The atmosphere inside the Ironclad training hall snapped like a over-tensioned bowstring.
Sub-Commander Julian's eyes widened as the young recruit's aura pressed against his mana-spear. It wasn't magic—there was no spell formula, no elemental vibration. It was pure, unfiltered martial force born from absolute conviction.
"Nonsense!" Julian roared, thrusting his glowing spear forward. "A commoner cannot challenge the Directorate!"
The recruit didn't dodge. Remembering Zoro's unyielding stance against Captain Morgan, he crossed his training saber with a second blade picked off the rack, blocking the heavy strike head-on.
Clang!
A shockwave of compressed air blew back the surrounding tables, shattering the glass lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Julian took two heavy steps back, his boots dragging along the stone floor, his armored arms trembling from the sheer kinetic impact.
The other mercenaries gasped. An unranked recruit had just halted a Second-Circle Directorate Enforcer using nothing but raw technique and willpower.
"Get out," the recruit said softly, his eyes burning with the same wild determination depicted in Leo's manuscript. "This hall belongs to those who swing swords, not those who hide behind spell circles."
Julian clutched his trembling spear, his face flushed with embarrassment and anger. Recognizing that the room full of inspired mercenaries was now turning against his squad, he signaled a retreat.
"Seal the district!" Julian hissed to his men as they backed out the door. "No more of these manuscripts leave this block. We report directly to Archmage Vane!"
Meanwhile, inside Leo's workshop, the system interface flared with bright golden light.
[System Notification: Martial Concept 'Two-Sword Style Deflection' Successfully Intuited by Reader!]
[Global Influence Rating: Expanding to Mid-Tier Districts]
[Total Sync Points: 3,450 SP]
[Unlocking Ability: 'Three-Blade Flow (Mastery 10%)' OR 'Color of Armament Haki (Infusion Basic)']
Leo selected Color of Armament Haki. A dense, obsidian-like sheen briefly coated his right forearm before fading into his skin, leaving behind a sensation of impenetrable density.
"Armament Haki..." Leo murmured, flexing his fingers. "Now even high-tier attack spells won't easily break through."
Suddenly, a soft knock sounded at his window—not the door.
Leo glided silently toward the frame, his Armament Haki ready beneath his skin. He cracked the shutter open to find Ren, the captain's younger brother from the Local Guard, standing on the narrow alley ledge outside.
"Author," Ren whispered urgently, holding up a leather pouch filled with silver coins. "The Directorate is setting up a blockade around the printing houses. They plan to destroy your presses tonight. You need to leave."
Leo looked at the young guard, then at the pouch of silver, and finally down at his desk where the newly completed draft of Chapter 3—featuring Zoro's iconic promise to Luffy—lay waiting.
"Leave?" Leo smiled calmly, dipping his pen into magical ink once more. "We're just getting to the good part, Ren. Tell your friends to get ready... Chapter 3 drops tonight."