Chapter 165: Chapter 153: Hidden Traits! Group Buff!

"Everyone..."

Roland took a deep breath and shifted in his seat, pressing his back more firmly against the carriage wall.

"I need to rest for a bit. Wake me when we reach town."

"Sleep well, Roland! Don’t you worry!"

Avril immediately leaned closer and patted her modest chest, vowing confidently.

"With me here, not even a mosquito will dare disturb you!"

Teresa opened her mouth, but in the end only pursed her lips and added softly.

"I will keep watch, Mr. Roland."

Outside, though there was no verbal reply, the carriage’s noticeable deceleration indicated that Galvis had understood.

"Thank you."

After thanking them, Roland slowly closed his eyes and thought to himself.

’Become an Apprentice Knight!’

In that instant, brilliant golden words materialized in the darkness behind his closed eyelids.

[Profession Change Successful. Current Profession: Apprentice Knight]

[Attribute Bonus Acquired: Power +6, Agility +6, Spirit +3]

Before the words could fade, an indescribable Energy surged from his chest, flowing like a warm current through his limbs and into every fiber of his being.

Unlike previous simple Attribute increases, this change made Roland unconsciously tense up.

This wasn’t a simple increase in Power, but a sense of fulfillment on a vital level—as if his very being was being elevated.

It was like a dry riverbed welcoming the spring flood, a withered branch sprouting new buds.

The warmth was so pleasant he almost hummed aloud, but the thought of the others made him bite down hard to stifle the sound.

Even more marvelous, however, was the change on a spiritual level.

His thoughts were as clear as a mirror, and he perceived every subtle sound and movement around him.

Teresa’s soft, shallow breaths; the faint, grassy fragrance from Avril; even Galvis’s incessant muttering from the driver’s seat.

All this information entered his Perception in an orderly fashion, not the least bit chaotic.

’This feeling... It’s incredible...’

As he adapted to this new sensory experience, Roland gazed at the flowing golden text before him, the corners of his mouth turning up in a barely perceptible smile.

’Compared to Upper-tier Professions, High Tier Professions provide nearly double the Attribute Bonus. And the most crucial part is...’

Feeling the unprecedented clarity in his mind, he subconsciously clenched his fist.

’The increase to my Spiritual Attribute!’

Ever since he had overused Spirit Summoning Potions to qualify for the Juggler Profession, leading to diminishing returns, Roland hadn’t found a reliable way to increase his Spiritual Attribute.

Now, this long-awaited growth sent a thrill through him.

An increase in Spiritual Power didn’t just mean he could cast Tricks more quickly. More importantly...

maintaining the Breathing Technique during intense combat also consumed a great deal of Spiritual Power.

For the past month, every time he fought while using the Breathing Technique, the sluggishness from dividing his focus had been a constant, nagging frustration.

’Activating the Breathing Technique in battle does significantly boost Power, Agility, and Perception... but splitting my focus to maintain the rhythm always creates a subtle lag in the flow of my Sword Techniques...’

’Now, with this breakthrough in my Spiritual Attribute, perhaps I can overcome that fatal flaw.’

Just as he was savoring this thought, new golden text bloomed in his vision.

[Detection complete. Host has mastered Short-Handled Mastery, Long-Handled Mastery, 3 Full Level Ranged Weapon Combat Skills, and 1 Full Level Shield Block/Defense Skill.]

[Calculating...]

[Detection complete. Host has acquired Extra Benefit: Steel Heart Resonance.]

[Merging...]

[Merge complete.]

[Hidden Trait Acquired: A Knight Does Not Die Unarmed]

[A Knight Does Not Die Unarmed: All things in this world are yours to wield.]

’Aside from hidden Professions, combining Skills and Extra Benefits can awaken hidden Traits?’

Before Roland could even process this delightful surprise, a massive influx of complex knowledge flooded his mind. His temples began to throb, and a sharp, splitting pain shot through his head.

When the torrent of foreign knowledge finally subsided, he snapped his eyes open, a glint of disbelief shining within them.

This was different from Short-Handled Mastery or Long-Handled Mastery, which were limited to techniques for a specific type of weapon.

The Trait, A Knight Does Not Die Unarmed, was just as its description implied.

All things in this world are yours to wield!

It broke the boundaries between weapon types, allowing him to wield any weapon he picked up as if it were an extension of his own arm.

Roland’s fingers unconsciously stroked the Mithril Longsword at his waist as his mind ran through countless tactical simulations with various weapon combinations.

He suddenly realized that the most terrifying aspect of this Trait wasn’t "use," but "conversion."

When he held a Long Spear, his muscle memory could, at his will, adapt its use to his most familiar short sword forms. The moment he grasped a War Axe, he could switch to the power-generating methods of Long-Handled Weapons.

’This isn’t just a simple stacking of Weapon Skills...’

He mused, his fingertips tapping lightly on his sword’s hilt.

’It’s the formation of a ’weapon instinct’ after completely assimilating all my Weapon Skills.’

This level of weapon control, which defied all common sense, completely upended Roland’s understanding of Combat Skills.

"What’s wrong, Roland? Did you have a nightmare?"

Seeing Roland’s eyes open, Avril tilted her head and leaned in, the faint, grassy fragrance in her hair wafting over with the movement.

She gave him a playful wink.

"It’s not very comfortable sleeping in a carriage, is it? Would you like..."

She tapped her slender shoulder.

"...to borrow a pillow?"

As the words left her mouth, Teresa’s fingertips silently tightened around her sword hilt.

Though her expression remained cold, her knuckles had turned faintly white.

"No, thank you."

Roland shook his head gently, his gaze refocusing.

"It’s just... never mind. It’s nothing."

Just then, new golden text slowly unfurled in his vision:

[Trait Acquired: Embers Echo]

[Embers Echo: When activated, your breath becomes an invisible vortex that absorbs the Sparks from clashing weapons, the mists of spattered blood, and the cries of battle. These Elements condense within you into golden embers, which then disperse into the bodies of nearby allies, significantly increasing their stamina and will to fight. In turn, these enhanced allies feed their fighting spirit back into you—an amount based on their own strength. This feedback simultaneously enhances all of your Attributes. The area of effect is determined by your Spiritual Attribute.]

’Another buffing Trait, and an area-of-effect one at that! And unlike Fermented Battle Intent, this one has no side effects! Not only that...’

After carefully studying the Trait’s description, Roland’s breathing quickened involuntarily.

’If this description is correct... that means the stronger my allies are, the stronger the feedback I receive. The enhancement to my own Attributes will be that much more significant! In that case...’

Roland glanced around the carriage at the other two.

Teresa’s Power might be a bit lacking, but her speed was astonishing. And through their recent battles, her strength was steadily increasing.

With a Blessing from the Gods, it was only a matter of time before she entered the Extraordinary Domain.

As for Avril...

Though Roland still hadn’t fully gauged the Elf Maiden’s true strength, he roughly estimated that she was, at the very least, one of the elites of the Extraordinary Realm.

And Galvis...

Although the Minstrel was tight-lipped about his own strength, his wide-area Spiritual Control and his unique technique for imbuing weapons with subtle properties had left a deep impression on Roland.

So if he activated this Trait and fought alongside these three...

Reining in his wandering thoughts, Roland gave an imperceptible shake of his head.

’But I still don’t know the exact numerical boost from the ally feedback. I’ll have to run some tests later...’

As he was deep in thought, Galvis’s voice, dripping with exaggerated theatricality, floated in from the driver’s seat.

"My esteemed Demon Slayer Warriors..."

As the carriage jolted to a halt, the Minstrel drew out his words.

"Prepare yourselves to be showered with adoring gazes!"