Sonia Was Acting Very Strange

Adele realized from three things that Sonia was acting very strange today. The first thing: she had spent the entire morning sitting in her chair staring at the light screen with a faint smile on her face, seemingly lost in the sweet fantasies of a romance drama. Yet she hadn't skipped either the opening sequence or the ending credits, which proved she wasn't actually watching it at all. The second thing: she had taken the initiative to ask Lois for advice on outfits and styling. Even though their relationship had eased, that didn't mean they had become inseparable best friends. Frankly speaking, Lois's personality wasn't great either. On top of that, the two of them had always been competing in beauty and style, so Sonia asking her for advice was practically bowing her head in matters of aesthetic taste. Even Lois had been dumbfounded. Unexpectedly, however, Lois didn't become arrogant or heap sarcastic remarks on her. Instead, she seemed a bit caught off guard. That afternoon, she took Sonia and Adele on a shopping spree through Jialesi's commercial district, buying several sets of clothes for Sonia. Even Adele got a few new dresses out of it for free. Honestly, Sonia had indeed asked the right person. Although Sonia spent exorbitant amounts on her facial grooming and cosmetics, she really hadn't studied fashion. Practically all year round, she wore the standard Sword Flower school uniform—not just because it didn't cost any extra money, but also because the Sword Flower uniform was naturally stylish enough on its own, granting additional aura bonuses like "student" and "youthful." And one shouldn't forget: a little over two months ago, she had been a genuinely impoverished university beauty. During the first semester, Sonia had tried wearing casual clothes once, only to be mocked so mercilessly by Lois that she shoved them to the very bottom of her wardrobe. Beyond being cheap, shoddy products, Sonia's fashion sense was about as refined as a block of marble, screaming to the world that she was a country girl newly arrived in the big city. It was better to just wear the uniform. Throughout the entire second semester, Sonia's only casual outfit was a black camisole dress. Adele, who had watched countless dramas, immediately recognized that she was directly copying the costume from Daidalos's new show this year. Everyone's style was different. Even someone like Adele, who couldn't be bothered to dress up, had bought dozens of outfits at home before finding what worked for her. Lois's family ran a combat outfit business, and her fashion sense ranked among the very best in all of Sword Flower. Sonia asking her spared her from tedious trial and error, graduating her taste in a single leap. Alluring, sweet, innocent, dignified, elegant... Adele had already secretly snapped plenty of photos. This was a massive win for the Paw-Stretching Club. And then came the third thing. Upon returning to the campus from downtown, Adele opened the university forum as usual to browse the news, and happened to see someone stirring up trouble again with a thread titled: *Since that Servey country bumpkin is so amazing, she can definitely beat Dimi and seize the Meteor Tribulation, right?* Just as Adele clicked on the thread, rolling up her sleeves for battle, she saw an utterly shocking reply— [Paw-Stretching Club President: Nah, she can't beat Dimi.] "Therefore, based on the aforementioned anomalies," Adele said in the dining hall, addressing her two roommates, "we can basically conclude that our little Sonia has been sullied." "I don't really get it," Ingrid said, biting her spoon. "The first two aside, why is the last one an anomaly? Isn't her reply perfectly normal?" "It's precisely because it's normal that it makes no sense," Adele explained. "That thread was spitting 'country bumpkin' on one hand and 'beat Dimi' on the other—it was blatantly dripping with sarcasm. The replies were just an anti-fan frenzy. That thread was never meant for rational discussion. "When dealing with irrational threads like that, Sonia usually replies with things like, 'How could Servey ever compare to you? You must have raised yourself,' or 'How many moms do you have to talk like that?' She baits them into swearing and then hits them with a mass report to get them banned. "In the Paw-Stretching Club, Sonia has the highest combat power whether online or offline. She's like a hedgehog—whoever dares try to hurt her gets stung. "Yet look at her now! Faced with mockery like that, she didn't even strike back, and actually reasoned with them!" Adele said in deep distress. "Someone must have stroked her soft underbelly, which is why she tucked away all her quills!" "True," Lois agreed. "Today's Sonia is completely different from yesterday's." "So, who exactly plucked our Sword Flower!" Adele looked around the table. "Do you two have any clues?" "Her social circle hasn't really changed lately," Ingrid said. "I haven't noticed any guys she's close to." "She returned to the dorm right after her match last night," Lois said. "Then around ten, she headed to the Meditation Building to log into the Void Realm. It's not like someone could have abducted her heart during that time, right?" Adele nodded slowly, but her sharp gaze remained fixed on the two of them. Lois quickly caught on: "You suspect us?!" "One of you," Adele corrected. "Since there's no one else around Sonia, the culprit has to be found between the two of you. Speak up: which of you is preying on our roommate? Confess now and get twenty percent off your sentence." "What are you even giving a discount on...?" Lois's lips twitched. "You know me. I like handsome, considerate men." "It can't be me either." Ingrid shook her head. "I like men who are stronger than me." "All right," Adele said calmly. "Anyone who feels no admiration for Sonia in her heart, please stand up." Silence. "Anyone who harbors no appreciation for Sonia's looks, please stand up." Silence. "Anyone who holds no adoration for Sonia's strength, please stand up." Silence. Adele leaned back slightly. "You two aren't conducting a pincer attack together, are you...? Is it too late for me to switch dorm rooms? I don't want to wake up one day and find myself trapped like cheese in a double-sided sandwich." "That's definitely not true!" "You've got it all wrong!" "What are you guys talking about?" The commotion came to an abrupt halt. They all looked at the country girl, who set down her tray and sat with a smile. "Why didn't you bring me along for dinner? I had to search for quite a while before finding you." The three exchanged glances. Adele offered an excuse: "You weren't in when we headed out. We thought you'd already gone to eat." "Oh," Sonia said. "Then what were you talking about just now?" "We were talking about that snarky thread mocking you on the forum." Adele tested the waters. "Sonia, why didn't you fight back in that thread?" "There's nothing to fight back against. I really can't beat Dimi," Sonia shrugged. "Losing to him isn't shameful. Besides, securing top four and aiming for top two in the Meteor Tribulation is already more than enough for me." Lois asked, "Then why did you suddenly ask me about shopping for clothes today?" "I've been getting quite a few acting offers lately, so I'll definitely be leaving campus more often. I can't keep meeting people in my school uniform forever, can I?" Sonia pressed her palms together in gratitude. "I'll pay you back for the clothes later. I've made quite a bit of money in the Void Realm recently." Lois replied, "No need. I have discount cards, clothes don't cost much anyway." "Tsk, why are you all so wishy-washy?" Ingrid suddenly bent the stainless steel spoon in her hand, looked at the country girl, and said, "Sonia, do you have someone you like?" What a direct strike! Adele and Lois held their breath, waiting for Sonia's reaction. The country girl would probably react in one of three ways: First, admit it bluntly with a disdainful look, as if they had asked a childish question. Second, wear a longing expression while remaining vague, acting like she might or might not, leaving them to guess. Third, deny it coldly, making it impossible to read her mind. Whichever it was, knowing Sonia for so long, they were sure they'd spot the cracks! "N-No, of course not." Sonia stammered her reply, instinctively looking away. A crimson blush rushed from her neck all the way to the tips of her ears, turning her entire face delightfully, temptingly rosy, making one itch to take a bite out of her. "How could I possibly... have someone I like...?" The meal ended in silence. There were Intercollegiate League matches tonight as well, but Sonia was going with Professor Trozan, so she parted ways with her roommates. The moment they got into Lois's car, Adele, who had been holding it in the whole way, finally lost it and began punching the leather seats repeatedly. Ingrid leaned on her sword bag, taking deep gulps of air, unable to wipe the silly grin off her face. Lois slumped in the driver's seat, body rigid, squirming nonstop. Even though they had learned the truth, was all of this worth it? Why—why was Sonia in love so ridiculously cute?! *** "Are you worried?" In the spectator stands, Sonia, who was watching the Stars Tribulation, looked at the professor beside her in surprise and shook her head. "I'm not worried. I might lose in the semifinals tomorrow anyway, so it won't be my turn to worry." "Even though you're my student, I haven't really taken much care of you," Trozan sighed. "I'm typical of the academic faction. I climbed all the way to the Distant Sky Realm before I began researching and practicing miracles. Back when I was on the Time Continent, my strength was far below yours... My ultimate techniques are all Sanctuary-rank miracles. If scaled down to the Gold rank, their power wouldn't even match your self-created Water Moon series. When I think about it, I've actually benefited quite a lot from you." "Professor, your willingness to accept me as your student is already taking care of me," Sonia affectionately clung to Trozan's arm. "Besides, you've helped speak up for me during friendly matches, arranged training sessions, and supported me with university matters. I've always been grateful." "You certainly have a way with words," Trozan hummed. "A sword sorcerer shouldn't flatter people." Despite her words, the slight curl at the corners of Trozan's lips showed that she enjoyed it immensely. "Actually, Professor, you're not that much older than me. Can I call you Sister Trozan?" Sonia struck while the iron was hot. Trozan intended to refuse, but meeting Sonia's bright, sparkling eyes, she found herself inexplicably agreeing: "In public, you still have to call me Professor." "Mm, Professor Sister!" Sonia giggled. "So even if you lose to Dimi, don't be discouraged," Trozan said. "Once you reach Sanctuary, I have plenty of Sanctuary miracles to help you get your payback." "Mm, thank you, Professor Sister!" Trozan looked back at the arena, frowning slightly. "How much longer will this go on?" "Stars Tribulation is like that. If the three teams are evenly matched, it easily turns into a stalemate. No one dares launch an all-out assault for fear of letting the third team swoop in and reap the benefits," Sonia explained. "They're all waiting for a fleeting opportunity." "A waste of time," Trozan remarked. "It's almost eleven. Sonia, don't you need to hurry off for Void Realm exploration?" "Ah, right!" "I'll fly you straight back." Before Sonia could reply, Trozan scooped her up and took flight, leaving the arena center. Minutes later, they returned to Sword and Rose Sorcerer University. Trozan set her down in front of the Meditation Building, said goodbye, and departed. Since the Stars Tribulation wasn't over yet and most students were watching the broadcast, the Meditation Building was practically deserted. Looking at the familiar building, Sonia's heart thumped erratically. She was so nervous she wanted to turn and flee, as if the interior held a man-eating abyss. In the end, she still entered a meditation room, sat cross-legged, and summoned her Wave Sword sorcery spirit. Looking at this Two-Winged Wave Sword, the country girl casually directed her consciousness to search inside the sorcery spirit, and to her surprise, she effortlessly located the Gate of Truth. *Should I really enter the Void Realm?* *No, I'd better ask for time off! Let's take today off! I don't want to go!* *Wait, will the Watcher think I have an issue with him? Will it cause a misunderstanding?* *Then should I still go in?* *But I'm afraid to see him!* *Ugh...* The Paw-Stretching Club president's mind was in total chaos. Just then, her bracelet's alarm sounded, reminding her that the appointed time had arrived. Instinctively, Sonia entered the Gate of Truth. By the time she came to her senses, she had already arrived on the Time Continent. Sonia's first reaction was to look down at her outfit. She immediately felt a wave of joy—it was the elegant ensemble Lois had bought for her today. Pretty without being pandering, perfectly suited for the mood between them! Just as Sonia let out a breath of relief, she heard the Watcher speak: "Witch, I have something to discuss privately with Sword Princess. Stay in the car and don't move." "Okay..." the Witch responded listlessly. Yet Sonia had no time to pay attention to the Witch's condition. In a daze, she was pulled by the Watcher behind the curtain of rain out of the Witch's sight. Then, the Watcher turned around and gazed seriously at her. *Ah?* *Huh?* *Wait, what?* *Is... is it happening? But I'm not ready! If I'd known, I would have worn a killer combat outfit! And—* When the Watcher placed both hands on her shoulders, Sonia felt her body instantly go soft, as though she would collapse into his arms the second he let go. She didn't even dare meet his eyes. Her lips pressed tight, her mind blank, Sonia—who had always been the most proactive—turned into a little girl who needed someone to take the lead, quietly waiting for the Watcher to launch his offensive— "Sword Princess, I probably have at most five days left." Sword Princess opened her eyes and looked at Yaxiu with an aggrieved, reproachful gaze.