"Cheers!"
In the Starry Kingdom, within the Secret Garden of Sword Flower University, four female college students were clinking glasses, drawing frequent glances from nearby students. But that was all; no one was foolish enough to ruin the mood of the strongest among Jialesi's younger generation.
"Today's on me!" Adele announced magnanimously. "A round of drinks for everyone, this sorcerer's paying the tab!"
The other students laughed and offered their congratulations, while Lois said exasperatedly, "Anyone who didn't know better would think you'd reached legendary rank."
"Hey, but I became a sorcerer in my second year! That puts me near the top of the entire Water Sorcery Department!" Adele declared proudly. "Now I only need six years to complete my credits and graduate!"
Lois poked her forehead. "You'd better at least graduate in four years for me!"
Ingrid took a gentle sip of classic iced tea and smiled. "Now everyone in our dorm is a sorcerer."
In late December, Adele successfully resonated with the Void Realm and summoned a Water Therapy sorcery spirit, making their dorm the first elite dormitory among the second-years where every member was a sorcerer.
One had to know that the vast majority of students at Sword Flower University only became sorcerers in their fourth year, and doing so in their third year was already considered outstanding. To become a sorcerer in the second year was respectable even at Truth University.
Sonia smiled. "I thought you'd eventually summon a 'Film Critic sorcery spirit' from watching too many dramas, Adele. I never expected you were secretly practicing water sorcery."
"I wasn't doing it secretly!" Adele pouted. "Ingrid is always practicing swordsmanship, Lois is busy cultivating, and you're never in the dorm. I didn't even have anyone to share my drama-watching with, so I had no choice but to begrudgingly study a bit... I've been studying for months already!"
The Paw-Extending Swordmaster blinked. "How rare. So will you keep studying after this?"
"Huh? Why would I keep studying?" Adele raised an eyebrow. "I've already fully completed my life's mission. I can securely inherit my father's title, and all that's left is to get married after graduation and enjoy life!"
Lois clicked her tongue. "I knew it."
Whether Guard Nobles or Court Nobles, aristocratic titles could be inherited through direct descent, but the fundamental prerequisite was that the heir had to be a sorcerer; otherwise, the title was directly stripped. Adele's father had only her as a daughter. If she failed to become a sorcerer, losing the title was secondary; more importantly, an exorbitant inheritance tax would be levied, and any properties tied to the title would be directly nationalized (for instance, enterprise factories with over a hundred workers required an aristocratic title)—"title" and "property" would never be handed to an incompetent.
Even if just to secure a worry-free future, Adele had to become a sorcerer no matter what.
Conversely, now that she had become a sorcerer, she could live carefree for the rest of her life just off her inheritance; that she was still willing to graduate from Sword Flower University was already quite ambitious of her.
"Still, now that you've witnessed the wonders of the Knowledge Sea, don't you want to see the scenery from higher up?" Ingrid said, filled with longing. "The Time Continent of reverse golden rain, the dream-bubble Distant Sky Realm, and the sorcerers' sacred ground, Ruby Mountain..."
"The Distant Sky Realm has already been destroyed," Sonia remarked. "It seems the new third level of the Void Realm is called the 'Dream Stairway.'"
"But those are all so far away. Not only do you have to sail ten thousand li across the Knowledge Sea, you also have to break through your sorcery realm to gold rank." Adele swirled the ice in her glass and shook her head. "Besides, the scenery can't be better than a good drama. Watching my shows is plenty for me."
"But you could become stronger."
"And what if I get stronger?"
"Being stronger lets you live the life you want."
"But I can already live the life I want right now." Adele tilted her head. "After getting married, I'll have afternoon tea, go shopping, raise some cats and dogs, and watch dramas every day. Getting stronger wouldn't change my life at all—though now I can heal minor bumps and bruises myself. Yay!"
Lois said, "If you get stronger, you could find a better partner."
"No way. I wouldn't be used to a new one, and he'd be heartbroken." Adele stood up and twirled around, giggling. "He picked out this outfit when we went shopping yesterday. Honestly, it looks better than whatever I would've put together!"
"I rarely comment on other people's way of life," Ingrid said. "But Adele, don't you think having more power to take charge of your own life is better than relying on someone else?"
"It would be better, sure, but it would also be much harder work." Adele spread her hands. "I really have no desire to leave my comfort zone. And wasn't this supposed to be a drinks party celebrating me becoming a sorcerer? How did it suddenly turn into a critique of me?!"
Lois said, "We just want you to be happy."
"Actually, Adele might end up being the happiest among us," Sonia said with a smile. "Not envying others, not blindly following the crowd, recognizing what she wants and firmly grasping it... Adele truly possesses the wisdom of a sorcerer."
"See? Look at that!" Adele adopted an expression of having found a solid backer. "That's the gap between you and a Sanctuary sorcerer!"
"Still, second-wing sorcerers can graduate directly without exams," Sonia pivoted smoothly. "Since you have to study to earn credits anyway, wouldn't spending that study time delving into sorcery accomplish the same thing? The material you study for classes will be forgotten right after exams, whereas sorcery at least has a much longer shelf life. Even if you don't use it, isn't it better to choose an investment with a longer shelf life?"
Seeing Adele sink into deep thought, the country girl winked at the other two. Lois and Ingrid couldn't help marveling that there was indeed a gulf between them and the Sword Flower—talking to Adele about the future and grand philosophies was talking to a wall, but credits and exam exemptions were the only things that could truly move Adele's heart.
"Are those accessories on your wrists some new trend?" Sonia asked curiously. "How come every one of you has one?"
"This is the newest rune wristwatch! We saw them while shopping and bought them," Adele said, turning the watch. The runes on it immediately lit up. "When you turn it, the runes glow to tell the time. Isn't it pretty?"
"Can't you also check the time with a miracle bracelet?"
"If everything around us is made of miracles, doesn't an ordinary thing without miracles feel especially precious?"
Sonia paused, surprised, then nodded. "That actually makes sense. I'll buy one too when I have time."
"Oh, by the way, I have gifts for you."
The Paw-Extending Swordmaster took out three knowledge apparatus spirits. "Take a look and see if you like them."
The three took the knowledge apparatus spirits and received the information inside. "Miracle arts?"
"They're all miracles that should come in handy for you," Sonia said. "As for the sorcery spirits, you'll have to buy those yourselves. My gift budget was only enough to cover the miracle arts; any more than that and my wallet would start crying."
"Ah..." Adele scratched her head. "Mastering sorcery spirits is such a hassle."
"At a time like this, just be a good girl and say thank you," Lois said exasperatedly.
Chapter 950