Water Mage in the Flame Realm

Andrew hadn't forgotten, the person in front of him, Orleans, and that Debbie, were siblings.

Previously, when he first arrived in Warm Fire City, Debbie had teamed up with Sabye, Havier, and a group of Warm Fire Academy students to give him trouble.

It was said that privately, Debbie often regarded herself as "the sister of the future son-in-law of the Commerce Association," and "Barbara's future sister-in-law."

Compared to his sister Debbie, Orleans in front of him, aside from having somewhat similar eyebrows and eyes to Debbie, was completely different in other aspects.

Especially in terms of temperament, Orleans was very quiet, naturally exuding a sense of calm.

Just a moment ago, Orleans had been saying "Andrew cannot handle my work," and the next moment, he saw Andrew splendidly appear before him. Such a shock was hard for most people to truly remain calm through.

Yet, after a brief stunned moment, Orleans calmed down, extended his hand, and shook Andrew's: "Hello."

He then withdrew his hand and quietly looked into Andrew's eyes, waiting for him to speak.

"Whoa..." The injured soldier on the adjacent bed and the little nurse by the bedside couldn't help but exchange glances, both thinking, "He's really keeping his cool!"

It wasn't just the two of them; in fact, many of the injured and medical staff in the entire ward couldn't help but cast their gaze over.

The period of greatest medical pressure brought by injured from the front line was over.

The atmosphere at the Warm Fire Temple was now different from the last time Andrew had been there.

The last time he came, the entire Warm Fire Temple felt like a machine running on overdrive.

This time, the feeling was more that everyone was in a "rest" or "recovery" phase. There were still severely injured individuals, but they were now a very small number.

When people are resting, they can easily get bored.

When bored, they naturally hope for something new and exciting to happen.

Andrew, as the developer and creator of the Snickers and other series of magical products, had gained some fame within the territory governed by the Warm Fire Commerce Association. He was a bit of "fresh excitement."

But more importantly: the relationship between Andrew and Orleans!

That's where the real "excitement" lay!

As it turns out, no matter the world, everyone has a gossiping soul.

Seeing Andrew, the "boyfriend of the third young lady" and "Orleans' substitute for the upcoming Royal Court negotiations," come head-to-head with Orleans, the "originally appointed professional partner for the third young lady" and "someone everyone thought might develop a romantic relationship with the third young lady"—

Everyone present really wanted to know what sparks would fly between them. Could it be... they would fight directly (expectant face)?

"If I were Orleans..." the wounded soldier on the adjacent bed whispered to the little nurse, "Seeing a stand-in swagger up to me like that, I definitely couldn't remain so calm—Ah!" he suddenly cried out in pain.

The little nurse glared at him fiercely: "Who are you calling a stand-in? Don't talk nonsense, okay?" As a member of the Warm Fire Temple, she too had received help and support from Andrew during his last visit and naturally had her biases.

Andrew looked Orleans straight in the eyes and spoke calmly: "Here's the thing, your sister asked me to check on your injury."

"Hmm? Debbie?"

"Yes." Andrew nodded.

It was the truth.

Even though there had been unpleasantness between Debbie and himself, before setting off, Debbie had indeed sought him out privately.

"Andrew, I heard you're going to the Shield of Flowing Fire to treat my brother? Tha... thank you." At the time, Debbie bit her lower lip, her expression pleading yet inevitably awkward, "If possible, could you check on my brother? I know there have been unpleasant things between us, but my brother is innocent. If necessary, I could accompany you—"

"Alright, stop, it's fine." Andrew didn't understand why the girls in the Flame Realm liked to offer to sleep over at the slightest hint of discord, so he said directly, "I'll take good care of your brother. I would even if you hadn't asked. Now, please, take a left out the door, okay? I'm about to sleep."

A moment later, the door slowly closed with Debbie still in disbelief.

In the room, Andrew hummed a tune, brushed his teeth, washed his face, turned off the lights, and went to sleep.

Now facing Orleans, Andrew came straight to the point and stated his purpose for being there.

Without wasting any words, he immediately followed up with, "Regarding your injury, I just gathered some information from Captain Linda. If it's convenient, could I ask you a few more questions?" Adopting an attitude of a professional healer, he stuck to the facts and was very professional.

Although in his heart, what he truly cared about was the event involving the Saintess Capella.

But there was no hurry; he could ask once he treated the opponent.

Seeing that Andrew had come to the Warm Fire Temple at his sister's behest to treat his injury, Orleans's eyes flickered slightly.

However, he didn't nod easily but continued to look at Andrew with that calm gaze: "You know healing?"

The simple four words carried the meaning that was still an extension of Orleans's previous opinion of Andrew.

Orleans's voice was very stable, his tone very calm.

But as he had said before—

He didn't think Andrew could handle his work and replace him to go to the Royal Court for the negotiations.

Similarly, he didn't think Andrew could substitute for Linda's work, especially after Linda had already done meticulous healing for him, any "additional treatment" would be redundant!

"Oh, I understand a bit," Andrew responded with a smile, seeming to be in a good temper.

"Do you understand better than Captain Linda?" Orleans maintained his calm demeanor, yet his words revealed a sharp edge.

Andrew hadn't replied yet when those around him were already secretly amazed.

Who would have thought, Orleans, usually so silent, could be this incisive once he spoke?

"I'm certainly not as good as Captain Linda," Andrew said with a smile. "However, my focus in healing is somewhat different from Captain Linda's, so..." At this point, Andrew pursed his lips and smiled, "Indeed, there are some small areas that Captain Linda doesn't pay much attention to, where I might be slightly better."

Compared to Orleans's sharp edge hidden within his calm demeanor, Andrew displayed a patience and confidence that even Linda found a bit unfamiliar.

This was not the strong impression Linda had felt from Andrew last time at the Warm Fire Temple.

At this moment, Linda couldn't help but speak up.

She had intended to continue watching the spectacle, in the ward with so many injured and medical staff, Linda was actually the most gossip-minded one! Once quite fond of pursuing idol dramas starring the Second Miss, she found the encounter between Andrew and Orleans in front of her completely irresistible, though she pretended to be calm on the surface.

"Well... Andrew is indeed better than me in many aspects," Linda looked at Orleans and said, "What I'm using now on you are mainly healing spells from the 'Fire God Blessing Series,' and Andrew can further enhance the healing effect of all my healing spells."

Pausing, Linda sincerely added, "My healing techniques ensure you'll ultimately recover without any aftereffects. But if you let Andrew help you, you might be able to leave the hospital very soon."

"Is that so..." Orleans raised his long eyebrows for the rare moment, seemingly surprised that Captain Linda, usually proud to the point of arrogance in her own healing magic achievements, would actually praise Andrew so highly!

By now, Orleans actually sensed that Andrew's visit was not only to treat him but also likely to make a request after the treatment.

It's easy to guess what the request is...

"Is he going to ask about my encounter with Capella? Ask me for experience and advice?" Orleans pondered, "But why would I tell him? And even if I do, could he really defeat Capella?"

Originally, Orleans neither believed Andrew could replace him in going to the Royal Court nor believed Andrew truly possessed any healing abilities.

He merely considered Andrew's claim of "your sister asked me to come and treat you" as an entry ticket, thinking any treatment would be mere formality.

Orleans thought to himself that he wouldn't let Andrew take a superficial approach, merely treating him casually in exchange for insights on battling Capella. Did he think Orleans was a fool? Simply ridiculous!

It's not that he didn't want to share, but if he were to share, it would be with Barbara.

What had truly surprised Orleans about Andrew so far was merely Andrew's patience and good temperament.

"But now..." Orleans pondered silently, "Since Captain Linda has stated that Andrew indeed has some extraordinary accomplishments in healing magic, I shouldn't underestimate him in this regard."

He thought for a moment and asked, "If I recover quickly, can I be added back to the Royal Court journey?"

Upon asking this question, the concealed sharpness within Orleans's calm voice completely withdrew.

But undoubtedly, this statement was the most incisive question he posed thus far!

Essentially, he was saying: Alright, since Andrew, you actually have some skill in healing, I'll let you treat me. But have you thought it through? Once I'm cured, the qualification for the upcoming Royal Court journey, teaming with the Third Miss, might switch back to me, not you!

Orleans, after all, was the most gifted Crimson Knight in the Commerce Association after Peter and the Second Miss Catherine. Even the late Shield of Flowing Fire's former City Guard, Shield Knight Jimmy, was inferior to Orleans in terms of talent during his youth.

The Crimson Knight excels in straight-line sprinting.

While lacking in curved maneuvers compared to the Desert Hunter with flexible body techniques, the Crimson Knight achieves formidable sprinting speed through straight-line acceleration, thereby gaining unparalleled, acute armor-piercing ability that no profession can compare with!

Professional cultivation often influences one's personality and style.

Orleans's rhetorical style mirrors his combat style: seemingly plain, but when striking or speaking, it is a swift and fierce thrust, directly targeting the opponent!

The ward began to echo with some "hiss" sounds.

These were the low cries of amazement from the wounded and medical personnel focusing on the scene.

Linda was watching with rapt attention!

It was akin to the past feeling when the Second Miss was acting in idol dramas before getting married, with the male lead and male second lead confronting each other for the female lead played by the Second Miss. Ah, unbearable! If only there were two young guys who would go this far for me!

Linda made a great effort to maintain her composure and look at Andrew.

She wasn't the only one; everyone present wanted to see how Andrew would respond!

And ultimately, whether to heal or not to heal?

Yet Andrew narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly also surprised by Orleans's rhetorical style.

But soon, Andrew pursed his lips and smiled, saying, "Whether you're brought along... you'll have to ask Dean Charlie."

Pausing here, Andrew restrained his smile and calmly said, "I'm just responsible for healing you."