Devil Fish were not a rare species; they were sold in many port towns.

However, as aquatic fish, they had always inhabited the Deep Sea.

But Black Water Territory was all jungle and mountains, with no suitable waters for them to survive.

"The closest port to Black Water Territory should be to the east of Chenxi Territory."

Roland rubbed his smooth chin, his brow gradually furrowing.

’A round trip there would probably take quite a few days...’

’If it comes to it, I’ll just ask Master Hawke for another leave of absence after I successfully become a Warrior. It’s not like it’d be the first time.’ 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Having made up his mind, Roland threw himself back into practicing Potion refining.

The next morning, Roland prepared to head to the Blacksmith Shop to start his day’s work as usual.

As he passed the manor’s main road leading out, he saw dozens of Manor Guards lining up in formation.

Leading them on horseback was none other than Baron Fosling himself.

’What’s going on?’

Filled with curiosity, Roland watched from a distance. Spotting John standing off to the side, he went over to ask.

"Captain John, what is..."

Seeing it was Roland, John first gave some quiet instructions to the Guard beside him. Only after everything was settled did he turn to answer.

"His Majesty Morne is on a tour near Black Water Territory, and the Lord Baron is going to have an audience with him."

"A tour?"

After some detailed questions, Roland finally understood the whole story.

But it had nothing to do with him, so he turned and continued toward the Blacksmith Shop.

The next few days were no different from usual, with the only exception being that Dalko came to chat with him noticeably less often.

Roland, however, was happy for the peace and quiet, as it allowed him to fully devote himself to training his various skills.

"Haaah..."

One evening, Roland let out a long breath after completing a full routine of the Lion Swordsmanship.

[You have successfully completed one Lion Swordsmanship training session and gained two Experience Points]

[Lion Swordsmanship has reached Full Level]

Looking at the golden text before him, Roland couldn’t hide his excitement as he thought to himself.

As the transparent panel slowly unfurled, the progress for the five Full Level Combat Skills required for the Warrior Profession finally changed from 4/5 to 5/5.

Seeing this, Roland couldn’t wait to issue the command in his mind.

’Become a Warrior!’

In that instant, dazzling golden text appeared before his eyes.

[Analysis complete. Eligible for the Upper-tier Profession: Warrior]

[Requirements: Power 9, Agility 6, Five Full Level Combat Skills 5/5, Hostile Creatures Killed 100/100]

[Do you wish to change Profession?]

’Confirm!’

[Profession Change successful. Current Profession: Warrior]

[Attribute Bonus received: Power +3, Agility +2]

Before the golden text had even finished fading, a warm current, far stronger than the one from when he became a Blacksmith, surged through his body, spreading to his every limb.

Roland gritted his teeth, feeling the powerful heat rush through him.

His bones made faint CRACKLING sounds, and his muscle fibers strengthened as if they were being rewoven.

Veins bulged on his already sturdy arms, every line brimming with explosive power.

’Is this... the Power of a Warrior?’

Roland looked down at his hands; his knuckles had grown slightly thicker.

When he gently clenched his fists, he could clearly feel the waves of power passing between his muscles, as if he could easily crush a hard rock.

What surprised Roland even more was that he noticed a qualitative leap in his body’s coordination.

Complex Sword Techniques that once required his full concentration now seemed to be integrated into his instincts.

He casually picked up an Iron Sword. A standard thrusting motion was as fast as lightning, the tip of the blade letting out a sharp WHISTLE as it cut through the air.

’The Agility increase is even more noticeable than I thought...’

Just as Roland’s mind was reeling with excitement, another line of golden text appeared before his eyes.

[Analysis complete. Host has mastered three Short-Handled Combat Skills. Merging now...]

A moment later, the text silently changed.

[Merge complete]

[Skill: Short-Handled Mastery learned. Current Level: Level 1]

As the golden words slowly faded, a tide of new understanding flooded his mind.

He closed his eyes and seemed to see countless figures wielding Short-Handled Weapons flashing and crisscrossing in the depths of his consciousness.

The cunning of the Dagger, the sharpness of the shortsword, the ferocity of the War Axe...

The techniques that once required repeated practice to master now felt as natural as breathing.

’Is this... Short-Handled Mastery?’

Roland’s eyes snapped open, and he snatched up a Hand Axe from the side of the training ground.

The veteran Dalko had found for him before hadn’t taught him any combat skills for axe-type weapons, leaving him somewhat unfamiliar with them.

But now, the unusually light axe handle felt like an extension of his own limb the moment he gripped it.

With a slight flick of his wrist, the axe blade traced a bright silver arc through the air.

The power and angle of his chop were perfectly matched. He could even anticipate how he should change his move if a hypothetical enemy were to block.

It was as if the experience of countless life-and-death battles had been carved into his very bones.

’This feeling... it’s really strange...’

Before Roland could fully process this change, another line of golden text flashed before his eyes.

[Trait acquired: Fermented Battle Intent]

[Fermented Battle Intent: When activated, you will gradually enter a frenzied state during continuous combat. As the battle duration increases, you will gain a Power and Agility bonus based on your base Attributes. However, this overexcitement will also cause your Spiritual Attribute to continuously decrease. Your Spiritual Attribute can drop to a minimum of 0.1.]

’Isn’t this just a Berserker?’

As Roland carefully read the description of the [Fermented Battle Intent] Trait, his eyebrows rose slightly, his eyes flashing with excitement.

’Unlike [Adaptability Training], the description implies there’s no upper limit to the Power and Agility bonus! But...’

After reading the last sentence, Roland couldn’t help but recall the terrifying experience of having his Spiritual Power excessively drained.

His mind went blank, and his whole body felt as sluggish as a walking corpse.

He subconsciously smacked his lips.

’If my Spiritual Attribute really drops to 0.1, it means I’ll completely lose my ability to think. At that point, forget about being taken out by an enemy’s simplest trick; I’d probably even forget the Professional Panel exists and become a slobbering madman...’

Imagining that terrifying scenario, Roland couldn’t help but shudder.

’It seems when I use this Trait, I absolutely cannot indulge in the thrill of battle. I have to stay clear-headed and closely monitor my spiritual state at all times...’

While he was thinking, another line of golden text slowly appeared.

[Upper-tier Profession: Blacksmith detected. Professional Resonance can be triggered.]

[Professional Resonance]

[Warrior + Blacksmith]

[Extra Benefit acquired: Will of Steel]

[Will of Steel: Grants complete immunity to Spiritual Control effects such as Fear, Chaos, and Charm. Greatly reduces the effects of Spiritual Attacks such as hypnosis and Illusion Techniques.]

’This benefit is too strong!’

Roland stared at the text that had appeared before him, a wave of ecstasy washing over him.

On a battlefield of life and death, tangible attacks—be it the clash of blades in close combat, the rain of arrows and flying axes from a distance, or even world-destroying Elemental Magic—were not the most terrifying threats.

After all, as long as one’s reactions were fast enough and their movements agile enough, there was always room to maneuver.

But in this world where Magic Power was gradually reawakening, the truly unavoidable threats were the intangible Spiritual Attacks.

Sudden Charm, silent hypnosis, indistinguishable Illusion Realms...

These attacks often struck when you were completely defenseless, and a single moment of carelessness could lead to an unexpected and disastrous defeat.

And now, with the blessing of [Will of Steel], Roland was no longer completely helpless against spiritual-type attacks.

’[Fermented Battle Intent], [Short-Handled Mastery], [Will of Steel]... Compared to Basic Professions, the power boost from the Upper-tier Profession, Warrior, is just so much stronger!’

Thinking this, Roland slowly clenched his fists.

Feeling the abundant power within him, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl up slightly.

’Even without using Flowing Slash, I have more than enough power to deal with a Winged Dogman now!’

Just as he was reveling in the joy of his increased power, he suddenly heard footsteps behind him.

Turning to look, he saw Dalko standing at the entrance to the training ground, jaw agape, holding two waterskins.