To extinguish a fire, one must first understand it in order to target it effectively.
Though Andrew defeated Pete, he still couldn't understand him. This person was like the Strange Fire he owned, the "Shadow Erosion Fire," seemingly still hidden in the shadows.
Pete originally thought he was doomed.
At this moment, as if seeing a glimmer of hope in the darkness, he struggled to ask, "If... if I tell you, can... can I save my life?"
Andrew nodded and said, "Yes."
Previously, Pete had completely fooled him.
Now, it was Andrew's turn to act.
The Water Soul Constitution's ability to perform might not be inferior to the "Shadow Fire Mask."
While performing, his hand began to tighten around the opponent's throat.
After all, he didn't have time to linger here!
According to Water Spirit Sensing, the nearest Magic Apprentice was less than three hundred meters away.
Fear and anger flashed in Pete's eyes, but he had no choice but to say, "Alright, I'll speak."
Hoarsely, he said, "There's a rumor... Owners of the Eight Strange Fires do not meet good ends!
Either dying tragically, or mysteriously disappearing.
I... I indeed want to become stronger, but at the same time, I am afraid. That's why I intentionally hid my strength, trying to be as low-key as possible while cultivating…"
With many teeth lost, his speech was unclear, and each sentence was accompanied by painful injuries on his face.
"Oh?"
Andrew genuinely didn't expect such an answer, involuntarily furrowing his brow.
The Owner of a Strange Fire carries such a calamity-attracting attribute?
The sounds of chaos drew nearer.
Andrew was momentarily uncertain whether Pete's words were true or false, silently recording this detail.
Then asked, "What is Hubert's strength?"
Currently, his greatest enemy was Hubert. He was also Barbara's greatest enemy.
After a battle with Pete, Andrew roughly understood the strength of Hubert's apprentices and knew their standing: as an Intermediate Water Mage, he was unafraid of any Advanced Apprentice except Cook and Sally.
If he could break through to Advanced Magic Apprentice, he would be invincible among Advanced Magic Apprentices!
What remained unclear was Hubert's actual level of strength.
"If I tell, will I save my life—"
"Speak!"
Andrew showed no mercy.
After all, the opponent had previously deceived him entirely, and nearly eliminated him with the first sneak attack.
"…"
Pete gritted his teeth, struggled for breath under Andrew's grip, and said, "The teacher is strong, but that's in the past! He actually… has grown old, on the brink of death. The teacher originally held a position at the 'Scholar's Fortress,' otherwise why would I have apprenticed under him years ago?
However, issues arose during his cultivation!
He intended to incorporate the "Earth Fire" attribute into his own Magic Flames to achieve a higher realm.
During the breakthrough, problems occurred, suffering severe 'Earth Fire backlash,' leading to a fall in realm, facing imminent death.
That's why he came to Wildfire Town, researching methods for healing and prolonging life."
Speaking of which, Pete paused, lowered his voice, "The teacher… of course, is still strong. After all, from where he once was, his position was very high for us. But he is no longer at the 'Grand Mage' level."
Andrew listened intently.
Distinguishing the truth in what was said.
Afterwards, his expression was complex: "I see."
Once high and mighty as a Grand Mage, now facing imminent death?
The question is, how much of his former strength remains?
Andrew searched his memory for information about the "Grand Mage."
But found nothing.
Either the body's original owner hadn't learned relevant knowledge, or much was lost in his own transport here.
He then asked, "What is meant by the 'Grand Mage' level—?"
Upon hearing the question, Pete was somewhat surprised. Could you really dare ask such a fundamental question? I... I lost to someone who doesn't even know this basic knowledge?
But under Andrew's intensified grip, he barely managed to gather his breath, how could he afford to care about such thoughts!
Finally catching his breath again, Pete genuinely felt that succumbing to death might be preferable to this torment.
Yet his survival instinct was strong, primarily because he also heard the noises from town growing closer.
Thus, he provided Andrew with an increasingly detailed answer:
"Magic Apprentice achieves certification as a formal Mage after passing the examination.
And Mages are classified into different tiers.
'Grand Mage' stands at the top of the Mage community, possessing their own independent laboratory, able to recruit their own Magic Apprentice. A common Mage has neither a lab nor the qualifications to recruit apprentices. This is their biggest difference.
A Grand Mage, further, by incorporating the 'Earth Fire' attribute into their own Magic Flames, has the potential to become a 'Magic Guide Sorcerer'. If one truly becomes a Magic Guide Sorcerer, that is the standard of the 'Magic Guild Elder Council,' ranking in the long history of the Magic Guild."
Andrew acknowledged, asking again:
"What is the 'Earth Fire attribute'?
And what's its relation with 'Molten Rock Fire' among the Eight Strange Fires?"
Pete, already somewhat drained, difficultly responded, "A Grand Mage incorporates the 'Earth Fire attribute' into their Magic Flames, that's 'Molten Rock Fire'! Molten Rock Fire is the leader of the Eight Strange Fires, the only Magical Flames that can be acquired through cultivation!"
Andrew was surprised by this: "So, all who've succeeded from 'Grand Mage' to become 'Magic Guide Sorcerers', or what you call 'members of the Magic Guild Elder Council,' are—"
"Yes, they are owners of the Eight Strange Fires."
Despite his failing voice, Pete couldn't help express a hint of yearning and admiration, "Members of the Magic Guild Elder Council are all owners of the 'Molten Rock Fire,' one of the Eight Strange Fires. Thus, they have another title—
Earth Fire Scholar."
Upon hearing this, Andrew was silent.
"Earth Fire Scholar..." Andrew understood some, "So that's why the headquarters of the Magic Guild is called the 'Scholar's Fortress'?"
He also felt the pressure.
Although contemplating these matters now seems distant.
Nonetheless, as a Water Mage himself, he knew he would one day face the top magicians of the Magic Guild. That is, if he could persist until then, advancing through Fire Extinguishing Upgrade Method, step by step truly reaching that point.
"Every Earth Fire Scholar is an owner of 'Molten Rock Fire.'"
Andrew silently noted this.