Aaliyah heard the words and her cheeks flushed slightly.
When such words come from someone else’s mouth, it’s nothing, but when they come from Gauss, she subconsciously feels it’s a form of mockery. However, she also understands that Gauss isn’t that kind of person.
"Far behind you... and it’s not even confirmed yet. What if the feeling of advancement I have is just a delusion, then I’d have been happy for nothing." Aaliyah waved her hands repeatedly.
Every time she talks about her cultivation progress in front of Gauss, she always feels somewhat embarrassed to speak.
If it were in the past, before she had a regular team, she would be quite satisfied with this progress.
Advancing in just over a year is a pace many envy.
However... Aaliyah glanced at Gauss by her side.
She always feels that after teaming up with Gauss, her progress has accelerated considerably.
In fact, she hazily feels that if Gauss weren’t there, she wouldn’t feel this seemingly imminent advancement to level 2 so soon.
The two held a map, driving in the slow lane for a while, until they confirmed their direction. Then, they steered the chocobo onto the main road, accelerating towards the Caster Association.
"Dada!"
Gauss pulled the reins, gradually slowing down the chocobo, and its wide bird feet came to a stop.
"We’re here."
Gauss looked at the street before him and swallowed.
Is this the Caster Association? It’s so grand!
The entire core district ahead presents a unified architectural style.
Its location is at the core area of the outer city, just a step away from the inner city.
On the way, Aaliyah mentioned that the inner city houses a smaller but higher-level Caster Association, but the scene before them already left Gauss very impressed.
Numerous high towers stood within the Caster Association’s premises, like stars surrounding the moon, guarding the central, most massive independent tower.
Constructed with gray-white giant stones and adorned with an octagonal star emblem with flickering purple flames, it serves as the symbol of the Caster Association. Protective runes are engraved on the tower, emitting a faint glimmer even during the day.
Meanwhile, the main tower’s white exterior wall is embellished with several golden reliefs, and its windows are made of stained crystal glass, presenting a magnificent sight from the outside.
Their mounts were left at the designated parking zone.
"Please present your identification."
Aaliyah showed her caster crystal.
"This is my teammate and also a professional mage, visiting for registration for the first time. Here’s his Adventurer’s Guild professional badge."
After passing the examination, the two stepped into the hall of the main tower of the Caster Association smoothly.
The space inside is very spacious, with spiral staircases on both sides of the hall, leading upward to higher levels requiring higher permissions.
The hall is filled with robed casters everywhere.
Rarely seen mages and warlocks have gathered at this place.
However, many people aren’t wearing Adventurer’s Badges, or only a few wear them.
Aaliyah led Gauss to the registration window.
Registering as a caster isn’t complicated at all.
Just a mere grip on a crystal stone, and a few seconds of detection complete the registration.
After registration, Gauss received his caster crystal.
Similar to an Adventurer’s Badge, it’s a form of identity proof.
"Mr. Gauss, next we’ll introduce the benefits of being a member of the Caster Association."
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask anytime."
"Firstly, with this crystal, you can freely borrow books in our public reading section. Our Caster Association holds over a million books, and surely, there are many you might find interesting."
"Secondly, each month you have a fixed number of room usage experiences."
"Furthermore, by contributing to the association, you can earn association contribution points. These points can be exchanged for many precious resources, such as rare magic, magic pets, equipment, resources, renting professional labs, among others."
"Lastly, the more contribution points you have, the greater your authority, allowing you access to higher-level floors."
After a brief introduction.
Gauss had a basic understanding of the Caster Association.
Overall, it feels somewhat similar to the Adventurer’s Guild, though the Caster Association is relatively limited.
Moreover, the Adventurer’s Guild focuses on commerce, while the Caster Association emphasizes academic research.
He felt that this trip wasn’t wasted, as the benefit of borrowing over a million books for free was already very enticing.
He indeed needed a place to learn more spells and interact with other casters.
"It’s okay, go ahead if you have things to attend to." Aaliyah also had her own affairs to handle today.
Thus, after handling registration, Gauss separated from her temporarily.
Gauss soon returned to the front desk after seeing her silhouette disappear.
"Can I now experience your training rooms here?" He paid attention when the staff introduced them earlier.
He had just gained the talent of [Ghost Form] and was itching to test it.
Since the experience is free, he thought he might as well use it, given his limited visits each month.
"Yes, we currently have empty rooms. Would you like to use it? You can use the training room three times a month." The staff replied kindly.
After getting a confirmation response, she handed over a card and informed him of the room location.
Gauss clutched the card and walked toward the staff’s described location.
As he walked.
He vaguely saw a familiar gold figure ahead.
"Eh?"
Narrowing his eyes slightly to confirm, he quickened his pace.
"What a coincidence, we meet again."
"Hiss, it’s you." The Half-Snake Man turned around upon hearing the voice.
Actually, when Gauss spotted him, he had already detected Gauss’s scent molecules in the air with his forked tongue.
Thus, his face didn’t show much surprise.
"I heard you were the one who found me unconscious in the maze and brought me out. I’m deeply thankful." Gauss bowed deeply.
The Half-Snake Man shook his head slightly, turning aside and continued with a hoarse voice.
"No need to thank me. Even if I hadn’t found you, your companion was almost here anyway."
"I still ought to thank you."
Although the other party casually remarked, there’s no way to verify the truth, but either way, his help is undeniable.
"Tell me if there’s anything I can do to repay you," Gauss pledged.
He was ready to clear out his assets.
At worst, ask Aaliyah for some living expenses afterward.
But compared to owing a favor, he thought that some gold coins spent were worth it.
"Well..." The Half-Snake Man paused with his hoarse voice and slightly grinned. "Then hand me the two storage pouches at your waist. I don’t need what’s inside, but I happen to need a couple of bags to stash things."
"..." Gauss swallowed.
The two storage pouches are worth 50 gold coins, half of which belong to Aaliyah.
After pondering for a while.
He nodded, deciding to repay Aaliyah’s portion later.
Though 50 gold coins aren’t a small amount, he felt his life was worth more.
Given his ability, his speed of earning 50 gold coins will only get faster.
Noticing Gauss reaching for his waist.
The Half-Snake Man’s eyes showed some surprise, stopping him.
"Just joking," said the Half-Snake Man. "I’ll think of another request. Just kidding about the pouch, don’t worry about it."
"Okay." Gauss nodded, ready to hear the next request from the other party.
The Half-Snake Man’s slender snake eyes scanned Gauss from head to toe.
After a long silence, he slowly opened his mouth.
"Does your group... need another member?"
PS: This Chapter is an extra update at the start of the month. Normal update tomorrow at noon. Requesting monthly votes! Requesting monthly votes!