Star Country, Gala City, Sword and Rose Sorcerer University.
"...When facing a Turbid Heart Monster, unless a swordsman can pierce its brain stem immediately—cutting off its head is useless; as long as the Turbid Heart Monster still has a brain, it can attack—they will be affected by its Spell Spirit, Frenzy. Once they notice themselves becoming irritable, swordsmen must pierce their own thigh to stay clear-headed through pain, allowing the other long-range spellcasters in the team to kill the Turbid Heart Monster..."
Only the teacher's eloquent voice filled the lecture hall. Sitting by the window, Sonia watched the three Shining Stars in the sky. Warm sunlight spread across the lawn, the walkways, and the Benches; everything in the world gleamed brilliantly.
"Sonia!" Ingrid lowered her voice. "Don't space out during class."
Sonia, who was Resonating with the Radiance School of reality, smiled faintly. "It's not an important class anyway. My Wristband is recording the notes, so even if I space out..."
"This is the most important Introduction to Swordsmanship class!" Ingrid said sternly. "Aren't you going into the Abyss someday? Aren't you afraid of danger? So what if your Wristband records notes? This is the most important course on dealing with enemies. You can never be too careful when it comes to safety!"
"Ahem, ahem!"
The teacher on the podium coughed twice, and the two hurriedly sat properly and listened.
Introduction to Swordsmanship did not teach empty theories. It covered how swordsmen should respond to different enemies in different environments. The reason this course existed was because it was closely tied to a swordsman's future career path.
Swordsmen were undoubtedly pure Combat Arcanists, unlike Water Arcanists who could become Healing Arcanists, or Mechanic Arcanists who could become Creation Arcanists. In an era of peace, swordsmen would definitely decline over time, perhaps even losing their Inheritance entirely.
Swordsmanship flourished in Star Country precisely because the world was far from safe and constantly threatened by the Abyss.
The Abyss was not a fixed location, but a randomly appearing monster nest. It was said to appear randomly, but there were patterns to it: it only appeared in densely populated cities. Or rather, the more spellcasters there were in a place, the more likely an Abyss was to appear.
As a core city of Star Country, Gala City naturally suppressed the largest Abyss.
To this day, no scholar had been able to explain why the Abyss formed, but the threat it posed had to be dealt with. The Abyss could not be eradicated. The deeper one went, the stronger the monsters became. Deep-layer monsters at the Three-Winged Saint Domain and Four-Winged Legendary levels could even appear, yet even the surface monsters were difficult to handle.
This was because the Abyss underwent drastic terrain changes at regular intervals, making it impossible for spellcasters to build camps within it. It also erupted periodically, causing Legendary monsters to reach the surface. During those periods, spellcasters had to withdraw from the Abyss.
Because of all these restrictions, "regular Abyss cleansing" had become an extremely important social profession. Aside from the few who could become Nobles or corporate "riot-control advisors," most swordsmen formed teams with other spellcasters and regularly entered the Abyss to adventure and clear monsters.
It was not dirty work, and it was actually quite a good path. Besides the nation's "Extermination Gold," the various loot dropped by Abyss monsters was immensely valuable. Sometimes, rare Resource Points could even be found in the Abyss.
Who knew how many noble families had originated from Abyss adventure teams? Countless spellcasters had encountered fortuitous opportunities in the Abyss.
But risk and reward were proportional. Abyss monsters almost all had Spell Spirits attached to them, and their combat power was no weaker than that of spellcasters. No one knew how many spellcasters died in the Abyss every day. Entire teams could even be wiped out, becoming nourishment for the Abyss.
That was why Ingrid was so dissatisfied with Sonia's attitude: one more second spent listening in Introduction to Swordsmanship meant one more measure of vigilance when facing danger in the Abyss later!
But Sonia had just absorbed an Experience Pearl. Like a child with a new toy, she was brimming with excitement, her entire mind focused on verifying the knowledge of the Radiance School. Besides, she did not think she would ever adventure in the Abyss—there had once been some possibility of it, but now, with her talent and Watcher as her powerful backer, she could reach the Three-Winged Saint Domain step by step. Why would she roll around in the Abyss and risk her life with everyone else?
After Introduction to Swordsmanship came Swordsmanship Combat, a sparring class between Swordsmanship Department students. As they walked toward the Combat Hall, students all along the way secretly watched Sonia and whispered among themselves.
Sonia was not surprised. From the moment Professor Tello Zan had allowed her to skip all procedures and transfer into the Swordsmanship Department, she had become the students' focal point and a daily topic of conversation.
But today was slightly different—because besides Sonia, the students were also watching Felix on the other side.
"Look, she's the one who made Silia..."
"Sonia will probably get dumped soon too..."
"I could tell at a glance that she was that kind of person..."
Though she only caught fragments of their words, Sonia roughly understood what had happened—news that Felix had dumped Silia had spread, and as the woman who had recently appeared beside Felix, Sonia had inevitably become the center of everyone's attention.
Don't cause trouble for me... Sonia only wanted to quietly build herself up. She had no desire to waste energy on such boring matters.
But women had a strong gift for Prophecy, especially when it came to predicting bad things—after entering the Combat Hall, Sonia found many unfamiliar people present, and the one person she recognized was Senior Silia.
Silia was wiping away tears, her eyes red. Combined with her elegant outfit, she looked pitiful enough to stir anyone's heart. Although Sonia considered herself exceptionally beautiful, Silia had poise, atmosphere, and the added boost of tearful makeup. At this moment, Sonia could not possibly defeat her.
"Ingrid, I'm skipping class."
"Mm." Ingrid understood as well.
But just as Sonia was about to leave the Combat Hall, a furious shout shook dust from the ceiling.
"Felix, get over here!"
A tall black-haired swordsman shouted, "You dared toy with my younger sister's feelings. Don't tell me you don't dare show yourself!?"
At those words, everyone's gaze immediately turned toward Felix and Sonia. Felix remained calm, apparently accustomed to such situations. He stepped into the Combat Hall without a fuss, while after some inner struggle, Sonia also gave up on escaping—she could not leave silently with her tail between her legs. Leaving meant weakness, and fleeing meant yielding.
Back in the countryside, weakness and yielding would only make people bully you more easily.
It was the same in a big city.
Country rats and city rats were fundamentally no different when it came to being short-sighted.
"Luo Lian, Silia, good morning." Felix nodded at them. "Would you like to have lunch together later?"
"No need. Seeing your face makes me want to vomit." Facing the young master of the Vosrodar Family, the black hair swordsman gave him no face at all. "Draw your sword. Let me see the backbone of Vosrodar."
Upon hearing that, the nearby students began whispering, and Ingrid could not help crying out softly, "It's Senior Luo Lian!"
Only after Ingrid's introduction did Sonia learn that Senior Luo Lian was also a prominent figure. He was a third-year swordsmanship genius. Though Professor Tello Zan had not chosen him, he had become a research apprentice to a Gold swordsman. He had become a One-Winged Silver swordsman a year ago and was a member of the Sword Flower University Competition Team!
Though he came from only a middling noble family, Luo Lian would at least reach Two-Winged Gold in the future. With such a bright future, he naturally had no need to respect some young master of the Vosrodar Family. Those who made a living through their own abilities had backbone.
Luo Lian and Silia were not biological siblings. Their fathers were brothers, and since they attended the same school and were in the same year, they were close in daily life. It was practically natural for Luo Lian to stand up for Silia.
But Felix did not agree. Instead, he looked at Silia. "Senior, is this what you want?"
Others might have thought Felix was backing down, but Sonia knew he was genuinely confused—as someone who could change girlfriends four times in a month, Felix naturally held no feelings for his girlfriends. He assumed other women approached him knowing that, which was why his promiscuity had never caused trouble before.
However, when Sonia noticed the way Silia looked at Felix, she understood everything.
What had begun as merely playing along had become genuine love for Silia.
Only genuine love could explain why Silia was being so irrational now, both cutting off her final possibility with Felix and doing something futile.
Feelings were the most unfathomable things. Even Hunters sometimes stepped into their own traps.
Women always believed they would be the other person's last. Men always believed they would be the other person's first. Losers who fell in always clung to unrealistic fantasies.
Receiving no answer from Silia, Felix looked at Luo Lian. "Senior Luo Lian, are you saying... you want to beat me up?"
"This is the Combat Hall. Let's have a practical combat session." Luo Lian sneered. "The Healing Institute is right next door, and I'll hold back as much as possible. I won't let the Vosrodar Family lose an outstanding descendant. Don't tell me you don't dare?"
"Fine, very fine. How could I not dare? It's just a first-year student sparring with a third-year student, a swordsman who only became a spellcaster a few days ago fighting a senior who has been one for over a year. How could I possibly be afraid?"
Felix flashed a row of white teeth, every sentence accusing Luo Lian of bullying the weak. He was a noble's son, not an idiot. How could he fall for such a boring provocation?
The surrounding students clearly did not approve of a battle with such a vast disparity in strength. It was no different from bullying. Yet Luo Lian's expression remained unchanged as his gaze shifted from Felix to Sonia.
Sonia immediately had a bad feeling.
"Felix, I heard you've recently gained a beautiful 'good junior.' The two of you even summoned Spell Spirits during battle. You must have a 'good' relationship and 'deep' personal ties."
Luo Lian deliberately emphasized his words as he mocked, "As a senior, of course I won't bully the weak. I'll even give you the chance to outnumber me—since I'm standing up for Silia, just finding Felix isn't enough. Bring that junior of yours over too!"
"I'll fight the two of you alone!"
Though Luo Lian did not say it aloud, nearly every word he spoke conveyed the same implication:
Today, I'm beating up you two bastards!
Sonia felt like smashing Watcher's head in—how had she, an innocent bystander who kept herself clean, gotten caught up in this pile of shit?
At that moment, everyone's gaze fell on her, Felix included.
Sonia's eyes shifted. She did not step out, but remained beside Ingrid with a puzzled expression. "Sorry, Senior Luo Lian, I don't understand what you mean—although Felix and I study under Professor Tello Zan together, we don't have much contact in private. This is your personal grudge. I have no reason to participate."
Just because Luo Lian spoke unpleasantly, was she supposed to rush forward and fight alongside Felix?
Sonia was no longer a child. Likes and dislikes were not the only principles guiding her actions.
She only wanted to grow quietly. She had no interest whatsoever in friendship with Felix, and this was also her best chance to clear things up—if she truly joined Felix in facing Luo Lian, it would practically confirm the suspicions of them being a bitch and bastard.
No matter how she thought about it, stepping away from this Vortex was the wisest choice.
Luo Lian no longer paid Sonia any attention and sneered. "Looks like your charm is nothing special after all, Felix."
"You misunderstood." Felix spoke calmly as he untied his Sword Bag and drew out a Wooden Sword. The atmosphere was on the verge of exploding.
Just when Sonia thought she could skip class, a hand suddenly landed on her shoulder.
"This isn't reasonable—what's the difference between a battle with too great a gap in strength and bullying? As a member of the Disciplinary Committee, I can't allow such a one-sided crushing to occur."
A dashing Orange-Haired Female Swordsman pressed Sonia's shoulder and pushed her forward. Sonia turned her head and saw only the work badge pinned to the swordsman's chest: "Sword Flower Disciplinary Committee: Leonie Victor."
"It's Senior Leonie!"
"Why is she at the university?"
"It's Orange Dancer herself!"
The Orange-Haired Female Swordsman dragged Sonia all the way to the center of the field. Her hand was like a vise; Sonia could not break free at all.
"Junior Felix, Junior Sonia, you two should communicate more often in the future. If Professor Tello Zan found out that you couldn't even help and care for each other, he would surely be very disappointed."
The Orange-Haired Female Swordsman looked at Sonia with a broad smile.
"Luo Lian may indeed be suspected of bullying the weak, but you are Professor Tello Zan's research apprentices. Bullying you means insulting the Hidden Hand Sword Saint. How can you swallow such an insult? You should know that Felix now represents not only himself, but also the fact that he is one of Professor Tello Zan's only two apprentices. Junior Sonia, you understand that, right?"
Sonia reluctantly nodded, then shook her head. "But this is their personal grudge..."
"Once Luo Lian said he wanted to challenge the two of you, even if only to defend the Hidden Hand Sword Saint's reputation, you had to accept the challenge. What's more, it's two against one, and your chances of winning are enormous. If you refuse, you'll look far too cowardly."
"As swordsmen, you should possess the courage to charge forward without hesitation, as well as the confidence to reason with your swords! Beat your enemy into submission, and you will have the greatest reason!"
"Junior Sonia, what do you think?"
When the Orange-Haired Female Swordsman invoked Professor Tello Zan, Sonia knew she could not escape this fight.
No matter whether Tello Zan actually cared or not, Sonia did not dare gamble.
Tello Zan was currently her greatest support. She did not dare take any risk with anything that might affect his impression of her, let alone now, with hundreds of people watching. Within ten minutes, news that she had retreated without regard for Professor Tello Zan's dignity could spread throughout Sword Flower.
But she hated this feeling: being controlled, forced, and manipulated, until she had no choice but to participate in a battle she did not want to join!
An intense feeling of suffocation and humiliation fermented inside her, making Sonia's shoulders tremble slightly.
But she was a girl who had traveled alone from the countryside to Gala City. Reason quickly gained the upper hand.
Yet just as she suppressed her dissatisfaction, a familiar voice sounded beside her ear.
"Do you need my help? I guarantee I can get rid of the resentment in your heart."
"Yes!"
"You agreed to it yourself. I'm leaving now, so don't blame me."
Watcher passed behind Sonia. After speaking, he vanished into the air.
The next second, Sonia looked at the Orange-Haired Female Swordsman.
"Junior Sonia, your decision is—?"
"I refuse!" Sonia shook her head firmly. "I will absolutely not involve myself in their personal grudge, absolutely not fight alongside Felix, and absolutely not fight Senior Luo Lian!"
The Orange-Haired Female Swordsman raised an eyebrow slightly. "But if that's the case..."
"But!"
Sonia looked at the Orange-Haired Female Swordsman, enunciating every word with resounding force.
"As Professor Tello Zan's apprentice, I cannot tolerate you repeatedly provoking me with Professor Tello Zan's reputation before my eyes. I cannot tolerate you trying to incite student emotions and make them question Professor Tello Zan's teaching quality. And I especially cannot tolerate you using the outcome between the two of us to slander Professor Tello Zan's character!"
"I didn't—"
"There's no need to explain. As you said, beat your enemy into submission, and you will have the greatest reason. So—"
Sonia untied her Sword Bag, took out her Wooden Sword, and pointed it straight at the Orange-Haired Female Swordsman.
"Leonie Victor, I challenge you."