Chapter 174: The Sword Maiden's Interlude – Part Two

"Congratulations to you, I guess," Sonia muttered, visibly disgruntled. "I still haven't fully recovered yet..."

Unlike most people who would hide such a humiliating event, Sonia had openly broadcast her recent death in the virtual realm. Through Professor Trozan, news quickly spread across the school that the prodigious Red-Haired Sword Maiden had finally stumbled in her journey through the virtual realm.

The aftermath of this announcement? Remarkably positive. Her classmates started treating her with newfound warmth, Professor Trozan—usually jealous of gifted students—began looking out for her more, and even the cafeteria ladies started giving her extra scoops of food. Rather than tarnish her reputation, her failure had made her seem more approachable and relatable.

Much like the trope of the poor but beautiful college girl, the image of a genius who occasionally fails proved to be a winning persona. Sonia had resolved to lean into this narrative. It lifted the burden of everyone's expectations while still granting her access to the resources available to a "genius." It was, as she smugly thought to herself, a total win.

"Looks like I'll have to actually sleep in the dorms tomorrow night…" she mused.

Most people would choose sleep, right? Felix fumed internally. Who the hell is crazy enough to drag people into late-night sparring sessions every single day? She's a freaking battle-hungry peasant.

Out loud, he merely snorted. "Make sure to tell Celia not to wait downstairs trying to 'bump into me' tomorrow night."

"Huh?" Sonia blinked at him, her large, innocent eyes wide with confusion. "Celia? You mean Senior Celia? What about her?"

"Stop pretending like you don't know," Felix replied with an annoyed scowl. "I won't be going to the meditation tower tomorrow—I'll be entering the virtual realm from home. So just tell her to quit pestering me."

"I seriously don't know what you're talking about—"

"Sonia, for once in your life, think about someone other than yourself." Felix sighed heavily. "You know how dangerous it is for people to associate with me. Why haven't you tried convincing Celia to stay away?"

Sonia tilted her head and asked plainly, "Do you hate her?"

"The opposite of hate isn't love, you know. I hate the way you set up these verbal traps, Sonia—"

"Then answer me directly. Do you like Celia?"

"... I do, but not in the way you're hoping for."

"Feelings can grow over time, you know. Or do you only believe in love at first sight?"

"Why do you care so much?" Felix was growing more irritated. "What did she offer you? Whatever it was, I can match it."

"She promised to make me the lead actress in a prime-time drama!" Sonia declared, utterly serious.

Felix exploded. "You're lying! Celia doesn't have that kind of power!"

Prime-time dramas, especially those airing at the coveted Saturday 9 PM slot, were the crown jewels of the entertainment world. Landing the lead role in such a production was a ticket to stardom, practically guaranteeing a leap into A-list celebrity status.

How dare this peasant even entertain such a thought? Felix seethed internally.

For a moment, the two stared each other down before Sonia suddenly turned away, muffling her laughter behind her hand. Felix sighed in exasperation, caught between amusement and frustration.

Why does someone as shameless as her possess such extraordinary talent in swordsmanship? And why did I, of all people, end up friends with this utterly shameless peasant?

"I'm not doing this just for rewards," Sonia said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear and resting her wooden sword in front of her. Her gaze lingered on the patterns etched into its blade. "Celia told me that noble marriages are often loveless arrangements. Is that true?"

"It is," Felix admitted. "For most nobles, marriage is a transaction of interests."

"Then why is it that people who don't love each other can be together, but people who do love each other can't?"

Felix blinked, taken aback by her question. He stared at the red-haired girl, who seemed unusually contemplative.

Sonia, suddenly struck by inspiration, narrowed her eyes at him. "Wait. Do you… have someone you like?"

"What—"

Sonia instinctively opened her mouth to deny it but hesitated. Glancing around nervously, she lowered her voice. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"You weren't this sentimental before," Felix noted, raising an eyebrow. "Don't forget, I've been in plenty of relationships—enough to qualify as gold-tier if there were a romance-based sorcery faction. Looking at you now, I'd say this might be your first crush. Who's the unlucky—uh, I mean, lucky soul who caught the Sword Maiden's attention?"

"You were about to insult me, weren't you?" Sonia growled through gritted teeth. "And for the record, I don't—ugh, think whatever you want!"

"If you really didn't, your response should've been, 'Guess who I like.' But instead, you're floundering with a half-hearted denial." Felix smirked. "I swear, spending so much time with you mundane sorceresses is warping my brain. But look at you—actually flustered for once."

Felix was genuinely curious, though. Sonia's social circle was practically nonexistent. Who could she possibly have fallen for?

Maybe her co-host, Arsenault? he wondered. But rumor had it Arsenault actively avoided Sonia out of fear.

Lorien, the senior? Unlikely…

Me? Not a chance. She beats me up all the time, plus she's helping Celia ambush me. Besides, I'm practically a certified expert in romance. There's no way someone could like me without me noticing…

Then, Felix recalled a recent piece of gossip. During an event where Sonia had hosted alongside her roommate, Lois, the two seemed to have reconciled and grown noticeably closer. Just the other day, Sonia had been out drinking with Senior Leoni and returned drunk, with Lois helping her change and bathe afterward.

Wait… could it be?

Sonia had finally regained her composure when she noticed Felix standing several meters away. "Why are you backing off?"

"No reason," Felix replied, getting to his feet. "My left arm's mostly healed. I think I'll head home for a shower. It's been… enlightening sparring with you. Let's never do this again. Goodbye."

"If it's the last time," Sonia said, standing up as well, "then why don't you give me a ride back to the dorms? Or are you unwilling?"

"Is the opposite of unwilling, willing? Sonia, I hate how you trap people with your word games—"

"Should I give you more injuries to practice your healing spirit on?"

"I still need my hands and feet to drive!" Felix surrendered, exasperated.

The two left the empty training hall, stepping onto the star-lit campus avenue.

As they walked, Sonia suddenly gasped. "Oh, right! I've been meaning to ask you something for a while now. Since you're a noble, you might know some secrets that us commoners wouldn't."

"What is it?" Felix asked.

"Do you know anything about… the Four Pillars Church?" Sonia asked cautiously.

Felix blinked, instinctively raising his left hand—then lowering it again.