The royal-purple scroll rested in Vanshika’s palm, its golden inscriptions illuminating the spaces between her fingers.
Its radiance was gentle, yet the symbols seemed unusually vivid, as though the scroll contained something far more substantial than ink and enchanted material.
Vanshika’s Cosmic Azure eyes moved across the inscription at its center.
सनातन परमोৎकर्ष कला
For several moments, she studied the words in silence.
Then she glanced at Vivaan, who watched her with undisguised curiosity.
His midnight-blue hair fell across his forehead, and the countless stars within his Cosmic Azure eyes reflected the golden characters.
Vanshika gently drew Vivaan closer and settled back onto the wooden bench, making room for him beside her.
Vivaan leaned toward the scroll, his curiosity overcoming his patience as he searched his mother’s face for an explanation.
“Mom, what is this magical technique?
And can I learn it?”
Vanshika smiled warmly at her son, holding the mysterious scroll securely between her fingers.
“Of course, my son.
You can absolutely master it.”
Vivaan’s eyes brightened, but he quickly noticed that his mother had answered only half of his question.
He tilted his head, waiting for her to continue.
“Then what does it do?
You recognized it, didn’t you?”
Vanshika rested the scroll across her lap and turned its inscription toward herself, taking a moment to appreciate the words.
“It is called the Eternal Art of Absolute Ascension.”
Vivaan repeated the title under his breath, considering each word before returning his attention to the Sanskrit inscription.
He pointed toward the golden characters, eager to understand their meaning.
“What’s written there, Mom?”
Vanshika adjusted her grip and angled the scroll slightly away from him, a faintly mischievous smile appearing on her face.
“Something you can learn to read yourself.”
Vivaan narrowed his eyes at her, then glanced pointedly at the scroll she was deliberately keeping out of his view.
“You just told me the name.
Why are you hiding the writing?”
Vanshika looked from the scroll to her son with perfect innocence.
“I’m not hiding it.
I’m holding it.”
Vivaan leaned forward, following the angle of her wrist with his gaze.
“While deliberately pointing it away from me.”
Vanshika’s lips curved into a smile.
“What a remarkable discovery.”
Vivaan reached toward the scroll, intending to adjust its angle himself.
Vanshika shifted it just enough to evade his fingers, but the movement brought the inscription into view for a brief moment.
Vivaan immediately read the characters, separating the words and connecting them to the title she had given him.
“सनातन परमोৎकर्ष कला,” he read aloud.
“The Eternal Art of Absolute Ascension.”
Vanshika raised her eyebrows, genuinely impressed by how quickly he had deciphered the inscription.
Vivaan pointed at the golden characters with a satisfied expression.
“You could have let me read it from the beginning.”
Vanshika placed a hand over her heart, pretending to be deeply moved by his complaint.
“And deprive you of the joy of discovering it yourself?”
Vivaan folded his arms, unimpressed by her excuse.
“You deliberately made it difficult.”
Vanshika finally turned the scroll toward him, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Which made your discovery more memorable.”
Vivaan considered that argument before deciding it was too convenient to deserve an answer.
Instead, he examined the scroll more carefully, looking for signs of damage or missing sections.
“Is this the entire technique?”
Vanshika’s playful expression softened into one of quiet seriousness as she held the scroll beneath the morning light.
“No.
What we have here is merely a fragment of the Eternal Art of Absolute Ascension.”
Vivaan’s expression changed immediately.
“A fragment?”
He examined the scroll’s edges, searching for evidence that part of it had been physically removed.
The material appeared intact, and the golden writing seemed deliberately arranged rather than abruptly cut off.
Vivaan looked up at his mother, his thoughts already moving beyond the obvious explanation.
“So it isn’t necessarily damaged.
This fragment might contain only a portion of the technique itself.”
Vanshika nodded approvingly, pleased that he had distinguished between a damaged object and an incomplete record.
“Exactly.
A fragment doesn’t necessarily mean a damaged object.
It means that what you’re holding represents only a part of something greater.”
Vivaan’s gaze returned to the scroll, then shifted toward the place where the portal had appeared.
“Then how did it end up inside your Spatial Treasury?”
The question made Vanshika pause.
She lowered her eyes to the scroll.
She had opened the portal to put away a letter, yet Vivaan had reached inside and retrieved an object she had not intentionally placed within his reach.
She examined its outer surface again, searching for an explanation.
“That’s what I would like to know.”
Vivaan blinked, surprised by her answer.
“You don’t know how it got there?”
Vanshika met his gaze, her expression thoughtful rather than evasive.
“Not how it came into your hands just now.”
Vivaan shook his head and explained his actions carefully, making certain she understood that he hadn’t done anything unusual on purpose.
“I didn’t do anything special.
You opened the portal, I reached inside, felt something, grabbed it, and pulled it out.”
Vanshika studied him closely, looking for any detail he might have overlooked.
“You didn’t see the scroll before touching it?”
Vivaan shook his head.
“No.
I couldn’t see anything inside the portal clearly.
I found it by touch.”
Vanshika’s gaze returned to the golden inscription.
“And you had never seen these characters before?”
Vivaan examined the writing once more, recognizing some of its Sanskrit structure but not the arrangement as a whole.
“Never.
I didn’t even know this scroll existed.”
Vanshika fell quiet, considering his answers.
Vivaan watched her face, recognizing that her curiosity was genuine.
She usually appeared to know precisely what she was withholding, even when she declined to explain something.
Vivaan leaned toward her, unable to contain his curiosity any longer.
“Is this a secret technique?”
Vanshika lifted her eyes from the scroll, her expression becoming more serious.
“Not merely a secret technique, Vivaan.
It is one of the most mysterious arts I have ever created, and its true potential is far greater than what most techniques can offer.”
Vivaan shifted closer, careful not to disturb the scroll.
“Then explain everything.”
Vanshika laughed softly at his immediate demand, shaking her head with affectionate amusement.
“Everything?
That’s a rather ambitious request.”
Vivaan gestured toward the scroll, his expression turning earnest.
“You said I could master it.
I need to know what I’m learning.”
Vanshika settled the scroll securely on her lap and turned toward him.
Her playful expression remained, but her voice became more measured, the way it did when she was explaining something genuinely important.
The Eternal Art of Absolute Ascension is a self-evolving art.
Unlike ordinary techniques, it doesn’t remain fixed at the level at which it is first learned.
It evolves alongside its user.”
Vivaan’s eyes sharpened with interest.
He considered the relationship between the technique and its practitioner before forming his next question.
“So it grows stronger as the user grows stronger?”
Vanshika nodded once, pleased by his attention.
“That’s the beginning of it.
The art continuously improves its support as the user’s Power develops.
Each breakthrough gives it new information about its user, allowing it to adapt and provide greater enhancement.”
Vivaan’s gaze moved from the scroll to his mother’s face as he connected the two parts of her explanation.
“Then its evolution and the user’s development reinforce each other.
My growth gives the art an opportunity to evolve, and its evolution helps me grow further.”
Vanshika smiled with unmistakable approval.
“Precisely.
The user and the technique ascend together.”
Vivaan looked down at the golden inscription, imagining the possibilities.
“Does that mean it has no final rank?”
Vanshika traced one golden character with her fingertip, the reflected light moving across her nails.
“There is no predetermined ultimate rank or fixed ceiling built into its design.”
Vivaan raised his head, immediately noticing a distinction.
“Then why does the fragment have a rank?”
Vanshika looked at him thoughtfully, appreciating that he was questioning the apparent contradiction instead of overlooking it.
“Because the art still needs a starting point.
Its current stage and its ultimate potential are two different things.”
Vivaan studied the inscription again, absorbing the distinction.
“So the rank tells me where it begins, not where it must end.”
Vanshika nodded approvingly.
“Exactly.”
She continued by explaining that the art reinforced its user’s foundation, helping improve Shakti control, stability, and the underlying structure supporting future breakthroughs.
Rather than focusing solely on immediate strength, it helped prepare the user for continued development.
Vivaan tapped one finger lightly against his knee, searching for a comparison that captured the principle.
“Like strengthening the foundation of a building instead of simply adding more floors.”
Vanshika’s expression brightened.
“That’s an excellent comparison.
A powerful technique built on a poor foundation can become unstable.
This art works to strengthen the foundation while supporting the user’s continued development.”
Vivaan considered the explanation before asking his next question.
“And it can enhance the user’s Power automatically?”
Vanshika nodded.
“Yes.
Its enhancement isn’t restricted to a single fixed effect.
It adapts to the user’s current development and adjusts its support as the user advances.”
Vivaan’s gaze returned to the scroll.
“Then it can also help repair damage?”
Vanshika rested her hand on the scroll, her expression thoughtful.
“It can support healing, restore disrupted Shakti structures, and assist recovery.
Its abilities can develop as the art evolves.”
Vivaan’s expression grew more serious as he considered another possibility.
“What about preventing death?
Can it protect the user automatically when they face a life-threatening situation?”
Vanshika answered carefully, making certain he understood the limitation.
“It can intervene automatically in certain qualifying, life-threatening situations.
But its ability to do so depends on its current evolution and the circumstances involved.
It isn’t an unconditional guarantee that nothing can ever happen to its user.”
Vivaan absorbed the answer without interrupting.
After a moment, he summarized the distinction in his own words.
“So the ability exists, but its effectiveness depends on how far the art has developed and what kind of danger it faces.”
Vanshika nodded, visibly pleased that he had understood the qualification.
“Correct.
Never assume that a technique can do everything simply because its potential is enormous.”
Vivaan gave a small nod.
Vanshika continued explaining that the art could also manage different forms of Shakti when compatibility allowed it.
Mahāshakti was its ideal energy source, while Divya Shakti and Asura Shakti could also be managed under suitable conditions.
Vivaan immediately noticed a distinction.
“Does it create Shakti by itself, or does it improve how the user uses the Shakti they already have?”
Vanshika looked pleased with the precision of his question.
“Its primary purpose isn’t to manufacture an unlimited supply of energy.
It works with the energy available to it, manages that energy according to its capabilities, and strengthens the user’s ability to develop and control their Power.
Its exact functions can expand through evolution.”
Vivaan nodded slowly, fitting the explanation into his understanding of Sadhana.
“So it doesn’t replace training.
It improves the process and supports the results.”
Vanshika smiled warmly.
“That’s right.
No art, however extraordinary, can make understanding and experience meaningless.”
Vivaan’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“Good.
I would be disappointed if I could learn everything without figuring anything out myself.”
Vanshika looked at him with amused affection.
“You would probably find a way to turn even that into a competition.”
Vivaan raised his chin confidently, meeting her gaze without hesitation.
“Only if there were someone worth competing against.”
Vanshika laughed quietly, shaking her head.
“Then I’ll have to make sure your lessons remain interesting.”
After a brief pause, Vanshika introduced the most unusual aspect of the art.
Her expression became thoughtful, as though she were deciding how to explain something that did not fit neatly into ordinary categories.
“There is another distinction.
The Eternal Art of Absolute Ascension possesses its own spirit and consciousness.”
Vivaan went still, his attention sharpening immediately.
“It’s alive?”
Vanshika shook her head slightly, clarifying the distinction.
“Not in the same way a person is alive.
It possesses a living technique spirit capable of monitoring its user, coordinating its enhancement, responding to danger, and participating in its own evolution.”
Vivaan examined the scroll again, reconsidering its significance.
“So it isn’t merely a set of instructions that follows the user’s commands.
It can observe what’s happening and respond independently.”
Vanshika nodded.
“Yes.
Although you shouldn’t assume that you understand its mind merely because you understand its abilities.”
Vivaan considered that carefully, his eyes following the intricate golden script.
“Does the spirit decide how the technique evolves?”
Vanshika rested the scroll on her lap, choosing her words precisely.
“It participates in that process.
Its evolution depends on the relationship between the art, its user, and the conditions that allow it to develop.”
Vivaan looked down at the inscription, his curiosity deepening.
“Then learning it isn’t just memorizing a technique.
The user has to synchronize with it.”
“Now you understand why I called it mysterious.”
For a moment, they sat quietly beside the pond.
The morning breeze stirred the leaves above them, and sunlight moved across the water in small, shifting patterns.
Vivaan eventually turned back toward his mother, his thoughts moving from the art’s potential to its practical value.
“If it has so many abilities, which ones would actually help me right now?”
Vanshika studied him before answering.
“Not every ability would be equally useful to you at your current stage.”
Vivaan leaned toward her, determined to understand the distinction.
“Which ones wouldn’t?”
Vanshika gently tapped the scroll with one finger.
“The art’s adaptation, for one.
Your own adaptation is initially faster than the technique’s response would be at its current stage.”
Vivaan blinked, then considered her statement instead of accepting it blindly.
“You mean the technique can adapt to my development, but I can already adjust to new information and changing situations faster than it can improve that particular function at the beginning?”
Vanshika nodded, pleased by his reasoning.
“That’s what I mean.
Your natural ability to observe, understand, and adapt is already exceptional.
The technique doesn’t need to replace a strength you already possess.
Its value lies in what it can contribute beyond that.”
Vivaan looked rather pleased with this conclusion.
“So it would be foolish to rely on it for something I can already do better myself.”
Vanshika smiled.
“Exactly.
You should learn to distinguish between an ability that sounds impressive and an ability that genuinely improves your capabilities.”
She raised the scroll slightly, continuing her explanation.
“The art’s real value for you will lie in its long-term enhancement, foundation reinforcement, and the possibilities that emerge as it evolves.
Other functions may become more useful later, but we shouldn’t assume that every ability will benefit you equally from the beginning.”
Vivaan looked directly at the scroll, his decision already made.
“Then I definitely want to learn it.”
Vanshika smiled but did not immediately hand it over.
“Before you decide that, there’s something you must understand.
This art cannot be practiced successfully by just anyone.”
Vivaan’s expression became attentive.
“Because of the energy it requires?”
Vanshika shook her head gently.
“That’s part of the reason, but not the whole answer.
The art requires an exceptional form of synchronization.
There are three possible conditions that can make such synchronization possible.”
Vanshika raised one finger.
“The first is a genuine connection to Mahāshakti.”
Vivaan listened without interruption as she raised a second finger.
“The second is a connection to Absolute Free Will.”
Then Vanshika raised a third finger, completing the explanation.
“The third is exceptionally rare compatibility with the art and its spirit.”
Vivaan’s eyes moved between her fingers as he considered the three conditions.
“So a person doesn’t necessarily need all three.
One of those conditions may be sufficient, provided the connection or compatibility is genuine.”
Vanshika nodded.
“Correct.
But don’t mistake that for an easy requirement.
Each condition is exceptional in its own way.”
Vivaan glanced at the scroll, thinking through the consequences.
“Then what happens if someone tries to learn it without any of them?”
Vanshika answered calmly.
“They may fail to synchronize with the art.
Knowing the instructions and possessing the necessary compatibility are not the same thing.”
Vivaan nodded slowly, but one part of her explanation continued to occupy his thoughts.
“Mom, what exactly is Absolute Free Will?”
Vanshika lowered the scroll to her lap and gave him her full attention.
“Free will means the ability to make your own choices rather than having every decision made for you by someone else.
You can consider advice, understand consequences, and listen to other people without surrendering your right to decide what you believe or what you choose to do.”
Vivaan studied her face, carefully considering the distinction.
“So if someone tells me what I must choose, I can still decide whether their advice makes sense.”
Vanshika nodded.
“Of course.
Listening doesn’t mean obeying blindly, and disagreeing doesn’t mean you must reject everything a person says.
You should understand your choices and take responsibility for them.”
Vivaan turned toward the pond, watching a small leaf drift across the water and change direction whenever it met a ripple.
“Then Absolute Free Will must mean something more than simply making ordinary choices.”
Vanshika smiled, recognizing the reasoning behind his observation.
“You’re right.
Ordinary free will concerns your ability to choose.
The word absolute points toward a much more fundamental independence of will.
But you shouldn’t confuse that idea with doing whatever you want without consequences.”
Vivaan turned back toward her.
“Because choices still have consequences, even when the choice is entirely your own.”
Vanshika nodded approvingly.
“Exactly.
Freedom without understanding can become recklessness.
Genuine choice requires that you recognize what you’re choosing and accept the responsibility that follows.”
Vivaan fell silent, considering her words.
Then he looked at the scroll again, organizing the requirements into a clear conclusion.
“So the art needs either a genuine connection to Mahāshakti, a connection to Absolute Free Will, or an exceptionally compatible user.
And even if someone qualifies, they still have to synchronize with the technique and develop it.”
Vanshika nodded.
“You’ve understood the basic principle.”
Vivaan leaned closer, his curiosity returning with renewed force.
“Then how do I know whether I can synchronize with it?”
Vanshika held his gaze for a moment.
She had explained the art’s structure, abilities, and requirements, but the most important question remained unanswered.
She rested her hand gently on his head, her expression reassuring.
“We’ll discover that together, Vivaan.
There is no need to rush into a conclusion before we understand what the art requires of you.”
Vivaan glanced at the scroll in her lap before meeting her eyes again.
“And if I can learn it?”
Vanshika’s eyes warmed as she answered without hesitation.
“Then I’ll teach you how to begin.”
Vivaan smiled, satisfied with that promise.
Yet before he could ask his next question, the royal-purple scroll gave a faint pulse of light.
The golden Sanskrit inscription brightened.
For one brief instant, a tiny point of light appeared beneath the written title, then vanished as though it had never existed.
Vivaan immediately noticed the change.
His playful expression disappeared, and his Cosmic Azure eyes narrowed as he pointed toward the scroll.
“Mom, was that supposed to happen?”
Vanshika looked down at the inscription, her expression composed but her attention suddenly absolute.
“No.
It wasn’t.”
The scroll remained still in her hands, its golden writing glowing softly beside the peaceful pond.
Then, from somewhere within the scroll, a second pulse of light answered the first.
To Be Continued…