Only I Am A Reader

Sitting at his chair in front of the counter, Paven stared at the ceiling in boredom. Working at the Gigant Sword Association was prestigious, but it wasn't as interesting as it seemed.

'Another quiet day…'

Throwing a glance at the pair of Swordsmen being served by his colleagues, Paven wondered if their lives were more exciting, but he was quickly taken out of his world by a firm sound.

Tap.

"Oh, Can I help you… with something?"

Turning his head to look at the young man in front of him, Paven felt that he looked somewhat familiar. If he remembered correctly, then this young man…

'Isn't this too much of a change?'

Paven didn't take long to remember Leo's face as he had left quite the impression on him for being such a young Swordsman, but he was shocked deep inside to see that he had changed so much in the course of half a dozen months or so.

However, his face still maintained a calm expression, he didn't get this job for no reason after all.

"Yes, I would like to retrieve the reward for this mission."

Since he had already informed them of the mission's completion, the Association would have already sent people to verify it with the commissioner. As such, Leo only put the mission paper alongside his Sword Identity.

"Alright, let me check it out for you, sir Leo."

Taking the paper, Paven checked a few drawers before heading inside, quickly coming back with a small pouch in hand.

"Here you go, 5 gold coins."

Even as he gave Leo his reward, Paven was in slight disbelief. He imagined the youth would give up this mission since it was supposed to be hard for someone with no experience, but he had actually finished it.

Strangely enough, however, the mission's reward wasn't equal to the difficulty. Having taken a glance at the mission's content, Paven concluded that this youth was possibly a softie, prompting him to smile in understanding.

"Anything else that I can help you with?"

After putting away the gold pouch, Leo smiled back. Indeed, he had something else in mind.

"Mhm. I would like to apply for a re-test."

"A re-test…?"

'Was he close to grade-3?'

Paven's thoughts were ignited again. It seemed like this youth didn't take the mission so confidently for nothing, he was probably close to ascending further, although reaching grade-3 at his age was admirable in itself…

"Right up! Follow me."

Knock. Knock.

Guiding Leo to the testing room once again, Paven knocked on the door. This time, he had no intention to run away. He needed to see for himself if his guess was correct!

"Come in."

The buff man was sitting on his lounge chair just like he was when Leo first met him, it was just that he was awake this time.

"This young man, sir Leo, would like to get a re-test."

"Hmm… I remember you."

Under Paven's introduction, the buff man quickly remembered the young man who was likely anything but normal. Not wasting any time, he went ahead with sensing Leo's Sword Breath.

"Not bad, you managed to take one step further-"

At first glance, Leo's Sword Breath had undeniably risen compared to the last time he sensed it, so he naturally concluded that he had reached grade-3. On taking a deeper look, however…

'Grade-4?'

The man stopped sensing Leo's Sword Breath before resuming again to make sure he wasn't making a mistake. This youth had somehow risen two grades in less than a year!

"...Congratulations on meeting your opportunity."

The buff man had an understanding smile on his face as he already had a scenario in his mind. This youth was lucky to have met an opportunity that boosted his achievements.

'Opportunity?'

On the other hand, Paven couldn't understand anything. What did the tester actually mean by that?

"Paven, take this young man to Airen so he could register him as our newest grade-4 member."

Following the buff man's orders, Paven went outside with Leo, but even as he was doing what he was told, he was still lost. To think that this young man was already a grade-4 Swordsman…

'I don't know anymore.'

In the end, Paven simply decided to give up and mind his own business. Right, just doing his job…

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

'That was strange.'

Leo came out of the Association with raised eyebrows. No matter how far the tester's imagination went, he probably wouldn't expect that he was the one that sought his 'opportunity' and not the other way around.

Unlike the simple registration process of someone in the lower grades, things were different starting from grade-4. To finish everything, Leo had to leave his Sword Identity behind, he still needed to come back tomorrow to retrieve it.

'I can only pick my next mission tomorrow.'

Getting on horse's back, Leo rode towards the storage company to retrieve his belongings; he planned to spend a few days at the city first before leaving.

After paying a fifth of his mission reward, he attached the carriage to the horse once again, wandering the streets of Swordkeep in search of an empty inn room for the third time.

'I should consider renting a place…'

Feeling sick of running around every time he wanted to stay in the city, Leo pondered the feasibility of his idea. In a city like Swordkeep, it would be hard and expensive but it wasn't impossible.

'Hmm?'

Breaking out of his thoughts, Leo's eyes shone as he continued to ride forward…

After another ride across crowded streets, Leo's eyes wandered before he rode into a quiet alley, stopping the horse as he jumped down.

"Shouldn't you reveal yourself by now?"

Reaching out to his sword, Leo looked around in suspicion, he had definitely sensed more than one person sneaking around. Although they weren't as skilled as the assassin he encountered previously, they had some degree of stealth.

"Ah, we were found out."

Emerging from between the buildings, a pair of men who had swords at their wastes and a perverse smile on their face made their entrance, prompting Leo to grasp his hilt…