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Roy is looking at his workbench when Bill knock, on table a MAM was taken apart, it's a bomb they found from the warehouse.

“Come in"

“You want to speak with me professor?" Bill show the note that Professor Roy gave him.

“Yes, you probably know that it is about your core"

Bill instinctively touch his glove, fearing what professor might say next.

“Don't worry I'm not taking your core away from you it not an object of power or unstable for study"

“thank you sir" Bill relieved and feel more comfortable to talk so Roy take this chance to ask him what he really want to know.

“Who offer you that core and what does that person want in return?"

“It was a crow professor, his name is Edward Bernays, he run a MAM shop, Mercurius, just open recently"

“A crow huh" Professor Roy look less worry but still suspicious.

“What is his term?"

“Well I am actually have to get you to sign this paper for start and I'll be middle man for him and this forge for future tractions although it just a promise with word not sign in paper yet" Bill answer honestly. He saw no reason to lie toward Roy who seem wanted to help.

“You haven't sign any contact with him yet but he still gave you a core?" Roy note. A core is not cheap and the one that Bernays give to Bill doesn't seem to be a normal core either.

'He kind of blackmail me but let not mention that'

“Yes, I'll have to go read a contact term later if it different than what we spoke I'll come to you before signing anything." Bill think for a moment then add “From what I see Bernays seem really proud in his line of work so he probably didn't lie about our term."

“The term may look good now but be careful Bill those crow can be quite a sneaky bastard"

'I thought we were supposed to trust and work together with other races?' Bill confuse at Professor Roy word but he learn to keep his mouth shut this time.

“I'll sign it for you. My signature will just speed thing up for them but our team are very strict with their inspection so they can't do anything illegal." Roy take a look at the paper and read every word thrice before sign the paper.

Bill take a paper back with joy. Now this B class core will really be his. 'I think I'll name you Johny, Johny Smit'

“One more thing" professor Roy stop Bill that is about to run out in excitement “Do you still want an internship here at a forge"

“Yes! Yes I do" It's always been his dream to work with MAM. And to work here at the best forge in the world? He'll do anything for this opportunity.

Roy smile at Bill enthusiasm “If you want an internship you will have to take a test first"

“a test?"

“yes it is a simple test of your skill. We can't just let anyone work here after all, a Magic explosion is not a joking matter"

Roy should know, he blew a lot of people with it.

“what do I have to do"

Professor Roy think for a moment since Bill want to keep his status a secret so he can't take a normal examination and it won't make sense why should he work at a forge if he come from a first class family so Roy come up with an idea “I will tell everyone in our next class that I will be open a spot for 1 student to come help at a forge for extra point and some pocket money. You will just have to contest with everyone in the class and win"

Bill jaw drop “Contest with everyone?" even Brant with A class core?

“Yes, or you could just take a normal examination but risk letting your status leak out since it mean more people seeing your citizen ID" Roy know what it like to work alongside people from different class. It can be tough at time and he want to spare Bill that fate.

“Ok professor, I'll do as you say" Bill bow to Roy before leave the room.

When Bill left the room Roy glance at a bomb on his workbench and add Mercurius group to the list of suspect.

The timing of all this could just be coincidence but... “Better be safe than sorry"

Bill who is eager to finish the contract so this core will really be his own immediately head to Mercurius shop on west side. Luckily the road is already open so Bill can travel there faster.

On the way Bill tap on activation button but hesitate to activate his MAM with glyph inside.

'Glyph of fire is too dangerous maybe just light glyph to make it shine like lamp? No let try later now is not a good time.' Bill put his MAM down and keep walking until he reach Mercurius.

The storefront is decorate with white marble and statue of bird holding a staff with a snake. Inside is an open area showing all kind of core secure behind glass, some of them even shine like Bill and its colorful glow reflect on dark granite floor.

In a dark corner a wolf standing guard keeping an eyes on all customer but far enough to not disturb anyone enjoyment of core exhibit.

A human male walk up to Bill “Hello how may I assist you"

Bill surprised since it's a crow shop he thought Mr. Bernays would hire a crow but he does feel safer talking to follow human.

“I'm hoping to meet Mr. Bernays. I got a recommendation paper for him"

“Yes right this way, Mr. Bernays is expecting you."

A wolf at the door glare at Bill as he walk pass him, scaring Bill a little.

On the top floor Bernays is up on his bird stand looking out the window deep in thought when Bill enter

“Mr. Bill is here sir"

“Thank you Jeffy, you can leave us" Jeffy bow before closing the door.

Bernays fly down to Bill with smile “I know you won't disappointed me Bill"

“Thankfully Professor Roy is very understanding and..."Bill hesitate doesn't know should he hand this paper to Bernays feet or his beak.

“Here let me" Bernays extend his wing toward and a wind slip a paper from Bill's hand to his table.

Bill wait as Bernays look at the paper to confirm Roy signature, he want to ask if the paper is in order but he keep silent. 'Bernays is like my boss now I should just wait for him to finish.'

“Now that you complete your part let us talk about the term of our contact for our future" Bernays float a paper up into Bill hand.

It is Bill's contact and scope of work. Most is what Bill expected but there is a part about how Bill will work for Mercurius after he finish school.

“I'm sorry it said here I'll be working for you after I finish school?"

“Well yes of course since we already work together you would naturally continue working with me after you finish school or are you saying you would like to go back to New Terra?"

“Eh no I don't want to go back there" Bill remember what work condition was like back there and he already think of moving here with his mother permanently when he ready.

“Then you would need to get a job anyway so why not apply one now with me and all your worry will go away, I'll also be paying you extra starting today isn't this a great deal for you? We also got great dental benefit too" Bernays throw in a part he heard that many human interest in.

“It's great but I'm not sure I should agree to my career that far ahead especially when the term state that if I break my contact I'll have to reimburse all the money I got from Mercurius."

Bernays note that dental doesn't work, maybe he should use the word healthcare instead next time.

“Alright we'll cut a part about you working for me for 15 years after you finish school. You can decide to join me later but know that your salary will be deduct significantly and I can't freely support you in the future like when I gave you that core." Bernays throw one last bait.

He know should Bill wishes to continue study here and keep his status as third class a secret he will need someone to back him up with money and resources. So Bernays decided to invest in Bill now in exchange for Bill services in the future.

Bernays know of Bill skill from data he gathered if he have someone to support, Bernays really believed Bill could become a great MAM mechanic one day.

'He will continue support me? I might need more money for study in the future since there is no way to know what sort of equipment I'll need to buy for class that will come up' Bill almost sign the contact right there but professor Roy warning stop his hand.

'Maybe I should just listen to professor for now if I really need anything Miss Hellen and professor Roy would help me right?'

Bill make a decision and return the paper to Bernays “I'm sorry but I just can't agree to something that far ahead."

Bernays look very disappoint and take a paper by beak before drop it in a bin. “Fine I guess those MAM mechanic I got will have to do for now, none of them is human you know? Not that any of they are bad but you know what they said; the best MAM is made by human."

and all human either work for forge of Alana or Republic of New Terra.

“Here a contact that cut a part about you working for me later out. You will just help me contact with Roy and the forge but you won't get any support from me." Bernays fly a new paper out of nowhere.

Bill surprise but read the paper before agree to sign 2 copy of it. This is the best outcome Bill could hope for, he don't really have an option to not sign unless he want to return Johny smit to Bernays and buy a new core on his own. As far as Bill concern Bernays is being very generous.

“I know you'll want an internship at forge of Alan too and since I need to wait for permit you'll have free time at the moment but I'll sent a letter when I have need of you."

Bill thank you before ask something that professor Roy bring up “Can I ask how do you make this core? It look different from other student core in the class."

“Oh that a trade secret, maybe I'll tell you if you decide to work with me" Bernays smile.

“Fine I won't ask further"

“I'm just kidding" Bernays use wing to tap Bill shoulder “I met an Amiel who was willing to work with me in turning those Mercury into a core. He is amazing at it and already sign a contact with me. I'll introduce you to him later."

“I'll look forward to it."

With a new found goal to win and get a job or risk starve to death in a month. Bill set off to learn more about MAM as much as possible.

He went through all the book about MAM he can find in the library only to surprise that most of them is either outdated or not as well written as the book of MAM father left him.

“There are more advance book but I don't need these right now I just need to get the basic first"

Bill consider his skill in mechanic from working in factory and think he can improve on speed but compare to other student it might be enough. “I doubt most of the student have experience working with electronic all their life like me so let focus on other subject"

Deep in thought Bill wander in the school hallway unaware of his surroundings.

'Thank to Bernays I have a good core that won't lose to anyone. The only people I should worry about is Brant and Sarah. Brant have a best core in class his MAM will have the best effect even if he make a bad glyph. Sarah seem to have been study and learn about MAM her whole life, her mother may even teach her herself.'

'The part I should focus more is glyph and Latin that I don't know...but how will I learn it.'

“Hey Bill"

'I already borrow a book about glyph and Latin but...'

“Bill" Amy tap Bill with her antenna in the back.

Bill is surprise and almost fall. “Oh hi Amy"

Bill look down to see her big black shiny eyes and sharp jaw and wonder will that bite itch or simply chop his arm right off.

“Come here a moment we want your opinion on something." Amy point to Josh and Biscuit that sit nearby.

“What are you guy doing?"

“We were talking about the first alliance and Josh's claim that ant is destroying the planet."

'They still arguing about this?'

“I told you before the fire ant empire really did almost destroy the whole continent"

“Why would we do that since we can farm our own food and have more than enough"

“You only start controlling your own population after the first alliance fall"

“And I guess this is come from other one of your book?" said Amy.

“Every books said it's true and that what everyone know as truth" said Josh.

Bill silently move to sit next to Biscuit since she seem to be dragged here just like him.

“Why do you trust those book so much" said Amy.

“Why not? Don't you know of how we animal come to consciousness and develop our community?" Josh imply everyone should already read those amazing book he think about.

“I actually don't know about those book at all can you tell me about them" said Bill with all curiosity in his heart.

'Any topic is going to be more interest than watching you two argue the same thing over and over.'

“I want to know about that too, in our holy book Amalthaea wake us up into this world but I would like to hear more from Amy and Josh version too" Biscuit side with Bill.

Amy look at Biscuit and cross her leg “fine, tell us your bookkk version Josh"

Josh look very happy that he get to talk about his book and start floating 3 thick book in front of them. “From the time when Lady Estellia descended..."

'Am I going to regret this?'

“We bird of Corvidia were once a simple animal without word. Only after our lady have descended and awaken us..."

'Descended...when human break the star'

“The first awaken of each races found themself lost and confused, some go out on their own while other awake many of their own kind and form a small community to build a new home far away from human that try to hunt them down."

Everyone eyes the only human in the group for moment as Josh keep talking.

'There's got to be some part that human is not a villain, right?'

“It's was around this time that our ancestor discovered that they can now understand human language which was once a vague echo. And through these books they gather while human civilization was collapsing that they learn of human brilliantness which allow them to be on top of the world for so long; language that allow them to communicate advance idea, mathematics to measure and calculate the world, scientific way of reasoning and observing, systems of government for organize sociality and rich history of all the invention, tool and idea that shape the world. Arm with these profound knowledges, each races found a new kind of society base on the lesson from the past and combine their own way of life into a new culture and system of government"

“For example," Josh points his wing at Amy “Fire ant empire would be considered Monarchy in the old day."

Then Biscuit “Goat church of Amalthea would be theocracy"

“And mine would be Aristocracy between all bird species"

'More word I don't know meaning of' He realizes more and more of how little he understands the world.

“Each races learn different language at first depend on where they found themself in like Chinese or French but now we're all agree to use English as universal language since most races can speak English"

“What about Latin" Bill asks thinking Josh can help him learn about this language more.

“Latin? I only know a few words. Most people don't really need it in their daily life so I don't think anyone can speak it unless they practice advance magic."

'That disappointing'

“My religion has a chant in Latin but I don't know what those word mean though," said Biscuit.

“You chant a pray that you don't know meaning of?" said Josh.

“That what everyone doing. There's a script paper for translated version but I don't think anyone really go out of their way to remember it"

“Well, I do have to learn basic Latin for tradition reason. It's somewhat familiar to English, two thirds of English words are actually derived from Latin" said Amy.

“Do you perhaps have a trick for studying Latin?" said Bill.

“You want to learn Latin?" said Amy.

“Oh, I see, you are learning it for your MAM." said Josh as he looks for book of MAM in his bag which make Bill question how is there still more book inside that bag.

“If you need help on how to pronounce some word you can come ask me but I don't think I can teach you all of Latin." Amy offer.

“As I understand I don't think you need to learn how to speak it since you just need to carve the right word." Josh adds.

“I heard that if you have an understanding of a command, in this case a Latin word, the more powerful the magic will be."

“It might be true for us who can use magic with our mind which can affect result to some degree but I don't know about some word that you crave in stone though."

“When I speak to Professor Roy, he seems to imply that it can help so I just want to try as best as I can"

'a chance at a better life even just a little bit more'

“Well, I wish you the best of luck, maybe try start on a simple word that you need to use in your MAM or the word that familiar in English so it easier to remember."

“Thank, Amy"

“Too bad MAM workshop is at the same time as Lady Estellia class or I would enroll in it as well" Josh gives sad caw.

“So... Which system of government is the best?" Biscuit who been listening quietly asked.

“Obviously Monarchy is the most effective form of government" said Amy with confident.

Bill thinks back to his life in New Terra before decide to reserve his comment. The republic of New Terra doesn't really take care of his family that much so Bill don't feel the need to go out of his way to defend it.

“It's kind of familiar to Theology, right? I don't know what Monarchy really mean except you have a king or queen" said Biscuit.

“I don't know much about politic too" Bill admits his ignorant which could be bad in his old work place but here it got a smile from Biscuit which does made Bill feel better for saying it.

“I think we got a class that teach about each nation system of government, one with professor Rio but that a bit later on." Josh try to collect all the book back into his bag but his magic keep failing because there are more heavy books than his conjure wind can carry so he must hold some book with his wings.

“But now you know why these books are so important right?"

“Are you sure it not just you bird that learn from these books?" said Amy.

“Well even ant has to read some manual on how to use those drill and other tool that let you guy dig so deep into a mountain and stone that you wouldn't able to dig before."

“That fair I guess" Amy thinks of how her hive operate and realize that she only saw worker use those tools but she doesn't know how to use it herself, well it not like she will ever need to use it.

“But I still don't believe that our empire almost destroys the whole continent."

'Here we go again'

“Fine, how about we ask Professor Rio in a history class next time?"

“Deal"

Somewhere in a tower an old crow almost slips from his branch.

“But tomorrow is Numenus day, there is no class" say Biscuit.

“OH right! We should go watch Calamity fight; I wonder how strong he is," said Amy.

“Will he fight?" Bill asked.

'Calamity gives a feeling of being very strong and dangerous but I don't think he's the type who enjoy spectacle sport that would put him in spotlight.'

“Of course," Josh, Amy and Biscuit agrees. “It's what wolf do. They and their honors, it a chance to prove themselves in front of everyone."

“Tomorrow we're going to the stadium!"