Little Sophie looked at her mother with some confusion, then at Andrew.
No matter how smart she was, she was still too young.
She didn't quite understand: Why did her mom suddenly seem uneasy with Brother Andrew?
"This injury has nothing to do with Humboldt."
Andrew shook his head, "I just got into a fight on the way back with an 'Advanced Magic Apprentice.' That person injured my arm, and I... I killed him."
Aunt Sofia: "???"
She stared at Andrew, shocked, thinking what did this kid just say? Advanced Magic Apprentice? Killed, killed?
Aunt Sofia, because of her relationship with Ivan, had some understanding of the ranks of mages—
A Junior Magic Apprentice, which is what everyone thought Andrew's rank was, has no magic power and no magic, just some knowledge of magic that ordinary people don't know.
An Intermediate Magic Apprentice possesses magic power but not yet magic. When Andrew decided to save Barbara, he was at this rank. Water Spirit Sensing, Water Soul Constitution, Water Spirit Technique are, in fact, not strictly magic, but foundational abilities.
An Advanced Magic Apprentice has magic power and magic! Further progression, passing the 'examination,' would make one an Official Mage.
Humboldt's most outstanding apprentices are at this level, numbering only in single digits.
It's known that the elite among Advanced Magic Apprentices can face professionals like Raymond (Flame Warrior, equivalent to an Official Mage) and not shy away, even defeating them.
Andrew said he... killed an Advanced Magic Apprentice?!
Aunt Sofia really felt like she no longer knew the Andrew in front of her.
"The only ones who can kill an Advanced Magic Apprentice are other professionals at the same advanced level, certainly not a Junior or Intermediate Magic Apprentice.
Even... even an Official Mage!"
Aunt Sofia stared at Andrew, "So you're... Andrew, what are you now—"
Andrew wasn't one to boast.
But to convince Aunt Sofia and make her have at least a little confidence in him, Andrew hesitated slightly and nodded, saying, "Yes, I am now an 'Advanced Magic Apprentice.'" His tone was calm, as if stating a fact.
Pausing for a moment, Andrew asked again, this time with a hint of urgency in his voice, "Can you help take care of my friend? Her name is Barbara, and she is from the Warm Fire Commerce Association!
If you just take care of her for me, I'll handle everything else! Please!"
Little Sophie didn't understand a thing, but interjected, "Mom, let's just help Brother Andrew. I can take care of that pretty sister."
Yet Aunt Sofia looked at Andrew and asked almost groaningly, "What do you mean by 'you'll handle everything else'? Andrew, what on earth are you going to do?!"
Andrew said:
"I'm going to kill Humboldt! If all goes well, by the time the sun rises tomorrow, everyone at the temporary camp, everyone in Wildfire Town, won't have to live under the shadow of that old thing Humboldt and his magic apprentices anymore!"
Aunt Sofia looked at Andrew, now not knowing what to say or what she could say anymore.
She thought Andrew had gone mad.
But somehow, looking into Andrew's eyes, a voice inside her said: he hasn't gone mad. He's serious.
"Everyone won't have to live under the shadow of the magic apprentices anymore?"
Little Sophie tilted her head, blinking her big eyes at Andrew, "But Brother Andrew, you are a magic apprentice too."
Andrew and Aunt Sofia, looking at each other: "..."