Influence

There are many skills that fit the criteria of what Ren was looking for, after all, visual prowess was a major flex in any anime that had them, from new to old generation. Ren didn't need to crack his brain on what exactly he wanted, instead, what he needed to do was rack his brain on what he didn't want… not really.

Anyway, Ren made his way into the library and went straight to the section that contained the theoretical knowledge on skills and techniques. Even though everyone was welcomed to the library, it rarely received a big crowd.

"Here to study on skills and techniques again?" The librarian asked. He was a young man rocking a skin cut. When Ren first came, he was expecting the librarian to be a female or something similar, but he was surprised to meet a man, and a charismatic bald one at that.

"Yeah, where can I find ones visual oriented?" Ren asked, it was always faster to just ask than look through by himself.

"Visual? Hmm, right around here… yes, here, you'll find the visual skills. Why are you even reading about skills, nobody cares for these stuff." The librarian, Adrian, was correct. The only reason why these were even available was because the military recorded every technique that ever appears so they have data on them, then they publish them for the general public.

Of course, the more powerful techniques that can be compared to abilities may never be released to the public if the bearer wishes, and many powerful techniques are like that, since the users see them as trump card moves.

As for abilities, they are only ever recorded and not studied, since it is not allowed. The researchers are free to collect data on their own, but even then it is frowned upon. Techniques are treated the same as skills too.

Ren didn't see any need to explain himself and his purpose for doing what he did, so he just responded by shrugging his shoulders. Adrian didn't bother to push it either and just went about his business, cleaning the shelves and checking the books.

It took Ren several minutes, about 12, to pick the books he wanted before locating an empty seat to take for himself. In actuality, there were more free spots than double the number of students in the library, no, quadruple even, probably even more.

'I have exactly what I want in my head, but how it would even work is what I don't know, for that…' Ren looked at the books before him. Even though he personally didn't really like to read that much, this wasn't something he could choose not to, it would be stupid not to exploit this ability of his.

With a stack of books in front of him and one in hand, Ren began reading.

 . . .

'His moves… Damn it, I can't stop thinking about it even now… I'll have to find a way to ask him personally.' Linda still looked very troubled, well, she didn't look troubled, but it worried her inside nonetheless.

"Sgt Jones, sir, may I know where student Ren went off to?" Linda asked.

'Why's she asking? She's not planning to go do something to him is she? Can she even?'

"He didn't say, why do you ask?"

"I wanted to ask him about something… It's ok, I'll just wait until tomorrow." Linda said before walking away.

Seeing her leave, Sgt Jones wasn't at all convinced, he had seen similar cases many times before, 'heh… well, it's not exactly my business, is it?' Much like other places, the Great Phoenix Kingdom was very power respecting, even though they claim to not be that way in the exterior.

In such a place like the military academy, the academy would do nothing to dissolve any conflicts between students. As far as it doesn't result to death or sever complications like a disfigured body or such serious or brutal aftermath, the school wouldn't interfere, this only spelt bad for the weaker students. Well, that was why the camps within the school existed.

The training class was over, and that was all for the day concerning school work, so everyone went their own way.

While others left, a couple others who maybe preferred to do some personal training remained. Among these students was naturally Ray, and Isaac was also present alongside some others from the original story.

Seeing just how far behind they were from someone who was supposed to be their classmate, they must have felt inadequate and naturally wanted to put in more work in hopes of increasing productivity and bumping their overall strength and skill.

'If I don't want to be left behind like that, I have to catch up!'

. . .

'This is too tiring! How do all those nerds spend such long hours doing nothing but reading???' Ren was at his limit now. He had been in the library for hours, but the more he read, the more he felt that his understanding was reducing instead of increasing. Well, questioning the nerds, he forgot about the days of going all night binge reading mangas and watching anime; or was it finishing an entire videogame…

"I'll have to come back tomorrow, the library is closing." Ren returned all the books before leaving.

He got to the door before an idea struck him. Even though it was only two pages, if he took a book home to read, that would be good, after all he didn't have anything planned for the night. With that thought in mind, he approached Adrian to make the lease, well, not in that sense.

Adrian who hadn't opened the register for borrowed books in years was more than happy to borrow out the book to Ren. Ren know his strengths well, and knew his weaknesses, so he only took one book with him. Among all the books he carried, that one sounded like the simplest to understand.

Once he was done and signed his name, he left with the book.

On his way back, Ren stopped to get something to eat, just some noodles for the night and some drinks, of course, nothing alcoholic.

While he walked back, the last thing Ren would have ever expected happened, he ran into Linda.

'She won't decide to challenge me to a duel here right? That's kind of a Linda thing to do if I think about it now.' Ren was sure that his very short trip to his room was about to be disturbed.

"Excuse me, Ren, I finally found you. I have been thinking about what you said since this afternoon. Please, can you explain to me what you meant?" Linda said, evenly.

"…"

'Huh?'