Chapter 16

Klaus was captivated by the immense wealth of knowledge contained in Ludovic's library. The books were meticulously organized, forming a grand repository of wisdom and learning. Shelves upon shelves, tens of thousands of books and manuscripts, were neatly divided into sections and corridors. It was a literary treasure trove that held the accumulated knowledge of generations.

He decided to begin his exploration by selecting a book at random from the first section on his left. The book he chose was titled "Basic Concept of Swordsmanship." With an eager heart, Klaus opened the book and began to read the words that leaped from the pages. It was a subject he hadn't delved into before, having been a mage in his previous life. However, his penchant for research and his mage's curiosity served him well.

Klaus cast a silent spell to sharpen his focus, and his eyes devoured the contents of the book. It didn't take him long to finish reading it, absorbing the knowledge within. Satisfied, he closed the book and placed it back on the shelf.

Without hesitation, he reached for another volume, "Basic Concept of Swordsmanship II." This book was more extensive than the first, offering a deeper exploration of the subject. Klaus's ability to quickly grasp and retain information, honed through his studies as a mage, allowed him to breeze through the text in less than ten minutes.

The process continued as he moved on to the next book and the one after that. Hour after hour slipped away unnoticed as Klaus voraciously read through the books in the library. He became engrossed in the intricacies of swordsmanship, discovering the depth of knowledge contained in these tomes.

As time flew by, he found himself already five hours into his reading marathon. Klaus marveled at how profound the world of swordsmanship was, a realization that opened up new horizons for him. The practicality and intricacies of wielding a blade had always been a mystery to him, but now, with each page he devoured, the veil of ignorance was slowly lifting.

"I didn't know that swordsmanship was this deep," Klaus thought to himself. He couldn't help but feel a growing appreciation for the art of combat with a blade and the dedication of those who pursued it. The library held a trove of wisdom, and Klaus was eager to explore its depths.

As Klaus delved deeper into the library's wealth of knowledge, hours seamlessly transitioned into days. The books he devoured were a source of fascination and intrigue, pulling him into their world. He found himself immersed in the depths of his research, oblivious to the passage of time.

In a moment of clarity, he finally roused himself from his intense focus, blinking as the realization washed over him.

"Ah, how much time has passed?" he mumbled, his voice breaking the silence of the library.

It was only then that he grasped the magnitude of his absorption in the books. Days had disappeared like fleeting moments. Klaus, who had initially intended to devote his time to physical training, was now confronted with the reality of three consecutive days of uninterrupted reading. Not once had he sought rest or sleep.

Shaking himself from his reverie, Klaus exited the mansion, emerging into the daylight. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a bright and warm embrace.

"Maybe two days?" Klaus speculated, trying to gauge how much time he had spent in the library. However, he couldn't be sure. He pushed his exhaustion aside, determined to return to his training.

Following the path leading to Ludovic's training ground, Klaus shifted his focus back to his original goal. The content he had absorbed from the books swirled in his mind as he began to jog. This time, he vowed to use magic sparingly and give his body the rigorous training it required.

After completing a full lap without relying on magic, the exertion began to take its toll on him. He felt the exhaustion creeping in, along with the dull ache of his muscles.

Halting his jog, Klaus resorted to walking, taking slow and steady breaths. He remembered a technique described in one of the books—a method for converting breath into mana. As he inhaled and exhaled, he felt the air transform within his body, turning into mana. It coursed through him, revitalizing his weary muscles and expelling impurities.

"Maybe if I circulate mana in this manner, I can turn my limitations into strengths," he pondered. After purifying his body and restoring his strength with a spell, he resumed his training with newfound enthusiasm.

Klaus carried the wisdom of the library with him as he embarked on another lap. His mind raced with thoughts of swordsmanship intertwined with magic. The fusion of these disciplines fascinated him, and a passionate smile played on his lips.

He pushed himself to his limits, his body drenched in sweat. The intense regimen was unrelenting, yet Klaus ran with an unwavering grin. After completing his fifteenth lap, he felt a certain mental fatigue beginning to encroach upon his focus. With wisdom gained from the books, he adjusted his pace, transitioning from a run to a jog.

As he moved steadily along the track, Klaus exuded satisfaction rather than fatigue. His discipline and dedication had paid off in more ways than one.

Suddenly, a familiar chime broke the quiet of his thoughts.

Ding

[Stamina Stat increased by 2]

The notification prompted a wider smile to cross Klaus's face.

"Now, let's see if I can increase my Strength stat as well," he challenged himself, determined to maximize the benefits of his rigorous training.