Chapter 30: Tactical Core
After Gauss demonstrated his skills, especially the Magic Missile.
The attitude of others towards him subtly changed within a very short time.
Even though they didn’t say it outright, their gazes towards Gauss held a few extra degrees of solemnity.
The following personal displays and team tactical drills were also carried out with extra effort.
It seemed that after Gauss set a good example, everyone was worried about being underestimated and gave their all to showcase themselves.
Feeling the change in team atmosphere, Gauss shook his head.
He couldn’t help but sigh.
Indeed, in any world, the strong are always respected.
Even if the strong are reticent, the team will not ignore their voice.
A road filled with flowers and applause...
However, Gauss also understood that strength is relative.
With the powerful destructive force of the Magic Missile, he was able to instantly take the tactical core position responsible for delivering the fatal blow in the team.
This was because he was at least a tier stronger in terms of burst power.
But when put among professionals, he might just be an ordinary one, as anyone could easily produce even stronger attacks.
The 1st-level Spell cast by a Mage apprentice like him might not even match a 0th Ring Trick used by professionals in terms of power.
Furthermore, he could only use the fully powered Magic Missile once, while a professional’s 0th Ring Spell consumes even less Magic Power.
In other words, his ultimate move is just a professional’s basic attack.
He heard from Gron, the shopkeeper, that once officially advancing to a profession, the quantity of a Mage’s Magic Power increases, and its quality becomes purer, making the same spell more effective than before.
Once he steps into a profession, he would probably be able to use the enhanced Magic Missile more often, rather than only being able to consecutively use the weakened Magic Missile twice or the fully powered Missile once in a short period like now.
"Gauss..."
"After this, leave the front to me."
"I can help you hold off the enemies."
Levin, watching the drill ending and the several people still surrounding Gauss, breathed a sigh of relief.
Actually, he possessed a special ability, one that he hadn’t mentioned to others.
It was a kind of mystical intuition that had saved his life several times.
In the morning, at the Adventurer’s Hall, while passing by Gauss, he suddenly felt an inexplicable tremor.
He felt that standing in the crowd, Gauss had an extraordinary aura.
Therefore, he hadn’t decided to approach Gauss after he admitted his identity as a "Mage", but had already noticed Gauss’ uniqueness beforehand.
This was why he immediately showed his intention to recruit him.
Even though he and the team members hadn’t considered recruiting more members before.
This was also why some team members were indifferent towards Gauss, though this indifference might partly be his own doing; after all, he suddenly brought someone in without prior discussion, naturally causing some unrest among the other members.
He couldn’t explain the reasons to his companions.
But now, with Gauss displaying strength beyond the Bottom Adventurer and smoothly gaining other members’ approval.
He felt somewhat relieved.
At least the outcome was good.
The only challenge now was how to formally bring Gauss into the team.
Truth be told, after spending most of the day together, Levin could vaguely sense some of Gauss’ thoughts.
And speaking of which, perhaps this guy was the most aloof.
Because from start to finish, when facing Doyle and others, whether they were initially indifferent or later friendly, Gauss always wore a faint unchanged smile.
As if, no matter how his teammates acted, he could accept it all the same.
Yet, precisely this attitude reflected a kind of detachment.
...
The next morning.
"Dong——"
"Dong——"
The melodious toll of the bell awakened Gray Rock Town.
"So early today?"
Sofia, in the hall, looked at Gauss, who was coming downstairs, and asked curiously.
"There’s a mission, I agreed with the team." Gauss checked his gear and pack again before leaving the door.
After confirming there was nothing missing, he stepped out the door.
"Sofia, I’m off, I’ll probably be back in a few days."
"Safe travels, be cautious with the mission." Sofia watched Gauss leave.
𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
She already knew Gauss had officially switched to being an Adventurer.
She was a bit worried about his decision.
Adventuring is a dangerous profession; who knows, this young man building a life away from home might end up dead in the wilderness.
If, unfortunately, something happened.
Perhaps, besides her—the innkeeper with no blood relation—there would be no one to know of his plight.
The thought made her feel a bit sad, yet a little uneasy as well.
But she also felt she had no right to interfere with this young man’s life choices.
Even if she didn’t approve, she could only choose to give her blessing.
However, she could tell that during this period, Gauss’ body and mental state were improving, even transforming day by day.
Totally different from the past year.
"Perhaps little Gauss found his true life goal..."
He bought some meat pie on the street.
Eating as he walked towards the town exit.
"Morning!"
The voice of the Swordsman Doyle came from behind.
"Morning."
"Want some jerky?"
"No, thanks, I have some freshly bought meat pie." Gauss replied while chewing in large bites.
Before reaching the town exit, Gauss spotted the tall figure of Levin from a distance beside the street.
Beside him was a horse pulling a flat cargos cart.
Very naturally, Doyle placed his bundle, armor, and weapons on the flat cart.
"This is?" Gauss blinked.
"It’s the packhorse cart we use for our squad’s luggage, Gauss, put your gear and packs in here too." Levin gestured.
Gauss then placed his pack and Leather Armor on the cart.
Levin’s Large Shield, Scale Armor, Doyle’s Great Sword, and Armor, as well as boiler, cookware, food, tents, and other living supplies were all on the cart.
Pretty well-prepared, Gauss thought to himself.
But then he realized that with six people in their group, finding a suitable merchant’s cart on short notice might not be possible.
Even if they luckily found a merchant caravan to travel with on the way, what about on the return?
If there were no horses, no matter how good Levin and Doyle’s stamina was, they couldn’t possibly walk a day’s journey in the wild wearing heavy armor.
Perhaps that’s why the Night Owl Squad specifically prepared a packhorse cart.
Just not sure if it’s bought or rented.
Not long after, the other team members also arrived at the meeting point.
Everyone unloaded their burdens and placed them into the flat cart.
Once confirming no one or supplies were missing, at Levin’s call, the team set off lightly from Gray Rock Town.
"Creak creak——"
The sound of wooden wheels grinding against the ground, with the team moving orderly.
Occasionally, those tired from walking sat in the cart for a break.
Overall, the experience was much better than Gauss had anticipated.
"I should buy a horse in the future, whether for my own luggage or that of future teammates, the horse could carry it all." Gauss thought to himself.
Last time walking with heavy gear from Birch Village back to Gray Rock Town nearly exhausted him to death.
Initially, it was fine, but after walking for one or two hours, he regretted it, carrying heavy packs and various loot, he needed to stop for a break after every stretch or he couldn’t continue.
It took him more than two days, with blisters on his feet, to finally return to Gray Rock Town.
And this despite his Constitution having increased to 6.
Now, traveling lightly, it felt like a completely different experience.
All the way, Gauss felt himself incessantly absorbing adventurer experience from Levin.
Adventures aren’t like games from his past life, where you teleport straight to the mission area and start completing objectives.
In reality, Bottom Adventurers spend most of their time traveling, so preparation during the early stage is crucial.
Of course, higher-level professionals might be different, but Gauss currently couldn’t reach those strong individuals.
He was continually absorbing nutrients, secretly accumulating strength to grow.
Speaking of which, he had inquired from Daphne about the price of basic materials for Magic Wands, which were more expensive than he expected.
The quality of these materials varies, including Holly Wood, Elder Wood, Thunderstruck Wood, Peach Wood, Hawthorn Wood, etc. Not all plant segments can be directly used; only carefully selected segments conducive to Magic Power flow should be processed, hence costing at least above 70 Silver Coins.
Some expensive ones are even pricier than the Magic Stone at the wand’s core, reaching over 10 Gold Coins.