Chapter 643: There’s No Personal Grudge Here. It’s All for Work!

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"Andros!!"

"Get out here! We can talk this through! Don’t do anything stupid! Where the hell are you?! Hey, say something!"

"ANDROS!"

Grindelwald frantically spammed calls through the study space.

Meanwhile, Andros, who was still traveling, sensed the messages and nearly laughed out loud. He had absolutely no intention of replying.

Only after Grindelwald shouted himself tired and was on the verge of giving up did Andros finally split off a portion of his consciousness and enter the space. Even then, his actual body never stopped moving.

A teasing grin spread across his face.

"Well, well. Isn’t this Old Grindy? Been, what, over a month since we last met? What’s wrong? Missing your old friend already?"

Grindelwald laughed from sheer anger. He had come here intending to swallow his pride and smooth things over, but after hearing that tone, he immediately fired back with sarcasm.

"They say students gradually become more like their teachers. So why is it the opposite with you, Andros? How are you becoming more and more like Tom?"

"Oh?" Andros raised an eyebrow. "I’m not sure I understand what you mean. Though judging from that tone... are you insulting both me and Tom at the same time?"

"Don’t overinterpret things." Grindelwald’s expression remained perfectly calm. There was no way he was accepting that accusation. As he continued speaking, his tone gradually softened again. "Andros, everyone’s busy these days. There’s really no need to make such a huge fuss over something minor, right?"

"And if you keep acting recklessly, what if you ruin Tom’s plans? Calm down. You really need to calm down..."

"Tch." Andros clicked his tongue and sighed helplessly. "Being enemies with prophets like you is seriously annoying."

Back then, Grindelwald used to brag constantly about how he had relied on his prophetic abilities to suppress Dumbledore and the International Confederation of Wizards.

At the time, Andros never cared much.

Now that he was experiencing it firsthand, he finally understood how troublesome it really was.

He had only just set out, and Grindelwald had already caught onto his movements.

A look of delight appeared on Grindelwald’s face. For a moment, he thought Andros had decided to let the matter go.

Then Andros suddenly chuckled. "Relax, Grindy. Our little scuffle won’t affect Tom’s plans at all. Besides, you know what that brat is like better than anyone. The guy practically lives for chaos. The bigger the mess, the more entertaining it is to him."

"And more importantly..." Andros suddenly straightened up, his expression turning unusually serious. "My mission this time is to help the Sun-Chasers spread fear of their strength. And tell me, what’s more shocking than going head-to-head with a Dark Lord?"

"You..." Grindelwald’s expression changed instantly. "This is blatant revenge disguised as official business!"

"Don’t overinterpret things." Andros shook his head innocently. "It’s all for work. What personal grudge could there possibly be between us? We’re good brothers. Best coworkers around."

Grindelwald was trembling with anger now. He was already wondering whether he should just run for it when a young man’s amused voice suddenly echoed from above.

"Andros, you’ve actually learned to add dramatic flair to your scenes now. Not bad. Honestly, that’s a pretty solid idea."

"And Old Grindy? Wow, how did I never think of that nickname before? Tsk, tsk... you really are my first teacher. There’s always something new for you to teach me."

"Oh, Grindy, just cooperate, alright? Don’t be scared of a little pain. Endure it for a while and it’ll all be over soon."

"..."

The last sliver of hope in Grindelwald’s heart died instantly.

In the workplace, when your coworker wants to screw you over and your boss not only approves but actively supports it, the best response is usually to resign.

Unfortunately for Grindelwald, the contract he had signed was a lifetime employment agreement.

Even death wouldn’t get him out of it.

After all, even if he died, his soul would just be dragged back into the Study Space and sent right back to work.

So the moment Tom gave the final word, Grindelwald knew there was no escaping this beating.

But since resistance was pointless, he certainly wasn’t going to "enjoy" it either.

They were both Kings of the Century. Why the hell should he be afraid?

The pride buried deep in his heart flared back to life. Grindelwald stopped thinking about surrendering, shot Andros a sharp glare, snorted coldly, and withdrew from the study space to make his escape.

There was no avoiding the duel now. But there was absolutely no way he was fighting in Berlin.

He needed to find somewhere else first. Somewhere he could make a few preparations.

"Heh. Look at Old Grindy getting all worked up."

Andros almost laughed in disbelief at Grindelwald’s reaction.

The guy had been the one to attack first while he was weakened, yet somehow he was acting like the victim.

"Andros, hit him a little harder this time." Tom’s illusory figure descended from the sky, smiling faintly. "A hero’s downfall often starts with comfort and pleasure. Grindelwald’s mind isn’t fully focused on magic anymore. Look at him. I taught him magic circuits ages ago, and he still hasn’t completely engraved them. Use this opportunity to remind him what truly matters."

Andros froze for a second, then cautiously asked, "Tom... did Gellert offend you recently?"

"What are you talking about?" Tom looked at him in surprise. "I just act petty sometimes. I’m not actually petty. It’s all jokes."

"Right. Of course. I believe you." Andros nodded with a smile.

Before he could say anything else, he heard Tom muttering quietly to himself. "That Old Grindy really has no filter. Last time he even told Jeanne that I was some ’petty god.’ Completely outrageous."

Andros: "..."

Yep. He definitely hadn’t misjudged the boy.

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