Having just gained a new ability, and especially an active Magic, Raine glanced around the room, planning to randomly pick a target for a test.
As for why he didn't go outside, it was simply because he didn't want the neighbors to accidentally see him casting Magic.
"This iron pot will do." Raine quickly focused his gaze on an old iron pot in the kitchen—already damaged but not yet discarded.
Iron, its hardness goes without saying.
In his eyes, it was the perfect target to test his newly mastered Magic: 'Freezing Ray.'
He stepped forward, picked up the old iron pot, and hung it on the door frame.
Then he backed up three or four steps and stopped.
Raine didn't want to go too far because he still had no idea about his aim, even with the Magic mastered—how accurate could it be?
Closer is always safer.
He raised his hand and aimed at the iron pot, just as that Mutated Goblin had attacked Thor.
With a slight movement in his mind, Raine unconsciously made a hand sign, and a blue-white beam, slightly thicker than his thumb, shot out from his right hand.
Surprised by the spectacle, Raine followed the beam with his eyes—and his heart skipped a beat.
"Damn!"
Because even at this close range, as it was his first time casting Magic, his right hand's aim was still off by a bit.
A loud "bang!"
On the kitchen door, a large patch of white frost appeared and rapidly spread to about a meter in diameter.
He missed the iron pot and hit the door behind it instead.
But disappointment at missing faded in the face of Magic's sheer power. Raine, thrilled, hurried up and carefully touched the several-centimeter-thick frost with his finger.
Instantly, a bone-chilling cold ran up his fingertip.
"So cold!"
He yanked his finger back like lightning.
"It's different from normal ice—way colder."
"Such powerful Magic," Raine's eyes sparkled with delight!
"But from what Nia said earlier, this is just a Zero Level Spell."
Thinking a bit, Raine moved back a few steps again, this time raising his hand and aiming at the iron pot.
"Bang!!"
Another blue-white beam blasted out from his right hand.
This time, it hit the iron pot directly, covering it in thick white frost.
But the next instant, before he could go inspect it, Raine felt dizzy, with a faint ache pounding at his temples.
"Is this Spiritual Power depletion?"
"My Spiritual Power can only handle two casts?"
"That Mutated Goblin, if I remember right, only used it once, and even counting the one Nia interrupted, that's just twice."
"True, if there was no cost, or the cost was tiny, Freezing Ray could be spammed like a Gatling gun."
"Nobody could beat that!"
Both exhausted and excited, Raine lay on his bed, unable to sleep.
He crossed his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling, thinking.
"This Mutated Goblin thing tonight..."
After analyzing, Raine figured his encounter with the Cold Enhanced Goblin wasn't just luck, but also because there were so many goblins and they liked to crossbreed.
So, the number of mutant goblins would be a bit higher?
But no matter how much mutation, they're still goblins, right?
"For the future, I can become an adventurer, grow stronger step by step, and look for tougher demons. Once I kill one, I can get its bloodline talent and spell-like abilities."
"Meanwhile, using the Adventurer's Association intel, I should get an overview of which monsters in this world are suitable for beginners, and then pick the best order to kill them, maximizing my combat power."
Of course, that's just his current plan.
The rest will have to wait until he goes to Mill Town to join the adventurers.
The plan can be adjusted anytime.
"Also, I need to pay attention to mutated creatures."
"Is it possible to find three more Cold Enhanced goblins?"
"Adventurer... yeah..."
The Golden Finger's special ability had already made Raine decide: he's heading to Mill Town to become an adventurer.
Only this way can he make full use of his Golden Finger and grow strong enough to survive in this monster-filled world.
So, Raine's mind raced with ideas till morning light crept over the horizon, finally letting him drift off to sleep.
...
Morning.
The dawn's sunlight touched the land, clearing the mist around Oak Village.
"Chief, I'm planning to be an adventurer." Raine found the village chief, Kael, and told him his plan.
"Raine, have you really thought it through? You..."
Kael's eyes widened in surprise—he considered urging Raine to stay, but instantly recalled yesterday's brave and astonishing actions.
Maybe it's time for young people to go out and see the world?
Kael hesitated—after all, Raine had never gone through any formal combat training.
"Alright, kid, but you need to hold on a bit and say goodbye to the villagers." After some thought, chief Kael nodded.
If you don't let go, a fledgling will never learn to fly.
"Okay, Chief."
In less than ten minutes, most villagers rushed over after hearing the news—even the wounded Uncle Gates, leaning on a crutch, managed to come.
"Raine, go buy a sword—adventurers can't go carrying pitchforks." Gates handed a bag of money to Raine, smiling as he spoke.
The heavy bag was proof of deeply felt sincerity.
Raine, who knew the value of hard work, understood—however hardworking a farmer, they couldn't make even two Silver Coins a month.
And Gates had a whole family to feed.
"Uncle Gates, this is..."
"Raine, you saved my life. This money's nothing. By the way, I'll help plant your fields, but if you don't come back, the harvest is mine."
"Of course, thank you, Uncle Gates."
"Raine, here's my old leather armor, you can wear it for now." Militia Captain Jefferson came over, smiling as he handed over a dusty sleeveless Leather Armor Vest.
Even at a glance, it was clear the armor was aged, its layered cowhide in a deep, patina-like brown.
But it was well cared for, with no rough spots or mold—Raine felt the characteristic softness of leather as soon as he touched it.
It showed the owner had always cherished it, frequently oiling and airing it out.
"This... thank you, Captain Jefferson."
Since he'd already accepted Gates' 'gift', Raine couldn't refuse Jefferson's, only thanked him.
"Raine! Are you really going to be an adventurer? Grandpa says this can be a leather armor rivet!" A few kids crowded around him, with little Lisa waving a copper button, her bite marks on it.
"Raine, here's mine too!"
"Raine, this is the money everyone put together. It's not much, only seven Silver Coins and thirty-two Copper Coins, but it should be enough for a helmet." Chief Kael came over carrying a coin pouch.
"Listen, don't be like Adams, selling your life to nobles for a bit of cash and dying up in the northern snowfields."
As Kael tied the money to Raine's belt, he made a double knot—a sturdy knot, so it wouldn't come loose however bumpy the journey.
"And Mill Town's Oak Inn 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 village road, three bulky money pouches hung at his waist—his own and two given by the villagers.
His original plan to sell his farmland for cash to buy gear was now unnecessary.
The two pouches alone surpassed the value of the land.
The morning sun stretched his shadow out long.
His thoughts stretched long too.
More than the weight of the money pouches, Raine felt the hopes and wishes of Oak Village's people weighed far heavier.