I Can Learn Anything

Chapter Title: Trials of the Folding Space

As Zeeshan and the others advanced again, something extraordinary happened.

A spatial wormhole opened in the sky. A glowing hand emerged from it and, before anyone could react, grabbed Aryan and pulled him through.

Zeeshan and his gang froze, stunned.

"What the hell was that?" Akhil gasped.

They had just witnessed something they couldn't comprehend.

Fear replaced their arrogance.

They had only one thought now: Report everything to their boss.

Aryan regained consciousness slowly after being rescued by a stranger. His vision blurred; pain pulsed through him. He couldn't tell how long he had been unconscious—minutes? Hours? Could've been much more. All he remembered was flickering lights and a sensation of falling before darkness swallowed him completely.

When his awareness finally returned, it came in fragments—sounds, shapes, the sensation of cool stone beneath him. He slowly lifted his head and opened his eyes. Everything was just out of focus. He blinked until the outlines sharpened. He was lying on a flat surface. The air felt still and cool. He lifted himself onto his elbows and surveyed his surroundings with caution and growing fear.

Had someone else abducted him? Was he in danger again? He took a shallow breath, closed and reopened his eyes, and noticed he had no restraints. Aside from some bumps and bruises, his clothes were intact. He sat up fully, carefully pulling in a deep breath before standing.

Aryan's heart pounded. His senses roamed; he searched for weapons or a way out. But the room was bare—stone walls, minimal light, and a single figure seated quietly in front of him. Aryan froze for a moment.

Then his mind registered the figure: **his teacher**, **Vaibhav Srivastava**.

Relief surged through Aryan. His legs wobbled as he steadied himself. He approached slowly, bowing automatically even without thinking. "Teacher…" he began, voice quivering. "I… I'm sorry. I couldn't live up to your expectations."

Vaibhav Srivastava looked up slowly. He studied Aryan with calm, assessing eyes. Then he shook his head and, gently but firmly, tapped Aryan on the back of his head.

"You little rascal," he said with a dry smile. "You truly didn't meet my expectations. Now tell me–what punishment do you deserve?"

Aryan swallowed hard, fear prickling his spine. He kept his eyes lowered. "Teacher… I admit I failed, but… it wasn't entirely my fault. My enemies… they were stronger than me. I couldn't match them."

Vaibhav's expression darkened slightly. He sighed and tapped Aryan again, this time a bit harder. "You really think those four were stronger than you? Yes, in cultivation, maybe. But in raw power? You were stronger than all of them—except the leader. You just panicked and lost your head. A little strategy, a quick trick… you could've dealt with them easily."

Aryan's mind swirled. He couldn't believe it. "I… I don't understand. How could I have defeated them? They attacked in numbers, they were coordinated…"

Vaibhav held up a hand. "Let me show you."

He stood and motioned Aryan forward. Curiosity and confusion fought inside Aryan, but he stepped closer.

In the blink of an eye, Vaibhav executed an elegant hand movement, and *four perfect clones* appeared beside him—each bearing identical form and energy.

Aryan's breath caught. He stepped back a pace, eyes wide. "Teacher, what technique is this? Can… can I learn it?"

The questions shone in his eyes—admiration, eagerness, barely contained excitement at such a powerful ability.

Vaibhav shook his head gently. "Not yet. This technique requires you to reach a specific level. You're not ready now, but when you *are*, you will learn it." He allowed a small smile. "And when you use it, the number of clones you can create depends entirely on your strength. Each clone will match your power."

Aryan exhaled—a mixture of hope and frustration. But his teacher wasn't done.

Vaibhav raised his hand and sent a small orb of mystic energy toward Aryan's forehead. Aryan felt it enter his spirit core, warming him from within. Inside his **Heavenly Library**—a spiritual repository where he stored knowledge—a new book formed.

It floated before him, glowing softly in golden light. But a seal still bound it. Aryan realized it was the technique he'd just witnessed. Though sealed for now, the book existed.

Joy and gratitude welled in Aryan's chest. Kneeling, he bowed deeply, voice trembling as he spoke. "Thank you, Teacher. I promise I'll reach the level needed to use it—I won't disappoint you again."

Vaibhav nodded once, firmly. "Good. Grow strong. You will master it someday." He eyed Aryan closely. "But your cultivation must improve dramatically before that day comes."

Aryan stood, alight with determination.

Vaibhav smiled, stepped back, and raised his hand. A soft ripple passed through the space around them. In an instant, they found themselves standing in an entirely new environment.

---

They were now in a vast, open field—barren of trees—but surrounded by a translucent barrier shimmering like heat haze. The sky above swirled with misty clouds and ethereal light. The ground was plain but firm, as though engineered. The air tingled with spiritual energy, making Aryan's hairs stand on end.

"This," Vaibhav announced, "is a *Folding Space*—a layered dimension I created. It is linked to you. This battlefield will hide you from the world and endure until you break through the **Martial Spirit Gathering** realm to the next. Then, it will vanish."

Aryan looked around. "You created… this entire place, just for me?"

Vaibhav nodded. "Yes. Here, we will fight. No mercy. Show me your 100%."

He motioned toward Aryan. "Take your position."

Aryan's heart thundered. He assumed a fighting stance—muscles tense, mind alert.

Vaibhav gave a final instruction. "The moment I strike, use your Heavenly Library at full capacity. Learn everything you can about me instantly."

Without warning, Vaibhav lunged. His fist struck like a meteor, powered by years of cultivation.

Aryan activated his Heavenly Library.

In his mind, a luminous book appeared instantly. He accessed it and read:

---

**Name**: Vaibhav Srivastava

**Age**: Unknown

**Cultivation**: Unknown (Peak Martial Spirit Gathering level 3)

**Power Level**: Equal to host

**Skill**: *Ordinary Fist*

**Weakness**: None identified

**Counter**: Dodge, redirect

---

Aryan's eyes lit. His library had revealed everything known—but not everything. The secrecy of Vaibhav's cultivation level and age meant his mastery was beyond even his magical repository. He swallowed hard.

He followed the instruction—sidestepping the punch by a fraction. The fist collided with the ground, leaving a shattered crater.

Before Aryan could react further, one of the clones attacked. Its form and strength mirrored the original. But Aryan's Heavenly Library responded again, and a new book appeared—this one representing the clone's attributes.

Aryan glimpsed the clone's techniques and slight variations. And then the insight hit: *what if I merge them?*

Thinking quickly, Aryan merged both books in his library.

As he did, the clone's strike froze in mid-air. Time seemed to stretch as the merged data disrupted the clone's fluidity. The fused knowledge revealed vulnerabilities in timing and power flow.

Vaibhav observed this quietly, then snapped his fingers. The clone vanished.

He approached Aryan, arms folded, eyes warmed with pride. "Well done. If you had used this in your fight with Zeeshan, you'd have won instantly. No need for me to interfere."

Aryan reached out, his voice trembling. "Teacher… what did I really do?"

Vaibhav smiled. "You used the Heavenly Library properly. You didn't just read; you synthesized and acted upon that information in real-time. You merged knowledge to neutralize opponents—not just gather intel. That is its true purpose."

Aryan blinked. "But isn't that… too powerful?"

Vaibhav chuckled. "It is. But power without wisdom is useless. The library is useless unless you know *how* to wield it."

Then Aryan hesitated, asking quietly, "Teacher… what about the knowledge you possess? Aren't you curious about my Heavenly Library? Aren't you tempted?"

Vaibhav laughed gently, shaking his head. "I wouldn't want it. I don't need it. My path is different. I have… other methods."

Aryan's heart skipped. *He has another secret technique even stronger?* he wondered. But he dismissed the thought. *My Heavenly Library is enough—my own path.*

Vaibhav then waved his palm. The Folding Space dissolved as swiftly as it appeared, and they found themselves back in the familiar room.

Aryan looked around, heart thudding. "Teacher… that space—what exactly was it?"

Vaibhav closed his eyes, breathed in deep, then exhaled slowly. "It was a pocket dimension I created called a Folding Space. It exists outside our world. It will remain active for exactly one month and is now linked to *you*. During that time, I will train you within its bounds. After one month, it dissolves, and I will have to send you abroad to continue your journey."

Aryan stared, surprised. "You're… leaving?"

Vaibhav nodded. "Yes. Within thirty days, I will depart. You will go beyond this country, continue your cultivation. But first—you must learn to control that space."

For the next few hours, Vaibhav immersed Aryan in instruction—teaching him how to summon the Folding Space, shape its terrain, tune spiritual resonance, and create training exercises. Aryan practiced dozens of times, folding terrain instant by instant until he could adjust it with intent.

Finally, Vaibhav prepared to depart.

Aryan stopped him, voice quiet but firm. "Teacher… what should I take away from our fight? What is *the lesson* I must remember?"

Vaibhav paused, then said simply: "I already told you—find the answer yourself. Reflect, and live up to my standards."

With those words, he vanished.

Aryan stood still, mind whirling. Emotion and thought battled within him. Slowly, understanding dawned.

*If a group attacks me,* he realized, *I don't need to fear their numbers—just study each member's book, merge them, understand their patterns as one flow… and act on it. That gives me victory.*

He nodded to himself.

Picked clarity settled. He didn't need further explanation.

Aryan left the room and headed toward the academy canteen. It was night. Shadows stretched across corridors as soft lights flickered.

He walked slowly, replaying every moment of the training in his mind—books formed, fused, enemy patterns recognized, space folded, and silent pride in his teacher's approval.

Just as he reached a corner, someone collided with him.

He stumbled, arms flailing. Then he looked up.

In the dim light, he recognized the figure—and a gentle smile curved his lips.

**Was it a friend or foe?**

**Someone close… or another challenge waiting in the dark?**

Stay tuned for the next chapter of *I Can Learn Anything*.