Sorcerer’s Handbook

Swordflower College, Starfall Auditorium.

“…In order to vigorously promote the spirit of active adventuring and to create a healthy and competitive environment, fostering friendly exchanges between Swordflower and Truth College, the stage will now be given to the outstanding students of both schools. They will compete in a Friendly Match under the watchful gaze of the stars.”

As Sonya’s voice rang out, the auditorium’s dome thunderously ascended. The lining of the dome was unexpectedly made up of mirrors that, through clever reflection, cast the starlight onto everyone in the hall like spotlights. Everyone seemed to be draped in a thin veil of starlight, the light even more dazzling than the indoor lighting that had come before.

In the Stars Kingdom, all important events must take place under the starry sky. If the daytime when the Radiant Star hangs high is ‘work time,’ then the starry night is ‘Entertainment time’—of course, ordinary people can’t enjoy such a busy schedule, and only Sorcerers, who can rejuvenate through Exploration in Virtual Realm, can afford such leisure.

Moreover, starlight is not only about aesthetics; it represents the favor of the Stars Sovereign. Thus, Sorcerers who enter the Virtual Realm, Battle, study, or engage in Training at night receive additional benefits. Even if slight, it’s always better than none.

“In the gaps where the starlight cascades, let’s invite Professor Olleron from Truth College and Professor Nidhogg from Swordflower College to share their thoughts on the Friendly Match,” Arsenault spoke.

A Mixer Party, of course, wouldn’t feature the presence of chancellor-level figures—after all, the time of a legendary Sorcerer is extremely valuable, and they would rather spend it all in the Virtual Realm. Therefore, the representative sent by Truth College was ‘Weapon Master’ Professor Olleron, while Swordflower College sent ‘Rhythm Sword Saint’ Nidhogg.

Nidhogg glanced at the students from Truth College and said indifferently, “Leoni, make it quick when it’s your turn. I’m eager to head to the Virtual Realm and have no interest in lingering at this dull party.”

The burly Olleron, with not a hair on his head and his body tattooed with various line patterns, snorted coldly. Before her experience fighting a Thunder Holder in the Virtual Realm, Sonya might not have noticed anything particular, but now she realized that Olleron’s tattoos were likely amplification products of the Thunder Magic Faction.

Despite his rugged appearance, Olleron spoke quite politely: “I hope tonight’s Friendly Match will be fruitful for the excellent students from both schools. I am looking forward to the performance of Swordflower College’s students, but I also have faith in the abilities of our own. I plan to take on a Research Apprentice this year, and if you don’t perform well, that spot might just be snatched up by a student from Swordflower College.”

The students from Truth College remained composed, nodding slightly towards Olleron, clearly not considering Swordflower College a serious threat.

“Ha ha, both professors are quite spirited indeed, with Professor Olleron even offering the reward of a Research Apprentice. Keep in mind, the ‘Weapon Master’ hasn’t taken on a new apprentice in five years, and none of his apprentices have failed to achieve the rank of Two Wings before graduation. Surely, tonight’s Friendly Match will be nothing short of spectacular.”

Arsenault smoothly brought the conversation back around, rounding it off in such a way that no one could find fault. He glanced at the dome, which was few seconds away from unfolding, and turned to his co-host, saying quite naturally, “What do you think, Therave?”

Sonya, who had maintained a professional smile until that moment, could no longer keep up the facade and stared at Arsenault with eyes filled with panic.

Wasn’t it agreed that we would minimize our interaction and let me improvise when needed, allowing you to shine on your own?

Arsenault couldn’t be completely blamed, as he thought Sonya was just being polite. Moreover, hogging the limelight alone would look bad, and the whole point of having two hosts was to create a lively atmosphere with back-and-forth dialogue. He couldn’t just leave Sonya standing there looking foolish.

And he had already taken over the topic and said the nice things, so was it really too much to ask for Sonya to say a couple of pleasant words to fill the time?

Arsenault quickly realized his mistake was significant, extremely significant. If he could describe his regret using the recent hit drama “Love Across Time and Space,” it would be ‘I wish I could go back five seconds and shut my mouth.’

“I think Professor Nidhogg is a person with high emotional intelligence (EQ).”

“Oh, why do you say that?”

“Because if Professor Nidhogg can say such low-EQ things here, provoking the disgust of the students and faculty of Truth College while also irritating those of us organizing the party, it indicates that we are not worth his high-EQ treatment. Therefore, the people who do warrant his high-EQ attention must be of very high status, so he has high EQ.”

Sonya spoke fluidly, “Perhaps we’ll only witness Professor Nidhogg’s high-EQ moment at a party attended by the chancellor. So, it seems that Professor Nidhogg’s language arts are quite good, just a bit rotten; and it’s hard to evaluate Professor Nidhogg’s manners because he simply has none.”

Silence.

Apart from the sound of the dome unfolding, the party was almost completely quiet. It’s important to note that although this event wasn’t public, the turnout was significant, with a third of the professors and top students from all grades in attendance.

They looked at Sonya on stage, dumbfounded, but unfortunately, since Professor Nidhogg was sitting in the far corner, no one dared to turn their head to observe his expression specifically.

Lois and others, who were sneaking peeks from backstage, were also stunned. They had anticipated Sonya’s performance tonight, but they never expected her to do something like this.

Even Arsenault was taken aback for a moment, his mind turning into mush, unable to come up with a clever quip to follow Sonya’s words.

“Ha-ha!”

Professor Olleron’s thunderous laughter broke the silence as he applauded, “Well said, Swordflower College truly is full of talents!”

“Truth College is not to be outdone,” Sonya continued, “With you, Professor Olleron, uttering such polite platitudes, Truth College really struck gold. I must admire the excellent matching system of Gales; you and Professor Nidhogg are truly neck and neck.”

“How am I spouting platitudes?”

“You just said that if a student from Swordflower College beats a student from Truth College, you would take on a Research Apprentice from Swordflower College. Isn’t that just a platitude? Your last three apprentices were all top students from Truth College. You’re clearly just writing checks you can’t cash, and you’ll continue to do as you always have, never actually taking on an apprentice from another school.”

“My words are certainly true!”

“Then put it in writing! Use a Sealing Membrane Contract! Make it official!”

Some students who enjoyed a good show and weren’t afraid of stirring things up also shouted, “Yes, put it in writing!”

Students from Truth College immediately retorted, “Why should we just put it in writing because you say so?”

Watching the evening’s festivities gradually turn into a marketplace, Arsenault suddenly realized that this might be the biggest challenge he had faced in his career as a host, without a doubt.

He decisively shouted, “Now, please welcome Lorein Zed from the Swordsmanship Department of Swordflower College, and Rigor Carroll from Truth College to the stage for the first individual Friendly Match!”

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