Seeds of Exploration

Ranav couldn't hide his fascination as he looked around the vast collection of scrolls and books in Tenali Raman's study. The shelves were packed with knowledge from various fields. Jessica, his ever-reliable guide, shared his enthusiasm. Both agreed that copying the entire collection into their library was a priority.

After a moment of consideration, Ranav spoke. "Chief, you have an impressive collection here. Is there any book that might help me? I've read through everything in my master's library already. It's been a while since I found something new and exciting to read."

Tenali smiled warmly. "I'm afraid I don't have much on magic. But I do have books on other subjects. Take a look… if you find something worthwhile, I'll gladly lend it to you."

He paused, gesturing toward a specific shelf. "That one contains my personal accounts and family matters. I'd prefer you avoid it. But everything else is open for you."

Ranav nodded politely. "Thank you, Chief."

Without delay, he approached one of the shelves filled with books, running his fingers lightly over each spine. As he did, Jessica silently initiated the copying process, transferring the contents of each book into their library.

"Jessica," Ranav said quietly, "pick a book I can borrow without raising suspicion. Chief needs to believe I've genuinely searched for something useful."

Jessica replied, "Understood. Let's finish copying first. By the way, it was a good decision to discreetly copy his personal collection. There might be valuable information hidden in those accounts."

Ranav smirked. "We wouldn't have gotten a chance otherwise."

As he moved to a shelf filled with scrolls, Ranav asked aloud, "Chief, are all these scrolls maps?"

Tenali shook his head. "Not all. Some are maps, yes, but others are calligraphy or artwork I've received as gifts over the years. Are you interested in regional maps?"

Ranav shook his head. "No, I was just curious. It's rare to see so many scrolls in one place."

By the time their conversation ended, Ranav had successfully copied the entire shelf of scrolls into his library. He turned to the final shelf, completing the copying process before addressing Jessica again.

"Which book should I borrow?" he asked.

Jessica responded promptly, "There's a basic blacksmithing book on the first shelf, third row, second book. It's practical and won't raise any questions."

Ranav retrieved the book and presented it to Tenali. "Chief, I'd like to borrow this. As a swordsman, I think it's important to learn how to make and repair a sword."

Tenali nodded approvingly. "It's a good choice. But remember, books can only teach you so much. If you truly want to learn, you'll need to spend time in a smithy, observing and practicing firsthand. Still, this will give you a solid foundation."

"Thank you, Chief." Ranav bowed slightly before taking his leave.

The sun hung high in the sky as Ranav made his way home, its bright rays reflecting off patches of lingering snow. Despite the sunshine, the chilly air nipped at his face. The weather was perfect for wandering, but Ranav's mind was preoccupied with the treasure trove of information he had just acquired.

Jessica broke the silence. "Today was a successful harvest. Among the scrolls, we found several maps of different regions, including one of the Airavata Empire. There are also personal information about significant figures in the kingdom… like Archmage Krushna, the Count, and other leaders. It's fascinating. We should consider collecting information from other village chiefs and regional leaders in the future."

Ranav chuckled. "Spending too much time with me has corrupted you, Jessica. You were so innocent when we first bonded, but now you're becoming a schemer, just like me."

"Hey…" Jessica began indignantly, but Ranav cut her off with a grin.

"We're home," he said, as the familiar sight of his house came into view.

Jessica fell silent as Ranav entered through the open door. "Mom, I'm home!" he called out.

Naveena was setting the table when she heard him. "Where have you been? You've been out for hours. It's still chilly outside, you might catch a cold!"

"Don't worry, Mom," Ranav reassured her. "I was wearing proper clothes. I went to visit my master. It's been months since I last spoke to her, and I had some issues to discuss."

"Alright, but go change your clothes. Don't sit around in your outside ones."

"Yes, Mom." Ranav headed to his room to change.

After slipping into more comfortable clothes, Ranav entered the ring's library to examine his newly acquired collection. A wave of relief washed over him as he saw the variety of books now at his disposal. The winter months had left him with little to read, and he had already read all his previous collection.

The new materials covered a broad range of topics: history, geography, politics, autobiographies, fine arts, business, and agriculture. Ranav felt like a merchant who had struck gold.

Excited, he unrolled the map of Doon Valley. "You seemed particularly happy about this map earlier," he said to Jessica. "Care to explain?"

Jessica's tone was eager. "Look closely. This map shows all the mountains, forests, herbs, and roads leading deep into the valley. I suspect the ancestors of the village chief were herb collectors who mapped out the area in detail. What's fascinating is the abundance of herb markers. If we follow these roads and find a herb with rich spiritual energy, it could help you advance your Mana Body Training."

Ranav studied the map with renewed interest. "That does sound promising. But what about the beasts in the valley? We'd need to be cautious."

Jessica agreed. "Absolutely. Until you can cast powerful dark spells, we should avoid venturing into the valley. Light magic is defensive at best… it can only deter normal beasts. If we encounter a magical beast or a clan, we'd be in serious trouble. Your swordsmanship helps in close combat, but it won't protect us from beasts with long-range attacks like fire or wind magic. For now, we wait."

Ranav frowned. "You're being too pessimistic. The other map shows beast locations near the kingdom's border clearly, doesn't it? Plus, your mana sense can help us avoid trouble. Even if a magical beast has an orange core, I'm confident we can outrun or outmaneuver it. If we proceed carefully, we could explore the valley's outskirts. What do you think?"

Jessica hesitated before replying. "We could try that. It would familiarize us with the area and serve as a prelude to exploring deeper later. But wait at least a week for the snow to melt… it'll be easier to move then."

"Deal," Ranav said with a smile.

As he prepared to leave the library, Jessica spoke again. "Don't forget to spend time with your family. Once you enroll at the academy, you'll see them less and less. These moments are precious."

Ranav nodded. "Thanks, Jessica. You're the best."