44 Growth (2/2)
Briefly dazed, Roland took off his gloves and said, ”Something happened.”
”Don't let it bother you.” The coach looked at Roland and said, ”You are very talented. If you practice, I will be no match for you in two months. However, talented people tend to be sharp-edged. One-third of my fellows were in jail once, one-third constantly fought with others, and only the last one third live a peaceful life.”
”Thank you,” said Roland sincerely. Then he asked with curiosity, ”So, you're among the last third?”
”No, I'm among the first.” The coach smiled bitterly. ”That's how I know that you have few opportunities to change your life once you're put in jail. Even your family will be affected. My nephew failed his vetting because of his relationship with me. He had a good chance!”
The coach appeared lonely under the light. ”I'm sorry for him.”
”Young people should be prudent.” The coach patted Roland's shoulder and said, ”Sometimes, your mistakes will haunt you for the rest of your life.”
Roland was silent.
He returned home in the afternoon. He checked the forum and found a lot of tips given by players who asked him to find and execute the criminal.
Roland smiled and entered the game at ten that night.
He waited for several minutes in the monochrome space, then time flowed again in the game world.
Roland stared at the couple who were filled with tears of joy. He said to Betta, ”You'll protect the girl for the next couple of days in case the criminal asks for trouble. Also, when the girl is awake, ask her if she saw the criminal.”
”Why don't you protect the girl and let me investigate the criminal?”
”Because your charm is higher than mine,” said Roland casually. ”And my intelligence is higher than yours.”
Betta was lost for words.
Roland did not investigate the criminal after he left the temple. Instead, he returned to Lamb Girl and locked himself in his room, focusing on Language Proficiency.
He had a lot of feelings after the conversation with the coach.
He was only one final step from grasping Language Proficiency. He felt that he was close to success.
After witnessing the disgusting crime scene, saving the girl, and talking to the coach, he felt that his abilities had been improved.
It was not about his attributes, but about his control of his mind.
He found it easier to control his emotions now.
He practiced Language Proficiency again and again, not frustrated by the failures. He would rest when his head hurt, and continue when the pain was gone.
From morning to noon, and from noon to night, he never stopped.
He simply focused on magic.
Finally, when night was about to fall, he successfully cast Language Proficiency for the first time.
The thirty-seven nodes connected perfectly.
”You've learned level-two spell 'Language Proficiency.' EXP +445. You've reached LV4.”
Reading the message, Roland slowly stood up.