The notification appeared before Luke's eyes. He had gained a profession. It was a defining choice, one that could alter the course of his entire journey. He still didn't know whether it was possible to change professions later, and just like with classes, he suspected it wasn't.

Samael was watching him closely.

"Before I give you the answer," he said, "what was the line of reasoning that led you to this decision?"

Luke didn't look away.

"You said witchcraft is the deep study of the mystical arts of the universe. A way to understand how things work... and then make that understanding work for you. So technically, any profession could become that, right?"

Samael's expression remained neutral, but for the briefest moment, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"You've solved the riddle. Well done. Any profession pursued with true dedication, pushed to the edge of mastery, is a mystical study. A personal effort to understand how one facet of the universe works. That, in essence, is witchcraft."

His gaze remained fixed on Luke.

"Witchcraft and the science of your world are essentially the same. Both seek to understand the underlying mechanics of reality. The difference is that a witch doesn't stop there. He tries to transform that knowledge into something magical, something manipulable. Witchcraft, then, is science... but engaging with magic."

A small glass vial appeared in Samael's hand, the kind used in laboratories.

"The first scientists in your world were called witches or sorcerers by many cultures. And here, under the system... science and witchcraft are one and the same."

Luke looked again at the notification still glowing in front of him.

[Congratulations. You have acquired the Profession: Herbalist]

Samael continued.

"What I wanted was for you to choose a profession based on genuine interest, something aligned, of course, with the spirit of witchcraft. Something that would bring you into direct contact with the magical essence of reality. That was Master Azazel's suggestion."

Luke raised an eyebrow.

"That Darkness came up with this challenge?"

"But of course. Master Azazel made a significant investment when he granted you his bloodline. Now, he wishes to observe where that decision will lead. Whether you'll follow in his footsteps... or carve a path of your own."

Luke made a mental note: Azazel likes riddles.

The Forgotten Temple dungeon had been more of a logic trial than a battle test. It was all starting to make sense now.

"For Master Azazel, mental battles are far more interesting than displays of brute strength," Samael explained. "For a being who can erase anyone with a snap of his fingers, levels are meaningless. He sees no value in them. In the realm of ideas, it doesn't matter whether you're level one or one hundred."

He paused.

"The winner is the one who thinks best."

Samael glanced toward the pile of books Luke had carefully selected, those he believed were connected to witchcraft. Then his gaze returned to him.

"Now tell me... why Herbalist?"

Luke sat in thoughtful silence for a moment. Then he picked up a cup of tea from the table. He slowly turned it in his hands before answering.

"In my view, the first witches were those who learned how to use magic... without magic. They understood nature, and shaped it to their will."

He took a small sip. His voice, when it came, was calm, yet firm.

"A tea can calm you. It can energize you. It can keep you awake," Luke said. "Anyone who works with plants knows how to extract everything from them. From medicine... to poison."

He lifted his gaze to Samael.

"Those people... they were the first witches. And that's what I want. To learn how to use nature to my advantage, especially if magic can be part of that process."

"Very good. Excellent answer," Samael said with a short laugh as he eased back into his armchair.

"Want to know something interesting? Master Azazel belongs to the generation that emerged with the system's earliest universes, ages ago."

Samael paused for a moment.

"Do you know what his specialty was back then?"

"What?" Luke asked, genuinely intrigued. Samael was speaking of a time older than anything he had ever imagined, a prehistory of the universe.

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"My master learned to work with plants. That's how the first witch was born," Samael replied, watching Luke for a moment longer, as if satisfied with how everything had played out. "Very well. I hope the investment made in you yields good results."

Luke's interface blinked with a new notification:

Herbalist: The Herbalist is a specialist in plants, possessing vast knowledge of herbs, flowers, and roots. In harmony with nature, this profession is devoted to understanding the healing and magical properties of plants, using that knowledge to treat illnesses, craft potions, and even prepare antidotes for deadly poisons. (Attribute bonus per level: +2 Intelligence, +1 Vitality, +1 Perception, +1 Free Point)

Luke read the description carefully. Among all the professions he had studied, this was the only one that truly called to him. It wasn't flashy. It wasn't obvious. But there was something about it, something instinctive, something vast and untouched, still waiting to be explored.

If he was going to dedicate himself to a path, it had to be one that opened doors. And this seemed to be one of the widest. But there was another reason, too. Before killing Paul, he had learned that Bartholomew was the one who had supplied the poison used on Angelica. If Luke wanted to survive the rest of the tutorial, he would need to be ready for people like that. Having antidotes would be essential.

A new notification appeared:

[You have acquired a Profession Skill: Herbology]

He tapped to open the skill:

[Herbology (Common)]: You have acquired deep knowledge of the herbs and plants found throughout the multiverse. An herbalist learns to identify their healing and magical properties, as well as key characteristics such as optimal harvest times and native environments. This knowledge allows you to craft medicines, potions, and antidotes, and to recognize rare or dangerous plants.

Luke was impressed. All that knowledge had been injected directly into his mind. For a moment, a sharp headache pulsed behind his eyes, like he'd read a thousand books in seconds. But when the pain faded... he simply knew. He could identify a plant by its scent. By touch. By the color of the leaf and the sheen of the stem. It felt as though he'd spent a lifetime studying them.

"This is... honestly impressive," Luke murmured.

His eyes turned back to Samael.

"Now it's my turn to ask something," he said. "What's your profession?"

Samael seemed to consider the question for a few seconds before answering.

"A profession, like a class, can evolve. It can mutate and branch into unique paths. So, my current profession is far too complex for you to fully understand."

He paused, then allowed himself a faint smile.

"But the one I chose, many eras ago, was Artificer."

Luke mulled that over for a moment.

"No wonder he's known as Samael the Inventor," Artemis chimed in, her tone light.

"Of all the options I thought you might choose," Samael added, "Artificer was one of them. Personally, I specialize in crafting Soulbound items. In fact… I'm the best at it."

"I can vouch for that," Artemis said.

"So you make magical items..." Luke mused.

Artificer had actually been one of the paths he'd considered. But it demanded structure, workshops, tools, space. Herbalist, on the other hand, suited him. He could roam the forests, gather ingredients, experiment out in the wild. It felt more... free.

"I'm basically the Sauron of my universe," Samael said with a mischievous smile. "He forged the Rings of Power, remember?"

"You've seen The Lord of the Rings?" Luke asked, intrigued.

"Not only did I see the movies, I read all the books," Samael replied casually.

He paused, then smiled sideways.

"Well, the difference is, I killed Frodo and went drinking with Gandalf afterward."

Luke blinked. "Isn't Sauron, like, the ultimate villain in The Lord of the Rings? Aren't you supposed to be beneath your master?"

Samael shook his head. "If you'd read the books, you'd know there was someone even more powerful above Sauron, his true master. So my example of being the Sauron who won and ruled Middle-earth still holds."

Luke made a mental note that, if he ever returned to Earth, he needed to read everything Tolkien ever wrote.

"Wait... that makes me one of the bad guys. I mean, I'm being trained by Sauron."

"It's a bit late to realize that now," Samael said, almost amused. "You've been on the dark side since the beginning."

He paused, contemplative. "But don't worry. Evil is just a matter of perspective. All gods are Sauron in their own way. Eventually, you just have to choose which Sauron to serve."

"Then I'm Galadriel!" Artemis said with excitement.

"You're not Galadriel," Luke and Samael said in unison.

Luke held the Herbalist book in his hands.

"By the way," Samael added, eyes glinting with a hint of mischief, "for the right price, I could forge you something like the One Ring."

"A ring that makes me invisible?"

"Yes. In fact, I'll make you that offer right now. Give me Artemis's necklace, and I'll craft you a ring of invisibility. What do you say?"

Luke paused, thoughtful.

"Hey, Luke! Don't ditch me, man!" Artemis said in a panic. "You and I are like... like Holmes and Watson! I'm your Watson!"

"So I could get rid of the chatterbox... and gain invisibility?" Luke mused.

"Hey! No more questions!" Artemis cried. "Samael, tell him why I'm useful! I'm funny! I'm charming! I'm... charming again? I don't know how to sell myself anymore!"

Luke took a deep breath.

"Unfortunately, I'll have to decline the offer. Having a storage item is too useful."

"U-unfortunately?" Artemis repeated, wounded. "I'm super fun to have around, you know? Just don't let me go hungry…"

Luke chose to ignore the complaints coming from the necklace.

"No price in the multiverse is worth Artemis," Samael said with a faint smile. "But… I do think she could use a few upgrades. Why don't you leave her with me while you focus on your new profession?"

"Sounds good," Luke replied. "I just need to read this book?"

"Yes. Read. Learn from its teachings. Practice. Go outside, gather plants, study them. A profession works like a class—you gain experience by dedicating yourself to it. So… good luck."

Luke opened the book.

'A Study in Green: Beginner's Herbology – Mother Freya.'

"Oh, and you know what's interesting?" Samael added, as if something had just casually crossed his mind. "There's someone nearby who also happens to be a Herbalist."

"Who?"

"Kalysto. So I suppose it's a perfect opportunity to put one of Artemis's former assistants to work... now that you're her new connection."

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