Chapter 14:
.....
Night had fallen over Dormitory Seven, and the room buzzed with the murmurs of students getting ready for bed.
Xiao Wu, however, was not happy.
Sitting on her bed, she hugged one of her new pillows tightly, her lips pursed in an unmistakable pout.
As usual, Itachi was calm, mentally reviewing the day's events while neatly arranging the blankets on his bunk.
...It wasn't long before the storm broke.
"Brother Itachi!" Xiao Wu called, breaking the quiet of the dormitory. Her tone was full of complaint, drawing the curious attention of a few other students.
"Hn" Itachi barely lifted his gaze, signaling he was listening.
"How is it possible that I have to do chores every day, but you don't?" Xiao Wu crossed her arms, her frown deepening in frustration. "That's not fair!"
Itachi remained composed, tilting his head slightly toward her.
"I spoke with the headmaster. We reached an agreement"
"An agreement?" Xiao Wu huffed, clearly irritated. "What kind of agreement? Did you pay to avoid doing the chores?"
Itachi nodded, as if it were the most logical thing in the world.
"Yes"
Xiao Wu's jaw dropped for a moment before her expression twisted into indignation.
"That was an option?! Why didn't you tell me? I could've done that too! You know I hate working!"
Itachi looked at her steadily, his face serene.
"Because you need to learn..."
"Learn what?" Xiao Wu snapped, slapping her hand against her bed. "How to sweep leaves and dirt? That's useless! Besides, you're my big brother now, right? You should've helped me!"
Itachi was going to remark that he didn't actually know when he officially became her "big brother", but chose not to since he knew that indeed he acted like one.
"I already helped you" Itachi replied calmly. "I bought everything you needed to be comfortable here and more. But work is part of the program. If you keep avoiding responsibilities, you'll never understand the value of effort or money"
Xiao Wu looked at him as though he'd just said something ridiculous.
"Money? That's new to me, and you always have plenty. And effort? I have more than enough of that! Didn't you see how I beat little San today? That was real effort!"
Itachi let out a soft sigh and crossed his arms.
"That was a fight. Not all effort in life is measured by combat. Learning to handle mundane tasks like work and money is also important. And since you don't have any experience with that, it's better to learn now."
"But I don't want to! It's boring!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, hopping off her bed and standing in front of him. "Besides, you don't do it either! So don't come at me with 'it's important.' If you can avoid it, I should be able to as well"
Itachi straightened slowly, meeting her eyes directly.
"I avoided it because I earned the money myself" he said quietly.
"And remember," he added in a lower voice, just loud enough for her to hear, "you still have a lot to learn about how to interact with humans and their customs. This is a quite good start"
Xiao Wu frowned, clearly dissatisfied with his reasoning.
"That still seems unfair!"
"Does it?" Itachi raised an eyebrow. "What did you learn today while we were shopping for those sheets, pillows, and everything else?"
"I learned… that I like soft, cute, clean things. Oh, and I prefer lilacs over roses!" Xiao Wu said proudly, though it was obvious his question wasn't about those things—or flowers, for that matter.
Itachi let out a small sigh.
"Nothing else? Do you remember how many times I had to negotiate the prices for the things you wanted?"
"Er..., um. Oh yeah! You said human merchants always try to trick you into paying more"
"Exactly. There's more to learn than just fighting. Doing this work will help you understand how this world works. It'll also help you integrate with the other students and appreciate the value of money. You can't rely on me for everything. And also, you won't be doing the work alone"
Xiao Wu stared at him, her frustration mingling with thoughtfulness. She crossed her arms again.
"Why not? I trust in you completely. That's enough. Besides, it'll be super boring if you're not with me doing these chores that are already boring to begin with"
"I think you'll have fun and make new connections if you give it a chance. Plus, you're the dorm leader now," Itachi responded, his tone calm but firm. "You can't depend on me for everything"
For a moment, Xiao Wu seemed to process his words, though her expression remained annoyed. Finally, she sighed dramatically and sat back on her bed, puffing out her cheeks in an exaggerated pout.
"You're still unfair!" she declared, hugging her pillow tightly. "But fine. I'll clean and sweep. But not because I agree with you—only because I'm the dorm leader, and I have to set an example!"
Itachi gave her a slight nod.
"That's all I hoped for"
"Hmph!" Xiao Wu turned her back to him but couldn't resist glancing over her shoulder. "But if I have to do all this boring stuff, you have to help me explore the rest of the city!"
Itachi looked at her in silence for a few seconds before responding with a simple:
"Hn."
That response made Xiao Wu smile slightly, satisfied that she'd gotten something in return.
…
As Xiao Wu finally settled into her bed, still muttering about the "injustice" of the situation, Itachi lay back on his, closing his eyes briefly. Despite her boundless energy and constant complaints, Xiao Wu was slowly starting to mature—if only a little.
Even so, she had a heart too pure and innocent for this—or any—world with humans. She still had much to learn about human life, and he knew these kinds of experiences would be valuable for her in the long run.
'It's better she learns now' Itachi thought. 'It's not enough to keep her safe. I also need to make sure she can stand on her own when I'm not around'
With that thought, he let out a silent sigh and allowed himself to rest for a while.
.....
.....
Dawn filtered through the windows of Dormitory Seven at Nuoding Academy, gently illuminating the many disheveled beds of students still deeply asleep. Itachi, however, was already awake. As always, his ninja discipline had him rising far earlier than his peers, leaving his bed impeccably made and his space perfectly organized. He had long grown accustomed to sleeping only the bare minimum necessary to function at optimal levels—just a few hours of rest were enough.
Nearby, Xiao Wu was still sound asleep, hugging one of the large white pillows she had bought the day before. She mumbled something incoherent in her dreams, her expression peaceful.
Itachi quietly left the dormitory, making sure not to disturb anyone. His objective for this morning was clear: to speak with the academy's dean and formally meet one of the individuals on his list of interest in this world—the theorist known at the academy as Grandmaster.
During his days in Nuoding City, Itachi had gathered extensive information not only about the academy but also about key figures associated with it. Among them, this Grandmaster stood out. Though widely ridiculed by most Spirit Master circles, his reputation as the foremost theorist on spirit power and Martial Souls was indisputable, even if many of his theories remained unproven.
But that didn't matter. What intrigued and interested Itachi most was the fact that this Grandmaster had gained access to vast knowledge from across the continent, including highly confidential records of the most powerful families and clans.
That level of access couldn't be ignored.
'Knowledge is power' Itachi thought as he walked through the academy's silent hallways. If this man held information that even the most prestigious libraries couldn't provide, then Itachi needed to find a way to acquire it, regardless of how others perceived this Grandmaster.
When he reached the dean's office, he knocked three times, his precision as exact as ever. A deep, slightly tired voice responded from inside.
"Come in"
Itachi opened the door and entered, offering a small nod of greeting. The dean looked up from a pile of documents and regarded him with mild curiosity.
"Oh, Uchiha Itachi, back again. What can I help you with so early in the morning?" the man asked, his tone carrying a hint of surprise... especially since Itachi had already approached him yesterday with a highly unusual and unique proposal.
"I wanted to ask about Grandmaster" Itachi said in his calm, direct manner. "I understand he resides at the academy and is recognized for his vast knowledge. I'm interested in speaking with him, if possible…"
The dean raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the request. Most students didn't even know who Grandmaster was, and those who did rarely showed interest in associating with someone of his controversial reputation. In fact, those who knew of him often mocked the man behind his back.
"Why would you want to speak with Grandmaster? While most Spirit Masters respect his knowledge, his theoretical approach has left him isolated. Many consider his ideas… impractical."
'The practical and immediate aren't always the most valuable' Itachi thought but chose not to comment on it aloud.
"I'm only seeking knowledge" he replied simply. "If he has information to share, I'm willing to listen"
The dean studied the young man with a mixture of curiosity and approval. There was something about the way Itachi spoke... an air of maturity and clarity of purpose that was unusual for someone so young.
"Well, it's rare for a student to show interest in Grandmaster" he said at last. "His office is at the end of the north corridor, in an isolated room next to the secondary library. However, I should warn you... he... well, he's a peculiar man."
Itachi gave a slight nod.
"Hn. That's enough. Thank you"
With that, he left the dean to his work and headed toward the north corridor.
.....
This grandmaster's office was exactly where the dean had indicated. The door was plain, marked only by a small plaque that read, Grandmaster.
Itachi knocked twice and waited.
"Come in" a firm yet tired voice said from inside.
Upon entering, Itachi found a small, cramped space overflowing with books, scrolls, and artifacts. And a man in his 50s sat behind a desk piled high with documents, his serious, penetrating gaze sizing up Itachi with a single look.
"What do you want?" he asked bluntly.
Itachi inclined his head slightly, a gesture of respect.
"My name is Uchiha Itachi. I'm a newly arrived student. I've heard about your knowledge and theories. I'm interested in learning from you"
This grandmaster stopped writing, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized Itachi with suspicion and disbelief. He was used to receiving little respect from the younger generation... if they even acknowledged him at all. While most didn't dare to insult him outright, he had heard the whispers and rumors. It was rare for anyone to approach him with genuine interest.
"Learn from me? Are you saying you want to be my disciple?"
"Not necessarily" Itachi replied calmly. "I only want to learn whatever you're willing to teach. I'm not seeking titles or recognition... just knowledge."
This answer caught Grandmaster's attention. For a moment, he seemed to consider the possibility, but then he asked, "What's your spirit power level?"
"Four" Itachi said without hesitation.
Grandmaster's expression shifted immediately, and he leaned back in his chair with a sigh.
"Level four… that explains why you have time to come here. I'm sorry, but I already have a disciple. I can't afford to waste my time on anything else. My focus must remain on him"
Itachi remained composed, showing no sign of disappointment.
"I understand. I have no intention of interfering with your time or priorities. However, if I could be allowed access to your books and records, that would suffice"
The grandmaster raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by the response. This boy had accepted rejection with an unusual degree of calm. It even made the older man feel slightly uncomfortable.
"Hmm… Well, I might allow that" Grandmaster said, leaning forward slightly.
"But the knowledge I possess isn't for just anyone," he added, his tone cautious. "Still, it's refreshing to see a young person interested in more than just fighting"
"I would greatly appreciate it" Itachi said, his voice steady. "I assure you, I won't seek direct instruction or guidance. I'll simply read what I can. I won't interfere with your work or your disciple"
Grandmaster studied him in silence for several seconds. He had already turned him away once and felt it would be wrong to do so again, especially when the young man was so respectful and dedicated.
Finally, he nodded.
"Very well. I'll grant you access to my personal library, as long as you respect my rules. But if I find that you're interrupting me or wasting my time, the arrangement will end immediately. Understood?"
"Hn," Itachi replied, inclining his head in agreement.
Grandmaster gestured toward a side door.
"The library is through there. You can start today or whenever you like, as long as you don't disturb my work. And keep in mind, not everything is organized, so you'll need patience..."
.....
Grandmaster's library was truly a treasure trove of knowledge. Though small compared to public libraries, its contents were far more valuable.
Each book and scroll seemed carefully curated, containing specific, detailed information on Martial Souls, spirit power, cultivation techniques, and the traits of spirit beasts.
Many of the texts held information unavailable almost anywhere else, making them invaluable to Itachi. The gaps in this library's content could easily be filled by the academy's larger library, making this a perfect supplement for his learning.
Itachi began with a book detailing the fundamentals of Martial Souls. As he read, his Sharingan, hidden under the Spirit Bone's concealment ability, absorbed every word, diagram, and formula with incredible speed. His eidetic memory allowed him to process and retain information at a pace that would astonish anyone if they knew.
Throughout the texts, Itachi found handwritten annotations in the margins, likely Grandmaster's personal notes. These comments often proved more valuable than the texts themselves, offering deeper insights into the concepts.
After several hours in the library, Itachi closed the last book he had selected for the day and stood. Before leaving, he thanked Grandmaster for granting him access, a gesture that surprised the older man.
Yeah... It was rare for anyone to show genuine respect for his work.
As Itachi returned to the dormitory, he reflected on everything he had learned. Every piece of knowledge brought him closer to understanding this world fully. For now, he would focus on furthering his new business while continuing to absorb as much information as possible, all while carefully observing and planning his next steps.