The Sorcerer's Handbook

Chapter 97: Couldn’t Hold It Anymore

At the Starfall Auditorium of Sword and Roses University.

Sonya’s voice echoed through the hall.

”To vigorously promote a spirit of positive striving and adventure, foster a healthy competitive environment, and encourage friendly exchange between Sword and Roses University and Truth University, we now hand the stage to the outstanding students of both schools, who will compete in a friendly match under the gaze of the stars.”

Following her speech, the auditorium dome thundered upward, lifting to reveal the hall beneath. Its interior lining was covered in countless mirrors, and through their clever reflections, starlight poured in like spotlights. The light draped everyone in a delicate veil of shimmering radiance, brighter even than the artificial illumination from moments before.

In the Starry Kingdom, all major events had to take place beneath the stars. If the star-lit daytime counted as working hours, then the brilliantly starlit night was leisure time. Of course, ordinary people could never endure such a grind-heavy schedule. Only sorcerers, capable of restoring themselves through exploration of the Virtual World, could live like this.

Starlight here was more than decoration. It represented the favor of the Starry Lord. Sorcerers who entered the Virtual World at night for combat, study, or training received additional boosts. Even if the gains were limited, they were better than nothing.

Arsen took over and spoke, ”During this interval beneath the falling starlight, let us invite Professor Oleron of Truth University and Professor Nidala of Sword and Roses University to share their thoughts on tonight’s friendly match.”

An intercollegiate gala rarely featured university presidents; legendary sorcerers valued their time far too highly. Truth University had sent Professor Oleron, the Weapon Master, while Sword and Roses University had chosen Rhythm Sword Saint, Professor Nidala, as their representative.

Nidala cast a glance at the students of Truth University. Her tone was flat. ”Leona, finish quickly later. I need to return to the Virtual World. I have no interest in lingering at this dull gathering.”

Oleron, broad-shouldered and imposing, let out a cold snort. He was completely bald, and his body was covered in intricate line-pattern tattoos. In the past, Sonya might not have noticed anything unusual, but after fighting a lightning sorcerer in the Virtual World, she recognized them as enhancement markings from the Lightning Class lineage.

Despite his rough appearance, his words carried unexpected politeness. ”I hope tonight’s friendly match provides valuable experience for the outstanding students of both schools. I look forward to Sword and Roses University’s performance, but I have faith in our own students as well. This year, I intend to take on a research apprentice. Should your students fall short, that opportunity may go to a Sword and Roses candidate.”

Truth University’s students remained composed, offering only slight nods to their professor. Their indifference toward Sword and Roses University was palpable.

Arsen chuckled, easing the tension. ”Both professors are clearly full of fighting spirit. Professor Oleron has even offered a research apprenticeship as a prize. Keep in mind that he hasn’t taken on a new apprentice in five years, and every student he personally trained attained their second wing before graduation. With stakes like that, tonight’s friendly match is bound to be spectacular.”

He concluded their remarks with such seamless timing that no one could find fault. Glancing at the dome, still a few seconds from fully opening, he casually turned to his co-host. ”Selby, what do you think?”

Sonya had been maintaining a professional smile. When she heard Arsen’s question, she completely lost her composure and stared at Arsen with naked horror in her eyes.

Weren’t we supposed to minimize direct exchanges? Didn’t we agree you’d handle the spotlight and spare me from improvising?

This was not entirely Arsen’s fault. He had assumed Sonya was only being polite. Besides, monopolizing the stage would have reflected poorly on him. Two hosts existed precisely to trade lines and keep the atmosphere lively. He could not simply leave Sonya standing there in silence.

More importantly, he had already laid out the topic and delivered all the agreeable remarks himself. Asking Sonya to add a few pleasant comments to fill the gap hardly seemed unreasonable.

Very quickly, Arsen realized just how utterly wrong he was.

If he had to describe the feeling using the recent hit drama Love Across Time and Space, it would be, ”I want to go back five seconds and shut my own mouth.”

”I think Professor Nidala is a person of exceptionally high emotional intelligence.”

”Oh?” Arsen asked. ”Why is that?”

Sonya answered smoothly, ”Because he can say something with such low emotional intelligence at such a grand event. In doing so, he offends the teachers and students of Truth University, while also making those of us organizing this gala deeply uncomfortable. That shows we are not worth the effort of his emotional intelligence. Anyone he deems worthy of that effort must be of extremely high status. Therefore, Professor Nidala clearly possesses remarkable emotional intelligence.

”Perhaps only at a banquet attended by university presidents would we witness his true emotional intelligence. As for his linguistic artistry, it does exist, but unfortunately, it is terrible. His demeanor is even harder to assess because he simply does not have one.”

The entire auditorium fell silent. Aside from the low rumble of the dome completing its ascent, no other sound remained.

The event was not public, but the audience was substantial. Nearly a third of the professors were present, along with the top students from every year. They all stared at Sonya on the stage, dumbfounded. Professor Nidala sat in the far corner, and no one dared turn their head to observe his expression.

Backstage, Louisa and the others were just as stunned. They had expected something from Sonya, but they never imagined she would go this far.

Even Arsen froze on the spot. His mind turned into a mess as he was unable to think of a clever way to follow up on her words.

”Haha!”

Professor Oleron’s thunderous laughter broke the silence. He applauded as he spoke. ”Well said. Sword and Roses University truly produces outstanding talent.”

Sonya replied, ”Truth University is no less impressive. Professor Oleron, with a professor like you, whose mouth is full of pleasantries, Truth University has truly struck gold. One has to admire Cailleach’s excellent matching system. You and Professor Nidala are evenly matched.”

”How am I full of pleasantries?”

”You said that if Sword and Roses University’s students win, you would take a research apprentice from Sword and Roses University. Isn’t that just polite talk? Your last three apprentices were all top students from Truth University. You are clearly writing a bad check. When you go back, you will do exactly what you always do. You will never take an apprentice from another school.”

”I meant every one of my words!”

”Then put it in writing. Use a sealed contract. Set it in stone!”

Some students, eager for chaos, shouted, ”That’s right, put it in writing!”

Truth University’s students immediately fired back. ”Why should we sign anything just because you say so?”

As the gala began to resemble a marketplace, Arsen felt a cold realization settle over him. This might be the greatest crisis of my hosting career.

He decisively shouted, ”Now, please welcome Lorian Zed from Sword and Roses University’s Swordsmanship Department and Rigan Carroll from Truth University to the stage for the first one-on-one friendly match!”