The interschool social abruptly ended, with all students ordered back to their dormitories. In the middle of campus, a towering white spire rose seemingly out of nowhere, and the surrounding area was declared a military zone.
No one truly understood what the mysterious intruder signified. They only saw him disintegrate into a puddle of sludge before being scooped into a jar and carried away by the professors. Rumors quickly spread, and a foreboding sense lingered—the cafeteria's mashed potatoes might see a dramatic decline in sales for days to come.
Sonia and her three roommates stood on their dormitory balcony, gazing at the colossal white tower piercing the night sky. It was as if the structure itself was swallowing the heavens. For all their familiarity with the miraculous abilities of sorcerers, this was the first time they felt the weight of such power pressing upon their reality.
In Galesis, miracles weren't just extraordinary; they were mundane. Sorcerers had integrated their abilities into everyday life so seamlessly that feats like weather control, preventing earthquakes, regrowing limbs, and accelerating crop growth were considered routine jobs.
Even in their university's career survey forms, professions involving such miracles were just as common as accountants or engineers in less magical places.
But tonight was different. This was no routine miracle.
In mere minutes, they had witnessed Starfall Auditorium, a landmark they knew so well, vanish beneath an ascending tower of pristine white. Dirt, stone, and debris formed orderly layers like pieces of a cosmic jigsaw puzzle. The tower grew taller and taller, until its pinnacle touched the shimmering starry portal hanging in mid-air.
It hadn't taken a day, nor even an hour—the entire structure was erected in just a few minutes.
"What kind of sorcery is this?" Lois murmured. "Is it the work of a legendary sorcerer? But I can't recall any legendary specializing in earth magic..."
"Legendary sorcerers transcend such labels," Ingrit replied with measured calm. "At their level, cross-disciplinary mastery is standard. For example, the wind sorcery miracle Aeolian Monument uses storms to carve massive sculptures akin to earth magic."
"Besides, even a legendary sorcerer dabbling in a secondary specialization could wield unimaginable power. Judging by the way this intruder was handled, it's clear he's of great significance. Nobility, other schools, even the Imperial Council—everyone's here. For such a congregation, raising a mere tower is no more than a casual flick of their collective wrist."
Adele chimed in, puffing out her chest, "I totally noticed those weird virtual rift fluctuations earlier! If I'd reported it, do you think the school would reward me? Maybe waive my assignments or graduation thesis?"
"Reward you with free remedial courses," Lois snorted, flicking Adele's forehead. "You've already failed two subjects last term. Fail two more, and next year's schedule will eat you alive."
"Pfft, don't worry! I've learned the ultimate cheat for exams. I'll never fail again!"
"Oh really?" Lois arched an eyebrow. "What are you now, a covert gold-tier sorcerer? Is your miracle called Streaming Subplots?"
"Just wait and see!" Adele puffed her cheeks indignantly.
Ingrit shifted the conversation, her gaze turning to Sonia. "Speaking of surprises, Sonia, how in the world did you suddenly unfurl Silver Wings? You've only been exploring the virtual realm for what—ten days?"
Lois and Adele also perked up at the question, their curiosity nearly tangible. Sonia had been holding back from explaining, and though the others weren't close enough to pry outright, they couldn't resist listening intently now that Ingrit had broached the topic.
Because, frankly, it was mind-blowing.
Everyone knew Sonia had first exhibited her swordsmanship abilities on April 12th, during her training bout with Felix, where she had summoned the Wave Sword Spirit. This feat earned her the moniker of "Water Sorcery's First Sword Prodigy" and the mentorship of Professor Telozan the very next day.
By April 13th, she had begun her expeditions into the virtual realm. Today was only the 21st.
In just eight days, Sonia had gone from a novice sorcery apprentice without virtual wings to becoming a fully-fledged Silver-Tier Sorcerer.
Such speed bordered on impossible.
Consider Riggan Carroll, who had been lauded for nearly completing his Silver Wings in his second year. Or Leonie, a third-year prodigy whose fully formed wings had earned her the title of Sword Saint in the Making.
Even the most talented sorcery students needed years to chart the Sea of Knowledge and amass their spirit power. Sonia had done it in less than ten days.
If not for the dramatic intrusion earlier, Sonia would undoubtedly have been the star of the evening. If the school weren't on lockdown, their dorm would already be swarmed by curious students.
"How did you manage it?" Lois finally asked, her voice a mix of awe and disbelief.
Sonia felt a twinge of regret. She hadn't intended to reveal her Silver Wings so soon. But when Riggan taunted her with, "Do you even have a feather's worth of spirit power?" the compulsion of the summoning ritual forced her hand. She wouldn't admit it aloud, but she may have enjoyed showing off just a little.
"It's because I encountered a vortex," Sonia explained cautiously, offering the smallest hint of truth.
The others exchanged knowing nods, their curiosity momentarily sated. They seemed to assume Sonia had stumbled upon a single, exceptionally powerful vortex. None of them entertained the idea that she might have encountered multiple vortexes in such a short span. Who could be that lucky?
A sudden shattering noise broke the lull, like the sound of a cosmic mirror cracking. The girls looked up to see a woman in a brilliant blue robe soaring toward the white tower. Moments later, the spire erupted with explosions, sending shockwaves rippling in rainbow hues—a clear sign of a battle.
"Was that the Holy Maiden from the Church?" Adele asked, squinting. "I think I saw her during last year's grand festival."
Lois raised an eyebrow. "You're religious?"
"Not really, but nobles are obligated to attend festivals and ceremonies," Adele replied. Her gaze lingered on the tower's corrupted glow. "Do you think she's fighting the professors up there?"
The others fell silent, unable to contribute. Their knowledge of the church was superficial at best. Despite being the only official religion in the Stellar Nation, the church had a paradoxical presence—central to state rituals yet shrouded in mystery. It hosted festivals, crowned queens, and claimed to serve the Star Lawgiver, yet its clergy rarely preached or sought converts.
Even the girls couldn't remember the church's full name. Star Church? Church of the Celestial Law?
Sonia checked her Miracle Band, her eyes widening in alarm. It was already 11:30 PM!
Normally, she would have entered the virtual realm by 11:00. Without bothering to remove her makeup, she flopped onto her bed and reached for the Gate of Truth within her Wave Sword Spirit.
Despite the campus lockdown, Sonia's fully developed Silver Wings meant she no longer needed the Meditation Hall to navigate the virtual realm.
She closed her eyes, aligning her mind to the Gate of Truth. As always, she felt herself sinking into the infinite depths of the Sea of Knowledge.
Yet something was wrong.
Even before opening her eyes, Sonia felt the oppressive chill of cold waters surrounding her. It was nauseating, a visceral unease like being mocked and judged by a roomful of strangers.
When she finally opened her eyes, she didn't see her familiar boat or the enigmatic stranger she called Watcher.
Instead, she saw only white mist and the infinite, pitch-black sea.
The silence was deafening. The loneliness pressed down on her chest like a weight.
"Watcher?" she called out, her voice trembling.
There was no response. Only the endless, echoing void.