However, the incident was soon reported to the higher-ups by other servant boys.
Not long after, a head servant from the manor arrived, and the scuffle was quickly broken up.
As luck would have it, this particular head servant happened to be someone the Rein family had connections with.
As a result, both Rein and Brow—who was thick-browed and stocky—were punished with fifty paddlings each and assigned to sweep and mop the floors for a week. Meanwhile, the bruised and battered Rein was reassigned to George's dormitory.
But clearly, this matter wasn't going to end just like that!
Brow, towering and muscular, hadn't expected Rein to launch a sneak attack and was momentarily stunned!
But that very night, Brow came back to his senses. His eyes flared red with anger!
As the bully among the servant boys, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?
The next day, while nailing horseshoes, Brow's expression could only be described as murderous as he stared daggers at Rein.
"Brow, how do you plan on getting back at him?" Freckles asked from the side.
Hearing Freckles ask this, the other pseudo-heirs focused their gazes on Brow as well.
Brow already had an idea.
In the manor, if he got into another fight with Rein, both of them would definitely be punished, and they might even be outright expelled. It wasn't worth the risk.
"Next week, swordsmanship training begins. I've heard there will be sparring sessions. When that time comes, that little punk is going to pay dearly!" Brow gritted his teeth as he spoke.
"Wow! Brow, you've learned swordsmanship before? That's badass!"
"Not really. I trained under my uncle for two years. But believe me, I'll beat him so badly his own mother won't recognize him!" Brow clenched his fists, his confidence exuding resolve.
....
Unlike Brow, Rein was currently drenched in sweat as he worked on trimming hooves while demonstrating hoof-trimming techniques to the other servant boys.
For example, he explained how to use the weight of the iron blade itself, cutting along the contour of the hoof.
This earned Rein admiration from many of the other servant boys who aspired to be ironsmith apprentices.
Rein successfully managed to win over many of the servant boys who had initially been goaded by the pseudo-heirs!
*A great man from my past life once said, "Make as many friends as possible, while reducing the number of enemies."*
*Worried that the other servant boys might surpass me in skill?*
*With a cheat ability like mine, why should I fear competition?*
*If anything, outperforming others means I'll always stay ahead!*
With the last horse in the stable taken care of, Rein wiped the sweat off his brow and opened his profession panel for a look.
[Ironsmith Apprentice Lv2 (27/300)]
There was still some distance to go before leveling up to Ironsmith Apprentice Lv3, but Rein was already quite satisfied with the progress.
[Hoof Trimming Lv2 (295/300)]
[Nailing Horseshoes Lv1 (56/100)]
[Remaining Skill Points: 1]
Rein had already decided not to use this skill point for now.
From his perspective, leveling up either hoof trimming or nailing horseshoes was simply a matter of time. As long as he put in the work, he could easily max out these skills.
Given that, the later the skill points were used, the better their value would be.
Plus, with all the horses in the stable now properly shoed, spending a skill point to upgrade "Nailing Horseshoes" at this moment would be a waste!
When he reached a wall in skill progression or needed a massive amount of experience to level up, that's when the skill point would come into play.
Just then, a middle-aged man in a clean gray linen robe approached the group of servant boys, as though he had an announcement to make.
Based on the memories of the original body, this man was one of Harrisburg Manor's official staff who handled servant training arrangements.
He nodded at Baal, coughed twice, and said,
"Tomorrow is Sunday, so you may take the day off. Shortly, you're free to go home, but be sure to return by tomorrow evening. Starting the day after tomorrow, you will begin basic swordsmanship training, which will be taught by Mr. Humbert, one of the manor's guards."
"I hope you take this opportunity seriously and learn diligently!"
"......"
The servant training allowed for a one-day break per week, coinciding with Sunday church worship. For the rest of the six days, they had to remain on the manor grounds.
After speaking, the middle-aged man strolled off.
However, his words instantly ignited the enthusiasm of the servant boys, as though a barrel of oil had been dumped onto a blazing fire.
The sound of their discussions grew louder immediately.
"Rein, did you hear that? We're going to start swordsmanship training!" George grabbed Rein's arm, his face glowing with anticipation.
"Of course I heard. I'm excited too. Let's work hard together, young man!" Rein replied with a grin.
The pseudo-heirs were thrilled as well!
They knew that next week's swordsmanship training presented Brow with the perfect opportunity to thoroughly humiliate Rein. They couldn't wait to watch the spectacle.
Clearly, the past few days hadn't been enjoyable for the pseudo-heirs.
Rein's shine had completely outshone theirs.
*A prodigy in trimming donkey hooves and nailing horseshoes?*
*What a joke!*
*But swordsmanship? Well, that's something else entirely!*
As for the upcoming basic swordsmanship training, Rein, like any normal boy, was naturally looking forward to it!
After all, what boy doesn't get thrilled about action, swordplay, and combat?
But what excited him even more was wondering whether swordsmanship training might activate a new panel—perhaps a Swordsman panel, a Guard panel, or maybe even a Warrior panel?
For now, though, his mind wasn't on swordsmanship training.
Why? Because he was about to head home to see the parents of this body!
And not just the parents—there was also a seven-year-old sister waiting at home.
Suddenly, Rein couldn't help but think of his parents from his previous life. Were they doing okay…?
*Sigh!*
*An inexplicable melancholy swept over him for a brief moment.*
At that moment, George walked over, glanced cautiously at the pseudo-heirs, and asked, "By the way, Rein, what's your plan for tomorrow when you get home? How about we go gather some nuts in the woods?"
Distracted from his thoughts, Rein considered it for a moment.
Why not? It would be a chance to clear his mind. Plus, it was autumn—the perfect season to find nuts scattered everywhere.
Nuts were nutritious, and they'd be great for replenishing his body.
But....
From the original body's memories, there weren't many nuts left in the public woods near the town.
Being communal property, the townsfolk had already picked it clean.
Before Rein could ask, George glanced around cautiously and whispered, "Rein, we'll sneak into the Harrisburg Manor's forest. There are loads of nuts there!"
"Uncle Gilliam, the ranger, is my relative. If we're careful, it'll be fine. But don't tell anyone else!"
Ah, so this was George's plan!
*Not bad, kid. You've got potential!* Rein thought with a sly smile, then replied, "Alright, it's a deal!"
The town's forests were divided into two types: public and private. Public forests were accessible to anyone for firewood, nuts, and hunting. The private forests, however, belonged to the Harrisburg Manor, where such foraging was prohibited.
George had suggested they sneak into the manor's forest to gather nuts.
At dusk, enjoying the breeze, Rein walked home alone while George had already left ahead of him.
Rein's house was located in the southern part of the town, while Harrisburg Manor was in the north.
This meant Rein's route home led him along the busiest street, effectively cutting through the heart of the town.
This one's a bakery…
This one's an inn—that's Freckles' family inn…
*As the familiar sights flashed by, a flood of memories from the original body surfaced, slowly blending into his own thoughts.*
However, as he passed the town square, he noticed a group of townsfolk gathering around the noticeboard.
Curious, Rein stepped closer to take a look.
The noticeboard was plastered with wanted posters. One poster stood out—a fresh one for a criminal known as "Scarface."
He had shoulder-length blond hair, a long face, and a scar cutting diagonally across his face, from his forehead through his nose to his right cheek.
Real name: Unknown.
Crimes: Assaulted three women in Peter Town, robbed multiple travelers, and was suspected of connections to the recent rash of child abductions.
Bounty: 5 Imperial Gold Coins.
(Note: Bring his body or head to any sheriff's station in towns or larger settlements to claim the reward.)
"Whoa! Five Imperial Gold Coins!" Rein's eyes lit up with excitement.
*With that kind of money, I could…*
But he quickly shook his head, sighed, and dismissed the unrealistic thought. Then he continued on his way home.
This one's the blacksmith shop…
Wait?
Hold on!