CHAPTER 164: CHAPTER 164 | SHELVES AFTER SHELVES AFTER SHELVES

With steady yet determined steps, Jinn moved deeper into the Grand Archive, his boots tapping softly as he descended a short set of polished steps before turning east into one of the vast chambers.

The air where Jinn had just arrived felt thicker, heavier, as if the place was humming with powerful energy. As he walked through the area, he caught sight of several displays lining the path he was walking upon.

Each one held encased scrolls, forbidden books, and even strange artifacts sealed inside transparent cages made entirely with defensive eidra.

The barriers shimmered faintly, forming patterns that shifted, as if they were liquid glass.

Whatever knowledge or power was trapped inside those containers had to be more dangerous or important than anything available on the open shelves.

And for that very same reason, only high ranking members of House Nythrael are able to access such material.

And in the case of Jinn, even with all his access and renown, he knew better than to even think about touching or messing with them.

Though, it wasn’t his character to mess about things anyway.

Ignoring the encased objects, Jinn continued forward until he arrived and stepped through an archway and entered another section—the eidric scroll wing of the Grand Archive.

A place where tightly bound scrolls were stored in reinforced slots that ran endlessly in every direction. Each scroll carried its own seal, and each seal produced a constant whirring vibration that blended along with the other scrolls, creating a soft and almost mechanical chorus around Jinn.

Despite their numbers, these scrolls were not your ordinary scrolls that you could possibly buy on a rundown eidra scroll shop. Even a single scroll belonging from one of the shelves could unleash incredible

power if handled by someone who understood both eidra manipulation and nature of the spell inscribed inside.

Jinn thought of the power of each scroll placed within the shelves—yet it was something he hadn’t bothered using in offensive actions as he preferred lightning fast swordsmanship, the very same way Venedix herself fights.

While Jinn hadn’t deemed scrolls useless in its essence, he instead sees it as options—options one could use in situations that would require a more distinct way of approach.

That is the very same reason as to why he himself brings a number of utility scrolls in the battlefield—to help him in certain situations or perhaps helps his squad.

Jinn glanced on the several shelves containing scrolls a few more seconds before shifting his gaze forward as he began to finally walk past through the perimeter where the section of the scrolls archive ended.

After long, he finally arrived at another archway that opened into a quieter space.

The atmosphere instantly shifted the moment Jinn took his first steps into the new perimeter, replacing the heavy, thick and almost suffocating eidra sensation earlier from the collection of scrolls... to a more calmer and softer atmosphere.

The scenery completely changed into a more traditional image of an archive.

Here stood countless shelves lined with books of every size and shape, some newly bound while some were ancient enough that their bindings looked ready to crumble.

Jinn took one breath within the new area... and his mind only though of one smell:

The subtle smell of old paper

And at that moment, Jinn had realized he had finally arrived at the section where he wanted to be.

If there was any information about Muradryn, which there will definitely be, this would be the place where he could find the books on its topics.

There should be a catalog data pad somewhere here...

Jinn thought as he stepped farther inside.

His gaze swept across the nearest tables, scanning corners, shelves, pillars—anywhere the archivists might have left a directory device. He slowed his pace, eye narrowing slightly as he searched for even the faintest hint of a data pad that could help him locate the books he needed.

The Grand Archive was massive, too massive to just wander aimlessly, and with how rare Muradryn knowledge seemed to be, he’d need precise direction.

Jinn moved a few steps deeper into the archive, his hand brushing lightly against the air as he scanned the dim corners of the aisle. Then, at the edge of his sight, something shifted—just a slight movement, like a shadow dragging itself along the wall behind him.

His entire body reacted before his mind fully caught up.

He snapped his arm toward the sword at his waist, fingers curling around the hilt as he pulled it halfway out of its sheath. The soft metallic ring echoed through the quiet archive.

His single eye darted left and right, scanning behind shelves, between rows, into the corners where the archive lamps didn’t fully reach.

He saw nothing.

But the feeling—that crawling, subtle pressure of someone’s presence—pushed against the back of his neck.

Someone was hiding.

And Jinn had learned long ago never to ignore such instincts.

"Show yourself," Jinn commanded, his voice low and sharp, echoing faintly among the shelves.

He didn’t shout, yet the tone carried enough weight to make even shadows feel threatened.

"Ah, you’ve found me—sharp as ever, Jinn." A figure stepped out from behind a tall shelf, his hands raised as if surrendering.

Long black hair fell messily across his shoulders, and his relaxed posture contrasted heavily with the tension Jinn carried.

"Zhyn," Jinn muttered, lowering his blade slightly and sliding it back into its sheath. His shoulders eased, though only a little.

"And you’re following me for what exactly?"

"Well," Zhyn began casually, shrugging with an exaggerated motion, "I was here first, reading whatever I could grab since I was bored out of my mind. Then out of nowhere you came strolling in, looking like you’re hunting something important. I got curious, obviously, so I started tailing you to see what you’re up to."

Jinn stared at him for a long moment—long enough to make Zhyn shift uncomfortably.

Zhyn raised a brow, frowning.

"What? Why are you staring at me like that? You’re being weird."

"Perfect timing," Jinn said suddenly, ignoring the complaint as he straightened.

"You will serve as my catalog finder." His tone was flat and final, leaving no room for refusal.

He had finally realized that Zhyn, being a direct bloodline member of House Nythrael just like Troy, practically lived inside the Grand Archive.

If anyone knew where to find rare books, it was him.

Zhyn’s shoulders dropped so fast it was almost comical.

"Are you serious right now?" he asked, voice cracking between disbelief and annoyance.

He stared at Jinn as if trying to decide whether to argue or just accept his fate.

After a moment, he sighed in defeat, knowing very well that arguing with Jinn was like trying to argue with a wall made of pure kritonium.

"Fine," Zhyn groaned, brushing a hand through his hair.

"What subject or classification of books do you want me to look for this time?"