Chapter 5: Max-Level Forging Skill
“That’s a considerable sum; I advise you not to be too greedy.”
Marco’s expression gradually darkened, and his gaze, like a blade, re-examined the young man before him.
Disheveled black short hair, a slender physique, and an old, worn shirt sewn from coarse hemp.
The only things that stood out were his delicate face and bright eyes.
No matter how he looked, he didn't seem like someone who could remain calm in the face of such immense wealth.
“Could it be that the information I gathered earlier was wrong? This guy isn’t an orphaned, desperate peasant?”
While Marco was deep in thought, Roland spoke calmly.
“Mr. Marco, I am not trying to bargain.”
“It’s just that I’m very fond of the work of forging tools, that’s all.”
“Hmph!”
Seeing the resolute look in Roland’s eyes, Marco swallowed the threat that had been on his lips, finally letting out only a cold snort from his nose before turning and leaving.
“Father in Heaven…”
It wasn’t until Marco’s figure had completely disappeared that Sean suddenly gasped like a drowning man, his voice trembling as he said,
“Roland, that was one gold coin! You just—”
“What’s one gold coin going to do?”
Roland rolled his eyes lazily, plonked down on the creaking wooden stool, stuffed the black bread softened by fish soup into his mouth, and mumbled indistinctly,
“Someone like Marco would never honestly fulfill his promise.”
“That… that’s true…”
“But that was one… never mind.”
Thinking of Marco’s usual reputation, Sean desperately suppressed the greed in his heart and said no more.
He just sat down on the wooden stool in a daze, lost in thought.
Looking at his stunned expression, Roland sighed softly.
He didn’t have any particular thoughts about Sean’s earlier Gaffe.
After all, that was one gold coin!
Such a huge sum of wealth would be hard for anyone to resist.
Even he himself, upon hearing that price just now, couldn’t help but feel a slight wavering in his heart.
But putting those aside, Roland thought even more deeply.
In this world where nobles reigned supreme and bloodline was everything, the lives of commoners were as worthless as weeds.
And to break through the classes, besides the extraordinary path that was still out of reach, becoming a Blacksmith Apprentice through the assessment was the only path to advancement he could touch.
Moreover, with the help of the professional panel, it was only a matter of time before he became a skilled blacksmith.
By then, let alone nobles, even those extraordinary professionals would probably treat him with respect.
This was not something one gold coin could buy!
Just as Roland was lost in thought, Sean, who had recovered beside him, suddenly frowned and said,
“Buddy, I have a feeling that scoundrel Marco won’t let this go!”
“We’ll be fine in the manor, of course, but we’ll have to leave on the day of the celebration. Why don’t you go beg Mr. Hawke? Let him and the Baron…”
At this moment, Sean had long forgotten what had just happened and was instead worried about Roland’s safety.
Having lived in the marketplace since childhood, he was far less honest than he appeared and was well aware of the dirty tricks used behind the scenes.
“You think too highly of Mr. Hawke.”
Roland poured the fish soup from the wooden bowl into his mouth, smacking his lips with lingering satisfaction.
“Although the Baron respects Mr. Hawke, he is just a commoner. Haven’t you heard? Even the servants who stayed to serve went through several rounds of screening.”
“And it’s not like I can stay in the manor my whole life just because of one Marco, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
Sean patted Roland’s shoulder firmly, his tone resolute.
“It’s still the same! No matter what happens, I’ll protect you! After all, we’re good brothers who grew up together!”
Looking at Sean’s sincere eyes, Roland chuckled and teased,
“Then it’s a deal. Next time we go steal fruit from old man Frank’s house, I’ll be on lookout.”
“No way! I can’t climb a tree that high!”
Chatting and laughing, the two returned to their dormitory.
Lying on the uncomfortable bed, Roland took a deep breath, suppressing the anxiety in his heart.
Was he afraid of Marco’s highly probable retaliation?
Of course he was afraid.
He was, after all, only a Blacksmith Apprentice with no combat ability.
But what was the use of fear?
He would deal with problems as they arose.
He wouldn’t allow himself to stop moving forward because of fear.
“Anyway, I’ve already died once…”
Roland mumbled, and accompanied by the fluctuating snores around him, he slowly drifted into sleep.
The following days were peaceful; Marco did not show up to provoke him again, and Roland, as usual, patiently honed his forging skills.
The only difference was that he no longer had to shuttle between various furnaces doing odd jobs, but instead followed Hawke, focusing on Temper his Forging skill at the clanging anvil.
“Don’t get distracted, keep the rhythm!”
“More strength, yes, yes, just like that!”
Looking at the sweating young man in front of him, Hawke’s eyes inevitably showed satisfaction.
“Bang!”
As the last hammer blow fell, Roland gently shook his aching arm, looking up hopefully and asking,
“Mr. Hawke, how was it this time?”
“You’ve made great progress compared to before, but… this level won’t pass the upcoming assessment, so you have to work twice as hard, understand?”
“No problem, Mr. Hawke!”
“Good lad!”
Seeing that Roland did not show any discouragement from his words, Hawke laughed heartily, his rough hand slapping heavily on the young man’s shoulder, making Roland stumble.
Noticing the old blacksmith was in a good mood, Roland took a deep breath and took the opportunity to slowly utter the words he had deliberated over for a long time.
“Mr. Hawke, my… um… a friend of mine is having a birthday soon, and I want to borrow the tools in the Blacksmith Shop to forge him a weapon. Of course—”
Afraid that Hawke would misunderstand, Roland quickly scratched his head and explained,
“I can buy the metal ingots with money.”
Looking at the somewhat hesitant young man, Hawke’s mouth curved slightly upwards.
If it were anyone else making this request, he would probably have scolded them angrily, but if it was this young man…
Obedient, willing to endure hardship, plus outstanding talent.
What teacher wouldn’t like such an apprentice?
Thinking of this, Hawke leaned down slightly and whispered,
“Lad, you’ve also forged tools before, so you should know that there will be a lot of wear and tear during the process…”
“Mr. Hawke, do you mean…”
Roland’s eyes lit up.
“This is a one-time thing, don’t expect it again, understand?”
“Yes! Thank you, Mr. Hawke!”
“Alright…”
Hawke straightened up and waved his hand indifferently.
“If the guards at the gate ask, just mention my name.”
“I have other things to attend to. If you need to practice, just go get the metal ingots yourself; you don’t need to ask me again.”
With that, he turned and left.
The surrounding young men, hearing these words, looked at Roland with envy.
They knew that normally they only received one metal ingot when they practiced their Forging skill.
And Roland could take them freely!
“This is too unfair…”
“Yeah, even Marco didn’t get this kind of treatment…”
Roland paid no attention to the idle chatter; he simply took a metal ingot with composure, swinging his hammer while pondering.
“Since Mr. Hawke allows me to use metal ingots for free, there’s no need to forge daggers.”
“And besides the gift for Sean’s uncle, I can also forge some simple self-defense tools for myself…”
“Forget it, I’ll just max out my Forging skill first!”
Looking at the constantly rising experience points for his Forging skill on the panel, Roland’s originally tired body seemed to be infused with new strength, once again filled with vigor.
After an unknown amount of time, with the crisp clanging sounds, the monotonous text in front of him finally changed.
【Forging skill has reached max level】