"Celestial Father above!"

Dalko rubbed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were filled with astonishment.

"Roland, have you... have you gotten taller?"

Hearing Dalko’s exclamation, Roland finally noticed that his line of sight was indeed a bit higher than usual.

He walked over to the water basin at the edge of the training grounds and studied his reflection in the water.

His previously straight and tall figure now appeared more robust, and his shoulders were nearly as broad as Dalko’s.

The most striking change was in his face.

The features that once held a hint of boyishness were now sharp and well-defined, and a piercing glint shone in his eyes.

This was clearly the effect of the Attribute Bonus he received after becoming a Warrior.

’Perhaps the Extra Benefit from Hundred Refinements Steel also played a part.’

But, of course, Roland wouldn’t reveal this secret to Dalko.

He just smiled faintly and said nonchalantly.

"I’ve just been training a bit harder lately."

Dalko stepped forward suspiciously, circled Roland, and looked him up and down.

"Are you sure you haven’t been secretly eating the hearts of ferocious beasts? I heard that’s what the Barbarian Warriors in the north do..."

"You should read fewer adventure novels..."

Roland chuckled and waved a hand, cutting off his friend’s wild fantasy. He set his short-handled axe aside and took the waterskin Dalko offered.

"What brings you here today?"

As he spoke, Roland pulled the wooden stopper from the waterskin.

He was about to tease him a bit more when his brow suddenly furrowed.

His nose twitched, and he raised an eyebrow at Dalko.

"I recall... didn’t Lord Baron Fosling forbid you from drinking?"

"Shh! Don’t let Old Char hear you!"

Dalko instantly resembled a startled mouse, hurriedly pressing a finger to his lips.

He glanced left and right to make sure no one was around before letting out a long sigh of relief.

"I went to a lot of trouble to sneak this from the kitchen. I’ve been feeling down lately and just wanted to see what ale tastes like..."

With that, he took a large gulp of the ale.

"Feeling down?"

Roland took a small sip. The sour ale spread across his tongue, its faint malty aroma failing to mask its poor quality.

"What do you have to be down about? Captain John is in charge of the Manor Guards, and the steward, Mr. Char, handles daily affairs..."

"You’re right... It’s just... sigh..."

Dalko heaved a long sigh and haltingly relayed the instructions his father had given him before leaving.

As the topic deepened, the young noble’s voice grew heavier.

When he finished, he hung his head dejectedly.

"Roland, am I just too useless? I’m already this old, and I still make my father worry so much..."

’So it’s just some typical teenage whining...’

After listening to Dalko’s venting, Roland, who had been hoping for some important information, almost couldn’t resist the urge to roll his eyes.

He shook his head slightly, momentarily at a loss for how to comfort the young lord.

To be fair, in Roland’s eyes, Dalko was already an outlier among the nobility.

Although he possessed the typical arrogance of a noble and treated commoners with a degree of disdain, most of his punishments were limited to verbal reprimands.

He usually spent his days either out hunting or wandering the manor, practicing his martial skills.

As far as Roland knew, while such a disposition couldn’t be called noble, it was rare in the aristocratic circles of the Golden Valley Kingdom.

Compared to Baron Gavin from the neighboring Chenxi Territory, at least, Dalko was practically a saint.

Not only did that man levy exorbitant taxes on his people, but it was also rumored that he had recently reinstated the appalling "right of the first night."

In comparison, the hunting-obsessed Dalko and the feast-loving Baron Fosling were as pure as monastery monks.

But looking at Dalko’s dejected expression, Roland was at a loss for words.

That’s just how it was between men.

He could banter and joke around with Dalko, but offering gentle words of comfort was asking too much of him.

After hesitating for a long moment, Roland could only manage to force out a few vague platitudes.

Fortunately, Dalko hadn’t come seeking a solution; he was just looking for someone to talk to.

Before long, amidst these bland reassurances, the young noble’s spirits lifted.

"Thanks, Roland!"

Having vented his frustrations, Dalko’s usual smile returned to his face.

He looked up at the darkening sky, straightened up, and brushed the bits of bark from his robes.

"I’m hungry. How about you take me to try the food you guys usually eat?"

Roland shrugged nonchalantly and led Dalko toward the Blacksmith Apprentices’ dining hall.

The young noble’s sudden visit naturally caused a commotion.

Although the apprentices all maintained a facade of respect, the speed at which they wolfed down their food made it clear that none of them wanted to be in the same room as the young lord.

But Dalko paid no mind to the strange looks.

He didn’t scorn the simple fare; on the contrary, he ate with great relish.

It was only when he saw how much Roland was eating that his eyes nearly popped out of his head in astonishment.

After they had eaten their fill, the two walked out of the dining hall. Twilight had completely enveloped the sky, and a few early stars twinkled faintly.

After bidding Dalko farewell, Roland walked alone toward Bronson’s secluded wooden cabin.

’Since I’ve successfully become a Warrior and haven’t received any new Profession prompts, my next step should be to head to the port east of Chenxi Territory as soon as possible. I need to buy a Devil Fish to refine the Potion for Awakening the Consciousness Shallows.’

’After I get back, I can try to learn some Tricks, and at the same time, continue to improve my Forging Skills in preparation for joining the Blacksmith Guild...’

’Once I become a certified Blacksmith, I’ll not only gain some social standing but also a stable trade to make a living. Then, perhaps I can consider leaving this place and searching for clues about the Knight’s Breathing Technique in other kingdoms...’

Lost in thought, Roland pushed open the creaking wooden door.

He greeted Bronson as usual and then immersed himself in studying the ancient texts.

Under the effect of his Concentration Trait, Roland’s reading speed increased visibly, and the SCRITCH-SCRATCH of the quill on parchment grew more and more rapid.

Before he knew it, he had reached the end of the book on the table, titled *Basic Magic Theory*.

He was forced to stop only when a strong wave of dizziness washed over him.

Just as he was rubbing his throbbing temples, several lines of dazzling golden text flashed before his eyes.

[Mysterious Knowledge learned. Current Level: 1]

[Basic Magic Theory learned. Current Level: 1]

[Analysis complete. High Tier Profession available: Enchanter]

[Requirements: 4 Power, 3 Agility, 7 Spirit, Level MAX Basic Forging Skill, Level MAX Basic Magic Theory, Engraving Spell Patterns on equipment 0/300]

[Host does not meet the requirements for this Profession]

"An Enchanter! And it’s a High Tier Profession!"

The sudden appearance of the golden text instantly cleared Roland’s head.

But after carefully reading the requirements, he couldn’t help but click his tongue.

"My Power and Agility Attributes already meet the requirements. Getting my Basic Forging Skill and Basic Magic Theory to Full Level is manageable; it’s just a grind. As for Engraving three hundred Spell Patterns on equipment, that’s just a matter of time. But that seven-point Spirit Attribute..."

Looking at his own Spiritual Attribute Value of only 1.8, Roland shook his head helplessly.

So far, aside from the 0.5 Spiritual Attribute bonus he received when he became a Student, he had only managed to raise it by a mere 0.1. And that was only after enduring the gut-wrenching pain of practicing the Secret Silver Body Tempering Technique twice.

Beyond that, he had yet to find any other way to increase his Spiritual Attribute.

’Oh well. It’s a High Tier Profession, so it’s normal for the requirements to be difficult. I can’t rush it. Instead of worrying about this, I should just try different things and see if I can Awaken a new Skill or trigger an Upper-tier Profession...’

’Besides, maybe the Potion for Awakening the Consciousness Shallows will increase my Spiritual Attribute? But still...’

Roland shook his head, temporarily pushing his worries about his Spirit Attribute to the back of his mind. His thoughts shifted, and as he recalled scenes from the games and movies of his past life, a look of anticipation began to gleam in his eyes.

’Since it requires Full Level Forging Skills and Magic Theory, an Enchanter must be a Profession that specializes in applying magical effects to equipment, right?’

’For example, enchanting a weapon with the Fire Element to increase damage? Or reinforcing armor with the Earth Element to boost defense? And...’

Thinking about the special Spell Patterns Bronson was researching—the ones capable of drawing in Magic Elements—Roland couldn’t help but look captivated as countless possibilities flashed through his mind.

’If I can really do that, it would be so interesting...’

Before he knew it, the night had grown as dark as ink.

Before leaving, Roland carefully placed several vials of three different types of Potions into his bag.

The light-blue Energy Potions could dispel fatigue, the pale-yellow Sharp Eye Potions could enhance night vision, and the light-red Healing Potions were for treating external injuries.

These were all the Potions he was currently capable of Refining.

He had already exceeded this month’s forging quota.

So Roland planned to ask Master Hawke for leave first thing in the morning and set off for the port to purchase the Devil Fish.

This journey was much longer than his previous trip to Songmu Town, so he had to be fully prepared.

Although these basic Potions were rather weak, they might prove surprisingly effective at a critical moment.

The manor was perfectly serene in the dead of night.

As Roland walked alone along the gravel path, the rare tranquility allowed him to unconsciously relax his tense nerves.

Suddenly, the tips of his ears twitched, and he snapped his head up to look at the night sky.

Upon the once star-dusted canopy, countless crimson pinpricks of light had bizarrely appeared.

’Those are... flaming arrows!’

Before the volley of arrows could even fall, Roland had already recognized the deadly lights.

At the same time, a piercing alarm bell shattered the night’s silence, followed by a gut-wrenching shout that echoed throughout the manor.

"Enemy attack!"