Three days after the celebration, the sky was overcast and exceptionally gloomy.
However, this did nothing to dampen Marco's good mood.
The tall youth hummed a little tune as he left the dormitory, walking with a spring in his step toward the Blacksmith Shop.
While crossing an open field, Marco noticed a group of youths reciting text under the guidance of a gaunt-looking man.
His gaze swept over the crowd. When he spotted the fine-featured youth with a deep frown on his face, the corner of his mouth curled up involuntarily.
'That mercenary, Sam, may have taken my money without doing the job, but I still got the result I wanted in the end...'
Remembering how embarrassed Roland had been that day, unable to recognize even half the words on the cloth strip, Marco couldn't help but chuckle aloud.
'My father has paid a fortune for my tutors since I was a child. Once I came of age, he even had me study various business contracts at his side.'
Marco stroked the exquisite buckle of his belt, a glint of self-satisfaction in his eyes.
'Even with all that, it still took me years to learn enough characters to barely pass Master Hawke's knowledge test...'
'And he expects to pass the test in a month? Taught by some 'beggar' who came out of nowhere? That's just wishful thinking.'
At that thought, Marco straightened his collar and continued toward the Blacksmith Shop, his steps even lighter than before.
Meanwhile, Roland, the target of Marco's silent scorn, was completely engrossed in Bronson's lecture.
The branch in his hand moved in time with the lesson, tracing the outlines of characters in the dirt.
Noticing this focused figure, the tone of Bronson's lecture softened slightly.
Unlike the other boys who were just going through the motions, Roland had been attentive in every class for the past three days and would even stay after to ask him all sorts of questions.
'Even in the High Tower, you rarely see a student this diligent...'
At this thought, Bronson cleared his throat and spoke kindly.
"Roland, come to the front and read this passage aloud."
"Yes, Mr. Bronson."
Roland set down his branch, slowly walked forward, took the cloth strip, and began to read the text on it.
"During the... uh... period, Knights followed... er... to conquer... dragons, and after that... uh..."
No sooner had his halting recitation ended than the boys in the clearing erupted in a wave of jeering laughter.
"Everyone, please be quiet!"
Bronson tried to stop them, but the boys paid him no mind, continuing to whisper and mock him.
"He can't even read a story about Knights, and he wants to be a Blacksmith Apprentice?"
"I heard he's just some kid from the countryside. It's a miracle he can recognize any words at all..."
The boys had long been jealous of the special treatment Hawke showed Roland.
Now that they finally had their chance, how could they possibly let it go?
"Quiet! I said... quiet!"
Bronson raised his voice again, trying to maintain order, but the waves of snickering continued unabated.
The rowdy boys exchanged mischievous glances, clearly having no respect for this "beggar" teacher.
Seeing this, Bronson nervously wrung his hands and shot Roland an apologetic look.
But to his surprise, in the face of the unending ridicule, Roland showed no sign of shame or retreat.
He simply continued reading in a tone that was slightly halting yet firm, finishing the passage word by word.
"Mr. Bronson, I'm finished."
Roland bowed slightly as he handed the cloth strip back.
"Ve... very good..."
Seeing the calm expression on Roland's face, Bronson let out a long sigh of relief and gently patted his shoulder.
"Keep it up."
His voice softened without him realizing it.
"Your rate of progress has already surpassed everyone else's..."
"Thank you, Mr. Bronson."
Watching the youth's retreating back, Bronson sighed softly.
He hadn't been lying. Compared to the other boys, Roland's progress in learning to read and write was indeed remarkably fast.
'But his foundation is just too weak. I'm afraid it'll be very difficult for him to pass Mr. Hawke's knowledge test...'
'I do happen to need an assistant, so perhaps...'
But considering the meager funding provided by Baron Fosling, Bronson could only shake his head and let out a helpless sigh.
After returning to his seat, Roland quickly resumed his previous posture.
He listened intently to Bronson's lecture, all the while sketching in the dirt with his branch.
An unknown amount of time passed before a clear chime rang out. Roland, who had been calm, felt his pupils suddenly contract.
[General Knowledge learned. Current Level: Level 1]
[Analysis complete. Basic Profession: Student is now available.]
[Requirements: 0.8 Spirit, Level 1 General Knowledge]
[Assume this Profession?]
'Learning to read can trigger a Skill?'
Roland's heart leaped with joy as he stared at the golden text floating before his eyes.
After all, everything before this—whether it was working the Bellows or practicing Basic Swordsmanship—had been a physical craft he could actually practice.
The fact that something as abstract and knowledge-based as literacy could also activate a Skill completely overturned his understanding of the Professional Panel.
After a brief moment of shock, Roland immediately willed it in his mind.
'Assume the Profession of Student.'
[Profession assumed. Current Profession: Student]
[Attribute Bonus Acquired: Spirit +0.5]
[Trait Acquired: Concentration]
[Concentration: Upon activation, enter a state of heightened mental focus. Duration is determined by your Spiritual Attribute Value.]
'It's an activatable Trait!'
Looking at the golden text before him, Roland couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
He had assumed that a Basic Profession like Student would grant a passive enhancement Trait, just like Blacksmith Apprentice or New Recruit.
He'd even imagined what the effect would be—something along the lines of "significantly increases learning efficiency."
But this [Concentration] Trait completely shattered his expectations.
'Heightened mental focus...'
Muttering the Trait's description, Roland activated [Concentration] without a moment's hesitation.
In an instant, the chatter of the other boys faded into a blurry background hum. Bronson's raspy lecture became incredibly distant, as if coming from behind a thick pane of glass.
Everything seemed to slow down, to grow quiet.
Roland lowered his head and ran his fingers over the cloth strip. Its texture became clearer than ever before beneath his fingertips; he could even distinguish how the ink had been absorbed differently in various areas.
The characters that had once been crooked and illegible now began to resolve into clear, distinct strokes before his eyes.
Then, as if coming alive, they flooded into his mind.
[You have successfully conducted a study of General Knowledge. You gained 1 experience point.]
[You have successfully conducted a study of General Knowledge...]
[You have successfully conducted a study...]
An unknown amount of time passed. Roland only snapped out of this indescribable state when a somewhat bony hand gently came to rest on his shoulder.
But before he could look up to see who it was, a sharp, piercing pain suddenly shot through his head.