Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Profession [Blacksmith Apprentice]
Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...
At the top of the page, four prominent characters displayed a title: Apprentice Blacksmith lv1 (0/100), accompanied by a vast grid of icons beneath it.
Most of these symbols remained dark and unreadable, save for a single illuminated icon at the very bottom. Even when Rein squinted, attempting to peer through the obscurity, the hidden details of the dim icons eluded him.
The glowing square represented the "nailing horseshoes" skill that had recently been triggered.
Designed as a rounded square, the icon featured a creative depiction of a hoof’s underside facing upward, paired with a remarkably lifelike black iron shovel.
Small text was etched below the image: nailing horseshoes lv1 (1/100).
Despite this, a sense of confusion lingered in Rein’s mind.
Logically, if the act of restraining donkey hooves could unlock a vocational panel, shouldn't it have been for a Veterinarian?
Why on earth did it activate the Apprentice Blacksmith vocational panel instead!
Was it perhaps because a Blacksmith had been the one to teach him how to handle the hooves?
Or could it be that in this world, the duties of an Apprentice Blacksmith naturally included tasks like fixing donkey hooves and nailing horseshoes?
Rein gave his head a small shake, feeling entirely perplexed!
Regardless of the reason, unlocking the Apprentice Blacksmith vocational panel was undoubtedly a stroke of luck.
What kind of prestige did a blacksmith hold in an Age of Cold Weapons?
Those who know, know!
Rein rubbed his chin, a spontaneous grin spreading across his face.
“Hey, Rein, what are you grinning about?” George asked, giving him a tug.
George, Rein’s only true companion, was a lanky youth with short blond hair.
“Come on, do you want to do another round? It’s someone else’s turn now,” George noted, gesturing with his chin toward the line.
Rein took a moment to consider.
“Master Baal, may I go for another round?” Rein requested, turning toward Master Baal as the other serving boys watched in shock.
Behind him, his best pal George was frantically pulling at his tattered clothes, hissing in a low, anxious whisper, “Rein, did a donkey kick your head?”
A moment later, George’s voice cut off abruptly.
“Stop pulling, or I’ll have nothing to wear at all.” Rein held up his threadbare coat, which had been reduced to little more than a collection of rags.
Rein’s willingness to volunteer caught Baal off guard. He studied Rein’s earnest expression before nodding slowly.
“Okay, then... Engels, you can take the next round off.”
Engels, the son of the town tanner, stood nearby in his brown linen shorts.
Relieved that he could take a break, he stepped aside and resumed his cheerful chatter.
As he passed, Engels even gave Rein a friendly pat on the shoulder, remarking, “Smart move!”
Since Rein had suggested the extra work himself, it didn't violate any rules. Furthermore, Engels had his sights set on becoming a guard at Habbs Manor rather than an Apprentice Blacksmith—wrestling with donkey hooves was a chore he was more than happy to avoid!
Rein labored through the entire morning, only stopping when his body reached the point of exhaustion.
His current physique was far too frail; otherwise, Rein felt he could have pushed himself even further.
He checked the panel, and though his hands were shaking from the strain, the sight of the screen filling with Experience +1 notifications felt as sweet as 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]
...
The key takeaway was that Experience +1 and Apprentice Blacksmith Professional Experience Points +1 were two distinct categories.
The growth rate for the specific skill was significantly faster than the progress of his Apprentice Blacksmith Professional Experience Points.
Rein stared thoughtfully at his skill level: nailing horseshoes lv (12/100).
Gaining 12 Experience points in a single morning was actually quite a rapid pace!
After all, he was merely assisting in holding the hooves down rather than performing the actual repairs.
However...
Habbs Manor only possessed a few dozen donkeys.
At this rate, he would finish the task by tomorrow at the latest. Once the work was done, he might have to wait a month or two before he had another chance to practice his nailing horseshoes skill.
Viewed in that light, leveling up the skill wouldn't be a quick process.
Furthermore...
Rein shifted his gaze to the Apprentice Blacksmith progress bar, specifically the lv1 (2/100) indicator in the corner.
His Professional Experience had only increased by a measly two points!
Was it because restraining donkeys was too far removed from the core craft of an Apprentice Blacksmith?
Rein let out a silent, troubled sigh.
“How many months and years will it take just to level up as an Apprentice Blacksmith?”
“The assessment is only three months away; if I haven't advanced by then, I won't stand a chance!”
Contemplating his situation, Rein swiped the panel back to the primary page.
“Wait! Is this first page... an attribute panel?”
Name: Rein Carlan
Occupation: Apprentice Blacksmith lv1
Constitution: 5
Strength: 4
Agility: 6
Spirit: 8
(Note: The average attribute for an adult male is 6 across all fields.)
“Only 4 points in Strength... what a pathetic set of stats! It’s no wonder I can barely hold a donkey’s leg still!” Rein lamented inwardly.
His Spirit was his highest stat at 8 points, surpassing that of a typical adult—likely a result of the soul merger between him and the body’s original owner.
“Rein, let’s go, stop standing around! It’s time for lunch,” his friend George called out.
“What’s up with you today? Why do you keep spacing out?” George asked, looking concerned.
Rein gave a small smile and replied casually, “I might just be overthinking things because of the injury. Let’s go eat!”