Shadow Monarch in Tensura

Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Training [Part 2]

"Here is the library," Roy said, opening the door for me, and as I entered the large building, what greeted me was the largest library I had seen in my life.

Well, the only libraries I saw were the one in my school and the public library, so there were few I could compare it to, but still, it was huge.

The library consisted of three floors filled with books, and it would surely take me years to read them all. Thankfully I had time, but would I manage to do it in the time frame I planned?

"This is Lysa, the librarian. If you have questions, ask her. If there isn't anything you need me for, I will leave now."

"No, there isn't anything." After I said it, he bowed respectfully and left the library, leaving me and the librarian alone.

"Excuse me, Miss Lyra. Can you please guide me to the section of books on sword techniques and arts?" I asked politely. She nodded and motioned me to follow her.

She led me to the third floor, where different signs categorized the bookshelves. It was easy to spot the section for sword-related books by the sword sign, and the text I somehow knew how to read, even if it wasn't English.

Taking a quick glance over everything, I could see that the whole floor contained books about martial arts and was divided into two sections, the armed and unarmed arts.

"You will find everything relating to swords on these three bookshelves. Is there a specific sword technique you are searching for?" She asked.

"No, thank you, but I don't have anything specific in mind yet."

"Very well, then I will return to my desk. If you need anything, then ask." She said and bowed before leaving the floor.

I glanced over the titles of different books before picking out four of them.

A Guide to Perfect Footwork, The Way of The Sword, How to Not Get Stabbed For Idiots, and Aura Fighting Methods for Beginners.

They seemed like good things to learn as a start. While maybe picking four books at once is a bit much, my thought is that if I increase my intelligence and perception stat, it will allow me to read faster and remember it all.

Perception should be connected to the Sub-Skill Thought Acceleration of the Unique Skill [Shadow Lord]. So the acceleration should change depending on my Perception value, or that's what I think.

It's not like I will regret spending my point on these stats.

'Allocate three points to Perception and three points to Intelligence.'

[Remaining Points: 6 -> 0]

[Perception: 12 -> 15]

[Intelligence: 12 -> 15]

Well, then, let's start reading.

I activated Sub-Skill Thought Acceleration, and my perception of everything slowed down significantly. It's quite an unusual sensation, as my mind functions much quicker than my physical body.

I see. It's important to improve my physical abilities as well. If I have a high Perception Value but low physical stats and use Thought Acceleration, it could make me feel paralyzed.

Just thinking that gives me chills.

I need to spend my points on the two stats and physical stats to make the skill usable.

It's a bit of a hassle, but my current ratio is sufficient for reading. I believe this means a 22% difference between the stats, so I need to maintain my Perception and Intelligence stats at least 20% higher at all times.

Then lower the percentage when I start using the skill in fights.

Do I overcomplicate simple things? Probably but who cares about that? I shrugged.

Let's see, all the books here are similar in size, around 300 pages, and there are 296 books on anything sword related.

In my previous life, it would take me eight hours to read a book of this length.

Assuming I have 300 books to read, and I read three books per day, I'll need to boost my Thought Acceleration to a 5:1 ratio to complete them. This would take me approximately three months to finish this task.

Then I would only have the whole section with thousands of books about Martial Arts and God know how many books about Magic. Then I would have left history, strategy, tactics, and many more books.

I have set a limit of seven years to read through everything.

"There is no time to waste," I told myself and started reading A Guide to Perfect Footwork. While it contains most of what I learned today, having all the information won't hurt.

After I started reading the book, I lost track of time due to Thought Acceleration, not knowing how much time had passed. While for me, hours passed, it could have been just one hour in reality.

I looked around to see if there was a clock but didn't find any. I sighed and made a mental note to get a pocket watch next time.

But how would I get it? Do I ask Roy or Louis to buy it for me, or do I ask Mom to give me an allowance?

I actually didn't think about it before because of everything that happened, but I don't have money, so I can't buy anything. And while I'm technically the prince, I can't just go to a store and say give it to me.

Well, I could do it in the underground empire, but it feels wrong.

I continued reading the book until I finished it and began on the second one, called The Way of The Sword.

Hours passed, and I was completely focused on reading, not noticing anyone entering the floor until someone placed their hand on my shoulder.

I jumped in surprise and hit my leg on one of the legs of the table before turning around to see who it was.

"Lu... Mom, what are you doing here?" I asked after seeing it was her.

"I came to check on you. You were here for eight hours. Have you eaten anything?" She asked me like a concerned mother.

"Eight Hours?" I asked quietly, more to myself than to her. So my Thought Acceleration should be around a 2:3 ratio. "Sorry, I just started reading and lost track of time."

Strangely, I don't feel hungry even though it seems like I ate recently. I wonder if it has to do with my abilities.

"Sigh... It's not a problem, but you should eat. You look so skinny. You can take the books with you and read them later." She told me, and I nodded.

Putting back the book I finished reading, I took the other three with me as we left the library.

"So, what were you reading all this time?" She asked, looking at the books in my hand.

"Just books about footwork and sword stances. I still have lots to read if I want to learn everything I want."

"You have lots of time, so don't rush it."

"I was unable to keep track of time while I was at the library since there were no clocks here," Asking for things is not something I'm accustomed to, so I feel a bit awkward, but the worst thing she could say is no, "Would it be possible for you to buy a pocket watch for me?"

"That won't be a problem. Is there anything else you want?" She asked like it wasn't a big deal.

"No, I'm okay... Just the watch is enough." Well, she is the Queen of this place, so getting a simple pocket watch isn't a problem.

After returning to my room, Mom had someone bring me food, and I also completed my daily quest getting three points and increasing my magicules by 200 again.

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Authors Note:

Thank you for reading this chapter.

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