Translator: CinderTL
Unlike the relatively concrete manipulation of blood qi, which involved controlling the flow of energy, mastering emotions proved far more elusive and perilous.
The book described the need to actively enter a state of extreme rage, igniting the hidden flame of power within, yet simultaneously maintaining a sliver of clarity amidst the inferno of emotion—like preserving absolute calm at the eye of a storm.
He tried several methods described in the book.
Initially, he attempted to recall moments from his past that had filled him with resentment and injustice.
However, though these memories stirred his emotions and furrowed his brow, they failed to ignite the so-called "Heart-Burning Flame."
His mental attribute, honed through repeated enhancements and tempering, had become as resilient and rational as steel forged through a thousand trials.
He could clearly recall and calmly analyze past negative emotions, but they no longer allowed him to fully sink into them and lose control in a fit of rage.
Reason stood like a sturdy dam, firmly containing the surging flood of emotions.
Next, he attempted to guide his mind, simulating the physiological and psychological state of anger.
He imagined his heart racing, blood surging, his breathing growing heavy, and an nameless fire rising from the depths of his heart.
Through sheer willpower, he could indeed simulate some physiological responses. Combined with bloodline surge, he could even bring his body into a combat-ready state. But the crucial element—the Emotional Core that could trigger a qualitative transformation in his strength...
That pure, blazing, and reason-blinding primal fury remained stubbornly out of reach.
He was like a skilled actor, perfectly portraying the outward signs of anger, yet his inner self remained a calm lake, unable to truly ignite.
"Could it be because I'm too 'clear-headed'?"
Roland realized the root of the problem.
His powerful spirit allowed him to meticulously control energy, but it also made it difficult for him to completely abandon himself to emotion, to embrace that dangerous edge of losing control that could backfire.
To wield anger, one must first be able to "kindle the flame," yet he couldn't even truly ignite the "spark."
Undeterred, he tried another method described in the book: visualization.
He visualized the savage magical beasts invading his territory, the grotesque enemies trampling his home, even the deaths of those dear to him. He tried to ignite the fury of protection and destruction.
The visions came vividly to life in his mind, and killing intent surged within him. Yet it felt more like a calculated combat resolve born from cold calculation than an uncontrolled blaze of rage.
Once, twice, thrice...
Ten times...
A hundred times...
Time slipped away in repeated attempts and failures.
Inside the pod, fine beads of sweat formed on Roland's forehead from the intense mental concentration. His chest rose and fell slightly, his muscles tensing intermittently, but his eyes remained unnervingly clear, refusing to be replaced by the crimson glow of wild fury.
Finally, he exhaled a long, turbid breath and slowly opened his eyes, a hint of exhaustion lingering in their depths. After numerous attempts, he still hadn't succeeded. Controlling his emotions and harnessing his anger proved far more difficult than he had anticipated.
This was not a toll gate that could be forced open by sheer willpower or mental attributes.
It seemed to require something more fundamental, something that touched the deepest instincts of the soul—or rather, a true catalyst that could ignite everything.
The first true obstacle on this seemingly instinctual path of strength lay precisely in the profound understanding and precise control of "instinct" itself, a feat that was far from achievable in a single attempt.
Sighing softly, Roland felt no real disappointment.
He had long understood that mastering an extraordinary profession would never be easy.
Moreover, though this attempt hadn't directly unlocked the Barbarian class, it had unexpectedly revealed the clear high-tier path of the Berserker, which was already a tremendous gain.
After steadying his mind, he carefully returned the ancient tome on the barbarian's path to its place on the bookshelf. Then, he retrieved another thick book he had prepared long ago, its cover adorned with intertwined patterns of vines and wind marks.
Path of the Forest Speaker: Ranger and the Covenant of Nature.
Just as he was about to turn the page, eager to delve into the book's mysteries, a clear voice called out from beyond the cabin door.
"Roland, Mr. Bronson says—"
Before she could finish, the door creaked open slightly, and Avril's small head poked through, a mischievous glint in her eyes and a characteristic slyness playing at the corners of her lips.
"That buzzing detector seems to have finished its work, but Bronson says he's run into a small problem and needs you to take a look."
Her gaze swept across the cramped cabin, and the corners of her mouth twitched involuntarily.
"Did you—did you just move an entire abandoned archive in here?"
The narrow cabin was strewn with books and scrolls, and several massive parchment maps covered nearly half the floor.
In the shadows near the corner, Galvis was nearly buried in a mountain of books; only the faint dust he stirred when he occasionally shifted proved that a living person lay beneath the pile.
Roland shrugged, avoiding her question, and beckoned her inside.
"You've come at the perfect time, Avril."
He handed the Path of the Forest Speaker to the elf girl.
After all that had transpired, Avril had already proven herself to be a trustworthy and loyal companion through her actions.
Enhancing her strength would undoubtedly strengthen the entire team, so Roland naturally wouldn't hesitate to share this precious knowledge.
Moreover—
His gaze swept over the table of contents of the open book, which listed a series of chapters he had never heard of before, such as "Summoning Natural Allies: An Introduction," "The Principles of Elemental Arrow Enchantment," "Grove Camouflage and Advanced Stealth Techniques," and "Wild Marks and Whispering Arts."
Roland raised an eyebrow slightly.
Though he hadn't read it in detail yet, the table of contents alone revealed that the true power and diversity of the ranger class far surpassed the limited skills Avril had displayed so far.
Avril was already considered one of the most outstanding elves in the Eversong Forest, but the techniques she used seemed to fall far short of the ranger path described in this ancient text.
This discrepancy likely stemmed from gaps in core legacies caused by the passage of time. Avril's innate talent was undeniable; if she could diligently cultivate her skills based on this more complete and profound legacy, her strength would undoubtedly undergo a qualitative leap.
With this thought, Roland patted Avril on the shoulder, briefly shared his speculation, and then pushed open the cabin door.
Walking across the shell ship's somewhat empty deck, Roland rapidly sorted through the gains and losses of his journey. The Imperial Academy's haul had been undeniably rich. The value of the ancient texts, brimming with forgotten knowledge, was immeasurable. Even merely digesting and integrating their contents, let alone successfully mastering a few of the classes described within, would be enough to propel his strength to a new level.
Now, it seemed only the accumulation of time and necessary practice stood in his way. Given this, he saw no reason to linger on this continent of unknowns and dangers.
True, beneath the vast Aetheron Ruins, countless more mysterious relics of ancient civilizations must still lie buried.
Perhaps other races possessed unique and even more bizarre paths to extraordinary professions, or perhaps there existed wondrous creations beyond his current imagination.
However, concerning extraordinary professions—especially those accessible to humans—it was likely that the Imperial Academy, the pinnacle of human wisdom, had already compiled and organized the vast majority.
Searching for other classes that might be restricted by race or bloodline would be like searching for a needle in a haystack—inefficient and fraught with unknown risks.
As for other potential magical items, resources, or technologies—
The map gifted by Duerden marked many important locations, but it provided no details about what could be obtained there.
Even if one could infer the types of resources from the location names, the ravages of a thousand years and the possibility of cataclysms made it a huge uncertainty whether those items remained intact or functional.
In a relatively stable and safe environment, Roland wouldn't mind spending years or even decades slowly exploring here, gradually lifting the veil of history.
But—
His gaze swept across his surroundings.
A perpetual, gray mist, like a colossal sarcophagus, enshrouded this dead and silent land, its air thick with the stench of decay and ill omen.
Recalling the bizarre and powerful Ashborn they had recently encountered, Roland shook his head gently.
Though he had braced himself for danger, the continent's actual peril still far exceeded his initial expectations.
Before his strength was sufficient, forcing further exploration would be akin to throwing his life away.
"We'll withdraw for now and return when we've accumulated enough strength. That's the wiser course," he decided.
After all, this lost continent wasn't going to sprout legs and run away.
With Durga's shell ship, capable of traversing space, future visits would be a mere matter of choice.
With his mind made up, Roland didn't hesitate. He strode toward Bronson and Durga, who were huddled around the Magic Net Disturbance Detector, murmuring in low tones, and waved.
As he approached, considering his next destination after leaving Aetheron, he asked, "Mr. Bronson, Durga, you both look serious. Did you encounter any tricky situations during the detection?"
(End of the Chapter)
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