Chapter 2 Profession [Blacksmith Apprentice]

The title on the first line of the page reads in four large characters: Apprentice Blacksmith lv1 (0/100), with a dense array of icons below it.

Except for the one icon at the bottom that was lit up, all the other icons were dim and obscure. Despite Rein trying hard to inspect them by squinting, he found he could not make them out clearly.

The lit-up icon was the "nailing horseshoes" skill that had just been prompted.

The icon was shaped like a rounded square, creatively depicted with a central image of the bottom of a hoof facing upwards, and beside it was a black iron shovel, vivid and lifelike.

Beneath the icon, there were a few small words: nailing horseshoes lv1 (1/100).

However, Rein was still a bit puzzled.

Logically speaking, if his fixing of the donkey's hooves could trigger the vocational panel, shouldn't it have triggered the Veterinarian vocational panel?

Why did it trigger the Apprentice Blacksmith vocational panel instead!

Could it be because the skill of fixing donkey hooves was taught by a Blacksmith?

Or was it because in this world, tasks like fixing donkey hooves and nailing horseshoes were done by Apprentice Blacksmiths?

Rein shook his head slightly, baffled!

Regardless, triggering the Apprentice Blacksmith vocational panel was always a good thing.

What was the status of a blacksmith in the Age of Cold Weapons?

Those who know, know!

Rein touched his chin, and a smile suddenly appeared on his lips.

"Hey, Rein, what are you grinning about?" George tugged on him.

George had blond short hair and a lanky figure, Rein's only close friend.

"Come on, do you want to do another round? It's someone else's turn now," George said, tilting his chin.

Rein pondered for a moment.

"Master Baal, may I go for another round?" Rein said, turning to Master Baal under the astonished gaze of the serving boys.

His best pal George was constantly tugging subtly at his ragged clothes behind him, anxiously whispering lowly, "Rein, did a donkey kick your head?"

The next second, his voice abruptly stopped.

"Stop pulling, or I'll have nothing to wear at all." Rein lifted the worn cloth coat, now nearly a strip of cloth.

Rein's volunteering surprised Baal. He looked at Rein's serious face, then nodded and said:

"Okay, then.... Engels, you're up next round."

Engels was the son of the town's tanner, dressed in brown linen shorts.

Upon hearing he could rest, he walked aside, chatting cheerfully again!

Engels even patted Rein's shoulder on his way out, saying, "Smart move!"

This wasn't against the rules, after all, doing another round was Rein's own suggestion, and besides, Engels aimed to be a guard at Habbs Manor, not an Apprentice Blacksmith—the task of fixing donkey hooves was something he absolutely didn't want to touch!

After working all morning, Rein stopped to rest only when he could hardly move anymore.

This body was truly a bit too weak; otherwise, Rein figured he could have lasted even longer.

Looking up at the panel, although his hands were trembling from fatigue, seeing the screen full of Experience +1 still felt as sweet to Rein as if he had eaten honey.

[You assisted in fixing donkey hooves, insight improved!]

[Your skill nailing horseshoes has improved, Experience +1]

[You focused on learning nailing horseshoes for one hour, Apprentice Blacksmith Professional Experience Points +1]

[Your skill nailing horseshoes has improved, Experience +1]

[Your skill nailing horseshoes has improved, Experience +1]

...

Circle the key points, Experience +1 and Apprentice Blacksmith Professional Experience Points +1, these two are different.

The rate of increase in skill Experience is far greater than that in Apprentice Blacksmith Professional Experience Points.

Looking at the skill—nailing horseshoes lv (12/100), Rein couldn't help but fall into thought.

In just one morning, he had gained 12 Experience points – truly, the rate of increase wasn't slow!

After all, he was only helping to hold down the donkey's hooves, not fixing them himself.

However....

There were only a few dozen donkeys within Habbs Manor.

So, at most, he could fix donkey hooves for one more day tomorrow, and then, the task of fixing donkey hooves would be done. After that, if he wanted to further improve his nail horseshoes skill, he would have to wait till next month or even the month after.

Looking at it that way, it seemed he wouldn't be able to level up the skill nailing horseshoes any time soon!

Moreover....

Rein glanced at the Apprentice Blacksmith, particularly the experience bar at the bottom right of the words lv1 (2/100).

The Professional Experience had only increased by two points!

Could it be because fixing donkey hooves was too unrelated to the Apprentice Blacksmith profession?

Rein sighed internally, a bit troubled!

"How many years and months will it be before I can level up the Apprentice Blacksmith?"

"The assessment is in three months; if I can't advance by then, there's no chance at the assessment!"

Thinking about it, Rein flipped the panel back to the first page.

"Huh! Is this first page…the attribute panel?"

Name: Rein Carlan

Occupation: Apprentice Blacksmith lv1

Constitution: 5

Strength: 4

Agility: 6

Spirit: 8

(Note: Ordinary adult males have an attribute of 6 for all fields.)

"Only 4 points in Strength.... absolutely feeble attributes! No wonder I struggled to hold down even a donkey's hoof!" Rein sighed helplessly internally.

With Spirit being the highest at 8 points, higher than an ordinary adult's—perhaps it was because of the merger between him and his original body?

"Rein, let's go, stop dawdling! Off to lunch," his best friend George called out.

"What's going on with you today? Why are you always so distracted?" George asked with concern.

Rein smiled slightly and said casually, "Maybe it's because I got hurt and I'm just overthinking. Let's go, lunch!"