Gauss walked out of the blacksmith shop with a joyful heart.
This trip was quite fruitful for him; he not only gained precious knowledge from the professionals but also made his once skinny wallet thicker.
After selling that pile of machetes, short blades, and other spoils, his current savings amount to 31 silver coins and 12 copper coins.
Originally it was supposed to be 41 silver coins and 12 copper coins; the reason for the 10 silver coin shortfall was that he fancied a rapier before leaving.
Considering that the weapons he carried were heavily damaged due to the fierce battle near Birch Village, he needed a new weapon for protection.
And following the famous principle of "Since I'm here," he gritted his teeth and splurged, spending a "fortune" to buy the well-maintained single-handed rapier.
10 silver coins, although a considerable expenditure for Gauss, was actually quite a cheap price for a long weapon.
The reason it was so inexpensive was due to the rapier's form, requiring far fewer iron ingots compared to ordinary wide-blade sabers and great swords, leading to lower costs and relatively cheaper prices.
Plus, the shopkeeper probably gave him a friendly price, allowing the deal to be sealed at 10 silver coins.
He chose this weapon after trying a few others; it could still continue the spear-piercing attack method and paired with the wooden shield and his Thought Acceleration skill, his movements became more agile.
It just needed practice.
Holding the rapier in his hand, Gauss examined it closely, growing fonder of it the more he looked.
The blade was straight and slender, with a graceful and sharp appearance, about 1 meter in length, and had a blade width of approximately 3 cm, not even two fingers wide.
The surface of the sword body had a raised rigidity rib that ran through it, reflecting the silver-gray metallic sheen, and the three-sided sword tip emitted a chilling gleam.
The sword handle was wrapped in leather, with a handguard that was not overly decorated, yet added an element of minimalist beauty.
Gauss held the sword before him, the mirror-like surface reflecting his satisfied emerald eyes.
The rapier had both advantages and disadvantages compared to ordinary wide-blade swords; he actually thought it through when purchasing it.
Ordinary wide-blade swords are more versatile, suitable for confronting various types of opponents, and have armor-piercing capabilities; some great swords can even destroy and crush the joints of chain armor.
But wide-blade swords are too heavy, demanding significant physical strength from the user.
His Constitution, while reaching 6 points, still only had 5 points of strength, a very average level.
Using overly heavy weapons for extended periods would bring a considerable burden to his body.
Moreover, wide-blade swords are unsuitable for performance in narrow spaces, and for the foreseeable future, the enemies he faces will likely be bottom-tier monsters.
These bottom-tier monsters share a common trait, you see?
They are individually weak, so they naturally like to cluster together.
Unless they go out hunting, most of the time they tend to huddle together in nests.
In such situations, a wide-blade great sword becomes inappropriate.
And because of the relatively lightweight design of the rapier, its weight is not overly heavy, allowing the user better control, with superior speed and precision.
The rapier can slash as well as thrust, performing excellently in narrow terrains.
The downside of a rapier, however, is that it's almost useless against armor, especially heavy armor, and is prone to breaking, but how many of these ordinary bottom-tier monsters have decent armor and weapons anyway? Probably few and far between.
So, for a caster like him, a rapier was enough for self-defense.
It would be best to find an opportunity later to learn some formal sword skills and techniques.
While goblins, small monsters like them, don't know much about weapon usage techniques, he could fiddle around himself and still outskill the goblins.
But he can't fight goblins for a lifetime; he will inevitably encounter more challenging opponents. Moreover, even goblins have strong ones like Big Goblins and Two-headed Goblins.
As for why he plans to strive towards the Mage profession, yet still wants to learn sword fighting?
The reason is simple.
He thinks that while melee self-defense methods can be unused, they shouldn't be absent.
He doesn't want to be utterly vulnerable if enemies close in and leave him at their mercy.
Especially after the last battle, he became even more firm in his thought that he shouldn't have obvious shortcomings.
The forms of combat in reality are ever-changing; no one knows what unexpected events might happen next. It's essential to grasp some melee combat ability.
If an enemy considers his mage profession weak in melee combat and tries to bully him, he can retaliate fiercely with his sword.
Let them know the Mage's Sword is no less sharp!
Having dealt with spoils, signaling a temporary end to adventure commissions.
Gauss plans to take a few days off, while also practicing the newly learned spell Magic Missile.
"Ah, so comfortable."
Gauss exited the hot water bathhouse, squinting comfortably.
His muscle tension from many days seemed to ease under the warm spring water, fatigue swept away completely.
"The bath cost 5 copper coins."
A small expense.
With his hands considerably more affluent now, Gauss spends money with more confidence.
Money is for enjoyment, no need to spare those 5 copper coins, after exhausting journeys it'd be pitiable to wash off with cold water from a small wooden bucket.
"Hey, did I grow taller?"
Changing into the usual linen clothing, he noticed the top became a bit short, originally fitting perfectly, now exposing the waist, not quite fitting.
Was it a change brought by adding Constitution points?
Realizing this, Gauss felt more cheerful; growing taller is a good thing.
His original height was only a little over 1.7 meters, relatively short compared to other adventurer peers; if attribute enhancement could allow the body to start developing and growing taller again, it would be excellent.
Having finished bathing, Gauss felt a bit hungry again.
Given the circumstances, let's eat first.
....
Coral Tavern.
This tavern is quite upscale in the small town, at least more so than Nightingale Tavern, where Gauss first set off on an adventure and rewarded himself with a meal.
The last time, Haylir hosted at Coral Tavern.
Returning to this place again, he couldn't help but recall the three of them.
By now, Haylir and the others should have arrived in Barry.
I wonder how well Bell and Mia have recovered from their injuries.
Thinking about Bell and the others, Gauss walked into the tavern.
The ambiance inside the tavern differed from the rough town streets, being quite refined.
Warm yellow oil lamps cast flickering light on the mottled red brick walls, the tuxedoed bartender at the bar performing skilled mixology.
Behind him, oak barrels stacked into a wall, with the subtle aroma of aged malt seeping through the gaps.
Under the iron chain-hung metal chandeliers, the tavern hall had a dozen elm timber tables scattered around, almost all surrounded by weapon-carrying adventurers, creating a lively atmosphere.
The customers inside were even more numerous than Gauss anticipated, but it's understandable; the nature of adventurer life and work means they don't differentiate between day or night, drinking whenever they please, even during the day.
With their minds long-term under stress, naturally, they need alcohol to release the accumulated pressure.
So it's common to see many adventurers finishing commission tasks, enjoying meals and libations day and night in taverns.
The adventurers in the hall sat at tables in threes and fours; young adventurers gestured wildly and bragged inflatedly, while waiters carrying trays navigated skillfully through their bold antics; shoulder-to-shoulder, middle-aged men drank heartily, feasting and toasting, the liquor around the glass rim sloshed by their swaying, making one curious if they consume more than they squander.
Seeing the scene inside the tavern, Gauss felt even hungrier.
The aroma of food wafting in the air stirred the glutton in his belly, his tongue incessantly secreting saliva.
He doesn't care for alcohol, dislikes the sour taste, but has a fervent enthusiasm for gourmet foods.
Especially after spending several days outdoors in the wind and cold, he reckoned he could devour an entire cow.