Starbound Nation, Galaxia, Sword and Rose Mage Academy.
"…When facing a Ragespawn, a swordsman must pierce its brain stem immediately—cutting off its head won't stop it. As long as the creature has a brain, it can attack. Otherwise, its soul spell, Rage Frenzy, will affect everyone nearby. When you feel agitation creeping into your mind, a swordsman's only option is to stab their own thigh to stay alert and let ranged mages take the kill…"
The lecture hall was filled only with the teacher's measured voice, delivering every word with authority. Meanwhile, Sonia, seated by the window, gazed outside at the three shining stars dotting the sky. Warm sunlight blanketed the grass, walkways, and benches, making everything glow with life.
"Sonia!" Ingrid hissed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Focus in class!"
Sonia offered a serene smile, her tone breezy. "It's not like this is anything important. The bracelet is recording notes for me anyway. Even if I space out—"
"This is Swordsmanship Fundamentals! The most important class!" Ingrid's expression was stern. "Are you planning to avoid the Abyss? Or are you just not worried about dying in one? Who cares if your bracelet is recording? This is critical knowledge! You should take safety seriously!"
"Ahem!" The professor coughed twice, his gaze sweeping the room. Both girls immediately straightened up and returned their attention to the lecture.
Swordsmanship Fundamentals wasn't about lofty theories. It focused on real-world survival strategies: how to adapt to different enemies in diverse environments. This class was tied directly to a swordsman's career prospects, explaining why it held such weight.
Swordsmen were pure combat mages. Unlike water mages, who could pivot into healing, or mechanists, who could focus on crafting, a swordsman's skills had no secondary applications. In peaceful times, they might become obsolete—an endangered breed of mage.
Starbound Nation revered swordsmanship for one reason: the world wasn't safe. The Abyss loomed as a constant threat.
The Abyss wasn't a single place. It was a chaotic phenomenon, a nest of monsters that randomly appeared in densely populated areas. The more mages gathered, the higher the likelihood of an Abyss manifesting.
Galaxia, being Starbound Nation's heart, naturally harbored its largest Abyss.
No scholar had pinpointed the Abyss's origins, but its dangers were undeniable. The deeper one delved, the more terrifying the monsters—three-winged sanctified terrors, even four-winged legends. Surface-level creatures, however, weren't much easier.
Periodic shifts in terrain made it impossible to establish camps within the Abyss. Worse still, violent upheavals drove monsters to the surface. During these times, all mages had to retreat.
Because of this instability, routine Abyss clearing became a vital job. While some swordsmen landed prestigious roles as noble retainers or corporate enforcers, most joined squads tasked with venturing into the Abyss to cull its population.
It wasn't a menial job by any means. Aside from the state-sponsored "extermination bounty," monster drops from the Abyss were often incredibly valuable. Occasionally, entire resource veins were discovered there.
Many noble families traced their origins back to Abyss adventurers, and countless mages found life-changing fortunes within its depths.
But as with all things, greater reward came with greater risk. Monsters from the Abyss were rarely weaker than mages. Every day, squads were wiped out, their lives swallowed whole by the Abyss.
This was why Ingrid was so frustrated with Sonia's attitude. Every extra moment spent focusing in Swordsmanship Fundamentals meant another layer of preparation for surviving the Abyss.
But Sonia wasn't paying attention. She had just absorbed an experience orb—a rare artifact that instantly granted deep insights into the Light Affinity. Her mind buzzed with excitement as she worked through its newfound knowledge. The Abyss? Who cared? With her talent and the backing of the mysterious Observer, she didn't need to slog through danger. Her future lay on a steady path to becoming a three-winged sanctified mage. Why risk it?
When class ended, the next session was Swordsmanship Sparring—a practical dueling class for swordsmanship students. As they walked to the sparring hall, Sonia couldn't help noticing how many students stole glances at her, whispering all the while.
She was used to the attention. Ever since Professor Trozan had fast-tracked her into the swordsmanship department, skipping all formalities, she had become a campus sensation.
But today, things felt different. The students weren't just looking at her. They were also eyeing Felix.
"Look, she's the one Felix dumped Celia for…"
"Bet Sonia gets kicked to the curb next…"
"You can just tell what kind of girl she is…"
The fragmented whispers painted a clear picture. News had spread: Felix had broken up with Celia, and as the most visible woman near him, Sonia had naturally become the target of rumors.
I don't need this headache, Sonia thought. She was here to lay low and build her foundation—not to get dragged into petty drama.
Unfortunately, the universe had other plans. As soon as she entered the sparring hall, she noticed an unfamiliar crowd gathered around a single person: Celia.
The senior mage stood at the center, her red-rimmed eyes and delicate composure drawing all attention. Dressed simply, she looked so pitiful, so heartbreakingly beautiful, that Sonia couldn't hope to compete.
"Ingrid," Sonia whispered, "I'm skipping this class."
"Got it," Ingrid replied, equally understanding of the impending storm.
But just as Sonia was about to slip out, a loud voice thundered through the hall, shaking dust from the ceiling.
"Felix! Get over here!"
A tall, black-haired swordsman barked the order. "You dared to toy with my sister's feelings? Don't tell me you're too scared to show your face now!"
Every eye in the room turned to Felix and Sonia. Felix, however, remained unfazed, striding forward with practiced ease. Sonia, after a brief moment of inner turmoil, sighed and followed. She couldn't just slink away without a word—it would look cowardly. And cowardice invited bullying.
Whether in the countryside or the city, the rules didn't change. People only respected strength.
"Lorien, Celia, good morning," Felix greeted them casually, offering a polite nod. "Shall we grab lunch together after this?"
"Spare me. I feel like throwing up just looking at your face," Lorien snapped, showing no deference to the scion of the Vosloda family. "Draw your sword, Felix. Let's see if the Vosloda name carries any actual honor."
The students around them erupted into hushed whispers. Even Ingrid, usually composed, couldn't help but murmur in awe, "It's Lorien!"
Sonia gave her a questioning look, and Ingrid explained in a hurried whisper. "Lorien is one of the most prominent students here! A third-year and a certified swordsmanship genius. He's already a one-wing Silver-tier swordsman, personally apprenticed to a Golden-tier swordsman. He's also on the university's competition team."
Though Lorien hailed from a mid-ranking noble family, his sheer talent and determination had made him a rising star. His future seemed destined for greatness, potentially achieving two-winged Golden-tier status or higher. Someone like him had no reason to bow to a Vosloda heir; his strength spoke for itself.
As Celia's cousin, Lorien's outrage was to be expected. Their families were closely connected, and the two had grown up together. For Lorien, defending Celia's honor was practically his duty.
Felix, however, didn't take the bait. He turned to Celia instead. "Celia, is this what you want?"
To the onlookers, Felix might have seemed meek, but Sonia could tell he was genuinely puzzled. For someone like Felix—who cycled through girlfriends with the frequency of a changing moon—relationships were fleeting, never serious. He must have assumed Celia understood the terms of their arrangement. Apparently, she hadn't.
Sonia noticed the way Celia looked at Felix, and suddenly everything made sense. What was supposed to be a casual fling had turned into something deeper—on her part, at least.
Only real feelings could explain why Celia was now putting herself through this ordeal: severing ties with Felix while making a dramatic scene in the process. She had fallen into her own emotional trap.
Love really does make fools of us all, Sonia mused. Hunters often stumble into their own snares.
Felix's gaze shifted back to Lorien. "So, your plan is…what? To beat me up?"
"This is the sparring hall. Let's call it training." Lorien's tone was laced with cold amusement. "There's a healing ward next door. Don't worry, I'll hold back enough to make sure the Vosloda family doesn't lose a promising heir. Unless, of course, you're too afraid to fight me?"
"Oh, very brave of you," Felix said with a sharp grin, revealing pearly white teeth. His words were calm, but barbed with mockery. "A third-year challenging a first-year? A one-wing Silver-tier swordsman calling out someone who just became a swordsman? Truly a display of courage."
The crowd murmured in agreement. A duel with such an imbalance in power was clearly unfair, bordering on bullying. Lorien didn't seem fazed, however. Instead, he turned his attention to Sonia.
Her stomach dropped.
"Felix," Lorien said with a mocking smile, "word is you've picked up a lovely little protégé recently. You two even summoned spells together during a fight. I'd say your relationship seems…close. Intimate, even."
He deliberately emphasized the words, every syllable dripping with derision. "But I'm not unreasonable. I won't just target you. Let's give you both a chance. Bring your precious protégée in too."
He spread his arms theatrically. "I'll take you both on at once!"
Though he didn't say it outright, his meaning was clear to everyone present: I'm here to beat the hell out of this pair of lovers.
Sonia's mind raced with a mix of panic and fury. Why am I even involved in this nonsense?! She hadn't asked to be dragged into Felix's orbit, let alone this mess.
The weight of every gaze settled on her. Even Felix glanced her way.
After a brief pause, Sonia calmly took a step back, maintaining a neutral expression. "I'm sorry, Lorien, but I don't understand what you're implying. Yes, Felix and I are both Professor Trozan's students, but we barely interact outside of class. This is your personal grudge against him. I have no reason to get involved."
She spoke with measured politeness, but her meaning was clear: This has nothing to do with me, and I won't be part of it.
To jump into a fight just because Lorien's words were offensive? Sonia wasn't a child. She wouldn't let emotions dictate her actions.
Her only goal was to stay under the radar, build her strength, and avoid unnecessary entanglements. Joining Felix in a duel would only cement rumors of their relationship—something she absolutely wanted to avoid.
Lorien snorted derisively. "It seems Felix's charm isn't all it's cracked up to be."
"You misunderstand," Felix replied evenly, unfastening his sword case. He drew his practice blade with a fluid motion, his tone calm but unwavering. The tension in the room thickened.
Just as Sonia thought she could slip away, a firm hand clamped down on her shoulder.
"This won't do," said a cheerful, authoritative voice. "A duel with such an uneven match? That's hardly fair. As a member of the Disciplinary Committee, I can't allow blatant bullying."
Sonia turned to see the speaker: a striking orange-haired swordswoman, brimming with confidence. Pinned to her chest was a badge that read, Disciplinary Officer: Leoni Vickt.
The room erupted in murmurs.
"It's Leoni!"
"What's she doing here?"
"The Orange Dancer herself…"
Leoni's reputation preceded her. Without so much as breaking stride, she marched Sonia straight to the center of the hall, her grip like iron. No amount of resistance helped.
"Felix, Sonia," Leoni began, her smile radiant but her tone edged with authority, "you two really ought to collaborate more. If Professor Trozan found out his students weren't supporting each other, I imagine he'd be…disappointed."
Turning her gaze to Sonia, Leoni's smile grew sharper. "Lorien's challenge might seem a little excessive, but remember: he's not just insulting you. He's disrespecting Professor Trozan's reputation. As his research students, how can you let that slide? Felix represents more than just himself now. Don't you agree, Sonia?"
Sonia clenched her fists. Leoni's words left no room for retreat.
Rejecting the fight might not affect Trozan's actual opinion, but Sonia couldn't take that risk. He was her most important backer, her biggest safety net. And with dozens of students watching, rumors of her cowardice would spread like wildfire within minutes.
The unfairness of it all left a bitter taste in her mouth. She hated being manipulated, cornered, and forced into a situation she didn't choose.
Her shoulders trembled, not with fear, but with frustration and humiliation. Yet beneath the storm of emotions, her reason held firm.
Just as she forced herself to accept the inevitable, a familiar voice whispered in her ear.
"Want me to help? I promise to make this satisfying."
Yes!
"This is your decision. Don't blame me for what happens next."
The Observer's presence faded, leaving Sonia alone—but not without tools.
Her trembling stopped. She straightened her back, her gaze sharpening as she looked at Leoni.
"Sonia," Leoni pressed, her grin unwavering, "what's your answer?"
"I refuse." Sonia's voice rang clear and steady. "I will not involve myself in their personal grudge. I will not fight alongside Felix. I will not duel Lorien."
Leoni's eyebrows arched. "But if you—"
"However!" Sonia interrupted, her words cutting through the room like a blade. She turned to face Leoni, her tone growing stronger with every syllable.
"As Professor Trozan's apprentice, I cannot stand by while you repeatedly use his name to pressure me. I cannot ignore your attempts to manipulate the crowd against his teachings. And I absolutely will not tolerate you dragging his reputation into a personal conflict!"
"I wasn't—"
"No excuses." Sonia raised her wooden sword, pointing it directly at Leoni. Her voice rang with defiance.
"As you said, the best way to resolve disputes is with a duel. So, Leoni Vickt, I challenge you."