Shiva came out of the hall after his discussion with the Supreme and the other clan heads, still thinking about the commands he had been given. Suddenly, someone approached him. It was Shika, who had clearly been waiting for him.
"What happened?" she asked, expecting an answer.
Shiva replied, "I think the time has come."
Shika looked at him for a second, but before she could say anything, Shiva asked, "Is Vishi in the library?"
Shika nodded. Shiva sighed and said, "It's not going to be easy for him to read those books… those books contain the real history of Ardia."
Shika then said, "If you want, we could go see him?"
Even though Shiva himself didn't want to go, he could tell from Shika's eyes that she wanted to meet Vishi. So he nodded and started walking toward the manor's library.
(AFTER 30 MINUTES)
They reached the library door. It had the symbol of the Black Knight's sword engraved on it. The library itself was small compared to grand libraries, but what made it dangerous were the books inside it.
They saw the old librarian, Paul. As they walked toward him, he suddenly spoke:
"Oh, so the rumors were true. Vishnu, you really came back."
Vishnu was surprised — he and Shika were standing behind Paul, and it should have been impossible to know who was approaching. He smirked. "You haven't changed at all."
Vishnu then asked, "Where is the boy?"
Paul pointed toward the history section.
"Your friend asked me for the hardest section of all… and you know nothing is harder than the REAL history of Ardia."
Both Vishnu and Shika were shocked. Vishi had chosen history — the one subject where the truth written in these books was completely different from what the outside world believed. In fact, one could even say the exact opposite. Anyone who read that history would start questioning everything they had ever learned, which often led to psychological strain.
Vishnu and Shika hurried toward the history section. Vishnu spotted Vishi and shouted:
"Hey!"
Vishi looked at him, but didn't respond. Vishnu and Shika were stunned when they saw his eyes — they were so absorbed in the book that they looked like the eyes of a beast.
Vishnu thought, The same eyes he had when we practiced martial arts.
Shika thought, His eyes… they don't show any fear or confusion. They're even… enjoying this.
(SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE MANOR)
Schneider leaned back in his chair, frustration clearly visible on his face.
"Why did the Supreme allow an outsider into the library?" he asked.
The woman sitting across the table responded calmly, "A test."
"Huh?" Schneider frowned.
The woman continued, "It's a test for that boy to prove himself. To show that he is worth it."
Schneider clicked his tongue. "There could be other tests, right? There are young cadets from Vishnu's generation—we could have him fight them."
The woman, who had been sitting with her head lowered, suddenly lifted it. Light fell across her beautiful face as she spoke sharply:
"Your thoughts truly show that you're a new clan head."
Schneider felt embarrassed and lowered his gaze.
She continued, "We already know he's physically capable. Strong enough to be tested against the current generation. But what the Supreme really wants to know is… whether Vishi is capable of forming a true bond with Vishnu."
She paused.
"He has inherited the knowledge of one of the greatest warriors in history. So if he can't control himself under a little psychological pressure… then he simply isn't worth it."
Schneider thought for a moment, then asked, "Have you ever been inside the library, Miss Rodriguez?"
The woman merely smiled.