[Blacksmith Apprentice Profession detected. Professional Resonance can now be triggered.]

[Professional Resonance activated.]

[Groom + Blacksmith Apprentice]

[Extra Benefit Gained: Prospecting]

[Prospecting: Increases your mount’s sensitivity to ore. When riding, you will automatically sense the location of nearby ore, and it will be marked in your vision.]

"Well..."

Roland stroked his smooth chin.

’It doesn’t make me any stronger, but it’s a pretty good benefit all the same.’

’I wonder what the perception range is, and how the visual marking works...’

With that thought, Roland’s gaze slowly moved down the list.

[Groom + New Recruit]

[Extra Benefit Gained: Riding Training]

[Riding Training: Significantly improves the training effect for all Riding-related Skills.]

"Whoa! This one is great!"

Roland looked at the short description and nodded in satisfaction.

’To be honest, even though I’ve been practicing my Riding Skill for a while, mastering it has been much more difficult than I anticipated.’

’So far, I can barely get my horse to speed up or slow down. I’m still clumsy with more difficult maneuvers like sharp turns and jumps.’

’As for swinging a weapon on horseback?’

’Just keeping my balance is a struggle. I’ve nearly fallen off several times.’

’With this Extra Benefit, the rate at which my Riding Skill gains experience should be much faster. Oh, right...’

As he thought about his Riding Skill, Roland’s brow slowly furrowed.

’My Riding Skill triggered the Groom Profession right after I reached Level Two. That means... when my Riding Skill reaches Full Level, I’ll probably unlock the Knight Profession!’

At this thought, Roland’s eyes lit up, but then he shook his head.

’Judging from my past experiences triggering Professions, you have to learn the relevant Skills to qualify for one.’

’And for a Knight, at least in this world, Body Tempering Techniques, Body Forging Techniques, and the Knight’s Breathing Technique are essential.’

’But the Knight’s Breathing Technique...’

’From what I know so far, the only way to learn it is to attend a so-called Knight Academy.’

’But in the Golden Valley Kingdom, only nobles can attend the Knight Academy. Commoners like me aren’t eligible.’

’Forget it. I’ll worry about the Knight’s Breathing Technique later...’

With that thought, Roland continued to examine the Professional Panel.

[Groom + Student]

[Extra Benefit Gained: Eye of the Rider]

[Eye of the Rider: Allows you to view your mount’s various stats.]

’Hmm? What does this mean...’

After mentally activating Eye of the Rider, Roland looked at Black Wind again and saw several lines of text appear out of thin air beside the horse.

[Black Wind]

[Species: Horse]

[Speed: 6]

[Stamina: 5]

[Growth Potential: B]

Besides these, there was other basic information, like its health status, hunger level, and so on.

’Speed six, stamina five... I wonder if that’s on a scale of ten or a hundred. And its growth potential is only a B? Oh well. For someone of my station, just having a horse is already pretty good.’

’This Extra Benefit is great, too. In the future, once I have the means, I’ll definitely be able to pick out a superior mount using these precise stats as a reference!’

Nodding in satisfaction, Roland continued reading down the list.

[Groom + Hunter]

[Extra Benefit Gained: Terrain Adaptation]

[Terrain Adaptation: Based on the mount’s species, gain special benefits in different environments.]

"Hmm..."

Looking at the description on the panel, Roland’s brow slowly furrowed.

’It sounds good, but it doesn’t specify what kind of mount gets what kind of benefit in which terrain... I guess I’ll just have to figure it out for myself when the time comes...’

After confirming all the Extra Benefit effects, Roland let out a long breath, a satisfied expression on his face.

Using the Eye of the Rider, he saw that Black Wind’s stamina had almost fully recovered. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Following his usual routine, he deftly swung himself onto his horse and began practicing his Riding Skill with intense focus.

Under the special effect of Riding Training, the rate at which he gained Experience Points increased noticeably.

He didn’t know how long he had been training, but when he noticed Black Wind’s condition was about to drop below a critical point, Roland immediately leaped lightly off its back.

After carefully feeding Black Wind, he led his horse to the stables’ rest area.

After settling Black Wind, he turned and walked quickly towards the training grounds.

His Lion Swordsmanship proficiency was now just a stone’s throw away from Full Level.

Once he mastered this Swordsmanship to the point of Perfection, he could officially qualify for the Warrior Profession.

Recalling the powerful Traits granted by the Blacksmith Profession, he couldn’t help but feel an even greater longing for the Traits of an Upper-tier Profession like Warrior.

Not to mention, he could also gain Extra Benefits through Professional Resonance...

’Extra Benefits between Upper-tier Professions...’

At this thought, Roland’s pace unconsciously quickened, and the outline of the training grounds gradually grew clearer in his eager gaze.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the manor, Dalko, at the careful urging of a servant, slowly pushed open the heavy oak door to the reception hall.

Baron Fosling sat ramrod straight behind a mahogany desk, his expression exceptionally grave. The gentle smile usually on his face was now completely gone.

"Father..."

Seeing this, Dalko immediately lightened his steps.

He carefully closed the door and moved slowly to the desk, his voice unconsciously dropping.

"You sent for me... is it something important?"

Baron Fosling didn’t answer Dalko’s question right away. Instead, he reached into a drawer and slowly took out an exquisite letter.

The edges of the letter were meticulously engraved with complex and ornate patterns. The wax seal was clearly impressed with the image of a wheat sheaf, which gleamed faintly in the sunlight.

"This is a letter from the royal family."

"The royal family?"

Dalko was taken aback by the words.

Although he knew the Golden Valley Kingdom’s ruling structure included a royal family, this distant center of power was utterly foreign to him.

The Black Water Territory, situated on the border, had always been remote and desolate. Aside from the royal tax collectors who came every few years, the presence of the crown was hardly felt in daily life.

"Father, what does the letter say?"

"His Majesty Morne will soon be making a royal tour..."

"A tour? To our Black Water Territory?"

Under Fosling’s tutelage, Dalko had some understanding of the royal tour system.

Ostensibly, it was for the King to inspect his territories and observe the living conditions of his people, but in reality, it was little more than traveling around with a massive entourage.

At every stop, the local Lord not only had to cover the expenses for the entire royal party but also had to prepare a grand banquet.

To put it bluntly, it was just an excuse for a sightseeing tour.

’But what’s there to see in a backwater place like the Black Water Territory?’

’Other than endless primeval jungles, treacherous mountains, and ferocious beasts, this place has practically nothing.’

’Oh, and lately, there have been some stirring Demons...’

Fosling glanced at Dalko’s expression and guessed what his son was thinking.

He bent his knuckles and tapped lightly on the desktop. When Dalko came back to his senses, he cleared his throat and continued.

"I’m afraid this time it’s not just a formality..."

Baron Fosling let out a long sigh, his brow clouding over with a grave expression.

"His Majesty Morne is getting old. In recent years, his control over the various territories has been weakening. Many lords in remote areas have begun to feign compliance while acting in defiance, some even ignoring royal decrees entirely."

He paused, his tone low.

"So this tour is less of an inspection and more of a show of force."

"His Majesty Morne wants to display the majesty of the royal family one last time before he abdicates, to ensure there is no turmoil during the transfer of power."

"Father, but..."

Dalko nodded, only half-understanding. He hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"We’ve strictly abided by the crown’s decrees all these years. And didn’t you say that during the Blood Moon Rebellion more than a decade ago, you answered the royal family’s call, led troops to purge the rebels, and for that..."

Dalko’s gaze unconsciously turned to the nearby wall.

A round, shield-sized insignia hung there, its golden wheat sheaf pattern glittering in the sunlight.

"The royal family even bestowed this medal of honor upon you."

Dalko’s voice was filled with confusion.

"The Collins family is so loyal to the royal family, why would His Majesty the King personally come to tour the Black Water Territory?"

Baron Fosling let out a long sigh, as if the question had stirred memories of those turbulent years.

He slowly rose, turning his back to Dalko to look out the window.

The sunlight slanted across his profile, etching the deep worry on his face.

"Dalko, you must remember..."

His voice was low and grave.

"The past, present, and future—the three can never be lumped together... In any case..."

Baron Fosling slowly turned, gazing at his son’s young face, a rare trace of softness flashing in his eyes.

But the warmth was fleeting. In the blink of an eye, he reverted to his usual image as a stern, unsmiling father.

"His Majesty Morne will soon arrive on his tour. As the Lord of the Black Water Territory, I must go to seek an audience."

His voice was low and solemn.

"Therefore... for a time, you will be responsible for the affairs of the territory."

"Me?"

Dalko’s voice held clear hesitation.

"That’s right."

Baron Fosling nodded slightly, and after sitting down again, pulled out a yellowed piece of parchment.

The quill scratched across the paper as he wrote and issued his instructions.

"His Majesty Morne will not personally visit the Black Water Territory. He will most likely choose a place to rest temporarily at the border of several nearby territories. Therefore, I will need to leave the Black Water Territory for a period of time."

"During this time, I will leave John to assist you. This old soldier served in the Border Legion for many years. He is loyal and reliable. If you encounter any problems, you can consult him."

The tip of his pen suddenly paused, and the Baron’s brow furrowed.

"Knight Beckham is responsible for clearing out the Demons in Black Pine Forest, so you don’t need to concern yourself with it. But be especially wary of Baron Gavin of Chenxi Territory... that old fool..."

When mentioning the Lord of Chenxi Territory, Fosling’s voice suddenly rose, and his knuckles unconsciously tapped the desktop.

"That last incident with the Demons crossing the border... heaven knows if he’s truly growing senile or if he has ulterior motives..."

After venting his frustration, the Baron resumed writing.

"Daily affairs can be handled by Old Char. He has served the Collins family for three generations and is trustworthy."

He suddenly looked up at this point, his gaze sharp as a blade.

"And you..."

His voice turned sharp. "Before I return, you are not to leave the manor without my permission, and you are certainly not to cause any trouble. Do you understand?"

"Ye... yes..."

Dalko flinched slightly and nodded cautiously in assent.