Only I Am A Reader

Klang! Klang! Klang…

Surrounded by the scorching heat of the forge, Leo effortlessly held his hammer as he continuously struck the sword taking shape, controlling the force he applied for the sake of preciseness…

"Incredible!"

Watching Leo apply the finishing touches, Crane almost didn't believe his eyes. Even 'genius' couldn't describe how Leo's learning process worked. However, his voice didn't reach Leo who was in a world of his own…

[ Reading Attribute, 'Skill Reading', has been activated! ]

The blade's primary forging was almost done, but for some reason, it kept regressing to a certain point that he had to redo the last part of the process, only after the blade reached the exact shape and volume that he had in mind did this out of world experience end. Following it was what Leo expected to hear.

[ The First Chapter of the Reader's 'Smithing' has ended. ]

[ 'Basic Smithing' has been corrected to 'Intermediate Smithing'. ]

[ The Second Chapter, 'Intermediate Smithing', has started. ]

It had been only two months since he started 'learning' from Crane, yet Leo had already obtained his second 'Intermediate' skill! Not only did 'Smithing' break every record there was, but it also did so by being 12 times faster than its predecessor!

"Thanks again, I can't explain how much I appreciate your help…"

Naturally, Leo knew that this was only possible due to Crane's existence. During this short period, he had experienced the most efficient use of his special ability, imparting skills through writing was almost perfectly suited for him!

After reading enough to proceed with 'Smithing', he had been visiting the Blackbird every day to start practical training all while still returning with more written content to read. The continuous process of reading allowed 'Skill Reading' to activate every few days, providing at least one 'page' of advancement!

Regardless of the possible value of the 'Smithing' skill itself, these two months had been great research material to Leo that enabled him to understand his specialness even more…

'I wish I could have asked Rain to do the same.'

Leo's relationship with Rain wasn't bad, but it was still ultimately that of a student and teacher. As much as he wanted to, Leo knew that he couldn't ask the greatest sword mentor to be his writing machine, otherwise, his stagnant 'Swordsmanship' would have long gone past the second chapter.

"Actually, I feel like I'm the one that should thank you for showing me something like this."

Upon hearing Leo's sudden appreciation, Crane didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Although he could tell that Leo had some experience on his first try, this was nothing compared to what he showed as the days went by. Others might suspect he was simply pretending, but Leo had truly learned all of this in this little amount of time.

"Well, as long as you are happy."

Despite seeing the unexplainable result of his 'Reading', Crane was somehow able to keep himself from asking questions, making Leo even more thankful to him. After all, he wasn't as dense as not to understand how abnormal he must have appeared to anyone monitoring his progress.

"You are leaving soon, right…?"

While Leo was making the hilt and sharpening the blade to finish up the sword, Crane brought up what he had in mind. He had been so immersed in Leo's learning progress that he didn't count the days, but he could feel that Leo was in a hurry as of late.

"Yeah, I will be leaving in a few days if nothing goes wrong."

Although there were still a few months left till the start of the 'event' he had to participate in, it wasn't like it was happening in this town. If he wanted to be there on time, Leo couldn't linger any further.

"Be careful out there then, I will be waiting for you to finish what we started."

Listening to Crane's cheerful words, Leo stayed silent before he finished up the sword. He also wanted to continue learning peacefully, but there was no returning here once he left.

"...I will come later to pick up my stuff and say goodbye."

After organizing his personally forged items along with the ones Crane made for him, Leo left a few words before exiting the Blackbird…

`~~~`~~~`~~~`

For the following two days, Leo paused all forms of training and simply spent time with his family for what he believed to be the last time. This was the sad reality of long-distance travel in the old ages, and there was nothing that he could do about it.

Although there was the option of immigrating the whole Orphanage to his destination, that was nothing but one of Leo's selfish thoughts that he couldn't act upon. Contrary to what it seemed like, safe life wasn't something guaranteed in a city, especially for a family like his. With him gone while Ray's 'Shadows' maintained their work, this was the optimal safe place for the Orphanage to exist.

On his way back from the Blackbird last time, Leo had already entrusted a few carpenters with the Orphanage's renovation project. It was somewhat late to start something this necessary but later was still better than never.

"Come back soon!"

"I will try my best."

Carefully observing the expectant faces of Annie and the rest of his siblings, Leo couldn't bear to tell them the truth. However, Ria's face had a hint of hesitation as they stood beside them…

'Why do I feel this way…?'

Ria couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding that she would lose something important if she didn't move to prevent it, but in the end, Ria simply ignored it after guessing its source…

It was long past time to hold him back at this age. Whether she did a good one or not, her job was already done. Without noticing it, Ria's understanding had already relieved the uneasiness in her heart as she watched Leo drive his horse carriage back to town…

`~~~`~~~`~~~`

"Do look out for them if you can."

Although Leo felt like a needy friend for requesting so much like this, he couldn't help but ask one more request of Crane while loading his stuff to the carriage.

"Don't worry about it and just leave it to me."

Not to disappoint any of Leo's expectations, Crane didn't mind at all. At the very least, he promised to invite them around while the Renovation was in progress.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Take this."

Just as Leo was about to leave, Crane took out a small notebook from his pocket. After confirming that Leo was leaving soon, he had spent most of his time for the last two days writing for some reason, even Crane himself didn't know why he did so. Perhaps… he looked forward to seeing Leo's progress after reading it?

"You…"

Leo was just about to say something, but Crane had already disappeared back into the Blackbird, prompting Leo to take one last glance at the smithy before heading out of town.

'I hope my mouth gets used to it this time…'

When the town's figure could no longer be seen behind him, Leo took a bite out of the meat bun he had bought on his way out, if only the taste would get stuck to his mouth…

Compared to every trip he had taken so far, this was going to be the longest. After all, his destination this time was far beyond Swordkeep! Just thinking about it, Leo could taste the salty aftertaste of beef jerky.

"It's one last sprint for you buddy."

If anything, the only way Leo could console himself was that this was supposed to be his last trip. As long as he made it there, his horse would finally get a long-deserved rest.

Still, the place he was heading towards was none other than the Sky-Piercing Sword Empire's capital, the very core of this 'novel' that's nearing its end. Everything was within reach, but getting implicated wasn't something hard.

Time easily went by on the road, but Leo didn't stay stagnant along the way, he still proceeded with a new routine as his 'Personal Book' had a change every now and then. Along the way, Leo finally shed the last difference he had compared to his original body…

After the passing of a very long four months, Leo couldn't help but take a long look at his 'reflection' in the page labeled 'Book 1'.

[ Book 1 ]

Name: Arthur (Leo Lock)

Age: 18 (18)

Role: Reader

Reading Points: 491

Personal Statistics:

True Sword Breath: 600/600

Physique: 2.28

Mind: 1.45 (+2)

Sword Breath: 602.2

Personal Skills:

'Intermediate Swordsmanship' - Chapter 2 - page 8/10

'Intermediate Smithing' - Chapter 2 - page 0/10

'Basic Horsemanship' - Chapter 1 - page 6/10

'Basic Close Quarter Combat' - Chapter 1 - page 5/10

Personal Abilities:

'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 7 - 5/10

Events:

- Teaching Crane - Unique

- Jared's Survival - Unique

- Rewriting Destiny - Unique (2)

- Counter Elimination - Impossible

The illusory book spread its pages open as the 'Reader' finally stepped foot into Sky-Pierce City, announcing the start of a new end…