https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-28-Promotion-Profession-Blacksmith/12956354/
Chapter 29: Core Skills
Chapter 29: Core Skills
【Host's promotion to Blacksmith detected: 1. Blacksmith Apprentice Lv.3 Max Level; 2. Strength and Constitution at 6 points or higher; 3. Forging ten qualified blacksmith products. All conditions met. Proceed with promotion?】
【Note: The new Blacksmith Profession Panel will replace the original Blacksmith Apprentice Panel upon promotion.】
Obviously, there was no need to hesitate. Rayn chose 'Yes' without a second thought.
【Ding! Promotion successful!】
【Promotion to Blacksmith successful! Strength +2! Acquired core skills: Blacksmith's Strength Lv.1 and Single-Handed Hammer Mastery Lv.1.】
【Blacksmith's Strength Lv.1 (Active): Due to years of blacksmithing, the blacksmith's muscular explosive power surpasses that of ordinary people.】
【Hammer Mastery Lv.1 (Passive): Through constant blacksmithing, the blacksmith becomes extremely familiar with hammers of all sizes, using them with ease.】
Whoa! Core skills appeared! Rayn was both surprised and delighted.
This promotion was indeed a qualitative leap forward.
After informing Boris, the blacksmith, that he would return after lunch, Rayn quickly left the blacksmith shop and turned the corner. He immediately found an empty spot and carefully examined his panel.
The original Blacksmith Apprentice panel had disappeared, replaced by the Blacksmith panel.
At the same time, two new icon borders at the bottom of the panel glowed slightly, appearing almost twice the size of a regular skill icon.
Rayn focused on an icon resembling a strongman flexing his biceps. Below the icon was a line of small text.
【Core Skill: Blacksmith's Strength Lv.1 (Active)】
Blacksmith's Strength Lv.1 (Active) Effect: Upon skill activation, your strength receives a slight boost.
(Note: The skill's effect is proportional to the host's strength, and its duration is proportional to the host's constitution and mental power.)
Rayn quickly fell into deep thought upon reading this. The additional two points in strength from the Blacksmith promotion caused his strength attribute to surpass his previously highest mental attribute, becoming the highest.
It was well known that 9 points of strength far exceeded that of an average adult male, and even the elite night watchmen under Hamilton might pale in comparison.
Feeling the surge of power throughout his body, Rayn couldn't help but feel a sense of joy.
Even before his promotion, each level up as a Blacksmith Apprentice or Militia only granted one free attribute point. But now, with just a promotion, Rayn had gained two strength points.
It was a significant increase!
Rayn was eager to try out this new active skill, Blacksmith's Strength, which could further enhance his strength. However, there was nothing suitable around, and using it would create too much noise, attracting unwanted attention.
Rayn pondered for a moment, then decided to head home. On his way, he kept a lookout and soon spotted a boulder almost half his height by the roadside.
After confirming that no one was around, Rayn approached the boulder with anticipation.
"Heave!"
With 9 points of strength, Rayn effortlessly lifted the heavy boulder that he couldn't have moved before. Although he struggled a bit, his face turning red, he managed to lift it half a meter off the ground.
To take it further, to lift the 200-pound boulder over his head, Rayn needed a little more strength.
Focusing his mind on Blacksmith's Strength, he activated the skill.
Suddenly, a warm current surged from his heart, causing his blood to rush and his veins to bulge. His arm and shoulder muscles swelled.
With a mighty heave, Rayn lifted the heavy boulder over his head and threw it a good four to five meters away.
A sense of satisfaction and power surged through Rayn as he witnessed the throw.
This was the confidence and thrill that great strength bestowed upon a man. Rayn glanced at his attribute panel once more. Strength: 9 (+1.8). The +1.8 in brackets was the effect of Blacksmith's Strength, but the duration was not displayed.
Rayn stood still, sensing the changes in his body. After about half a minute, he felt the internal heat gradually dissipating, indicating that the active skill Blacksmith's Strength could currently last for around half a minute.
This was already more than Rayn had hoped for; there was no doubt that Blacksmith's Strength was a powerful skill.
Glancing at the sun, which was already past noon, Rayn thought to himself, "Damn! I almost missed lunch!"
Without further ado, he rushed home, not even stopping to check the other core skill, Hammer Expertise.
As soon as he entered the house, his mother approached him.
"Why are you so late? Were you at the blacksmith's again?" she asked, her voice filled with concern as she saw Rayn return, drenched in sweat.
Rayn nodded and took the towel his mother handed him, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Just as Rayn was about to explain to his parents about his agreement with Sheriff Hamilton to join the Night Watch, his usually taciturn father suddenly spoke up, "Rayn, come here for a moment."
Rayn was a bit surprised but followed his father into the room.
His father took out a gray linen-wrapped object from the old bedside table. As he slowly unwrapped it, Rayn saw two slightly worn Imperial gold coins and more than ten silver coins.
After a moment's hesitation, his father took the only two gold coins and handed them to Rayn.
"Rayn, whenever you have free time, go to that stingy guy Boris's blacksmith shop. But it's useless; unless you can pay the apprenticeship fee, you won't be able to move that heartless guy with sincerity alone."
"Father, I..." Rayn wanted to say something, but his father waved him off.
"Let me finish, I've discussed this with your mother. These two gold coins should be enough for you to learn a skill or two from Boris, which might give you an edge in the Manor's blacksmith apprentice assessment."
"The rest of the money will be kept for the family to buy some white bread, meat, and eggs for you and Mint. We can't give you more."
Rayn fell silent, looking at his father's sun-darkened face.
With determination, Rayn pushed away the gold coins his father offered. He raised his head and said, "Father, you and mother don't need to worry about my future anymore."
"I provided Sheriff Hamilton with crucial clues about the missing children case. Sheriff Hamilton promised me that after my Page training, I can join the Night Watch."
As he finished, Rayn's father stared at him in astonishment. Rayn then took out two new Imperial gold coins from his pocket and handed them over.
"Father, these two gold coins are my reward from Sheriff Hamilton. With this money, we can afford better meals."
It wasn't that Rayn was unwilling to give all the gold coins to his family; it was just that the amount was more than he could explain away as a reward for providing clues.
"Bang!"
"Rayn, is this true?!"
His mother, who had been listening at the door, could no longer contain her surprise. She pushed open the door and rushed into the room.
"Of course," Rayn shrugged, smiling. "If you and Father really don't believe me, you can go to the town hall and ask Sheriff Hamilton directly."
"Goddess of Fortune be praised!" his mother exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down her face as she prayed fervently.
At lunch, his father, in a rare display of extravagance, opened several bottles of dark beer and insisted on sharing a drink with Rayn, leaving Anna and Mint exchanging glances.
Anna sensed something but felt too shy to ask Rayn about it.
"Rayn, from now on, you're a man! Burp~ Regarding you and Anna... Burp~ It's your decision, and your father supports you! Burp~"
"Father, about that..."
Rayn felt embarrassed as he looked at his drunk father. He quickly glanced at Anna, and both of them averted their gaze.
The next moment, Anna, like a startled rabbit, immediately lowered her head, her fair face turning crimson.
(End of Chapter)
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