The Sorcerer's Handbook

Chapter 173: The Swordswoman's Interlude (Part 1)

The second floor appeared far plainer than the first. The space lay mostly empty, with barely any equipment in sight. Every wall and floor was sheathed in Razer Meteorite panels, which, with their deep blue, serpentine patterns, could effectively deflect nearly any attack. Once reinforced with magical formations, they could even withstand Miracles of Sacred Realm-level destruction. The area was built to endure the most intense dueling, its only flaw being the harsh glare of the flooring.

This floor was a dedicated dueling arena for sorcerers. Most Miracles wreaked havoc on the battlefield, so anyone hoping to fight at full power had to use this stage. Public dueling was strictly forbidden, punishable by heavy fines and a three-point deduction from one's sorcerer license.

It was past eleven at night. Most apprentice sorcerers had either returned to their dorms or immersed themselves in the Virtual World. On the vast, empty floor, only two swordsmen remained locked in combat, their sword energy streaking white across the Razer panels with every strike.

Ssssh!

At the sound of threads snapping tight, Felix instinctively drew back his sword.

The Scarlet Swordswoman, Sonya, had long since made her signature Miracle, Water Moon, famous throughout Cailleach's sorcerer academies. Recently, it had been recorded in the Starry Miracle Catalog and rated as Mid-Glorious Silver level. Countless swordsmen were waiting for Sonya to lift the usage restrictions just to witness the counter-type Miracle in action.

In the Starry Kingdom, Miracles were evaluated on a meticulous system. They were divided into Silver, Gold, Rainbow, and Clear tiers based on sorcery power, with each tier further split into Dim, True, and Glorious grades. Each grade had Upper, Mid, and Lower ranks, totaling thirty-six levels.

If Sonya could further optimize Water Moon, either by replacing common spirits with rare ones or correcting minor flaws, it could rise to Upper-Glorious Silver, becoming one of the top Miracles accessible to Silver Rank sorcerers.

Felix's family had even broken precedent, commissioning him to secure long-term authorization for Water Moon from Sonya at any cost. Built on the Wave spirit, the Miracle was a prized addition to the Vlozrada family, renowned for their Wave spirit sword system. Its acquisition would expand the family's collection of Miracles, and its Mid-Glorious Silver status only added to its prestige as a gem of immense value.

Glorious-level Miracles served as trump cards against stronger opponents. True-level Miracles were impressive achievements, while Dim-level Miracles were merely adequate. This complex evaluation system ensured buyers felt the cost was justified, and sellers received fair compensation. The Starry Miracle Catalog employed hundreds of full-time sorcerers and thousands of part-time advisors to maintain this standard. For thousands of sorcerers, it was the backbone of their livelihood.

Water Moon was a fast, powerful counter-type Miracle, deserving its rating. Yet after days of practice, Felix had learned how to respond. At the faint thread-like sound, he would retreat and strike from a distance, neutralizing the Miracle's effect.

But this time, when Felix pulled back, he realized Sonya had not encased herself in Moonthreads as expected. Instead, she seized the opening, aiming her sword straight at his defense.

A trap.

Felix had withdrawn too quickly and couldn't block in time.

The red-haired swordswoman's wooden blade erupted with scarlet sword energy, channeled through the Wave spirit. It slashed upward, tossing Felix into the air.

Rising Strike! Darklight Slash! Fission Wave Slash!

Suspended midair, Felix had no ground to anchor himself. Wave techniques had two key traits: diffusion, which expanded the attack's area, and vibration, which amplified its force. A master at both could even develop a third trait—forced knockback. Rising Strike, in the hands of a Wave spirit expert, could launch opponents into the air, leaving them helpless prey.

Felix had always avoided Sonya's Rising Strike, never leaving her an opening. He hadn't expected such cunning beneath her elegant exterior. She feigned a Water Moon attack to force him back, then followed up with Rising Strike, creating the perfect opportunity to strike. At this rate, he could be trapped midair, driven from one attack into the next, until defeat became inevitable.

For a swordsman, being suspended was nearly fatal. Most techniques required ground contact for force. Therefore...

As Sonya readied another Darklight Slash, Felix spat toward her. Infused with shadowy, corrosive wind, the spit transformed instantly into a stinking, bloody rain.

Miracle, Mourning Wind, Corrosive Rain!

Sonya's gasp mingled surprise with delight. "Oh?"

She blocked the rain effortlessly with her Wave spirit.

Felix landed smoothly and decided not to hold back. He exhaled three times in quick succession, forming three airborne wind blades that spun toward Sonya with deadly precision.

Miracle, Wind Fang!

Sonya brushed her lips lightly with both hands, then crossed them in a swift motion, unleashing ten corrosive water blades that wove into a deadly, interlaced net.

Miracle, Toxic Blade Web!

"Interesting... truly interesting!" Sonya's faint smile curved as her light red eyes narrowed into vertical slits. "Felix, you—"

Shhh!

This time, she didn't hold back. Before Felix could even cast a Miracle, Sonya struck first with a devastating Darklight Slash. Scarlet sword energy tore through his left arm, spraying deep crimson blood and nearly exposing his bone.

Her eyes gleamed at the sight of blood, and her grip on the wooden sword tightened. Yet she quickly regained her composure and tossed the weapon aside. "I'll take you to the infirmary—"

Felix hid his left hand behind him, shaking his head. "No, I'm fine. It's just a minor wound. I have my Water Class healing Miracle. I can treat it myself. It's a good opportunity to refine my water sorcery skills."

The village girl couldn't help but marvel at the wealth of city folk. As expected of a noble scion. Even without being a professional healer, he still carries a healing-type Miracle.

Peering at Felix's left hand, she noticed it was gloved. It was likely a tool to enhance the miracle's effect. As for the wound... his hand wasn't broken, so it was barely worth noting. Sonya allowed him to handle it himself without worry.

"But why didn't you stop when your Starlight Robe tore?" she asked.

"It probably tore in midair. I didn't notice at the time," he replied.

Both duelists wore thin, bubble-like membranes over their bodies. The Starlight Robes were pre-duel blessings from the instructors. It absorbed all damage, ensuring they could fight at full strength without harming each other.

Felix exhaled in relief. "Looks like that's enough for tonight. Sonya, fighting you has been... incredibly rewarding."

"Then let's continue," Sonya said energetically, still brimming with spirit. "Your other hand isn't injured yet."

Felix ground his teeth. "But! I'm! Hurt! Let's rest nearby so I can treat myself."

Lately, Sonya had challenged Felix to nightly duels. At first, he had enjoyed trading skills with a genius like her. But each night, she grew more aggressive. On the first night, he managed his wounds alone; the second night, he needed a healer. By the third night, he barely survived each duel and immediately sought treatment afterward. Each night, he cursed silently. When will this village girl get her moon cycle[1]?

If it weren't for his dwindling pride and refusal to lose to a peer, he would have long refused Sonya's relentless assaults. As a lifelong avenger who had borne heavy burdens, he could not fear a mere village girl armed only with innate talent. He could lose, but he could not lose the courage to face her head-on. Still...

Felix glanced at his bleeding left hand. If not for the injury, their duel would probably have dragged on until midnight. From experience, he knew Sonya only grew more frenzied as the fight progressed, especially in the final half hour, when she would turn into a storm of relentless attacks. Felix's wooden swords had already been shattered several times.

He thought, One injured hand, and finishing an hour early... maybe that wasn't so bad after all.

Sonya asked out of the blue, "You've reached Silver Rank in your Wind, Water, and Poison techniques, right? Have you studied these three since childhood, or just recently?"

"Recently," he admitted hesitantly.

"You should have given up swordsmanship long ago."

"Not true," Felix replied while using his healing Miracle to tend the wound. "Swordsmanship is the key to the Vlozrada and my foundation for survival. Sometimes, survival requires compromise. Without it, talent never has the chance to bloom. The choice is obvious."

Sonya covered her ears. "I won't listen! Nope! I refuse to get tangled up in the nobles' politics and schemes."

Felix snorted in amusement. "You brought it up yourself. I won't duel you again tomorrow."

Sonya froze, clutching her clothes nervously, unsure what to do. After a moment, she asked, "Um... what about using a newspaper?"

"What?"

She rolled her hands. "I could roll up a newspaper and duel you with that. How about it?"

Felix froze, cheeks flushing. "It's not that I'm afraid to duel you!"

"Not even a newspaper? I could use just one finger to channel my Swordsmanship Miracle!"

Realizing further argument would frustrate him, Felix cut her off decisively. "My soul has recovered. I'll enter the Virtual World tomorrow. I won't have time for dueling after that!"

A few days earlier, Felix had been ambushed in the Virtual World by a Fish-Slaying Dragon after passing through the Whirlpool. Shortly after, Sonya seized the chance to strike the dragon, and that was how his Killing Intent spirit ended up in her hands, marking the start of their official exchange of interests.

After his death, Felix hadn't asked his family for help to conceal his mana and training progress, so his soul's recovery took longer. Over the following days, it gradually healed on its own.

Tonight, Felix finally dared to lay his cards on the table and face Sonya in a duel. A loss would be... well, a loss. But a victory? A victory would let him leave with full justification, leaving the village girl no chance for revenge.

1. Women's monthly cycle ☜