Battle Readiness and Class Resonance

[Class change successful. Current class: Recruit]

[Attribute bonuses gained: Strength +1, Agility +1]

[Trait gained: Battle Readiness]

[Battle Readiness: Improves the training effectiveness of combat-related skills]

"Three points of Strength. I'm still not as strong as Sean, but I should be a bit stronger than those apprentice boys at the Blacksmith shop."

Feeling the strength that had appeared out of nowhere within his body, Roland let out a long breath and clenched his fists. Then, his gaze shifted back to the words before him.

"Battle Readiness?"

After reading the description behind the [Battle Readiness] trait, Roland's pupils contracted slightly. The exhaustion in his body vanished at once.

He picked up the wooden sword again and practiced Basic Swordsmanship once more.

The moment he finished the sequence, golden text appeared before his eyes.

[You have successfully completed one Basic Swordsmanship training session and gained 2 experience points.]

"Hiss."

Roland sucked in a sharp breath as he looked at the two experience points he had gained.

"I thought [Battle Readiness] was like [Humble Apprentice], helping me awaken skills in related fields faster. I never expected the effect to be this simple and brutal."

"Isn't this basically a permanent double experience card I can carry around?"

After clicking his tongue inwardly, Roland's heart surged with excitement.

In this world, strength was the only true foundation!

Yet limited by their energy, even ordinary people who specialized in a single combat skill—whether swordsmanship, spear techniques, or archery—could still fall short.

For those lacking talent, even devoting an entire lifetime to it might not be enough to hone one combat skill to its peak.

However, with the boost from [Battle Readiness], no matter what combat skill he studied, whether basic moves or advanced techniques, his training efficiency would be significantly improved.

Besides, he had heard that combat skills existed in this world. Those should count as combat-related skills too!

"With this trait, as long as I have enough time, couldn't I..."

Just as Roland indulged in his fantasies, golden text appeared again.

[Blacksmith Apprentice class detected. Class Resonance can be triggered.]

"Class Resonance?"

The moment he saw those words, Roland was lost in memories.

"It seemed that the biggest selling point of that game I played was that combat classes and life classes could resonate with each other..."

"Unfortunately, I had only just preordered the game before I worked myself to death at the company without ever getting to play it..."

Just as Roland was feeling helpless, the text began to change continuously.

[Class Resonance]

[Blacksmith Apprentice + Recruit]

[Additional bonus gained: Tempered Steel]

[Tempered Steel: Strength limit increased. Strength growth efficiency increased.]

As the words gradually faded, Roland felt an indescribable power stirring within him.

The most obvious change was that the muscle soreness caused by practicing Basic Swordsmanship had already faded by more than half under the effect of this bonus.

He rubbed his smooth chin and carefully considered the description of the additional bonus.

"So, when I do Strength Training in the future, I'll grow faster than before? As for the Strength limit... Wait!"

Just as he sank into thought, Sean pushed open the door and came out holding a wooden spoon.

The burly body of his best friend made Roland suddenly realize a crucial issue.

Under normal circumstances, a person's Strength limit was constrained by their genes.

For example, under the same training conditions, someone with a smaller frame would find it difficult for their muscle mass and strength to surpass those of someone born with a broad frame.

"Then, does increasing my Strength limit mean my physique will become more muscular? Or will my muscle density increase?"

At that thought, Roland's heart surged with excitement.

Either possibility would be a transformation he had always dreamed of as someone with a slender build.

Amid his delight, Roland's thoughts turned to another possibility.

"In the original game's setting, resonance effects could only occur between combat classes and life classes, and each character could have at most one combat class and one life class."

Excitement gleamed in his eyes.

"But the cheat I have now lets me take on unlimited classes. Doesn't that mean I might be able to trigger countless Class Resonances?"

With that thought, his mind became even more active.

"Perhaps it isn't limited to combat and life classes. Resonance effects might even occur between combat classes, or between life classes, because..."

His gaze fell on [Recruit], a class that had never appeared in the original game. Roland unconsciously clenched his fists.

"Since the cheat has already changed, then my guess from earlier may really be possible. If that's the case..."

"Roland?"

Sean wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth and looked at his distracted friend in confusion.

"Hm? What is it?"

Hearing the call, Roland finally snapped out of his thoughts.

"I should be asking you that."

Sean shook the wooden spoon in his hand.

"I've called you several times already. It's time to eat."

"Oh! Right, right!"

At the reminder, Roland finally felt a fierce wave of hunger wash over him.

He leaned the wooden sword against the wall, then grinned as he stood on tiptoe, hooked an arm around Sean's neck, and walked inside with him.

"I didn't know you could cook. Don't tell me eating it will make people fall unconscious?"

"Hey! Don't look down on me!"

Dinner was quite plentiful: a large pot of steaming oat and soybean porridge, boiled cabbage, and salted meat pickled from leftover cuts that Sean's father had failed to sell.

Compared to the refined but stingy meals at the manor, Sean's cooking was not only filling, but tasted even better.

During the meal, Sean's father, Gary, returned as well.

Though he was just as burly as Peyton, Gary had an honest-looking face and a simple, warm personality.

He welcomed Roland's arrival, but when Peyton was mentioned, displeasure was clearly visible on his face.

After dinner, Roland, who had practiced swordsmanship all day, had barely lain down on the bed before falling asleep.

Early the next morning, cheerful clamor woke Roland from his dreams.

Today was the day of the celebration.

"Hey! You're finally awake!"

When Roland opened his eyes, he saw Sean dressed in brand-new clothes, clumsily trying to smooth down his stubborn curls.

"Come on, buddy! I heard there's going to be a dance at the church square at noon. Emily will be there too!"

Emily was acknowledged as the village beauty, at least according to Sean.

During their usual chats, Roland had heard him mention the girl plenty of times.

But to Roland, who came from Blue Star, even the most beautiful village girl could not stir his interest.

"I'm not going. Have fun by yourself."

"Why not? It's a dance! Besides Emily, there'll be so many pretty girls. Even if you don't like dancing, we can still..."

Roland ignored Sean's rambling, got up, dressed, and headed straight for the courtyard.

Compared to looking at girls, practicing swordsmanship and increasing his Strength were far more appealing to him.

Although changing class to Recruit had given him attribute bonuses, he was still just short of the Strength required to change class to Blacksmith.

"Then what exactly are you going to do today?"

Seeing that persuasion was useless, Sean asked dejectedly.

"Keep practicing swordsmanship, of course."

Roland picked up the wooden sword and began recalling the key points Peyton had taught him yesterday.

"What?!"

Sean's eyes widened in disbelief.

To him, ordinary village life was already dull enough. Only the annual festivals brought a little entertainment.

And the birthday celebration of the Heavenly Father was the grandest festival of the entire year.

But as he watched Roland begin swinging his sword in practice, Sean ultimately fell silent.

"Hm?"

Only after finishing the final sword move did Roland realize Sean had been standing beside him without moving.