"Once the data is extracted, if you leave the blank book open, it will self-incinerate."
Hearing this, David's heart skips a beat. "That means the library fire... it was caused by the book I left behind, wasn't it?"
His mind races. The police might have seen the bracelet on the CCTV footage. Or worse, they might think I'm the arsonist.
"David, that is not a priority right now."
Hearing NEAA's calm, robotic voice brings him a measure of relief. Fine. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
He decides to examine the new history book first. It contains outline maps of Earth, shifting continents, human settlements, and travel routes. While the visual data is easy to grasp, the text—like the first book—is written in Sanskrit. On the final pages, David sees illustrations depicting the Earth shrinking from its massive primordial state to its current size.
Following NEAA's instructions, he opens the first page, then the last, and finally presses his hand onto the middle page. Just like before, the ink—letters and images alike—turns into a liquid stream and flows into the watch on his right wrist.
He waits for about fifteen minutes. He notices subtle changes in the device: the watch strap has thickened, and the clarity of the holographic projection has improved significantly.
"NEAA..."
"Yes, David."
David is relieved that he doesn't have to endure another coma-like dream sequence this time. "Tell me, what upgrades did you get?"
"With GPS connectivity, I can now pinpoint the locations mentioned in the History World Map. But first, leave the book open and step away. It is safer for your health."
David suddenly remembers the fire risk. He quickly places the book on the ground, opens it, and backs away. Moments later, it bursts into flames and burns until nothing remains.
David looks at his wrist. A holographic globe floats above the watch face, marked with glowing dots.
"David, these markers indicate the locations of Main Framework Systems."
David studies the hologram. There are three spots in India. The highest concentration—seven systems—is located within or around the Tibetan Plateau. Other continents have two or three each. The Pacific Ocean holds four. Europe has none.
"NEAA, what is the benefit of finding a Main Framework System?"
"I do not have precise information. According to my protocol level, Main Framework Systems are used for Design."
"Design what? Houses? Cars? Mobile phones?"
"Anything can be designed."
Hearing that, David feels a rush of excitement. Anything? If I can design anything, I could become a professional designer! I could make a fortune out of this.
Fueled by these thoughts, he zooms in on the holographic map. In India, one point is located near Hyderabad, another in Uttarakhand, and a third on the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
"NEAA, the closest one is right here in Hyderabad."
A sudden realization strikes him. Maybe the book itself was part of this system? If a history book is part of a Framework System, is it possible that someone else has found another book or artifact elsewhere?
David isn't ready to rule out any possibility. He decides to head to the location shown on the map immediately.
He takes a deep breath. I knew my life changed the moment this watch locked onto my wrist. So, whatever comes next, I will face it head-on.
Sitting on the bus, David makes a firm resolution.
David is a young man of five feet eleven inches, with the stubborn beard typical of a Kerala youth—one that he refuses to shave even when his father pesters him. He isn't bad-looking, but he suffers from a persistent lack of self-confidence. For someone like him, making a firm decision usually requires three days of intense overthinking, not an instant resolution on a bus ride.
However, when he reaches the location marked on the holographic map, he realizes a troubling truth: the government likely knows something about this too.
The spot indicated by the watch is deep inside a restricted military compound—a training center. There is no way he can just walk in. Still, he decides to push his luck and walks around the perimeter, hoping for a gap or a weak spot. But the compound is heavily secured on all sides.
Defeated for now, David decides to target the second location on the map when he has the time. That one is situated in a dense forest on the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
When he returns to his PG hostel, he sees a police jeep and several unmarked government vehicles parked outside. David keeps his expression neutral and walks straight toward the entrance, though his heart begins to pound.
As he passes the lobby, he overhears people whispering about the library. He knows instantly: the police are here for him. Running would only make him look guilty, and there is nowhere to hide. He decides to stick to his plan: tell truths mixed with lies.
When he reaches his floor, two men in plain clothes are waiting outside his room. They block his path immediately.
"Stop. Are you David?"
"Yes."
"Did you visit the library the day the fire started?"
"Who are you?"
At this question, the man standing next to him smirks. "Didn't you see the police car downstairs? That's ours. We can ask the rest of the questions at the office."
Without waiting for further argument, they escort David downstairs and shove him into the car. As he is being led away, David notices two other men inside his room, tossing his belongings as if searching for something.
The officers don't wait for the search team. They start the car and drive David straight to the police station.
They place him in an interrogation room and leave him there alone. David knows this tactic well; it is standard police procedure to let a suspect stew in silence to increase anxiety. If an IAS aspirant didn't know at least this much about law enforcement, there was no point in writing the exam.
There is a CCTV camera in the corner of the room, but David knows that most station cameras only record video, not audio. For audio recording, they usually bring in a separate setup during the formal questioning.
David slowly moves his hand under the table, out of the camera's view.
NEAA, can you transform to look like a normal watch?
"Yes, David, I can."
Can you make yourself removable? So I can take you off?
"I can. However, every time you reattach me, I will need to re-sync with your memory, which will result in the dream sequence again."
David breaks into a cold sweat. He remembers the coma-like state vividly. But he has no choice; if the police confiscate his belongings and couldn't remove the watch, they would be suspicious.
NEAA, change into a removable form when I try to take it off later. I'll try my best to avoid taking it off unless absolutely necessary.
Slowly, the sleek, futuristic device morphs into a cheap, digital watch—the kind you can buy on the roadside for 200 rupees. Seeing this, David breathes a sigh of relief.
But his relief is short-lived.
Suddenly, the watch vibrates on his wrist.
David freezes. A vibration means one thing: there is another History book within a 100-meter radius.