With no input, except for a simple thought, a purple holographic screen, different than that of the tablet, popped up before me.
---Stats---
[User: Athen Dee]
[Rank: G]
---> [Strength: G-]
---> [Stamina: G+]
---> [Speed: G]
---> [Perception: G+]
---> [Vitality: G-]
---> [Magic Power: G]
---> [Luck: E / S]
---> [Intelligence: E]
---> [Perseverance: E]
Gift: [Swordsmanship] / [Novice] [Level 1] [EXP 0%]
Innate Ability: [Calm Tide]
Innate Ability Description: [Your eyes possess a serene vision that can read the rhythm of all motion. You can read and predict the trajectory, speed, and endpoint of any object in motion. The calmer your mind, the clearer and more precise your foresight becomes.]
Gifted Ability: [N/A]
Martial Arts: [N/A]
-----------
Gazing at the abyssal menu before me, I couldn't help but scoff.
G-rank and level 1?
The average First-Year at Axis was supposed to be at least F - rank with a level 2 gift, while the protagonist was already on the brink of reaching E - rank.
Sure, it didn't matter if I died, as the world would be revived, but I still didn't want to experience the pain of a weak death!
As I leaned against my bed, one problem instantly came to mind.
My stats could be improved over time, but since Axis measured my maximum potential as a D rank, they would eventually reach a hard cap.
I had initially implemented the potential ranking system to limit the number of powerful characters within the book, for my sake.
Of course, there were items in my initial draft of the novel to surpass that potential ceiling, but in the final draft, they had been removed as I had never used them.
Now, there was only one way to surpass your ceiling.
Hard work.
While those with an A-rank potential could reach C-rank within months of optimal training, it would likely take me more than 15 years of consistent work to do so with my D-rank potential.
Sighing, I lazily got up and dressed myself in a white colored shirt and a pair of jeans from the dresser.
Noticing a scabbard lying against the door, I curiously retrieved it and equipped the clean iron sword within.
Hm?
With the hilt in my right palm, I cleanly jabbed the sword forward and swung it around for a couple of seconds before pausing.
The previous owner of this body's sword skills had been transferred to me.
Despite having never touched a sword back on Earth, I could feel my mind telling my muscles how to correctly wield, slash, and jab the sword.
There were no compound movements or combos, just individual attacks, though.
Maybe...a martial art could be useful.
Since it seemed this body already knew the basics of the sword, unlike my previous self, learning a martial art was not entirely out of the picture.
Additionally, gifts and their accompanying items weren't limited by potential, so I could reach a high level of swordsmanship without worrying about capping out, like with my stats.
My innate ability was also not bad, perhaps allowing me to predict the trajectory of enemy attacks in the future.
With it, I could perhaps surpass someone with the same gift level, but a higher stat total in a fight.
7 days till the academy starts...
Recalling the timer on the tablet, I sheathed the iron sword, fastened the scabbard to my belt, grabbed the tablet, picked up a backpack, and headed out the door.
If I could reach gift level 3 during this week, I would be decently prepared for the academy, still within the bottom 20 percent, though.
Scrolling on the tablet's holographic screen in the elevator, I rapidly found the banking application that I had created and clicked.
[Balance: -$50,000]
"..."
It seemed that "Athen" had put all their hopes into graduating from Axis Academy and acquiring a high-paying hero job.
Dryly coughing, I logged out of the account and...simply created a new one, under my old name, "Xero."
[Balance: $0.00]
Better.
Stepping out of the large apartment building, I was immediatly met with the massive bustling streets of the capital city.
As a gentle breeze brushed against my face, I rapidly looked up a map on my tablet and found the nearest train station.
After all, they were free for all hero students.
As I walked through the streets like a tourist, pausing and gazing as blue mana particles floated from the sky or people casually used fire magic, I couldn't deny the excitement within me.
Software Engineer...who cares?
I can use magic and swing swords!
Perhaps that's why I chose to attend the academy over a more ordinary life in the city as a civilian.
To learn how to actually use magic and do all the cool things I wrote about.
After all, the book was just a way for me to express my imagination.
Now, I get to live it.
Sure of my choice to attend Axis Academy, I raked my head for a moment before recalling the locations of some martial arts guides.
I need a sword one...and if I'm taking something, it might as well be powerful.
There were five categories for martial arts guides: Tattered Parchment, Bamboo Scroll, Iron-Bound Code, Jade Tablet, and Heavenly-Sealed Tome.
Out of the few Heavenly-Sealed martial arts for swords, which contain five movements each, the ancient philosophy trio instantly popped into mind.
As a swordman, I could only equip one, though.
"Righteous Harmony Fist"
Rooted in the philosophy of Confucianism, this disciplined style emphasizes precision and composure, delivering only the force needed to win. The practitioner never overexerts nor oversteps, relying solely on calculated, well-timed strikes.
"Dance of Ten Thousand Streams"
Merging the Taoist ideal of natural flow with the grace of dance, this style adapts to an opponent's movements with seamless counters. The style's footwork is fluid and unpredictable, with each step designed to mislead and control the rhythm of the fight.
"The Heavenly Thunder"
A rigid, overpowering style of Legalist origin, it focuses entirely on relentless offense and absolute authority. Its "glass cannon" approach aims to overwhelm in an instant, sacrificing defense to deliver decisive, crushing blows.