Scholar and Focus

Three days after the celebration, the overcast sky felt especially oppressive.

Yet it did nothing to dampen Marco's good mood.

The tall youth hummed a tune as he left the dormitory, heading briskly toward the blacksmith shop.

As he passed an open clearing, Marco noticed a group of youths reciting words after a thin man.

His gaze drifted across the crowd, and when it caught sight of the delicate-featured youth with his brow tightly furrowed, the corners of his mouth rose involuntarily.

"Although that mercenary named Sam took the money without doing the job, it still achieved the result I wanted."

Remembering Roland's embarrassment that day when he could not recognize most of the words on the cloth, Marco could not help but chuckle.

"My father spent heavily on tutors for me from childhood, and once I came of age, he had me study all sorts of business contracts by his side."

Marco stroked the exquisite belt buckle at his waist, a trace of pride flashing through his eyes.

"Even so, it took me several years to master enough words to barely pass Mister Hawk's Knowledge Test."

"Teaching him to read with that unknown 'beggar'? And he thinks he can pass the test within a month? What a fantasy."

With that thought, Marco adjusted his collar and continued toward the blacksmith shop with even lighter steps.

Meanwhile, Roland, whom Marco was secretly mocking, was listening intently to Bronson's explanation.

The branch in his hand continually traced the outlines of words in the dirt in time with the lesson.

Noticing the focused figure, Bronson's voice unconsciously softened.

Unlike the other youths who merely went through the motions, Roland had not only paid close attention in every class over the past three days, but had also chased after him afterward to ask all kinds of questions.

Even in the tower, there were few students this diligent.

Thinking this, Bronson gave a light cough and said kindly,

"Roland, come up and read this passage."

"Yes, Mister Bronson."

Roland set down the branch in his hand, slowly stepped forward, accepted the piece of cloth, and began reading the words written on it.

"During the, uh, era, the knight followed, uh, to campaign against dragons, then, uh..."

The moment his stumbling recitation ended, the youths in the clearing burst into laughter.

"Everyone, please quiet down!"

Bronson tried to stop them, but the youths paid no heed and continued whispering mockingly.

"He can't even understand a knight's tale, and he wants to become a Blacksmith Apprentice?"

"I heard he's some country bumpkin. It's already impressive that he recognizes a few words."

The youths had long resented Hawk's special treatment of Roland.

Now that they had finally found an opportunity, how could they let it go so easily?

"Quiet! I said... quiet!"

Bronson raised his voice again in an attempt to maintain order, but the snickering continued without end.

The mischievous youths exchanged teasing looks, clearly not taking this "beggar" teacher seriously.

Seeing this, Bronson awkwardly rubbed his fingers together and gave Roland an apologetic look.

But to his surprise, Roland neither flushed with shame nor backed down in the face of the relentless ridicule.

He simply continued, completing the recitation word by word in a slightly halting yet resolute voice.

"Mister Bronson, I've finished reading."

Roland gave a slight bow and handed over the cloth.

"V-very good."

Seeing the calm expression on Roland's face, Bronson let out a long breath and gently patted his shoulder.

"Keep it up."

His voice softened unconsciously.

"Your rate of progress has already surpassed everyone else's."

"Thank you, Mister Bronson."

Watching the youth's retreating back, Bronson sighed softly.

He had not lied just now. Compared to the other youths, Roland's progress in reading and writing was indeed remarkably fast.

"But his foundation is far too weak. I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to pass Mister Hawk's Knowledge Test."

"I happen to need an assistant. Perhaps..."

But considering the meager support provided by Baron Foslin, Bronson could only shake his head and let out a helpless sigh.

After returning to his seat, Roland quickly resumed his earlier state.

He listened intently to Bronson's explanation while drawing and scribbling on the ground with his branch.

Who knew how much time had passed before a crisp bell rang out, and Roland's previously calm pupils suddenly contracted.

[General Knowledge learned. Current level: Lv.1]

[Upon assessment, eligible for the basic profession Scholar]

[Requirements: 0.8 Spirit, Lv.1 General Knowledge]

[Accept profession?]

"Learning words can trigger a skill too?"

Staring at the golden text before him, Roland was immediately delighted.

Before this, whether it was Bellows Operation or practicing Basic Swordsmanship, they had all been practical skills that could be physically performed in reality.

Yet abstract knowledge like reading and writing could also activate a skill. It completely overturned his understanding of the Profession Panel.

After a brief moment of astonishment, Roland immediately spoke in his heart.

"Accept Scholar."

[Profession accepted. Current profession: Scholar]

[Attribute bonus gained: Spirit +0.5]

[Trait gained: Focus]

[Focus: When actively activated, enters a state of intense mental concentration. Duration depends on the Spirit attribute.]

"It's actually a trait that can be activated manually!"

Looking at the golden text before him, Roland's brows lifted slightly of their own accord.

He had originally thought that a basic profession like Scholar would grant a passive enhancement trait, like Blacksmith Apprentice or Recruit.

He had even imagined the trait's effect already, something like "significantly increases learning efficiency."

Yet the [Focus] trait before him completely shattered his expectations.

"Intense mental concentration."

Murmuring the trait description inwardly, Roland activated [Focus] without hesitation.

In an instant, the conversations of the surrounding youths gradually faded into vague background noise. Even Bronson's hoarse voice became extraordinarily distant, as though separated by a thick pane of glass.

Everything seemed to slow down and grow quiet.

Roland lowered his head and rubbed the cloth in his hands. Its texture became clearer than ever beneath his fingertips, and he could even distinguish how much ink different areas had absorbed.

The words that had once been crooked and difficult to identify gradually broke down into clear stroke structures before Roland's eyes.

Then, as if they had come alive, they flooded madly into his mind.

[You have successfully conducted a General Knowledge study. Gained 1 experience point.]

[You have successfully conducted a General Knowledge study.]

[You have successfully conducted a...]

Who knew how long passed before a somewhat thin hand gently rested on his shoulder, pulling Roland from that indescribable state.

But before he could even raise his head to see who it was, a sharp, needle-like pain suddenly pierced his mind.