Warren Clark is the blacksmith at the knight’s manor, and he’s also the most skilled one. Three months ago, he went to the nearby town of Saihei to take the advanced blacksmith exam. Judging by the time, it should be about time for him to return.

As soon as he came back, he immediately started recruiting apprentices, which clearly meant he had successfully advanced.

An advanced title—this is a remarkable thing for the knight’s manor. Ever since Scott Baker became an advanced knight, this is only the second advanced title in the entire manor and the surrounding villages.

Normally, a knight’s manor wouldn’t be able to keep someone with an advanced title. But Warren Clark is different; he has a deep attachment to his hometown. So, even though countless people in Saihei Town wanted to hire him, he turned them all down.

Of course, although Joyce Harris didn’t say anything, Sean Carter knew that Warren Clark’s return this time would definitely mean a dramatic change in the treatment he received.

At the very least, within this manor, Warren Clark’s words now carried real weight. And as Warren Clark’s only sister, Joyce Harris naturally rose in status as well.

Tilting his head slightly, Sean Carter thought with a hint of mischief.

Would Old Miller and himself also benefit from this?

Chapter 11: A New Study Plan

Familiar with the routine, Sean Carter put on his eye mask and entered the virtual space as usual.

Number One suddenly appeared before him like a ghost, but Sean Carter, who was already used to this, didn’t react at all.

“Hello, as an honest, kind, and wise learning machine, I have another great suggestion.”

Sean Carter paused, gave him an annoyed look, and asked, “Are you going to suggest I learn advanced wood chopping now?”

“No, you haven’t even finished basic wood chopping yet. How could you possibly practice advanced wood chopping?”

A sudden curiosity welled up in Sean Carter’s heart. He asked, “Number One, what exactly is advanced wood chopping like?”

“Do you want to know?”

“Of course,” Sean Carter replied without hesitation. He was genuinely curious about how something like wood chopping could have different levels.

“All right, since you asked, I’ll give you a demonstration.” Number One said, pretending to be reluctant.

He then went to the usual wood chopping spot, picked up a huge axe, and casually chose an irregular log about as thick as a thermos and as long as an arm.

“Watch closely.”

Number One tossed the log high into the air. Sean Carter’s eyes followed it as it reached its peak and then slowly began to fall.

Just as he was feeling puzzled, there was a flash of light. His eyelids twitched, and in that instant, he seemed to see countless beams of light crisscrossing the log. By the time he realized what had happened, there wasn’t even the slightest sound.

“Snap.”

The log landed on the ground as expected, and now there were dozens of wooden strips of varying lengths but identical thickness scattered on the ground.

Sean Carter’s mouth slowly fell open. He was sure he wasn’t watching a movie.

“See? That’s advanced wood chopping. Once you’ve mastered basic wood chopping to the limit, you can come learn this.” Number One said proudly.

Sean Carter looked up blankly. Although he was a bit skeptical, thinking of that damned, miraculously effective radio calisthenics, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of anticipation.

“Number One, when can I practice advanced wood chopping?”

“Once you’ve mastered basic wood chopping.”

“Then when will I have mastered basic wood chopping?” Sean Carter tried asking in a different way.

“When you can hit the dashed line one hundred percent of the time, and every time you exert force you naturally perform the second movement, then you can learn it.”

Sean Carter nodded seriously. At last, he had a clear goal. It looked like he’d have to work even harder, though he’d always been very diligent.

“Ah, I almost forgot.” Number One suddenly slapped his forehead—a gesture so human-like that Sean Carter had long since gotten used to it. It made him seriously doubt whether this was really just an ordinary learning machine.

“Based on your performance today, I suggest you talk to Joyce Harris and join the ranks of blacksmith apprentices as well.”

“Blacksmithing, Number One? Even though my goal is to go to the big city someday, that doesn’t mean I like the life of a blacksmith.”

“The life of a blacksmith is just to help you improve your physical fitness more conveniently. Don’t you want to get the healthiest body as quickly as possible?” Number One looked at Sean Carter’s impassive face and added, “I guarantee that if you learn blacksmithing, you’ll quickly master all the essentials of basic wood chopping and meet the basic requirements for learning advanced wood chopping.”

After a moment of silence, Sean Carter sighed, “All right, you’ve convinced me.”

In his previous life, whenever Sean Carter saw scenes in movies where people chopped wood or sliced vegetables in midair, he couldn’t help but fantasize about it. Now that it was actually possible, of course he wouldn’t want to miss out.