Only I Am A Reader

"Breathtaking…"

Atop the second stage, the two contestants had subconsciously let go of their swords as they stood to watch the display taking place. The referee whose attention fell elsewhere, being under the same spell, naturally didn't reprimand them.

Woooooish!

The endless stream of plum blossoms clashing with thousands of swords was just an illusion that overlapped with the Plum Blossom Dream's clash with the Black Heaven Jade, but everything simply felt too real!

"Plum Blossom Infinite Bloom!"

Miyoung's face was flushed red as the two swords consistently flashed by each other, this wasn't a result of exhaustion or stamina depletion, rather, it was pure excitement! This was the first time that she met someone of the young generation with whom she could have a serious battle!

Compared to the spars that always ended in a matter of ten exchanges or the complete suppression her master imposed upon her, this battle of equals filled her with fascination. Every exchange made it harder for her to figure out if she was going to win or lose, but that was exactly the reason this was so enjoyable!

She was undeniably being pushed beyond the limit, even using the last sword of the Plum Blossom Seven Swords. Her ability to use it was incomplete, but its speed, force, and energy still rivaled the other six swords combined!

'Is…'

In contrast to the motivated Pung Miyoung, Yeon's expression was still as blank as it could be. Unlike Leo who had a lot in mind, she was simply using all she had from the very start to win as she was expected to, to live up to the expectations of Leo and her teacher.

'...Ho interested in her?'

However, a strange feeling emerged in her heart as she remembered Leo's momentary glance at her opponent. She didn't understand what that was supposed to be, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling…

The desire to defeat Pung Miyoung was no longer that simple! The plain exchange of swords that Yeon had engaged in till this moment took a change as faint killing intent radiated from her gaze!

'Jade Reflection.'

As the hint of red hidden within her dark pupils intensified, the purple light that had temporarily outlined Yeon's Black Heaven Jade earlier suddenly started spreading out to the illusory barrage of blades. The blades grew slimmer as black petals started growing over them…

Swish!

'Is this Plum Blossom Energy?'

Miyoung's eyes widened as she witnessed the black petals fall before joining the blade barrage, the hand holding the Plum Blossom Dream twitched as its movement became even more and more restricted. Her momentum was continuously falling as Yeon's speed rose!

The energy supporting their swords no longer seemed to clash as Yeon's Black Heaven Jade gained its favor. Pung Miyoung could finally see a definite answer… Defeat!

'No!'

This was the true essence of the Ten Thousand Blades that Cheon Jeong had taught Yeon, the ability to reflect and redirect all and every kind of energy! This was something that could only be achieved when in possession of her teacher's White Heaven Jade or her very own Black Heaven Jade!

Although this was only its most rudimentary form since she lacked the comprehension and the Internal Energy to show the real thing, Yeon's desire to defeat the reason behind that unpleasant feeling and clear her heart had allowed her to go beyond her limits!

Swoosh! Swish! Swoooosh!

Miyoung kept forcefully twisting her hand to overcome the Black Jade Heaven's restrictions, but the overflowing energy overwhelmed her. Before she could even notice it…

Thud!

The Plum Blossom Dream had already hit the ground.

…

A wave of silence overcame the whole field as the immersive illusions started to fade away, everyone was still shocked by how things had progressed from the moment they heard the pair's names. This was an absolute reversal!

"Um… Cheon Y…eon wins!"

Whaaaaaaaaa!

The referee himself only broke off his silence a few seconds later, cheers broke out en masse, unbothered by their originally biased perception. Stimulated by the noise, Pung Miyoung fell to the ground, her lips curling into a bitter smile as she stared at her empty grip. Yeon had already sheathed the Black Heaven Jade, but her hand was still shaking in response.

'This is truly my loss.'

"Thank you for your guidance, I hope we can repeat this exciting match sometime later."

Shaking the bitterness off, Miyoung sincerely smiled at Yeon. The unpleasant sensation of being 'lacking', gaining the desire to take a step forward so she wouldn't be the one to fall the next time, this was the first time she got to experience something like this and it wasn't bad at all!

It was always either her peers that were too easy to defeat or her teacher that was too high of a hurdle to overcome. However, Miyoung felt that Yeon was someone she could reach if she tried hard enough!

"Sure… If a chance comes by."

Approaching the fallen Miyoung, Yeon subconsciously stretched her hand out to her. The tightness in her heart no longer persisted as she took a second glance at her opponent's earnest face. Perhaps she was a little too heavy-handed?

For someone who still had no true concept of friend or foe, Yeon's perception of others was still incomplete. In the end, only one person specifically mattered…

'Was it just my misconception?'

Turning back to see the proud smile on Leo's face, Yeon's heart tightened once more. Only, it was a pleasant feeling this time. It seemed like she had jumped to conclusions too quickly.

"Ahem… Yong Kwon! Lee Kiyoung!"

Klang!

The referee awkwardly announced the names of the next matchings while the distracted participants at the other stage disjointedly resumed their battle. Going back to reality, the pondering girls went down the stage together, shifting from the original purpose of their meeting and setting the plan off the rails…

'Great!'

As Yeon went back to his side, Leo nodded with satisfaction. Rather than just following the original script, everything was taking a turn for the better!