Though Burning Hands is a 1st-circle spell like Magic Missile, it consumes significantly more mana. Among all the spells Gauss currently masters, it stands as the most energy-intensive. This added considerable difficulty to his practice sessions.

Fortunately, he possessed the [Secondary Core Spell Slot]. Though it required over two days of cooldown for replacement, he had already removed Magic Missile from it before practicing Burning Hands. Given his current lack of imminent combat engagements, the temporary "combat effectiveness reduction" was perfectly acceptable.

After removing [Secondary Core Spell Slot], using Magic Missile again felt noticeably less fluid, reverting from triple-shot back to double-shot. The trade-off, however, was dramatically improved practice efficiency for the enhanced Burning Hands.

"Boom!!"

Crimson fan-shaped flames once more tore through the icy wind, violently igniting the frozen air. Continuous bombardment had long evaporated all snow in this area, exposing damp soil that now steamed with white mist, stubbornly maintaining a late spring-like warmth within this ten-meter radius despite the biting cold.

"1st-circle spell Burning Hands lv2 (19/20)"

Checking the progress, he stood just one step away from lv3. Sensing the faint vibrations within his manifested mana cup, Gauss sighed. During these two days of practicing Burning Hands, it had trembled continuously, perpetually giving the illusion of imminent breakthrough.

The threshold for advancing to level 2 did feel increasingly close - like a single layer of paper waiting to be pierced. Yet the timing of that breakthrough seemed beyond his control. Whatever... he'd just continue practicing methodically. He'd focus on effort and leave the rest to fate.

After observing his mana cup's condition, Gauss sat down to eat while waiting for mana recovery, simultaneously reading from a book at hand. In this world, all professionals needed extensive reading - spellcasters especially. Though some practitioners gradually neglected this due to slow visible returns, Gauss considered such attitude terribly shortsighted.

He diligently utilized spare moments for self-improvement through reading. His regular materials fell into several categories: First, fundamental magical theory books that enhanced understanding of mana's essence and standardized spellcasting logic. Second, spellbooks and application guides for learning spells and casting techniques.

The current volume in his hands - "Battlefield Spell Application: 17 Streamlined Casting Methods Against Ambushes" - taught how to react during wilderness ambushes, adapt to specific situations, and find opportunities to reduce casting time for counterattacks.

Third category consisted of more entertaining content like folk hero tales and biographies. Though Gauss doubted the authenticity of farmer's sons slaying dragons or demons, these stories revealed valuable cultural and historical context. Lastly came specialized reference books like his "recipe collection" or bestiaries documenting common magical creatures' behavioral patterns and weaknesses - all fascinating reads.

On Grayrock Town's icy stone walls, the guard captain clad in heavy furs patrolled through snowdrifts. Bonfires flickered in the biting wind, providing warmth for stationed soldiers.

"Stay alert!" The captain's bark echoed along the ramparts. Several young guards immediately straightened postures, scanning the empty snowfields with exaggerated vigilance until the captain's footsteps faded. Only then did they relax, murmuring complaints.

"Why so much trouble this winter?"

"Right? Previous years only needed half our current patrol strength. My wife keeps complaining - no peace even after a year's hard work."

"Shh... I've got some inside info." A weathered-looking guard lowered his voice mysteriously, piquing his younger comrades' curiosity.

"Tell us! We won't blab."

"My lips are sealed."

"Rumor has it the tightened defenses relate to that failed Winter Hunt - encountered some formidable magical beast that killed many Bronze-rank adventurers..."

"Couldn't be that Green Dragon mistress from the forest-"

"Shut your mouth! If that thing emerged, even Guild Leader Eberhard would... *cough* You get it!"

Mention of Guild Leader Eberhard immediately silenced further discussion. "Alright lads, just enjoy the snowy view." Through lookout scopes, they observed details across the snowfields.

"Hey, that 'eccentric' is reading again."

"Damn impressive - wearing so lightly in this cold and still focusing on books."

"No wonder he's a Bronze-rank adventurer so young while we're just grunts."

"Ouch, brother..."

For safety, Gauss practiced merely a hundred meters from the walls. Guards had long noticed this "oddball" who alternated between casting fire spells and reading in blizzard conditions. Though baffled, they couldn't help but respect his dedication. If they were wealth-independent Bronze-rankers, wouldn't they rather enjoy town's pleasures than endure freezing practice sessions?

Gauss faintly sensed their gazes but remained engrossed in reading. When his mana fully replenished, he closed the book and stretched. "Continue!"

Time flowed unnoticed during intense practice. As the sun dipped westward and twilight dyed the sky, long-awaited words finally appeared before Gauss:

"Burning Hands proficiency +1"

"1st-circle spell Burning Hands lv3 (0/50)"

As fan-shaped flames erupted from his hands again, expanding rapidly across the clearing, the spell's structure within him underwent subtle yet solid transformation - becoming more efficient and refined. Burning Hands had finally crossed the lv3 threshold.

But that mattered little - inevitable advancement timing was irrelevant. What truly mattered was... Gauss sensed his manifested mana cup, which after days of vibration, had finally begun changing. Intricate runes covering its surface now emitted intense white light, as if accumulated energy sought release against an "invisible barrier."

At this critical moment, the cup of manifested professional rank found its perfect opportunity for release and transformation!

"Buzzzz!!"