"Hmm?"
At the moment Raymond was killed.
In the first-floor hall of Humboldt's Magic Laboratory.
The old mage's eyes flickered, as if he sensed something.
"Teacher, what's happening?"
A girl beside him couldn't help but ask curiously.
This girl was incredibly fit, with a curvy figure radiating strength.
She carried a large hammer almost as tall as a person on her back.
"Heh heh, nothing," Humboldt said lightly, "Cultivators of the 'Desolate Language Series Magic' sometimes have strange whims, but it's nothing serious. Alright, you and Cook go out and help too, don't stay here."
"Okay."
A moment later, the old mage stood alone in the laboratory.
Surrounding him were the broken armors and limbs of Crimson Knights.
The ground and walls were covered in blood.
The scene resembled purgatory!
If someone counted the number of knight armors, they would find that the number of dead Crimson Knights in the hall was exactly the same as the number of Crimson Knights Barbara had with Andrew at that moment.
"Oh, they ran away, did they?"
Humboldt stepped over the blood and shredded flesh on the floor, walked to the laboratory door, and looked at Wildfire Town under the setting sun, smiling faintly, "But do you really think, with just you left, you can escape from my hands, Miss Barbara?"
...
...
The sun gradually set.
"Whew!"
Andrew exhaled slowly after confirming Raymond was dead, "It feels good!"
Immediately looking at the girl previously bullied by Raymond.
Seeing that although she had fainted from fright, she seemed unharmed.
Only then did Andrew secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
The magical girl from the Warm Fire Commerce Association and the Crimson Knights had just appeared.
The small fry, even when surrounded, had to keep ogling the beauties.
None of them realized: the battle on Andrew's side had already ended... or rather, no one thought there was a battle here at all! A silent struggle of life and death that began and ended in silence.
His body couldn't help but tremble slightly with tension and excitement, even the "Water Spirit Technique" couldn't suppress it.
After all, this was his first life-and-death battle since his reincarnation.
Andrew decided not to suppress the slight tremors, instead deeply experiencing the sensations of this moment.
The significance of this battle was immense.
For the first time, Andrew felt a sense of confidence in real combat: not only could he extinguish illnesses like lung burns, but also evil flames like Raymond!
Even though against Raymond, it felt like two against one, Andrew admitted.
Yet his water power, with its nearly devastating "self-control" over professionals of the Fire Realm, was truly "an outstanding effect"!
This gave Andrew a new understanding of what he could accomplish—what it meant to be the only Water Mage in this Fire Realm.
"By the way, it seems at the last moment, Raymond realized—that I was a Water Mage."
Andrew frowned.
This was indeed a problem!
Reflecting on the brief but intense struggle, if he had used "Earth Spike," "Wind Spike," or "Thunder Spike" instead of "Water Needle," even with equal penetration and defense-breaking capabilities, the lack of elemental attribute restraint would have made it hard to deliver a fatal blow to Raymond.
This restraint effect, of course, needed to be well-utilized.
At the same time, Andrew had an even stronger urge "not to expose his water attribute."
After all, this was a world dominated by Fire Mages!
Simple empathy made Andrew think: if he were a Fire Mage in this world, what would his attitude be toward a water mage who naturally restrained him?
Though Andrew considered himself a decent person, he couldn't help feeling an impulse to "eliminate this Water Mage!"
"So this battle served as a reminder: while enhancing combat power, I must hide myself well!"
Andrew silently made a decision within.
As for how to participate in battles using Water Magic while not revealing his identity as a Water Mage, that was a very complex issue.
Andrew didn't intend to find an answer immediately, so he temporarily put it aside.
Finally, he couldn't help but show a slight smile.
Only to hear that pleasant female voice in his mind once again: "Killed an evil and domineering 'Flame Warrior'! Though not entirely by your own strength, the result was indeed him dying by your hand. Congratulations, Andrew!"
Hearing this voice, Andrew couldn't help but clench his fist.
Though initially, stepping forward wasn't for any reward or recognition; there was a somewhat impulsive element.
But upon discovering Raymond had a fire attribute, Andrew immediately adjusted his mindset, intending to "take down Raymond to implement the Fire Extinguishing Upgrade Method."
However, this thought only briefly flashed in his mind.
No distractions could be afforded in combat.
Plus, Raymond really put a lot of pressure on him, and if it was truly one-on-one, Andrew knew even if he won, it would be a Pyrrhic victory.
So until this moment, hearing that pleasant female voice again, Andrew finally confirmed:
The risky move to strike at Raymond, akin to a gamble, was a gamble he won!
Thus, perhaps the loss of "Water Needle" could be entirely compensated for?
Or possibly… even further?
At this moment, the sweet female voice asked, "Would you like to unlock the second foundational ability: Water Soul Constitution?"
Hmm?
Water Soul Constitution?
Is this the second magic skill unlocked from the Tear of the Water God after using the Water Spirit Technique?
The previous Seed of the Water Spirit was a natural product of increased proficiency in the Water Spirit Technique, not a newly acquired ability.
The Water Needle I just used was a powerful, ultra-short-range single-target attack magic, but what I acquired wasn't the magic itself; it was a consumable artifact made from the magic, usable only once. It's already used up and gone.
"Water Soul Constitution, huh..."
Andrew was quite surprised, wondering how there could be a magic skill named after a 'certain constitution'?
Isn't this too bizarre?
After pondering for a moment, he tentatively asked, "...Is there another option?"
Uh, yes, Andrew wasn't too keen on this so-called Water Soul Constitution Water Magic.
And if possible, Andrew hoped to have more space for autonomous choice.
Rather than just accepting whatever the Tear of the Water God gives him.
Right now, to fight against Humboldt, what he needs most is combat-type magic skills.
Preferably some magic skill that combines offense and defense, rather than something like the Water Needle, which is purely for attacking.
If that's not possible, give me a water magic for stealth, sneaking, or escaping! Ripple Step, perhaps?
In any case, using up a powerful consumable magic artifact like the Water Needle, only to get something that seems not very impressive like the Water Soul Constitution... How to put it, although gaining something itself is a surprise, it still feels a bit different from what was expected.
Andrew calmed down from the joy of successfully defeating Raymond.
That sweet female voice, sounding a bit apologetic, said: "Unfortunately, at the current stage, there are no other choices."
Andrew couldn't help feeling a slight disappointment.
The female voice patiently explained: "The Water Spirit Technique and Water Soul Constitution are 'mandatory foundational abilities.' As for the 'autonomous options' you want, they will open to you after learning all foundational abilities."
Oh? Is that how it is?
Learn the required courses first, then choose electives?
Andrew cautiously asked, "How many 'foundational abilities' are required?"
If the so-called 'combination of mandatory and elective' means 99% mandatory and less than 1% elective, then...
"Three."
The sweet female voice replied, "Counting the Water Spirit Technique you've learned, you only need to confirm unlocking the Water Soul Constitution, leaving only one more mandatory foundational ability."
So few?
Then Andrew regained his joy. That's great!
Thinking about it, he suddenly found it odd: "Since this Water Soul Constitution is mandatory, why ask me if I want to unlock it?"
The sweet female voice seriously answered: "Because it's a necessary respect."
Andrew: "..."
The sweet female voice, seeing Andrew not responding, asked once more: "Do you want to unlock it? Oh, I forgot to introduce the specific functions of the Water Soul Constitution——"
"Alright, stop!"
Andrew, holding back a laugh, responded in his mind, "Just unlock it. I'm allergic to lengthy explanations; I'll personally experience what this Water Soul Constitution is all about."
Soon, the Tear of the Water God on his chest gently trembled.
Andrew felt a peculiar aura emanating from the Tear of the Water God, permeating throughout his body in an instant.
The world through his eyes seemed to become more transparent and clear.
His body also seemed to become more flexible, agile, and light.
More changes were subtly continuing.
For a moment, Andrew's attention wasn't on the transformations of his body.
Because at this moment, Andrew finally understood why the Water Soul Constitution is the second foundational ability after the Water Spirit Technique.
"The focus isn't on the constitution itself, right?"
Andrew marveled internally.
The real focus was that the Water Soul Constitution actually collided and fused with his existing Water Spirit Technique!
The first foundational ability, the Water Spirit Technique and the second foundational ability, the Water Soul Constitution, weren't separate but interconnected!
The new product of their fusion and combination was——
Magic Power.
A trace of water-blue water magic power!
This is the foundation of a Water Mage and the basis for all casting.
It's the true source of that outstanding Water Overcomes Fire effect!
"In simple terms——
The Water Spirit Technique mainly represents the power of the soul and spirit.
The Water Soul Constitution naturally represents the power of the body and physique.
Spirit and flesh united, generating magic power. Probably, that's how it is."
The improvement of the body's constitution continued.
The newly generated water magic power inside was already surging on its own.
Andrew quietly felt it all, outwardly calm and composed.
Yet, inside, he was overwhelmed with joy, almost wanting to don a grass skirt and dance!
"Because now I..."
Andrew thought, "...am a man who possesses magic power!"