The commotion took his attention and he looked to see some apprentices surrounding one person while blacksmiths all around were shouting congratulations of some sort.

Noah didn't know what to make of the scene. He couldn't even move from his position to check up on it because of Gul. Nothing more needed to be said. If Gul wasn't enough, then there is master Ralvol making rounds. Despite all their rambunctious actions, they were still cheering from their workstations and he wasn't going to take a chance.

Therefore, he acted like any person with common sense and went back to his job. He swiftly grinded the blades to finish his shift. Picking up the crate now filled with shiny blades, he headed back to his workstation.

Reaching there, he dropped off the crate near the anvil. He then turned to the laid-back Gul and said.

"The blades are done."

"Hmm, let me see." Gul gestured to Noah to hand one of the blades. Noah followed on it and handed him one from the crate.

Inspecting the blade, Gul commented.

"Pretty decent for a beginner but it is still not quite usable in real battle."

Noah became downcast hearing that thinking he needed to do overtime on his first day but Gul continued to speak.

"It will do fine for training though, which it was ordered for so that's all good. You can go now. Your shift today is finished."

Noah glared annoyed at him and said.

"You are enjoying this, aren't you?"

Gul gave a grin in response. Noah snapped at that and swiftly turned around to head back to the Inn but he soon halted himself after recalling about the previous incident.

"Before I go, can you tell what was all that commotion before?"

"Oh, that. Some apprentice seems to have unlocked the Blacksmith Profession. Quite talented, it seems. Probably will be able to reach Senior Blacksmith in a year." Gul had a strange look while answering his question.

Noah was a bit stunned by the news. Someone had already got a Blacksmith Profession. It had only taken that guy a few hours and here he didn't even know how far he got. For all he knew, he may just be smashing hammers and grinding metal pieces.

"How long does it take for one to get the Profession normally?"

"Generally around three to four weeks. It mostly has to do with talent and proficiency in Blacksmithing. Therefore, those who have experience, as well as talent in it, get it within a few days. That guy seemed to have prior experience." Gul answered the question but there was a mischievous glint in his eye.

"How long do you think I will take?"

Gul rubbed his chin thinking and replied.

"You learn fast but you are not that much talented. In fact, you could even be said to be mediocre in talent. I would say about two weeks, give or take a few days."

"Can you decrease the time it would take? I can handle more training." A month was too long for Noah. He needed to do better than that. Others wouldn't keep waiting for him to catch up.

"Sure. I can increase the intensity of training up a notch."

"Okay, let's start." Noah was getting himself ready to stay the night at the smithy but Gul words poured cold water over his enthusiasm.

"Hold on mate. I love you are excited about it but I ain't going to stick around seeing you flailing when I could be in bed after a warm dinner. We will do it from tomorrow onwards."

"Fine" Noah realized he was in no condition to begin another training session. He would probably hit the sack as soon as he gets back at the Inn. He resumed his pace back towards his stay.

"Remember to come by early tomorrow. You would need extra effort to catch up." Gul yelled to remind him about his attendance the day after.

Noah just waved his hand back while racing out the forge.

Gul smiled as he watched Noah moving away.

He found the new guy quite interesting. Normally, you would need inordinate amounts of effort to be able to unlock the Profession with the average time being between one to two months. Even talented ones take a week or two. Of course, that is only true when someone puts the usual amounts of time into practice.

The guy who got the Profession earlier looked to have years of experience under his sleeve. Blacksmith is altogether much harder in difficulty compared to other professions like Cook or Scribe.

The main reason is because of the difference in ease of practicing it. You can cook dishes and write records much comfortably and easily compared to making something like a blade under the sweltering heat of a forge. It is considered to be one the hardest Professions in difficulty comparable to the likes of Artificer, Apothecary, and Engineer.

He didn't think the new guy had enough talent to be able to unlock it in two weeks.

Despite his other lies, he was serious when he said that Noah's talent in blacksmithing is mediocre or maybe somewhat decent at best. A guy like him would usually take months before unlocking the Profession. Seeing him so pumped up about trying to unlock it sooner made him interested.

He was intrigued to know how long his new apprentice would take to do so under his training. If you could even call it one. He thought of it as more like a Zekar's Test.

In a Zekar's test, a gladiator holds a large plate above him while the audience would pile stones on the plate. The crowd would continue to pile stones until the gladiator eventually gets turned into a paste under the plate or the audience becomes satisfied with the display of strength and stop pelting stones.

It is a test of strength, determination, and most importantly experience. An experienced gladiator knows when to give up the test.

Will Noah possess the wit to quit when it becomes too much for him or would he be headstrong and crumble down like others.

He chuckled thinking about how much pressure would Noah be able to handle before breaking down. He was looking forward to that interesting spectacle.

He should start prepping up the forge for tomorrow.

'Can't disappoint Noah now, can we?'

....

Meanwhile, Noah walked tiredly back to the Inn. He hadn't quite felt it until now but the exhaustion had finally caught up to him. He suddenly staggered and felt dizzy. The whole experience felt a bit strange to him so he thought to check his Status.

His gut feeling seemed to be correct as a notification greeted him.

[Buff: Energized has ended.]

'So that's why.' A groan escaped his mouth as he started feeling pain all over his body. He didn't think that the Buff was active until now. He thought it was already over sometime in the afternoon as he started feeling tired from then. It seems he was underestimating the efficiency of the Buff as well as the severe condition of his body.

That murder bear didn't hold back in the least. He could see that others had just some lecture and probably got to do a few errands compared to his real deal.

'Damn, that means tomorrow is going to be real hell for me.'

His mood dampened as he thought about his Profession. He was feeling inconfident about keeping up with the other Initiates, especially Ava and Shaun. Both of them would probably get their Profession in a few days.

'Oh, right. Shaun already has his Profession.'

That left Ava and he had a feeling that she wouldn't take much time either.

Which brought him back to the thing that worried him the most.

Though he thought it was very unlikely, some part of him still felt that both of them would start ignoring him if he performed very poorly. It may be illogical of him to think like that but he didn't want something like that to happen at any cost. He could handle overtime easily if it would augment his progress.

He was very insecure about his friends. Sometimes he questioned if he even deserved them.

Noah shook his head repeatedly. He couldn't think like that. They were his friends, he had to believe in them. He turned to look at the surroundings to divert his mind.

The sun had set long ago but the ambient lighting was amazing. The vast expanse of sky was filled to the brim with stars. The backdrop was given an extra finish by the three moons. Yes, three moons, each a different color. Yellow, purple, and blue. At this point, it was quite underwhelming compared to the other details. Nevertheless, the night felt much brighter than back on Earth.

The town had become even more vibrant with families and friends roaming the streets enjoying the nightlife in this city-sized town. The market was bustling with nightlights everywhere. What he noticed was that most of the lights seemed normal gas lights or even oil lamps. The few crystal lamps that were there in front of big shops glowed extremely bright illuminating the entire street with white light.

It seems they are indeed somewhat expensive otherwise he would have seen more of them. That just goes to show how high-class Florelle's Inn is to have dozens. The lively atmosphere was quite reminiscent of the nightlife in urban cities. Noah somehow felt comfortable as he soaked in the hubbub of laughter and shouting. Despite how chaotic his circumstances are looking, moments like these go a long way to give him a sense of normalcy.

He slowed down his pace as he took in the many sights the town had to offer as any other passerby. He lost himself in the moment and just wished it would stay like that for some time.

Though like everything else it also ended as he reached the Inn. Entering through the main entrance, he was greeted with a strange scene. There was almost no one present in the hall except for the receptionist. Well, there was still some time for dinner so that could be the reason.

He was also surprised to see someone else other than Miss Florelle handling the reception desk. He could recognize her as one of the staff. Maybe she was busy somewhere else.

He was going to first check up on Shaun but the horrible smell emitted by his body changed his mind. He asked the receptionist lady directions for the bath and rushed for the room they were staying in.

He had to come back because he didn't have the key with him. It was with Shaun. When asked if something could be done about this, the receptionist lady matched his credentials and gave him a spare key with a smile. She told him to return it after he is done.

Reassuring her he would be sure to return it responsibly, he rushed again to his room. Slamming open the door, he quickly took some clothes from his luggage along with towels and soap. With that done, he dashed back. Handing the key back to the lady, he thanked her for her help.

The staff politely responded saying she was just doing her duty and helpfully pointed out to him to put his dirty clothes in one of the baskets in the back and bring it back for laundry.

Thanking the receptionist lady again for her help, he headed towards the bath.

Halfway through, a yell from the main door caught his attention.

"Mom, I'm back. Had a rough day. Give me something to eat, will ya." A familiar voice came from the front.

Noah turned his head towards the voice and was surprised to see someone he wasn't expecting in the slightest.

"What are you doing here?"