"Good morning, Sonia."
Sonia turned her head and saw Celia coming out of the Meditation Building. She couldn't help but raise her eyebrows slightly.
Although she didn't want to get involved with Felix, it was hard to avoid him since Felix was also a student of Professor Trozan.
Only swordsmanship geniuses could catch the eye of the "Hidden Hand Sword Saint."
The more she interacted with Felix, Sonia naturally got to know Celia. In just a few encounters, Sonia realized Celia was the same type of person as her, the kind of woman willing to do anything to climb up the ladder.
So naturally, Celia harbored hostility towards Sonia. After all, Felix was her target, and Sonia's appearance was like struggling to capture a rare animal only to find a fully armed pet trainer next to the trap. Anyone would be on guard.
Even though Sonia said she looked down on Felix, if Felix, the young master of the Vosloda Family, was willing to be her lackey, she wasn't against giving it a chance, so she was a bit undecided and planned to wait and see.
Celia glanced at Sonia, took a step back while covering her nose, "It's the first time for a junior to enter the Void Realm, and she seems quite excited."
Was that step back serious?
Although Sonia hadn't bathed after training last night, she had wiped herself with a towel and changed clothes, so there should be no smell. However, having just come out of the meditation room, her unwashed hair and unmade face looked embarrassingly untidy compared to Celia's hour-long "no-makeup look."
Sonia could tell at a glance that Celia's "no-makeup look" couldn't have been done in less than an hour.
"Hello, Senior Celia," Sonia nodded slightly. "Did you come to the Meditation Building to use the bathroom?"
Sonia wasn't the type to take insults quietly. Mocking Celia for coming here to do makeup instead of meditation was a perfectly sharp retort without a single vulgar word.
"I came to meditate and enter the Void Realm, of course," Celia forced a smile and extended her hand. "This is the Technique Spirit I found last night. What do you think?"
A small boy holding a sword scabbard appeared on Celia's hand. Sonia took a glance, her eyebrows rising as she recalled the information about this spirit.
"Restriction: Mages must use sword weapons"
"Basic Effect: When paired with other swordsmanship Technique Spirits, the first activation every ten seconds of the latter will have 150% effect."
For a Sword Master, Sword Scabbard was a very practical Technique Spirit, and could even lead to forming a swordsmanship branch: the Assassin Sword Master.
Through miracles like "Light-infused Scabbard," "Poised to Strike," and "Breaking Sword Qi," the Sword Master could and only could unleash a disabling Sword Qi that could pierce through any defense of the same level, its power unmatched by any faction Mage, a fatal strike.
For a moment, Sonia even considered taking out her Rapid Stream Spirit to exchange with Celia.
Although the Rapid Stream Spirit was more expensive than the Sword Scabbard Spirit on the trading platform, these spirits were often priceless. A suitable swordsmanship Technique Spirit was hard to come by, and even if found, it might not be obtainable.
But seeing Celia's playful eyes, Sonia understood everything—this madam was here to show off.
"Do you think Felix will like it?"
Sonia suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. Last night in the dorm, her appearance probably had the same punchable expression as Celia's now. She was genuinely grateful for her roommates' mercy.
"Your boyfriend is so lucky," Sonia forced a smile, "This is a very precious Technique Spirit for a Sword Master."
"Is that so? Since you said it, I believe you."
Celia laughed, still on guard.
After the swordsmanship match the night before, Celia had thought Felix might dump her for Sonia, but surprisingly, Felix had no such intent and was still good to her, just wanting another match with Sonia.
Celia didn't think Felix was two-timing; he wasn't the type to hide his emotions. If he wanted to cheat, he would break up outright, not string her along. So Celia believed Felix wasn't interested in Sonia, just fixated on winning or losing.
But even so, Sonia was still a formidable rival in Celia's heart. After all, sparks often fly in competitions between men and women. Felix might not think much now, but what about the next moment? Tomorrow? Next week?
As long as Felix was breathing, there was a chance he might change his heart.
Thus Celia had to closely watch her boyfriend, preventing any private contact between him and Sonia, like now.
Not only that, she had to weigh her options further to intimidate Sonia and prevent any future troubles.
"You must work hard too," Celia encouraged. "I heard your family isn't well-off. Compared to us Jiale City locals, getting into Sword Flower University through the national exam shows your ability is much stronger than ours. You'll surely be able to stay in Jiale City and bring your family to live in the big city one day."
Here it comes, the contemptuous yet encouraging speech of the rich to the poor... Sonia showed a kind smile, "Thank you for your concern, Senior."
"Sigh, you could have flown higher without the burden of family."
This comment was partly insincere and partly genuine from Celia. She genuinely found Sonia's situation unfortunate. Not to mention a noble family, even if Sonia came from a middle-class family in Jiale City, she would have a better future. But unfortunately, she was just a village girl from a poor agricultural town on the border.
She didn't notice the change in Sonia's gaze.
"You're right, Senior."
Sonia paused for a moment, revealing a helpless smile, "A person's starting point often decides their endpoint. Birth is our first lottery ticket, and I only got a consolation prize."
Celia wondered if she had been too harsh, causing Sonia to fall apart, and pondered how to comfort her junior.
"Coming from a place as poor as mine, I can never change my humble nature. Look, I've been chatting with you for so long and forgot I hadn't washed my face. It's awfully rude to talk to you with such a messy face."
"You don't have to say that..."
Just as Celia was about to comfort Sonia, she saw Sonia summon a Technique Spirit, conjuring a ball of water in her hand to splash on her face.
"Washing up feels much better."
Celia stared at the Technique Spirit in Sonia's hand, "What is that..."
"Huh?" Sonia was slightly taken aback, eyes darting, and stammered, "This, this is... an adventure I had last night in the Void Realm! Mm-hmm, a Rapid Stream Spirit I got from Adventure Island! Pretty lucky, huh?"
Celia responded with an "Oh," her forehead metaphorically emblazoned with the words "I! Don't! Believe!"
How could anyone encounter Adventure Island on their first day entering the Void Realm?
And acquire one of the most precious spirits of the Water Technique Faction, the Rapid Stream Spirit!?
Did she take me for a fool?
Could she have bought it? But where would this village girl get the money to buy such a rare spirit, and the Rapid Stream Spirit was priceless. Celia had wanted to buy one for a long time but couldn't find a seller!
If she didn't buy it, someone must have given it to her.
At Sword Flower University, there weren't many who could casually give away a Rapid Stream Spirit...
Celia barely managed her expression, pulling out a smile, "That is quite an important spirit for the Water Technique Faction. Are you considering switching to the Water Technique Faction?"
"Well, I might have a talent for swordsmanship, but I'm also interested in the Water Technique Faction..." Sonia saw Felix coming out of the Meditation Building and quickly waved goodbye, "Senior, I have to go. See you later!"
Celia wondered why Sonia hurried off, only to turn and see Felix emerging from the building.
"Were you waiting for me, Senior?" Felix smiled, "The Void Realm is such an intriguing place... I want to visit the library to learn more about it. Would you like to join me?"
Celia glanced in the direction Sonia left, then at Felix, sensing she understood something, her jealousy making her grit her teeth.
But every word she wanted to say transformed into a sweet response.
"Sure," she smiled, extending her hand, "I got this Sword Scabbard Spirit from the Void Realm last night, but I'm not into swordsmanship... what do you think I should do with it?"