"We need to visit the willess world."
Atticus gave Whisker a long stare.
"The willess world?"
"Yep."
Atticus frowned.
"The same world where we can’t use our will?"
"Yep."
Atticus gave Whisker a deadpan look. The man didn’t seem to have seen a problem with this ’plan,’ if he could even call it that. Atticus decided to spell it out.
"That sounds like a bad idea."
Whisker tilted his head, finally realizing. "Ah yes yes, it’s going to be dangerous, but very much needed. You asked me for a way to speeden up the process, and I’m giving you one."
"To think you called yourself the best teacher in the world."
Whisker smiled and shamelessly nodded. "Didn’t you know? The best teachers have their methods. Mine just so happen to be dangerous." He winked.
"You’re shameless."
Whisker cleared his throat. "I call it being unapologetically brilliant."
Atticus shook his head and sighed, running a hand through his silk white hair. He was taken aback by the gesture. When last had he done this? It felt human. Weird.
’It’s been all about training and getting stronger.’
It wasn’t wrong. But when that had been his entire focus for years now, it made small things like this seem... weird.
Atticus smiled at Whisker. He had to admit, the man had a way of frustrating the seriousness out of you.
"So..." he finally said. "The willess world. Isn’t that dangerous? There’s no will, right? Do the Verge rules even apply there?"
"Not exactly." Whisker held his chin. "There’re laws there, but enforced by a different body."
"Who?"
"The Willguard."
Atticus’ eyes sharpened. He’d read about them at the library. "The police force?"
Whisker squinted at Atticus. "I see you’ve found another information source, a boring one I’m sure. Looks like you don’t need old Pounce anymore. Hmph."
"I thought only ladies call you that?"
"That’s right." He suddenly smiled. "I think our relationship has evolved to that point."
"I think not."
Whisker was about to respond when Atticus waved, wanting to change the disturbing topic.
"I read about them at the library. Are they people we should be worried about?"
"Considering what we’re going to do, yes."
Atticus frowned. "You’re making it sound like we’re going to do something illegal."
"Making it sound...?" Whisker laughed. "It’s me, what were you expecting? Besides, it’s not illegal if we don’t get caught, right?"
"Right..." Atticus sighed, deciding not to bother.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground