Only I Am A Reader

"You picked the 'Black Dragon's Spear', right?"

Other than the Heavenly Reign Steps that Leo pretended to have picked, his second book was a spear technique that he found to be suitable. Naturally, he didn't just pick something randomly.

Even as someone who held dozens of martial techniques in his head, Leo was someone that was limited by both his age and status. He was one of the Heavenly Furnace's students, but he couldn't show all kinds of martial arts that were usually hidden in the Heavenly Demon's Library. The techniques that he picked basically represented what he could utilize while he was still in the confines of the Heavenly Furnace.

"Yeah."

As someone who pursued efficiency, Leo leaned towards balance the most. The Black Dragon's Spear was just what he needed. It didn't focus on either strength or speed, maintaining both attributes without sacrificing one of them for the other's advantage. The reason Leo picked the spear was its range, so throwing something like speed away would make it useless to invest time in another weapon.

That being said, he could use something else if the situation required it, but the Black Dragon's Spear's versatility made it the optimal first step just like the Heavenly Reign Steps.

"You can use that then."

After shrugging off the awkwardness of suddenly being elevated in seniority, Leo accepted the fact that Cheon Chang was now his 'big brother'... and the Absolute Spear did the same.

'Here it is.'

They were just starting to discuss the start of Leo's path, but this senior brother had already taken something from his robes' inner pocket. It was a book that Leo didn't come upon in the library!

'Black Dragon's Transformation' was written exquisitely on the cover, it was probably linked to the technique he had picked.

Originally, Leo hadn't spent a single minute on training in the Black Dragon's Spear in hope to get his teacher to modify it according to his expertise. All in order to parallelly progress in the direction he would be taught through the help of skill reading, but this opportunity took it one more step further.

"I started with something easier, but you already have a certain grasp of the spear."

This was undeniably something that the Heavenly Demon handed down to the Absolute Spear, just the writing showed that. However, that wasn't just it.

"Of course. What you lack…"

Additional notes were added in different handwriting, the Absolute Spear showed why he was said to have surpassed his master in one field. The technique in Leo's hand was a collaboration between both master and student.

"I will be sure to make up for it myself."

Leo couldn't help shivering by the comment that Cheon Chang added with his stiff smile. Perhaps… This wasn't a good idea.

"Go back and try your best to grasp whatever you are able to, we will start at the beginning of tomorrow."

Before Leo could even reply, the Absolute Spear's figure had already disappeared. With no reason to remain behind, Leo walked back to his cave…

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

The beating session that was scheduled to happen ended up after a battle and a question, so the outcome of the first day at 'school' wasn't exactly bad. Although, Leo couldn't tell if it would be the same in the days to come…

Things went about unexpectedly, but he also ended up with an unexpected gain. After meditating for a little while, Leo picked up his new read!

'Amazing.'

From one word to another, from one page to another, Leo slowly read the book for a change, at least to the best he could hold back his reading speed. The relationship between the book in his hand and the Black Dragon's Spear was undeniable, but the two weren't on the same level!

The simplicity of the Black Dragon's Spear still remained. The technique's purpose was still the same. However, the whole thing was just different. The essence of the spear that the original technique lacked was simply overflowing! Spearmanship from the basics to top was visible in every word and move!

Leo didn't understand the principle behind creating Energy Channeling methods, but even that part was modified. Most importantly, while the technique still emphasized balance, force and speed were both enhanced!

The only description that Leo could give to the technique after he finished reading it was a 'fake beginner technique'. It didn't require Spearmanship beyond Leo's current skill level, but it exhibited prowess beyond that.

'Pushing forward...'

As Leo picked his wooden spear and stood up, he contemplated the essence of the path that Cheon Chang and his master pursued. They seemed to be aspiring for the peak beyond the peak, using techniques and anything that could serve the same purpose to firmly grasp what they couldn't with just their hands…

The Absolute Spear didn't receive his title for no reason!

'Perfect.'

The more that Leo understood about this opportunity, the more that he found it to suit him. The technique's name wasn't just for the sake of being cool, the word 'transformation' directly pointed out its essence!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Every move of the technique seamlessly connected to the next one regardless of the difference in form. Leo found it likely to be the influence and expertise gained from mastering two weapons, but this similarly served in his favor.

Although he wasn't yet capable of something like using two weapons simultaneously or directly exchanging between them, the dozens of techniques he memorized could efficiently merge in with the Black Dragon's Transformations using the same principle! His advantage was further pulled into play!

Thud!

The technique was not as easy to get used to as the Heavenly Reign Steps, nonetheless, this wasn't exactly a problem.

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

Whether it was reading material or coaching, this wasn't something that Leo lacked at the moment! The next day was when everything would truly start!

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

Leo's spear appeared to have a brilliant future lying in wait, but that wasn't limited to it… His sword was also ready to take action!