Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

Chapter 78 – 77: Choice is More Important Than Effort

Practicing yielded Experience, from the original consistent +2, it had changed to occasionally seeing a +3.

This also meant that the speed of gaining experience for the Giant Bear Breathing Technique had become slightly faster than before.

After three attempts, Rein extended the single session to 14 minutes. Although the total duration of the three times was less than 45 minutes, his experience increased by 28 points, and the Giant Bear Breathing Technique reached lv2 (114/300).

Given Rein’s current physical condition, he could perform the third form of the Giant Bear Breathing Technique about three times, and basically, this intensity was close to his limit.

The next morning, Rein got up early and went to the woods near his home.

The practice of the Giant Bear Sword Technique required a spacious place, and after walking some distance in the woodland, Rein found a slightly open clearing.

This clearing was about seventy to eighty square meters, surrounded by dense oak trees and larches, providing a good natural sound insulation. Even when Rein swung his Dual-Handed Greatsword forcefully, the howling noise did not carry beyond the woodland to the main road.

Then, Rein shook the sheepskin-wrapped Fine Steel Greatsword and began to practice.

Rein first raised the Fine Steel Greatsword high, then suddenly swung it downward at a ninety-degree angle to the front, swiftly turning to follow with a forty-five-degree Smooth Cleaving Slash.

Immediately after, he quickly stepped forward, pushed off powerfully, and leaped high into the air to deliver a Leap Slash downward, the greatsword driving the airflow to emit a series of whooshing sounds…

The Giant Bear Sword Technique comprised five forms: Furious Slash, Leap Slash, Guard, Smooth Cleaving Slash, and Whirlwind Slash.

It could be said that Rein had become very proficient in these sword moves through frequent use in numerous battles.

A set of movements was both fast and stable!

After practicing several times, Rein suddenly remembered a phrase Cleya had mentioned before:

“The Giant Bear Sword Technique originated from mimicking the claw strikes of bear-like Transcendent creatures, emphasizing great strength and momentum!”

This made him reflect once again, quite moved.

Each time, when his strength improved slightly, he could clearly feel the enhancement in the power of the Giant Bear Sword Technique.

Thus, whenever he activated ‘Strength Burst’, the power of the Giant Bear Sword Technique increased exponentially.

Thinking this, Rein consciously incorporated the concepts of ‘strength’ and ‘momentum’ and practiced the Giant Bear Sword Technique again.

[You trained in the Giant Bear Sword Technique, insights improved!]

[Your skill Giant Bear Sword Technique has improved, Experience +2]

[Your skill Giant Bear Sword Technique has improved, Experience +1]

….

This brought a smile to Rein’s face; the notifications for the Giant Bear Sword Technique experience were no longer just +1, but occasionally +2, further accelerating the pace of training in the Giant Bear Sword Technique.

Indeed, apart from diligent practice, any skill requires active reflection!

After a morning of hard training, Rein’s Giant Bear Sword Technique progressed from lv4 (245/1000) to lv4 (298/1000).

In the afternoon, Rein went to John’s Farm not far south of Flashgold Town.

Last time, the Night Watchman Captain Weilun had reminded him that he could find John Moyle at John’s Farm to learn riding for two Gold Coins.

But it had been delayed due to some issues.

The reason that spurred Rein to decide to learn riding immediately was not only because future tasks would require more frequent horseback travel.

The main reason was that Rein wanted to see if riding could trigger an ‘event’, such as a prompt for a job change.

Flashgold Town in late autumn was picturesque.

Walking on the road outside the town, fields on both sides were a golden yellow, with wheat swaying in the autumn breeze. Many fields had begun the harvest, and heaps of wheat sheaves were piled up together.

Watching the hardworking farmers of Flashgold Town, Rein felt a different kind of emotion since his father, old Rein, was also among them.

“After officially joining the Night Watchman, maybe I can persuade my parents to take a break or switch to a lighter job,”

“After all, for me now, whether they earn money or not really isn’t important anymore.”

“…”

Soon, Rein arrived at John’s Farm, which occupied a large area. Even from the outside, one could clearly see a racetrack enclosed by a wooden fence and the stables nearby.

At that moment, numerous black, white, and brown horses were leisurely strolling in the racetrack, enjoying the sunny afternoon.

Soon, Rein met a middle-aged man with a ruddy, bulbous nose, and after inquiring, found out he was indeed John Moyle.

After paying two Gold Coins as a fee, Rein began to formally learn how to ride.

Due to Rein’s physical condition having long surpassed that of ordinary people, he quickly learned how to maintain balance on a horse under the astonished gaze of John Moyle.

In less than half an hour, Rein could comfortably control the horse to either halt or trot forward.

However, Rein did encounter some difficulties while trying to make the horse switch from trotting to galloping around the riding arena. Rein tried squeezing his legs against the horse’s belly several times, but the horse beneath him seemed unable to fully understand his intentions, merely quickening its pace instead.

“Mr. John, how can I make the horse run?”

“Uh… this was actually supposed to be part of the lessons three days from now.”

“Rein, you have so quickly mastered balance and controlling the horse to move in a straight line. It’s hard to believe you had never learned horse riding before.”

John Moyle was initially taken aback, and after scrutinizing Rein for a moment, he remembered to answer Rein’s question.

Because he was so surprised; he had taught hundreds of beginners in horse riding, but it was the first time he saw someone who could control a horse to move in a straight line effortlessly after about half an hour from a standing start.

“As for your question, the answer is simple. Rein, the horse beneath you actually needs you to provide more specific instructions.”

“If you are just squeezing the horse’s belly, it’s hard for the horse to distinguish whether you want to trot or gallop.”

“Because a trot is a two-beat gait and running is a three-beat gait, so you need to lightly tap the horse’s belly with your outer leg when its right front and left hind hooves touch the ground, while your inner leg stays close to the horse…”

“I see…”

Under John Moyle’s demonstration, Rein quickly grasped the essentials.

A system prompt then followed:

[You have trained in horse riding, insight enhanced!]

[You have comprehended a new skill—Horse Riding]

[Your skill Horse Riding has improved, Experience +1]

Unfortunately, the new skill ‘Horse Riding’ did not bring any related hints for a career change for Rein.

However, learning a new practical skill was in itself a joyous accomplishment.

….

Three regular days later.

After a few days of exploring, Rein had largely figured out how to rapidly advance as a dog trainer.

Basically, if he fed the greyhound pup a nutritious meal, his Dog Training skill would improve by four to five points, and his dog trainer Profession Level Experience would increase by one point.

But if he took the dog for a walk, the progression was much faster, about fifteen minutes later, his dog trainer Profession Experience would increase by one point.

Consequently, Rein added a new daily essential activity—dog walking!

Every evening, after feeding ‘Cookie,’ Rein would take it out for a walk.

This made Rein, who had never owned a dog in his previous life, feel a surge of emotions!

Additionally, two days ago, when Rein was preparing dog nutrition meals, he triggered another professional skill of a dog trainer—’Dog Food Production.’

Possibly because the ‘dog food’ Rein prepared was quite special, every time Rein made these dog nutrition meals, his ‘Dog Food Production’ skill improved rapidly, and his dog trainer Profession Level also increased swiftly.

[You made dog food, insight enhanced!]

[You have comprehended a new skill—Dog Food Production]

[Your skill Dog Food Production has improved, Experience +5]

[You focused on Dog Food Production, your dog trainer Profession Experience +2]

….

This series of actions significantly accelerated Rein’s dog trainer Profession Experience.

Just recently, he had successfully advanced to dog trainer lv2 (0/300).

Advancing to lv2 in three days, this rocket-like speed was something Rein had not anticipated.

Thus, Rein also received a reward of 1 attribute point and 1 skill point.

This could not help but make Rein chuckle to himself:

“Indeed, often, making the right choice is more crucial than putting in effort.”