I Am Not Goblin Slayer

Chapter 378: Professor Gauss

After spending some time with Gauss, he demonstrated a few spells. Watching Gauss's mana flow and the dragon power he didn't even bother to suppress, the professors present all showed expressions of surprise, immediately understanding why Gauss's "talent" was so remarkable.

So strong... such overwhelming draconic aura.

Many of these faculty members had encountered human warlocks with draconic bloodlines before, but none had ever displayed a concentration of dragon aura like his.

Or rather, most dragonblood warlocks probably didn't even possess one percent of his strength.

Is he human, or dragon?

If reason hadn't told them that a dragon wouldn't need to show off so blatantly, they might have believed this was a dragon in human form through transformation magic.

"Lord Gauss, the purity of your bloodline—I have never seen anything like it in my life."

Seeing Gauss's body surging with mana, a delicate pair of small dragon horns even sprouting from his forehead, the onlookers couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

And this was deliberate on Gauss's part.

After realizing his exaggerated leveling speed might draw attention, he needed a reason that could convince everyone.

Revealing a bit of "abnormality" in a controlled way was actually safer.

Compared to the Adventurer’s Manual, his racial talent of Dragon Breed was essentially irrelevant.

After all, this world already had many humans with unique bloodlines.

And Gauss was simply a little stronger than most in that regard.

If they wanted to capture him for dissection just because of a bloodline talent, the world would have descended into chaos long ago.

Moreover, his current strength was already enough.

Among the professors present, some might not be inferior in rank and a few even higher, but none would be stronger in combat. To make a move against him would require transcendent-level force.

Besides, he was no longer an unknown.

The best time to pull up a plant is when it's still a seedling.

So although the teachers were curious about his bloodline and physical changes, none of them made any abrupt or inappropriate requests.

Those who can break through to Master or higher usually have some anomalies of their own.

"If it's convenient, would you step into the lecture hall and say a few words to the students, share some of your cultivation experiences?"

"Of course."

Faced with the invitation, Gauss showed no fear and agreed readily.

Although he was a self-taught, unconventional spellcaster, he still had insights into magic.

His magical talent, amplified repeatedly by the Adventurer’s Manual, had reached a near-inhuman level.

Spell models and magical knowledge that seemed profound to ordinary spellcasters were extremely simple under his clear thinking—like asking a top high school student to tutor an elementary student on basic homework. Would anyone doubt their ability to do so?

Outside the grand, gilded lecture hall, students already filled the warm-yellow magical lamps long before his speech began.

Many guest spellcasters came to Karkesa Magic Academy each year, but none had caused the lecture hall to be packed this quickly.

"He really looks so young."

"Obviously, the paper said he's only twenty, younger than you."

"So that was the person Director Victor received earlier."

"He's so handsome."

"A 7th-level spellcaster, like a monster."

"Keep your voice down, people can hear you."

...

The students were all very curious about Gauss.

They had only heard rumors of such a figure; before he arrived at the academy, none had seen him.

Gauss belonged to the realm of legend, and now that he sat on the stage, their fantasies and reality finally overlapped.

Most students knew some of Gauss's past, so there was no childish mischief just because of his age.

Before the lecture officially began, the entire hall immediately quieted down.

Gauss walked to the front, cleared his throat once, and his voice spread quickly throughout the room.

He then began to formally explain his personal understanding of magic, spell models, and some tips and insights he thought might be useful.

As the lecture progressed, the students below grew increasingly attentive, listening as if entranced.

Some even took rapid notes in their notebooks.

Gauss's instruction was not limited to theory; he often used practical combat scenarios for illustration.

How to cast the same Fireball in different battlefield environments, what tricks to use—how to choose altitude, whether to use the standard model or adjust it.

How Magic Missile can be controlled autonomously to adjust its power. Techniques for maintaining and allocating mana for Mage Armor, and so on.

These operations had become instinctive to him; for other spellcasters they were difficult.

On one hand his magical talent was indeed outstanding, on the other his spell proficiency was higher than anyone present, making his explanations clear and easy to follow.

Even those experienced teaching staff wore expressions of contemplation.

They had assumed his rapid advancement was solely due to bloodline talent; they had not expected his deep reflections on magic to far surpass ordinary understanding.

"Magic is power, but also wisdom. Practice more, observe more, think more. Angels and demons hide in the details."

"Thank you, everyone."

Before long, the lecture ended.

Thunderous applause filled the audience.

These claps were sincere.

Much of what Gauss shared could inspire most listeners; absorbing even a fraction could yield significant gains in spell technique and combat.

Even students could tell which visiting guests offered real substance and which were full of empty platitudes.

Then came the Q&A session.

Under the moderation of a female professor, students began to stand and ask questions.

"Teacher Gauss, there's a part I didn't understand."

"May I ask you a few questions?"

"Please, go ahead."

...

The question-and-answer session lasted nearly two hours.

A dizzying variety of questions came at Gauss nonstop.

Some asked about his magic, some how he advanced so quickly, some were curious about his past, and a few even inquired about his current romantic situation.

It ended not because there were no more questions, but because it was noon.

The academy's teachers came to their senses and signaled the students to stop because it was time for lunch.

Gauss and Ivan had lunch together in a private room of the academy's luxurious dining hall.

After the meal, Gauss finally allowed himself a discreet sigh of relief.

The students' enthusiasm had been hard to handle.

"Lord Gauss, your morning lecture was excellent. It's clear the students are very fond of you," Vice Dean Kieran Xavier said with a kindly smile.

"I think many teachers are a bit jealous, since their classes never get such initiative from students, haha."

"Maybe because I'm closer to their age, so they don't feel too pressured?" Gauss chuckled.

"How about making Lord Gauss a guest lecturer at our academy?" the Vice Dean timely proposed.

He had already been thinking this, and after Gauss's morning lecture and Q&A, the idea grew stronger.

This much younger youth truly had real skill—excellent in combat and effective at teaching.

Gauss had already read the room during the meal and knew what the dean had in mind.

A faint look of embarrassment crossed his face.

"The academy's stipend for guest professors is quite generous, rest assured," Xavier added with a smile.

"It's not about the money, Dean. You might misunderstand me."

"I might be different from most spellcasters. I take commissions very frequently, so I don't stay in the city long and my schedule isn't fixed."

The reason he had stayed in Falim longer recently was because he was preparing to break from 6th to 7th level, and Aria had also gone out for advancement, so he delayed his travel.

From low-level adventurer to now, he had always been commission-crazed, and that wouldn't change.

Does he need the guest professor's salary?

The development of the entire Red Dragon Guild manor had already poured in over two thousand gold coins.

Manor construction, pack animal carts, shops and many channels were all real-money investments; he hadn't even blinked.

"No problem, a guest professor doesn't need to teach here every day."

"One day a month spent lecturing the students is enough."

"All right, I'll give Lord Gauss an extra fee—how about 100 gold coins per appearance?"

"The academy library will also be open to you."

One hundred?

Gauss blinked.

He seemed to have heard a startling number.

One hundred gold coins for one day of lecturing?

His face unchanged, but he was surprised internally.

From Vice Dean Xavier's wording it'd be once a month, but that was still a lucrative gig.

He had said money wasn't the issue, yet on the other hand—he could speak a lecture now and then between commissions, relax, and earn 100 gold each time. Why not?

And he could borrow specialized books from the library.

Thinking that over, Gauss's lips slowly curved upward.

"All right."

He pretended to think deeply.

"It's hard to refuse such kindness. Since Vice Dean Xavier has considered this for me, refusing would be impolite."

"It would be an honor to join Karkesa Magic Academy."

"Welcome, Professor Gauss."

"Here is your employment contract."

Kieran Xavier had clearly come prepared.

Gauss skimmed the page quickly, confirmed everything was in order, and signed his name.

Of course it was just an ordinary paper contract, not a magical pact—more a formality.

They shook hands; both Gauss and Kieran Xavier looked pleased with the result.

For Vice Dean Xavier, the family needed access to this rising star; although the salary was high, it came from the academy's funds.

As the premier magic academy in a city like Falim, the school never worried about money.

Donations from graduates, local institutions, city hall, merchants, and noble families piled up every year.

One hundred gold per lecture was pocket change to the academy.

Besides, Gauss truly had real skill.

Otherwise he wouldn't have reached this spellcaster level at such a young age.

If other students could gain even a sliver of knowledge from him, it could benefit them for life.

The academy's eagerness to recruit him stemmed largely from concern for the students.

At his level, even the Xavier family couldn't command him; they could only present the opportunity—the choice was his.

"Professor Gauss, shall I call the academy carriage for you?"

"No need, my coachman is waiting outside."

Kieran Xavier escorted Gauss to the door, watched him step into the carriage, and only withdrew his gaze after the carriage rolled off down the road.

He felt moved.

He couldn't help but wonder what he himself had been doing at twenty.

What an incredible young man.

Inside the carriage.

Ivan, who had listened quietly the whole time, was stunned.

He had expected his alma mater to welcome his superior warmly, but becoming a guest professor so quickly?

And the salary was exorbitant—settled in a few words?

It was easier than when he ran out to nearby shops to buy missing alchemy ingredients.

Had the world changed, or was he just out of touch?

He was a graduate of the academy; now that the guild leader had become a professor at his alma mater, did that make the guild leader his teacher?

Teacher Gauss, Professor Gauss... heh heh... sounded pretty good.

Gauss glanced at Ivan, seeing him grin foolishly.

He couldn't help but feel suspicious.

He felt his "chief steward" was evolving in a strange direction.

Who programmed him like this?

Could someone bring back the stern, no-nonsense careerist?

Lost in their thoughts, the carriage soon arrived at the Red Dragon Guild manor and stopped.

"We're here."

Ivan instantly collected himself and resumed a serious demeanor.

All right, they're back. Gauss relaxed at the sight.

"Guild Leader, I'm off to work then."

"Go ahead."

Gauss lifted his head slightly and sensed a familiar presence in the air.

He walked into the residence and sure enough found Aria at the dining table.

"You're back. Looks like your breakthrough went smoothly."

"Mm."

After her class change and bloodline resurgence, Aria's talent had only grown stronger; this advancement was a natural outcome.

She chewed a bit of food, nodded, swallowed, and then asked, "Gauss, where did you and Ivan go earlier?"

"Found a good gig."

"Huh?"

Gauss showed her the employment contract.

"Ahem."

"A few days apart and you've already become an academy professor?" Aria's eyes widened after reading it.

Just a few days and Gauss had taken on a new identity—she was surprised.

Although with her current professional level, she could probably teach at some small magic academies, the school Gauss joined was one she had heard of.

And he was a professor.

"It's only a guest professor," Gauss said with a smile.

Aria noticed the pay on the contract and immediately coughed violently twice.

One hundred gold coins per appearance?

Such a lot of money.

One month equals three thousand gold coins, one year equals a full thirty-six thousand gold coins!!!

She swallowed.

So envious.

"Gauss, do you still need a teaching assistant?"