"Hunter?"

Roland wasn’t surprised that learning Basic Archery could lead to the Awakening of a new Profession.

His gaze simply lingered on the last line of text, his brow gradually furrowing.

’Two survival skills...’

’What exactly do these survival skills include?’

’Making a fire with a hand drill? Purifying water? Or identifying edible things in the wild?’

Countless possibilities flashed through his mind.

Roland looked up at the completely darkened sky, then finally shook his head, temporarily suppressing his chaotic thoughts.

’Forget it. I’ll save the testing for tomorrow.’

He stretched his arms, sore from the long practice session, and carefully collected the Arrows scattered around the target before leaving the training ground.

As the night breeze swept across the manor’s path, Roland suddenly recalled the information John had shared last night.

’That’s right, I should go ask Mr. Bronson if he knows anything about the strange things happening in Black Pine Forest...’

Following his memory, Roland soon arrived at the remote wooden cabin.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

The crisp knocking sound was particularly jarring in the serene night.

The wait was longer than he had expected.

When the wooden door finally let out a groaning creak, Bronson’s haggard face appeared in the gap.

His eye sockets were sunken, but his eyes glittered with a strange light, giving him an air of morbid vitality.

"Oh, it’s you, Roland..."

Bronson’s voice was accompanied by heavy panting.

"I remember... our appointed time for research assistance... is five days from now..."

Roland replied apologetically.

"I’m so sorry to disturb you, Mr. Bronson. I just have a few questions to ask..."

As he spoke, Roland suddenly noticed a familiar sensation coming from behind the wooden door.

It was the same unique perception of Flame he had first experienced when he awakened the Blacksmith Profession and obtained the Heart of the Furnace Trait.

Right now, he could clearly sense a Fire Source inside Bronson’s room emitting volatile and restless emotional fluctuations.

"I’m truly sorry..."

Bronson’s mouth twitched as he forced a smile.

"I’m afraid today isn’t a good time, because right now I’m..."

He glanced hastily back into the room, then turned back, his words quickening.

"...in the middle of some important research."

"Let’s wait five days. When you come to assist me, I can answer your questions then, alright?"

Noticing Bronson’s growing agitation, Roland could only nod gently.

"Alright, Mr. Bronson, I’ll just..."

But before he could finish, Bronson had already waved his hand and shut the door decisively.

COUGH COUGH...

The force of the door slamming shut knocked loose some dust, making Roland cover his mouth and cough lightly.

He stood there, recalling the unusually volatile fluctuation of the Flame he had just sensed, his brow slightly furrowed.

’Mr. Bronson... what in the world is he researching?’

Filled with doubt, Roland turned and walked slowly toward the dormitories.

’Looks like I’ll just have to wait five days to visit him again...’

Back in his room, Roland washed up quickly before burying himself in his soft bed.

Exhaustion washed over him, and he fell into a deep sleep almost the instant his head hit the pillow.

The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds, Roland was startled awake by the sound of urgent hoofbeats.

He had just rubbed his drowsy eyes when he heard a familiar shout from outside his door.

"Roland! Are you awake?"

’This young noble certainly has a lot of energy...’

Roland shook his head with a sigh, gathered his belongings, and opened the door.

Dawn Light spilled gently onto the open ground.

Dalko stood before the door with two fully armed Guards, holding the reins of four fine horses.

The young noble was dressed today in form-fitting hunting attire, a dark green cloak draped over his shoulders. A jewel-encrusted Dagger was tucked into his belt, and he held two exquisitely crafted Short Bows that glinted coldly in the sunlight.

"Yo! Roland!"

The moment he saw Roland, Dalko greeted him enthusiastically, slinging an arm familiarly around his shoulders and guiding him toward the horses.

"You’re finally up! So, do you know how to ride a horse?"

Roland nodded hesitantly.

"I think I know a little..."

"Perfect!"

Dalko clapped his hands excitedly, pointing to a docile brown mare.

"I picked this one out especially for you. Not only is she gentle, but she has a very steady gait. Give her a try!"

Although Roland had never ridden a horse since transmigrating, the original owner of this body, a former Horse Boy, possessed basic Riding Skill.

It wasn’t expert-level, but it was serviceable.

"Alright, Young Master Dalko."

After speaking, Roland followed his original body’s memories and gently stroked the horse’s neck with both hands.

The brown mare snorted and docilely lowered its head, which helped his tense nerves relax a little.

"Relax, just like this..."

Dalko demonstrated how to mount the horse from the side.

Roland closed his eyes, and the memories of his original body flooded his mind like a tidal wave.

The feel of the coarse reins, the smell of the leather saddle, the rhythm of his body rising and falling with the horse’s back.

He snapped his eyes open, placed his left foot in the stirrup, and swung his right leg cleanly over the horse’s back. The entire motion was fluid and seamless.

"Nice!"

Dalko applauded loudly.

"Looks like you’re more skilled than I thought!"

But on horseback, Roland had no time to respond.

He was fully focused on reacquainting himself with this long-forgotten sensation.

His legs unconsciously gripped the horse’s belly, and his hands instinctively adjusted the tension of the reins.

The horse seemed to sense its rider’s unfamiliarity and took a few uneasy steps in place.