The Sorcerer's Handbook

Chapter 174: The Swordswoman's Interlude (Part 2)

She didn't bother hiding the fact that she had died in the Virtual World. If anything, she made it public, letting Professor Trosan spread the news throughout the school that the genius Scarlet Swordswoman had finally suffered her first loss to the Virtual World.

After some careful maneuvering, her classmates' attitudes softened toward her. Even the usually "envious" Professor Trosan treated her with more care. In the cafeteria, staff would serve her an extra scoop or two without a second thought.

Her failure didn't diminish her talent. If anything, it made her more approachable. Like a beautiful college girl scraping by in poverty, the image of a genius who occasionally stumbled proved surprisingly useful. Sonya seized the opportunity to cultivate this persona. By doing so, she could avoid the heavy expectations of others while still gaining access to the resources a genius deserved. For her, it was an absolute win.

"Looks like tomorrow night I'll just have to behave and go straight back to the dorm..."

Felix scowled inwardly. Most people would just sleep. Who gets this worked up in the middle of the night and drags someone into a duel?

While muttering to himself about the berserk village girl, he let out a cold snort. "Make sure to tell Sylvia not to wait for me downstairs... so she doesn't run into me 'by chance'."

Sonya blinked her big, innocent eyes, looking utterly confused. "Ah? Sylvia? You mean Senior Sylvia? What about her?"

Felix replied with thinly veiled disdain. "Stop pretending you don't know. I won't be at the Meditation Tower tomorrow night. I'll enter the Virtual World from home. Just tell her to stay away."

"I really don't know what you're talking about—"

Felix sighed. "Sonya, try seeing things from others' perspectives for once. You know approaching me is dangerous. Why can't you persuade Sylvia to stay out of it?"

The village girl countered, "Do you dislike her?"

"Does the opposite of dislike have to be like? Sonya, I hate the way you phrase things just to set traps—"

"Then answer me directly. Do you like Sylvia?"

"I do... but not in the way you think."

"Feelings can grow over time. Don't you believe in love at first sight?"

Felix's patience frayed. "Why do you care so much? What has she given you? Whatever she can give, I can give too."

Sonya shot back immediately, "She promised me the lead in the Prime Nine drama!"

Felix almost exploded. "You're talking nonsense! Sylvia doesn't have that kind of authority!"

The Prime Nine slot referred to 9 p.m. on Saturday night, the prime time for dramas. Only the season's highest-budget productions could claim it, and securing the slot practically guaranteed a hit before the show even premiered.

Becoming the lead in a Prime Nine drama... that's almost like stepping halfway into the ranks of top-tier actresses. And you, a village girl, have no right to claim the role in a hit show!

For a moment, they stared at each other. Then Sonya turned her head, covering her mouth to hide a smile, while Felix shook his head, both laughing and sighing at the same time.

Why did such a shameless village girl possess a swordsmanship talent like it's been blessed by the stars? And why, of all people, have I become friends with her...

"I'm not just in it for the reward," Sonya said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She rested her wooden sword in front of her, studying the patterns along its blade. "Senior Sylvia said most noble marriages are loveless alliances, right?"

Felix nodded. "More or less. Noble marriages are basically transactions of interest."

Her voice softened. "Then if people who don't like each other can still be together... why can't people who do like each other?"

Felix blinked, surprised at the sudden insight in the red-haired girl's question. A spark lit in his eyes. "Do you already like someone?"

Sonya instinctively tried to deny it. "You—"

She paused halfway, glanced around, and lowered her voice. "What are you talking about?"

Felix raised an eyebrow. "You weren't always so sentimental. Don't forget, even if it's not exactly glorious, I've had my share of romances. If there were a ranking system for love, I'd at least be Gold. Judging by that expression, is this your first crush? Who is the lucky or unlucky one to catch the Scarlet Swordswoman's attention?"

Sonya ground her teeth. "You were trying to insult me just now, weren't you? And I haven't... You can't just assume things!"

Felix laughed. "If you really hadn't, you'd have said something like, 'Guess who I like,' instead of giving this weak 'believe whatever you want' excuse. After spending so much time with ordinary sorceresses, I can usually follow their thought patterns pretty well. Sonya, you actually look flustered."

Watching her mix of embarrassment and anger, Felix let his mind wander. This village girl's social circle is tiny. She barely has a single male acquaintance, so who could she possibly like?

Could it be Arsen, her co-host during the intercollegiate gala? No... He's known to run away at the mere sight of her on campus.

Senior Lorian? Unlikely.

Me? Setting aside the fact that she beat me badly and even helped Sylvia ambush me... I'm a genuine Gold Rank in romance perception. I would have noticed if someone liked me.

As he pondered, a memory surfaced. During the gala, Sonya had reconciled with her roommate Louisa, and they'd grown closer since. Two nights ago, after drinking with Senior Leona, Sonya got drunk, and it was Louisa who helped her change and bathe. Could it be?

By now, Sonya had calmed herself. She glanced up, noticing Felix standing a few meters away, and frowned. "Why did you go so far?"

"Nothing," Felix said as he stood. "My left hand's mostly healed. I want to go home, take a bath, and continue treatment. It was a pleasant evening, but we probably won't see each other again. Bye."

Sonya stood as well. "Since it's our last night, take me back to the dorm... You wouldn't mind, would you?"

"Sonya, I hate the way you phrase your questions just to set traps—"

"Well then, since you're training your Water Therapy spirit, why not add a few more injuries—"

Felix sighed in surrender. "I still have to drive. I cannot hurt my hands or feet."

The two left the empty training hall and stepped onto the campus avenue, bathed in starlight.

Suddenly, Sonya remembered something. "Ah! I almost forgot. There's something I've wanted to ask for a long time. Since you're a noble heir, maybe you'd know things poor people like me don't."

"What is it?"

"Do you know anything about the Four Pillars Cult?"

Felix blinked, instinctively raising his left hand before lowering it again.