#ancient library

Note: Fluff. This story is a blend dark academia aesthetics, secret sections, hidden powers waiting to be found and Toji. Hope you enjoy it. Image not mine. Credits to the creator.

Ohh to be in an old, empty, library and haunt the beautiful walls of the elegant monstrosity of the structure. JJK High had the best library you had ever seen in your whole damn life. You were never a library person until you saw this. Because in all your previous schools or colleges, the library had more students than books! Several benches arranged one after another only containing crowds of noisy people, with only a small portion dedicated to something you would actually call more like cupboards filled with books than a library.

But here at JJK High you were stunned when you first stepped into the monstrosity of the structure, you were left in awe. The old European style architecture which adorned the pillars and walls, circular stairs, stained glass windows which look nothing but elegant at their heights, every damn wall filled with worth loads of knowledge that was centuries old to modern day, everywhere you saw, all you could see was books, books ranging from Alchemy to modern day Physics and other sciences. Geography, history, science, you just name it and you'll find it quickly enough. Only a few chairs with large tables at each section and very few students. Since many students found it boring or didn't had enough time, the library was more silent and secluded. You never understood how can anyone find this boring!?

You soon made your library card and all, and started wandering in the old walls that held much more old memories than the books they contained. The upper section was where people weren't allowed, but who was there to stop you from roaming it?? You everyday after college would go there, it had become your second home now. And you also thought that maybe just maybe the structure has it's own soul and it accepts you as on of theirs, since you always found what you came looking for, it was still a mystery how??

Today too the old architecture greets you as you enter inside the library, the smell of dust, mold and mostly books overtakes your senses. As you find a book and a spot to settle in, something catches your eye. An old staircase that is hidden behind the bookshelves and runs underground. Your heart rate quickens as you stare at it and the mystery hidden beneath. You keep all your belongings at the place you were initially sitting and silently go towards the stairs.

The stairs are made of old furnished wood and from top floor, they run way down the ground floor. You gulp, check your surroundings and begin your descent down the path. The space is cramped but you can make it down with not much problem. As you reach the bottom of stairs you peek around to see for danger, sensing none you get out of it to find an entirely same structure down here, but much more abandoned, that it almost feels ghostly. A place where old souls or demons might lurk. The sunlight doesn't reach here, making it entirely dark but your mobile flashlight and some light coming from the stained glass is enough to illuminate the space ahead of you.

Your pulse is in your ears as you start walking towards the other end. Everything is silent... Not a single soul to hear or listen, only you and your quickening heartbeat. You slowly skim through the bookshelves finding many old books which are withered. As you go more ahead your gaze lands on a unique bookshelf which had a slightly different color and more design than others. You instinctively move towards it. Hands sliding on it's design as you slowly and silently open the door for it.

Alchemy, Vampires, Curse Users, Werewolves, Witches, Dark Magic, Demons and Angels. Are all the titles you read as you breath hitches, "Forbidden Books". These are all forbidden books which no one is allowed access to, a knowledge that is an well kept secret of JJK High. As your hands move to take one of the books in your grip, you hands open it as if they have a mind of their own. The contents of the book has all details about witchcraft, vampires, and cursed energy, you are intrigued to the way how they are explained so well. As you keep reading further, but not aloud, because you definitely don't want to unleash some forbidden spell, you feel cool breeze at your neck and you flinch.

Your eyes dart around, pulse quickened and heartbeats rapid from the adrenaline coursing through your veins, they immediately land on a familiar yet unusual figure, Toji. His scrutinizing emerald gaze scanning you up and down as if you were some kind of meat. Sweat pools your forehead and pulse rings in your ear as you both have a little staring contest.

Toji: What are you doing here??

Y/n: A-am I not allowed to be here? Besides shouldn't I ask you the same question??

Toji: Only the members of Secret Society are allowed here, not everyone...

Y/n: You mean a Secret Society exists?? In our college?? How can i become a member??

Toji: You seem a lot interested in becoming one without fully knowing our duties. Besides, you need to be member of one of the 4 superior clans of Jujutsu world Or.. For those who aren't, they simply have to prove their worth for becoming one.

Y/n: And how to prove my worth?? I mean in what regard??

Toji: Go on a mission that will benefit JJK High, academics don't work here, since your performance depends on exorcising curses, with Or without power. That's exactly what secret society does, we protect the school from forces unseen by non-sorcerors.

Y/n: So basically you are our protector! That's cool.

Toji: That's a first..

He chuckles.

Toji: So Miss Y/n.. What exactly were you reading??

Y/n: H-How do you know my name?

Toji: Aren't we classmates?? Why are you so surprised??

Y/n: Just didn't thought someone like you will know someone like me...

Toji: And what is that supposed to mean? How can I not know the topper of our class?

Y/n: T-That...!!

Toji: Hey come on..no need to be humble, because I ain't either.

Y/n: Ok.. By the way I was trying to read this books on vampires, witches and curse users, before I got interrupted by someone...

Toji: Fair enough...I also came to hunt for some books actually.

Y/n: Like what kind??

Toji: The ones which give info on how to awaken hidden vampire powers...

Y/n: A-and why are you looking for it??

Toji: Don't you know, that Zenins have special blood and our origins were thought to be vampiric. Though none of us are vampires, and no one knows the reason why? So I am trying to find that out by myself.

Y/n: O-ohh i didn't know... I see..

Toji: So why are you looking for the witches??

Y/n: B-because I felt like it...

Toji: Really?? How suspicious...

Y/n: Fine... I'll tell you but u must keep it a secret. My family has an history of witchy powers. But in most cases they are dormant. So I was also trying to find a way to awaken mine.

Toji: Then shouldn't your clan must be well known for it too...unless...

Y/n: Yeah exactly... the unfair witch hunts that happened years ago have led to decline in our no. so we keep our existence a secret.

Toji: And you just told me that secret...

Y/n: You got no proof against me, besides I trust you.

Toji: Why?? We barely know each other...

Y/n: Just cause you don't seem the type to actually dish me out on something so trivial... Besides don't you have better things to do?

Toji: Fine fair enough... But in return for keeping your secret, help me find a way to gain my vampiric powers and I'll help you with yours...

Y/n: You need my help??

Toji: Finding books or spells in this massive library alone is no joke. So yeah I think it'll be faster if we help each other.

Y/n: You don't seem the type to easily get involved with people... So why me?

Toji: Because you are the first person who has found this hidden section of library other than me...and that too a witch at that...

Y/n: Didn't you say the secret society knows about it??

Toji: I was bluffing.

Y/n: YOU!! I hate you..

He chuckled deeply as his laugh echoed in the silent library where you both are alone.

Toji: Secret society's existence is true but I haven't told them about this place...As you can see I don't particularly like visitors here.

I sighed.

Y/n: The feelings are mutual... So the existence of this secret section of library is our secret now? And I am allowed to be here?

Toji: It seems so... and yes you are allowed by me that is...Now shall we start finding books??

Your pov

He extended his hand towards me with a smirk. Reluctantly I took it. As his warm big hand enveloped mine I felt the sudden warmth in my chest as my heart rate spiked up. Has he always been so gentlemanly or touchy? I wonder. His grip didn't loosen even a bit as he led me inside. I was now becoming sure that this was gonna be one hell of an adventure.

Oxford’s Faculty of Classics has received a gift from the Humanities and AI Virtual Institute of Schmidt Sciences to support a two-year project in collaboration with the Vesuvius Challenge.

The project will use new technology to retrieve text from ancient, unopened papyrus scrolls carbonised during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE.

There is an urgent need to automate parts of the text extraction process, and the project will train a new generation of scholars in Herculaneum papyrology to help edit and explain the emerging texts.

If you are still heart broken about the destruction of the Alexandria library, you will be happy to hear in a far away world, there’s a vast library hidden from the world for centuries, contains 84,000 books, which are planned to be digitised, translated and share with the world.

The Sakya Monastery in Tibet, founded in 1073 by Khon Konchog Gyalpo, is renowned for its vast library of ancient manuscripts, many of which remain untouched for centuries.

Most of these texts are Buddhist scriptures, meticulously handwritten in various languages like Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian, and Sanskrit. But the depth of this collection is vast. It isn’t limited to religious teachings; it expands into the realms of literature, history, philosophy, the stars above with astronomy, the logic of mathematics, the beauty of art, and even the practical wisdom of agriculture.

The scale of this library is staggering. Picture traditional bookshelves stretching 200 feet and soaring to 33 feet, all packed with a whopping 84,000 books! Among these, there’s a standout: a single scripture that tips the scales at a massive 1,100 pounds, claiming the title of the heaviest in the world. Thanks to the region’s dry climate, the library also boasts a collection of delicate palm-leaf manuscripts, preserved in near-perfect condition.

The library is not open to the general public but is accessible to members and visiting scholars with permission. Efforts are underway to digitize these manuscripts, making them more widely available for research and study. This initiative highlights the library's role as a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern scholarship, offering invaluable insights into Tibetan culture and knowledge.

Now, these precious papers give us a peek into Tibet’s history. They show us how people lived, what they believed, and how they dreamed. Thanks to the Sakya Monastery, a whole world has been brought back to life from long ago. Everyone can learn and be amazed by the wonders of the past.

[Sources]:

*Earthly Mission: Tibet's Great Sakya Library (https://earthlymission.com/tibet-great-sakya-library-84000-scrolls-heaviest-scripture-world/)

*History Enhanced: Unveiling the Unseen (https://historyenhanced.com/unveiling-the-unseen-84000-unread-manuscripts-from-sakya-librarys-timeless-tales-discovered/)

*The Historians: The Secrets of Sakya Monastery Library (https://thehistorians.org/2023/12/24/the_secrets_of_sakya_monastery_library_in_tibet/)

The Venus of Dolní Věstonice is a Venus figurine of female figure dated to 29,000–25,000 BC. It was found at the Paleolithic site Dolní Věstonice in the Moravian basin south of Brno, in the base of Děvín Mountain in which is present-day Czech Republic.

Source: Ancient Library