plan to give him any compliments, let alone make promises about something he wasn't willing to do or accept.

  “Perhaps you would rather talk with someone more fit for this conversation? We can reach an understanding if all parties are on the same page. I am still a humble member of the Academy and just one gear of one Party.”

  “... Richards, I'm not interested in what you're getting into. Our times are long, and you always get on my nerves. I suppose that is a good thing, considering you want to get closer to me out of spite or because of your bosses, but I ain't having it, man. I am not appreciative of the Academy! Federation was enough for a lifetime, and I don't need Fain to say it otherwise. I don't hate him, but it is still bothersome.”

  “Hm. Shame. So what about the other stuff? You want a disciple, don't you? Walkers are hard to train because of their contrasts, but cooperation can lead to useful outcomes. I doubt that Gale will be sufficient for you alone, but with our support? Gale blood shouldn't be indecent, but Viktor? This kid... well, who knows what's up next, but we shall see,” Richards countered, unwilling to back down from his path. Even if this situation ran between Rank 6 and Rank 8 Walker, he could do something regardless of this big gap.

  Kaufman took a deep breath. “What is Gale to us, if not a wonder. It doesn't even mean anything right now because we don't know what kind of Gale he is, if one at all.”

  “Yet we believe in worth and our expectations as if it is real and that it matters like blood and words. It's fine. Peculiar.” Richards made a great argument, and for the first time, a hesitation appeared in Kaufman's voice.

  “What are you pointing at?”

  “Kids. Nothing much, I guess. You?”

  “At this point, if nothing fancy will be for me, leaving for Africa or Utah sounds great. That or maybe a little journey to the Amazon wouldn't hurt me. A small chance is under every rock or hole.” Kaufman talked in riddles, while Richards guessed what he was implying.

  Amazon was still off the charts, yet Academy had paths even there, stemming from years of elites fighting under its banners. What Kaufman talked about was almost like an unwilling hint at what he enjoyed and hid away. It was less about implicating his words beyond his knowledge.

  “You won't reconsider anything, right? There is someone here willing to change your mind.” Richards said his last line and got up from his chair. A new person took the initiative instead, a woman who had been hiding behind people, observing their conversation for quite some time.

  She was a rather striking lady, wearing a revealing outfit that showcased her sumptuous body and curves. From her bare legs, one couldn't see any faults, while her thighs and hips had loose cuts in her gown. The upper body was a bit better, revealing only her arms and having a hole just above the neck. A dress riddled with intentional cuts was questionable, yet many records show that previous eras often favored this fashion. It lacked the purpose, yet a Walker like her could afford it and more.

  Much to everyone's surprise, Kaufman grasped a new bottle and drowned his mouth in multiple gulps just to prepare for this lady. Either he needed it for himself, or against her, whose appearance made him rather apprehensive, since he hadn't noticed her before.

  She took a seat beside him, gave him almost no regard, and watched the event ahead. She was bothersome to him; Kaufman didn't want anything to do with her anymore, not even if he wished it from the bottom of his heart, or this bottle.

  “So... this is my boundary,” Kaufman wondered out loud.

  “What?” the woman said.

  “What do you want, Margaret? Such a big... person from the Academy is rare to meet, yet Richards made it worse. I don't think this is a good position to be in, and trying it is a bad idea, don't you think? Considering this window and Awakening, are you here for kids, or me?”

  “Take a guess.”

  “It is unusual to see such a leader attend this event,” Kaufman said, drinking more, but no wine would make him drowsy.

  Resting one arm on the table, Margaret supported her chin with the other and glanced at the man beside her, sitting by the bar just like her former lover.

  Her deep black eyes and equally dark hair complemented her dark purple gown. She was much more charming than Kaufman remembered. Well, it had been a long time since... anything.

  “I am... curious, Kaufman. Let's call it like that, shall we? I am sure you are not questioning my presence. The real reason I am even talking to you is not simple or explicit. It just happens because there is something between us that needs resolution.” Margaret said in a firm tone.

  Though her posture, eyes, and voice, she was even more domineering than Mi-Yung. This person was very different from her. Not in a good or better way. Kaufman called it a charm of age, a unique disposition of Margaret, or her passive aura.

  “Curious be damned. I won't change my opinion if you're just talking. I bet nothing is normal to begin with, and the Academy is a bother. Even if there is something for me--anything--I won't yield just because you want to!”

  His tone sounded very different when Richards was out of the picture, appearing emotional as if he was getting ahead of himself. Kaufman loved dealing with his kind, yet this timing wasn't great, and Margaret placed him on a creaking ice that might crack in a heartbeat.

  “I still want to speak with you. Why won't you hear the words of an old friend?” Margaret offered with a smile that wasn't a smile.

  “I wouldn't call it old by any means. Look at yourself. I am old,” Kaufman whispered the last sentence as if the world depended on it. Margaret smiled and said nothing, as his words were honest and clumsy.

  “I like my youth. It's a shame you didn't choose that as well.”