Only I Am A Reader

[ Plot change confirmed. Unique event occurrence has been detected. ]

[ The Reader's character has managed to prevent the retrieval of the seed through direct actions. ]

[ Calculating the value of the plot change according to its impact… ]

[ Calculating the Reader's contribution to the plot change… ]

[ You have received 112 Reading Points. ]

"Phew… That's it."

Although he wasn't sure about the details mentioned in the messages, Leo let out a sigh of relief as it meant that his own 'Trial' was over regardless of the event itself.

At the moment, he was somewhere between the Sword Pearl's original location and the massacre in action. Leo was currently running a few tests regarding the use of Sword Breath observation while collecting a few Elixirs to hand in at the end.

It wasn't necessary to do so for his plans, but the reason this trial was a bit easier for him was due to none other than the Gigant Sword Association, Leo believed that a little bit of acting in position would at least make sure he doesn't get the wrong person's attention.

"Oh, someone else is out."

It was only after the third day's sun had sat that Leo finally made his way out of the Sword Garden. Due to how barren the entry slash exit spot was, he was quickly noticed.

'Seems like everything else took the same turn…'

The number of the people who had made it out was barely over a dozen. In the middle of those trial takers who chose to ignore the collectively instigated chase, an overly exhausted Jade was sitting at the ground while observing the unconscious Ray.

Standing alongside the masked members who were the majority of those who didn't get involved, Leo waited for two long hours before someone appeared on the stage.

"It's a bit disheartening, but it seems like this year's Sword Garden Trial was a bit special. Only the sixteen of you have overcome the trial. However, that also means that you are the best of the best…"

The Association's president stepped out for a little speech. He appeared to be fighting the terrible silence caused by the unexpected end of the trial, but Leo could see his eyes falling on Ray more than once. Regardless of the results, Ray's special circumstances didn't fail to bring positive attention.

"Naturally, as the elite who emerged even in this situation, your advancement process will proceed as usual. You will be given a year to prepare for the next step before you will be given access for 'there'. Unfortunately, there will be no contribution ranking this time, but it will still matter at the next stage."

As the middle-aged man finished his speech, Leo finally got to hand in his 'harvest'. Despite his 'advantage', he only handed in an amount that could be reasonably collected in three days while consuming some on the side.

Normally, a ranking event would usually be held for the main character to show off, but Leo guessed that the author used Ray's 'accident' to escape this common trope. After receiving the exact date of the next step, the 'lucky' trial takers could finally walk away…

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

"Let's see if it works…"

As he rode his horse carriage back to the city, Leo hesitantly called out his 'Personal Book', putting his hand over his stomach.

Worry was apparent in his eyes. However, it quickly vanished, replaced by a resplendent glow as soon as he caught sight of the first page!

________________

Personal Statistics:

True Sword Breath: 700/700

Physique: 2.49

Mind: 1.45 (+2)

Sword Breath: 700.118

________________

'Great.'

Doing his best to stay calm, Leo kept staring at the page for an hour till one of the numbers changed. Without a doubt, the Sword Pearl was as impressive as mentioned in the novel!

Unlike every Hidden Piece that Leo had been using at this point, the Sword Pearl wasn't something that was naturally created. It was an artificial product of 'that' organization. Something that they had bigger plans for!

In order to achieve their end target, 'they' needed to 'create' something, and this was its seed. However, this seed just happened to have a function that Leo urgently required. Since he couldn't let 'them' finish what they started, Leo decided to make use of every bit of it.

Regardless of its identity as a 'seed', the Sword Pearl was an item that absorbed a part of the Sword Garden's 'nurturing' ability. Just putting it in the right place was sufficient to cultivate a smaller version of one of the Empire's treasures!

In Leo's limited window of time, however, the countless benefits that the little object promised weren't something he was interested in. Instead of letting the goose lay its golden eggs, he wanted to obtain its ability to synthesize gold!

Despite being only mentioned on the passing, the one who started the Sword Pearl's project did hypothesize its ability to 'nurture' Swordsmen and Leo could only bet on it, but…

'It can be done!'

The unconfirmed theory was immediately proven correct! Leo couldn't feel the slight increase, but over the hours since he swallowed the Sword Pearl, his Sword Breath automatically increased even without any sort of 'Breathing'!

Most importantly, this wasn't as simple as swallowing an Elixir. The Sword Pearl was more of a passive 'EXP bag', just having it in his stomach allowed Leo to step closer to his next ascension just by breathing!

"Even just a year would be enough…"

Calculating the speed his Sword Breath passively increased in, Leo assumed that even if he practically did nothing, it would only take him a year to reach grade-8, but that was just the very basic use of it. If he were to practice his 'Universal Sword Breathing'...

Even Leo wasn't sure of the results, but he knew that he would at least be able to reach the peak of the sword path before his deadline!

Suppressing his urge to just try it out now, Leo drove his horse carriage into the capital city in hope of checking back into the inn he had stayed in for the last week. However…

"Brother…?"