Chapter 28: The Eternal Librarian

Sam returned to the Durinia Grand Library early the next morning, feeling a sense of urgency and excitement. Professor Aeloria had promised to work on deciphering the scroll, but Sam knew he needed to gather as much information as possible. The abyssal threat was growing, and time was of the essence.

As he entered the library, the familiar scent of aged paper and leather greeted him. The elderly librarian from the previous day was absent, replaced by a younger man who nodded a greeting.

"Good morning," Sam said, approaching the desk. "I'm here to continue my research on the Maha Vishwavidyalaya and the abyssal beasts."

The librarian smiled. "You're welcome to use our resources. Feel free to ask if you need any assistance."

Sam thanked him and made his way back to the history section. He picked up where he had left off, sifting through books and taking notes. As the hours passed, he became absorbed in the rich tapestry of Maha Lok's history. Yet, despite the wealth of information, clear answers about the Maha Vishwavidyalaya remained elusive.

During a break, Sam overheard a conversation between two librarians at a nearby table. They spoke in hushed tones, but his keen ears caught snippets of their discussion.

"…Eternal Librarian…bound to the library…legend says…found a lost book…"

Curiosity piqued, Sam approached them. "Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear. Did you mention the Eternal Librarian?"

The librarians exchanged glances before the older of the two nodded. "Yes, it's an old legend. They say one of our librarians discovered a book from the Maha Vishwavidyalaya and achieved eternal life. However, the price was being bound to the library forever."

Sam's eyes widened. "Do you know if this librarian is still here?"

The younger librarian gestured towards the back of the library. "He is. You can find him in the restricted section, where the rarest books are kept."

Sam thanked them and made his way to the back of the library. The restricted section was marked by a large iron gate, which was slightly ajar. He hesitated for a moment before pushing it open and stepping inside.

The atmosphere changed instantly. The air was cooler, and the dim lighting gave the area an almost mystical feel. Shelves lined the walls, filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. At the far end of the room, a figure sat at a desk, hunched over a book.

Sam approached cautiously. "Excuse me," he said softly. "Are you the Eternal Librarian?"

The figure looked up, revealing a face that was both youthful and ancient, with eyes that seemed to hold the weight of countless years. "I am," the librarian replied, his voice calm and resonant. "And who might you be?"

"My name is Sam Walker," Sam said, bowing slightly out of respect. "I've been researching the Maha Vishwavidyalaya and the abyssal beasts. I was told you might have some information."

The Eternal Librarian nodded slowly. "I know of these subjects, though my knowledge is not as extensive as you might hope. The Maha Vishwavidyalaya is shrouded in mystery, even to me."

Sam felt a pang of disappointment but pressed on. "Any information you can provide would be invaluable. I've found a scroll that seems to be connected to the Maha Vishwavidyalaya, but I need help deciphering it."

The librarian's eyes flickered with interest. "Show me."

Sam handed over the scroll, watching as the librarian's long fingers carefully unrolled it. He studied the symbols for several minutes before speaking.

"This is indeed a relic of the Maha Vishwavidyalaya," he said. "But it is written in a dialect lost to time. I can make out fragments, but the complete meaning eludes me."

Sam sighed, his hopes dimming. "Do you have any books or documents that might help us understand it better?"

The Eternal Librarian stood and gestured for Sam to follow. "Come with me. I will show you what I have gathered over the years."

They walked deeper into the restricted section, past rows of shelves filled with ancient texts. The librarian stopped at a particular shelf and pulled out several books, each one bound in worn leather and marked with the symbol of the Maha Vishwavidyalaya.

"These are some of the rarest documents from the Great World School," the librarian explained. "They contain knowledge and wisdom accumulated over centuries. Perhaps you will find what you seek within these pages."

Sam's heart raced with excitement as he carefully took the books. "Thank you. This is more than I could have hoped for."

The librarian's expression softened slightly. "I have spent countless years studying these texts. Though I may not be able to leave this library, it brings me some comfort to share this knowledge with those who seek it."

Sam nodded, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "I will make the best use of this knowledge. Thank you for your help."

He returned to his table with the precious books and began to read. Each book was filled with detailed accounts of the Maha Vishwavidyalaya, its founding, its scholars, and its fall. He found references to powerful artifacts and spells that could combat the abyssal beasts, similar to those mentioned in the other books he had read.

One passage caught his eye:

"The Heart of the World is said to be the source of all magic in Maha Lok. Those who control it can bend reality to their will. The Maha Vishwavidyalaya sought to protect this power, but during the Abyssal Collapse, it was lost. Finding the Heart may be the key to ending the abyssal threat."

Sam felt a surge of determination. "The Heart of the World," he whispered. "That must be what we need to find."

As he continued to read, he found more references to the Heart and the Abyssal Collapse. The texts described a great cataclysm that had shattered the foundations of the Maha Vishwavidyalaya and unleashed the abyssal energy upon the world. The guardians of the school had fought valiantly, but they were ultimately overwhelmed.

"The Heart was hidden to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands," one document stated. "Only those with the knowledge and purity of heart can uncover its location."

Sam knew that finding the Heart of the World would be a monumental task, but it was a challenge he was ready to face. He carefully copied down the most relevant passages and closed the books, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

As he prepared to leave, the Eternal Librarian approached him once more. "Remember, Sam," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness, "knowledge is power, but it can also be a burden. Use what you have learned wisely."

Sam nodded, his resolve strengthening. "I will. Thank you for everything."

With the librarian's words echoing in his mind, Sam left the restricted section and made his way back to the main library. The day was drawing to a close, but he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The journey ahead would be fraught with danger, but he was ready to face it with the knowledge he had gained.

As he stepped out of the library into the cool evening air, he glanced up at the stars beginning to twinkle in the sky. The path to the Maha Vishwavidyalaya and the Heart of the World was still shrouded in mystery, but Sam was determined to uncover its secrets and put an end to the abyssal threat once and for all.