Author : Vasudeva_AY
The Granthalaya stood as a bastion of knowledge and wisdom, nestled at the very edge of the main family quarters. Its towering form, crafted from exquisite green marble and adorned with crimson tiles, exuded an aura of scholarly reverence that beckoned those in search of enlightenment.
Inside, the vast expanse of the Granthalaya stretched upwards, its ceiling seemingly reaching towards the heavens themselves. Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves lined the walls, each filled to the brim with ancient tomes and scrolls that whispered secrets of ages past. In the center, a circular dais held a collection of meticulously arranged scrolls, their delicate parchment speaking volumes of forgotten lore.
The floor, carpeted in rich crimson hues, provided a sense of warmth and solemnity to the chamber, while the wooden furnishings added a touch of elegance to the surroundings.
As Zhen had anticipated, the Granthalaya was devoid of any occupants, everyone drawn to the unfolding spectacle outside. However, a significant obstacle stood in his path.
The archive Zhen sought lay within the confines of a circular dais, among scrolls and ancient texts. Yet, a barrier, unseen yet formidable, stood between him and his goal. It was a barrier not of physicality, but of lineage—a protective enchantment woven by the blood of the Li family.
Despite bearing the prestigious name of the Li family, Zhen harbored the awareness that his lineage did not originate from the esteemed family. Being an adopted member, he confronted the stark reality that he was ineligible to access the inner sanctum of the circular dais. The barrier allowed entry solely to individuals with a specific concentration of Li family blood, untainted by dilution to some extent, from other lineages—a distinction that further delineated the separation between the main and side family branches. However, exceptions to this stringent rule did exist.
In the midst of Zhen's contemplation, a sprightly voice chimed from behind, breaking the silence like a playful melody.
"Brother!" The voice, tinged with youthful innocence, pierced through the silence like a silver bell. Zhen turned, his eyes alight, to behold a vision in red. There she stood, a tiny figure in an oversized crimson gown, her cheeks flushed with the rosy hue of dawn, her eyes wide as saucers. It was Yin, Zhen's sister, a mere six summers old, born unto Li and Miko, a cherished addition to their family, conceived years after Zhen's adoption.
"Yin, come quickly," Zhen beckoned, his voice brimming with playful affection, a tender smile painting his features with warmth. With nimble steps, the girl approached, her dress billowing around her like scarlet waves upon a gentle shore.
Kneeling down to her level, Zhen engaged her with playful enthusiasm. "You wanted to play, didn't you?" he teased, his tone light and jovial. Yin nodded eagerly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Now's the time. See that circular dais over there?" Zhen gestured toward the imposing structure. "Your challenge is to find a scroll named 'Vidhayah Bhavitum' hidden there. You have just 60 breaths to find it and claim victory."
Yin's eyes widened in disbelief. "60 breaths? Isn't that too short?" she exclaimed, her skepticism clear as day.
"Indeed, but with your intelligence, I'm afraid you'll finish it in half the time," Zhen chuckled, tousling Yin's long hair affectionately. "And where are your friends? Didn't they come?" he asked with a playful grin.
As Zhen spoke, a group of about ten children burst into the room, their faces glowing with excitement. Innocent and unaware of Zhen's true intentions, these youngsters, aged around five or six, still viewed Zhen as the cool big brother type, oblivious to the intricacies of Yodha abilities and the like.
The children bowed to Zhen as Yin explained the rules to them. It was simple: whoever found the specified scroll within the time limit would be declared the winner.
"Let the search begin," Zhen announced, and with eager enthusiasm, the children rushed towards the dais with cheers, easily surpassing the protective barrier. Some scrambled up the ladder to search the higher shelves while others combed through the lower rows.
Zhen had meticulously crafted his plan to sow discord among the elders, and part of that plan involved the use of children. He knew that kids, with their playful nature and easily distracted minds, would struggle to remember intricate details like the name "Vidhayah Bhavitum" for an extended period. Their tendency to flit from one activity to another meant that details could easily slip from their minds, which would aid Zhen's escape if his scheme was discovered later on.
While Yin's mother hailed from a lower caste, her father, Li, was from the main family branch. This lineage allowed Yin to meet the blood criteria, though her heritage had diluted her connection somewhat. When selecting Yin's friends to participate, Zhen specifically asked her to invite children from the main family branch, ensuring that they had the necessary blood connection to surpass the barrier.
The time limit of 60 breaths equated to roughly four minutes. Zhen understood that it would take much longer for the children to locate the scroll, but he introduced the time constraint to instill a sense of urgency and competition among them, motivating them to search harder. As for the chaos unfolding outside, Zhen estimated it would take at least 15 minutes to settle, but he remained vigilant, knowing that overconfidence could prove disastrous.
"Elder Brother, I found it!" a kid exclaimed loudly, proudly presenting the scroll to Zhen. However, upon inspection, Zhen realized it wasn't the one he sought. Instead, it bore the inscription 'Balavantah Bhavitum'. Politely, Zhen corrected the child, explaining that the scroll should read 'Vidhayah', not 'Balavantah', and encouraged the child to continue searching.
Meanwhile, Zhen settled onto the floor and unfurled the scroll he had received. Though it wasn't the specific scroll he needed, being from the main family branch meant each word held significance and value. Zhen seized the opportunity to expand his knowledge, delving into the contents of the scroll with keen interest.
As time elapsed and 50 breaths passed, the children brought him more than 10 scrolls in total. Each time, Zhen patiently corrected them and absorbed the contents of the scrolls. He understood the importance of remaining calm and patient with children; any hint of frustration could disrupt his carefully laid plans, possibly leading to tears and chaos.
"Snow Kitsune primal Orbis," Zhen read aloud from one of the scrolls. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he delved into its contents, realizing it held the information he desired most. A faint smile tugged at his lips, signaling the satisfaction of a step closer to his goals.
"Brother, I found it!" Yin exclaimed, holding the scroll high as she approached Zhen. Zhen inspected the scroll's name, 'Vidhayah Bhavitum', and double-checked it. Yin had indeed found the scroll within the allotted time. A smile lit up Zhen's face as he ruffled Yin's hair. "Very good, Yin," he praised warmly.
In the next moment, Zhen rewarded each child with sugar candies, urging them to return the scroll to its original place. Once Zhen finished memorizing the contents of the scrolls, he ushered the children out of the Granthalaya and closed the door behind them.
"The memory is far sharper when we're younger," Zhen reflected as he secured the latches, marveling at how quickly and effectively he absorbed the scroll's contents.
Zhen turned back, his senses suddenly alert to the presence behind him. There stood Elder Bi, his demeanor shrouded in skepticism, his brows knitted together in a display of concern or suspicion. With his hands folded, Elder Bi's posture exuded authority and scrutiny, as if he was probing Zhen's intentions with a keen and discerning gaze. In the weighty silence that hung between them, Zhen felt a subtle tension, a sense of anticipation tinged with apprehension, wondering what thoughts might be swirling beneath the elder's outward composure.
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