Only I Am A Reader



Aside from collecting information from the web, Leo didn't stay cooped up in the safe house all the time. He also familiarized himself with New Enigma City as much as he could.

Naturally, Shadow Movement had to be sealed away for a task like this. As inefficient as it was, Leo had to try and enjoy the various forms of transportation around the city.

"Thank you."

After paying the bus fare with his card, Leo casually stepped down. The bus could have dropped him off closer to the public announcement location, but he wanted to walk there.

'I'm just another interested citizen.'

Leo wanted things to go as naturally as possible. Although Aurora's events were just a puppet show, the puppet master had more than one purpose.

Aurora's popularity was just that useful. Whether it was Villains or hidden Ability Users, she made for perfect bait as well.

The public announcement might seem like a relaxed event, but there were actually many hidden eyes that were going to monitor it from all directions.

Thankfully, the scene of unknown higher-ups scheming appeared in the novel more than once, so Leo was aware of most of their hidden plans.

"Ready up everyone, we are starting in 5 minutes!"

Before Leo could properly step into First Hero Plaza, the voices of the event directors had already reached his ears.

Just like most of Aurora's events and meetings, this was going to air both on TV and Online, but even then, there number of people attending wasn't small.

A large crowd had already populated the plaza's center. Even in the street, many cars had stopped to watch. Some traffic congestion was already starting to occur but no one really seemed to mind.

After all, events like this didn't happen every other day. Most importantly, getting rid of a timed-bomb Gate was something worth celebrating, that was especially the case for normal people.

"Test. Test. We are on."

Once the directors finished sitting up the podium, the person that everyone was waiting for finally made an appearance.

"First of all, I would like to thank everyone that has made the time to come here. It may seem unnecessary to some, but spreading awareness about the Gates' threat is still a very important part of my job…"

Just a minute ago, the crowd was distracted looking around or talking amongst themselves. However, once Aurora's voice reached their ears, everyone turned to look at her with total concentration.

This was their number-one Hero! Aurora Dawnbringer!

"We love you Aurora!"

Some fanatic fans even interrupted her to announce their support, but their voice was quickly drowned out by some other shouts.

"I know you are all excited for this. However, this is exactly why everyone needs to listen. As long as more and more people work together with me on this, we can all enjoy our lives without fear. We…"

Aurora personally didn't care much about the cheers' meaning. She saw it all as support for her purpose. The issue of Gates looked like it was getting better, but in reality, it was escalating.

This was something that needed to be taken seriously. Everyone had to give their best. Although the initiative that she had seen recently was encouraging, stronger Heroes were still required.

She would still continue on this path even if she had to do it alone. It was just that despite everything appearing to go her way, things were hardly getting better.

That was precisely why she had to do her best here to renew the tide!

'Doesn't look like she has changed much…'

Unlike what Leo hoped for, Aurora's speech was still practically the same as the one in the novel. He couldn't read her mind, but her thoughts were exposed in the novel.

While she always seemed to be on the brink of discovering the reality of her situation, all of her thoughts always ended up being translated into personal motivation.

Just reading that was painful at times, but seeing it right in front of him gave Leo mixed feelings.

On one hand, he felt bad for the little girl who had to trick herself in order to keep facing the whole world on her own, but on the other, her speech actually managed to move Leo's heart.

In some way or the other, he felt motivated just by hearing her words. This was totally different from reading about it or watching it from behind the screen!

'Is this her ability's manifestation?'

Aurora wasn't special for no reason, her ability was a rather unique one. Unlike the rest of the Special Abilities that inherently had a specific use. Aurora's potential was left wide open.

Regardless of the type of Ability Measuring Device used, the device couldn't even give any rating. Only one word came out, and that was 'Light'.

It wasn't like she was overpowered from the get-go, she still had to properly grow before she reached her current status, but her ability was extremely versatile. One could never really tell the limit of her ability's unlimited manifestations!

'More than me.'

Even Cassian, who had grown his ability beyond fathomable limits, thought that he couldn't hold a candle to Aurora in that specific department, and Leo wasn't in a hurry to disagree either.

Just by standing there and listening to her speech, Leo's mind felt lighter. Even Cassian's unwillingness to do anything was melting away. This was almost better than therapy!

'I guess it's hard not to be naive with this ability.'

While Leo had felt the positive effect of the ability just now, he couldn't imagine what it was like to be motivated all the time, let alone house the ability that caused such emotion in him.

What if Aurora's desire to save everyone wasn't even her thought, but the product of her ability? Or was the ability just a manifestation of how strong her desire was?

With such an interesting question to chew on for later, Leo attentively listened to the rest of the speech. Unfortunately, before it could properly come to an end…

Something changed, and it wasn't the kind of change that Leo was hoping for.

'Huh?'

Unbeknownst to him, Leo ended up being the one to interrupt the announcement!