Devilfish were not rare. They were sold in many port towns.

The problem was that they were aquatic creatures, and they lived in the deep sea.

Blackwater Territory had jungles and mountains, but no waters suitable for devilfish.

"The closest port to Blackwater Territory should be east of Dawnlight Territory."

Roland rubbed his smooth chin, his expression tightening.

"If I go there, the round trip will probably take quite a few days..."

"If there really is no other way, after I successfully take up Warrior, I'll ask Master Hawk for another leave. It won't be the first time anyway."

With that decided, Roland returned to practicing potion refinement.

Early the next morning, Roland headed for the blacksmith shop as usual to begin the day's work.

When he passed the estate's main road, he found several dozen estate guards gathered in formation.

Baron Forsling himself sat mounted at their head.

"What happened?"

Puzzled, Roland watched from a distance and happened to see John standing nearby, so he walked over.

"Captain John, this is..."

Seeing that it was Roland, John first gave a few low instructions to the guards beside him. Only after making the arrangements did he turn and answer.

"His Majesty King Morne is currently on a royal progress near Blackwater Territory. Lord Baron is going to pay his respects."

"A royal progress?"

After asking for the details, Roland understood the situation.

It had nothing to do with him, so he turned and continued toward the blacksmith shop.

The next few days remained mostly unchanged. The only difference was that Darco came to chat with him far less often.

Roland welcomed the peace. It let him devote himself fully to training various skills.

"Huff..."

Another evening, after completing a full set of Lion Swordsmanship, Roland released a long breath.

[You have successfully completed a Lion Swordsmanship training session. Experience +2]

[Lion Swordsmanship has reached max level]

Looking at the golden text before him, Roland could no longer hide his excitement.

As the transparent panel unfolded, the progress for the five max-level combat skills in the Warrior occupation requirements finally changed from 4/5 to 5/5.

Roland did not wait.

"Change occupation to Warrior!"

Dazzling golden text appeared before his eyes.

[Upon inspection, you qualify for the upper occupation: Warrior]

[Requirements: Strength 9, Agility 6, five max-level combat-related skills 5/5, kill 100/100 hostile creatures]

[Proceed with job change?]

"Confirm job change!"

[Job change successful. Current occupation: Warrior]

[Attribute bonus gained: Strength +3, Agility +2]

Before the golden text had fully faded, a warm current far stronger than the one from Blacksmith formed within his body and surged through his limbs and bones.

Roland clenched his teeth as heat rushed through him.

His bones gave off faint crackles, and his muscle fibers tightened as though being woven anew.

His already sturdy arms bulged with blue veins, every line filled with explosive power.

"So this is... the strength of a Warrior?"

Roland lowered his head and looked at his hands. His knuckles had become slightly thicker.

When he clenched his fist, waves of power passed through his muscles. It felt as though he could crush a hard stone with ease.

What delighted Roland even more was the qualitative leap in his body's coordination.

Complex sword moves that had previously required complete focus now seemed to have merged into instinct.

He picked up the iron sword at random, and a standard thrust shot out like lightning. The sword tip cut through the air with a sharp whistle.

"The improvement in Agility is even more obvious than I imagined..."

While his emotions churned, another line of golden text appeared before his eyes.

[Upon inspection, Host has mastered three short-weapon-related combat skills. Merging...]

A moment later, the line changed.

[Merge complete]

[You have learned Short Weapon Mastery. Current level: Lv.1]

As the golden text dissipated, brand-new understanding poured into his mind.

He closed his eyes and seemed to see countless figures wielding short weapons in the depths of his consciousness.

The cunning of daggers. The sharpness of shortswords. The ferocity of battleaxes.

Techniques that had once required repeated practice now felt as natural as breathing.

"So this is... Short Weapon Mastery?"

Roland opened his eyes and picked up a handaxe from beside the training field.

The old soldier Darco had helped him find before had not taught him any axe-type combat skills, so Roland had never been familiar with such weapons.

But now, the light axe haft felt like an extension of his body.

With a flick of his wrist, the axe blade carved a clean silver arc through the air.

The force and angle of the chop fit perfectly. He could even predict how he should change moves if an imaginary enemy blocked.

It felt as though the experience of countless life-and-death battles had been carved into his bones.

"This feeling really is strange..."

Before Roland could fully explore the change, another line of golden text appeared before his eyes.

[Trait gained: Fighting Spirit]

[Fighting Spirit: After active activation, you gradually enter a frenzied state during continuous combat. As battle time lengthens, you gain Strength and Agility bonuses based on your base attributes, but excessive excitement will also cause your Spirit attribute to continuously decrease. Spirit can fall as low as 0.1]

"Isn't this just a berserker?"

After reading the description of [Fighting Spirit] carefully, Roland raised his brows, excitement entering his eyes.

"Unlike [Adaptive Training], judging from the description, the Strength and Agility bonuses seem to have no upper limit. However..."

After reading the final sentence, Roland recalled the terrifying experience of excessive Spirit depletion.

His mind had gone blank, and his whole body had turned as dull as a walking corpse.

He clicked his tongue.

"If my Spirit attribute really drops to 0.1, that means I will completely lose the ability to think. At that point, never mind whether an enemy could kill me with the simplest trick. I might even forget the existence of the occupation panel and become a foolish madman..."

Imagining that scene, Roland shivered.

"Looks like when using this trait, I absolutely cannot indulge in the pleasure of battle. I must stay clear-headed at all times and closely monitor my Spirit state..."

As he thought this, another line of golden text appeared.

[Blacksmith occupation detected. Occupation resonance available.]

[Occupation Resonance]

[Warrior + Blacksmith]

[Extra buff gained: Steel Will]

[Steel Will: Completely immune to mental control effects such as fear, confusion, and charm. Greatly reduces the influence of mental attacks such as hypnosis and illusions]

"This buff effect is too strong!"

Roland stared at the text before him, wild joy surging in his chest.

On a battlefield where life and death could be decided in an instant, tangible attacks were not always the most terrifying threats. Close-range blades, arrows, thrown axes, even elemental magic that could tear through terrain still left room to react if one's body was fast enough.

But in this world where mana was recovering, the most difficult threats to guard against were intangible mental attacks.

A sudden charm. Silent hypnosis. An illusion almost impossible to distinguish from reality.

Such attacks often arrived when one was least prepared. The slightest carelessness could reverse life and death.

Now, with the enhancement of [Steel Will], Roland was no longer helpless against mental attacks.

"[Fighting Spirit], [Short Weapon Mastery], [Steel Will]... Compared to base occupations, the Warrior upper occupation improves strength far more!"

Thinking this, Roland clenched both fists.

Power filled his body, and the corners of his mouth lifted.

"With my current strength, even without using Cleave, dealing with a Winged Kobold would be more than manageable!"

Just as he was immersed in the joy of increased strength, footsteps sounded behind him.

Roland turned and saw Darco standing at the entrance to the training field, dumbstruck, still holding two waterskins.

"Heavenly Father above!"

Darco rubbed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were full of astonishment.

"Roland, did you... get taller?"

Only after Darco said it did Roland realize his line of sight did seem a little higher than before.

He walked to the water vat at the edge of the training field and studied his reflection.

His already straight posture had become even more powerful. His shoulders were nearly as broad as Darco's now.

The most obvious change was his face.

The last traces of youth in his features had sharpened into cleaner lines, and there was a cutting edge in his eyes.

This was clearly the result of the attribute bonuses from taking up Warrior.

Perhaps the [Hundred Forgings Make Steel] extra buff had played a part as well.

Naturally, Roland would not reveal that secret to Darco.

He only smiled faintly and said, "I've just been training harder lately."

Darco stepped closer in suspicion and circled him once, looking him up and down.

"Are you sure you didn't secretly eat some fierce beast's heart? I heard northern Barbarian warriors rely on that..."

"Read fewer adventure novels."

Roland smiled and waved a hand, cutting off his friend's imagination. He set the handaxe aside and accepted the waterskin Darco offered him.

"How do you have time to come find me today?"

As he spoke, Roland pulled out the waterskin's wooden stopper.

He was about to tease Darco a few more times when his brows drew together.

His nose twitched. Then he raised an eyebrow and looked at Darco.

"I remember... Lord Baron Forsling forbade you from drinking, didn't he?"

"Shh! Don't let old Charles hear you!"

Darco stiffened like a startled thief and hurriedly raised one finger to his lips.

Only after looking around and confirming no one was nearby did he release a long breath.

"I had a hard time stealing this from the kitchen. I've been troubled lately, so I wanted to know what alcohol tastes like..."

As he spoke, he took a large gulp of ale.

"Troubled?"

Roland took a small sip. Sour, bitter ale spread across his tongue, and even the faint wheat aroma could not hide how poor the brew was.

"What do you have to be troubled about? Captain John handles the estate guards, and Butler Charles manages the daily affairs..."

"You're right... it's just... sigh..."

Darco released a long sigh, then haltingly repeated the instructions his father had left before departing.

The longer he spoke, the lower his voice became.

When he finished, he lowered his head in dejection.

"Roland, am I too useless? I'm already this age, yet I still make Father worry so much..."

So it was just teenage self-pity.

After listening to Darco pour out his feelings, Roland, who had expected important intelligence, nearly failed to hold back an eye roll.

He shook his head. For a moment, he truly did not know how to comfort this noble young master.

To be fair, in Roland's eyes, Darco already counted as an oddity among nobles.

Although he carried the arrogance common to nobles and usually showed some disdain toward commoners, most of his punishments stopped at verbal reprimands.

Ordinarily, he either went hunting or wandered the estate practicing martial arts.

As far as Roland knew, that could hardly be called virtuous, but among Golden Valley Kingdom's nobles, it was already rare restraint.

At least compared to Baron Gavin of neighboring Dawnlight Territory, Darco could practically be called a saint.

That man not only squeezed his subjects with excessive taxes and levies, but Roland had recently heard that he had even restored the outrageous right of first night.

By comparison, Darco, who was obsessed with hunting, and Baron Forsling, who loved banquets, were as pure as monks in a monastery.

But looking at Darco's dejected face, Roland was at a loss for words.

This was simply how men got along.

If they were joking around, he could banter with Darco for a few lines. Asking him to offer gentle comfort was truly asking too much.

After hesitating for a long while, Roland could only squeeze out a few lukewarm words of consolation.

Fortunately, Darco had not come seeking enlightenment in the first place. He only wanted someone to listen.

Before long, under this meager comfort, the young noble master regained his spirits.

"Thanks, Roland!"

After venting the gloom in his chest, Darco's usual smile returned.

He looked up at the darkening sky, straightened, and patted bits of bark dust from his robe.

"I'm hungry. Take me to try the food you usually eat?"

Roland shrugged and led Darco toward the blacksmith apprentices' dining hall.

The young noble master's sudden visit naturally caused a stir.

Although the apprentices maintained surface respect, the speed at which they wolfed down their meals made it clear that no one wanted to remain in the same room as him.

Darco ignored the strange looks.

He did not disdain the coarse food. Instead, he ate with great relish.

Only when he watched Roland finish four portions of dinner did his eyes nearly pop out in shock.

After eating and drinking their fill, the two walked out of the dining hall. Dusk had fully covered the sky, and a few early stars flickered faintly in the night.

After bidding farewell to Darco, Roland walked alone toward Bronson's remote little wooden house.

"Since I've successfully taken up Warrior and there are no new job-change prompts for now, I should head to the port east of Dawnlight Territory as soon as possible to buy Devilfish and refine the potion for awakening the Consciousness Shoal."

Roland calculated as he walked.

"After returning, I can try learning cantrips while continuing to improve my forging skill and prepare to join the Blacksmith Guild..."

"Once I become an official Blacksmith, I'll have some social status and a stable trade. At that point, maybe I can consider leaving this place and going to other countries to search for clues to a knight breathing method..."

As he pondered, Roland pushed open the creaking wooden door.

He greeted Bronson as usual, then immersed himself in studying the ancient text.

With the enhancement of the [Focus] trait, Roland's reading speed visibly increased, and the rustle of his quill against parchment grew faster and faster.

Before he knew it, the book on the table, Basic Magic Theory, had been turned to its final page.

Only when a powerful wave of dizziness struck did he have no choice but to stop.

Just as he rubbed his aching temples, several lines of dazzling golden text appeared before his eyes.

[You have learned Arcane Knowledge. Current level: Lv.1]

[You have learned Basic Magic Theory. Current level: Lv.1]

[Upon inspection, you qualify for the higher occupation: Enchanter]

[Requirements: Strength 4, Agility 3, Spirit 7, Lv.MAX Basic Blacksmithing, Lv.MAX Basic Magic Theory, inscribe Spell Circuits on implements 0/300]

[Host does not satisfy the job requirements]

"Enchanter! And a higher occupation at that!"

The sudden golden text cleared Roland's head at once.

But after reading the job-change requirements carefully, he clicked his tongue.

"My Strength and Agility already meet the requirements. Raising Basic Blacksmithing and Basic Magic Theory to max level is manageable too. I just need to grind them over time. As for inscribing three hundred Spell Circuits on implements, that's only a matter of time. But this Spirit requirement of seven..."

Looking at his own Spirit attribute of only 1.8, Roland shook his head helplessly.

So far, aside from the 0.5 Spirit attribute bonus he had gained when he first took up Scholar, he had only increased his Spirit by 0.1 after cultivating the Mithril Body Tempering Method twice and enduring heart-rending pain.

Other than that, he still had not found any way to improve his Spirit attribute.

"Forget it. In any case, this is a higher occupation. It's normal for the job-change difficulty to be high. This can't be rushed. Compared to that, I'd be better off trying more things and seeing if I can awaken new skills and trigger another upper occupation..."

"And maybe the potion that awakens the Consciousness Shoal can increase Spirit? Still..."

Roland shook his head and pushed the worry about his Spirit attribute aside for now. His thoughts shifted, and as he recalled scenes from games and movies in his previous life, anticipation lit his eyes.

"Since it requires max-level blacksmithing and magic theory, Enchanter should be an occupation specialized in applying magical effects to equipment, right?"

"For example, adding fire elements to weapons to increase damage? Or applying earth elements to armor to strengthen defense? And..."

Thinking of the special Spell Circuits Bronson was researching, the kind that could draw in mana elements, Roland's yearning deepened. Countless possibilities raced through his mind.

"If it can really do that, then this will be far too interesting..."

By the time he noticed, night had gone dark as ink.

Before leaving, Roland carefully packed several bottles of three different kinds of potions into his bag.

The pale blue energy potion could dispel fatigue, the pale yellow keen-eye potion could enhance night vision, and the pale red healing potion was used to treat external wounds.

These were all the potions he could currently refine.

His forging tasks for the month had already been completed well beyond quota.

Therefore, Roland planned to request leave from Master Hawk early the next morning and set out for the port to purchase Devilfish.

This journey was much farther than his previous trip to Pinewood Town, so he had to prepare thoroughly.

Although these most basic potions had somewhat weak effects, they might still create a miracle at a critical moment.

The estate under the night was exceptionally quiet.

As Roland walked alone along the gravel path, the rare peace eased his tense nerves.

Suddenly, his ears twitched, and he snapped his head up toward the night sky.

The sky, which had been dotted with starlight a moment earlier, was now filled with countless scarlet points of light.

"Those are... flaming arrows!"

Before the arrow rain could fall, Roland had already recognized that deadly light.

At the same time, an ear-piercing alarm bell tore through the silence of the night, followed immediately by a heart-rending shout that rang across the estate.

"Enemy attack!"