Chapter 7 The Hidden Archive
"Please, let me access the Library," Eldric whispered, closing his eyes.
"Accessing the Library for the host."
A familiar, disorienting sensation of falling washed over him. Though his body stayed asleep in the real world, his consciousness drifted away. When he opened his eyes, he saw blue and gold hues swirling around, transforming into falling books.
The colors gathered into towering bookshelves, quickly filling with floating books. Eldric felt himself settle softly onto what seemed like an invisible cushion. A sudden bright light made him wince, forcing him to close his eyes against the brightness.
"Welcome to the Hidden Archive." Datum's emotionless voice echoed.
When Eldric heard the voice, he opened his eyes and found himself back in the vast space he had seen before he was thrown into Deep Green village.
Just like what he remembered, he saw the towering bookshelves that seemed endless, and the ceiling with the soft blue hue stretching up like an infinite sky.
His eyes took in the seemingly endless shelves and countless books. Remembering his purpose, he immediately asked Datum.
"Do I need to read all these?"
"You only need to read a certain number of books in each category. The rest with the same tags will be automatically interpreted for you."
Eldric tried to interpret Datum's words.
"You mean I just have to read a certain number of books and the others with the same tagging will be accessible to me?"
"Yes."
"How many books are in this space, anyway?" Eldric asked, glancing around at the endless shelves.
Datum didn't answer directly. Instead, numbers flashed onto an illusory screen before him.
Eldric blinked, freezing in place—not because of the nine zeroes in the string, but at the trailing ellipses and the percentage bar beneath it, which was currently empty.
When he finally regained his composure, he cut straight to the question that mattered most to him. "How many books do I need to read to fill this bar?"
"That would be five books per one percent," Datum replied.
Eldric's jaw tightened. "I have to fill the entire hundred percent?"
"Yes."
A long silence stretched between them before Eldric spoke again.
"So, you're telling me I need to read fifty books just to increase my progress by ten percent?" His voice carried a mix of disbelief and frustration.
"Yes," Datum confirmed with its usual monotone precision.
Eldric pressed his fingers against his temples, massaging away the growing headache, and let out a heavy sigh.
"Might as well move in here at this rate," he muttered under his breath.
After a moment, he straightened and asked, "What about magic? How does that work?"
"The same rules apply," Datum explained. "You need to read magic-related books to increase your progress. Additionally, applying what you've learned will further accelerate the process."
Eldric's gaze scanned the towering shelves, his mind already racing. "Where can I find the basic books?"
"All books from the first to the fifth floor are categorized as basic knowledge," Datum replied.
Eldric felt his blood rush to his head, but he took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"Once you reach a hundred percent at the basic level, all other magic-related books in this space will be accessible to you," Datum added, its monotone voice almost sounding like an attempt at consolation.
Eldric exhaled slowly. Even if he managed to read all the theories in these books, mastering them would still require relentless practice. The sheer thought of it made him want to quit.
But then, the reality of his situation weighed on him. His current predicament left no room for quitting—his survival depended on it.
He paused, considering something. "By the way, can I only read the books here?"
"The book can materialize outside this space," Datum replied. "However, given your current magic level, you can only materialize one at a time."
Eldric nodded, digesting the information. "Alright. Do I need to be unconscious or asleep to access this place?"
"For now, yes."
"Fine," he muttered in resignation. "Give me a magic-related book."
A book floated toward him, landing gently in his lap. Its cover shimmered with golden runes, the symbols glowing faintly against the deep blue leather.
'Teleportation Magic Volume I.'
Eldric raised an eyebrow, flipping open the book. Intricate magical circles filled the first page, each one surrounded by runes. As his eyes scanned the symbols, they seemed to rearrange themselves into words he could understand, courtesy of Datum's translation.
"Huh?" Eldric muttered. The symbols didn't just translate—they imprinted themselves in his mind, stirring something dormant deep within him.
He turned to the next page, and the same thing happened. It wasn't like traditional reading; it felt more like absorbing the knowledge directly.
Page after page, the process continued. By the time he finished the book—thirty minutes later—he sat in stunned silence.
"Why is it like this?" he asked aloud, half-expecting Datum to explain. But there was only silence.
Eldric frowned. "Give me another magic-related book," he demanded, his curiosity now piqued.
Another book floated toward him, and Eldric repeated the process, finishing all five books in succession.
Unbeknownst to him, a faint golden hue had begun to shimmer in his eyes, growing more prominent with each page he turned. By the time he closed the final book, the golden glow softened and dimmed, leaving his gaze as sharp as ever.
He shut his eyes briefly, allowing the information to settle in his mind.
When he opened them again, his vision shifted.
Eldric froze, startled by the vivid scene unfolding before him.
He was seated in an opulent room, the kind only nobles or scholars of great renown might inhabit. Rows of ornate bookshelves lined the walls, their polished wood gleaming under the light of an elegant crystal chandelier.
In the vision, Eldric sat upright in a plush armchair, a thick tome resting in his lap. His posture was regal, his expression distant and unreadable. Cold indifference radiated from his golden eyes as they scanned the pages with an almost mechanical precision.
And then, as though sensing a presence, the other Eldric looked up.
Those piercing eyes locked onto him—or through him. Their intensity was unnerving, sending a chill racing down his spine.
The vision shattered without warning.
"Agh!" Eldric hissed, clutching his head as a sharp pain lanced through his skull. He doubled over slightly, his breath uneven as the cold sensation from the vision lingered, settling in his core like a forgotten truth clawing its way to the surface.
Why did that feel so familiar?
The look in his own eyes—detached and calculating—unearthed something buried deep within him, a memory tantalizingly close yet just out of reach.
His thoughts were interrupted by a flickering status window materializing before him:
Name: Eldric Liora
Occupation: Cannot be displayed
Foundational Level (Current)
Focus: Basic Understanding and Control
Manipulate basic forms of Essence, crafting simple glyphs and casting minor spells. Essence Manipulation Foundational: Novice Arcane Analysis Foundational: Basic Observer Incantations Foundational: Hesitant SpeakerCursed Resistance Foundational: Developing ShieldMemory Recall Foundational: Dormant
Hidden Archive Access: Basic (Unlocked)
"Does the host want to continue reading?"
Eldric stayed silent for a moment before shaking his head.
"No, this is enough for today."
"I want to return," he said softly.
The vibrant blue and gold hues of the Library dissolved, giving way to an all-too-familiar falling sensation. Eldric exhaled deeply as his eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light of the shed. The soft creak of the wooden walls and the faint scent of earth and wood anchored him back to reality.
"Why did I feel that?" he murmured, his thoughts drifting to the vision that lingered like an unwelcome shadow in the back of his mind.
He shook his head, trying to dispel the memory, and turned his gaze toward the window. Afternoon light filtered through the narrow cracks.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Big brother, it's Gui," a familiar voice called.
"Come in," Eldric replied.
The door creaked open, and Gui stepped inside hesitantly.
"Why are you here?" Eldric asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Um, my parents want to invite you to our house," Gui said.
Eldric tilted his head slightly. "Why?"
"They said they wanted to thank you."
"Did you ask the village head for permission?"
Gui nodded quickly. "He agreed."
Eldric remained silent for a moment, watching Gui fidget nervously.
"Did you make a feast for this?" Eldric asked, his tone dry.
"Huh?"
"You said they wanted to thank me. Did they cook a lot of food?"
Gui hesitated before his face brightened. "Um… yes!"
Eldric sighed, standing up. Without a word, he walked ahead of Gui toward the door.
"Might as well," he thought as he stepped outside, the routine settling in once again.