Translator: CinderTL
But the golden subtitles did not pause for Roland's confusion.
[Requirements: Strength 14, Agility 30, Spirit 12, Lv.3 Life Perception;
Traits: Animal Companion; 3/3 Max-level Ranged Weapon Skills, 3/3 Max-level Short-blade Weapon Skills, 3/3 Max-level Cunning-related Skills; Tame 0/1 Non-Humanoid Species and make them a Partner; Defeat 0/100 hostile targets in cooperation with a Partner.]
Staring at the golden inscriptions flowing in his vision, Roland fell into deep thought.
In the common understanding of this era, the [Ranger] was an indisputably extraordinary profession. Why would the system classify it as an advanced class?
As he pondered, Roland recalled Avril's earlier words.
The contents recorded in this Path of the Forest Speaker, while sharing similarities with the Ranger's legacy in the current era, contained a vast amount of secrets that even elven ancient texts had never mentioned.
This allowed him to gradually piece the clues together.
Perhaps the Ranger's legacy in this era had long been incomplete, retaining only the basic framework. It barely met the threshold of an extraordinary profession but had lost the complete path to a higher class.
With this thought, Roland's gaze fell back upon the words "Forest Walker" on the tome's cover.
He had originally assumed it was merely a synonym for "ranger" from the Crystal Era, but now he realized that was not the case...
In the inheritance system, perhaps "Forest Walker" was the true extraordinary profession of this path.
Having reached this conclusion, Roland began to carefully examine the specific requirements for the [Ranger] class.
The attribute requirements were naturally no problem.
All weapon skills had also met the criteria, thanks to his [Body as Weapon] trait.
And the three Deceptive Arts had already been maxed out when he took the [Rogue] class.
The only remaining condition was...
"Tame a non-humanoid creature and form a... partner relationship with it?"
Seeing this requirement, Roland turned his attention back to the chapter on "Wilderness Speech" in the book.
According to the tome, a true Forest Speaker could use ancient secret arts to establish a spiritual bond with intelligent creatures that transcended mere domestication.
The book described this contract not as a master-servant relationship, but as an equal alliance built on mutual recognition.
The spellcaster needed to achieve a soul-level resonance with the target creature through a special spiritual resonance, forming a continuous energy loop.
This process requires the complete consent of both parties. Any forced intent will result in the contract's failure.
Notably, the ancient text placed special emphasis on this point:
"This contract forms a two-way bond. The partner will share a portion of your traits, and you will inherit some of its innate nature."
"In other words, after forming the contract, the partner and I will be able to share each other's traits, thereby enhancing our strength—"
When Roland first saw the taming requirements, his mind immediately went to Black Wind and Squirrel Joe.
He had already forged a deep bond with these two companions; forming a contract with them would be effortless.
However, after noticing the passage about trait sharing, he couldn't help but hesitate.
Especially since this explanation was followed by a crucial warning:
"Remember: A Forest Walker can only form this contract with a single non-humanoid creature in their lifetime."
Although he couldn't verify the rule's authenticity, what if it were true?
It would be far too reckless to form a contract with Black Wind or Joe just to fulfill the class advancement requirements.
After all, they possessed no combat ability or special talents of their own.
"Forget it—"
After careful consideration, Roland shook his head gently.
With his current strength, he was already more than capable of protecting himself.
Though the traits and resonance bonuses granted by the advanced class [Ranger] were bound to be considerable, there was no need to rush.
He had already planned to seek a new mount after leaving the Aetheron Continent. It wouldn't be too late to carefully scout for a suitable companion then.
With his decision made, Roland temporarily shelved his plans to advance into the [Ranger] class and refocused his attention on the chapter concerning the "Natural Step Rhyme" in the tome.
Steps like wind brushing leaves, shadows shifting with the light.
The opening verse immediately illuminated the essence of the art.
Unlike the [Shadow Dance Form], which relied on the trickery of hiding within shadows, the Natural Step Rhyme demanded a deeper level of fusion.
Following the book's guidance, he first attempted to sense the "breath" of his surroundings.
Close your eyes and concentrate. Use your heart as your eyes to perceive the rhythm of all things.
Roland stepped out of the cabin, pressed his palm gently against the deck, and tried to capture the subtle tremors generated by the shell ship as it sailed through the Astral Plane.
His active [Life Perception] skill allowed him to quickly grasp this rhythmic pulsation, as if the entire ship were breathing softly at a specific frequency.
Draw the rhythm into your body; transform it into your steps.
He rose to his feet and attempted to integrate the sensed rhythm into his stride.
The first few steps were relatively coordinated, but as he consciously tried to control his breathing and movements, the subtle resonance was broken once again.
Do not force. Do not control. The Way of Nature lies in yielding.
The warning from the ancient texts revealed the problem. The instinct for control, forged through countless battles, had become the greatest obstacle to resonating with nature.
He adjusted his mindset, no longer trying to master his steps but letting himself become part of the environment.
When the shell ship gently turned, he swayed with it.
When the Astral Currents swept past, the hem of his robe fluttered in their wake.
For a few fleeting moments, he felt as if he were about to merge completely with his surroundings...
But just as he was on the verge of success, the battle-hardened instinct for vigilance would flare up, wrenching him from that ethereal state and dragging him back to reality.
The mind still as water, the body light as a floating weed.
He silently recited the mantra from the book, continuing his efforts to relax his spirit.
Yet, whenever he was on the verge of fully letting go, his body's instincts would involuntarily tense his muscles, shattering the rare harmony.
After hours of practice, Roland finally came to a halt and sighed softly.
His footprints remained clearly etched on the deck. He still had a long way to go before reaching the state described in the ancient texts.
Drawing himself up and focusing his mind, Roland reviewed his attempt, gradually grasping the key.
Beyond the obstacle of his own muscle memory, the newly awakened skill [Life Perception] was the crucial factor.
It formed a complementary whole with [Natural Step Rhyme].
Only by accurately sensing the life rhythm of all surrounding things could his steps resonate in frequency with them.
Just as the texts said:
"Those who do not know life cannot merge with it."
"It seems..."
Roland pondered.
"Once the level of [Life Perception] improves, mastering [Natural Step Rhyme] will become a natural progression."
Just as his thoughts were swirling, Durga's coarse voice boomed through the cabin like a clap of thunder.
"Lads! We've arrived!"
With that shout, the boundless curtain of the Astral Plane was abruptly torn asunder.
The shell ship glided smoothly into the rift. After a brief wave of dizziness, Roland slowly opened his eyes.
The sight before him stole his breath.
This was no longer the endless wasteland of his memories, nor were there any crumbling ruins from the past.
A majestic city rose between heaven and earth like a divine miracle.
Even from this height, the view captured only a fraction of the colossal structure.
Silver-white metal and glowing blue crystals wove together into an endless sprawl of buildings. Soaring spires pierced the clouds, and their domes shimmered with a dreamlike radiance under the thin celestial light.
Time seemed to have frozen across the entire city.
Every archway and every covered bridge remained in a state of breathtaking preservation.
"So this is... Silverglow City?"
Roland instinctively took a half-step forward, his fingertips lightly touching the viewport.
This legendary city, praised in the ancient texts as the "Jewel of the Era," now unfolded before him in a manner that defied all imagination.
(End of the Chapter)
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