"Water Manipulation."
As Gauss focused his mind, a column of water surged from the courtyard’s water tank, forming a twisting snake shape in the air.
"Brother, you’re amazing."
Cicero clapped her hands beside him.
Gauss manipulated the water for a while and then let it return to the water tank.
Nothing else.
Even achieving this level, he had yet to truly master this 4-ring spell.
Although he could preliminarily control the water body, his success was purely due to his extraordinary talent, or rather, his high affinity with water.
Regarding the spell itself, there still seemed to be a slight gap in his mastery.
"Don’t catch a cold, let’s go inside and warm up."
He reached out to rub his little sister’s red cheek; she was dressed thickly, with a bear-shaped fuzzy hat on her head, looking very cumbersome.
"Da-da."
Ying pushed the door open and walked into the courtyard.
"How’s it going?"
Gauss looked at her and asked.
"They haven’t come yet."
She was referring to the situation outside the town.
"But many defensive facilities have been arranged."
"Troops have already entered the city and stationed."
Gauss nodded.
Before he knew it, the last day of the year had arrived.
Everything in Gray Rock Town was proceeding rapidly.
Whether it was the festival preparations by the civilians or the mobilization efforts of soldiers and adventurers, only a small part of the town’s population knew vaguely that a beast tide might be arriving soon.
The entire town was still enveloped in a festive atmosphere.
Gauss sometimes felt this was quite nice.
Instead of being anxious, let the civilians enjoy the present.
Of course, the town’s upper management might have more considerations, such as how the harsh cold made transporting civilians away impractical, causing panic, crisis, disorder, and so on...
Gauss shook his head.
In that regard, becoming a powerful adventurer indeed had substantial benefits.
He received information earlier than ordinary people and could make preparations in advance.
Stocking supplies, arranging for his family, and so forth.
"Dinner’s ready."
Aaliyah’s voice came from inside.
Gauss pulled back his thoughts, closed the door, and turned to walk inside.
New Calendar, December 31, 1015.
In the blink of an eye, it was the last day of the year.
The festival, also known as Winter Veil, began in a lively atmosphere.
Like last year, this year’s celebration was equally grand.
Citizens gathered in the town square center.
A giant bonfire burned like a small mountain, orange flames driving back the winter chill, turning the swirling snowflakes into specks of golden light.
A few musicians played on the makeshift stage, the sounds of lute, hand drum, and bagpipes intertwined, with people known or unfamiliar holding hands, singing, and dancing around the bonfire.
Only a very few faces showed a hint of undisguised seriousness.
Gauss’s family was also participating in this activity for the first time; in previous years in the village, while they had celebrations, the scale and ceremonial feel were far less intense.
Gauss spotted a familiar face in the crowd.
After a brief contemplation, he approached.
"Manager Gron, I didn’t expect to see you here." Gauss greeted him.
The tall man before him was the manager of the blacksmith shop, Gron Bates.
Seeing him here indeed surprised Gauss.
In his impression, Manager Gron rarely went out; he left the shop only for necessary procurement activities, making it even less likely for him to actively participate in such crowded celebrations.
"Gauss."
Encountering Gauss here, Gron didn’t seem surprised.
Even he, a blacksmith often secluded at home, had heard the news of Gauss’s return days ago.
Some adventurers who came to his shop to purchase weapons and equipment often praised Gauss’s prowess, dreaming of becoming the next Gauss.
"I’ve been in the town for so many years, never once went out during a festival; better seize the chance now, or who knows if I’ll ever get another."
Gron looked at the bustling crowd, his eyes showing a hint of nostalgia, as if remembering something.
Gauss glanced sideways at him, knowing where he might have heard the news.
It was also understandable, given Manager Gron’s extraordinary skills and the importance of his blacksmith business, he might also detect something unusual from the order volume.
The two quietly watched the bustling square.
...
The festival passed silently.
No unexpected events occurred.
After the New Year passed, five more days went by in a flash.
January 6, 1016, clear weather.
Today, rare sunlight pierced through the overcast sky, slightly raising the temperature.
"Water Manipulation."
Gauss wielded the water, condensing it into thin threads, then shooting them out.
"Thunk, thunk, thunk!"
The fine, needle-like water threads contained powerful water magic power, accelerated to precisely hit the target.
The stone cracked instantly, the water magic power destroying its interior, fragmenting it into countless tiny stones.
After days of practice, he eventually mastered this 4-ring spell.
And, as he anticipated, "Water Manipulation" could indeed be used in water weaponization, achieving a combination technique effect in combat.
For instance, the range of the fired water arrows was longer, and the targeting capability was greatly enhanced; as long as the magic inside the arrow wasn’t depleted, he could remotely manipulate its direction as predetermined.
Thus Gauss could easily shoot arrows rapidly, change direction continuously in the air, hit the target, and retrieve the arrow.