Chapter 74: The Mage Armor’s Anomaly
Gauss picked through the daily goods store, buying quite a few items.
A few sets of ordinary linen clothes and pants for changing.
A black cloak draped neatly behind him, which could provide shade and cover from rain, and when necessary, could be thrown on the ground as a blanket.
Slick black leather boots with thick wooden soles, polished to a shine, secured with metal buckles on the sides.
An enlarged version of a tanned leather water pouch.
A larger adventurer’s backpack, with more buckles, external webbing, compartments, and storage pockets to hold more tools and equipment.
After upgrading his daily equipment, he spent another 8 Silver Coins.
But Gauss wasn’t too distressed, as things needed replacement when they got old, and money was meant to be spent.
Before leaving the store, he thought for a moment and bought a ceramic tea set, which came with a booklet titled "Tea Brewing Guide."
After the meal, Gauss returned to the inn, clad in his new gear.
"You’re back? You seemed to be out longer than before?" Sofia asked when she saw Gauss with his packages.
"Stayed a few extra days out there." Gauss approached the counter. "Oh right, Sofia, I brought you a gift."
He placed the tea set on the counter.
"Why buy me a gift?" Sofia looked at him oddly.
"Just happened to see this while shopping, and thought you like brewing herbal tea, so I picked it up. It wasn’t expensive."
Gauss didn’t think much of it, just remembered Sofia’s usual kindness and prepared a gift.
He’s not one to accept others’ care without gratitude.
"You’re really... Buying me this, can it still be returned?"
"Probably not, Sofia, just keep it. I’m a bit tired, going upstairs to rest." Gauss shook his head and quickly went upstairs before Sofia could respond.
"Hey, wait... Oh well... Thank you!" Sofia looked at his disappearing back, then down at the tea set in her hands, a faint smile appeared on her face.
It’s been a while since she received a gift.
Early in the morning.
With the surge of magic power, an invisible, transparent armor formed around Gauss.
A familiar warmth seeped into his body along the surface of the armor, warming him up.
"Mage Armor lv2 (19/20)"
This proficiency level had been stuck for several days.
For Gauss, this wasn’t a normal progression.
Could it be that unlike the 0th Ring Trick, the 1st-level Spell near lv3 is enough to touch the threshold of the Professional Path?
Gauss remembered from the information shared by Gron, the shopkeeper, that when one practiced a skill to a very proficient level, one would feel the guidance of a mysterious force from the surrounding world.
Following that guiding force, one could step onto the professional path.
But he didn’t seem to feel any similar guiding sensation.
"It’s time to visit the Thorny Hut again."
Although it might seem intrusive, Gauss had no other professionals familiar with the caster field, so he could only shamelessly visit.
Mainly, he felt that the interaction with the Half-Elf Andri last time was quite pleasant, and he hoped she didn’t find him annoying.
Leaving the inn, guided by the map, Gauss found his way to the Thorny Hut easily this time.
It looked exactly the same as before, the outer walls of the hut were still weathered, with moss growing.
The dust covered oak door with a mounted bronze bell had the look of being abandoned for a long time.
"Knock knock!"
He gently knocked on the door.
Perhaps because it was his second visit.
This time the door opened with a creak after two knocks.
"Come... in!"
Andri’s voice, sounding as though she were talking in her sleep, came from the hall.
Stepping over the threshold and walking into the passage, the door closed automatically behind him.
As expected, when he entered the hall, there she was.
Andri was comfortably asleep on a rattan chair, covered with a soft woolen blanket, eyes closed, with a trace of dried drool at the corner of her mouth. A leg was sticking out of the blanket, swinging leisurely over the armrest.
Gauss couldn’t help but break out in a black line on his forehead.
Even though there usually weren’t any customers, this was a bit too laid-back.
Moreover, shouldn’t this also be during regular store hours? Why is she still asleep?
Damn, so envious of a retiree’s routine...
"Haa—"
Perhaps sensing someone else in the hall, Andri yawned and sat up from the rattan chair. Her pajamas hanging loosely on her, she rubbed her sleepy eyes, chewing the air while staring blankly for a few minutes.
After a few minutes, her mind seemed to reconnect, and her eyes gradually gained clarity.
"Eh! Gauss? Why are you here?" She turned to see Gauss, startled.
"I’ve been here for a while." Gauss couldn’t help but remind her. "Andri, if another guest walks in, wouldn’t this scene be a bit inappropriate?"
Even though Andri was a Half-Elf, probably not fitting most humans’ mate choices, one can’t rule out people with unusual preferences. Even as a professional, she should mind a little, right?
"Don’t worry, outsiders can’t come in at this time, my door doesn’t allow many people through."
"..." Gauss pressed his lips, a question mark forming on his forehead.
Should he be grateful for Andri’s trust?
If he remembered correctly, they’d only met once before, and she gave him access permission for the shop?
Though it likely triggered only when Andri was there, it still didn’t seem to match their level of acquaintance, right?
Why though?
Gauss didn’t think his 5, now just increased to 6 points of Charm, equaled that kind of persuasive ability.
And could a long-experienced, retired, professional adventurer be simply naive? There’s certainly a key reasoning he couldn’t fathom.
Andri glanced at Gauss, who was lost in thought, and spoke.
"What brings you to me today?"
From her understanding of Gauss’s financial situation last time, she figured he wasn’t likely here for shopping.
"Well... Here’s the thing." Gauss didn’t dwell on his confusion, quickly focusing back on the inquiry he prepared.
For every adventurer, anything related to progressing in their profession was crucial.
He hesitated a little, but then shared the changes he experienced, primarily the slight warmth in his body after practicing Mage Armor.
However, to his surprise, despite having demonstrated the Mage’s Hand last time, now with a new 1st Ring Spell - Mage Armor, Andri didn’t seem curious at all.
After listening to Gauss, she simply blinked, then her eyes turned vacant, absorbed in pondering his changes.
A moment later, a thick tome suddenly fell from the air into her hands.
She licked her fingers, placed the book almost the size of half her body on her folded legs, and lowered her head to swiftly search through it.
The pages rustled under her fast flipping, making one wonder if she could really find what she wanted at such speed.
Just as Gauss was pondering, Andri’s fingers suddenly stopped.
"Found it! I know the reason now!"