Translator: CinderTL
[Blacksmith Apprentice job detected. Job Resonance can be triggered.]
[Job Resonance activated]
[Stablehand + Blacksmith Apprentice]
[Obtained additional benefit: Mineral Detection]
[Mineral Detection: Mount's sensitivity to ore increases. While riding, it automatically senses ore locations and marks them in your field of vision.]
"This..." Roland stroked his smooth chin. "It doesn't directly boost my strength, but it's definitely a useful bonus."
"I wonder how far the detection range extends and how the ore is marked in my field of vision."
As he pondered this, Roland's gaze slowly drifted downward.
[Stablehand + Recruit]
[Obtained additional benefit: Riding Training]
[Riding Training: Significantly enhances the training effectiveness of riding-related skills.]
"Whoa! This is great!" Roland nodded with satisfaction after reading the brief description.
To be honest, despite practicing riding for some time, mastering it had proven far more challenging than he'd anticipated. He could barely manage to urge his horse to accelerate or slow down. High-difficulty maneuvers like sharp turns and jumps remained incredibly clumsy.
As for wielding a weapon while mounted? Just maintaining his balance was a struggle. Several times, he'd nearly fallen off his horse.
"With this additional benefit, my Riding Skill experience should increase much faster. Right..."
As for wielding a weapon while mounted?
Just maintaining his balance was challenging enough. Several times, he nearly fell off his horse.
"With this extra boost, my Riding Skill experience should increase much faster. Right..."
Thinking of his Riding Skill, Roland slowly furrowed his brow.
"My Riding Skill just reached second-tier when I triggered the Stablehand class. That means when I max out my Riding Skill, I might unlock the knight class!"
His eyes lit up at the thought, but then he shook his head.
Based on how he'd triggered classes in the past, he'd need to learn the relevant skills to qualify for a particular class.
And for knighthood, at least in this world, that meant mastering the tempering technique, the Body Forging Art, and the Knight's Breathing Technique.
But the Knight's Breathing Technique...
According to the information Roland had gathered so far, the only way to learn it was to attend the so-called Knight Academy.
However, in the Golden Valley Kingdom, only nobles were allowed to study at the Knight Academy. Commoners like him were ineligible.
"Never mind. I'll figure out the Knight's Breathing Technique later," he thought, continuing to examine his Job Panel.
Stablehand + Adept
[Acquired Additional Buff: Rider's Eye]
[Rider's Eye: Allows observation of a mount's various stats]
"Hmm? What does this mean?"
After mentally activating Rider's Eye, Roland looked at Black Wind beside him again. He was surprised to see several lines of text suddenly appear next to the horse.
[Black Wind]
[Type: Horse]
[Speed: 6]
[Endurance: 5]
[Growth Potential: B]
In addition, there was basic information like health status and fullness.
"Speed six, endurance five... I wonder if this is out of ten or a hundred. And growth potential only B? Well, for someone in my current position, having a horse at all is already pretty good."
"This additional buff is also great. When I have the means later on, I can use these precise numerical references to choose a top-quality mount!"
Nodding in satisfaction, Roland continued scrolling down.
[Stablehand + Hunter]
[Acquired Additional Buff: Terrain Adaptation]
[Terrain Adaptation: Grants special bonuses in different environments based on the mount's type]
"This..."
Roland slowly frowned as he read the description on the Job Panel.
"It looks promising, but it doesn't specify what kind of mount it is or what terrain-based bonuses it offers. I'll have to figure that out on the spot."
After confirming all the additional bonuses, Roland exhaled deeply, a satisfied expression spreading across his face.
Using his Rider's Eye, he observed that Black Wind's stamina had almost fully recovered.
Following his usual routine, he effortlessly mounted the horse and began practicing Riding Skill with focused intensity.
Under the special enhancement of Riding Training, the rate at which his experience points grew noticeably increased.
After an unknown amount of training, Roland sensed Black Wind's condition approaching its critical limit. He swiftly dismounted with practiced grace.
He carefully fed Black Wind, then led his beloved steed to the stable's rest area.
Once Black Wind was settled, Roland turned and strode briskly toward the training grounds.
His Lion Swordsmanship was on the verge of reaching its maximum level.
Once he perfected this sword technique, he could officially qualify for the warrior class.
Recalling the powerful traits granted by the blacksmith class, he found himself even more eager to experience the abilities of the warrior, a high-tier class.
Moreover, he could gain additional buffs through job resonance.
Additional Buffs Between High-Tier Classes
Thinking of this, Roland's pace quickened unconsciously. The outline of the training ground gradually sharpened in his eager gaze.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the manor, Darco, urged gently by a servant, slowly pushed open the heavy oak door of the reception hall.
Baron Forslin sat behind a mahogany desk, his expression unusually serious. The gentle smile that usually graced his face was completely absent.
"Father?"
Seeing this, Darco immediately lightened his footsteps.
He carefully closed the door, moved slowly to the desk, and lowered his voice unconsciously.
"Did you call me for something important?"
Baron Forslin didn't immediately answer Darco's question. Instead, he reached into a drawer and slowly retrieved an exquisite letter.
The edges of the letter were intricately carved with elaborate and beautiful patterns. The sealing wax bore a clear impression of a wheat sheaf, shimmering faintly in the sunlight.
"This is a letter from the Royal Family."
"The Royal Family?"
Darco flinched slightly at the word.
Though he knew the Golden Valley Kingdom's ruling system included a Royal Family, this distant center of power felt utterly foreign to him.
The Blackwater Territory, located on the border, had always been remote and desolate. Aside from the occasional Royal tax collector who came every few years to collect tribute, the presence of royal authority was rarely felt.
"Father, what did the letter say?"
"His Majesty Monen is coming to inspect the territory."
"Inspect? To our Blackwater Territory?"
Under Forslin's tutelage, Darco had learned about the Royal inspection system.
Officially, it was a tour where the King visited his lands to assess the people's conditions. In reality, it was just an excuse for the King and his massive entourage to travel around.
Wherever they went, the local lord had to cover the expenses of the entire Royal party and prepare lavish banquets.
In short, it was just a way for them to enjoy sightseeing under a pretense.
But what was there to see in this impoverished backwater?
Aside from endless primeval forests, rugged mountains, and ferocious wild beasts, there was almost nothing here.
Oh, and recently, there had been some disturbances caused by demonic beasts.
Forslin glanced at Darco's expression and immediately guessed what his son was thinking.
He tapped his knuckles lightly on the table. When Darco finally snapped out of his reverie, Forslin cleared his throat and continued.
"This time, it's likely more than just a formality."
Forslin sighed, a hint of gravity furrowing his brow.
"His Majesty Monen is advanced in years, and his grip on the various territories has weakened in recent years. Many lords in remote regions have begun to pay lip service to royal decrees, even outright ignoring them."
He paused, his voice dropping to a low rumble.
"So this royal tour is less about inspection and more about intimidation. His Majesty wants to make one last show of royal authority before abdicating, to ensure a smooth transition of power without unrest."
"Father, but..."
Darco nodded, as if he understood, but hesitated before continuing.
"For years, we've strictly obeyed royal summons. And didn't you say that during the Blood Moon Rebellion over a decade ago, you answered the royal call and led our forces to crush the rebels? For that..."
Darco's gaze drifted involuntarily to the wall.
There hung a shield-sized circular emblem, its golden wheat stalk design gleaming in the sunlight.
"The Royal Family even specially awarded you this medal of honor."
Darco's voice held a note of confusion.
"If the Collins Family is so loyal to the Royal Family, why would His Majesty the King personally come to Blackwater Territory on a royal tour?"
"Ah..."
Baron Forslin sighed deeply, as if the memory of those turbulent years had been stirred.
He rose slowly, turning his back on Darco to gaze out the window.
The slanting sunlight illuminated his profile, etching deep lines of worry into his face.
"Darco, you must remember this..."
His voice was low and solemn.
"The past, the present, and the future can never be conflated. In short..."
Baron Forslin turned slowly, his gaze fixed on his son's youthful face. A rare flicker of tenderness softened his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, and he reverted to his usual stern, unsmiling demeanor.
"His Majesty Monen will soon be visiting this territory. As the lord of Blackwater Territory, I must go to pay my respects."
His voice was low and solemn.
"Therefore... I'm entrusting the affairs of the territory to you during my absence."
"To me?"
Darco's voice held a clear note of hesitation.
"Yes."
Baron Forslin nodded slightly, then sat back down and pulled out a yellowed parchment. The feather quill scratched across the paper as he wrote, dictating instructions as he did so.
"His Majesty Monen won't be visiting Blackwater Territory in person. He'll likely choose a temporary resting spot near the borders of several territories. Therefore, I'll need to be away from Blackwater Territory for a while."
"During my absence, I'll leave John to assist you. This veteran served for many years in the Border Legion. He's loyal and reliable. If you encounter any difficulties, you can consult him."
The quill suddenly paused, and the baron's brow furrowed.
"Knight Beckham is responsible for clearing the demonic beasts from the Black Cedar Forest. You needn't concern yourself with it, but be especially wary of Baron Gavin of Dawn Territory. That old fool..."
Forslin's voice rose sharply as he mentioned the lord of Dawn Territory. His knuckles unconsciously tapped the table.
"Heaven only knows whether the last incident of demonic beasts crossing the border was genuine senility or something more sinister."
Having vented his frustration, the baron resumed writing.
"You can entrust daily affairs to Old Charles. He has served the Collins family for three generations and is entirely trustworthy."
At this point, he suddenly looked up, his gaze piercing.
"And you..."
His voice turned stern.
"Before I return, you are not to leave the manor without permission, nor are you to cause any trouble. Do you understand?"
"Y-yes, sir..."
Darco instinctively flinched, nodding cautiously in agreement.
(End of the Chapter)
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