Andrew was now an Advanced Magic Apprentice.
For this reason, or perhaps using it as a foundation, Andrew was able to devise the latest firefighting plan.
Otherwise, no matter how upset he felt, he could only take Barbara, and try his best to persuade Aunt Sofia to let him take little Sophie, to temporarily escape Wildfire Town and avoid the danger for the time being.
Andrew revealed his identity as an Advanced Magic Apprentice to Aunt Sofia.
What Andrew didn't say was: how he became an Advanced Magic Apprentice.
According to the principle of the Fire Extinguishing Upgrade Method, the more fires extinguished, the greater the upgrade.
The transformation from Intermediate Apprentice to Advanced Apprentice happened on the way back to the camp.
But it wasn't just because he crushed the Seeds of the Water Spirit within the patients at the Living People Cemetery.
Even if all those seeds were crushed, it still wouldn't be enough for the leap and qualitative change from "Intermediate Apprentice" to "Advanced Apprentice."
The fundamental reason for Andrew's significant advancement was that on the way back, he eliminated a very formidable Advanced Magic Apprentice.
That person was different from any opponent Andrew had encountered before, different from Raymond, and different from almost all the thugs rampaging through Wildfire Town.
Even different from Hubert.
Because that person was not just "Evil Flame," but also... "Strange Fire."
...
Time goes back to when Andrew had just set out, carrying Barbara on his back.
"So boring."
At the top of the tallest tower in Wildfire Town.
A muscular young woman carrying a hammer yawned in boredom.
She was one of the two strongest Advanced Apprentices under Hubert's command, named Sally.
Sally stood atop the tower, her gaze sweeping over the entire Wildfire Town and the vast desert beyond. She was somewhat impatient:
"How long do we have to wait before we can take action? 'Cook' have you found it yet—the whereabouts of that girl from the Warm Fire Commerce Association?"
Cook, the number one magic apprentice under Hubert, was an elegant young mage.
At this moment, he was sitting cross-legged beside Sally.
"Don't worry, as long as the girl from the Warm Fire Commerce Association is still within the boundaries of Wildfire Town, the 'Desert Eagle' will always be able to capture her movements."
Cook said softly.
A "Desert Eagle" formed of condensed flames was circling in the sky over Wildfire Town.
With sharp eyes, seemingly more keen than a real desert eagle.
This was precisely the magic Cook cast.
It was a type of Fire Magic, categorized as "Magic Life," and all such magic fall within the "Fire Element Series."
However, even within the same "Fire Element Series," the effects exhibited by Earth Fire Mages differ slightly from those of Warm Fire Mages.
For instance, this "Desert Eagle," although composed of magic flames, carries a subtle sandy texture.
Earth Fire, Earth Fire, that is, within the Flame Attribute, it incorporates a hint of the "Earth" Elemental Attribute.
This is the biggest difference between Earth Fire Mages and Warm Fire Mages.
The Warm Fire Mage's Fire Attribute is purely fire.
At this time, Cook quietly controlled the "Desert Eagle."
He was confident.
And very patient.
Especially when it came to patience, which was entirely opposite to the impatient Sally beside him.
Thus, quite a while passed.
Just when Sally was about to lose her patience, ready to take the large hammer off her back and smash it against Cook's head—
Cook retracted the "Desert Eagle" and stood up: "It's either that the opponent has already left Wildfire Town and entered the desert area, or they're refusing to come out, hiding in a certain building in town."
"So?"
"So let's have others proceed with a floor-by-floor search. If you like, Sally, you can join in."
"Damn it! Couldn't you have said so earlier?"
Sally muttered curses, but she didn't leave, choosing to stay by Cook's side, asking, "Is it possible that your 'Desert Eagle' isn't strong enough?"
Cook was taken aback: "What do you think?"
Sally pouted, not asking further.
She knew very well the strength of her "partner."
If the "Desert Eagle" didn't capture any trace, it surely meant they had fled or were hiding.
There was no third possibility.
At the same time. Andrew, carrying Barbara, swiftly darted through a street.
Nimble as a cat, flexible, landing without a sound.
Almost running under the noses of nearby magic thugs.
As he did, Andrew glanced up: "Is that troublesome eagle-like 'recon-type' fire magic finally quieting down? So annoying!"
He was that third possibility.
Andrew, carrying Barbara, had evidently not left Wildfire Town's range.
But he wasn't merely hiding under the cover of buildings. Though that could avoid the Desert Eagle, it would eventually lead to being found by the magic thugs, searching house to house.
Andrew's approach was:
Using "Water Spirit Sensing," to conduct counter-reconnaissance.
That "Desert Eagle," after all, couldn't simultaneously cover the sight of the entire Wildfire Town, being overly keen but with limited visual range.
Andrew took the opportunity to move forward while the "Desert Eagle" wasn't focusing on the area where he and Barbara were situated.
This way, he advanced in fits and starts.
Water Magic flowed and surged within him, carrying a sense of "endlessness," making him barely feel any fatigue.
The Water Soul Constitution granted Andrew powerful overall physical capabilities, ensuring that once he planned the best breakout route, he could turn that plan into possibility!
"Now it's completely certain—"
Andrew thought to himself, "This 'Water Soul Constitution' is definitely stronger than the 'Water Needle'! Using up a Water Needle Prop to take down Raymond, trading it for this Water Soul Constitution and Water Magic isn't just a sure win, it's a huge gain, a bloody profit!"
Although as a mage, having a strong constitution, good endurance, and top-notch physical abilities felt a bit out of place for Andrew.
But nonetheless, this was a good thing.
"Maybe the path of a Water Mage is inherently different from that of a Fire Mage in this world?
Perhaps it's the path of the Close Combat Mage, the Combat Mage?
Or maybe the Tank Mage route? Magic is powerful, and the body even stronger?"
These were some fleeting thoughts crossing his mind.
What could be confirmed was that with this physical ability, once he acquired actual combat-type Water Magic in the future, he wouldn't have to be restricted by the "Standing Posture Spellcasting" approach and could completely cast spells and perform attacks and defenses while on the move—and even at high speeds.
"So what I really need is a combat-type spell now."
Andrew thought to himself.
Currently, he had a calm mind (Water Spirit Technique), a decent physique (Water Soul Constitution), possessed Magic Power (Water Magic), and had keen senses with a wide vision (Water Spirit Sensing)!
As long as he gained a combat-type Water Magic spell, like the "Water Needle," his combat power would immediately experience a qualitative leap!
"Maybe I can find an opportunity to take down a Magic Thug, and perhaps then I'll unlock a combat-type magic?"
Andrew couldn't help but think.
The outline of the latest plan was forming as a seed in his mind at this moment.
However, for now, Andrew focused more on getting Barbara to a safe place first.
Shaking his head, he suppressed the thought of "seeking an opportunity to take down a Magic Thug," and continued with the original plan.
With Cook's "Desert Eagle" no longer scouting, Andrew's movement speed significantly increased.
Though several times, he was almost detected by nearby Magic Apprentices.
But in the end, he managed to pass through the encirclement without any real danger, even feeling it was a bit unbelievable himself!
"Escorting a girl through the fire line really fits with the Fire Extinguishing Upgrade Method!" Andrew was both excited and a bit anxious, "The Seed of the Water Spirit in the Living People Cemetery has already been crushed by me and is exerting its effect. Now leading Barbara through the fire line is also part of the Fire Extinguishing Upgrade—
Just a little more, really just a little more. It feels like if I can unlock another new magic ability, I'll become an Advanced Magic Apprentice!"
With that, Andrew carried Barbara through the heavy fire lines, finally nearing the temporary camp.
Reaching this point, Andrew felt his mind gradually easing up.
With just the naked eye, he could almost see Little Sophie waiting at the camp gate from afar.
However, out of caution, Andrew still maintained the "Water Spirit Sensing" state.
Because entering the camp without being noticed by anyone needed to be ensured, including the camp residents—
"Isn't this Andrew?"
A ghostly voice suddenly rang out without any warning.
Andrew abruptly stopped!
"What the hell?!"
This was Andrew's genuine thought.
Even though he had the Water Spirit Sensing activated, Andrew wasn't aware that there was someone here!
At that moment, Andrew felt a chill run down his spine, a terrifying "what the hell" sensation.
Especially considering the excellent performance of the "Water Spirit Sensing" throughout this journey.
It was like a person with extraordinarily good eyesight walking alone down a clear, empty street, confident that they were the only person there.
Then suddenly someone says, "Hey, buddy."
—That's exactly the feeling!
Fortunately, the calming effect of the "Water Spirit Technique" immediately kicked in.
Rationality quickly made a judgment: "It should be some sort of Fire Magic designed specifically to 'conceal presence,' which escaped my 'Water Spirit Sensing' perception!"
Water Spirit Sensing detects "presence."
It is particularly sensitive to the "presence of flames."
If the opponent's presence is completely hidden, it becomes difficult for Water Spirit Sensing to detect.
Also, if the presence is too strong, Water Spirit Sensing will encounter a bottleneck, and forcing to sense it would be like trying to stare directly at the midday sun.
Because of this, Andrew hadn't relied on Water Spirit Sensing to easily perceive the location of Hubert's Magic Laboratory throughout this journey.
In the view of Water Spirit Sensing, that place is like a red-hot iron impossible to touch!
"Hubert's Magic Laboratory had too strong a 'presence of fire' preventing my Water Spirit Sensing from detecting it.
Now this person avoided detection because their 'presence of fire' was completely hidden!"
With this realization, Andrew took a deep breath and looked towards where the ghostly voice had come from.
His expression was solemn.
Then he saw a figure emerge from the shadows, blocking his path.
The person wore a robe of a Magic Apprentice, with a youthful and handsome face that could easily be mistaken for the opposite gender.
He was plainly visible right in front of him, to the naked eye.
However, in the perspective of Water Spirit Sensing, the position where this person stood remained empty.