Only I Am A Reader

The fight for survival was more than enough to make the Sword Garden Trial a hellishly difficult event, but there was more to it. Unlike the popular belief, being granted entrance to the Sword Garden didn't always mean that one stood to gain something from it…

Compared to how easy it was to spot an Ascended Sword, an Elixir's Sword Breath Reaction wasn't as obvious. Moreover, in a place thriving with Sword Breath like the Sword Garden, things only got harder.

At first glance, connecting to one's True Sword Breath wouldn't instantly point out an Elixir, rather, every single plant would seem like one. In order to find your target, one would have to constantly observe till they catch a 'reaction' from the true Elixir hidden within the imposters. Naturally, some would end up wasting hours without getting anything but duds.

As such, those applying for the Sword Garden Trial were usually of two types, those who learned special methods to differentiate the true Elixirs from the rest, or those who simply decided to try their luck. Still, there were ones who didn't fall into this classification…

[ Hidden Event occurrence has been detected. Hidden Piece, Sword Lotus, Discovered. ]

[ You have received 5 Reading Points. ]

'I guess I do get my chance to 'cheat' after all!'

As Leo held the lotus flower in hand, a large grin quickly took shape on his face. It seemed like his plan would be much easier to enact!

Originally, Leo planned to rely on whatever hints he learned from the first heroine's random botany scenes coupled with some indirect 'robbery'. However, considering this successful experiment, it looked like Ray wouldn't be the only one to cheat through this trial!

As much as Leo didn't expect the Book's messages to really work as some sort of an 'Elixir Detector' since it seemed too convenient to be true, it was a welcome surprise nonetheless!

'It doesn't have much of a taste.'

Upon consuming the 'Sword Lotus', Leo called out to his 'Personal Book' to check out the change as he felt the 'Solidification' of a part of his Sword Breath…

________________________

Personal Statistics:

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

True Sword Breath: 600/600

Physique: 2.28

Mind: 1.45 (+2)

Sword Breath: 604.6

________________________

'Nothing beats using boosters…'

While Leo hadn't been focused on his 'Universal Sword Breathing' during the last 7 months or so, he still did his best to push further even a little bit. However, all of that effort couldn't compare to the effect of consuming one Elixir!

This was precisely why Leo had to participate in this event if he didn't want to get stuck as a peak Sword Master forever…

'Let's move.'

After taking a quick look around, Leo didn't proceed to check anything else before running away from this spot. His 'Elixir Detector' did make things easier, but it didn't completely remove the process of an 'Elixir Hunt' like Ray's Sword Heart did.

Every time he arrived at a new spot, Leo still had to observe to obtain the slightest indication before using his 'Elixir Detector' to check, and even then…

'Not this one.'

Not every reaction was a real one, but it was still more efficient for Leo to use this method rather than simply checking every plant that he came upon.

[ Hidden Event occurrence has been detected. Hidden Piece, Sword Apple, Discovered. ]

[ You have received 3 Reading Points. ]

The Elixirs hidden with the Sword Garden came in all kinds of shapes. The apple tree that Leo encountered was full of fruits, but only a single apple was an actual Elixir. Even in the narration of the original novel, there was no real explanation regarding how the Sword Garden worked, it was one big mystery… Or just a plot device for the protagonist who was in need of an urgent 'ascension'.

'This one's extra tasty.'

Compared to the tasteless Sword Lotus, the Elixirified Sword Apple actually had more taste than a normal apple. However, just as Leo bit into the apple, a frown appeared on his face as he turned his head to the left.

A pair of eyes made contact as a man appeared from within the greenery, prompting Leo to reach to his back, but the man's eyes widened as soon as he got a close look at Leo before he ran away.

'What a timely favor.'

Leo was slightly surprised, but he fully understood the man's reaction. Usually, having a 'marker' like the mask he currently wore would make it easier for people to target him, but wearing a mask in the Sword Garden Trial had the exact opposite effect!

Regardless of exceptions like Leo, those who had the privilege to wear a mask from the very start were mostly the Associations' people, the number one authority under the Empire's rule! Unless it was for something worth it, no one wanted to offend them.

Some people even made use of this effect by using a mask once they went in, but that seldom worked as most trial takers would memorize the shape of the few masks they saw before the trial's start.

[ Hidden Event occurrence has been detected… ]

Although the mask's 'protection' wasn't full proof, it made it easier for Leo to roam around while exercising his part-cheating method without having to consider trouble, not like he was afraid of confrontation.

Other than the addition of the mask, Leo had made more than one change to his 'image' so he wouldn't be recognized as Endless Swords' Leo. Not only was his light armor changed, but he also replaced his trademark 'Infinity Sword Wheel' with one single sword. Naturally, it was none other than the Sword Breaker!

Although its shape made it seem possible to carry around his waist, the Sword Breaker's weight made it impossible for a belt to handle it. Only a strong attachment to Leo's back made it work.

'No time to waste.'

As time moved by, Leo used his superior speed to search through the Sword Garden in order to get a grasp of his target. However…

"This way! Don't let him get away!"

The commotion that Leo wanted to avoid broke out at the very start of the second day of the trial…