"Oh dear, oh dear, I've been completely seen through."
Pete was still smiling, but a hint of gloom finally flashed in his eyes.
He was a very cautious person.
For certain reasons, he deliberately concealed his strength, or rather, the fact that he possessed "Shadow Erosion Fire."
Pete wanted to become stronger, but didn't want others to know his strength.
"After such a big effort, deliberately portraying an easygoing image, it was all for a one-hit kill, to prevent others from stealing my credit."
Pete thought, "Who would have thought it would still be avoided!"
His powers of observation were indeed meticulous.
He noticed Andrew's extraordinary physical abilities.
That's why he didn't strike immediately, but rather put on that earlier act.
"Honestly, this level of physical ability and reaction speed is quite absurd."
Pete's delicate brows furrowed slightly, "So does this Andrew follow the 'Desert Hunter' training path? No mage could have such physical abilities. A Flame Warrior's speed wouldn't be enough. As for a Crimson Knight, they are fast, but they excel in linear dashes. Andrew's movement just now was lateral in an instant."
Pete was very capable; he knew he might not surpass Cook, but at least, he was on the same level as Cook, who was recognized as the top apprentice under Humboldt.
But now he really couldn't figure Andrew out.
"In the end, the fact that Andrew is with the person our teacher wants us to capture is already very strange!"
Pete thought, "At this time, everyone else is probably still focused on capturing the third young lady of the Warm Fire Commerce Association.
Who would think this would have any connection to Andrew, who our teacher predicted would die within seven days."
At this thought, Pete shook his head.
Dismissing many distracting thoughts from his mind.
He knew he was a bit affected by the fact that his previous attack had missed.
Looking at Andrew, Pete finally restrained his smile and said calmly, "Whatever secret you're hiding, Andrew, doesn't matter.
Since you've discovered my secret, even without Miss Barbara behind you, today I must kill you."
To Pete, failing to capture Barbara was no big deal, just unprofitable.
But exposing himself as an "Eight Strange Fires" owner was something he absolutely could not accept.
"Damn it, if given a choice, I wouldn't want this damned Eight Strange Fires, wouldn't want this 'Shadow Erosion Fire'!" Pete thought.
Andrew grunted, "Well, planning to kill me to silence me? Aren't you afraid I'll call for help?"
Pete's face stiffened slightly, then he sneered, "Don't be ridiculous, if you call for help, you're doomed too!"
He had a point.
Andrew was indeed joking.
Though Pete was really strong.
Stronger than Raymond, perhaps even stronger than an uninjured Barbara, the strongest enemy he's faced besides Humboldt so far.
But…
"Since I've already figured out your true nature, there's nothing to fear anymore."
Andrew thought, "What was frustrating was the previous situation of not knowing if he was friend or foe, never being able to see below the surface!"
At the same time, Andrew had made up his mind: to make Pete pay for deceiving him!
Yes, you are an Advanced Magic Apprentice and possess the Eight Strange Fires, but so what?
Even though I'm one tier lower than you, just an Intermediate Magic Apprentice, but... I have the Tear of the Water God, I have Fire Extinguishing Upgrade!
Pete saw that not only was Andrew unafraid, but he also took a fighting stance and even had a slight ferocious smile on his lips.
Somewhat puzzled, he asked, "Do you think you can beat me? You're following the Desert Hunter training route, right? Desert Hunters do restrain Mages, but I'm on the 'Shadow Fire Mage' path, so your speed is useless against me. Your pebble attack... frankly, it's a bit laughable."
While speaking, Pete raised his hand slightly.
The Fireball Technique he held in his hand suddenly turned into a gray shadow, swiftly shooting towards Andrew, directly aiming at his face!
"Shadow Stealth" and "Shadow Fire Mask" are not, after all, combat magics.
Having failed an ambush, there was no need to try a second one.
Go for a direct frontal crush.
Although Fireball Technique is just a basic Fire Magic.
But this wasn't your ordinary Fireball Technique.
This was a Fireball Technique formed by condensing "Shadow Erosion Fire"!
After launching one Fireball Technique, Pete's hands moved slightly, already preparing for the second and third ones.
He knew Andrew was fast, but could he dodge a second and third one after the first?
Even if you dodge them all, what if I aim directly at the Miss Barbara behind you, what will you do?
Pete had calculated everything in advance.
Calculations, control.
This was his combat style, and it was also his life philosophy!
Yet the next moment, he suddenly froze.
Even with the cover of "Shadow Fire Mask," he still showed an extremely surprised expression for the first time, then incredulity.
It seemed he witnessed something unbelievable, entirely beyond all his calculations.
He saw—
Andrew did not use his speed and physical capabilities to dodge the Fireball Technique.
Instead, Andrew stood still.
With a slight eager but nervous malicious smile on his face.
Raising a hand.
And it was the burned hand.
He caught Pete's Shadow Erosion Fire-infused Fireball Technique in his palm.
"..." Pete stared at Andrew, a thought flashed across his mind, "Is this kid crazy? Looking for death himself?"
Even Ivan, a formal Desert Hunter, wouldn't dare to catch his Fireball Technique barehanded!
Pete was confident about this.
To him, even if Andrew followed the Desert Hunter training route, he was just at the "Apprentice Hunter" level, not yet a "Formal Hunter." Just like the difference between a "Magic Apprentice" and a "Mage."
What was he thinking to catch a fireball barehanded?!
But soon, Pete finally noticed something wrong:
The previous Fireball Technique that burned Andrew's arm, this time although caught in Andrew's hand, directly in contact with Andrew's palm.
But... had no effect!
Andrew's arm still bore burns.
But they were all from earlier.
In other words, the Fireball Technique he just threw out didn't have any lethal effect!
But how was this possible?!
"Ha."
Andrew let out a light shout.
His palm suddenly exerted force!
Under Pete's gaze, unable to maintain his composure, he crushed the struggling Fireball Technique in his hand.
Pete: "..."
Unable to maintain any disguise or composure.
Stunned in shock.
"So this is the true power of the 'Water Soul Constitution'?"
On Andrew's side, it was a mix of surprise and joy.
When he unlocked the Water Soul Constitution, he had stopped the pleasant female voice before it could explain the constitution's attributes.
Now, Andrew felt he should have listened.
Because this Water Soul Constitution brought him not only enhanced senses, strong physical abilities, and adaptability.
But also a hidden attribute!
After being burned by Pete's "Shadow Erosion Fire," this hidden constitutional attribute was truly activated—
Flame Immunity!