Forging Skill Maxed Out

"This is no small sum. I advise you not to be too greedy."

Marco's expression gradually darkened as he scrutinized the young man before him again, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

Messy black hair, a thin frame, and a worn shirt stitched from coarse hemp.

The only things that stood out were his delicate features and bright eyes.

No matter how he looked at him, he did not seem like someone who could remain calm in the face of such immense wealth.

Could the information I gathered have been wrong? Is this guy not some penniless mudfoot whose parents died and who has nowhere left to go?

As Marco pondered, Roland spoke calmly.

"Mister Marco, I'm not trying to haggle."

"I simply enjoy forging tools. That's all."

"Humph!"

Seeing the resolve in Roland's eyes, Marco swallowed the threat that had reached his lips. In the end, he merely snorted through his nose and turned to leave.

"Heavenly Father above."

Only after Marco had vanished from sight did Sean suddenly gasp like a drowning man, his voice trembling as he spoke.

"Roland, that was a gold coin! You just—"

"So what if it was a gold coin?"

Roland rolled his eyes lazily, dropped onto the creaking wooden stool, stuffed the black bread softened by fish soup into his mouth, and muttered indistinctly.

"How could someone like Marco honestly keep his promise?"

"Th-that's true."

"But that was still a gold coin... Forget it."

Thinking of Marco's usual reputation, Sean desperately suppressed the greed in his heart and said no more.

He merely sank dazedly onto the wooden stool and stared blankly ahead.

Seeing his stunned appearance, Roland sighed softly.

He did not think anything of Sean's earlier lapse in composure.

After all, that had been a gold coin!

Such an enormous fortune would be difficult for anyone to resist.

Even he himself had inevitably wavered somewhat upon hearing that offer.

But beyond that, Roland had considered much more.

In this world, where nobles stood above all and bloodlines determined everything, the lives of commoners were as worthless as weeds.

And if he wanted to break through the class divide, aside from the still-distant path of the Transcendent, passing the assessment to become a Blacksmith Apprentice was the only path of advancement within his reach.

Moreover, with the Profession Panel's assistance, becoming a master blacksmith was only a matter of time.

When that time came, forget nobles—even those Transcendent Professionals would likely have to show him some respect.

That was not something a single gold coin could buy!

As Roland pondered, Sean beside him came back to his senses and suddenly frowned.

"Buddy, I have a feeling that bastard Marco won't let this go!"

"It's fine in the manor, of course, but we'll have to leave on the day of the celebration. How about asking Mister Hawk to plead with Baron—"

By now, Sean had already forgotten what had happened earlier and was instead worried about Roland's safety.

Having grown up amid the streets and alleys, he was far less simple-minded than he looked and knew all too well about the dirty, underhanded tricks people used behind the scenes.

"You think too highly of Mister Hawk."

Roland drained the fish soup from his wooden bowl and smacked his lips with lingering satisfaction.

"Although the Baron respects Mister Hawk, he's still only a commoner. Haven't you heard? Even the servants allowed to remain and serve here went through several rounds of selection."

"And it's not as if I can stay inside the manor for the rest of my life just because of Marco, right?"

"That's true, but..."

Sean gave Roland's shoulder a firm pat, his tone unwavering.

"Still, like I said! No matter what happens, I'll protect you! We grew up together—we're brothers!"

Looking into Sean's sincere eyes, Roland chuckled and teased him.

"Then it's settled. Next time we sneak fruit from old Frank's house, I'll keep watch."

"No way! I can't climb trees that tall!"

Laughing and chatting, the two returned to their dormitory.

Lying on the hard, uncomfortable bed, Roland took a deep breath and suppressed the anxiety in his heart.

Was he afraid of Marco's likely retaliation?

Of course he was.

After all, he had only awakened the Blacksmith Apprentice profession, which possessed no combat ability at all.

But what use was fear?

If soldiers came, he would block them; if water came, he would dam it.

He would not allow fear to stop him from moving forward.

"I've already died once anyway..."

Roland muttered as the rising and falling chorus of snores around him slowly lulled him to sleep.

The days that followed were peaceful. Marco never appeared again to provoke him, while Roland continued patiently honing his forging skills as usual.

The only difference was that he no longer had to run between furnaces doing odd jobs. Instead, he followed Hawk and focused on training his Forging Skill before the clanging anvil.

"Don't lose focus. Keep the rhythm!"

"Put more strength into it. Yes, yes, yes—that's it!"

Looking at the sweat-soaked youth before him, Hawk could not help but reveal a satisfied expression.

Bang!

As the final hammer fell, Roland lightly shook his aching arm and looked up hopefully.

"Mister Hawk, how was that?"

"You've improved greatly compared to before, but... at this level, you still won't be able to pass the upcoming assessment. So you'll have to work twice as hard, understand?"

"No problem, Mister Hawk!"

"Good lad!"

Seeing that Roland showed not the slightest discouragement at his words, Hawk burst into hearty laughter. His rough palm landed heavily on the youth's shoulder, making Roland stagger.

Noticing that the old blacksmith was in a good mood, Roland took a deep breath and slowly voiced the request he had considered for a long time.

"Mister Hawk, I... um... a friend of mine has a birthday coming up. I want to borrow the tools in the Blacksmith shop to forge a weapon for him as a gift. Of course..."

Afraid that Hawk might misunderstand, Roland hurriedly scratched his head and explained.

"I can buy the metal ingots with coins."

Seeing the hesitant youth, the corners of Hawk's lips curled slightly upward.

If anyone else had made such a request, he would have likely shouted at them in anger long ago. But if it was this youth before him...

Obedient, hardworking, and exceptionally talented.

What teacher would not like a student like that?

With that thought, Hawk bent slightly and spoke in a low voice.

"Kid, you've forged tools before, so you should know that there'll be quite a bit of waste during the process."

"Mister Hawk, you mean..."

Roland's eyes lit up.

"Just this once. There won't be a next time, understand?"

"Yes! Thank you, Mister Hawk!"

"Alright."

Hawk straightened and waved a hand indifferently.

"If the guards at the entrance ask, just mention my name."

"I have other matters to handle. If you need to practice, go get the metal ingots yourself. You don't need to ask me again."

With that, he turned and left.

The youths nearby heard those words, and their eyes filled with envy as they looked at Roland.

Normally, they could only receive a metal ingot when practicing their forging techniques.

Yet Roland could use them whenever he wanted!

"This is too unfair..."

"Yeah, even Marco doesn't get that treatment."

Roland ignored the idle chatter. He calmly took a metal ingot and swung his hammer as he thought.

"Since Mister Hawk has allowed me to use metal ingots for free, there's no need to forge a dagger."

"Besides the gift for Sean's uncle, I can also make myself some simple tools for self-defense..."

"Forget it. I should max out my Forging Skill first!"

Watching the Forging Skill experience on the panel continuously rise, Roland's exhausted body seemed to be filled with fresh strength, and he became fired up once more.

He did not know how much time had passed. Amid the crisp clanging, the repetitive text before his eyes finally changed.

[Forging Skill has reached max level]