Sorcerer’s Handbook

Chapter 116: I Almost Really Became a Swordswoman

Swordflower College, Training Hall

When Sonya stopped, time seemed to freeze in the entire training hall.

The apprentices looked at this genius swordswoman in astonishment, glancing down at the time on their bracelets to confirm it was only 9pm.

She had only been training for an hour, so why did she stop?

Although she had only been training in the hall for two weeks so far, Queen Therave had undoubtedly become the most dazzling sight in the eyes of the sword apprentices the unshakable two hours of evening training, with no breaks, full concentration, perfect form. Just watching her train dripping with sweat was a visual treat.

Not to mention Queen Theraves profound swordsmanship skills. Many apprentices would sneak peeks during their free time, suddenly gaining insights and deepening their understanding of swordsmanship, increasing their slashing ring count. It was eye candy and knowledge rolled into one.

Strangely, Swordflower College had no shortage of sword geniuses, from Leone and Lorein before, to Felix now, but their training did not attract the apprentices gazes.

Firstly, their training times were irregular. Secondly, they took breaks during training. And thirdlythough there was no way to articulate it, everyone just felt Sonyas swordsmanship was a cut above the rest.

So the training hall had been packed every night recently. When Sonya entered, the apprentices barely dared to breathe, greeting the queens arrival with admiring eyes.

Yet tonight the queen had changed her training routine for the first time?

What could make someone so obsessed with swordsmanship alter her unchanging daily training?

Indeed, it wasnt just the students in everyones eyes, even the professors, Sonya Therave was a swordsmanship genius born for the blade, gifted with exceptional talent and a passion for swordsmanship. Even after achieving great success (defeating Felix, turning the tables on Leone, unleashing the Silver Wings), she did not forget her original intention, persisting in intense nightly training. If that wasnt called love?

These youths in the prime of their lives naturally jumped to the same thought: Could the queen be in love!?

As the apprentices focused their indignant gazes on Felix, almost igniting him, Felix himself also felt quite helpless he was equally curious why Sonya had stopped.

In fact, Sonya herself was the most confused.

She had long grown accustomed to the two-hour training, obediently starting on her own when time was up, without needing the Observer to force her.

That familiar glass bottle filled with unknown medicine had appeared on her desk this morning. After drinking it, shed been bursting with energy all day, not feeling tired even during intense swordsmanship training.

Moreover, the training was quite enjoyable. Every swing of the blade, every slash, gave Sonya a hint of indescribable pleasure.

As this pleasure accumulated bit by bit, it turned into an inexplicable, aberrant craving. Only by slaying cognitive beings in the virtual world, feeding their bodies to the swords edge, could she slightly appease this hunger.

Sonya didnt think too much of it. She figured it was a side effect of the medicine the Observer made her drink. After all, this craving did have some enhancement effect during hunts, improving her damage output. So the Observer was clearly the prime suspect.

Surely she herself couldnt be a bloodthirsty maniac craving battle!

Although Sonya no longer resisted training, she couldnt complete it by willpower alone. Probably after half an hour, she couldnt maintain focus. The rest relied on the Observers mysterious power to make her train automatically.

Thus, when she suddenly stopped after an hour, Sonya immediately realized what had happened the Observers power forcing her to train had vanished.

What was going on?

Could the Observer suddenly have grown a conscience?

No, unlikely. Then did the Observer die?

Although speculating wildly, Sonya wasnt too worried.

The recent Fate Q&A, several questions showed the virtual world held the Observer in high regard, so at least he couldnt have suddenly dropped dead in prison.

Speaking of whichwhat should I do next?

Sonya blankly looked at the wooden sword in her hand, trying to recall her previous nightly activities.

Though it was just half a month ago of peaceful life, it felt to her like the distant past.

Nothing else planned anyway, why not keep training swordsmanship? Practicing is quite fun

Sonya was frightened by the thought that popped into her head Heavens! Given the chance to rest, yet she still wanted to practice swordsmanship?

No, cant train, cant do what the Observer wants! If he knows Im so obedient, hell only increase the training intensity. Even just to oppose the Observer, I cant train!

Its too scary, I almost really became the swordswoman the Observer spoke of.

I want to be a songstress, a shadow mistress, but I absolutely dont want to be some swordswoman!

First, get out of the training hall. Even just going back to lie in bed watching Dahlias latest shadow play is better

Just then, cries of surprise sounded from the training hall entrance. Sonya looked over and saw a flash of brilliant orange hair it was the Orange Dancer Leone!

Sonya, trainings over? Got time to grab a drink with me?

Although theyd fought before, Sonya had both saved face and gained benefits, and Leone had apologized afterwards.

Shed heard Professor Trotzam had taken on two new disciples, plus she was close with Lorein, and caught wind Lorein wanted to make trouble for Felix, so she took the chance to test the caliber of the new first-years.

Ultimately it was just a petty dispute between students. The other side had actively apologized and given gifts, so Sonya wouldnt insist on feuding with a promising, future sword saint over this. Plus Leone was a very straightforward, traditional female swordsmaster simply put, easy to take advantage of.

Such high-quality, renewable social connections, Sonya naturally wouldnt pass up. A few exchanges rapidly warmed up their relationship. Still, seeing Leone take the initiative to find her, she was quite surprised: Senior Sister, you came looking for me specially?

Yup, just got back not long ago, still excited and wanting to grab a drink. Happened to pass the training hall, so dropped by to see if you were here. Leone grinned, then turned to Ingritt beside her: Ingritt, want to join? My treat!

As Sonyas roommate who trained with her unfailingly every night, Leone had also seen Ingritt a couple times and thought quite highly of this diligent female apprentice.

Ingritt shook her head: I dont drink, and tonights training isnt over yet.

Thought so.

Leone looked towards Felix watching them and smiled: Girls night out, no boys allowed, Felix.

I dont like drinking either. Felix said lightly: Rather, a swordmaster actually liking alcohol is whats hard to understand.

Thats because youre still students. Once you step into the Abyss, experience battles, youll understand even the sharpest blade needs alcohol to maintain it well. Lets go, Sonya!

Seeing Leone and Sonya leave, the sword apprentices universally breathed sighs of relief great, turned out she was just going drinking with the Orange Dancer. Our Queen Therave remains a pure, untainted maiden.

Your dorm?

Id love to, but my roommate probably wouldnt like it. Leone shrugged. Lets go to the Secret Garden.

The Secret Garden was Swordflower Colleges only bar. Sonya had gone before, but the drinks were expensive. As someone who had to count every penny, after going once shed generously told others for future invites, Im very poor, so I wont go. Even if treated, she wouldnt attend. After a few times, they changed the gathering spot to a more affordable tea house.

The poor female student label, when useful, had to be utilized.

But now things were different, she had money. Even if treated by Senior Sister this time, Sonya could find a chance to return the favor. She had no hesitation accepting the invitation.

The biggest difference between wealth and poverty was that wealth allowed openly accepting others goodwill.

The Secret Garden had a faint lavender fragrance. There wasnt a single lamp inside, the ceiling completely open to bring in starlight through mirrored designs, illuminating every corner brightly yet mystically dim.

Soothing, melodious music drifted gently through the bar. A three-person band played on stage, likely music students working part-time for pocket change during their free time. Students and couples sat in circles chatting and sipping, the atmosphere quite nice, putting Sonya at ease as well.

One screwdriver, one summer day. Leone ordered very smoothly, bringing Sonya to a small booth and dropping the curtains to block outside sights.

Senior Sister comes often?

Every time I return from the Abyss, to numb myself with alcohol, how could I bear that kind of stress?

Oh~ I thought Senior Sister was the extremely, extremely tough type.

Even the toughest need to find suitable ways to decompress. Drinking like me is already quite normal. I have a teammate who likes streaking in the streets after every mission, you must have heard that urban legend right?

Ah, so that city rumor was true, how scary~

Let me tell you, dont spread this, but actually

Listening to Leone recount all kinds of amusing Abyss adventures, Sonya also couldnt help getting excited.

She also shared her recent virtual world experiences, and even omitting the Observers hacks, just the cognitive beings she had hunted and sorcerer legacies she had witnessed kept Leone engrossed. Leone would occasionally chime in with her own experiences battling cognitive beings, the combat insights of a fellow swordmaster very valuable. Sonya learned a lot.

[Sonya gained some swordmanship experience]

Chatting gossip, chatting the Abyss, chatting the virtual world, their cups emptied unknowingly. Sonyas face was flushed as she tipsily asked, Senior Sister, did you participate in some special activity a couple days ago?

The words were barely out when she regained her senses and hurriedly apologized, Sorry, that was tactless of me.

Casually discussing the virtual world was fine, but events requiring confidentiality contracts, how could she ask about it casually? To put it severely, Sonya was testing the Orange Dancer, tempting Leone into making a mistake.

Leone smiled and shook her head to indicate it was nothing, but she thought for a bit and said, Although I cant give detailsthat event was actually a game organized by the Church.

A game?

Mmhm, have you played the roleplaying games on the bracelet before? Similar to those.

The Miracle bracelet had many functions. Ordinary people could not only connect to the Curtain to communicate with those thousands of miles away, sorcerers could also leverage the bracelets computing power to create all kinds of Curtain games, allowing ordinary people to enjoy entertainment provided by sorcerers too.

As a result, Illusion sorcerers able to develop bracelet functions also rose with the tide. Sonya had also considered choosing Illusion, but being unfamiliar with Curtain games, she ultimately picked Water in the end.

Sonya rarely dabbled in Curtain games, and it wasnt that she disliked them she just didnt have the money.

A poor country bumpkin like her only deserved to grind away at textbooks, not enjoy high-end entertainment. Her spiritual life was fully satisfied by watching shows.

Hearing Sonya shyly admit she hadnt played any, Leone was a bit surprised. She explained with a smile, I was placed in a completely virtual illusion, full of monsters for us to kill. The more monsters killed, the higher the score, and the richer the rewards from the Churchthe entire game lasted a full two days two nights, it was exhausting.

Sounds quite interesting. Sonyas interest was piqued. Were the enemies strong?

No, not strong, some very weak, even unable to flee. Only occasionally were there sorcerer-level monsters chasing methey would even cry and beg for mercy

Leones voice grew softer, her expression more and more blank. Sonya casually responded, Sounds pretty relaxing, slaughtering some weak enemiesSenior Sister? Whats wrong?

Leone snapped out of it: Nothing, maybe just a little tipsy.

You were talking about the game monsters just now right?

Of course, what else would I be talking about? Waiter, another Claire cocktail here!

Parting with Senior Sister, Sonya ambled lazily towards the Meditation Tower.

Ah, it had been so long since shed had such an enjoyable night.

First was pleasant sword training, then drinking and chatting with a friend. Next, as long as she could test out the new miracles shed researched in the virtual world, nicely slaughter a few cognitive beings, tear them into shreds with her blade, make their blood bloom like flowers, it would be a perfect day

Huh?

Sonya lifted her head. Without realizing it, the white spire had vanished, the swirling virtual chaotic flow suspended in midair also gone. The radiance of the stars poured down on the college campus like rain.

The white spires disappearance meant campus lockdown was lifted. Classes resumed tomorrow

Sonya sat in the meditation room, tipsily summoning her spirit, finding the Door of Truth, sinking into the virtual world through her consciousness connection.

Opening her eyes to look at the Observer, Sonya foolishly smiled, Let me tell you, tonight I

This is my last night accompanying you to explore the virtual world.

Sonya instantly sobered up.

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