Chapter 30: Sylvia

"Good morning, Junior Sonya."

Sonya turned to see Sylvia stepping out of the meditation room. She frowned slightly.

She didn't want to get involved with Felix, but avoiding him was easier said than done. After all, as a fellow swordsmanship prodigy, he had also caught the attention of the Hidden Hand Sword Saint, Professor Trosan, and become his student. Naturally, through her frequent encounters with Felix, Sonya had come to know Sylvia. In just a few brief interactions, she realized Sylvia was much like herself—a relentless female hunter who would stop at nothing to climb higher.

Sylvia's hostility, then, was understandable. Felix was her target, and Sonya's sudden appearance was like discovering a fully armed trap beside a rare prize she had thought was hers alone. Any caution on Sylvia's part made perfect sense. Sylvia believed that Sonya's disdain for Felix was only half-genuine. If the young master of the Vlorzada Family were willing to devote himself to pursuing her, she might still give him a chance. She also thought Sonya was merely waiting on the sidelines, watching how things unfolded before committing herself.

Sylvia studied Sonya briefly, pinched her nose, and took a half-step back. "First time entering the Virtual World? You seem excited."

A half-step back? Really?

Sonya hadn't showered after last night's training, but she had wiped herself down and changed clothes, so there shouldn't have been any noticeable odor. However, her hair was unwashed, and she hadn't put on any makeup. Compared to Sylvia's flawless "natural look," Sonya looked scruffy, like a stray puppy on the street. She guessed it had taken Sylvia at least an hour to achieve that appearance.

"Good morning, Senior Sylvia," Sonya said with a slight nod. "Did you come to the Meditation Tower to use the washroom?"

Sonya wasn't the type to take a hit without returning one. Her remark that Sylvia was here to use the washroom rather than meditate was a perfectly sharp jibe, delivered without a single curse word.

"I'm, of course, here to meditate and enter the Virtual World," Sylvia said, forcing a smile. She held out her hand. "This is the inheritance spirit I found last night. What do you think?"

A spirit with the appearance of a small boy holding a sword sheath appeared in her palm. Sonya raised an eyebrow as she recalled its details.

[Sheath]

One-Winged Spirit

Requirement

- Sorcerer must wield a sword.

Basic Effect

- To be paired with other Sword Class spirits. The effect of the paired spirit's first activation within every 10-second interval is increased by 150%.

For a swordsman, the Sheath spirit was invaluable. It could even open the path to another swordsmanship branch known as the Assassin Swordsman. With Miracles like Sheath Radiance, Charged Strike, and Spatial-Rend Sword Energy, an Assassin Swordsman could unleash a single attack capable of piercing the defenses of any opponent at the same level. Its power was unmatched among all sorcerers, and anyone struck by it was certain to fall.

For a moment, Sonya even considered trading her Torrent spirit for the Sheath. While Torrent was more expensive on the trading platform, the value was largely theoretical, with actual buyers being few and far between. A suitable Sword Class spirit was far harder to find, and even if one appeared, there was no guarantee she could claim it.

However, with just a glance at Sylvia's teasing expression, Sonya had already figured out her true intention. She was flaunting deliberately.

"So, do you think Felix will like it?"

Sonya felt a pang of guilt, recalling how she had teased Louisa the night before.

This is how irritating I must have been...

She silently thanked her roommates for sparing her life.

"Your boyfriend is so lucky to have you," Sonya said with a forced, awkward smile. "For a swordsman, this is a very precious spirit."

Sylvia covered her mouth with a smile. "Is that so? If you say so, my fellow junior, I'll take your word for it."

Despite the show Sylvia was putting on, she remained alert. After the swordsmanship competition two nights ago, Sylvia had expected Felix to abandon her for Sonya. To her surprise, he hadn't. He still treated her well and had only shown interest in competing with Sonya once more.

Sylvia didn't believe Felix would cheat in a relationship. If he wanted to, he would have ended it outright. He wouldn't have treated her half-heartedly. She trusted that his lack of romantic interest in Sonya was genuine and that his focus remained on the competition.

Even so, Sylvia still viewed Sonya as a rival. Sparks often arose from friction, and while Felix might seem indifferent now, what about the next second? Tomorrow? Or next week? As long as Felix was breathing, the possibility of his heart changing would always remain.

Hence, Sylvia had no choice but to keep a close watch on Felix, ensuring he had no opportunity for private contact with Sonya, like now. On top of that, she felt the need to assert her position and make Sonya aware of her presence.

Always better to be prepared for what might come before it happens.

"You'll have to work hard too, my fellow junior," Sylvia said with that familiar condescending-but-motivating tone of the wealthy toward the less fortunate. "I've heard your family isn't very well-off. Compared to us locals of Cailleach, you've done remarkably well to get into Sword and Roses University through the nationwide exam. In the future, you could stay here in Cailleach, and perhaps even bring your family to live in the city."

Ah, here we go again with the patronizing encouragement.

Sonya offered a polite smile. "Thank you for your concern, senior."

Sylvia added, "

Sigh

, you could have reached even greater heights. It's a shame that your family has held you back."

Her words were half sincere and half pretense. She truly felt some pity. If Sonya had been born into even a middle-class family in Cailleach, she could have gone much further with her potential. Unfortunately, she was a country girl from a poor agricultural border town.

Sonya's gaze shifted subtly, and after a pause, she replied with a faint, resigned smile. "You're right, senior. Often, where you start determines where you end. Birth is our first lottery ticket, and I have only managed to draw the consolation prize.

"Coming from a poor place like mine, I can't really change my lowly background. Look at me. I've been talking to you so long that I even forgot I hadn't washed my face. It's been rude of me to chat with you like this."

Hearing her remark, Sylvia felt a pang of guilt welling up in her, "You don't have to say that—"

However, just as she was about to offer a few words of comfort, she saw Sonya summon a spirit. Water gathered in Sonya's hands, and she quickly splashed it across her own face.

Sonya said with a bright grin, "Just washed my face. I feel much fresher now."

Sylvia's eyes widened at the spirit. "This is..."

"

Ah?

" Sonya pretended to panic and stammered. "Th-this is a spirit I got from the Virtual World last night! It's the Torrent spirit from Serendipity Island! See, my luck's pretty good, right?"

Sylvia responded with a simple, "

Oh.

"

Deep down, however, she was practically screaming.

I don't believe it! How could she possibly find Serendipity Island on her very first day in the Virtual World? And on top of that, she got one of the most valuable Water Class spirits, the Torrent spirit!? Is she trying to trick me?

Could she have bought it? No... a village girl like Sonya could never afford a spirit that rare. And Torrent almost never shows up for sale anyway. I've searched for so long, and even now I still can't find one! If she didn't buy it, then someone must have given it to her. But... at Sword and Roses University, the people capable of summoning a Torrent spirit can be counted on two hands...

Sylvia forced herself to stay composed and smiled. "That's quite an important Water Class spirit. Sonya, are you planning to transfer back to the Water Sorcery Department?

"Yes. I may have talents for swordsmanship, but I'm also interested in water sorcery," Sonya said.

Just then, she noticed Felix coming out of the meditation room. She waved quickly at Sylvia. "Senior, I have something to do. I'll go ahead. See you later!"

Puzzled by Sonya's sudden departure, Sylvia turned just in time to see Felix step out.

"Were you waiting for me, senior? The Virtual World really is fascinating... I'd like to go to the library to study more about it. Do you want to come along?" Felix asked with a smile.

Sylvia glanced toward the direction Sonya had gone, then back at Felix. She felt as though she had just understood something, and a surge of jealousy welled up within her. In the end, she condensed all the thoughts swirling in her mind into a single sweet reply. "Sure."

She smiled and extended her hand. "I got myself the Sheath spirit from the Virtual World last night, but I don't even practice swordsmanship... How do you think I should handle this spirit?"