Translator: CinderTL
[Job successfully acquired. Current job: Recruit]
[Attribute bonus gained: Strength +1, Agility +1]
[Trait gained: Combat Readiness]
[Combat Readiness: Enhances the training effectiveness of combat-related skills.]
"Three points of strength... Still not as strong as Sean, but probably a bit stronger than the apprentices at the blacksmith shop."
Feeling the newfound strength surge through his body, Roland exhaled deeply, clenched his fists, and then turned his gaze back to the subtitles before him.
"Combat Readiness?"
Reading the description of the Combat Readiness trait, Roland's pupils constricted slightly, and the fatigue that had been weighing him down vanished instantly.
He picked up his wooden sword and practiced the basic swordsmanship techniques once more.
As he completed the final strike, golden text materialized before his eyes:
[You have successfully completed a basic swordsmanship training session. Gained two experience points.]
"Hiss..."
Roland gasped at the sight of the two experience points.
"I thought Combat Readiness would be similar to Humble Apprentice, just accelerating the awakening of skills in related fields. I never expected such a straightforward and powerful effect."
"Isn't this like carrying a permanent double-experience card?"
After clicking his tongue in amazement, Roland couldn't help but feel his heart surge with excitement.
In this world, strength was the only true foundation!
Yet due to limited energy, even those who specialized in a single combat art—whether swordsmanship, gunnery, or archery—might still fall short of mastery.
For those lacking natural talent, even a lifetime of dedication might not be enough to hone a combat art to its peak.
However, with the Combat Readiness trait, the efficiency of practicing any combat art—from basic stances to advanced techniques—would be significantly enhanced.
Moreover, he had heard rumors of combat techniques existing in this world, which presumably counted as combat-related skills!
"With this trait, given enough time, couldn't I..."
Just as Roland was reveling in his prospects, golden subtitles reappeared:
Detected blacksmith apprentice class. Job resonance can be triggered.
"Job resonance?"
Seeing those four words, Roland was immediately plunged into memories.
"It's just like that game I used to play. The biggest draw was the resonance between combat and life professions."
"Too bad I pre-ordered the game but died at work before I even got to play it."
Just as Roland was feeling helpless, the text began to transform continuously.
Job Resonance
Blacksmith Apprentice + Recruit
Gained additional buff: Hundred-Refined Steel
Hundred-Refined Steel: Increases maximum strength and strength growth efficiency.
As the text gradually faded away, Roland felt an indescribable power surging within him.
The most immediate change was that the muscle soreness from practicing basic swordsmanship had already diminished by more than half under the buff's effect.
He stroked his smooth chin, carefully savoring the description of the additional buff.
"So, from now on, my strength training will progress much faster than before? As for the maximum strength... wait a minute!"
Just as he was deep in thought, Sean burst through the door, wooden spoon in hand.
Roland's gaze fell upon his best friend's robust physique, and a crucial realization struck him.
According to conventional wisdom, a person's maximum strength is genetically determined.
For instance, under identical training conditions, individuals with smaller frames would struggle to surpass the muscle mass and strength of those with naturally broader builds.
"So, increasing my strength limit... does that mean my physique will become more muscular? Or will my muscle density simply increase?"
The thought sent a surge of excitement through Roland.
Either possibility represented a dreamlike transformation for someone with his slender frame.
Amidst his elation, Roland's mind raced to another possibility.
"In the original game's mechanics, job resonance effects could only occur between combat professions and life professions, and each character could only possess one of each."
His eyes gleamed with excitement.
"But now, with this modifier allowing me to infinitely multi-class, could I potentially trigger countless job resonances?"
The thought ignited his imagination, his mind racing with possibilities.
"Perhaps job resonance isn't limited to combat and life professions. It might even occur between combat professions or between life professions. After all..."
Roland's gaze fell on the panel, specifically on the "Recruit" class—a class that had never appeared in the original game. He unconsciously clenched his fists.
"Since the modifier has already changed, my earlier hypothesis might actually be possible. If that's the case..."
"Roland?"
Sean wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth, looking at his absentminded best friend with confusion.
"Hmm? What is it?"
Roland snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of his name.
"I should be asking you that," Sean said, waving his wooden spoon. "I've been calling you for ages. Time to eat."
"Oh! Right, right!"
The reminder triggered a sudden, intense wave of hunger in Roland.
He leaned his wooden sword against the wall, grinned, and stood on tiptoe to hook his arm around Sean's neck as they headed inside.
"I didn't know you could cook! Is this going to knock me unconscious?"
"Hey! Don't underestimate me!"
The dinner was quite lavish: a steaming pot of oat and soybean porridge, boiled cabbage, and salted meat cured from scraps left over from Sean's father's butcher shop.
Compared to the estate's refined but meager portions, Sean's cooking was not only filling but also far more flavorful.
During the meal, Sean's father, Gary, returned home.
Though equally burly as Peyton, Gary had a kind face and a warm, down-to-earth demeanor.
He welcomed Roland warmly but visibly frowned when Peyton's name was mentioned.
After dinner, Roland, exhausted from a day of sword practice, collapsed into bed and fell asleep instantly.
The next morning, cheerful commotion jolted Roland awake.
It was the day of the birthday celebration.
"Hey! You're finally awake!"
Opening his eyes, Roland saw Sean, dressed in a brand-new outfit, frantically trying to smooth his stubbornly curly hair.
"Let's go, buddy! I heard there's going to be a dance in the church square at noon, and Emily will be there!"
Emily was widely considered the village beauty—at least, that's what Sean thought.
During their casual chats, Roland had heard him mention her countless times.
For Roland, who hailed from Blue Star, even the most beautiful village girl couldn't pique his interest.
"I won't go. Have fun yourself."
"Why not? It's a dance! Besides Emily, there'll be so many pretty girls. Even if you don't like dancing, we could still..."
Roland ignored Sean's rambling, got up, dressed, and headed straight for the courtyard.
Practicing swordsmanship and improving his strength held far more appeal than chasing after girls.
Although his class change to recruit had granted him attribute bonuses, he was still just shy of the strength requirement for advancing to blacksmith.
"Then what are you going to do today?" Sean asked dejectedly, realizing his persuasion was futile.
"Keep practicing my swordsmanship, of course."
Roland picked up his wooden sword and began recalling the key points Peyton had taught him the previous day.
"What?!" Sean's eyes widened in disbelief.
To him, the monotonous village life was already dull, with only annual festivals offering a sliver of excitement.
The Heavenly Father's birthday celebration was the grandest festival of the year.
But seeing Roland already practicing his sword swings, Sean eventually fell silent.
"Hmm?"
After completing his final sword form, Roland noticed Sean standing motionless beside him.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (KNIGHT:SAB) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c154. [+2]
🔑Read upto Ch54 for FREE visit 🄲🄸🄽🄳🄴🅁🅃🄻.🄲🄾🄼!
💥Translated (9) Series, (6.1K+) Chapters, (8.8M+) Words.
📚Read [7] ongoing series and [420+] NEW chapters/mo for $9.
🔥 Two New Books Launched
- [I Made a Slight Move and Reached the System's Limit]
- [Hijacking the Timeline]