Adventurer of Many Professions-Chapter 78: Passive Skills!

"Enchanting… What an incredible skill for a craftsman," Raymond murmured, running his fingers across the pages of the book. "Too bad the dwarf craftsman hasn’t figured it out yet."

The disappointment was evident in his tone, but the more he read, the more fascinating the concept became.

Enchanting wasn’t as simple as it sounded. Not every piece of equipment could be enchanted, and the book explained why in painstaking detail. It all boiled down to the material’s ability to absorb and store magic power, what craftsmen referred to as its ’magic conductivity’.

Materials with poor magic conductivity weren’t just inefficient; they were downright dangerous to enchant. These materials could only absorb minimal amounts of magic power, and even that caused wear and tear. Over time or after just a few uses, the enchanted equipment would crack, break, or become entirely unusable.

On the other hand, materials with high magic conductivity excelled in both absorbing and storing magic power. They were far more durable and could handle the strain of magic absorption and release without degrading. This made them ideal for crafting high-quality enchanted equipment and magical devices.

Raymond thought back to Sylph’s sapphire-hued wand. ’It has to be enchanted,’ he realized. Even if it wasn’t crafted entirely from magic-conducting materials, the quality of its construction had to be exceptional to withstand enchantments.

"Her wand’s no doubt enchanted," he muttered. "And if it isn’t made entirely from magic-conducting materials, then those materials must still be top-notch."

Raymond couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. "Of course. She’s a noble, after all."

It all clicked into place. He’d suspected it before, but this confirmed it. A wand of that caliber wasn’t something just anyone could afford. Enchanted weapons, especially those with high-quality materials; were exceedingly expensive, a status symbol reserved for the wealthy.

"A noble lady," he mused, shaking his head. "But instead of heading to the Knight Academy or joining the Templar Order like most nobles, she chooses to become an adventurer. How peculiar."

It wasn’t unheard of for noble children to pursue the adventurer’s path, but they were usually from families in decline or those not destined to inherit anything significant. Sylph didn’t seem to fit that mold. Her demeanor and possessions screamed privilege.

"Hopefully, she didn’t sneak it out of her family’s estate," Raymond muttered with a smirk. The thought of her being a rebellious noble amused him, but he quickly pushed it aside. It wasn’t his place to pry.

Refocusing on the book, his attention returned to the word ’Enchanting’. He reread the details, intrigued by the skill’s potential.

"I wonder if anyone in Wittes has mastered enchanting," he thought aloud. "I should ask the dwarf craftsman when I get the chance."

He wasn’t entirely sure when he’d have enough skill points to unlock the skill for himself, but that didn’t matter. Just knowing it existed—and that it could eventually be part of his repertoire—was enough for now. He made a mental note to include it in his panel as soon as the opportunity arose.

With that settled, Raymond turned back to the list of skills on his panel. There were still several he hadn’t explored in the book, and he wasn’t one to leave stones unturned. He flipped to the next page, his eyes scanning eagerly as he continued his study.

Every skill he read about filled him with both excitement and determination. The more he learned, the clearer his path became. The potential of these abilities wasn’t just theoretical, it was tangible, something he could one day wield.

And Raymond knew, in the depths of his mind, that mastering these skills would be the key to rising above the challenges ahead.

By the time Raymond finished studying all the skills on his panel, he had completely lost track of time. Letting out a slow exhale, he glanced over to where Arya had been standing earlier, expecting to see her still engrossed in her book.

But she wasn’t there.

"Huh?" Raymond frowned, turning his head to scan the corridor. She was nowhere in sight.

It didn’t take long for realization to dawn on him. As a fighter, he could stand for hours without discomfort, but Arya was just an ordinary fifteen-year-old girl. Standing for so long would naturally leave her legs sore.

He closed the book ’Professional Skills’ with a soft thud and returned it to its place on the shelf. Then, stepping out of the library, he quickly spotted Arya sitting on one of the benches outside.

She was bent forward, her hands delicately massaging her calves. Her expression was a mix of mild frustration and relief as she tried to ease the ache.

"Let me handle it."

Before Arya could respond, Raymond had already sat down beside her. She blinked in surprise as he gently took her ankle, lifted her leg slightly, and placed it on his thigh.

"Raymond! What are you doing?!" Arya’s voice was a sharp whisper, her eyes darting nervously to the people around them. She hurriedly tugged at the hem of her blue skirt, covering her knees as her cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

The benches were scattered with other readers, all taking a break from standing in the library. Arya could only imagine the gossip if anyone saw Raymond massaging her legs.

"Relax," Raymond said, his tone calm but firm. "I’m a fighter. I know how to massage sore muscles. It’ll help you recover faster."

Before she could protest further, he lightly held her ankle in place, making it clear she wasn’t getting out of this. His hands moved with practiced precision, his fingers applying just the right amount of pressure to her calf.

Arya opened her mouth to argue but stopped when the soreness in her legs began melting away, replaced by a warm, soothing numbness.

"How does it feel? Better?" Raymond asked, though the look on her face said it all.

"Mhm," she murmured, nodding as a shy smile crept onto her lips. Her earlier embarrassment gave way to quiet gratitude as she leaned back slightly, letting herself relax.

The soreness was fading quickly under Raymond’s careful movements, and though she was still conscious of the people around them, she found herself unable to care. A small, contented smile lingered on her face as she enjoyed the moment.

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After finishing with one leg, Raymond gently switched to the other, his touch just as gentle and effective. Arya’s worries faded further, replaced by a strange sense of calm as she let herself trust him.

Finally, Raymond finished. He carefully placed her feet back on the ground, stood up, and stretched. "Alright. Stand up and see how it feels now."

Arya hesitated for a moment before rising to her feet. She tested her legs, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Her eyes lit up in surprise.

"Wow!" Arya exclaimed as she stood up, took a few steps, and stomped her feet. A bright smile spread across her face. "It really doesn’t hurt anymore! I didn’t expect a fighter to have such a useful skill!" Discover stories with novelbuddy

Raymond smirked, crossing his arms. "Told you. Fighter training has its perks."

Arya looked up at him, her earlier embarrassment replaced by a bright, genuine smile. "Thanks, Raymond. I guess I owe you one."

Arya nodded, but as they began walking, she couldn’t help but glance at Raymond, her cheeks still a little warm. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the massage or the way he’d confidently taken charge, but something about the moment lingered in her mind and she couldn’t help but smile.

Raymond chuckled, brushing off her praise. "It’s nothing special…" But his words trailed off as his mind suddenly froze.

Wait. Isn’t this technically a skill?

The thought struck him like a bolt of lightning. Up until now, every skill he’d learned through his panel had been an ’active’ skill, requiring mana to use. He’d assumed that passive skills, abilities that enhance or activate automatically, were simply more difficult to comprehend, and that’s why he hadn’t unlocked any yet.

But now, a new theory began to form in his mind.

’Could it be that passive skills are already granted upon awakening?’

He thought back to his own awakening as a fighter. The moment it happened, he’d felt his body become more flexible and his reflexes sharpen. His movements became more fluid and natural, as though he’d been fighting his entire life. That wasn’t something he actively trained, it was simply ’there’.

Then, there was his warrior awakening. Within days, his strength had skyrocketed, his stamina and recovery ability becoming leagues above an ordinary person. He’d instinctively mastered heavy weapons, his body naturally adapting to their weight and balance.

And it wasn’t just fighters and warriors. Swordsmen awakened with master-level swordsmanship, their precision and speed unmatched. Magicians became deeply attuned to the flow of magic, their affinity for spells enhanced. Even craftsmen were naturally gifted, their hands steady and their forging skills elevated to masterful levels.

’These innate abilities… Aren’t they just passive skills?’

"Raymond, what’s wrong?" Arya’s curious voice pulled him from his thoughts. She tilted her head, her bright eyes studying his face.

"I just realized something," Raymond said, a flicker of excitement in his tone.

Arya blinked, intrigued but unsure what he meant. Before she could press further, Raymond glanced at the sky, noticing the sun now high overhead. They had left the house after a light breakfast, and while he could push through without eating, he realized Arya might not fare the same.

"Let’s head back," he said, snapping her out of her curiosity.

"Hmm? You’re done reading already?" Arya asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Not quite. I’ll finish tomorrow. Come on, let’s go."

With that, he turned toward the exit, and Arya followed close behind.