With the terrifying ticking clock of the [The Political Shield] Quest—a mere five hours before the Chief Minister's delegation arrived—Arjun Singh handed the problem to the only person equipped to solve it: Shraddha Singh, the S-Rank Administrator. The goal was to bypass the local politics of Patna and secure protection from the Central Government in New Delhi.
"We need a national champion, Shraddha," Arjun stressed, pacing the office. "Someone whose mandate is above state-level education and who sees Nalanda not as a financial opportunity, but as a symbol of India's intellectual future."
Shraddha, whose S-Rank Aptitude allowed her to synthesize massive amounts of political and administrative data in minutes, was already scanning the digital archives. "The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) is our target. Not the Finance Ministry, which will want the LID Index for themselves, but the MHRD. Their priority is national excellence."
She quickly identified the key figure: Mr. K. R. Sharma, the Union Cabinet Minister for MHRD. Sharma was known for his fierce patriotism, his commitment to reviving India's ancient educational prestige, and his absolute distrust of local political corruption.
"He is perfect," Shraddha confirmed. "He has a known historical interest in the original Nalanda University's glory. We need to appeal to his vision of a New India—a nation of unparalleled intellectual capital."
The critical challenge was reaching him. A young principal from a defunct university couldn't just call a Union Minister. Shraddha's solution was brilliant and leveraged the sheer, verifiable power of the Strongest Principal System's results.
"The media firestorm is our key," Shraddha explained. "The international press is clamoring for Professor Jha. I will leak a controlled, high-level briefing to a trusted Delhi-based economic journalist—someone close to the MHRD—not about the crash, but about the educational method that produced the analysis."
The leak, crafted with S-Rank precision, didn't mention Arjun or the university's financial status. It focused solely on the 100x Feedback Loop and the resultant Aptitude Acceleration in students, arguing that the LID Index was merely a byproduct of a superior teaching pedagogy. The leak framed the LID Index as the first proof that India could once again breed global geniuses.
(Paragraph 2: The Diplomatic Hail Mary - 1100 words)
The controlled leak hit the MHRD Minister's desk as the London markets were hemorrhaging value. Mr. Sharma, already keenly aware of the global embarrassment the LIFP's dismissal had caused India, was electrified by the report of a "Pedagogy of Genius" emerging from the ruins of Nalanda.
Within the hour, Sharma's office contacted the Principal's office, bypassing the state line entirely. Arjun took the call. His A-Rank Strategic Planning aptitude ensured he knew exactly what to say.
"Principal Singh," the Minister's voice boomed, sharp and demanding. "I read the report. Is this true? Is there a method, a… a Nalanda Method that is creating students capable of this level of research?"
Arjun did not boast. He spoke with the quiet, authoritative confidence that the Aura of Focus projected, appealing directly to the Minister's national pride.
"Minister, it is true. The method is proprietary, built on principles of deep focus, accelerated synthesis, and a 100x feedback system. The LID Index was merely a student project, a side effect of profound educational changes we have initiated. My concern, Minister, is not the money—we have secured our finances—my concern is the future of the students. This method requires absolute, uncompromised intellectual autonomy to flourish."
Arjun delivered the ultimate political gambit: "Sir, the world is looking at Nalanda as proof of India's revival. If the State Government attempts to seize our method or our research for local political gain, the message the world receives is that India stifles its own genius. We are willing to dedicate the LID Index and future research exclusively to the Central Government's national economic planning, provided we are granted the status of a 'National Heritage Institution for Applied Research,' independent of state-level oversight."
This was the Political Shield. The status would protect Nalanda from local land-grabs, funding interference, and attempts to control the LID Index. In exchange, the Central Government would get a massive, immediate, and high-prestige international win.
(Paragraph 3: The CM's Delegation and the Sealed Fate - 1000 words)
The clock showed 3:05 PM when the two black Ambassador cars carrying the Chief Minister's delegation—a senior bureaucrat and a powerful local MLA—pulled up to the Nalanda campus. The atmosphere was immediately aggressive. They were not there to cooperate; they were there to conquer.
The delegation was ushered into the Principal's office. The bureaucrat, a man named Mr. Verma, spoke first, his tone condescending. "Principal Singh. We are here to formalize the State's immediate takeover of the university's research tools and intellectual property, specifically the LID Index. This is now deemed a matter of State economic security."
Arjun remained seated, projecting the full, amplified calmness of the [Aura of Focus]. Before he could reply, the crackle of the landline interrupted them. Shraddha, standing by the phone, answered and then handed the receiver to Arjun.
"It's Minister Sharma's private secretary, Principal Singh. He says it's urgent."
Arjun took the phone and addressed the Central Government official loudly enough for the delegation to hear every word. He maintained a respectful, official cadence.
"Yes, I understand, sir. You are confirming the Cabinet Order? Excellent. Please confirm the exact language on the new status: 'National Heritage Institution for Applied Research (NHIAR)'… And the specific clause overriding all state-level claims to intellectual property, vesting control exclusively with the Central MHRD and the university's board. Understood."
Arjun paused, listening for the final, crucial sentence, and then delivered the diplomatic execution blow.
"Thank you, sir. Please confirm that the official gazette notification, establishing our new status and protecting the LID Index from any localized interference, is being issued right now. I appreciate the Central Government's swift action in securing this national asset."
He placed the receiver down gently. The two members of the Chief Minister's delegation sat frozen, their faces pale. The state's political ambush had just been strategically countered by a Union Cabinet Order. They had been outmaneuvered in less than five hours.
(Paragraph 4: Quest Resolution and the Grand Vision - 300 words)
The Chief Minister's delegation scrambled to confirm the news on their own mobile phones. The official Central Government press release, already prepared by Minister Sharma, was going live. It lauded Nalanda University's incredible breakthrough, emphasized the importance of its "Nalanda Method," and declared the university a national institution of strategic importance.
The bureaucrat, Mr. Verma, rose, his face defeated. "Principal Singh. It seems our… our partnership will have to be reviewed under the new Central mandate. Good day."
As they retreated, the Strongest Principal System confirmed the victory.
[System Notification]: "Crucial Quest: [The Fourth Step: The Political Shield] is Complete. Institutional autonomy secured via National Heritage status."
[Reward Granted]: "Institution Aptitude Unlock: [Political Resilience: Rank C]. Nalanda University now possesses a passive, moderate defense against standard political interference and bureaucratic delays."
[Reward Granted]: "Major Infrastructure Fund: ₹50,00,000 System Funds have been released for the construction of a dedicated National Applied Research Centre to house future high-level academic projects, enhancing the university's prestige."
Arjun and Shraddha exchanged a glance of profound relief. The financial wealth was secured, the talent cohort was in place, and now, the institutional integrity was protected. The university had survived its first major external threat.
The ₹50 Lakh influx of System Funds was immediately earmarked for the new Research Centre. Arjun looked out the window at the old, broken buildings. They were no longer the shame of the past. They were the staging ground for the future. The time for quiet work was over; the time for expansion had begun.