Swordflower University, Training Hall
When Sonia stopped, it was as if time in the training hall came to a halt.
The apprentices stared at her in astonishment. Some glanced at their wristbands, confirming the time: it was only 9 p.m.
She'd been training for only an hour. Why was she stopping?
Though she had been training in the hall for just two weeks, the Queen of Swords, Sonia Servi, had already become the most dazzling figure among the swordsmanship apprentices. Her nightly two-hour training sessions were unyielding, without breaks, and executed with perfect focus and form. Watching her train was not just inspiring but a visual delight.
Her flawless swordsmanship had even elevated the understanding of many apprentices. A quick peek at her technique could spark sudden realizations and improve their slashing rotations by one or two levels. Sonia was a living tutorial, equal parts mesmerizing and educational.
Strangely enough, despite Swordflower University boasting other prodigies—like Leonie, Lorien, and Felix—none of them drew attention during training like Sonia did.
For one, their training schedules were irregular. They also took breaks, lacking Sonia's reputation for unrelenting effort. But most of all, there was an unspoken sense among the students: Sonia's swordsmanship was on an entirely different level.
As a result, the training hall was packed every evening. The apprentices, barely daring to breathe, greeted their Queen's arrival with awe-filled eyes.
And now, for the first time, the Queen had altered her rigid schedule.
A person so dedicated to the blade—what could possibly make her break her daily training routine?
It wasn't just the students who wondered; even the professors speculated. To them, Sonia Servi was born for swordsmanship, a genius who not only possessed immense talent but loved the craft with her very soul. Her meteoric rise—from defeating Felix, countering Leonie, to unfurling her Silver Wings—hadn't dampened her passion. If anything, she only grew more disciplined.
The young apprentices, filled with the fiery passions of youth, couldn't help but let a singular thought pop into their minds: Is the Queen… in love?
Their collective glare shifted to Felix, nearly setting him aflame. Felix himself looked equally baffled. He was just as curious why Sonia had stopped.
The most confused of all, however, was Sonia herself.
Sonia had grown accustomed to her two-hour training routine, a regimen that the Observer had essentially drilled into her.
Tonight, she had arrived at the training hall naturally, starting her session with practiced ease. The day's dose of the mysterious potion from her desk had kept her energized, and even an hour into her high-intensity swordsmanship drills, she felt no fatigue.
More than that, the act of wielding a blade brought her a strange kind of joy. Each swing, every strike, filled her with an indescribable pleasure.
This joy accumulated into a gnawing hunger, a thirst she couldn't quite explain. Only in the Void Realm, hunting down Knowledge Beasts and feeding their remains to her blade, could she find a modicum of relief.
Sonia dismissed the hunger as a side effect of the potion. After all, it did enhance her combat output during battles with Knowledge Beasts. Clearly, the Observer was to blame.
Surely, she couldn't be some bloodthirsty maniac, right?
Even though Sonia had come to terms with training, her stamina and focus alone couldn't sustain a two-hour session. After about half an hour, she usually relied on the Observer's mysterious force to carry her through the rest.
So when she suddenly stopped after an hour, Sonia immediately realized what had happened: The Observer's influence had vanished.
What's going on?
Did the Observer… have a change of heart?
No, that's unlikely. Did he die?
Despite her wild guesses, Sonia wasn't too worried. The Observer had a knack for survival. The questions posed during the Fate Inquiry suggested that even the Void Realm had confidence in his longevity.
But now… what should she do?
Staring blankly at the wooden sword in her hand, Sonia tried to recall her pre-training routine from just half a month ago. Strangely, it felt like those peaceful days were from a distant past.
"Since there's nothing else planned, maybe I should just keep training. Swinging a sword is kind of fun…"
The thought startled her.
What!? I can rest now, and I'm still thinking about training?
No way. She couldn't give the Observer the satisfaction. If he knew how compliant she'd become, he'd only crank up the intensity. Even just to spite him, she had to stop training.
She wasn't going to let herself become his so-called "Sword Maiden."
She wanted to be a songstress, an actress, anything but a Sword Maiden!
Just as Sonia resolved to leave the training hall—perhaps to lounge in her dorm and watch the latest Daedalus drama—the entrance burst into commotion. A familiar fiery orange mane stepped inside.
It was Leonie the Orange Dancer!
"Sonia, done training? Got time for a drink?"
Though their earlier duel had been intense, it ended with Sonia victorious and Leonie apologizing afterward. Sonia held no grudge against Leonie, especially since their conflict stemmed from simple student rivalries. Leonie, a straightforward and traditional swordswoman, even turned out to be surprisingly easy to get along with.
"Did you come here just for me, Senior?" Sonia asked, genuinely surprised.
"Of course! I just got back and still have some energy to burn. Thought I'd grab a drink to unwind and figured I'd check if you were around."
Turning to Sonia's roommate, Inglit, Leonie added, "Inglit, want to join us? My treat!"
Inglit shook her head, her tone firm. "I don't drink. Besides, my training isn't done yet."
Leonie grinned and turned to Felix. "Oh, and Felix—sorry, no boys allowed at this little girls' night!"
"I don't drink either," Felix replied coolly. "Honestly, it's surprising to see swordswomen indulging in alcohol at all."
"That's because you're still a student. Once you've ventured into the Abyss and survived real battles, you'll understand: even the sharpest blades need a little alcohol to keep their edge. Let's go, Sonia!"
As Sonia and Leonie left, the apprentices in the hall breathed a collective sigh of relief. Phew, it's just a drink with Leonie. Our Queen is still the pure and untouchable ruler we admire.
Secret Garden Café
The only alcohol café on campus, the Secret Garden exuded an air of sophistication. Its lavender scent mingled with the soft glow of starlight, which filtered through cleverly designed mirrors on the open ceiling. Gentle music played as student bands performed live, making it the perfect setting for casual mingling and quiet romance.
Leonie ordered confidently. "One screwdriver and one Summer Breeze." She led Sonia to a private booth, pulling the curtain for added seclusion.
"Do you come here often, Senior?"
"After every trip into the Abyss. If I don't drown myself in a bit of alcohol, the pressure would crush me."
"Wow, I thought you'd be the type to handle it all with sheer willpower."
"Even the strongest people need ways to cope. Drinking is pretty normal, honestly. One of my teammates likes to streak through the streets after a mission. You've heard the rumors, right?"
"Oh, so that urban legend is true? That's terrifying!"
They chatted about adventures, gossip, and battles, exchanging tips and stories. Time flew as glasses emptied, and Sonia, cheeks flushed with warmth, casually asked:
"Senior, were you part of that special operation a few days ago?"
Realizing her mistake, Sonia quickly apologized. "Sorry, that was too forward of me."
Leonie waved it off but offered a cryptic reply. "I can't give you details… but let's just say it was like a game."
"A game?"
"Yes, kind of like those role-playing games on the miracle wristbands."
Intrigued, Sonia pressed for more details, her interest growing—until Leonie's face suddenly clouded over, her voice trailing into uncertainty.
When Sonia asked what was wrong, Leonie quickly changed the subject, calling for another drink.
Later, walking back to her dorm, Sonia felt content. The night had been perfect: invigorating training, a delightful drink with a friend, and plenty of interesting stories.
Still, as she prepared to connect to the Void Realm for another hunt, she was hit with a bombshell the moment she saw the Observer.
"Sonia," he said calmly, "Tonight is the last night I'll accompany you into the Void Realm."
Sonia sobered instantly.