Bully Lord

Part-47

A smug smile tugged at James' lips as he stared at the mission prompt. Find a book on martial arts? Easy. Back in the day, he'd devoured adventure stories and anything with a hint of action. Locating a single book shouldn't be a problem.

Confidence bolstered, James pushed open the library doors, the scent of aged paper and forgotten knowledge a familiar comfort.  He scanned the seemingly endless rows of books, his gaze flitting across titles. Martial arts wasn't a genre he'd actively sought before, but surely it wouldn't be buried deep within the library's labyrinth.  Minutes bled into what felt like hours as James wandered the aisles, his initial confidence dwindling with each fruitless search. "Martial Arts for Beginners," "The History of Swordsmanship," and a dusty tome on "Self-Defense for Housewives" – none of them matched the specific title demanded by the mission.

Frustration gnawed at him. This wasn't supposed to be this difficult. The System rarely offered clear explanations, but a single, obscure title felt like a deliberate roadblock.  Defeated, James slumped into a nearby chair, the weight of the mission notification pressing down on him. He glanced at the library counter, where Rupali, his upperclassman and the ever-patient library keeper, was organizing a stack of books.

Taking a deep breath, James approached her, his voice edged with a hint of desperation. "Excuse me, Rupali? Do you, by any chance, have a book titled 'Martial Arts' by Jihad Chan Mia?"

Rupali looked up, a smile lighting up her face. Her eyes, however, held a flicker of concern as they took in James' disheveled appearance. He looked different from the usual James, the one who used to spend his afternoons lost in a fantasy novel or a historical biography.  This James seemed… tense, his brow furrowed and his posture rigid.  "Martial Arts by Jihad Chan Mia?" she repeated, a hint of amusement dancing in her voice. "That's a very specific title, James.  What brings you to this particular book?"

James hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.  "It's, uh, for a project," he mumbled, hoping the explanation wouldn't sound too flimsy.

Rupali's smile widened. "A project, huh? Well, then you're in luck.  We do have that book."  She disappeared behind the counter for a moment, her movements smooth and practiced.  Within seconds, she emerged again, a worn leather-bound book held in her hand.

"Here you go," she said, placing the book gently on the counter. "It's not exactly light reading, but it's quite comprehensive.  I'm surprised someone your age is interested in this kind of book."

James stared at the book, relief washing over him.  He mumbled a thanks, unsure how to explain his sudden and very real need to learn about martial arts.  Rupali's curiosity was evident, but thankfully, she didn't press the issue.

With a final smile, she gestured towards a quiet corner of the library.  "Go ahead and take a seat over there.  Let me know if you need anything else," she said.  "And if you're looking for something a little less… traditional, we have a whole section on self-defense techniques in the back.  Not everyone learns best from dusty old books."

James nodded his gratitude.