On her way back to campus, Sonia encountered a traffic accident that delayed the tram for half an hour. By the time she returned to the Sword and Rose Academy of Magic, it was already past 7 PM.
According to academy rules, the dormitory gates were locked after 7 PM, and students arriving late had to register their names. Accumulating three such infractions earned a "thorn" on their record, and collecting three thorns meant expulsion.
However, with a quiet explanation and a charming smile, Sonia convinced the young gatekeeper to let her in without registering. She noticed his lecherous gaze lingering far too long and offered him a polite "thank you" with a smile that masked her disdain.
Does he really think being a gatekeeper at Swordflower Academy makes him worthy of the female students here?
Sonia had long understood the power of her beauty, but it wasn't until she came to Galas that she realized just how much influence it wielded. Compared to the small, impoverished village she came from, city dwellers were far more willing to offer conveniences in exchange for a pretty face.
She silently thanked the Starry Lord for the civilization and prosperity of the Starry Kingdom, which gave her the opportunity to rise into the upper echelons of society. In less civilized lands, she suspected her beauty might have turned her into nothing more than a barbarian's trophy long before she could enjoy its advantages.
And she also thanked her mother. If not for her mother insisting she focus on her studies instead of working in the fields, her natural beauty would have been eroded by the sun and wind, leaving her no better than the rough women back home.
As Sonia approached her dorm room, she paused, hearing the unmistakable voice of Lois from inside.
"It's already past 7 PM. That mutt isn't coming back tonight, is she? Ha, finally showing her true colors. I bet she's off hooking up with some rich merchant," Lois sneered.
Ah, classic dorm drama, Sonia thought with a wry smile, leaning against the door to listen.
Adelle's voice came next, feigning concern. "Don't say that, Lois. She might still come back…"
"Let her! I'd say it right to her face: she's shameless!" Lois's voice grew louder with indignation. "Have you seen the way she acts? She flirts during class! She's just a mutt from the countryside—what does she have besides a pretty face?"
Well, being prettier than you is a good start, Sonia thought, suppressing a laugh.
Lois had been at odds with Sonia ever since their freshman year. As a local of Galas and the daughter of a wealthy merchant, Lois had an inflated sense of superiority—particularly about her appearance. But Sonia's beauty was on another level. Wherever they went together, the number of boys vying for Sonia's attention was always exponentially higher.
The animosity reached its peak when Sonia beat Lois for the role of host at a major campus event. Since then, Lois had gone out of her way to exclude Sonia from social gatherings, often organizing lavish outings for their department while deliberately leaving Sonia out.
Lois's wealth attracted her own circle of admirers, and she took satisfaction in flaunting her social status. For many, dating someone like Lois was a shortcut to success, and though Sonia's beauty was undeniable, Lois's "rich girl" appeal had its own allure.
But Sonia wasn't one to let things slide. Whenever Lois showed interest in a particular boy, Sonia would "accidentally" run into him, offer a coy glance, and maybe a light touch—just enough to plant a seed of doubt in his mind.
Sonia never intended to date these boys, but once they started comparing her with Lois, they often abandoned Lois entirely. This drove Lois to the brink, and Sonia couldn't help but enjoy watching her rival seethe.
"She's shameless," Lois continued. "Did you know someone saw her talking to a farmer's wife at the gate earlier today? That was probably her mother. Figures."
"Ha! With a daughter like her, I bet her mother's just as shameless—"
Bang!
Before Sonia could push the door open and confront them, a loud crash echoed from inside the room.
Stepping back, she watched as the door swung open. Standing in the doorway was Ingrid, a blonde with a single ponytail and a sword bag slung over her shoulder.
"Good evening, Sonia," Ingrid said without looking back, her voice calm.
"Evening, Ingrid," Sonia replied, watching as her roommate walked away, likely headed for the training grounds.
Peering inside, Sonia saw Lois and Adelle frozen in place, their faces pale with fear. A training dummy in the corner of the room, purchased by Ingrid, now sported a deep dent that hadn't been there before.
Sonia stepped in, closed the door behind her, and silence returned to the dormitory.
Sonia didn't say a word. Ingrid's intervention had already delivered the necessary lesson.
But she made a mental note. Lois's insults wouldn't be forgotten, and Sonia fully intended to settle the score someday—with interest.