Chapter 173: Chapter 161: Level MAX [Basic Forging Skill]

Roland took out the ring he had obtained from the Bear Goblins, the one inscribed with the First Ring Spell, Shield Skill.

Originally, when he got the ring, he’d planned to ask Bronson to study it and see if it was possible to replenish the energy of the magical artifact, whose Magic Elements were nearly depleted, and restore its function.

However, he never expected that before he could even make the request, Bronson would surprise him first.

"This is..."

Bronson took the ring and examined it carefully.

His recent research into magical artifacts had given him a great deal of experience. After turning it over in his fingers for only a moment, he reached a conclusion.

"Another magical artifact?"

When Roland nodded in confirmation, a peculiar look entered Bronson’s eyes.

He had long since heard about Roland’s talent for combat.

During his stay at the noble’s manor in Black Water Territory, he had barely left his room. Nevertheless, he’d learned from the idle chatter of the patrolling Guards just how astonishingly fast this young man’s power was growing.

But even so, Bronson was only mildly surprised.

After all, back when he conducted academic research in the Royal Capital of the Golden Valley Kingdom, he had been employed by a powerful and influential noble and had seen his fair share of geniuses.

So, even though Roland’s rate of growth far surpassed that of an ordinary person, Bronson considered it merely noteworthy, not yet to the point of being truly astounding.

However...

As he turned the ring over in his hand, Bronson’s expression grew increasingly complex.

The world has never been short on geniuses. What it lacks are geniuses who can seize their opportunities as they grow.

So many people of stunning talent had ultimately faded into mediocrity, simply because they lacked a bit of luck.

Yet this young man before him always seemed to have fortune on his side at the most critical moments.

Before the Era of the End, these two magical artifacts, even the pendant inscribed with "Death Immunity," wouldn’t have been considered particularly precious.

After all, these so-called magical artifacts were little more than trinkets crafted by Casters in their leisure time. They were rarely used in actual combat; otherwise, they wouldn’t have possessed the fatal flaw of becoming useless once their Magic Power was depleted.

But these were different times.

Several hundred years had passed since the Era of the End.

In this age of dwindling Magic Power, any functioning magical artifact was a strategic resource capable of turning the tide of a battle.

Yet, washed away by the river of time, countless glorious legacies had been lost, to say nothing of these inherently fragile magical artifacts.

But Roland hadn’t just obtained one magical artifact; he had obtained two.

What was even more incredible was that, despite being made of crude materials, both magical artifacts could potentially be reactivated.

This level of luck made even the worldly Bronson click his tongue in silent amazement.

And beyond all that...

Bronson’s gaze unconsciously drifted to the pale length of bone on Roland’s left wrist.

Roland had told him everything about what happened in Wuxi Town.

Therefore, he knew full well that this piece of bone belonged to a true Giant Dragon.

’A Giant Dragon!’

Even having only read descriptions of them in ancient texts, the memory alone made Bronson’s fingertips tremble.

’Yet Roland had not only survived an encounter with a Giant Dragon, but had even managed to keep such a crucial trophy...’

As his thoughts settled, Bronson’s expression grew even more complex.

’If I hadn’t witnessed this young man rise from obscurity step by step, I would almost suspect...’

’...whether this young man before me has truly been blessed by one of the Gods...’

"Mr. Bronson?"

Roland frowned slightly, waving a hand in front of the dazed scholar’s face.

Only then did Bronson snap out of it, as if waking from a dream.

"Ah, my apologies, Roland. I was just lost in thought..."

He gave a slightly awkward chuckle, and then his expression turned serious.

"The Spell Runes engraved on this ring are..."

"The First Ring Spell, Shield Skill."

Roland finished.

"Shield Skill?"

Bronson’s eyes instantly lit up.

"That’s an incredibly useful Defense Spell!"

The scholar quickly reined in his wandering thoughts, his entire demeanor shifting at once into the focused state unique to a researcher.

He narrowed his eyes, his rough fingertips carefully tracing every groove on the ring’s surface.

He held the ring up to the candlelight to observe it, then used a small personal knife to lightly scrape the edge, testing the material.

Suddenly, his fingers paused. He pressed a small indentation a few times, a thoughtful smile playing on his lips.

"The material of this ring is poor, but..."

Bronson placed the ring on the table, gently tapped the slightly cloudy Crystal Stone set in it, and continued.

"Because the engraved Spell Runes are only for a First Ring Spell, once its function is restored, there shouldn’t be any risk of damage as long as you don’t use it too frequently."

A gleam of light flashed in Roland’s eyes at this news.

If what Bronson said was true, it meant he would soon have access to the First Ring Spell, Shield Skill.

For someone who currently only knew a few Tricks, this was unbelievably good news.

"In that case."

Roland gently pushed the ring back toward Bronson.

"Then I’ll trouble you to restore it."

"Leave it to me!"

Bronson agreed readily.

After a bit more small talk, Roland left Bronson’s cottage and headed straight for the kitchen.

By the time the sky began to darken, he had finished preparing a hearty dinner.

As if she had timed it perfectly, Avril appeared at the dinner table right on cue.

The once quiet little courtyard was instantly filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

After dinner, Roland saw Avril and Hobbit off, then returned to his room, lay down on his soft bed, and drifted off to sleep.

「The next morning」

He woke up on time, washed up, and set off for the Blacksmith Guild.

In the days that followed, Roland’s life once again fell into a routine.

In the mornings, he would go to the Blacksmith Guild to practice his Basic Forging Skill. In the evenings, he focused on cultivating his Breathing Technique. At night, he would activate his Concentration Trait and immerse himself in studying Basic Magic Theory.

Life for the others continued much as usual.

Bronson remained engrossed in his research, and Hobbit, the Half-Elf, still visited from time to time to ask for pointers on his Combat Skills.

As for Galvis...

...he remained as enthusiastic as ever, singing boisterously in taverns and at nobles’ banquets, recounting his tales of adventure.

Thanks to him, the name "Roland" had become reasonably well-known in the Royal Capital of the River Domain.

Colin, a Merchant far away in Distant Harbor, somehow heard the news as well.

He sent a letter expressing his greetings and concern, and tucked inside was a brand-new card.

Judging by Roland’s current expenses, the amount on it was enough for him to live comfortably for quite some time.

Meanwhile, Teresa, seemingly realizing her own lack of strength after the fierce battle with the Bear Goblins, had taken her training more seriously.

She started going to the training grounds every day to diligently hone her Combat Skills and would occasionally take on quests from the Adventurer’s Guild to improve her abilities through real-world combat.

Of everyone, the one who had changed the most was arguably Avril.

The merchant powers of the River Domain were planning to eliminate the Wolf King entrenched in the Land of Mist. As a reserve member of the Shadow Kill Organization, the Elf Maiden was far from having the free time she once did.

The decreasing frequency with which she showed up to freeload dinner was, if nothing else, a clear indicator of just how busy she’d become.

Time trickled by quietly amidst this routine.

Before he knew it, half a month had passed.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Rhythmic hammering echoed through the Blacksmith Guild’s workshop.

Roland set down his hammer, used a pair of tongs to pick up the red-hot billet, and plunged it into the cooling trough at his side.

HSSSSSS!

A sharp, hissing sound of vaporization accompanied the instantaneous plume of thick, white steam.

Within the billowing steam, a simple line of golden text appeared clearly before Roland’s eyes.

[Basic Forging Skill has reached Full Level]