Having just acquired a new ability, especially an active spell ability, Raine glanced around the room, intending to find a random target to try it out.
As for why not go outside, he didn't want his neighbors to accidentally see him casting a spell.
"How about this iron pot?" Raine quickly focused his gaze on an old iron pot in the kitchen, which was already damaged but hadn't been thrown away yet.
Ironware, its hardness goes without saying.
In his view, it was the best target to test his newly mastered spell 'Freezing Ray'.
He walked forward, picked up the old iron pot, and hung it on the door frame.
Then he stepped back three or four steps and stopped.
Raine didn't plan to go too far because he still had no idea about his accuracy despite having mastered the spell.
Being a bit closer would give him more confidence.
He raised his hand, aiming at the iron pot, just like the mutated goblin had attacked Thor.
With a flicker of thought, Raine involuntarily made a hand sign, and a blue-white beam, slightly thicker than his thumb, suddenly shot from his right hand forward.
Amazed in his heart at this scene, Raine's eyes followed the beam, and his heart skipped a beat.
"Damn!"
Because even at such a close range, as it was his first time casting, his right hand's aim was still slightly off.
With a "bang", a large patch of white frost appeared on the kitchen door panel, quickly spreading to about a meter in diameter.
He hadn't hit the iron pot but instead the door panel behind it.
However, the disappointment of missing was overshadowed by the spell's powerful effect. Raine eagerly walked forward and cautiously touched the several centimeters thick frost with his fingers.
Instantly, a chill ran through his fingertips.
"So cold!"
He quickly withdrew his fingers as if shocked.
"It seems different from normal ice, much colder."
"Such strong power." Raine's eyes flashed with joy!
"But today, according to Nia, this is just a Zero Level Spell."
After some thought, Raine stepped back a few more steps, this time aiming at the iron pot.
"Bang!!"
Another blue-white beam shot from his right hand.
This time, it directly hit the iron pot, creating a large patch of white frost.
But before Raine could step forward to inspect, he felt a little dizzy, with a slight throbbing pain at his temples.
"Is it because my spiritual power is too depleted?"
"My spiritual power could only allow two casts?"
"At that time, the mutated goblin, if I recall correctly, only cast once, even counting the one interrupted by Nia, it seemed like just twice."
"Also, if there was no consumption or it was extremely low, this Freezing Ray could be used like a Gatling gun."
"Who else could withstand that!"
Exhausted yet excited, Raine lay on his bed, finding it hard to fall asleep.
He crossed his hands, resting them behind his head, staring at the ceiling, contemplating.
"This situation of goblin mutation tonight..."
After a careful analysis, Raine figured that encountering a cold-enhanced goblin was not only due to luck but also because goblins were so numerous and prone to crossbreeding.
So, would this lead to a slightly higher number of their mutants?
But no matter how they mutate, they're still goblins, aren't they?
"In the future, I can first become an adventurer, gradually increasing my strength, and seek slightly stronger demons. Once I successfully kill them, I can gain their bloodline talent and spell-like abilities."
"At the same time, by utilizing the Adventurer's Association's intelligence, at least get a rough understanding of the monsters in this world that are suitable for beginners to face, and select the most appropriate killing order to maximize combat power."
Of course, this is just his current thought.
The following matters will have to wait until he goes to join the Adventurer's Association in Mill Town.
The corresponding plan can also be adjusted at any time.
"Additionally, I need to pay more attention to mutated creatures."
"Is there a chance of finding three more cold-enhanced goblins?"
"Adventurer, ah.... "
The special abilities of the Golden Finger have already led Raine to decide to head to Mill Town and become an adventurer.
Only this way can he take full advantage of the Golden Finger, thereby increasing his strength, and only this way can he survive in this monster-infested world.
Thus, until the sky gradually lightened, Raine, filled with various thoughts in his mind, finally fell into a deep sleep.
...
Morning.
The morning sunlight shone on the earth, dispersing the thin mist around Oak Village.
"Village Chief, I'm planning to become an adventurer." Raine found Village Chief Kael, expressing his intention.
"Raine, have you really thought it through? You...."
Village Chief Kael's eyes widened in surprise. He wanted to say something to dissuade him, but in the next moment, he seemed to recall Raine's courageous and remarkable performance yesterday.
Perhaps it's time to let the young ones venture out?
Kael hesitated for a moment since Raine had never undergone formal combat training.
"Alright, child, but you should wait a bit, say goodbye to the villagers." After pondering, Village Chief Kael nodded.
If you don't let go, the fledgling eagle will never fly.
"Okay, Chief."
In less than ten minutes, most of the villagers came over upon hearing the news. Even the injured Gates, leaning on a crutch, came too.
"Raine, go buy a sword. An adventurer can't wield a fork." Gates placed a pouch of money in Raine's hand and said with a smile.
The heavy money pouch represented heartfelt feelings.
Raine, accustomed to toiling in the fields, knew that a farmer, no matter how diligent, couldn't earn two silver coins in a month.
What's more, Gates had a large family to support.
"Uncle Gates, you..."
"Raine, you saved my life. This little money is nothing. By the way, I will help you tend to your field. If you don't come back, the harvest will be mine."
"Of course, thank you, Uncle Gates."
"Raine, this is the old leather armor I used to have. You can wear it for now." Militia Captain Jefferson came over, handing him a dusty sleeveless leather armor vest with a smile.
Although the leather armor had a few years, the multi-layered cowhide surface had developed a deep brown patina.
But it was well-maintained without any roughness or mold. As soon as Raine got hold of it, he felt the unique soft texture of the leather.
This indicated that the owner cherished it, regularly oiling and airing it.
"This... thank you, Captain Jefferson."
Since he had accepted Gates' 'gift,' Raine naturally couldn't refuse Jefferson's gift and could only thank him.
"Big Brother Raine, are you becoming an adventurer? Grandpa said this could be used as a leather armor rivet!" Several children surrounded him, with the youngest, Lisa, holding up a copper button, still showing her bite marks.
"Big Brother Raine, here's mine too!"
"Raine, here's the money we pooled together. Although not much, just seven silver coins and thirty-two copper coins, it should be enough to get you a helmet." This time, Village Chief Kael approached with a pouch of money.
"Remember, don't be like that Adams kid, selling his life for some money, only to die in the northern snowfield."
Saying that Kael tied the money pouch to Raine's waist, deliberately making a double knot—a secure knot that wouldn't come loose even in bumps.
"Oh, by the way, the Oak Inn in Mill Town is run by my sister, Lorna. If you need a place to stay, go find her."
"Tell her you're from Oak Village!"
...
As Raine walked down the small road at the village entrance, he had three heavy money pouches on his waist, one his own and the other two given by the villagers.
The original plan to sell his field to buy basic equipment was naturally unnecessary.
The combined worth of the two pouches exceeded the price of the field.
The morning light lengthened his shadow slightly.
His thoughts also extended longer.
Compared to the heavy money pouches, Raine felt the weight of Oak Village's hopes and expectations was even heavier.