Chapter 23 - Observer? Sword Maiden? (1/2)
Translator: Atlas StudiosEditor: Atlas Studios
“I’m so tired, Ingrit. Do you want to shower first, or should I shower first?”
The sound arrived before the person. Louis, who was reading in the dormitory, immediately had a dark look.
The door of the dormitory was pushed open, and two girls with sword bags on their backs came in. There were traces of sweat on their faces, and they giggled as they barged in, like a spring breeze that filled the dormitory with vitality and emitted the fresh scent of soil sprouting.
“I’ll take a shower first,” Ingrit said as she sat down. “I have to wash my clothes later, and your legs are getting weak. Sit down and recover your strength.”
“That’s true.” Sonia stretched her back and lay down on the table like a slime. “Alas, I’m starting to regret switching to the School of Swordmastery. It’s so tiring. Aside from classes, Professor Trozan insisted that I take another two hours of advanced class, and I even had to spar with Trozan… At night, I have to continue swordplay training and master the Wave Sword Spirit. It feels like my entire day is packed.”
“Isn’t that great?” Ingrit was rather envious. “Professor Trozan is a three-winged Swordmaster. Last year, he was selected as one of the ‘Ten Distinguished Sword Sages of Astra’. He is known as the ‘Hidden Hand Sword Sage’. It is said that he might become a Four-winged Legend… Then, Sonia, you will be the apprentice of a Legendary Sorcerer!”
Louis unconsciously crumpled her book.
Sonia waved her hand. “Professor Trozan hasn’t said anything about taking me in as an apprentice yet. He just thinks I’m very talented…”
Ingrit sighed. “I actually wanted to become Professor Trozan’s apprentice from the beginning, but the professor never publicly accepted any apprentices. Sonia, you’re one of the only two exceptions he’s made in so many years!”
“Then I’ll recommend you to Professor Trozan tomorrow. I can’t guarantee it, but I should be able to get the professor to give you an interview—”
“There’s no need. The professor is obviously aiming to nurture geniuses. I’m just an ordinary person. Not only will he not accept me, he will dislike me.” Ingrit searched for clothes as she said, “Also, I’m about to strike into the second ring. In a few months, I’ll be able to summon a spell spirit, and the resources of the School of Swordmastery will be opened to me… Maybe I’ll catch up to you in the future!”
“I’m not going to wait for you.” Sonia giggled and said, “It’s a good thing that you were there. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to reject Felix’s invitation.”
Ingrit asked curiously, “I heard he wants to spar with you again. Don’t you want to compete with him again?”
“No!” Sonia said firmly. “He doesn’t want to spar at all. He just wants to get closer to me.”
“Is it bad to get close to Felix?”
“Aside from the fact that he is a playboy, it’s obvious that my future achievements in swordplay will definitely be greater than his. I don’t fancy a man who can’t even beat me in his strongest aspect.
“Sword Flower University is still too small. I will definitely go to Truth University for advanced studies in the future. As for romance, I’ll think about it after I’m accomplished in swordplay.”
Louis’ nails almost punctured the pages of the book.
Adele, who had been watching a hologram program the whole time, asked in a tone that was half pretentious and half confused, “Sonia, are you transferring to Truth University?”
“No, but Professor Trozan can help me sign up for the swordplay competition in Truth University. He can also let me use the equipment from Truth University. In the future, I might have to travel between both Truth and Sword Flower.” Sonia sighed. “The more I think about it, the more tired I get.”
Adele exclaimed, “Then, Sonia, won’t you get to know the top students from Truth University in the future? If you meet any handsome guys, remember to introduce them!”
“No—problem—,” Sonia dragged out her voice and said, “how could I forget my dorm mates when good things come to me? We are good dormmates who have experienced a happy year together. Isn’t that right, Louis?”
Louis was so angry that her mouth was twisted. It took her a great deal of effort to force a smile. “Of course, I’m just afraid that Sword Sage Sonia won’t recognize us as her dormmates.”
“How can that be? I’m just a village girl from the countryside. I’ll have to ask Miss Louis to take care of me in the future.” Sonia said sarcastically, “Ah, is Miss Louis reading a water sorcery textbook? I’m so envious. I really want to continue learning water sorcery. It’s so relaxing and decent, unlike the School of Swordmastery. That’s too tiring…”
At this moment, Ingrit also realized that although Sonia was chatting with her, her words were directed at Louis.
She couldn’t be bothered with their feud and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower.
Sonia was ready for Louis to fly into a rage, but Louis did not say a word, as if she were rolling over and waiting to be mocked.
Sarcasm required interaction between the participants. Now that both sides were on guard and not acting, Sonia did not feel like it was fun anymore. She picked up her bag and shouted, “Forget it, I’ll shower tomorrow morning. I have to go to the meditation room to prepare for my first trip to the Illusory Realm. Everyone, I wish you a pleasant night.”
Ingrit was in the shower. Louis said nothing. Adele was the only one who replied, “Bye, Sonia.”
…
…
As the footsteps faded away, there was only the sound of water from the bathroom left in the dormitory.
Adele looked at Louis who was silent, thought for a moment, and walked over to initiate conversation. “Hmph, that village girl Sonia is really a case of someone vile getting her way. She just has some talent in swordsmanship. What’s so great about that? You don’t have to take it to heart, Louie. If she’s so arrogant, sooner or later she’ll run into serious trouble… Hmm?”
Adele went over and saw that Louis was really reading. She even took out her workbook to work on some problems.
“I lost this time,” Louis said. “Sonia, that village girl, has already climbed to heights that I need to look up to. If this continues, when we meet again a few years after graduation, I will have to bow down to her.”
As if she had already thought of how subservient she’ll look in the future, the corners of Louis’ mouth twitched slightly. “I can’t accept it… I don’t believe that I can’t even compare to that village girl!”
Adele didn’t bother her. She returned to her seat to continue watching the program.
Although the program was still interesting, Adele couldn’t calm down.
She turned around and glanced at Louis again. She realized that Louis was still focused on her studies. After thinking for a while, she switched off the hologram and took out her book to study as well.
When Ingrit came out of the shower, she was a little surprised to see both of them studying hard.
But she didn’t say anything and quietly went to the balcony sink to wash her clothes.