Sorcerer’s Handbook

Sonya let them fuss over her as she spoke softly, “Lois, you’ve really gone out of your way this time. I don’t even know how to thank you.”

“Hmm?” Lois, while meticulously drawing on Sonya’s eyebrows, replied, “Aren’t you aware that my family deals in Battle Garments, and that’s why you asked for my help?”

“Ah? I had no idea.”

“Well, you really did something, asking a roommate to find a Battle Garment—wait, did you actually just want me to help you rent one?”

Sonya didn’t respond, just looked at Lois with her innocent yet somewhat dry eyes.

Lois sighed, “It seems I was just being presumptuous and busy for nothing…”

“No, you’ve given me a 120% surprise,” Sonya said with a smile. “I truly appreciate your gesture.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Lois retorted as she held Sonya’s face to apply eye drops, “I was just using your reputation to promote our family’s Battle Garments—if you manage to win impressively tonight, maybe Swordflower College will choose us as their supplier. So if you really want to thank me, you know what to do, right?”

“I understand.” Sonya, uncomfortable with the eye drops, abruptly closed her eyes, letting the liquid slowly seep in, “Then just watch me closely—though you might be disappointed because everyone will be looking at me, not your family’s Battle Garments.”

The Battle Garments they mentioned are actually a special kind of attire in the Stars. Sorcerer battles can easily damage clothes, so during high-profile battles, it’s essential to wear garments that are resistant to tearing—at least they shouldn’t burst open easily, as it would be quite embarrassing for the Sorcerer, especially since many are of Noble origin. Losing face for them is akin to social suicide.

In the past, there were numerous incidents with nicknames like ‘Count Exposed’ and ‘Marquess Derrière’ who took their own lives due to the spread of scandalous rumors.

Therefore, Battle Garments with better defensive capabilities emerged. Initially, these garments were merely the armor of Noble Sorcerers, but as alchemy and materials science advanced, the cumbersome steel armor gradually faded from history. It was replaced by tough fabrics with various resistances.

Although this fabric still couldn’t withstand a Sorcerer’s attacks, it at least wouldn’t tear apart. If it got damaged, it would break exactly where it was hit, without causing the clothes to unravel.

However, as times evolved, Battle Garments became increasingly ornate and extravagant, even turning into a fashion statement for Nobles. Particularly in the Intercollegiate League, it was essentially a grand display of fashionable Battle Garments among students, with the addition of a ‘battle capability’ index—only the victor’s garment earned the right to be admired, while the aesthetics of the losers’ garments were defeated along with them.

Obviously, anything related to Sorcerers doesn’t come cheap, not to mention that Battle Garments are positioned as high-end luxury items. At least Sonya, a rustic girl, couldn’t afford them—or rather, buying a Battle Garment that she wouldn’t wear regularly would be too extravagant.

However, Swordflower College has a facility called Flower Room that specializes in renting out Battle Garments. Any student qualified to participate in a battle can rent an appropriate Battle Garment at a low price there, and if it gets damaged, Flower Room will repair it free of charge.

In fact, Sonya had lied.

She knew that Lois’s family was in the Battle Garment business, given their deep interactions before, Sonya definitely needed to know her enemies well—had Lois been someone Sonya couldn’t afford to provoke, she would have backed down long ago.

But she really didn’t expect that Lois would urgently summon a family Battle Garment for her to use. Her intention was only that Lois, having a good eye, could help her pick out a suitable Battle Garment. After all, Sonya needed to finish her Swordsmanship Training in the afternoon for the evening—she had tested before that finishing the training projects early meant not being forced to train at night—she didn’t have much time to prepare her own outfit for the evening, so she had to rely on Lois.

“All set.”

After a full half-hour, Lois finally finished Sonya’s makeup and set it with a ‘Fixed Day’ spirit. The Senior Sisters also helped Sonya put on the Battle Garment, fastening every button and attaching each accessory.

Everyone stepped back in unison, and Lois pulled Sonya up, turning her body to face the only full-length mirror in the dormitory: “Tell me, which is more beautiful—you or my Battle Garment?”

Seeing her reflection in the mirror, Sonya instinctively held her breath.

She had thought she had already tapped into all her beauty potential and couldn’t possibly look any prettier, but Lois showed her that she had underestimated herself—she had never worn such expensive clothes before, clothes that truly suited her, so there was still much room for improvement!

There are many things in this world that don’t make sense, but the expensive always have their reasons.

The base of the Battle Garment was still the blue and white uniform of Swordflower College, but it had been tailored to better accentuate Sonya’s slender waist; the shoulders were adorned with double-breasted buttons connected by cords, draping a white-edged red velvet coat over her body, bringing a richly layered visual impact; gloves, short boots, and the hem of the skirt all featured silver accessories, making the outfit not only highlight Sonya’s youthful vivacity but also her dignified and elegant demeanor.

Sonya could only describe herself in one way—she felt her beauty now rivaled that of Delarose.

Lois let down Sonya’s rustic red hair and combed it, then picked up the perfume “Tears of the Meteor” and, under the pained gaze of everyone, sprayed it on the outer side of Sonya’s arms, her neck, and waist.

“All done,” Lois said, looking at Sonya in the mirror as if she were admiring a freshly created piece of art, shaking her head wistfully: “It’s such a waste, just for a Mixer Party… It would be more fitting for a championship final.”

“There will be a chance,” Sonya said. “Tonight is my first time competing against Sorcerer Students from other colleges, and it’s the first step towards making my name known across the stars.”

“Making your name known across the stars, you really can talk,” Lois said, not hiding her irritation. “You should first make your name known across Gales.”

“I think it’s close,” Engulite said. “As long as Sonya wins impressively tonight, she will immediately become the top seed in the league.”

“I see,” Adelle understood. “No wonder Sonya asked Lois to find a Battle Garment, she wanted to use the outfit to boost her presence and make a lasting impression on the Audience…”

“No.”

Sonya gently shook her head, looking at herself in the mirror and adjusting the details of her attire. “I just like wearing beautiful clothes.”

“I actually like swordsmanship too, and I like many other things. I like singing, acting, and winning. Moreover, I like…”

She paused, “to let the townspeople of Gales watch as I, a country girl, live a life more splendid than legends, more dazzling than the stars, and happier than anyone else!”

The Red-haired Swordswoman then turned around, playfully placing a finger on her lips and winking at the stunned crowd. “Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

Indeed, Sonya Therave is such an irredeemable, vulgar, and vain girl.

She needs to feed on the admiration of aspirants, digest the envy of the incapable, and relish the attention of the masses to truly feel happy.

She desires lots of money, to live in the best houses, eat the finest food, wear the most expensive clothes, and even hold the most prestigious noble title. Only when she is better than everyone else can she feel that life has meaning.

Therefore, Sonya cannot afford to miss the opportunity of the Chief Battle at the Mixer Party. On the contrary, she must use this chance to take the most important step towards her vulgar and vain dreams.

Moreover, she knows that most Sorcerer activities take place at night, such as the Intercollegiate League, which is also held under the watch of the stars. As long as she continues down this path, her absence from the Exploration in Virtual Realm is inevitable.

Are the Observers in the virtual realm more important, or are the opportunities in the real world?

This isn’t a multiple-choice question, or at least Sonya will try to make it one. She indeed hates it when unknown changes happen in her team without her knowledge, but she despises her current weak and suspicious self even more!

The right choice, from beginning to end, has only ever been one.

That is to trust the Observers, and…

Trust herself.

To believe that even without the Observers, she can still bloom proudly!

Sonya Therave lives only for herself!

Neither her mother nor the Observers can dictate her life or influence her decisions!

Why did she work so hard to study and leave that small town? Why did she strive to earn scholarships? Why did she learn makeup and even spend money on minor cosmetic adjustments?

She is here to enjoy the best things in life, and no one can stop her!

“Although there’s still time, you should head over early to gather,” Lois said. “We aren’t qualified to participate in the social event, but there should be a live Curtain broadcast. You’re wearing my dress, so remember to win beautifully.”

“Mm.” Sonya waved to everyone. “See you all tomorrow then. I’m off to make Orbit College my first stepping stone in the battle.”

“Good luck!”

“I’ve already drafted your victory announcement. I’ll post it on the School Forum the moment you win!”

With everyone’s blessings, the Red-haired Swordswoman briskly walked out the door and then suddenly came back to Lois: “Oh, almost forgot to answer your question.”

“What?” Lois instinctively stepped back as Sonya’s face came close.

“Your pupils are focused on my face,” Sonya said proudly, tilting her chin up. “See, even you admit that I look better than the dress.”

“Of course, I’d look at your face if you suddenly lean in!”

“Mm, mm, you’re right,” Sonya nodded agreeably. “Hehe, that’s what I like about you, Lois. You’re quite adorable.”

“What did you say!” Lois bristled, feeling like the Sonya from a month ago had returned.

Amidst the laughter, Sonya took the Sword bag handed to her by Engulite, glancing unconsciously at the spot where the Observer first appeared.

“Hey, I’m taking the night off.”

“Good luck.”

Sonya paused, rubbing her eyes, but Lois quickly slapped her hand away. “Don’t smudge my makeup!”

“I used a Fixed Day spirit; it’s fine.”

After taking another careful look and confirming there was no one in the corner, Sonya huffed and strode out of the dormitory.

However, after only a few steps, she suddenly dashed back, causing everyone to look at the Red-haired Swordswoman in confusion. “What’s wrong? Did you forget something?”

“No…” Sonya’s gaze swept across every corner of the dormitory, a hint of confusion on her face. This time, she really left.

Listening to the fading footsteps of Sonya, the Observer lying on the bed yawned, “This is an unexpected incident. Do you think we need to intervene?”

“But it’s a logical progression,” the Swordswoman sitting up on another bed responded. “Let them handle it themselves. We’ll just take care of her leave arrangements. Besides, we can’t really intervene. Sonya has made up her mind, and unless Ashe shows up in the Stars Kingdom right now, nobody can sway her rational decision.”

“Not to mention, I’m actually pleased Sonya made this choice, as it shows that our attitudes towards love are still aligned.”

“What attitude?”

“Not to engage in romance.”

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