Although Pete's Shadow Erosion Fire only injured me once.
Andrew understood from the battle: the Eight Strange Fires are very powerful.
Pete was clearly a tier higher than me, yet he lost because his frontal combat skills weren't strong enough.
Or perhaps, as a "Shadow Fire Mage" cultivator, he shouldn't have engaged me head-on and should have adhered to stealth, guerrilla, and ambush tactics.
In any case, the undeniable strength of my "Tear of the Water God" Golden Finger shouldn't lead me to underestimate the Eight Strange Fires of this world.
There might not even be any advantage when confronting the leader of the Eight Strange Fires, the "Molten Rock Fire." After all, the Molten Rock Fire is the leader!
Andrew truly believes this possibility exists.
The Golden Finger doesn't mean I'm invincible.
If it were truly invincible, why is there no Water Mage left in this Flame Realm besides myself?
Andrew really thinks there must have been Water Mages in this world before, who were later eliminated for some reason.
Perhaps it was the Magic Guild's Earth Fire Scholars who eliminated them.
"Forget it, it's not the time to think about these things now, it's too far away."
Andrew shook his head.
What he finally understood was that old man Humboldt was once a Grand Mage and a potential level further up.
Simply put, he had the potential to become a big shot Earth Fire Scholar!
Only due to serious injuries, he came to this remote Wildfire Town for healing and to extend his life.
That's probably correct, isn't it?
"I didn't expect the person I've been scheming against these past two days was once such a big figure."
Andrew wasn't really afraid of this.
After all, he's already reached this point.
Next, it's just about whether a dying camel is bigger than a horse or striking while the iron is hot.
"So, the last question."
Andrew looked at Pete, "Why did the Magic Guild target the people from Warm Fire Commerce Association?"
He glanced at Barbara, then back at Pete, "Don't tell me it was Humboldt's personal action!"
Andrew wanted to clarify this important question.
Although he saved Barbara and had been saved by her, forming a connection with the Warm Fire Commerce Association.
But up till now, Andrew still didn't know why the Magic Guild aimed at Barbara.
What he didn't know was that Barbara herself didn't know either!
"That I don't know."
Pete shook his head, almost fainting, "Really, I don't know! We, like others, were just ordered to capture people. Just my luck that I ran into you..."
Andrew nodded, released his grip on Pete, and said, "You've answered well. Now, get lost!"
While saying "get lost,"
His hand moved, taking advantage of Pete's momentary slack induced by joy, he snapped Pete's neck with a crack.
The absolute strength and explosive power of the Water Soul Constitution aren't particularly strong, but breaking the neck of a Magic Apprentice whose physique may not even have an advantage over an ordinary person is easy.
"You damn liar! You said you'd let me go?"
This was Pete's last thought before his consciousness plunged into darkness.
Then the very resilient and quite formidable guy lost focus in his eyes and died.
In the end, he never received the reinforcements he hoped for.
Andrew thought to himself, "This story tells us that one should have the spirit of sharing and not always think of eating alone."
Although his evaluation of Pete was definitely higher than of Raymond, significantly so.
But Andrew wouldn't indulge in any sappy hero-admiring nonsense.
He kicked Pete's corpse into the corner shadow.
Since he came from the shadows, he should return to the shadows.
It's not that he didn't want to obliterate the corpse and erase traces, but as a Water Magic Apprentice, he currently has no magic skill to quickly dispose of a body.
This suggests that Fire Mages have irreplaceable advantages...
Andrew methodically dealt with Pete's body, then turned back to Barbara's side, lifting the Warm Fire Commerce Association's third lady who had been lying on the ground for so long and carried her on his back.
His hands moved methodically, while his mind was simultaneously processing another matter.
As it turns out, taking down an owner of a Strange Fire like Pete yields far more rewards than defeating a similarly skilled Flame Warrior like Raymond.
A melodious female voice echoed in his mind again: "Nice to see you again!"
"Yes, 'see' you again,"
Andrew thought as he picked up Barbara, communicating silently with the delightful voice in his mind.
He didn't waste time and directly asked, "The 'third mandatory basic ability' after Water Spirit Technique and Water Soul Constitution is—"
Although he had won against Pete, learning that Humboldt once had the potential to become an "Earth Fire Scholar" made Andrew feel a lot of pressure.
He desperately hoped to improve his strength quickly.
The female voice seemed to understand Andrew's intent, acknowledged with a nod, and directly without beating around the bush said, "Congratulations, Andrew, the third basic ability... successfully unlocked!"
At that moment, Andrew didn't notice: Barbara on his back, although unconscious and unable to hear the voice in his mind, furrowed her brows.
If Barbara were conscious, she would surely notice that the "Warm Fire Order" on her chest pulsed unusually.
Andrew, of course, knew nothing of these.
He only heard the female voice say:
"Unlock 'Lifebound Series Magic': Fingertip Series."
"Gift you a Water Magic from the Fingertip Series: Long-range Water Needle."
"And will forever provide 'Invisible Enchantment' for all your future Water Magic!"
Andrew listened carefully, not missing a single word.
When he heard "unlock Lifebound Series Magic 'Fingertip Series,'" he paused slightly.
He thought this must mean that the Tear of the Water God choosing to give him a Fingertip Series magic artifact "Water Needle" before wasn't a coincidence but intentional!
Lifebound Series...
Meaning that the Tear of the Water God judged that this series of magic is most suitable for me to cultivate?
Like Pete, as the owner of "Shadow Erosion Fire," is most suited for "Shadow Fire Series Magic," without exception?
No time to think deeply.
Because as soon as he heard "Long-range Water Needle," Andrew's heart raced, a slight flush of excitement appeared on his face, so excited that he almost cheered out loud!
Finally!
Finally, a genuine combat type of Water Magic!!