Because the ship was already in the waters near the River Kingdoms' Royal Capital, the return journey encountered no trouble.

In only a few days, the Seabird docked steadily at the harbor.

Roland walked down from the deck and stepped onto solid land. He stretched and let out a long breath.

Half a month at sea had accustomed him to the swaying, but no matter how well he adapted, a rocking deck could never compare to the stability of firm ground.

"Goodbye, Captain Roland!"

"Captain Roland! Next time you go to sea, remember to call me again!"

Passing sailors greeted him one after another.

Their eyes carried respect as they looked at his originally fair skin, now marked by a healthy bronze tint.

When they first received Hobby's order, these sailors had been dismissive.

After seeing Roland's noble appearance for the first time, that disdain had only deepened. They had all thought this job was nothing more than accompanying some young nobleman out for amusement.

Therefore, although they had been respectful on the surface, contempt had been hidden in their hearts.

However, after spending half a month together day and night, their impression of Roland had changed greatly.

This young man had not only eaten and lived almost exactly as they did, but had never slackened during daily sailing practice. His diligence and effort had been plain for all to see.

Their original disdain had long since vanished, replaced by sincere respect.

"Goodbye, everyone!"

Roland responded to the farewells of more than a hundred sailors.

Just then, footsteps approached from beside him.

"Mr. Roland."

The Halfling Hobby came over with a thick stack of parchment and offered it to him.

"This is the detailed expenditure list for half a month of sailing. Please review it."

"Hobby, didn't I already say..."

Roland accepted the list and glanced over a few lines.

Seeing that the numbers were almost the same as the Halfling's estimate before setting sail, he stuffed the account book back into Hobby's hands together with the card storing gold coins.

"I trust you completely in this regard. For the money spent, take this card to the trading company and withdraw what you need. Compared with that..."

Roland leaned down and wrapped an arm around the Halfling's shoulder.

"Hobby, what do you think... with the Seabird and these fellows, how much chance of victory would we have against pirates in the surrounding waters?"

"After all, sailing at sea tests more than sailing skill..."

Roland rubbed the tip of his nose in embarrassment.

"Fighting people is also an unavoidable part of a voyage, isn't it? Of course..."

"The Seabird was lent to me by your eldest brother. If he does not agree to my using it for battle, I can find another ship to rent..."

"Mr. Roland, you need not worry about that."

The Halfling Hobby smiled faintly.

"When my eldest brother lent this ship to you to polish your sailing skills, he had already considered the possibility of combat. Otherwise, he would not have specifically instructed me to gather these experienced sailors who have been through battle. As for fighting pirates..."

Hobby frowned and thought for a moment before continuing,

"If the enemy does not have too many people and chooses to board us, then we should have no problem handling them."

"My eldest brother mentioned that most pirates in the nearby waters only dare to rob small merchant ships. They do not have much real ability."

"I understand!"

Roland patted Hobby's shoulder and nodded.

Although he had experienced countless battles, his experience fighting at sea was extremely limited.

Hobby's judgment gave him some confidence.

"It seems ship-to-ship combat is not as complicated as I imagined..."

Roland thought to himself.

However, memories from his previous life surfaced, making him frown again.

Although he did not understand naval warfare particularly well, in the dramas, novels, and films of his previous life, two ships often began by probing with long-range attacks. Boarding action was more like the final decisive method.

In this world...

Gunpowder did not seem to exist.

He had privately tried countless formulas from memory, but had never managed to reproduce that familiar explosion, so he could only attribute it to differences in world laws.

But when he boarded the ship of Hobby's eldest brother, the Halfling Trevor, he had indeed seen a device resembling a cannon.

That thought cast worry over Roland's heart.

The Seabird was not equipped with the long-range weapons on Trevor's ship.

If the pirates possessed long-range attack methods while their side could only passively take hits...

Would they not become floating targets on the sea?

Thinking of this, Roland voiced the concern in his heart.

Hearing Roland's words, Hobby laughed softly and patiently explained,

"Don't worry, Mr. Roland. The things installed on my eldest brother's ship are called Mana Cannons."

"Mana Cannons?"

The name made Roland raise his brow.

Just from the name, he could guess that this was most likely a device driven by Mana Elements. As for its effect, it should be similar to the cannons he remembered from his previous life.

"That's right!"

Recalling the scene when his eldest brother had demonstrated the Mana Cannon's power, Hobby's face flushed, and he nodded with pride.

"That thing can indeed let ships launch long-range attacks at sea, but it is something the Dwarves only recently tinkered together. It is still in the experimental stage."

"If not for my eldest brother once forming a deep friendship with a Dwarf from the Dwarven kingdom during an ocean voyage, he never would have gotten his hands on one. So those pirates can forget about having them."

"I see."

Roland nodded in understanding.

"It seems naval warfare in this era is still mainly boarding action after all."

Thinking of this, the faint worry in his heart dispersed.

With his current strength, plus the benefit brought by [Anchored Stance], if it came to boarding action, he alone would be enough to deal with an entire ship of pirates.

After exchanging a few more words, Roland also asked Hobby to help gather information on pirates in the nearby waters, then the two waved goodbye.

This time, however, Hobby did not return home with Roland.

In order to accompany Roland out to sea for training, he had taken a full half-month leave from the Knight Academy.

Although Instructor Reggie and Principal Graham had not said much out of consideration for Roland, and had even approved the leave readily because of Hobby's excellent grades, the Halfling was still uneasy.

Therefore, as soon as he said goodbye to Roland, he hurried toward the Knight Academy.

Roland did not linger at the harbor either and set out on the road home.

On the way back, his mind returned to the Mana Cannon he had just discussed with Hobby.

"The Dwarves' newest creation... It seems that as Mana Elements recover, it is not only monsters that are changing. Other races are also moving under the surface, accumulating strength..."

Thinking of Bronson's prediction that the world would fall into conflict because of the recovery of mana, his desire to improve his strength became even more urgent.

As soon as he approached his courtyard, a melodious song drifted into his ears.

Hearing that voice, Roland pushed open the courtyard gate without hesitation.

"Galvez!"

At the call, the bard turned his head. When he saw Roland, a delighted smile immediately spread across his face.

"Roland! You are finally back!"

Galvez hurried forward, curiously looking Roland over and examining his sun-bronzed skin. Then his tone turned plaintive.

"Teresa leaves early and returns late every day, Mr. Bronson locks himself in his room all day, and I am the only one left here. I am nearly bored enough to grow mold. Even meals have no flavor..."

Listening to his complaints, Roland's gaze swept over the bard's cheeks, which had clearly grown a bit rounder, and he raised a hand to stop him.

"All right, Galvez. The matter I asked you to investigate last time. Any news?"

Although Roland had not been certain how long it would take him to master the sailing skills Hobby taught him, he was accustomed to planning ahead.

So before setting out to sea, he had already asked the bard to investigate information about pirates in the nearby waters.

"You mean... news about those pirates?"

An excited smile immediately spread across Galvez's face.

"Hey, Roland! I forgot to ask you before. You had me investigate pirates because you plan to... exterminate them, don't you?"

Seeing Roland nod, the bard immediately plucked his strings.

"I knew it! A hero's steps never halt! Oh, praise this..."

"Stop, Galvez..."

Roland rubbed his aching temples and tapped the stone table before him with a finger.

"Get to the point!"

"Fine, fine..."

Seeing that Roland had no intention of appreciating his impromptu performance, Galvez shrugged helplessly, then grew serious.

"As far as I know, the pirates around the River Kingdoms have suddenly vanished recently. For at least three months, there has been no news of merchant ships being robbed."

"There are rumors that they have all been incorporated by the 'Wolf King' in the Misty Lands. But although the Misty Lands cover a sizable area, the coastal side is full of reefs and cliffs. There is no harbor suitable for ships to dock at all."

"So many pirates have to have a place to stay, right? But their lair has always been a mystery. An ordinary person definitely would not be able to find where they went. However..."

Galvez's eyebrows began moving up and down, and his eyes shone with unconcealed desire to be asked.

Roland held his forehead and asked,

"So... you found out where they are hiding, right?"

"Exactly!"

Along with an impassioned note, the bard proudly raised his chin.

"They are hiding in Wailing Gorge right now!"

"Wailing Gorge?"

The familiar place name made Roland pause.

After thinking briefly, he remembered why.

When he first met the Halfling captain Trevor, the other party had mentioned this place.

It had been in Wailing Gorge that Trevor encountered a strange monster and almost ended up in a fish's belly.

If not for Teresa saving him, Roland would probably never have had the chance to meet the captain.

Thinking of this, Roland raised his head and asked,

"Where is Teresa?"

Since Teresa had been on Trevor's ship back then, she must know Wailing Gorge's exact location and general terrain.

This was crucial to Roland's plan to exterminate the pirates.

"That woman? Ha..."

Galvez sighed, glanced at the darkening sky, and spoke helplessly.

"At this hour, she is probably at the Adventurer's Guild, picking and choosing suitable commissions..."

"I understand."

Roland nodded. While placing his belongings on the stone table and organizing them, he continued asking,

"How is the war in the Misty Lands going?"

Avril had already set out half a month ago.

Although the Misty Lands were not close to the Royal Capital, this much time should have been enough for the advance troops to clash with the "Wolf King's" claws.

"The situation... is not very optimistic."

The bard's tone was relaxed, even carrying a barely detectable note of pleasure.

"Avril wrote that the environment in the Misty Lands is strange. The River Kingdoms' forces are advancing and exploring cautiously, but they have not even touched the shadow of the Wolf King's main force. Looks like they will be stuck there for a while, and won't be able to return in the short term."

When he spoke of Avril being unable to return soon, excitement and satisfaction crossed Galvez's face.

Hearing this, Roland frowned.

Although the River Kingdoms did not occupy a large territory, and their military power was inferior to the surrounding countries, they should still have several Transcendent Professionals overseeing things.

Even so, the subjugation was progressing this poorly?

Seeing through Roland's doubts, Galvez calmly set down his harp and took a sip from his teacup.

"Exploring the Misty Lands and subjugating the Wolf King is indeed important, but the rulers of the River Kingdoms cannot empty their entire foundation and ignore the safety of their own territory because of it. So as for the powerful people they sent... yes, they exist, but the number will not be large."

Hearing this explanation, Roland nodded in understanding.

"In that case..."

Roland finished sorting the belongings on the stone table and turned to walk outside.

"When Teresa returns, tell her not to go out for now. I have something to ask her."

"Mm, no problem. But..."

Looking at Roland's departing back, Galvez raised his voice.

"Roland! It's already dark. Where are you going?"

"The Blacksmith Guild."

"What about my dinner?"

"Handle it yourself."

The moment Roland closed the courtyard gate, he added another sentence.

"Don't forget to bring a portion for Mr. Bronson too."

Ignoring the bard's instantly collapsing, plaintive expression, Roland left directly.

He took a small boat and headed toward the Blacksmith Guild.

When passing a fork, his gaze swept across the area still heavily guarded by layers of soldiers.

He could feel that the concentration of Mana Elements inside the sealed-off zone seemed richer than before.

Roland frowned, but in the end, he shook his head and turned through the Blacksmith Guild's doors.

After exchanging a few brief greetings with Noel, the Dwarf at the front desk, Roland slipped into his private room.

He laid out the necessary tools one by one, then focused completely on engraving spell circuits onto the surfaces of tools.

Unlike his awkward first attempts, which had taken nearly a month, his improved attributes and the support of many traits and buffs had pushed his spell circuit engraving speed forward by leaps and bounds.

Practice made perfect. Before night had fully fallen, he had completed the final few spell circuit engravings required to become an [Enchanter].

Opening the occupation panel and confirming that all requirements in the [Enchanter] column had been met, Roland nodded in satisfaction.

As usual, he carefully destroyed every tool engraved with spell circuits. Only then did he take a deep breath and silently recite in his heart,

"Change occupation to Enchanter!"

In an instant, familiar golden subtitles appeared before his eyes.

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

[Requirements: Strength 4, Agility 3, Spirit 7, Basic Blacksmithing Lv.MAX, Basic Magic Theory Lv.MAX, successfully engrave spell circuits on tools (300/300)]

[Proceed with job change?]

"Confirm job change!"

[Job change successful. Current occupation: Enchanter]

[Attribute bonus gained: Strength +2, Agility +2, Spirit +6]

As the subtitles appeared, a familiar warm current swept through his entire body once again.

However, perhaps because his current Strength and Agility were already impressive, the two-point increases did not bring any obvious change.

But the full six-point surge in Spirit made Roland's mind feel gripped by an invisible hand.

An indescribable sensation emerged out of nowhere in the depths of his consciousness.

Completely different from the previous clarity of thought, this feeling...

It was like his mental tendrils had suddenly extended, even faintly touching the edge of some invisible yet tenacious barrier.

"Hah..."

Only after an unknown amount of time did Roland recover from this wondrous impact.

He let out a long breath and carefully sensed himself. After finding no obvious abnormalities for the moment, he finally turned his gaze back to the occupation panel.

[Upon inspection, Host has mastered Lv.MAX Basic Blacksmithing and Lv.MAX Basic Magic Theory. Skill Merging...]

After a moment, the subtitles quietly updated.

[Merge complete]

[You have learned Element Imprinting. Current level: Lv.1]

Before Roland could clearly read the details, a vast and profound torrent of brand-new knowledge surged into his mind.