In those emerald green eyes like herbs, there flowed joy and a hint of pride that was hard to detect, as if the entire person’s aura had completed some sort of transformation, exuding an indescribable confidence and ease.
He seemed a bit different again.
Sofia watched, somewhat in a daze.
Gauss’s changes have been growing more pronounced, both in appearance and demeanor.
The image of the scrawny young man who used to crawl and scramble in the wilderness all day, covered in dirt, seemed to have become a distant memory.
Becoming an Adventurer... can truly lead to such an earth-shaking transformation? Sofia wondered to herself.
"Worth celebrating?"
"Yes, now that things have come to a close. I’m not keeping it a secret anymore, the good news is I’ve been promoted to a bronze Adventurer, and tonight’s for going out to celebrate," Gauss said, taking a deep breath, trying to appear very calm.
However, after some time, he received no response.
He turned his head to find Sofia standing still in place.
"Bronze Adventurer?"
Sofia focused and thought hard.
If she remembered correctly, that should be those haughty-looking types occasionally seen on the streets, who looked very dangerous, right?
She had bumped into them a few times before, always avoiding them from afar.
For ordinary people, those guys with green badges were big shots to be avoided at all costs.
What did Gauss just say?
He was promoted to a bronze Adventurer?
"Yes," Gauss stopped, taking out the small badge hanging under his clothes in front of him and waved it in front of her.
The badge was exquisitely crafted, evidently not an ordinary product, and its bluish-green color shimmered brightly under the light.
Sofia watched, feeling a bit dizzy.
"It really is true? When did you get promoted?" She finally asked, incredulous, after recovering.
"Just today."
"Oh my, congratulations! This truly deserves a good celebration, we should have a good meal," she said excitedly.
Though she didn’t understand how Gauss achieved it, she knew how significant a promotion to bronze level was for an Adventurer.
This meant that Gauss had completely changed his fate and become a big shot in others’ eyes.
Though this had nothing to do with her, it didn’t stop her from feeling happy for Gauss.
"Yes, there will be a senior coming later, I’ll introduce you," he said.
"A senior? Maybe I should just go back first, I wouldn’t want to embarrass you later," Sofia felt slightly awkward upon hearing this, rubbing her clothes.
Her clothes, although clean, were just the most ordinary of civilian attire.
"Don’t worry, she’s a very nice person."
They arrived at Firefly Kitchen.
Gauss had come by this morning to make a reservation, and after a quick greeting, he led Sofia upstairs.
"Eating here isn’t cheap, is it?" Sofia whispered.
"It’s just an ordinary family restaurant," Gauss closed the private room’s door, trying to ease her psychological pressure, and said casually.
But Sofia wasn’t foolish either; she rolled her eyes at him upon hearing that.
Her inn also had a "canteen" business, so she was kind of in the same line of work—in terms of decoration grade, she could tell easily.
Soon after.
The door was opened.
"I’m here!"
"Gauss, congratulations on your promotion,"
Andri pushed the door open and said openly.
However, when she saw there was an unfamiliar woman in the room, she glanced curiously between Gauss and Sofia for a moment before nodding at Sofia.
"Who is this?"
"Sofia, a senior who has taken very good care of me,"
"Oh, hello, I’m Andri, I run a general store," Andri sat down in a seat beside Gauss with ease.
"Hello, hello," Sofia was instead a bit restrained.
Perhaps thinking that this was a senior in Gauss’s Adventurer industry, surely a remarkable figure, she felt a bit awkward.
"Let me treat this time, as agreed last time," Andri took the menu. "Besides, you probably don’t have much money left, do you?"
She glanced at the small Storage Pouch on Gauss’s waist.
"Don’t worry, there’s still plenty; the current Guild’s welfare benefits for new Professionals are much better compared to your time. After all, I’m the one dragging you out to celebrate the promotion, it’s not right for the senior to pay."
"Oh?" Andri blinked, seemingly more interested in the first half of his words.
Driven by curiosity, she couldn’t help but ask more questions.
"...."
"I see," Andri rubbed her chin, falling into thought.
Gauss took advantage of this time to turn around and speak softly with Sofia, recommending dishes from the menu to her.
After a while.
Sofia slowly started to relax.
Mainly because Andri’s physique and appearance didn’t seem too threatening, after she overcame the initial awkwardness and realized Andri’s personality wasn’t as dignified as she expected from a big shot, and seeing how familiar she seemed with Gauss, she also breathed a sigh of relief.
She was really afraid her presence would cause Gauss to lose face in front of the big shots.
"Let’s eat first."
As the dishes began to be served one after another, Gauss said, gesturing for them to start.
The power of good food is immense.
Soon, as they enjoyed the meal, the previously somewhat unfamiliar Sofia and Andri started to have quiet conversations.
Seeing this scene, Gauss felt a trace of comfort in his eyes.
This time bringing Sofia along was partly in hope she could get to know Andri.
After all, Sofia was just an ordinary person.
Although after his promotion to a bronze-level Adventurer, he would be able to provide some "protection" to the inn’s business, he would often leave town, and if the two could get acquainted and Andri could look after her a bit more, it would be beneficial to Sofia with no harm at all.
"Gauss, should we order a pot of wine?" Andri seemed to be in a great mood tonight and suggested actively.
"Can you drink, senior?"
Andri patted the table.
"Your words are a bit judging by appearance; back when I was a young Adventurer, I had the best drinking capacity in the team, even that blacksmith couldn’t beat me, haha."
Once the wine was served.
In order to showcase her remarkable drinking capacity, Andri gulped down several cups in one go, visibly making her cheeks flush.
It was actually Sofia, who, after drinking a few glasses, remained unchanged, showing no sign of inebriation.
Gauss also had a good capacity for wine.
Or rather, once the wine entered his body, it got digested right away.
Thanks to the talent of his Energy Storage Glands, he had perhaps developed a constitution that could hold a thousand drinks without getting drunk.
Under the warm amber lighting.
Watching the room gradually grow lively.
Gauss felt a warmth in his heart.
Being able to share the joy of celebrating oneself with close ones truly is a joyful thing.
At least, he’s not alone anymore.