This was the Forced Awakening, and the First Head was in charge of this event as its creator and curator. The Examination wasn't all that present here, contrary to the talks and methods of these brutal shows. But it was also here, in this room, in the organizations and those looking to 'steal' the recruits with better offers or deals.

  A number of brand-new Walkers were already wet, unconscious, or behind their blissful time, dragged and settled in the rooms of the hospital and awaiting the all-important judgement.

  As for these older Walkers, they were curious not only about the results, unlike the previous room that Mi-Yung saw. Walkers of this caliber knew the world like their shoulders and felt the weight of everything much more.

  They observed the process, taking notes on any secrets or ways to better understand those youths, who were otherwise seen as too vague. This ranged from bits of aura, Arcana, or Vectors if they arose, as those showed quite a bit more right here and then. Bits of Skills also escaped, or the entire Emblem would crack and seep like a storm. That was rarer, yet not wrong in this procedure that opened the floodgates and drowned the Rank-up forwards.

  Still, the primary and most notable point was the stemming from the Accelerator. It was a simple number that concealed countless calculations, points, and scenarios that could shape Walkers' qualities and fate.

  All created by science and procedure that the old Walkers could no longer do.

  In fact, many people had doubts about these numbers as a result. They thought it was far too important to take them at face value, yet the First Head guaranteed it was the most reasonable method in the world right now. Of course, many took it with fervent doubts, if not haughty disdain.

  This room was full of experienced and powerful Walkers, and their opinions were as varied as their faces. Not everyone will get who was who and what, and not every Walker should be an insane talent, let alone a freak of nature.

  Similar to Seong, some things made sense to forget or overlook. She was part of the Divisions for much longer than Mi-Yung was a Walker. Her Rank 7 was enough to allow her to come here, even if she was not a prominent leader of an organization, let alone a Pillar. It was more likely to call Seong a very experienced combatant whose purpose was somewhere else than in this room. In the best-case scenario, she was like Dreadus and took this for a vacation, which could not be faulted. It was a case of privilege and merit.

  There were many like her, though most were members of organizations that sought recruits. Not to have fun, conversation, and a breath of fresh air.

  Concealing Emblems was optimal, but not enforced or anything. Many Walkers had theirs wide open, dumping colors, effects, and lights out and scrambling around the room. Mi-Yung was almost the same, but a simple peek of hers was more than enough, as her uniform was most subtle right now.

  The Emblems' forms were nice, appealing reasons to create a new kind of clothing. They would go forth, accenting their shape or body parts. Some Emblems were also out of sight, as that was more comfortable or advised. Arm or leg Localizations were easy to hide, as were shoulder and back Localizations. Face Emblems were easily presentable and quite the face.

  Most Walkers wore formal clothes, ranging from military uniforms to those that were far more elegant. These were akin to suits for men and flattering dresses for women at most. There was more variety, even with the military sentiment. After all, not many high-ranking Walkers cared about etiquette and manners. Those who cared made half of this room, which was a big enough number to surprise Mi-Yung.

  It showed. Even Mi-Yung dressed up a little for the occasion, yet she didn't find it strange since she wore the same shit as she did to the Assembly. Still, some dresses were better than others, and she wasn't as critical of her attire as Ellie was. She will leave this room sooner or later, and watch what William creates and stands for.

  After glancing around, Mi-Yung tried to look for Kaufman or Dreadus, but considering the size of the room and the Walkers, Kaufman could be hiding anywhere, like Academy, and Dreadus might not even be here, as he would never come around so many high-class fools. She understood the sentiment.

  Concealing herself among so many people, she believed Kaufman was nearby—every fiber of her being supported this idea, which made her look sharp and harder to approach.

  After a month, she believed his words would come, echo, and change her acts. They didn't. He never came back, let alone found her, and from what William said, he never showed his face to him either. He could be forceful if William turned out well, and his position was enough to make arrogant moves. Having yet another little chat with him in this place wouldn't hurt Mi-Yung, so she tried to look for him.

  Mi-Yung greeted and had small talk with envoys and many Walkers alike. Her words weren't that bad or harmful, and she was an expert at giving them a fair interest.

  Envoys from China, Japan, and Africa arrived in groups, looking tall and distinct in their clothes, yet quite out of place because this wasn't their home. It showed how they weren't really comfortable and didn't want to feel at home. Being so far away from their felt wrong.

  Africa was essentially brutal and devoid of science. Their tribal powers and cultures were far more than enough as is, and truth be told, many Walkers from Africa were better on average than others by a large margin.

  How and why? Some scientists refer to it as a natural calling and genetic dispositions. Others argued that Walkers, who were brought out into nature and surrounded by vast expanses of Africa, which weren't very far from Australia, were innately aware of and surrounded by dangers since birth. Of course, it showcased the nature of people and their disposition. It made sense in science, as the world wasn't peaceful or the same everywhere.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Then, there were those who dared to call Africa worse than Australia, a claim that might be true if one watched Holy Lands or encountered Darks unique to Africa, but was it fair or comparable? Not really.

  As for Walkers and normal people, Africa didn't care for big differences. Tribes were powerful, living in caves, mountains, deserts, or regions they protected, and they cared deeply about normal people because they had to be included.

  As a result, most tribes were loose, acting without a coherent place to call home, yet they lived. Some tribes were extremely mighty, with abundant treasures and conditions that allowed them to thrive. The best of the best arrived at the Federation under the pretext of special invitations that wouldn't come without the Federation's judgment. In short, it was a powerful acknowledgment that they were worthy, and some tribes didn't take it lightly, or all that well.

  Millions of people lived there, scattered and isolated from the rest of the world, unaware of or indifferent to issues in China or North America, let alone the historical significance of First Fractures and the Amazon.

  Without science, of all things, it seemed conditions didn't require clever consequences, but power!? Many outside Walkers didn't think of them as impressive because of their narrower views, for they were brutes, or so they believed. It was a misconception; there were brutes everywhere, and stupid people even more!

  China and Japan were rather different in this regard, as they weren't ignorant. They were private, focused on their internal efforts, and they never made anything crazy or close to the Federation. They didn't care for others too much because of the land in their hands and sight. Some called it greedy or cowardly, but no one could deny them the right to make their own decisions. It was their choice to struggle, hunker down, and focus on survival and improving their nations. Every one of them was a tough topic, and many countries faced the same challenges, yet they still disappeared.

  Japan had been under a heavy lockdown ever since the Dawn. For a century, few people experienced what Japan was like, let alone how to open it up more. That went on until South Korea reached out for a chance for cooperation, and Japan agreed. The rest was a tragic history, marked by a devastating event that left just one of those alive.

  On the opposite end, China was larger and more open due to its land and business decisions, which were less conservative than Japan's.

  Still, China and Japan were powerful, and with the recent changes, their positions were no longer working as before. They wished to get closer to the Federation, and since they had power and Walkers, it wasn't a difficult process. Mi-Yung knew it was all about compromise and mutual understanding, which the Dawn pretty much restarted and cracked.

  The Federation was very open in its activities and had advanced far rather than kept its contacts tight. Thus, China and Japan viewed it in very different, necessary lights because it could do things they couldn't manage.

  Neither was wrong, though; it could always be better. That was one opinion that Mi-Yung held onto like no one else, yet agreement and true bonding trust weren't easily achieved. Mi-Yung traveled to these lands on a weekly basis.

  Mi-Yung grunted inside and chose to go to her desired destination, and omitted the crude feeling in her stomach.

  Reaching the bench in front of the massive window, a familiar group was observing and sitting in their nice, dedicated seats.

  This section included a small monitor displaying each subject. At least according to the screening tests and the Accelerator, everything assembled a nice report before getting to other people of status.

  “Fuck! Only 30?! How disappointing. How little for such a big kid,” a sturdy man with a tank top shouted in displeasure, glaring at the lucky screen out of his reach.

  “What do you mean, Cloud? He is from Outside. He will surely become a good member of outer forces and achieve at least Rank 4 in his life. If he is lucky, he might get a chance to be a soldier in any warring Division and pursue the Dives.” A beautiful-looking lady, dressed in a shining golden robe, leaned on his arm and gave him a stark reminder.

  “It is still disappointing. How many Walkers were like this so far? Twenty of these qualities, and not one was good. That's it? Shit, even I can see these results. We're still early, so it is hard to predict how many 50s or 60s will be here. Those are passable for soldiers. More will come, I know; it just doesn't look good for me at all. That's all.” Cloud continued his rumbling complaints, and soon enough, Mi-Yung made her entrance.

  “Hello, Cloud, Reawe. Hello again... Seong-unni.” Mi-Yung took a seat, surprised to see Seong, who had forced her way into this position out of curiosity and because of Mi-Yung's impression. She might not be part of the Assembly, but no laws were preventing her from sitting here or anywhere else. Even a Rank 4 Walker could come in if he wished, but sitting beside the High Pillars sounded like a stretch. It might not be a great idea, but it was a possible idea.

  There were others left to greet, but those were busy, sitting or chatting quite further since this section was wide, so Mi-Yung had yet to greet them. There was someone very familiar on the other side. Her boss, to be exact. She was far enough to welcome him later.

  Cloud was enough for now. “Ohhhh, Mi-Yung?! I expected you sooner. There have been many results so far, so what if you hadn't caught up with yours? Wouldn't that be funny?”

  “Very funny indeed,” she said back and glanced forward. The chair was empty, devoid of a youth who reached 30 Affinity with his Forced Awakening, and his Emblem hadn't taken it that well.

  “What makes you come here like this? I thought you would hide from us like a scared cat.”

  “Then, sorry for being so shameless and thinking like a tigress. Could I've done something better?” she asked, just as Seong dragged her to her seat and sat beside her because the sofa was broad and perfect.

  “Maybe. You weren't keen on such occasions before, and rather aimed at work in Japan and with those associates. Is your kid that important?” Cloud glanced at her.

  Reawe, right to Cloud, and now sitting beside Mi-Yung, also involved herself and elbowed Cloud to calm his big body down. “Personally, I am very curious about the stakes of this business, Song. As a Lower Pillar myself, we should go hand in hand with these decisions, and be closer by voice.” She said, and then sneaked a small hug to Mi-Yung, who was to her right, while Seong was out of reach, which was nice because that lady was way too touchy. Reawe had Cloud for that, for sky's sake!