Chapter 471 - 443: [The Barbarian Induction Ritual]

Chapter 471: Chapter 443: [The Barbarian Induction Ritual]

But regardless, the detailed and profound knowledge recorded in the *Azure Sky Breathing Technique* in his hands was undeniably real.

It was irrefutable proof, a declaration that all the tomes on this shelf were not merely hollow fantasies or boasts, but the true crystallization of Power from that glorious era.

An unprecedented vision of the future, so vast it was dizzying, suddenly exploded in Roland’s mind. His heart began to pound uncontrollably, and his blood seemed to turn scorching hot in an instant.

’If only... if only the knowledge recorded in these books is as systematic, complete, and direct to the core of Power as the *Azure Sky Breathing Technique*...’

’Then, with my unique Professional Panel, analyzing, mastering, and even initiating into these Extraordinary Professions that exist only in legend will no longer be an impossible dream.’

He would no longer be a solitary traveler limited to the path of a Knight.

The Power of the Elements would roar at his command, Shadow would become his invisible blade, and ancient Runes would heed his call...

He could merge numerous Extraordinary paths into one, shatter the barriers between Professions, and walk an unprecedented path to power that was his alone.

This wasn’t merely a simple stacking of Power, but a fundamental metamorphosis and transcendence.

The mere thought of such infinite possibilities was enough to make him tremble with an excitement he could barely contain.

He took a few sharp, deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.

’The opportunity is right in front of me, but I can’t afford to make any mistakes out of impulse.’

He quickly pulled the mysterious Secret Imprisonment Dice from his pouch and manipulated it with practiced fingers.

A moment later, a dark and profound Space Gate silently opened before him.

Without further hesitation, Roland carefully enveloped the pristine bookshelf with his Spiritual Power, along with all the tomes it held, and steadily guided it into the Space Gate, ensuring not a single thing was damaged or left behind.

After finishing, he carefully checked the corner of the library one more time. Once he confirmed nothing of value had been left behind, an urgent desire to study his new findings swept over him like a Burning Flame.

He could no longer contain himself. He strode forward and called out.

"Galvis! We need to leave!"

Roland’s voice echoed through the vast, dilapidated library, but the expected reply never came.

He turned and saw Galvis still sitting not far away, amidst a pile of splintered wood and paper scraps.

As if he hadn’t heard the call at all, he was engrossed in a thick, tattered tome with a nearly detached cover, reading with rapt attention and occasionally making soft, inscrutable clicking sounds with his tongue.

The unusual sight piqued Roland’s curiosity.

Suppressing his urge to leave, he slowly walked over and crouched beside Galvis, his gaze falling on the ancient book in the man’s hands.

The pages were yellowed and fragile, but the ancient common tongue script upon them was still clear.

Galvis sensed his approach. Without looking up, he excitedly tapped the page he was reading and said in a hushed tone.

"Roland, you have to see this! This is... this is simply incredible!"

Roland followed his finger and saw several passages written in an old, ornate script.

"...According to the *Dawn Wind Seventh Century Population and Rank Register*, by the four hundred and thirty-seventh year of the Crystal Era, those officially recorded as possessing Extraordinary Power within the Empire’s domain had already surpassed one percent of the total population. The Scholars’ Council has stated, ’We should broaden the path of enlightenment, with the hope that in ten years, the number of the blessed will be even greater’..."

"...The *Civilian Rune Regulation*, now promulgated by the Royal Rune Institute, details the engraving, installation, and maintenance of Runes for private residences, public tools, and household items. Chief Inscriber Herman decreed, ’Let the Arcane Power flow like a clear spring and a gentle breeze, peacefully gracing every family’s window. This is the Empire’s vow and its glory’..."

"...The scheduled route for the *Celestial Boat·Flowing Shadow* has now commenced, connecting the Emperor’s Crown, ’Morning Star,’ with the Southern Domain’s ’Jade Harbor.’ This route is under the jurisdiction of the Royal Wing Guard Department. Relying on the latest Condensed Sky Core and Wind Language Array, a round trip can be completed in just three days. The fare is quite low, with additional ’Apprentice Discounts’ and ’Veteran’s Honors’ established to encourage travel and commerce..."

Roland’s eyes were frozen on the page, the shock in his heart beyond measure.

’More than one percent of the population were Transcendents?’

’That meant that back then, nearly one in every hundred people was an official Extraordinary Professional.’

This was a world away from his understanding of the present, where Extraordinary Power was monopolized by a few nobles, Knight Orders, or secret societies, and remained forever out of reach for the common person.

Moreover, these ancient records painted a picture of an era so glorious it was almost unbelievable.

Extraordinary Power wasn’t some lofty privilege. It was treated like a craftsman’s skill or a merchant’s arithmetic—a part of basic education and civil infrastructure, deeply woven into the very fabric of daily life.

Civilian Rune Regulation, widespread schools of enlightenment, Magic Boats affordable for ordinary families...

At that moment, his great question—why these precious tomes on Extraordinary Professions were left here untouched—seemed to find a vague yet plausible answer.

In an age where Extraordinary Professions were so common and their related knowledge perhaps nearly public and standardized, the value of these books detailing "basic" paths of advancement was likely far from as "irreplaceable" as Roland had imagined.

They might have been like the "compulsory education textbooks" or "vocational training manuals" from his past life—important, but certainly not unique or priceless treasures.

When disaster struck and Order collapsed, plunderers would have prioritized powerful Magic Items, rare materials, or advanced technology, ignoring these "common" repositories of knowledge.

As he thought of this, Roland’s gaze on the seemingly ordinary book in his hands—a book that described a mythical age—grew incredibly complex.

Shock, longing, and a dawning understanding intertwined in his heart.

The prosperity and power of the era known as the Crystal Era likely far surpassed anything he—or even Galvis in his most imaginative ballads—could have possibly described.

But while Roland was lost in surging shock and contemplation, Galvis’s reaction was far more direct and ecstatic.

He snapped the book of ancient records shut as if he had just discovered a peerless treasure. He grabbed Roland’s arm, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Quick! Roland, use that amazing die of yours! Take these... take all of them!"

He pointed to another bookshelf before them, one that was just as pristine as the first and laden with fragments of history.

The books on this shelf were neatly arranged, with titles like *Imperial Era - Crystal Epoch*, *Dawn Wind and Scenery Chronicles*, *Royal Capital Daily News*, and *Arcane Review Monthly*.

Clearly, these were all records, periodicals, and anthologies documenting the society, major events, and daily life of the Dawn Wind Empire during the Crystal Era.

Roland did not refuse Galvis’s request.

It was a simple matter for him. Besides, he was just as curious to learn more about an age that had integrated Extraordinary Power so deeply and conveniently that it rivaled the modern society of his past life.

The two wasted no more time and got to work.

Roland activated the Secret Imprisonment Dice once more. The dark Space Gate opened, and he carefully pulled the bookshelf, laden with historical memory, inside.

Afterward, they searched the area of the library again, picking up any scattered books or scrolls that were in relatively good condition. They collected everything, making sure nothing obvious was left behind.

Once they had finished, the two of them, laden with their spoils, quickly departed the silent graveyard of knowledge and returned to the waiting Shell Ship.

Seeing them return so quickly, Duraga, Bronson, and the others couldn’t help but look confused.

Roland didn’t offer a detailed explanation, mentioning only that they had discovered and successfully recovered some well-preserved ancient tomes.

He then instructed Avril to heighten security around the ship to ensure their safety before immediately ducking into his assigned cabin.

The cabin door closed, affording him a measure of privacy.

Roland eagerly opened the space within the Secret Imprisonment Dice again. Together with Galvis, he began the preliminary task of sorting through the massive collection of books they had just acquired.

However, as they delved deeper into the texts, a trace of disappointment began to creep into Roland’s heart.

The tomes on the advancement paths for various Extraordinary Professions were numerous, and their contents were exceptionally detailed and systematic.

But it seemed that precisely because the Crystal Era was so glorious and advanced, its Extraordinary systems had, after millennia of development and optimization, become highly dependent on the unique environment, resources, and technologies of that time. Many of the advancement methods for the Professions relied on these specific conditions.

For example, some Meditation Techniques required a specific, high-concentration Magic Power environment; some bloodline Awakening rituals needed precise Mechanical Assemblies or expensive Catalyst Elixirs; and some Core Spell Models could only be constructed by accessing what appeared to be a public Magic Net system.

With those conditions long gone, these once-advanced and powerful paths of advancement were now like rootless trees, impossible to implement.

After much sifting and comparison, Roland finally selected only a few tomes. These described paths that, even back then, were likely considered ancient, basic, or even "outdated."

However, their advancement requirements were relatively primitive, relying more on the individual and on common materials or environments that could still be found in the present day.

Of these, the one that stood out—the one with the simplest, most direct requirements and the one that seemed easiest to attempt in this withered age—was...

*Path of Ancestral Spirits and Fury - Barbarian Initiation Rite*