Only I Am A Reader

"Some call it the 'Entrance Stage', while others call it the 'Ascendance Period', but regardless of how different the names are, they all refer to the same thing. However, I prefer to call it the 'Accumulation Phase'."

As a 'newbie' to the sword path, Leo was supposed to have no knowledge of this 'Phase'. So, he had to act like it. After all, even his transmigration senior Ray asked the same impatient question.

"The reason for that is simply because of the name's accuracy. Unlike what most believe, one isn't able to muster Sword Breath just by taking it in, they first have to 'accumulate' a certain amount of it, only then would be called true 'Swordsmen'."

Even though the author tried to stay away from Xianxia tropes as much as possible, most readers including Leo couldn't help but spot the similarities between the so-called 'Accumulation Phase' and 'Foundation Establishment'.

Just like how 'Cultivators' had to first establish a foundation to use 'Spirit Energy', Swordsmen also needed an accumulation of Sword Breath to establish the ability to control it, transcending the membrane that separated between 'Absorption' and 'Wielding'.

Naturally, there were still glaring differences between the two. Most 'Cultivators' would still have their prowess increased as they advanced through 'Foundation Establishment', but that wasn't the case for Swordsmen.

During the accumulation phase, unless one managed to step through the last threshold, he would be no different from an ordinary sword user no matter how close they were to the end goal. It was specifically that difference that made the 'Accumulation Phase' the most vulnerable stage in every Swordsman's life.

'Even the unruly Ray had to stay under his master's protection…'

Considering the state of the world after the great sword war, it would usually spell doom if your 'Accumulation' status was revealed. In a land where competitiveness had already reached its limit, Swordsmen weren't exactly welcoming of people who wished to join their ranks.

The City of Swordsmen was known as the path towards both death and success, depending on who taught you and their ability, you could either safely enter the upper echelons or die for naught. The competition for resources and power was simply that grave!

"So I just need to 'perform' till I can control it?"

"Precisely. Just 'accumulate' until you have enough. You can take as much time as needed, as my student, I can guarantee that you wouldn't be in any need to hurry."

"Alright…"

Leo only nodded innocently in response to Rain's confidence, appearing to be lost in thought…

'So reliable! As expected of the protagonist's grandmaster!'

Having successfully completed another 'Play', Leo went back to finishing his breakfast as his mind span at full force. It seemed like he had to adopt a different routine starting today!

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

After finishing his plate, Leo had a small cup of milk coffee to freshen up in preparation for training.

Hsssp…

'The taste is barely passable, but it will have to do…'

The lack of technology made food and drinks lacking, but Leo couldn't complain when he was living the luxurious life of being Rain's student. Not everyone had a 'magically' replenished kitchen, after all.

Changing into lighter clothes, Leo lost the house's shade as the glaring sun greeted him upon entering the porch.

Although it was currently midsummer when it was the hottest, Rain didn't seem to particularly care. He was nonchalantly sunbathing on his deck chair, but Leo could tell that he was waiting for his 'performance'.

'Let's do a little warm-up.'

Despite being excited to try 'Universal Sword Breathing' and analyze it further, Leo didn't directly proceed. No matter how simple 'Sword Calligraphy' looked, it required great physical exertion to perform it correctly. For Leo who had just eaten, it was better to start with light exercise first for preparation.

Phew…

It was only half an hour left that Leo wiped his sweat and picked up the sword that he left at the porch the day before. The sword quickly sprung into motion as soon as it was taken out of its sheath.

Swish! Swoosh! Swissh!

After a good night of sleep, Leo's brain had done its part absorbing his gains from 'Ability Reading', allowing him to perform the 'Sword Art' more smoothly.

Other than stamina consumption, Leo didn't find it particularly hard to link the strokes into patterns, rather, the execution method felt even more familiar. Although it couldn't be compared to the day before, Leo felt that he had progressed by the time he finished his 'performance', it didn't take him long to understand that he had yet to digest all of his gains.

'Here it comes…'

Being more focused this time, Leo could clearly feel thin threads entering through his body's pores, which corresponded with the 'Absorption' of Sword Breath from the atmosphere.

At the same time, he felt the slightly more familiar threads making their way through his hands.

'So this is 'Production'...?'

Although Leo lacked the perception to sense his surroundings clearly, the distinctive ways through which the 'threads' made their way into his body allowed him to easily infer a probable conclusion.

Unlike the 'Sword Breath' produced by the Sky Piercing Sword that blended with the air everywhere, the 'Sword Breath' produced by the 'Universal Sword Breathing' built up on the sword's blade before seeping into the executor's body through the hilt and into the pores of his palm and fingers.

'Hmmm… is it about a tenth of the total amount?'

________________

Personal Statistics:

----------------

Physique: 0.91

Mind: 1.35 (+1.96)

Sword Breath: 0.09

________________

Using the sword as a cover to where his eyesight landed, Leo called out his 'Personal Book' to check the change.

'It's the same so far.'

Confirming the identical gain of 0.04 points of Sword Breath, Leo quickly glanced at Rain as if he was breaking out of his 'trance'.

"You did good, but the second move in the third sequence…"

Other than a word of praise, Rain started pointing out Leo's faults in the most direct way possible. It was true that he was starting to get fond of his new student, but that only meant that he had to be even harsher when doing his role as Leo's teacher!

"Understood."

Just as clearly displayed by the 'Personal Book', Leo knew that he still lacked total mastery over his 'Sword Calligraphy'. Even if his talent was average, he was sure to improve faster under the teachings of the number one sword mentor!

Although his arms' muscles spasmed slightly, Leo didn't hesitate to directly start a second 'performance' while taking Rain's notes to mind. It was necessary to rest, but Leo had long treated this as another form of workout! He naturally needed to overwork his muscles, how else would his muscle tissue tear otherwise?