Silia

"Good morning, Junior Sonia."

Sonia turned her head and saw Senior Silia emerging from the Meditation Building, her brows arching slightly.

Although she had no desire to get involved with Felix, she found it difficult to avoid him in practice, as he was also a student of Professor Tello Zan.

Only a genius in swordsmanship could catch the eye of the "Hidden Hand Sword Saint."

Having interacted with Felix frequently, Sonia had naturally come to know Silia as well. After only a few brief encounters, Sonia knew that Silia was the same type of person as her—a huntress who would climb to the top at any cost.

Consequently, Silia naturally harbored hostility toward Sonia. After all, Felix was her prey; Sonia's appearance was akin to someone finally capturing a rare animal, only to find a fully armed pet trainer standing right next to the trap. It would be strange if she weren't on guard.

Though Sonia claimed to look down on Felix, if this young master of the Vosrodar Family was willing to play the sycophant, she wasn't entirely opposed to giving him a chance. She remained indecisive, intending to keep him on the hook and see how things developed.

Silia scrutinized Sonia for a moment, then covered her nose and stepped back half a pace. "It seems you're quite excited for your first time entering the Void Realm, Junior."

Are you serious with that half-step back?

Although Sonia hadn't showered after training last night, she had wiped herself down with a towel and changed her clothes; there was no way she smelled. However, having just come out of the Meditation Room, her hair unwashed and her face unpainted, she looked positively slovenly compared to Silia's "natural" fully-armed appearance, like a stray puppy by the roadside.

Sonia could tell at a glance that Silia's "natural look" took at least an hour to apply.

"Good morning, Senior Silia." Sonia gave a slight nod. "Are you here at the Meditation Building to use the washroom, Senior?"

Sonia didn't have the habit of taking a hit without striking back. Her retort—implying that Silia wasn't here to meditate but to put on makeup—was flawless; it was a perfect insult without using a single dirty word.

"I am naturally here to meditate and enter the Void Realm." Silia forced a smile, extended her hand, and said, "This is the inheritance spell spirit I found last night. What do you think, Junior?"

A small boy spell spirit clutching a sword sheath manifested above Silia's hand. Sonia glanced at it, her eyebrows instantly shooting up as she recalled the data on this spell spirit.

"Sword Sheath"

"One-Winged Art Spirit"

"Restriction: The practitioner must use a sword."

"Basic Effect: When used in conjunction with other swordsmanship spell spirits, the latter's first activation every ten seconds will have its effect increased by 150%."

For a swordsman, the Sword Sheath was an incredibly practical spell spirit, one that could even branch into a specific sub-discipline: the Assassin Swordsman.

Through explosive miracles like "Sword Sheath Light Gathering," "Accumulate Momentum," and "Sky Piercing Sword Qi," a swordsman could—and could only—fire a single strike capable of piercing all defenses of the same rank. Its power was peerless among all disciplines; those struck were guaranteed to die.

For a fleeting moment, Sonia even considered taking out her Torrent Spell Spirit to trade with Silia.

Although the Torrent Spell Spirit was more expensive than the Sword Sheath on the trading platform, spell spirits were almost always unavailable for purchase regardless of price. A suitable swordsmanship spell spirit was hard to come by, and even if one appeared, there was no guarantee of securing it.

But when she saw the playful glint in Silia's eyes, she understood everything—this woman was here specifically to show off.

"Well? Do you think Felix will like it?"

A sudden pang of guilt rose in Sonia—the way she had acted in the dormitory last night must have been just as punchable as Silia's expression right now. She truly owed her roommates a debt of gratitude for not killing her.

"I'm truly envious of your boyfriend," Sonia forced a strained smile. "For a swordsman, this is a very precious spell spirit."

"Is that so? Since you say so, Junior, then I'll believe it."

Silia covered her mouth and chuckled, though she remained vigilant.

After the sword duel the night before, Silia had expected Felix to abandon her and pursue Sonia. Unexpectedly, Felix had no such thoughts; he remained kind to her, merely obsessed with having another match against Sonia.

Silia didn't believe Felix was trying to two-time her. He wasn't the type to hide his emotions; if he wanted to cheat, he would simply break up, not string her along. Therefore, Silia believed Felix truly had no romantic interest in Sonia, only a fixation on victory and defeat.

Even so, Sonia remained a formidable rival in Silia's heart. After all, sparks between a man and a woman were often struck through friction. Felix might have no thoughts now, but what about the next second? Tomorrow? Next week?

As long as Felix was breathing, the possibility of a change of heart existed.

Thus, Silia had to keep a tight watch on her boyfriend, ensuring he had no opportunity for private contact with Sonia—like right now.

Not only that, she had to increase her own leverage and intimidate Sonia as much as possible to nip any potential trouble in the bud.

"You should work harder too, Junior," Silia encouraged. "I hear your family background isn't great. Compared to us locals in Gala City, your ability to get into Sword Flower University through the national exams is far superior to ours. You'll surely be able to stay in Gala City in the future and bring your family to live in the big city."

Here it comes, the rich person's condescending mix of disdain and encouragement toward the poor... Sonia put on a pleasant smile. "Thank you for your concern, Senior."

"Sigh, you were a bird that could have flown higher, but it's a pity your family dragged you down."

Silia's words were half-feigned and half-sincere; she truly felt a bit of pity for Sonia. Forget noble families—if Sonia had been born into a middle-class family in Gala City, she would certainly have had better prospects. It was just a shame she was a village girl from a poor agricultural town on the border.

She didn't notice that the look in Sonia's eyes had changed.

"You're right, Senior."

Sonia paused for a moment, then offered a helpless smile. "Often, where a person starts determines where they end up. Birth is our first lottery ticket, and I only drew the consolation prize."

Silia wondered if she had been too harsh and caused Sonia to break down, and she began to consider what to say to comfort her junior.

"Someone like me, coming from such a poor place, can never truly shed my vulgarity. Look at me, I've been chatting with you for so long that I forgot I haven't even washed my face. It's so rude of me to talk to you with this slovenly face."

"You don't have to say that..."

Just as Silia was about to offer some comfort, she saw Sonia summon a spell spirit, and a mass of water appeared in her hand, splashing directly onto her face.

"Washed my face. Feels much fresher now."

Silia stared at the spell spirit in Sonia's hand. "That is..."

"Ah?" Sonia blinked slightly, her eyes beginning to wander as she stammered, "Th-this is... a lucky encounter I had in the Void Realm last night! Yes, this is the Torrent Spell Spirit I obtained from a lucky island! See? My luck isn't bad at all."

Silia let out an "Oh," with three words written across her forehead: I! DON'T! BELIEVE!

How could anyone encounter an Island of Opportunity on their very first day entering the Void Realm?

And to top it off, she obtained one of the most precious Spell Spirits of the Water Art Faction, the Torrent Water Spirit!?

Are you trying to fool me by treating me like an idiot?

Could she have bought it? But a Village Girl like her wouldn't have the money to purchase such a rare Spell Spirit, and the Torrent Spell Spirit is priceless—Silia had been wanting to buy one for a long time but could never find a seller!

Since she didn't buy it, someone must have given it to her.

At Sword Flower University, there aren't many people who can just casually hand out a Torrent Spell Spirit...

Silia managed to compose her expression and forced a smile. "This is a very important Spell Spirit in the Water Art Faction. Junior, do you have any thoughts about switching to the Water Art Faction?"

"Well, although I have a talent for swordsmanship, I am also interested in the Water Art Faction..." Sonia saw Felix coming out of the Meditation Building and hurriedly waved goodbye. "Senior, I have something to attend to, so I'll be going now. See you later!"

Silia was still puzzled by Sonia's haste when she turned her head and saw Felix just exiting the building.

"Senior, were you waiting for me?" Felix smiled. "The Void Realm really is a fascinating place... I want to go to the library to read more about it. Would you like to come with me?"

Silia glanced in the direction Sonia had left, then looked back at Felix. She felt as if she understood something, and her teeth ached with jealousy.

Yet, the thousands of words surging in her throat only distilled into a sweet response.

"Sure." She smiled and held out her hand. "This is a Sword Sheath Spirit I obtained from the Void Realm last night, but I don't study the sword... Junior, what do you think I should do with this Spell Spirit?"