As for the shield.
On one hand, Raine considered that survival is the priority.
If one can effectively use a shield, it can not only block sword and arrow attacks, but even magic attacks can be mitigated, at the very least reducing some of the damage.
On the other hand, naturally, it was because the tutor in front of him, Tutor Humbert, was skilled with the shield.
In a way, this is an opportunity to learn class combat skills for warriors, even though Raine had never seen any combat skills related to shields.
"The tuition for Spear Stabbing and Shield Block is 2 Silver Coins and 3 Silver Coins respectively, and the duration is one month. Every morning, Tutor Humbert will provide guidance, and the afternoons are for self-practice."
"Additionally, after the one month period, regardless of your level of learning, Tutor Humbert's teaching will cease."
"Can Mr. Raine accept this?" Liya quickly quoted a price, saying.
"Of course." Upon hearing the tuition fee, Raine was slightly stunned.
After all, the tuition fee wasn't exactly cheap.
However, if he can learn something real, it would definitely be worth it, as nothing is more valuable than one's life during an adventure.
After paying the fee, Raine was quickly led to the training area.
"Tutor Humbert, this is the newcomer Raine, here to learn Spear Stabbing and Shield Block."
"Hmm, have you ever practiced before?" Humbert asked casually, while sizing up Raine.
"No."
"Try stabbing this strawman with all your strength."
"Okay, Tutor Humbert."
"Swish!"
Raine picked up the long spear and, using nearly all of his strength, thrust it fiercely at the strawman.
With a thud, straw flew everywhere!
Facing his future tutor, Raine had no intention of holding back.
"Not bad, are you sure you haven't practiced before?" Humbert looked at Raine with slight doubt and said.
Even though the spear thrust by the young man just now was slightly off-target and his exertion of force was somewhat immature, his power and speed were commendable.
"Uh... if you count the fork, then yes?" Raine scratched his head and said.
"A fork? Well, it seems you have a good physical talent, but your accuracy and method of applying force still have issues."
"Moreover, if you want to pair it with a shield, it's best to start practicing single-handed spear stabbing from now on."
"Although it may feel awkward initially and lack power, it is a necessary process." Humbert thought for a moment and added.
"Okay, Tutor Humbert."
"By the way, have you learned Shield Block?" Humbert glanced at the small round shield Raine just bought and asked.
"No."
"Alright, then start with the shield practice, follow me."
Saying that, Humbert walked towards the center of the field with his hands behind his back.
"Including you, there are now exactly five newcomers wanting to learn Shield Block in the past few days, and Tutor Humbert will demonstrate publicly." Liya, also following along, whispered.
"Hmm." Raine felt a sense of joy in his heart.
It was undoubtedly a good thing to see the personal demonstration by a dwarf warrior.
Humbert, who was stout and robust, picked up the heavy steel shield placed on one side of the practice area, gave it a slight swing, and began explaining:
"For those planning to learn Shield Block, watch carefully!"
"Holding a shield is not like carrying a door plank; this is the correct stance!"
Humbert suddenly lowered his knees, his left arm holding the shield with his elbow bent horizontally across his chest, the lower edge of the steel shield almost completely covering his knees.
The originally stout body was almost protected as a large iron block.
"Lower your center of gravity, spread your feet, tighten your waist and abdomen like a spring, do not keep the shield face vertical or horizontal; different attacks require adjusting the angle, which requires plenty of practice."
"Come, give it a strike!" Humbert pointed to a young man practicing with a great sword.
"Yes, Tutor Humbert."
It seemed this young man had watched Humbert's demonstration more than once, as Raine could tell he had no intention of holding back.
The young man lunged three steps forward, then leaped with all his strength, striking the heavy steel shield in Humbert's left hand with a powerful jump slash!
"Clang!!!"
Sparks flew!
But Raine was astonished to find that Humbert's shield-holding left arm was like a reef that had withstood the ocean for hundreds of years, without the slightest tremble.
However, Raine did notice that compared to before the young man's great sword struck, the angle at which Humbert held the shield seemed to have been slightly adjusted.
"Again, what I demonstrated just now was not obvious enough." Realizing that the strength difference between the young man in front of him and himself was too great, Humbert said once more.
"Yes, tutor!"
A few seconds later, when the young man's face turned red as he once again leaped with all his might, slashing down with the two-handed sword, Raine noticed Humbert's shield had an obvious angle adjustment followed by a lowering motion.
"Clang!!!"
"Did you see clearly?"
"All of you learning Shield Block must remember—Blocking is about 'deflecting force' not 'hard resistance'!" Humbert said in a deep voice.
Blocking is about 'deflecting force' not 'hard resistance'?
Raine pondered this statement.
Recalling Humbert's moment where he smoothly adjusted the shield downward, it was evidently to channel the force of the two-handed greatsword downward.
From just this one sentence, Raine realized that the dwarf Humbert in front of him possessed real skill.
But why would such a skilled dwarf warrior remain in a small town like Mill Town?
With a brief thought, Raine shook his head, deciding not to dwell on the matter for the moment.
He had come to learn and improve his skills, this question was best left for another time.
"Otherwise, when facing an ogre in the future, their wooden hammer would break your shield-holding arm." Humbert added again.
"Remember! Always observe the angle at which the enemy's weapon is coming down and adjust accordingly."
...
After attentively watching Humbert's demonstration, many of the young individuals present immediately began their practice.
Raine was no exception.
For half a month consecutively.
Raine lived an almost highly methodical life.
In the morning, he would detour from the Oak Inn to a dense forest outside the town, casting the 'Freezing Ray' spell twice obtained from the Mutated Goblin, afterwards heading to Mill Town's adventure guild branch to practice Shield Block and Spear Stabbing.
Only when it was almost nightfall would he return to the Oak Inn to rest.
During this period, Raine attempted to hunt field mice, wild rabbits, and even encountered a wandering wild wolf, but unfortunately did not acquire any bloodlines.
Thus, Raine speculated whether only humanoid creatures like goblins were viable?
Or perhaps it had to be a monster?
After all, according to the Adventurer's Association's classification, goblins were considered the lowest class of demon.
...
Morning.
The clearing in the southwestern corner of Mill Town's forest.
Raine accurately hit a tree trunk about twenty meters away with a blue beam slightly thicker than his thumb.
After this period of precision practice, Raine could now significantly control the accuracy of the Freezing Ray.
However, when he removed the Cold-Enhanced Goblin icon from the bloodline section, he found himself unable to cast the 'Freezing Ray' spell again.
Although Raine's mind vaguely retained an impression of casting Freezing Ray, the impression was too faint for him to perform it.
"There's improvement after training, but once the icon is removed, I still cannot cast it."
Nevertheless, through these trials, Raine noticed he could reinforce this impression through daily practice.
Yet, the improvement rate was exceedingly slow.
It might take several years before he could master this zero level 'Freezing Ray'.
"Eh, wait a moment."
Suddenly, a thought crossed Raine's mind.
He focused his attention on the 'Frost Affinity' bloodline talent:
[Frost Affinity (passive) lv1: When casting any ice spell, the power is enhanced by 10%; learning speed for any ice spell increases by 20%.]
"Perhaps, if I want to quickly learn spells, there's another way, which is stacking this Frost Affinity."