The Sorcerer's Handbook

Chapter 255: Not Settling Down For a Relationship

Sonya let them fuss over her. Her voice soft and sincere, she murmured, "Louisa, I really owe you this time. I don't even know how to thank you."

Louisa carefully shaped each eyebrow with her pencil, hair by hair. "Hm? You only asked me because you knew my family makes battle outfits, right?"

"Ah? I didn't know that," Sonya replied, genuinely surprised.

"You're serious? Just casually asking a roommate to get you a battle outfit... Wait. Were you actually hoping I'd rent one from Flower Court for you?"

Sonya didn't answer. She simply met Louisa's gaze with wide, innocent eyes, still slightly dry from the earlier training.

Louisa sighed. "So all this fuss was just me overthinking..."

"No, you gave me a full 120 points of surprise," Sonya said with a smile. "I truly appreciate your effort."

Louisa cupped Sonya's face, letting a drop of eye wash fall into her eyes. "Stop flattering yourself. I just wanted to use your performance to promote my family's battle outfits. If you do well tonight, maybe Sword and Roses University will choose us as its supplier. If you want to thank me, then you know what to do."

"I understand."

Sonya wasn't used to the eye wash. She instinctively closed her eyes as the drops soaked in. "Just watch me closely, but don't expect too much. Everyone will be looking at me, not the outfit."

Louisa laughed lightly. "Hmph. We'll see if you can still say that later."

The battle outfits they spoke of weren't ordinary clothes. They were specialized garments in the Starry Kingdom. Fights between sorcerers often caused damage to ordinary clothing, so battles under the public eye required outfits that could endure the strain. Even a minor wardrobe malfunction could humiliate a noble sorcerer. In this world, losing face carried devastating consequences.

In the past, some nobles had even taken their own lives after humiliating rumors about them spread.

This led to the creation of battle outfits with protective properties. Early versions were simply steel armor for noble sorcerers. Over time, advances in alchemy and materials replaced the heavy metal with flexible, durable fabrics. These fabrics couldn't fully stop a sorcerer's attack, but they tore only where struck, keeping the rest of the outfit intact and avoiding embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions.

As more time passed, battle outfits became ornate fashion statements. In school leagues, victories were not measured solely by combat skill. Outfit aesthetics also played a role. The winner's ensemble earned admiration, while the loser's marked poor taste.

These garments were costly, and for a rural girl like Sonya, renting was the only practical option. Sword and Roses University ran a facility called Flower Court, where qualified students could rent top-quality outfits at fair prices, with repairs covered.

In truth, Sonya had lied. She knew that Louisa's family made battle outfits. Their reputation had left a strong impression, and Sonya had made sure to know her facts to judge whether Louisa was someone she could risk offending.

Sonya had finished her sword training early that afternoon. She had tried it before and knew that if she finished early, she wouldn't be forced to practice later. Because of that, she realized she wouldn't have enough time to prepare her outfit for the evening. Asking Louisa for help had been her only option. She had only assumed Louisa had good taste and could help her pick something suitable. What she hadn't expected was that Louisa would rush a battle outfit from home just for her.

After half an hour, Louisa finished Sonya's makeup, sealing it with the Fixed Day spirit. "Done."

The seniors dressed her carefully, fastening every button and attaching each accessory.

They stepped back, forming a circle around her. Louisa lifted Sonya gently and turned her toward the dorm's only full-length mirror. "Tell me. Are you, or is my battle outfit, more beautiful?"

Sonya held her breath as she looked at her reflection. She had thought she had fully realized her potential for beauty, yet Louisa had shown her there was still room to grow. She had never worn clothes like this before; only now did she see her own potential reflected in a proper outfit.

Luxury, it seemed, followed its own logic in a world that often defied reason.

The outfit retained Sword and Roses University's signature blue-and-white base while being tailored to accentuate Sonya's slender waist and graceful curves perfectly. Over her shoulders rested a red jacket trimmed in white, fastened with a double row of buttons and cords. Its vibrant colors added depth and a lively, eye-catching touch. Silver embellishments on her gloves, boots, and the edges of her skirt brought youthful energy while also lending Sonya an air of elegance and poise.

Sonya could only describe her experience in one way: she now rivaled even Didaros in beauty.

Louisa let down Sonya's red hair, combed it neatly, and sprayed Tears of the Meteor onto her arms, neck, and waist, earning envious glances from the other girls.

"All done," Louisa said, studying her reflection in the mirror, admiration clear in her eyes. "Using this just for an intercollegiate gala feels like such a waste. I'd understand if it were for the league finals."

"There will be other chances," Sonya said, adjusting the smallest details in the mirror. "Tonight is my first battle against students from other universities, the first step toward making my name shine across the stars."

"Making your name shine across the stars, huh? Watch your mouth," Louisa said with a grin. "Focus on shining in Cailleach first."

Angelica added, "I think it's coming soon. If Sonya wins spectacularly tonight, she'll instantly become the league's top-seeded player."

Adele said, "I see now. No wonder Sonya asked Louisa for help with the battle outfit. She wanted to enhance her presence and leave a strong impression..."

Sonya shook her head, her eyes still fixed on the mirror. "No. I just like wearing beautiful clothes."

"I love swordsmanship, I love performing, I love winning. And I also..." She paused, then added softly, "I want the people of Cailleach to see that a girl from the countryside can live a life more legendary than any story, shine brighter than the stars, and be happier than anyone else."

The Scarlet Swordswoman spun lightly on her heel, pressing a finger to her lips for the stunned crowd and winking mischievously. "Don't tell anyone."

Yes, Sonya Selby was exactly that, a hopelessly vain, superficial, and delightfully self-absorbed girl. She needed the praise of those she admired, the envy of the incapable, and the attention of countless onlookers to feel truly alive. She craved more of everything, more wealth, finer houses, exquisite food, the most expensive clothes, and even the highest noble titles. Only by surpassing everyone in everything could life feel meaningful.

And that was why she couldn't miss the chance to compete in the gala's Chief Match. Merely attending wasn't enough. Sonya intended to seize this moment to take the most decisive step toward her dreams, shallow and vain as they might be. She also knew that most sorcerer events, including the high school league, were held at night under the gaze of the stars. Following that path would inevitably mean missing out on Virtual World explorations.

Which mattered more, the Watcher in the Virtual World or the opportunities in real life? It wasn't a question with a single answer. Sonya treated it like a multiple-choice challenge. She hated that she might miss out on her team's experiences, but she hated her current weak, hesitant self even more. There had always been only one correct choice: to trust the Watcher and, just as much, to trust herself. Even without the Watcher, she would still shine proudly.

Sonya Selby would live for no one but herself. Her mother could not dictate her life, and the Watcher could never sway her decisions. Why had she studied so hard to leave that small town? Why had she worked tirelessly for scholarships? Why had she learned makeup and spent money refining her appearance? She was here to enjoy the finest things the world had to offer, and no one could stop her.

Louisa spoke, "There's still time, but you should head over early to the gathering. We don't have the right to attend in person, but there will be a live broadcast. You're wearing my outfit now, so make sure you win beautifully for me."

Sonya waved at the crowd. "Mmhmm. See you all tomorrow. I'm off to face my first stepping stone at Trajectory University."

"Good luck!"

Adele added, "I've already written your victory announcement. The moment you win, I'll post it on the school forum!"

With their cheers behind her, the Scarlet Swordswoman strode out decisively, then suddenly returned to Louisa. "Oh, I almost forgot to answer your question."

"What question?" Louisa asked, instinctively stepping back as Sonya leaned in.

Sonya lifted her chin proudly. "The focus of your pupils is on my face. See? Even you admit I'm prettier than the outfit."

"You suddenly leaned in! Of course I'd look at your face!"

Sonya nodded obediently. "Mm, mm, you're right. Hehe, that's one of the things I like about you, Louisa. It's pretty cute."

"What did you just say?!" Louisa's hair bristled, as if the Sonya from a month ago had returned.

Amid the laughter, Sonya took the sword bag Angelica handed her and instinctively glanced toward the corner where the Watcher had first appeared. Hey, I'm taking the night off... Good luck!

She blinked and rubbed her eyes, only for Louisa to swat her hand away. "Don't mess up my makeup!"

"I used the Fixed Day spirit. It's fine."

After checking once more to ensure the corner was empty, she snorted and strode confidently from the dorm. But after only a few steps, she dashed back. The others stared at the Scarlet Swordswoman, puzzled. "What is it? Did you forget something?"

Sonya's eyes scanned every corner of the dorm. Her expression was thoughtful. "No..."

This time, she was truly leaving.

***

Listening to Sonya's footsteps fade, the Watcher lying on the bed yawned. "This counts as an unexpected accident. Do you think we need to intervene?"

"But it's a reasonable development," said the Swordswoman on the other bed, sitting up. "Let them handle it themselves. We just need to manage her leave properly. There's nothing we can do. Sonya has made up her mind. Unless Ashe appears in the Starry Kingdom right now, no one can sway her rational choice. Honestly, I'm glad she made this decision. It shows that Sonya and I are still aligned in our attitude toward love."

"What attitude?"

"Not settling down for a relationship."