Andrew had established a relationship with Barbara for some time now.

They had weathered hardships together in the Wildfire Territory, faced life and death with the Shield of Flowing Fire, and over the past ten weeks, they met and talked daily.

Andrew knew this was actually a natural body language that Barbara showed when she felt extremely pressured inside.

She was probably feeling very anxious too—about whether she could really take on the heavy responsibility of fighting for the Commerce Association in the Royal Court negotiations.

Barbara wasn't the type to be timid before battle; on the contrary, she was very brave.

But after Humboldt killed her escort knight in the Wildfire Territory, an indelible mark was carved into Barbara's heart.

More than anyone else, she didn't want to disappoint those who trusted and relied on her.

Just like how the death of the Commerce Association's eldest daughter permanently changed Mrs. Yi Lian's personality.

Barbara's character had also changed permanently in some ways.

This was unavoidable, and indeed very natural and normal.

Seeing Barbara's small fists clench tighter and tighter, with her knuckles turning a bit white, yet she wasn't aware of it.

Andrew suddenly laughed, "What am I thinking? It was one thing to suggest Barbara team up with Orleans before since Orleans is after all a 'reliable and powerful nice person'… But now, Barbara might have to team up with some Tier Three guy to face two Tier Four Saint Son and Saintess! This is not even a question to agonize over, I have to face it with Barbara!"

He finally made up his mind.

"Uh..."

Andrew raised his hand to signal the Commerce Association higher-ups who were in intense discussion that he had a suggestion, while softly holding Barbara's small hand, saying, "How about Barbara and I form a temporary team to participate in the Royal Court's negotiation tournament?"

The people seriously discussing Orleans' replacement: "?"

"You?" Principal Charlie frowned and said, "Andrew, you haven't forgotten that you and the Third Miss are both Mages, have you?"

The mainstream in the Flame Realm is Warriors paired with Magic Professionals.

For example, the two classic combinations: Earth Fire Mage with Flame Warrior and Warm Fire Mage with Crimson Knight.

A few Fire Mages will choose Frost Guard, Desert Hunter as partners, which is already quite rare.

As for Mage paired with Mage or Warrior paired with Warrior, these are not "rare," but utterly "non-mainstream."

None of the candidates that Principal Charlie suggested earlier were anything other than the most excellent young Crimson Knights from the Warm Fire Academy.

This included Sabye, who had previously clashed with Andrew.

There was no place at all for Warm Fire Mages!

Andrew proposed this suggestion after careful consideration.

But to everyone else except him, the suggestion seemed very abrupt.

No one took Andrew's proposal seriously at all!

Lawrence and the like even cursed in their hearts, "Oh wow, this kid really does one thing with his mouth and another with his actions! He just vouched for the Third Miss and Orleans teaming up and as soon as Orleans got injured, he immediately recommended himself?"

Judging by himself, he naturally felt that Andrew's intentions were impure.

Andrew was in no hurry and smiled, "Who says that Mages can't team up with Mages? Non-mainstream doesn't necessarily mean weak."

In his heart, he actually thought about how as a Water Magic Lord, there existed a Water and Fire United phenomenon between him and Barbara.

Perhaps teaming up with Barbara might actually be the true mainstream after all!

Even taking a step back, Principal Charlie just suggested Sabye's name, but wasn't that his defeated opponent? And someone he subdued in one meeting.

That kind of candidate could be suggested, and Andrew didn't think he was entirely unqualified to be considered.

"It's still… impossible."

This time Barbara spoke up, shaking her head, "It's not just the profession issue, but also the Tier issue. A Tier Four pairing with Tier Three to defeat two Tier Fours, the possibility is way too low."

Jin suddenly proposed, "Is there a fast way to level a Tier Three to Tier Four in a short time?"

"There is indeed," Susan said expressionlessly, "but the cost might be severe physical damage and side effects after a hasty breakthrough. Jin, don't you remember I ended up with my current uncontrolled body shape because I did this?"

"Ah, this..." Jin forced a smile and said nothing more.

"I…" Andrew spoke again.

"Enough, I already said it's impossible for you!" Lawrence suddenly shouted irritably. Among the other higher-ups of the Commerce Association, some also showed dissatisfaction. Like Lawrence, they began to feel that Andrew might indeed have hidden motives.

As for Principal Charlie, Jin, and others, they didn't think Andrew wanted to take the opportunity to grab Barbara's professional partner position, but they genuinely felt: Andrew recommending himself in this matter was indeed a bit overconfident.

Facing the questioning eyes of everyone, and Barbara's somewhat confused eyes, Andrew calmly insisted, "Yes, I am a Magic Professional, and may not be Barbara's best professional partner. But… I am not Tier Three, I am already Tier Four."

With a nonchalant "I am already Tier Four", Andrew felt a sense of relief when he finally spoke.

Why couldn't the Commerce Association higher-ups ever fully trust him?

In part, it wasn't entirely the higher-ups' fault.

After all, not just Lawrence, but even Principal Charlie and Jin, who were relatively friendly to him, seemed to always hold back on some issues.

"Part of the reason comes from myself," Andrew thought to himself.

He knew the issue lies in the high-levels of the Commerce Association being unable to fathom his background.

The claim of being "from the Southern Retreat Land" indeed had too many doubts.

Now, Andrew still doesn't plan to reveal that his true background isn't from the Retirement Land but as a Transmigrator (nobody would believe him anyway).

As for publicly revealing his Water Element identity, that's even less possible.

But, he finally did reveal his Tier Four level.

There was no element of showing off in it.

In fact, Andrew originally didn't intend to easily expose the fact that he had broken through to Tier Four.

"You said... what?"

Everyone present froze for a moment, thinking they misheard.

Andrew knew verbal claims were not enough, so without further ado, he took a deep breath, silently channeled his Magic Power, and emitted a wave of Magic Power.

The water elemental attribute within this thread of magic wave remained perfectly concealed under the effect of the Invisible Enchantment, not detectable by anyone.

In fact, after directly using Psychological Healing Magic on Mrs. Yi Lian and not being detected by the Tier Nine person about his elemental attribute, Andrew basically felt assured: with the Invisible Enchantment, his Water Element identity is basically absolutely safe and confidential, with no risk of exposure.

This sometimes even made Andrew feel: the capability of the Invisible Enchantment was like not being his own power, but a hidden safeguard left by that existence who bestowed him the Tear of the Water God.

In any case, by emitting the Magic Power wave now, Andrew wasn't worried about revealing his Water Element identity.

Facts also proved Andrew was right.

All the high-levels present were at least Tier Eight professional levels, but none of them could sense the elemental attribute contained in Andrew's Magic Power wave.

They just clearly felt the solid and extremely standard Tier Four level within that Magic Power wave!

The entire conference hall was instantly silent, to the point you could hear a pin drop.

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