Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Profession [Blacksmith Apprentice]
Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...
At the very top of the page, four bold characters announced his status: Apprentice Blacksmith lv1 (0/100). Below this header lay a dense collection of icons.
Each symbol remained dark and shrouded in shadow, save for a single lit icon at the base of the display. Rein squinted, attempting to peer through the gloom of the interface, but the hidden icons refused to reveal their secrets.
The solitary glowing image represented the "nailing horseshoes" skill that had recently been activated.
The icon took the form of a rounded square. It featured a creative illustration of an upturned hoof at its center, flanked by a strikingly realistic black iron shovel.
Small text was inscribed beneath the image: nailing horseshoes lv1 (1/100).
Rein, however, felt a wave of confusion wash over him.
By all logic, if the act of restraining donkey hooves was enough to unlock a vocational panel, shouldn't it have been the Veterinarian class?
Why on earth had the Apprentice Blacksmith panel appeared instead?
Was it simply because a Blacksmith had been the one to teach him the technique?
Or perhaps in this realm, the duties of trimming hooves and fitting shoes were strictly relegated to Apprentice Blacksmiths?
Baffled, Rein gave a small shake of his head.
Regardless of the reason, unlocking the Apprentice Blacksmith panel was an undeniable stroke of luck.
In an era defined by Cold Weapons, what was the true social standing of a blacksmith?
Those who understood the world knew the answer!
Rein rubbed his chin, a faint grin spreading across his face.
"Hey, Rein, what’s with that smirk?" George asked while giving him a nudge.
George, Rein’s only true companion, was a lanky youth with short blond hair.
"Come on, you want to go again? It's the next guy's turn," George noted, gesturing with his chin toward the line.
Rein took a moment to consider his options.
"Master Baal, would it be alright if I took another turn?" Rein requested, turning toward the master while the other serving boys looked on in shock.
His friend George frantically yanked at the hem of Rein’s tattered clothes, hissing under his breath, "Rein, did you get kicked in the skull by a donkey?"
George’s voice cut off abruptly in the next heartbeat.
"Quit pulling, or I won't have a stitch of clothing left," Rein remarked, gesturing to his worn coat which was now little more than a collection of rags.
Rein’s willingness to volunteer caught Baal off guard. The Master studied Rein’s earnest expression before nodding slowly.
"Very well then... Engels, you can take the next round off."
Engels, the son of the local tanner, was clad in brown linen shorts.
Relieved to be excused, he stepped to the side and resumed his cheerful chatter!
As he passed, Engels even gave Rein a friendly slap on the back, remarking, "Smart move!"
It wasn't a violation of any rules; Rein had offered, and Engels had no desire to be an Apprentice Blacksmith anyway. His heart was set on becoming a guard at Habbs Manor, and he found the messy work of fixing hooves repulsive.
Rein toiled throughout the entire morning, only stopping when his limbs felt like lead and he could barely move.
His current body was far too frail; otherwise, he believed he could have pushed himself even further.
He glanced at his panel. Though his hands were shaking from the exertion, the sight of the screen filled with "Experience +1" notifications felt as sweet as honey to him.
[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]
...
He noted a crucial distinction: Skill Experience and Apprentice Blacksmith Professional Experience Points were two separate things.
The speed at which his skill leveled up far outpaced the growth of his Professional Experience.
Rein stared thoughtfully at the skill entry—nailing horseshoes lv1 (12/100).
Gaining twelve points in a single morning was actually quite a rapid pace!
This was especially true considering he was merely holding the hooves rather than performing the actual shoeing.
But there was a catch...
Habbs Manor only owned a few dozen donkeys.
At this rate, he would run out of hooves to fix by tomorrow. Once the task was finished, he might have to wait a month or two before he had another chance to practice the skill.
If that were the case, leveling up "nailing horseshoes" would take a very long time.
Furthermore...
Rein checked the Apprentice Blacksmith progress bar at the bottom right, which read lv1 (2/100).
His Professional Experience had only increased by a meager two points!
Was it because trimming donkey hooves was too far removed from the core duties of a Blacksmith?
Rein let out a quiet, troubled sigh.
"How long will it take me to actually level up as an Apprentice Blacksmith?"
"The evaluation is only three months away. If I haven't progressed by then, I'll fail for sure!"
With these thoughts weighing on him, Rein swiped back to the first page of the interface.
"Oh! So the first page... is this my attribute panel?"
Name: Rein Carlan
Occupation: Apprentice Blacksmith lv1
Constitution: 5
Strength: 4
Agility: 6
Spirit: 8
(Note: The average attribute for a standard adult male is 6.)
"Only 4 points in Strength... these stats are pathetic! It's no wonder I had such a hard time holding down a single hoof," Rein lamented internally.
His Spirit was his highest stat at 8 points, surpassing the average human. He wondered if this was a result of his soul merging with this new body.
"Rein, come on, quit wasting time! It's time for lunch," George shouted, waving him over.
"What's up with you today? You've been spacing out all morning," George asked, sounding concerned.
Rein offered a small smile and shrugged. "I probably just hit my head and I'm overthinking things. Let's go, I'm starving!"