"Such concealed aura, isn't it a bit over the top?"
Andrew carries Barbara on his back, clenching his fists with his arms hooked around her thighs.
His palms, which hadn't sweated on the way back, are now starting to sweat.
What kind of Fire Magic has such a level of stealth ability?!
If it weren't for the other side wearing a Magic Apprentice's robe, Andrew would have thought that this wasn't an Earth Fire Mage before him, but a top-tier Desert Hunter like Ivan, skilled in Stealth Technique!
"Pete... senior."
Andrew called out the other's name.
The "Desert Eagle" overhead is no longer there.
This is good news.
Andrew couldn't imagine handling the person before him while avoiding the eyes of the "Desert Eagle" overhead.
Looking at the other -- after stopping him, he didn't call anyone else.
This is likely because he wants to take all the credit himself, so he didn't call for others.
Andrew felt somewhat reassured: This is also good news.
The bad news is: Just Pete alone places great pressure on him!
Greater than Raymond, greater than Barbara in her injured state before!
This is an Intermediate Magic Apprentice named Pete.
Yes, just intermediate.
Andrew, after all, worked in Hubert's lab and recognized him.
But... is he really just intermediate?
Only some advanced Fire Magic could avoid his "Water Spirit Sensing"!
And to "have magic" itself means: at least an Advanced Magic Apprentice.
He could even be an Official Mage who passed the assessment!
"A guy pretending to be weak to catch the strong?"
Andrew didn't know why he deliberately played the role of an Intermediate Magic Apprentice daily.
What he did know was:
"To defeat this guy is the only way to take Barbara back to the camp."
"Ah, so it really is Andrew?"
Pete took a few steps closer, a cheerful smile on his handsome face, "I wasn't sure before, after all, your physical ability seems a bit too good now. When I called you earlier, you stopped in an instant, almost like a Desert Hunter.
Hmm, and you're not coughing anymore."
He scrutinized Andrew with undisguised admiration in his eyes, "I feel like your appearance has improved a lot, Andrew junior. Haha, the next time Lisa comes to bother me, asking me to sleep with her, I'm pushing her to you."
The Lisa he's referring to is the social butterfly among the many apprentices in the lab, and quite promiscuous too.
Of course, her appearance and figure are truly top-notch.
Andrew: "..."
A strange feeling surged in him.
The other party's observation skills were incredibly keen.
Yet he didn't show a hint of aggressiveness.
As if he hadn't noticed Barbara on his back!
A night breeze wafted by.
The Barbara on his back seemed to feel a bit chilly and instinctively curled up in her unconscious state.
Andrew continued to watch Pete before him.
After a moment of silence, he asked: "Senior Pete, aren't you acting with the other senior brothers and sisters? How come you're here?"
Pete still stood there, not approaching, not making a move, nor calling for others.
He just shook his head somewhat helplessly: "I don't like civilians, but I also don't like bullying them. The others' actions... were a bit too much. I couldn't stand it, so I thought of going to a quieter place to chill for a bit. Didn't expect to run into you, Andrew junior..."
"Water Spirit Sensing" was now being consciously controlled by Andrew, shrinking to a very small range.
As the coverage area reduced, the concentration density naturally increased.
Andrew finally caught a glimpse of it: the fire element's aura within him!
At the same time, Andrew attentively observed every detail of the other's actions, missing nothing, no matter how minor.
The result was——
No trace of performance at all.
Andrew couldn't help but be slightly stunned: "So he's genuine? Truly displeased with those Magic Thugs? Concealing his real strength just because he doesn't want to conform with those other Magic Apprentices?
Could it be that within the Magic Guild faction, there are actually good people?"
In his palm, held a concealed stone.
This was originally planned for use in case of an unavoidable emergency on the way.
After all, one-handed Stone Throwing is currently his only offensive means.
It's considered a low-budget version of "Water Ball Technique" for now.
Andrew clutched the stone in his hand.
Constantly looking for the chance to strike.
The result was... numerous chances!
The Pete across from him truly seemed entirely unguarded.
With the demeanor of a good-natured senior meeting with a junior!
"This... you don't have to be so tense, junior."
Pete sighed, not only did he refrain from approaching but even took a step back as if to avoid suspicion, "I saw it, the girl on your back is the one Teacher Hubert asked us to find, right? But you don't need to be so cautious with me, I don't intend to do anything to you both."
Andrew at this point didn't know what to say exactly.
As a holder of the Fire Extinguishing Upgrade Method, it was the first time he couldn't muster the desire to extinguish someone from the Magic Guild!
Just seeing Pete step back, gesturing sideways to open a path: "You want to head back to the temporary camp? Go on ahead. I won't tell the teacher or anyone else."
But Andrew remained standing still.
Frowning at Pete, he said in a low voice: "Senior, are you... serious?"
Thinking to himself, if this were an act, your skills would be too impressive, right?
Not just on par with a movie star, almost surpassing them.
Pete shrugged, saying: "I know it seems unbelievable to you. But... are we not kind of alike?"
At this point, an expression of helplessness and desolation appeared on Pete's handsome face: "Teacher Hubert said you'll die within seven days, yet you have such physical ability and don't cough anymore. So Andrew, you must be hiding secrets, right? I...am too.
Being an apprentice under Teacher Hubert is actually quite difficult. I'm like you, I'm hiding... never mind, let's not talk about it."
He looked at Andrew, lowered his voice and said: "Quickly take the pretty lady on your back and leave. If possible, go to Baal Town! Otherwise, your secret won't stay hidden past seven days. Once the teacher discovers you're not dead, no matter your secret, he'll dig it out."
At this moment, Pete's expression suddenly changed.
Simultaneously, Andrew's expression also slightly shifted.
Through Water Spirit Sensing, it seems a small squad of Magic Thugs are approaching.
Pete snorted, saying: "Junior, you go first, I'll help divert them. Remember, go to Baal Town, and once there don't come back. It's just a... small warmth shared between those of us hiding secrets."
With that, he no longer lingered and turned to head towards the direction the others were approaching from.