[Induction successful. Current Profession: New Recruit]
[Attribute Bonus acquired: Power +1, Agility +1]
[Trait acquired: Preparation for War]
[Preparation for War: Increases the training effectiveness of combat-related skills.]
'Three points in Power. It's still not as good as Sean's, but it should be a bit better than the other apprentices at the Blacksmith Shop...'
Feeling the Power materialize inside him, Roland let out a long breath and clenched his fists. His gaze then returned to the text before his eyes.
'Preparation for War?'
When he read the description following the [Preparation for War] Trait, Roland's pupils constricted. The fatigue in his body instantly vanished.
He picked up the Wooden Sword again and practiced his Basic Swordsmanship once more.
The moment he completed the final move, a line of golden text appeared before him.
[You have successfully completed one Basic Swordsmanship training session. You have gained two Experience Points.]
Roland gasped.
Staring at the two Experience Points he'd received, he was completely shocked.
'I thought [Preparation for War] would be similar to [Modest Apprentice]—something to help me Awaken Skills in related Domains faster. I never expected the effect to be so simple and brutal...'
'Isn't this just like carrying a permanent double XP card?'
After his initial shock, Roland's heart began to pound with excitement.
In this world, Power was the only true foundation!
But due to limited energy, even if an ordinary person specialized in a single Combat Skill—be it Swordsmanship, Spear Technique, or Archery—they would likely still fall short.
As for the less talented, they could spend their entire lives and still not master a single Combat Skill to its peak Realm.
However, with the blessing of the [Preparation for War] Trait, his training efficiency would be significantly boosted, no matter which Combat Skill he practiced—from basic moves to High Tier techniques.
Besides, he'd heard that things called Combat Skills existed in this world. He figured those must also fall under the category of combat-related skills!
'With this Trait, as long as I have enough time, couldn't I...?'
Just as Roland was lost in his pleasant fantasy, the golden text appeared again.
[Blacksmith Apprentice Profession detected. Professional Resonance can be triggered.]
'Professional Resonance?'
Seeing those two words, Roland was suddenly lost in memories.
'I think the biggest highlight of that game I used to play was that you could create a resonance between combat and Life Professions...'
'Too bad I had just pre-ordered the game and hadn't even had a chance to play it before I dropped dead at the office...'
Just as Roland was feeling helpless, the text began to change.
[Professional Resonance]
[Blacksmith Apprentice + New Recruit]
[Extra Benefit acquired: Hundred Refinements Steel]
[Hundred Refinements Steel: Increases Power limit and Power growth efficiency.]
As the text slowly faded, Roland felt an indescribable force surging within his body.
The most obvious change was that the muscle soreness from practicing Basic Swordsmanship earlier had already faded by more than half under the effect of this benefit.
He rubbed his smooth chin, carefully mulling over the description of the Extra Benefit.
'So, does this mean that when I do Power training in the future, my growth rate will be faster than before? As for the Power limit... Wait!'
Just as he was lost in thought, Sean pushed the door open, holding a wooden spoon.
His best friend's sturdy frame made Roland suddenly realize a crucial point.
Normally, a person's Power limit is constrained by their genetics.
For example, under the same training conditions, it's very difficult for someone with a smaller frame to surpass the muscle mass and Power of someone who is naturally broad-boned.
'So, does increasing my Power limit mean my physique will become more robust? Or... will my muscle density increase?'
At this thought, Roland's heart surged with excitement.
Either possibility would be a dream-come-true transformation for someone as slender as him.
Amid his pleasant surprise, Roland's thoughts drifted to another possibility.
'In the original game's design, resonance effects could only occur between a combat Profession and a Life Profession. Plus, each character could only have one of each at most.'
A glimmer of excitement shone in his eyes.
'But the modifier I have now lets me take on unlimited professions. Does that mean... I could trigger countless Professional Resonances?'
As he considered this, his mind grew increasingly active.
'Maybe it's not just between combat and Life Professions. It might even be possible to get resonance effects between two combat Professions, or even two Life Professions. After all...'
His gaze fell upon the [New Recruit] Profession on his panel—a Profession that had never appeared in the original game—and Roland unconsciously clenched his fists.
'Since the modifier has already changed, my previous guess... might actually be possible. If that's the case...'
"Roland?"
Sean wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth, looking quizzically at his dazed best friend.
"Hm? What's up?"
Hearing his name, Roland finally snapped out of his thoughts.
"I should be the one asking you that."
Sean waved the wooden spoon in his hand.
"I've called you a few times already. It's time to eat."
"Oh! Right, right!"
With the reminder, Roland was suddenly hit by a powerful wave of hunger.
He leaned the Wooden Sword against the wall, then grinned and rose onto his tiptoes to sling an arm around Sean's neck, heading inside.
"I didn't know you could cook. It's not going to knock me unconscious, is it?"
"Hey! Don't look down on me!"
Dinner was quite sumptuous: a large pot of steaming oat and soybean porridge, boiled cabbage, and cured meat made from the leftover scraps Sean's father hadn't sold.
Compared to the refined but stingy portions at the manor, Sean's cooking was not only filling but also tasted much better.
During the meal, Sean's father, Gary, also returned.
Compared to Peyton, though he was just as burly, Gary had an honest face and a simple, warm personality.
He welcomed Roland's arrival, but his expression clearly soured when Peyton's name was mentioned.
After dinner, having spent the entire day practicing Swordsmanship, Roland had barely laid down on the bed before he fell into a deep sleep.
「The next morning.」
Joyful noises woke Roland from his sleep.
Today was the day of the festival.
"Hey! You're finally awake!"
Opening his eyes, he saw Sean, who had changed into a new set of clothes and was frantically trying to flatten his stubborn, curly hair.
"Let's go, buddy! I heard there's a dance at the church square at noon, and Emily will be there!"
Emily was the village's acknowledged beauty—at least, that's what Sean thought.
Roland had heard him mention the girl more than a few times during their usual chats.
But for Roland, who came from Blue Star, even the most beautiful village girl couldn't pique his interest.
"I'm not going. You have fun on your own."
"Why not? It's a dance! Besides Emily, there'll be so many other pretty girls... Even if you don't like dancing, we could still..."
Roland ignored Sean's rambling, got up, dressed, and walked straight out to the yard.
Practicing his Swordsmanship and increasing his Power held far more appeal for him than looking at girls.
Although he had received an Attribute Bonus from changing his Profession to New Recruit, he was still a little short of the Strength Value required to become a Blacksmith.
"So what are you going to do today, then?"
Seeing his persuasion was useless, Sean asked, deflated.
"Keep practicing my Swordsmanship, of course."
Roland picked up his Wooden Sword and began to recall the key points Peyton had taught him yesterday.
"What?!"
Sean's eyes widened in disbelief.
For him, the monotony of village life was already dull, with the annual festivals being the only source of fun.
And the celebration of the Father of Heaven's birth was the grandest festival of the year.
But watching Roland, who had already started practicing his sword swings, Sean ultimately fell silent.
"Hm?"
After completing the final Sword Technique, Roland realized Sean had been standing there motionless the whole time.