Water Mage in the Flame Realm

Outside the Warm Fire Temple, Barbara and the others saw the virtual shadow in mid-air and the roar that echoed through the Shield of Flowing Fire, which appeared just at that moment.

With just one glance, Andrew felt he couldn't breathe!

The pressure from Capella was secondary for him.

What truly instilled fear was the shadow behind Capella.

From that shadow, Andrew felt the most intense soul pressure he'd ever experienced, bar none.

Within it was the immense 'tier suppression' that came with a great tier gap.

As well as the 'Earth Fire Suppression' unique to the Earth Fire Professionals of the Magic Guild!

"The problem is, why does that mere shadow give me a double suppression greater than the pressure the female assassin once gave me?" Andrew fixated on the shadow behind Capella, "What exactly is that thing?!"

The Water Spirit Technique, water magic newly unlocked after breaking through to Tier Four, and the vast reserves of water magic power compared to other Tier Four prodigies (which was actually a huge potential advantage Andrew had over other Tier Four prodigies), all failed.

The "Water God Mark" at his brow suddenly trembled.

Vaguely, Andrew seemed to hear that long-unheard melodious female voice again.

The female voice sighed lightly, then said something.

Andrew's whole body shuddered, and he finally broke free from the terror of being "unable to move a muscle."

Seizing this opportunity, Andrew immediately withdrew the water magic power used for reverse tracing without hesitation.

This was not the time to force himself.

Especially since Andrew heard what the melodious female voice just said, "Retreat, quickly! Now isn't the time."

Now isn't the time.

Does it mean that the existence represented by the shadow behind Capella isn't something the current self can face head-on?

But what exactly is it?

What is its connection with Capella and the Magic Guild?

As a Flame Warrior, Capella possesses the Fire of Extinguishing, one of the Eight Strange Fires. Is it because of that shadow?

The melodious female voice hidden in the Water God Mark at his brow knew the other party, does it mean that the disappearance of water mages from this world is also related to that shadow?

Is it even possible that the current morbid appearance of the Flame Realm is also related to that shadow?

Andrew desperately wanted to ask these questions.

But that voice only sounded once, said one sentence to help him break free and retreat, then fell silent again.

With Andrew's withdrawal of the reverse tracing water magic power, the blurred scene composed of the stone tower, rooftop, Capella, and the gigantic shadow naturally disappeared.

The perspective returned to the scene in the ward.

The plan to trace back and subsequently reverse mark did not succeed.

Fortunately, the connection between the other party and the wisp of the Fire of Extinguishing in the ward seemed to be broken as well.

The evidence being: The wisp of Fire of Extinguishing in front of him, which was thrashing wildly and trying to mark everyone in the ward including Andrew, has now calmed down. It's like the Fire of Extinguishing Andrew had seen in Humboldt's Magic Laboratory, retaining only the flame's properties and power without such strong spirituality anymore.

Andrew felt cold sweat all over his body.

He tried to calm his emotions, and while the immense mental impact from the scene he "saw" by tracing back hadn't faded, Andrew quickly began sorting through the information in his mind:

"Capella, as the Saintess of the Magic Guild, is a Flame Warrior possessing the Fire of Extinguishing.

She uses an axe spear like the female assassin, but the female assassin showed no signs of dragon transformation, while Capella is confirmed in the intelligence to be a cultivator of the Dragon Transformation Combat Technique, similar to Fleur and the mountain sea range.

Her power is extremely strong and stable, with no signs of her power going out of control and turning into a Desolate Beast.

In terms of speed, she doesn't have the astonishing speed of the female assassin, but she can use 'lock' power to slow down her opponents. Although her path differs from the female assassin, they both compensate for the speed deficit of a Flame Warrior, which is undeniable!

There is an unknown shadow behind her.

And this shadow might be the cause and source of the numerous incredible and powerful abilities she possesses!"

Until now, Andrew had a strong feeling: Capella might be like Orleans, Barbara, and himself, all Tier Four prodigies who are still young, and the gap between them might not actually be that big.

The reason she could crush Orleans and even almost kill him on the fortress of the Dragon's Nest might not only be due to her own power.

But also because of the terrifying shadow behind her!

"Honestly, I was just trying to do some early homework, without high expectations of any major discovery, I just wanted to ask Orleans for any advice on facing Capella."

Andrew thought to himself, "I didn't expect to discover the Fire of Extinguishing and then see the terrifying shadow behind Capella! This, this this..."

He had just decided not to simply stay at the rear, yet before even truly reaching the front lines, he had already encountered several big surprises (shocks) and unexpected events.

When he actually reaches the Royal Court and faces the core of the Magic Guild, what else will he encounter?

"Looks like I've really stayed in the safe and comfortable Warm Fire City for a bit too long."

Andrew finally let out a long breath, "This feeling of danger is exactly what I must face all the time since I came to the Flame Realm. This is the kind of pressure one has to face when starting to have a real, direct contact with the Magic Guild."

The ward was very quiet for a moment.

Andrew appeared to stand silently in place, but in reality, his thoughts were churning like a tide.

"Andrew, what's the situation on your side?" Ivan's voice transmitted through the Soul Whisper Channel.

Since this trip to the Royal Court required cooperation with Barbara in the battle, Andrew boldly made a decision before departure, which was not to bring Ivan along for protection.

Although having Ivan by his side would make his own safety more assured, since Ivan is his professional partner, Andrew still felt that to truly practice coordination with Barbara, he must temporarily forget that he has a partner like Ivan.

Of course, Ivan strongly opposed this.

However, after much persuasion, Andrew finally managed to convince Ivan to stay in Warm Fire City and help supervise the operation of various magic production lines.

Therefore, Ivan's voice actually came from the Warm Fire City side.

Upon hearing Ivan's voice, for a moment, Andrew actually wanted to say, "I really regret it, I've changed my mind! Ivan, set off from Warm Fire City and come to the Shield of Flowing Fire to accompany me to the Royal Court! The Magic Guild is really terrifying!"

But in reality, Andrew's reply to Ivan was: "Nothing much, just had a brief contact with Capella—everything's going smoothly, no need to worry."

These words were not only for Ivan to hear, but also for Andrew himself.

As it turns out, the battle had already begun the moment they left Warm Fire City.

It's not really waiting until they reach the Royal Court to start.

Although the opponent is indeed terrifying, bringing immense psychological pressure.

But on the contrary, the opponent certainly didn't expect that his power could even trace back into the past!

Whether it's the Fire of Extinguishing or that unknown terrifying shadow, although they both represent very powerful and frightening forces, at least now he has a preliminary understanding, no longer in the complete darkness of ignorance.

Compared to the current psychological pressure, the complete unawareness of pressure is truly terrifying.

"So, it's really already a good start!" Andrew cheered himself on inside.

"Hey, Andrew, speak up, don't scare me!" Barbara beside him couldn't help getting anxious seeing Andrew's prolonged silence and asked again, "What's going on?!"

Andrew exhaled and came back to his senses.

The corners of his mouth slightly curved up, and he revealed a smile again.

"It's nothing, don't worry so much. It's all good news."

Andrew lightly hugged the worried-looking Barbara.

This action he had become quite accustomed to, and the people of Warm Fire City weren't seeing it for the first time either.

However, at this moment, the medical staff and the wounded from Shield of Flowing Fire, including Linda, were observing with sustained interest.

Andrew then looked at the serious-faced Dean Charlie and Susan, and said, "Let's talk on the airship."

Before heading to the Royal Court, the initial purpose of visiting Shield of Flowing Fire was achieved.

The injury of Orleans was healed.

And he gained a preliminary understanding of Saintess Capella. This part can be considered as achieving beyond the established goals.

Orleans, having lost consciousness, was carried back to the bed by Captain Linda.

Although the gaping wound on Orleans' chest and the blood flowing out of the reopened wound looked rather shocking, Andrew knew that Orleans was actually no longer in serious danger.

The blood that flowed earlier was mostly clotted blood.

The key point is that there was no longer any residual power from Capella on Orleans.

As for the state of being in a deep sleep, it was actually related to the Snickers that Orleans had consumed before receiving Andrew's treatment.

"The core essence of Snickers is that I transform my 'Water Soul Constitution' into medicinal power and share it with others, allowing them to benefit from the physical ability and endurance that my Water Soul Constitution provides."

Andrew was very clear, "Orleans is now in deep sleep, actually related to when I was injured by that female assassin, fell into a coma, and woke up to find myself in Warm Fire City—it's the same principle. It's due to activating the 'sleep healing' mechanism inherent in the Water Soul Constitution, which is a good thing. By the time Orleans wakes up again, his injuries should be almost completely healed."

Orleans had previously asked, "You healed me, then how about I go to the Royal Court again as the representative for the negotiation match and partner with Miss Three?"

At this moment, Andrew chuckled internally, thinking, "I've fulfilled my promise to heal you. However, let's have you continue to stay at Warm Fire Temple to recuperate for a while longer."

"...Talk on the airship?"

Dean Charlie and Susan exchanged a glance and seeing Susan's indifferent expression, Charlie nodded and said, "Alright."

With a turn of his hand, Dean Charlie took out a small box covered in flame patterns.

Andrew immediately raised his hand to push that wisp of Flame of Extinguishing, which had lost its spirituality, forward steadily.

Then the flame was sealed by Dean Charlie who opened the box lid into that specially made magic box.