Translator: CinderTL
The dust had yet to settle, but the training ground fell into an eerie silence.
Every sound vanished instantly.
The trainees stood frozen in place, as if petrified, their eyes fixed on the center of the arena.
The massive crimson body crashed to the ground with a thunderous thud, lying motionless.
And Roland, the one they had been certain would be crushed, simply shook his right hand calmly, as if he had just performed a trivial task.
The air seemed to solidify.
Every face was etched with disbelief and horror.
"Gods above..." someone finally managed to croak out.
"One punch... just one punch..."
Someone instinctively clutched their stomach, as if feeling the impact themselves.
"Freddy's sword... was knocked away by his shockwave!"
The trainee who had previously doubted Roland's strength spoke in a voice hoarse with shock, his gaze fixed on the sword embedded in the ground.
Silent awe spread through the crowd.
The earlier contempt and mockery had vanished, replaced by a mixture of reverence and fear.
The figure who, compared to Freddy, seemed unremarkable in size, now loomed before them, both towering and dangerous.
Halfling Hoby recoiled in terror, his face deathly pale, his eyes filled with lingering fear as he stared at Roland.
Did I really just try to pick this guy as my opponent?
The only one in the arena who remained relatively calm was Reggie.
He slowly lowered his arms, which had been crossed over his chest, and his sharp gaze swept over the unconscious Freddy. After confirming that the orc was unharmed, his gaze finally settled on Roland.
The surprise in his eyes had long faded, replaced by a scrutinizing, probing gaze—and a subtle, almost indescribable, burning intensity, as if he had just discovered a treasure.
No words were needed.
The deathly silence of the arena, the frozen horror on the faces of the students, and the silent yet razor-sharp gaze of the instructor all proclaimed an undeniable truth: Roland possessed terrifying power, enough to utterly crush the "monster" Freddy.
Clap, clap, clap!
Loud applause shattered the oppressive silence.
Reggie strode forward, his sharp eyes carefully examining the young man before him. When he noticed that Roland wasn't even sweating and his breathing remained steady and even, the burning intensity in his eyes nearly overflowed.
"Good lad!"
His thick hand landed on Roland's shoulder.
This time, the pressure wasn't a show of dominance but a light pat of clear approval.
"Well done! It seems Dean Graham's eyesight hasn't dulled with age. Stay here and wait for me."
He turned to the remaining students, still looking stunned.
"The rest of you, class is dismissed! You, you, and you..."
He pointed to the most muscular students.
"Carry Freddy to the infirmary!"
"Yes!"
The students snapped out of their daze and quickly responded. They then dispersed in small groups, still visibly shaken, leaving the training ground.
Within moments, the vast space was left with only Roland and Reggie.
"Kid..."
With the students gone, the instructor's stern demeanor instantly melted away. Reggie threw an arm around Roland's shoulders, his curiosity undisguised.
"I heard Nielsen mention you're from the Golden Valley Kingdom? This skill... did you serve in their Border Legion?"
Roland shook his head gently.
"Then... you must be from a fallen noble family?" Reggie guessed. "I heard noble children in Golden Valley undergo rigorous training from a young age..."
"Instructor Reggie," Roland interrupted.
Roland lightly twisted his shoulder, breaking free from Reggie's grip as he neatly returned his training iron sword to the weapon rack.
"Before coming to the River Domain Nations, I was just a commoner from the Golden Valley Kingdom."
"A commoner?"
Reggie wasn't completely ignorant of the neighboring kingdom's affairs. His eyes widened in surprise at Roland's words.
"Then who taught you that combat technique just now?"
"Well... I learned from a mercenary uncle and the guards at a noble estate..."
Roland knew this explanation might sound unconvincing, but excluding the Job Panel, it was the truth.
So he recounted the story with a calm expression, showing no hint of unease.
"Ha..."
Recalling Roland's clean, efficient, and unadorned fighting style, Reggie chuckled wryly, his eyes filled with skepticism.
Such ruthless precision, honed only through countless battles, could never be taught by a few ordinary guards or mercenaries.
But since Roland was unwilling to elaborate, Reggie didn't bother pressing further.
"Alright, kid, whatever you say..."
Reggie raised a thick eyebrow, decisively changing the subject.
"You mentioned earlier you wanted to learn something? Ranged weapons and shield techniques, right?"
"Yes."
Roland's eyes lit up.
"Perfect!"
Reggie stretched his muscles, producing a series of cracking sounds.
"I don't have any other classes today. Let's not waste time. We'll start right now!"
"But you said earlier..." Roland raised an eyebrow, a hint of teasing in his voice. "Do we have to follow the curriculum?"
"Hey, you little rascal!" Reggie pretended to slap Roland's shoulder, laughing good-naturedly. "Stop trying to be clever! I admit I was testing your skills earlier. I apologize, alright? You're still young, don't be so petty!"
Roland's teasing didn't anger Reggie; instead, it made the burly man's attitude even more familiar and approachable.
"You're not like the other students!" Reggie declared firmly. "For a talent like yours, wasting a day is a waste of potential!"
Before his words had fully faded, he turned and strode toward the storage room beside the training ground.
A moment later, Reggie returned carrying a heavy oak round shield and a crossbow. Several polished short spears hung from his belt.
Just as he had done earlier when teaching swordsmanship, Reggie's instruction on ranged weapons and shield techniques was clear, methodical, and easy to understand.
With Roland's superhuman physical abilities and the enhancement of his focus trait, by the end of the afternoon, several new entries had silently appeared in the skill section of his Job Panel.
Basic Crossbow Skill Acquired, Current Level: Lv1
Basic Throwing Acquired, Current Level: Lv1
Basic Shield Technique Acquired, Current Level: Lv1
"Tsk!"
Watching Roland's slightly clumsy but already competent shield blocks, Reggie glanced at the target nearby, where every crossbow bolt and short spear had struck true.
He abruptly stopped his attack, clicked his tongue, and felt a sudden lack of interest.
"Uh... Instructor Reggie?" Roland lowered his shield and shook out his numb arm. "Aren't we going to keep practicing?"
"What's the point, kid?" The burly man rolled his eyes and tossed his training sword back onto the weapon rack. "I've taught you everything I can. The rest is up to you to practice diligently and refine in actual combat."
While teaching a genius was exhilarating, Roland's absurdly rapid learning speed had also left the instructor feeling a twinge of frustration.
"I understand," Roland said solemnly, bowing deeply. "Thank you for your guidance."
"Alright, alright..."
Roland's humility and respect instantly dispelled the slight frustration that had been lingering in Reggie's heart.
Reggie waved his hand, reiterated a few key points, and then turned and strode away.
Watching Reggie's retreating figure, Roland let out a long sigh. With a thought, his Job Panel materialized before him.
"I've mastered both ranged weapons and shield techniques. Now it's time to level up..."
Withdrawing his gaze from the panel, he noticed it was still early. He walked forward slowly, pulling the crossbow bolts and short spears from the target.
Just as he was preparing for another round of practice, he heard soft footsteps behind him.
(End of the Chapter)
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