"You are not serious, right?"

Chris had an incredulous look on his face.

We were standing in the balcony on the third floor overlooking fountains. The weather was cold which was why we were wearing sweaters.

I looked at him with an impassive expression.

"You are not joking. Why do we have to sneak in this Archives building?"
I nodded and said, "Because our library has nothing to offer on what we need."

"Maybe it was not seen in the past."He pointed out.

"Or maybe our library is understocked."I fired back.

"Whatever. How do you propose we enter, assuming I'm with you in this madness, provided you are right? I don't think you have any access card. A princess or not, you cannot enter without permission. There had been a slight chance of success before we got ourselves out on probation."

"That's why we are sneaking in."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"I'm serious."

"That's what I'm worried about. You are taking more interest in this thing. It's like you are personally offended. I fear the consequences, Aria."

"There's nothing to be worried about. I'm just curious.I'm sure it will be fine."

"Listen carefully. I don't want to be involved in this, but I'm coming with you. I know I will regret it later." He said with a finality in his voice.

"I knew you would come. We should meet later to discuss things."

"Ah, you guys are here. Well, go on. In the classroom."Carl said pointing towards the room. I was happy to find that Chris was also startled.

"What are we learning today?"

"Basics of the telepathic link."

"Where are the notes?"

"I don't have them. We will be working on the stuff I found during my research."

"Your research?"

"It was my final test in research."

"So what did you find?"

"Let's start the class now. Don't take any notes now. Write a summary report later."

So for the next 45 minutes, I listened to Carl droning on about telepathic links. He was telling stuff about making and breaking them, talking to a linked person and projecting in a linked person's mind and the cruelest of all, controlling the linked person.

At the end of the session, I asked him a question.

"Why is there no report or mention of telepathically linked persons in any book?"

"It is rather unusual. The books are updated and there is nothing known of a time in the past. It's because the library was burned down and the books are gone."

"Shouldn't there be something which had information? Not everything could be lost, right?"

"We can certainly hope."

Chris was patiently listening at this point.

"And how come no one investigated this? Surely someone would have been interested. We wouldn't be the first ones asking these questions."

"There could be something. In journals?"

"What journals, Carl? Where can we find them?"

"You can't read them. Those are final reports of students like you. The Council thinks that you would use their work if you had access and there would not be much originality."He shrugged.

"Is it in the highly protected unknown vault?"

"That vault is " The Archives" which you know. And you can't go without authorization."

"But don't you want to know about all these missing information, Carl. And you passed already."

"We will see. Don't forget the report is due tomorrow."

We left the building and a game of rock, paper, and scissors decided where we were to discuss our plan. And so we were eating snacks in my room and scrutinizing the map. It was obvious we could not barge in there without a proper plan. At present, we needed information like protocols, access rights, and the layout inside. At last, we decided to scout the area and find out how things operated. The easy way was to ask my parents and of course get grounded again for poking my nose in Council matters.

In the evening, we were standing in front of the building, pretending to be interested in Shawl exhibit. The building had a door, a neat sidewalk and everything looked normal. There was no activity for the next 1 hour and we were tired of waiting. The exhibit was closing. People started leaving. We had to lie to our stall owner, about our parents picking us.

Finally, we moved towards the door. We were about to try opening the door or so I had thought when I heard a chuckle behind us.

"Figured I would find you here. You guys have a blatant disregard for rules."

"Carl, fancy seeing you here, bro."

He scowled now."I will have words with you again later. Now, What are you two doing here?"He folded his arms.

"We were just visiting. The shawls are lovely. You could buy one."

"Not buying it. The truth Aria."

I looked at Chris, and he gave a slight nod.

"We were watching this building."

"And?"He pressed on.

"Trying to enter."

"If I report this, you will be in huge trouble."

"You said, "If."Does that mean you won't tell?"
"Yes, Aria. I won't. Considering you did not trespass. Go to your rooms now. We will talk about this tomorrow. And you Chris, come to my room after dropping Aria to hers. Understood?"

We nodded and started walking. It was when we reached my quarters. I opened my mouth.

"Carl is seriously angry with us now, right?"

"Well, he has a reason to be."

"I hate when you are right."

"I am always Right."

"Way to be modest. Anyway, will he yell or punish you?"

"Knowing him, I'm due for a long lecture. Don't worry. Nothing will happen.I'll keep you posted."

"How?"

"Just come early tomorrow."

"Fine.Good luck."

"I will need it."

With that, he left.

I changed my clothes. I had put on dark clothes and a hat to avoid people noticing me. As a princess, I was not exactly unknown. Now I had to go to dinner without revealing the failed adventure.

My parents were working like always. They smiled when they saw me.

We had made a small talk before I asked them what I was dying to know.

"Why are the archives off-limits?"

"Because they contain reports among other things."

"What other things?"

"The kind of things you are not required to know. At least not until later."

"And if someone broke into the facility?"

"They will have a hard time disabling security. It has many unknown rooms protected by the more unknown type of projections."

"Oh."

"Why the sudden interest, Aria?"Mother asked me.

"I wanted more material to read about my mind projection skills. The library here does not have enough content."

Well, that was one reason among many.

"I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you, Father."

After eating, I left to study. As I was turning in the passageway, I ran into Chris.

"Whoa, What are you doing here?"

"Trying to find you. You weren't in your room."

"Let's go then."

We reached my rooms. We were in the seating room, and I chucked him a juice bottle.

"So why were you trying to find me?"

"Carl said he could take us to some part of the archives. I mean like he could get permission."

"I don't think he can. My father said I would be allowed later."

"Maybe he can persuade Jim who can then persuade your father."

"And you persuaded Carl."

"We will find out later. Tell me what happened."

"Basically, he gave me a good scolding about why it was dumb of me to sneak into a highly guarded building when I was grounded and dismissed from the hospital a few days ago."

"After listening that I feel bad.I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

"Hey. I'm equally responsible. You weren't the only curious one."

"So no more punishment?"

"He can't punish me. He sneaked out more times if I remember correctly. Things would even out now. He is just trying to look out for me, I think."

"He is a good brother and a good teacher."

"Yeah. I'm happy he came back."

"What will he talk tomorrow?"

"We can just wait and imagine toll the moment is upon us."

"You are right."
"Anyway, I should get going. Good night, Aria."

"Good night, Chris."
Well, things ended well. I practiced transporting so that I would not pass out next time. It was easy getting the more I practiced. Then I wondered about the information hidden away from everyone.
It would be really nice if we get the chance to visit the archives.

Author's note:
Hey!
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