The library was like a small school of subjects anyone could access for free or with a small toll of credits. It was very fair, while the rough secrets and separate ideas were expensive or not very open.

  The ones who should really get it knew the gimmicks of knowing and bearing the pain of knowledge.

  While others detested it anyway, which was also fair. It was a loud minority, and nowadays, it was laughable to put anger towards education and gifting other choices than bloody aspects of wars and darkness.

  This era ought to change with newer generations, and what was lost shall become moving once more. People will do it. Humanity will find its spark. The people behind the first couple of floors believe it, unless it would change again, that is.

  Most prudent of figures judged that one more push would annihilate the entire human race.

  William found a familiar and tall door, and strangely enough, Ellie and Celeste were standing right beside it. They barely stayed on the lower floors because it wasn't necessary for Celeste. It was no wonder why.

  Celeste felt overwhelmed almost immediately by all these books, and even though Ellie knew ways to work with her, showing her interesting and simple topics that weren't too confusing, she found quick pieces better than hours of enduring trials doing nothing.

  At least she found subjects that softened Celeste’s mind and prepared her for the next steps. Doing so alone was unlikely to be good, so Ellie decided to wait for Mi-Yung and William on the next floor she considered ready for this group.

  And she was correct; Ellie barely waited fifteen minutes for them to show up.

  More tries were incoming, coming from their hands, expressions, or words.

  Celeste stood not only with Hound in her hands and fur all over her upper body, but she also had a couple of books between her armpits. Hound licked some of them and looked like he didn’t enjoy them invading his private space.

  Ellie pulled some strings and brought her books to bring home. Surprisingly, no one stopped that, even though she almost bet someone would try. Either because of Celeste or her new position, it worked out, even if it wasn't a privilege William had gotten before.

  Not as if he complained. In hindsight, he appreciated his pace because he couldn't imagine it otherwise. He had enough as is, thanks to this place and people, so taking these books home wasn't his deal. They should remain where they belonged, though.... he also knew Culturar Floor did have its borrowing protocols, and he got one hell of a diary beside his bed.

  Hound barked at the approaching pair, and William swore its mouth and eyes glinted at him as if he was... something edible, odd, or something completely different that a human walking stick.

  Or it didn't like Mi-Yung, which sounded much more reasonable than anything William assumed.

  “Hey, how did it go with her?” Mi-Yung inquired first.

  Ellie smiled confidently. “Better than expected. Give me a month and she will be much better than… anything like before, or now.”

  “A month?!” Mi-Yung frowned and didn't remember any time limitations. Didn't it sound kind of wrong? True, Dreadus didn't make any contract or anything with her, so she wondered what was going to happen with that. There was no way this was a trap, as that would make…. sense. It seemed that taking care of this situation was up to a couple of compromises.

  Moreover, leaving Celeste to Ellie wasn't sounding like a bad idea at all, and considering William was doing alright, their positions might be excellent for everyone.

  “What about you, Celeste? Have you found this place odd, confusing, or terrifying?”

  She nodded once behind Hound. Mi-Yung clicked her tongue, folded her arms, and Hound shrank as if he felt her inner and outer thoughts.

  Celeste yelped when his mass changed, and her books nearly fell from her grasp. Ellie helped and knocked on her cheeks. “What have I said?”

  “Practise...” Celeste unwillingly said, holding Hound in one hand and books in the other.

  “Right. Knowledge is endless. Human basics are not. I should've shown you karaoke instead... oh...” Ellie slammed her forehead and took the rest of the book from her hands.

  Not the Hound, of course. That would be unreasonable, or completely impossible.

  “So?” Mi-Yung demanded again and waited.

  “Give it time, please.” William knocked on her shoulder. “I took it the same, and Celeste seems overwhelmed for a good reason. You said it. She was lost. She is like... well, nothing odd. I think it is even more impressive that she can manage going this far.”

  Stolen story; please report.

  Celeste inspected him, confused about that boy who helped her out. It felt kind of weird, yet welcoming.

  “Patience? Well, I wonder what Dreadus will have to say to that. Maybe he won't mind any of that because he had his concerns about what to do with you all, Celeste. Right?”

  Celeste shrugged. “Dunno.”

  Ellie poked her shoulder, glaring at her. *Practise,* she whispered.

  “I want... grow. Know things. The world. A big, big world.”

  “No words for Dreadus, eh?” Mi-Yung smiled.

  Celeste frowned and wasn't sure if this was a taunt, a joke, or something important. It wasn't as if Dreadus had chains wrapped around her. In fact, she didn't want it in the slightest. After getting to know this world and people, and... well, the humanity, Celeste decided on many things. Dreadus was the start. She was grateful and wanted the power to grace their pact. Like before. Like all the time.

  “I will pay him the grace.” Celeste said in one breath, surprising Ellie, who cheered silently.

  “Grace? How surprising. I don't know if he is even worth some praise. Anyway, are you waiting for us?”

  “That's right. Tell her, Celeste.” Ellie elbowed her shoulder, giving her anxiety more weight and feelings.

  Celeste glanced at this pair, one a boy taller than her, the other a towering lady who did resemble that hag, but not really. Mi-Yung was much more thrilling and appealing, and it reminded her of something else.

  Celeste gobbled up thoughts and imagined what she learned, and what Ellie gave her on a golden plate.

  “I want to see history. Lost. Gone. And… Um. What else?” She glanced at Ellie, unsure what else mattered.

  “Globe and sky. Stars and museum are big, so it is better to show it rather than with the books.” Ellie added, and Celeste felt elated, and her eyes widened in expectation. She hugged Hound ever so tightly and impatiently hopped on the spot.

  “You will guide her, right, Ellie?”

  “I plan to.”

  “I have things to show William in private, so follow along when you can, or... not follow but take care of her. Not like I care. Wait. Scratch that. Follow me cuz why the hell not? I don't think it means anything anymore.” Mi-Yung said, sighed, and opened the door.

  Soon, the good old bones of an ancient predator shocked Celeste and Hound alike.

  William had seen it multiple times, so he wasn't shocked or expecting something crazy or new. But he would lie if he weren't interested in what Mi-Yung wanted to show him here. He thought Ellie gave him a throughout guidance about this place, number of times over a normal guide—secret rooms included.

  Hound barked at those bones, as if challenged and unwilling to remain like a lapdog. He eyed those empty sockets, a dozen eyes sparked like his mouth and voice, and he even grew a little in apprehension and challenge.

  Celeste shrank in her feet alone and soon observed an ancient skeleton up close. It was considerably large, and it looked at her with its empty sockets. It was big, but far from being imposing like creatures from Australia, which wasn't confusing her in the slightest.

  Celeste had seen terrific sights and brighter skies. Not only she wasn't afraid, she expected it to be bigger and... well, better, or moving or something.

  Ellie wasn't disappointed; she will give Celeste all the reasons and learning via personal traits, interest, and curiosity. This place was better. Celeste couldn't read into it too much, and pictures didn't appease her too much.

  Ellie put effort into reading to her out loud, and giving her attention like no one ever did wasn’t about trickery, but awareness and boundaries. Even when she wasn't so little anymore, it seemed to work. Give it a week, and Ellie might make Celeste read simple sentences.

  William watched her go from one place to another, checking and poking those big bones. Then, Celeste started to climb those bones, but Ellie stopped her in time, telling her they were fragile, and climbing them wasn't fine.

  Hound whimpered like Celeste, even though this scolding was more than deserved. Then the pair of girls moved from one thing to another, regulated by Ellie alone. They were always close to Mi-Yung, who moved forward with less interest in this place. Ellie planned to focus on what should matter. Celeste was simply too precious to pass.

  “I bet Ellie told you a lot of things about this place,” Mi-Yung said, turning to William, who followed her behind. “Since I am strong, how about giving me an idea? I don't know what she has told you.” Mi-Yung patted his shoulder, unleashing a tinge of heaviness that shuddered half of his body. William stood straight, albeit with stiffness in his face.

  “As I've said, we spend days going around. She showed me almost all restricted rooms, and all exhibitions because we went through this multiple times,” he explained, leaving nothing else behind apart from a card in his pocket.

  “Which was the least...concrete?”

  “I am not sure? She touched upon everything, so maybe you are asking the wrong question. Details, right? I went along with her like I do with you right now. I don’t ask for much. She did the most work.”

  “You don't help me out at all.”

  “I am trying. Ellie mentioned closed room and exhibitions because of lacking research or repairs, or rebuilding. She hadn't touched upon them a lot.”

  “So, she left the ones she has no access to as an employee, but.. her little position changed, so maybe it doesn't matter that much anymore. Since you have a full pass card because of that damned Kaufman, this place is like an open park for you.”

  “Park?” William scowled, imagining something completely different. “Wait. Mybe I've got something. What about the history of the Federation or completely different lands? Since you are older than her, and experienced in different ways, I bet there is a lot you can do instead of this floor. Maybe we shouldn't think of this floor all that much.”

  William expressed his idea with a sudden and bright smile. It solved a couple of problems, but Mi-Yung's idea was different.

  Celeste was the main reason, and the secondary one was that this place was private, limited, and great for starting out. It was like a small lesson, a trial, and getting to know one another. She met Luke in this sort of place and rather... well, unromantically.

  Since there were fewer things to tell, different topics were reasonable. Mi-Yung had a massive amount of knowledge regarding the Federation, after all, and the world was even bigger. Her Walker status should make it even better, while her dealings with the broader world were like a buffet on its own.

  Alas, it wasn't as problematic as truthful. Her issue was that she could tell what she truly wanted and then realize that she shouldn't. Certain restrictions and top secrets weren't open even within the high Ranks of Walkers. Various reasons led to that, marked by politics, Darks, and very dangerous procedures.

  It was about Truth.