The Cause?

"...Congratulations on crossing the first hurdle."

After a short period awkwardly exchanging stares, Rain was the first to break the silence as he gave an affirming nod to hide the bitter smile that hadn't faded away yet.

He was strangely melancholic at the very start of the day. Now, it felt like everything simply fell into place.

"It was only possible due to your care."

Returning a bow-like nod in response, Leo didn't deny Rain's great role in allowing him to reach the current step. The peaceful 'freeloading' environment that Rain guaranteed for him coupled with the guidance he provided had at least cut the time he would have needed to 'ascend' by no less than a third.

Most importantly, the 'Origin Manual' was something that Leo couldn't do without, being an indispensable requirement for all of his plans. If he had failed to get accepted by Rain, then he would have had to face risks much longer with no ability to back it until he managed to meet Ray or his master. Moreover, there was even more risk in meeting Ray this early.

'Oh!'

Noticing that he hadn't retracted his Sword Breath just yet, Leo did so as he threw a glance at the 'Personal Book' only to see that the bar had fallen down to 98…

'1 point is slightly less than a minute?'

The awkward exchange earlier didn't last more than 2 minutes. Although it required more experimentation, Leo preliminary concluded that his current maximum 'storage' would completely run out in the matter of an hour and a half.

"Alright, this is something that calls for celebration. You should stay here and familiarize yourself with your newfound ability…"

Looking at Leo's clumsiness, Rain's sadness vanished as a faint understanding smile replaced its bitter counterpart before he turned around and walked back from where he came from.

As Leo stood in place waiting for Rain to finish his speech, he finally saw him coming back out a few minutes later. His clothing had changed from the comfy pajamas-like wear he used to wear at home. The white shirt covered by a sleeveless black vest and its corresponding pair of black trousers made it clear that he was going out.

"I will be heading out for a short while in the meantime. I'm sure you have many questions regarding your new experience, we can have a lengthy discussion about these when I get back… Perhaps alongside a plate of early dessert?"

Suggesting something to satisfy his sweet tooth, Rain gently smiled at Leo, the uncertainty in his expression no longer existed as he walked out of the house without waiting for Leo's answer.

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

'Seems like it…'

After Rain left, Leo was slightly lost in thought as he lowered his sword before he shook his head and raised it once again.

Although he had guesses regarding Rain's behavior, he decided to indulge himself in the one thing he was looking forward to for months, one slash was far from enough to release his excitement!

Holding his sword in a ready 'plow' stance, Leo playfully controlled his Sword Breath, mobilizing it and retracting in succession, cheerfully watching the silvery sheen spread and retreat on the blade.

'It feels like continuously flipping the switch on both sides.'

Despite his usually rational attitude, Leo simply couldn't help but act childish out of instinct. Most humans had chuunibyou phases in their life, but there was a huge difference between pretending to have some sort of 'power' and actually having it!

His main intent was still to get used to controlling True Sword Breath, but there was no harm in satisfying his urges at the same time!

Swish! Swoosh! Swissh…

With an enjoyable start, Leo continuously slashed with the silvery blade, practicing the basics that he didn't touch in months as he excitedly felt the sharpness and power that every slash carried!

'What a shame…'

At the current moment, the only thing that Leo lacked was targets. He wished that he was back in the forest again so he could test his 'power' at trees and rocks. Was his current ability enough to slash down a tree in one strike?

For the next half an hour, Leo's slashing didn't stop until he was done releasing all the expectations he held back ever since he came to this world, especially during the 'Accumulation Phase'. Only then did the calmness finally return to his face.

"Haa… haa… that was healing…"

Panting after finishing his heavy 'practice', Leo let go of his sword and fell to the ground as he used both arms to support his back. The negative blow that he took during the last step could be said to have been fully 'cured'.

Other than checking the time and confirming that his True Sword Breath had fallen down by 32 points, Leo did nothing but relax as he stared at the blue sky while waiting for Rain to return.

'I should probably ask about it.'

While his eyes appeared to be nonchalant, Leo's mind was running at full speed to plan how his little discussion with Rain would go. It was true that he no longer required much from Rain by this point, but that didn't mean he would break his 'play' just like that.

Besides, he did have a question that he was actually curious about…

"Done?"

Before he lost himself in the sky, Leo's eyelids twitched at hearing the sudden voice as he was brought out of his trance to see Rain holding a box.

"...Yes."

"Follow me then, I believe you will be pleased!"

Picking himself up from the ground, Leo quickly followed Rain's steps towards the kitchen, swallowing his saliva as he imagined the contents of the box. Just like Rain, he had quite the sweet tooth himself!

"Take a seat."

Rain didn't bother to change back as he put the wooden box on the kitchen counter, opening it to unveil a round cake covered in brown. He directly cut a piece and put it into a plate before handing it to Leo.

'So there is chocolate in this world!'

Although Leo was excited to eat cake, something that he couldn't make himself due to the lack of an oven, he was more surprised about the fact that there was chocolate in the medieval-like world!

'I missed this…'

Confirming that it was truly chocolate and not something else as he took the spoon out of his mouth. Leo wondered about the limitations of this world's food. Even as a reader, he didn't know much about this department as the author wasn't particularly into writing 'food' scenes.

"So, what do you have for me?"

After cutting a piece for himself and sitting down, Rain took a bite as well before starting the discussion.

"...How am I able to control Sword Breath with nothing but thought?"

"Good question. So far no one has a confirmed answer, but the popular hypothesis, which I also believe in, suggests that a Swordsman's Sword Breath completely fuses with the body on the last step before reaching the next grade. Just like your limbs move with nothing but thought, your Sword Breath acts as another 'limb' for you to control."

"How do I know when I'm out of Sword Breath? Do I have to 'perform' again to restore what I used?"

"Just like you would know that your arms are tired after training, you would naturally feel it when you are 'empty'. You also don't have to…"

Even as he knew the answer to most of the questions, Leo continued firing out questions that one would expect from a newbie Swordsman. Rain also patiently answered every question although he confirmed none of the answers.

"Anything else?"

Half an hour later, Leo suddenly stopped asking as he appeared to be in thought, prompting Rain to ask himself.

"W-Well, after I got to experience the miraculous ability of Sword Breath, I felt somewhat conflicted… I heard there are some unfortunate people who are born without the ability to gain anything from 'performing'. As much as I was relieved that I didn't suffer the same fate, I couldn't help but sympathize with them… Just what condition is the cause of this?"

After successfully following the regular questioning pattern, Leo finally voiced out the one question he sought an answer to!