I Am Not Goblin Slayer

Chapter 407: Gauss, the

Several people sat in the carriage on the way back.Xisero was still thinking about what had just happened, feeling that she had caused trouble for her brother, and sat restlessly in her seat.

But Gauss read the unease on her face and pinched her cheek.

"What you did today was right. There's no need to feel any self-blame."

"Really, brother?"

"But I caused trouble for you, brother."

Xisero lifted her head, her big eyes looking at Gauss.

"As long as you're doing what you believe is right, brother will always support you."

"Then can I still keep going to the academy?"

"If you want to."

"Thank you, brother!"

Gauss just smiled.

The carriage drove all the way into the Red Dragon Guild headquarters. Gauss planned to let Xisero rest here for two days before sending her back to the academy.

But before that, there were still some matters he needed to discuss with Ivan.

"I understand. From now on, I will arrange for someone to be responsible for Miss Xisero's safety."

Even though that noblewoman from the Xavier family had already been warned, necessary security measures still had to be taken.

Coincidentally, he was also planning to go teach at the magic academy these next two days to fulfill his duties as a guest professor. He could also take the opportunity during his next lecture to communicate with the vice dean of the magic academy.

Kieran Xavier, the vice dean of Karkesa Magic Academy, was also a member of the Xavier family.

Moreover, the other party was an 8th-level spellcaster, so his status within the family was certainly higher than that of Joanna Xavier and her husband whom he had encountered tonight.

After just a few words of conversation, Gauss had accurately detected the inner weakness beneath the other party's arrogant attitude.

That was why she had mentioned the Xavier family, using the family's power and influence to pressure Gauss into backing down. Until her husband arrived, and after hearing her father's order for her to apologize, she had promptly and obediently apologized.

All of this indicated that within the Xavier family, she was nothing more than a dispensable figure.

Based on logical deduction, Gauss reckoned the other party was unlikely to seek revenge. But since it involved his own family, Gauss still intended to add an extra layer of insurance.

The next day.

At Karkesa Magic Academy, because Gauss had given advance notice the previous night, Kieran Xavier had also arranged a temporary class for him.

Just like the previous public lecture, this time the number of students signing up for the class was once again overwhelming.

This kind of bustling, packed situation wasn't naturally due to Gauss's fame. Perhaps a significant portion of the first time was influenced by such reasons, but after attending the lectures and personally experiencing Gauss's genuine talent and solid learning in teaching, the students truly recognized this new professor who wasn't much older than them.

A class period passed smoothly under Gauss's instruction.

For the current Gauss, teaching some low-level spellcasters wasn't difficult. He could very easily provide targeted answers and explanations to students based on his own experience.

Even as the class ended beautifully, students were still crowding around asking questions.

After answering some questions, Gauss encountered Kieran Xavier waiting for him outside the door, which surprised Gauss who had originally planned to go find him in his office.

The two went to the cafeteria together for a meal.

At the dining table, Gauss had just brought up what happened yesterday when, unexpectedly, Kieran Xavier didn't show any sign of surprise.

"I already knew about this matter last night."

"Brother Gauss, rest assured. That little one Joanna has already been placed under house arrest by the family. You don't need to worry about her scheming any crooked ideas."

"I should also thank you, Brother Gauss, for helping us discipline the unpromising younger generation of our family."

Kieran's face was calm and unruffled, as if talking about an unrelated stranger.

"Brother Gauss, did you think the family would seek revenge for her?"

"I believe in your character, Dean Kieran." Gauss didn't answer directly.

But just as he had said, he had interacted with Kieran a few times and knew he wasn't a bad person. However, regarding other members of the Xavier family, he wasn't too clear.

Perhaps within the Xavier family, or within Joanna's branch, there were those overprotective professional powerhouses.

Kieran Xavier shook his head with a smile.

"No family with a long history would make such a foolish mistake."

"In fact, the reason I know about this is because Joanna's father proactively reported the situation."

"He hopes that you, Brother Gauss, absolutely must not develop any misunderstandings."

"If Joanna has any crooked ideas, you won't even need to lift a finger. The elders of her family will personally deal with her immediately."

Kieran said softly.

The larger the family, the more ruthless it became. Forget that Joanna was just a junior from a gradually declining collateral branch; even if it were his own biological granddaughter who had offended Gauss, under such circumstances, he would absolutely not have any thought of escalating the conflict.

For those in power within the family, they only valued descendants with outstanding talent. As for other offspring, they were merely tools for continuing the family bloodline. They would be raised well with good food and drink, but if making mistakes meant coming into conflict with other powerhouses, they would consider the cost.

If the other party's strength was insufficient and they became increasingly presumptuous, the family wouldn't mind taking action to uphold the family's dignity. But clearly, Gauss wasn't such an opponent.

Therefore, even if Gauss hadn't come today, the Xavier family would have sent Kieran Xavier, who had connections with Gauss, to explain the situation.

To prevent Gauss from harboring resentment or doubts, it was essential to nip the bud of conflict at its source.

"That's good then."

Gauss also heard the sincerity in Kieran's words and knew this matter was likely over.

Gauss chatted with Kieran a bit longer before taking his leave.

After Gauss left, Kieran called over a family attendant.

"Brother Gauss probably hasn't developed too many negative impressions of the Xavier family because of this. You can go back and report to those suspicious old men."

"By the way, that collateral branch of Brandon's, tell them to properly restrain the people under them. I don't want to hear about them causing any more trouble for the family next time."

"Especially Joanna. For the next five years, I don't want her leaving that manor of hers."

"Rest assured, Lord Kieran." The attendant bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Regarding last night's unexpected conflict, the Xavier family side was actually more nervous.

Not only because Gauss was a super genius the Adventurers Guild valued highly, but also because Gauss had been repeatedly confirmed to possess Transcendent strength.

Although they couldn't understand how he, with a 7th-level Professional Level, possessed such formidable actual combat power, his consecutive battle records didn't lie.

In other words, even the current Gauss was a true powerhouse in the real sense.

The large and established Xavier family always showed great respect towards such high-end combat strength.

Xisero happily played for two more days at the Red Dragon Guild headquarters manor before returning to the academy to start classes.

Gauss, watching the bustling, lively scene in the manor, was contemplating a very important matter.

That was when to kill the first Transcendent-level monster of his life.

Hunting Transcendent monsters was very important to Gauss because it was related to the time when he would obtain his first gold-quality talent.

Just like when he obtained blue and purple quality talents before, when he hunted his first Transcendent monster, he would inevitably also gain Transcendent points to advance his talents.

But he hadn't set out to do this yet, simply because he was still being quite cautious about it.

Reality wasn't a game. It wasn't like reaching a certain level, urgently needing promotion materials for a breakthrough, and then being able to lock onto the required enemy on the map with one click.

First, one must know that the probability of finding a Transcendent monster near human territory was very low. Monsters of this level were regional lords even within monster territories. Just as there's a saying in the human world that "a wise man does not stand under a collapsing wall," for high-level monsters, they were also well aware that the closer they were to the border, the greater the probability of encountering humans, which also meant a greater probability of death.

Up until now, Gauss had only personally fought against two Transcendent-level combatants.

One of them, the Transcendent Dragon Priestess Cecilia, was actually human. So the only monster he had encountered was that Transcendent variant centaur he met in the Blackwater Town urban area some time ago. Other than that, there were no other Transcendent monsters.

In other words, his only currently known suitable target was that centaur.

Perhaps someone might ask, why not exert some subjective initiative to search for more suitable Transcendent monsters? But this matter was actually quite difficult.

If he could freely choose, he would, of course, for safety reasons, choose a target with the weakest strength in the Transcendent stage—those who had just barely leveled up to 11th level—to open the "Transcendent Path."

But putting himself in their shoes, those kinds of Transcendent monsters that had just successfully broken through would most likely also be consolidating their strength and wouldn't come to the human world to "act recklessly."

Moreover, the opponent he wanted was 11th level, but there was also a probability of encountering 12th level, 13th level, or even stronger unknown enemies.

Headache...

On one hand, Gauss really hoped to advance his racial talent to a brand new realm as soon as possible, so he could obtain more powerful strength earlier.

He was gradually beginning to feel that the fragile balance between humans and monsters was about to be broken. The wheel of fate rolled forward relentlessly, and anyone or anything standing in its way would be crushed. He needed stronger strength to protect himself in the future's unpredictable and ever-changing situation.

But on the other hand, this kind of opportunity also concealed unknown risks.

When he could become stronger step by step, was it necessary to take on extra risks just to save some time?

No one could answer this question for him.

"Forget it, let's wait and see. Wait until I break through to 8th level, then assess my own strength again."

For Gauss, the only currently known target was that one Transcendent centaur. Clearly, he currently didn't possess the strength to contend with it.

Some time ago, he had only managed to slip away smoothly by utilizing the other party's lack of understanding about the effects of his "Dimension Door," fighting with an information advantage. Objectively, there was still a considerable strength gap between the two sides.

So he could only wait until he broke through to 8th-level Magician, then judge whether his strength met the standard. Before meeting the standard, he wouldn't impulsively take the risk.

Or perhaps during this period, he might encounter another Transcendent monster with insufficient strength.

Gauss took a sip of tea.

"Better prepare for both possibilities."

On one hand, send people to investigate whether there was any intelligence about suitable Transcendent monsters appearing. On the other hand, search for more commissions related to ordinary centaurs.

Some time ago, when he was in the center of Blackwater Town, he had killed several ordinary centaurs using the aftershocks of his attacks.

Thus, he gained an additional title: "Centaur Hunter."

Transcendent Dragonborn centaurs were also centaurs. If, before the battle, he could raise "Centaur Hunter" to "Centaur Slayer," or even "Centaur Massacrer," presumably it would increase his chances of victory considerably by then.

Centaurs, it's not that I want to target you specifically. Who told me that the only intelligence I currently have on hand is about one Transcendent monster? Gauss thought silently in his heart.

Anyway, it's to increase monster kill count. Who you kill isn't important, right? Consider it sharpening the blade in advance for hunting that Transcendent centaur.

He had a plan for his arrangements in the near future.

"Centaurs?"

"Did you say it wrong? Shouldn't it be goblins?" Faced with Gauss saying he was going out alone for a trip, Aria and the others weren't unfamiliar with this.

Gauss was always so full of energy. When everyone had just returned from an expedition to rest, he would also use his spare time to go out and complete commissions.

But hearing that the monster he was targeting this time was centaurs, Aria and the others were somewhat puzzled.

For human adventurers, centaurs weren't a good hunting target. Because they moved quickly, their traces were difficult to find. They were wanderers of the wilderness, spending the vast majority of the year migrating, with almost no habit of settling down.

Had centaurs offended Gauss?

Aria was thinking this when suddenly a scene flashed in her mind—rescuing that pair of children in Blackwater Town.

Although she hadn't witnessed the subsequent battle, based on deduction, Gauss must have also suffered quite a bit at the hands of that Transcendent centaur.

Could it be because of that centaur leader, the King of Blackwater Town, that he now held a grudge against the entire centaur race?

Aria glanced subtly at Gauss out of the corner of her eye. Seeing his unchanged expression, she couldn't help but mutter to herself.

So "grudge-bearing"?

"That's right, centaurs." Gauss nodded.

"Do you want us to go with you?"

"No need. I'm planning to hunt some ordinary centaurs on this trip. There's no danger." Gauss shook his head.

He wasn't planning to take anyone with him.

Teammates weren't like him, possessing this body as perverse as that of a top-tier monster race. Teammates needed to rest after returning to town, accumulating energy and stamina for the next expedition.

"Then be careful."

His teammates were also accustomed to his "workaholic demon" mentality.

In the afternoon, the Red Dragon Guild's "Commission Acquisition Specialist" returned from the guild.

Unfortunately, due to the unpredictable movements of centaurs, the guild didn't have any hunting commissions for centaurs.

This was easy to understand. Even victims of centaur raids would most likely not post commissions, because centaurs rarely stayed in one place. It was very likely that by the time a commission was posted, the centaur tribe had already wandered over a hundred kilometers away.

And unless ruled by an extremely aggressive leader, they generally wouldn't specifically go to populous towns for slaughter and plunder. Of course, if they were lucky enough to encounter some small caravans or convoys in the wilderness, these creatures wouldn't mind launching a raid.

Fortunately, although there was no commission information, the specialist still managed to inquire and bring back the intelligence Gauss needed.

"Some people say they've seen traces of centaurs appearing on the Longwind Grasslands to the west."

"Good."

Gauss didn't delay, decisively mounting Hephaestus and setting off.

The earlier he arrived at that grassland, the higher the probability of encountering the centaurs before they left. Of course, if he didn't encounter a centaur tribe, it was fine too. Gauss never returned empty-handed. At that time, he could just search for some other monsters nearby to practice on.

This was also how this person usually operated.

If he encountered monsters outside of commissions along the way, he would often clean them up in passing, not thinking about ignoring them just because there was no commission reward, in order to conserve energy.

This was also the reason why, in his two years as an adventurer, he had accumulated a kill count of over thirty thousand monsters.

Monsters wouldn't actively crash into his Magic Missiles. He was the one who actively sought them out.