This is also a part she needs to adapt to.
"Ying, your melee combat skills are insufficient, causing these shadows to not fully exert their full potential. You might want to spend some time seeking guidance from Albena."
"I understand."
Although her shadows didn’t hold out for long in Gauss’s hands, they were already impressive enough.
Firstly, Gauss himself has a strong combat ability, and he was aware of their existence and fighting style in advance, so he naturally handled them easily.
If another enemy encounters them for the first time, they would inevitably be caught off guard, and it’s already commendable if they can exert fifty percent of their strength.
"Aaliyah, how is your practice with Moonlight going?"
"I released it a few times just now, now I’m restoring natural energy." Aaliyah noticed Gauss approaching and quickly explained.
She didn’t want Gauss to misunderstand that she was loafing under the shade.
It’s just that the speed of natural energy recovery is faster in a lively environment.
"However, the effect of releasing Moonlight at noon is generally average, and it should be better in a shady place."
"..."
Time slowly passed.
When Gauss and his companions returned to Lakeside Town, there were noticeably more people on the streets.
Adventurers from other places were making their way back to the town to register their final scores.
Although there’s no suspense as to who will be first in this competition, those who registered to participate surely hope their final ranking could be slightly higher.
Adventurer teams still out earning points today must complete registration before the deadline.
"Isn’t that Gauss over there?"
"Yes, his points are nearly three thousand, right? What a monster."
"If he had competitors in these final days, his score might have been even higher."
The discussion about him echoed with more admiration than jealousy.
With the build-up over the past few days, Gauss has become a major figure in the town, even in the Blue Lake area.
However, his fame is somewhat fleeting, only capable of lasting during this period.
Once the festival passes and he leaves, discussions about him will naturally fade, eventually becoming an anecdote in some people’s memory of a hot summer.
Arriving at the Adventurer’s Guild Hall.
Though it seemed nothing more could happen and there was no chance of a last-minute upset, the team still came to the hall to await the final results on Aaliyah’s suggestion.
It happened that Gauss needed to buy some tricks.
At this moment, the Adventurer’s Hall was nearly bursting with people.
Especially on the first floor, the second floor where Gauss and others headed was alright but still more crowded than usual.
Adventurers lined up in long queues at the counter for their final score registration.
As Gauss entered, adventurers around naturally made way.
This is the privilege that comes with strength and reputation, though no one asked them to do this, people still instinctively made room.
The mayor and a few staff members were quietly discussing something in front of the leaderboard, their faces bright with joy.
Although Gauss wasn’t a local, winning the championship as part of the Lakeside Town’s team brought pride to the entire town.
Until a staff member whispered something in their ear, their gaze then turned to where Gauss and his companions stood.
Then they slowly walked towards Gauss.
"So you are Gauss, huh? Truly a young talent. I’m Ansel, mayor of Lakeside Town."
The mayor, showing signs of balding, approached Gauss with a friendly smile.
"Mayor Ansel, hello."
Gauss exchanged a light handshake, though he didn’t quite understand his intent, he maintained basic courtesy.
Ansel sized up Gauss.
"Mr. Gauss has truly brought great glory to our Lakeside Town. Winning the championship by such a large margin is exceptionally rare in the history of this competition!"
"Mayor, you’re too kind; the competition results aren’t out yet." Gauss never liked celebrating prematurely.
"Such modesty." He paused, his gaze sweeping over Gauss’s companions.
"If you need anything during your stay in Lakeside Town, please feel free to reach out to me. We’ll do our best to help."
"Additionally, I wonder if any of you have time tonight to attend the celebration banquet at the town hall?" Ansel timely invited them. "It’s hosted for the winners of this competition, a gesture of our Lakeside Town’s hospitality. We hope you’ll join us."
Gauss instinctively wanted to decline, as he naturally preferred relaxing with his team in a small tavern rather than attending a formal banquet.
But then he thought about the subsequent reward collection, possibly needing to handle some official procedures and paperwork, maintaining a good relationship with the mayor and officials would be much more convenient.
So he changed his mind at the last moment.
"Thank you, Mayor, for the gracious invitation. We are honored to attend the banquet."
"Wonderful." Mayor Ansel’s smile grew. "The banquet is set for eight o’clock, at the Blue Lake Hall in the town office. Many local notable ladies and outstanding adventurers will attend; all young people, perfect for you to make new acquaintances."
He couldn’t help but recall instructing his daughter to dress up before he came here, wondering if the maid at home managed to smooth out that specially ordered water-blue dress... Mayor Ansel mentally calculated.
But glimpsing Gauss’s companions, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
He suddenly felt his daughter might not stand much chance, even from an old father’s point of view.
Ansel exchanged a few more polite words.
During their conversation, a sudden uproar broke out in the hall’s center.
The leaderboard stone in the hall suddenly shone brightly, with a crisp sound, all data on the board froze, no longer changing.
As everyone expected, Gauss stood at the top with "2666" points, his name slowly glowing golden.
The Blue Lake Hunting Competition officially concluded!
"Buzz!!"
The hall erupted with more jubilant cheers.
Some people cheered, others sighed.
"I declare!"
Mayor Ansel raised his voice at the right moment, drawing the crowd’s attention, his face bearing a brilliant smile.
"The Blue Lake Hunting Competition concludes smoothly! The champion is — our own Lakeside Town’s contestant Gauss! Let’s give him, and all the adventurers who fought hard in this competition, our warmest congratulations!"
Thunderous applause followed.
Gauss maintained a smile, not showing much excitement over winning.
Or it might be hard to have an exuberant reaction from his perspective, unless he had a strong desire to perform.
Gauss and his companions lingered in the hall for a short while, then headed to the inn, preparing to freshen up for the banquet.
"Gauss, what do you think we should wear for such occasions? I haven’t prepared any formal attire." Aaliyah leaned over to ask Gauss.
Albena seemed a bit apprehensive as well.
"Just dress normally? Clean and smart. Don’t worry, the stars of the celebration banquet are us adventurers, come as you feel comfortable." Gauss shook his head, unable to resist as he saw them fretting over it.
His thoughts already drifted to the rewards selection afterward.
Rumor has it he could pick two items from the treasures as a champion, and also receive the so-called Lake God’s blessing.
His bracelet of clairvoyance happened to be ineffective, it’s a good time to see if he can select a satisfactory reward.
In no time, it was evening.
Gauss changed into a white mage robe, nothing different from his usual attire.
However, Aaliyah and the others, though outwardly taking Gauss’s advice, when the team gathered, looked quite different.
Gauss found them more beautifully dressed, one after the other.
"Didn’t you say you didn’t have a dress?" Gauss chuckled softly, eyeing the bashful Aaliyah.
"I didn’t have one just then, doesn’t mean I can’t go buy one."
"How’s this? Does it... look good?"
"It looks nice." Gauss nodded gently.
Aaliyah wore a light blue evening gown, matching her sky-blue hair color.
The material faintly gleamed like moonlight, maintaining elegance while retaining the neatness unique to adventurers.
Hearing Gauss’s compliment, she blushed slightly and spun around shyly.
"Really? I... I rarely wear skirts like this."
"Blue suits you."
"Lord Gauss, what about my outfit?" Gauss heard Albena’s somewhat subdued voice beside him.
Gauss turned his head, falling into a brief silence.
How should he phrase his evaluation?