Only I Am A Reader-Chapter 538: Once Again, Training

{Words from the Ability User Association: until a proper set of screening is prepared, Aurora will be operating on her own for now.}

'At least that part worked.'

Although he felt too irritated to scroll through other news after listening to that lie of a statement, he just let the laptop voice out highlights as he started working on his following move.

'The next event isn't going to start anytime soon.'

While Aurora's Gate Clearing adventures were supposed to continue alongside a few Villain incidents. This was all just a build-up for a time skip worth a year or two.

From Leo's current standing, the story might seem less interesting, but reading it from Aurora's point of view as well as the people around her, the blatant contradiction that the protagonist couldn't see, unlike the reader, made for a vexing yet interesting dynamic.

Of course, the infinite variation of Special Abilities was also another element that kept the novel from being bland, even the dark undertone that Leo was privy to was diluted at the start, growing heavier as more events proceeded.

'Which is exactly why I have to use this time well.'

Up until now, Leo had been putting aside many things just because his point of entry was so close to the first main events.

However, now that he had so much time where he didn't exactly need to intervene with the protagonist, it was time to get the gears going!

'First off…'

Standing up after finishing a quick breakfast, Leo materialized a White Tiger Shadow Replica in his hand.

'I need to pick up on my training.'

Skills! The one weapon that Leo could trust regardless of the kind of world that he fell into. Just because Cassian's abilities made his skills seem obsolete, it didn't mean that he should completely neglect them.

'Battling armies and giant monsters are one thing, but individual battles are different.'

Although the highlight of Leo's latest feat was his versatile use of Shadow Nightmare, that was only the case thanks to the nature of the First True Gate.

Unlike the numerical challenges that Leo had to deal with to the end, the upcoming challenges were mostly more concentrated on individual strengths.

This was the type of battlefield where Leo's Sword and Spear could bring terror to his enemies!

Of course, thanks to his tedious training schedule in Murim as well as the Legendary bonuses, Leo's skill had ascended to a certain hit that they could be said to have hit a wall.

Normally, in such a state, investing too much time into training could only be considered a waste, especially in such a limitless world where all kinds of special abilities allowed for many abnormal experiences. However…

'Shadow Armament might be the key.'

Before going out and experiencing the crazy boundaries of modern fantasy, Leo wanted to see the limits of his own abilities first.

While training in weapon handling wasn't very likely to advance Shadow Armament, the opposite could be true!

'It's the closest thing to it.'

Over several instances of use, Leo always noticed the deep connection that he had with the armaments that he materialized, and the connection only got stronger after he achieved Shadow Mastery.

Although it was something that he had yet to personally experience, Leo estimated that this connection was probably similar to a legendary state that almost all Martial Artists aspired to achieve.

One with the sword, sword, and swordsman as one, one with the spear… The state of existence known as Weapon Unity was supposed to make the weapon feel like a part of the wielder's body.

However, the reality was that most experienced Martial Artists already felt that way to some extent. The description might be lacking, but was supposed to refer to something much more profound.

'I wonder if Senior Brother has achieved it.' 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Remembering his experience through Cheon Chang's eyes, Leo definitely felt a stronger connection with the spear then, but the connection granted by Shadow Armament had more of a raw feeling to it.

Rather than being connected through emotions and understanding, the armaments were connected to Leo because they were Shadows and he himself was supposed to be the Master of Shadows.

This wasn't just a likened example. It was complicated, but Shadow Replicas were truly a part of Leo, and he felt that using that fact to his advantage might be his shortcut through this unsurmountable wall!

'Practice makes perfect.'

It might be an aspect that was dependent on the Ability's nature for now. However, Leo believed that with enough practice, he could keep that state even without the use of Shadow Armament.

'It's still worth it even if that isn't possible.'

Just the fact that he could possibly turn that instinctual connection into something more tangible was enough of a reason for Leo to dedicate a decent amount of time to skill training.

After all, Shadow Armament was almost on the top of Leo's list of abilities to bring back with him. So as long as he could display better skills with its use, it was already worth the investment!

'Slowly but surely.'

Putting away all distractions, Leo held onto the Shadow Sword with an empty head. There was no Sword Breath or Internal Energy to circulate, but he pretended that Enigma was both.

Starting with the basic foundation skills that he learned in the Sword Continent, Leo moved on to the White Tiger Transfigurations which incorporated both the basics as well as many higher level techniques.

Taking it even one more step further, Leo called out a Shadow Nightmare to spar with him. Although the result of his manipulation was basically an ugly mannequin with swords for hands, that was more than enough to make this training more effective!

'Soon enough…'

Klang!

'It wouldn't be just training targets.'

As much as Leo tried to keep a clear head, his mind was already working at top speed, formulating a list of primary targets for the upcoming break.

Now that the Main Quest had been put on pause, it was time to start the Side Quest in earnest!