Aryan was overwhelmed with joy, his heart soaring as he had finally acquired something he desperately needed in this world—a treasure beyond measure. For hours, he celebrated in that mystical realm, reveling in his newfound discovery. Eventually, his thoughts turned to leaving that place. The moment the idea crossed his mind, he vanished from the ethereal domain and reappeared in the real world, as if transported by some unseen force.
Back in reality, Aryan gently placed the book he had been reading aside, his fingers lingering on its worn cover. His gaze shifted to the other books stacked nearby, each one a potential key to unlocking greater power. He reached for the next book, his hands trembling with anticipation. As he opened it, a perfect copy of its contents materialized in his mind, seamlessly stored in his mental library—a gift that allowed him to absorb knowledge instantaneously. Aryan continued this process, opening book after book, each one adding to the vast repository of his family's library. Within minutes, he had copied dozens of volumes, his mind buzzing with the weight of their wisdom.
Once finished, Aryan rose from his seat and carefully returned the books to their respective shelves in the library's towering racks. His task complete, he gathered another set of texts—twenty-five to thirty books on *Martial Spirit Gathering* techniques, levels one through three. Returning to the same table where he had been seated earlier, he settled down and resumed his work. He opened each book, absorbed its contents into his mental library, and then placed it back on the shelf. After copying all thirty books, he meticulously returned them to their original places, ensuring not a single volume was out of order.
Undeterred, Aryan pressed on, now collecting more advanced *Martial Spirit Gathering* techniques from the library's vast collection. He repeated the process tirelessly, his focus unwavering. Within a few hours, he had amassed a staggering two hundred cultivation techniques, each one painstakingly copied into his mental archive. To ensure accuracy, he began cross-checking each technique, his mind racing as he analyzed their intricacies.
As he worked, a sudden thought struck him, inspired by a novel he had once read—*Library of Heaven's Path*. In that story, the protagonist had started similarly, gathering techniques and copying them into a mental library. But at a pivotal moment, the protagonist combined those techniques to create something new, a perfected version free of flaws. "Should I do the same?" Aryan wondered aloud, his eyes fixed on the two hundred books spread before him. With a surge of determination, he uttered a single word: "Combine."
The moment the word left his lips, a miracle unfolded. The two hundred books remained untouched on the table, but a new book materialized before him, glowing faintly as if imbued with otherworldly energy. Aryan's heart raced as he reached for it, his fingers brushing against its smooth cover. He opened it and began reading. The title page read: *Martial Spirit Gathering Level One Cultivation Technique—Flaws: 1200*. His excitement waned slightly as he realized the technique was still imperfect, riddled with errors that prevented it from being a true masterpiece. Resolving to refine it further, he resumed his work, diving back into the library's vast collection.
However, Aryan's relentless activity began to disturb the other students in the library. His constant movement—gathering books, flipping through them, and returning them—created a subtle but persistent noise that grated on their nerves. The sound of his footsteps echoed faintly, and the rustle of pages turning disrupted the otherwise serene atmosphere. The students' irritation was understandable; they were trying to focus on their studies, and Aryan's actions were an unwelcome distraction.
Among them was a girl whose patience was wearing thin. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Aryan's repetitive behavior, her frustration mounting with every book he retrieved and returned. She was on the verge of confronting him, her voice ready to lash out, but she restrained herself at the last moment. Taking a deep breath, she forced her attention back to her own studies, though her resentment toward Aryan lingered.
Oblivious to the growing tension, Aryan continued his work. After two hours of relentless effort, he had gathered and copied a thousand books into his mental library. Exhausted but determined, he spoke the word "Combine" once more. As before, a new book appeared, its pages shimmering with promise. Aryan opened it eagerly, his eyes scanning the text. To his delight, it was the *Perfect Version of the Martial Spirit Gathering Level One Technique*. He had done it—he had created a flawless cultivation method. Overcome with joy, he wanted to shout in triumph, but he quickly remembered where he was. The library was a place of silence, and any outburst would not only annoy the other students but also attract the attention of Elder Saurav Yadav, who was known for his strict enforcement of rules.
Aryan suppressed his excitement, his heart pounding as he realized the gravity of his achievement. He knew that if he had shouted, the consequences could have been severe. The students, already irritated by his actions, might have complained, and Elder Saurav Yadav would not have hesitated to take disciplinary action. Aryan's caution was well-founded, as he was unaware that his behavior had already drawn the elder's notice. Though Elder Saurav had observed Aryan's incessant activity, he had chosen not to intervene—yet. Aryan had not crossed any explicit boundaries, but he was treading dangerously close.
Unfazed by the undercurrents of discontent, Aryan shifted his focus to the next challenge: *Martial Spirit Gathering Level Two*. He gathered thirty books on the subject and began the process anew, copying their contents into his mental library. Within two hours, he had absorbed a thousand level-two techniques and combined them into a single, perfect method. His momentum unbroken, he moved on to *Martial Spirit Gathering Level Three*, repeating the process with equal fervor. Another thousand techniques were copied and perfected, a feat that took him six hours of intense concentration.
With levels one through three mastered, Aryan considered tackling *Martial Spirit Gathering Level Four*. He rose from his seat and scoured the library's racks, searching for any trace of level-four techniques. Despite an hour of diligent effort, he found nothing. Disappointment crept in, but he quickly rationalized the absence. The academy likely restricted access to techniques beyond level three, reserving them for teachers and elders in a separate, exclusive library. This made sense, as students typically required guidance to comprehend such advanced methods. Even level-one techniques were challenging for most, and the academy's decision to make levels one through three available was likely intended to foster foundational knowledge.
Though slightly disheartened, Aryan felt a sense of accomplishment. With time still left in the evening, he decided to explore other topics related to cultivation and the world of Rudrapur. He gathered books on these subjects, copying their contents into his mental library over the next three to four hours. The process was time-consuming, as he had to retrieve the books, absorb their knowledge, and return them to their shelves. By the time he finished, he was exhausted but satisfied.
As he prepared to leave the library, Aryan approached Elder Saurav Yadav, bowing respectfully. A fleeting thought crossed his mind—could he face the same fate as Zhang Xuan, the protagonist of *Library of Heaven's Path*? Dismissing the notion, he addressed the elder with carefully chosen words. "Elder, I realize you may have noticed my frequent movements and the number of books I've been handling. I didn't mean to cause any disturbance. My teacher instructed me to study cultivation-related texts before beginning my training, as I suspected my body might align with a specific technique. I was browsing the library to find it, and I'm pleased to say I succeeded. However, I understand my actions may have disrupted the other students, and for that, I sincerely apologize to you and them. I hope you'll forgive me and allow me to continue using the library in the future. I promise to be more mindful."
Elder Saurav listened intently, his expression unreadable. He had indeed observed Aryan's behavior, noting the rapid flipping of pages and the meticulous return of books. The elder suspected Aryan was searching for something specific, and his apology seemed genuine. Though curious about the exact technique Aryan had sought, Elder Saurav refrained from prying—it was beneath his dignity to interrogate a student so directly. Instead, he nodded. "It's commendable that you acknowledge your mistake. I'll forgive you this time, but I expect you to be more considerate in the future. The library will close in fifteen minutes, so you should leave now."
Relieved, Aryan thanked the elder and left the library, his mind racing. He had narrowly avoided a ban, and his fabricated excuse had worked. As he walked toward his room, he reflected on his actions. He had achieved his goal, but at the cost of antagonizing the other students. He resolved to be more cautious, knowing he couldn't afford to make more enemies.
Back in his room, Aryan realized it was still early evening, and the academy's mess hall wasn't yet open. Seizing the opportunity, he decided to begin cultivating using the perfect *Martial Spirit Gathering Level One* technique. Sitting cross-legged on his bed in the lotus position, he prepared himself mentally. A wave of anger toward someone named Victor surfaced, but Aryan quickly suppressed it. He knew that emotions like rage could hinder his cultivation, and he spent half an hour calming his mind.
As he began, doubts crept in. Coming from Earth, Aryan wondered if his body was suited for cultivation. Unlike the protagonists of cultivation novels, he lacked innate meridians or acupuncture points. Though he possessed a unique ability—his "cheat code"—that promised to propel him to the top, the uncertainty of his first attempt weighed heavily on him. Pushing his fears aside, he focused on the perfect technique he had crafted, its contents vivid in his mind.
Unbeknownst to Aryan, his actions in the library had sown the seeds of enmity. The girl who had nearly confronted him harbored a grudge, her studies disrupted by his constant movement. She vowed to teach him a lesson, her resolve hardening with every passing moment. Whether Aryan could successfully step into the world of cultivation or face unforeseen challenges remained to be seen.
To find out, stay tuned for the next chapter of *I Can Learn Anything*.