Sword Flower University, the Stardrop Auditorium.
"...To vigorously champion the adventurous spirit of striving forward, foster a healthy and positive competitive environment, and promote friendly exchanges between Sword Flower University and Truth University, the stage is now handed over to the outstanding students of both academies to conduct exhibition matches under the gaze of the stars."
As Sonia's voice rang out, the auditorium's dome rumbled upward. The inner lining of the dome was remarkably paved with mirrors; under clever reflection, the starlight of the heavens shone down into the hall like spotlights. Everyone looked as though draped in a sheer veil of starlight, the illumination even more dazzling than the indoor lighting had been just moments before.
In the Starry Country, all important events had to be held under the starry sky. If daytime with the radiant stars hanging high was "work hours," the starlit night was "playtime"—of course, ordinary people could never survive such an exhausting schedule, and only sorcerers, who could recuperate their bodies through exploring the Void Realm, could afford to live this way.
Moreover, starlight was not merely beautiful; it represented the favor of the Starry Law Master. Thus, any sorcerer who entered the Void Realm, fought, studied, or trained during the night would receive extra boons—even if modest, they were always better than nothing.
"In the interval as the starlight descends, let us invite Professor Oleron of Truth University and Professor Nidala of Sword Flower University to share their thoughts on the exhibition matches," Arsenault announced.
Naturally, no chancellor-level figures would attend a social gala. After all, the time of a Legendary Sorcerer was far too precious, never even enough to spend in the Void Realm. Therefore, Truth University's faculty representative was the "Weapon Master," Oleron, while Sword Flower University sent the "Rhythm Sword Saint," Nidala.
Nidala glanced toward the Truth University students and remarked casually, "Leonie, finish things quickly later. I'm in a rush to enter the Void Realm and have no interest in lingering at such a boring gala."
The burly Oleron snorted. Not a single strand of hair grew on his head, and his body was covered in intricate tattoos of geometric patterns. Previously, Sonia would not have recognized what they were, but after battling the Thunder Wielder in the Void Realm, she knew Oleron's tattoos were most likely amplifications from the lightning sorcery faction.
Yet despite his gruff exterior, Oleron spoke with surprising politeness: "I hope tonight's exhibition matches will be fruitful for the fine students of both universities. I look forward to seeing what Sword Flower University's students can do, though I also trust the capabilities of our own students. I plan to take on a research apprentice this year; if you perform poorly, that spot just might be snatched away by a student from Sword Flower."
The students of Truth University looked unfazed, giving Oleron a slight nod. Clearly, they did not hold Sword Flower University in high regard.
"Haha, both professors are certainly bringing plenty of fiery spirit! Professor Oleron has even put a research apprenticeship on the table. As we know, the 'Weapon Master' hasn't taken a new apprentice in five years, and not a single one he personally trained failed to advance to Two Wings before graduating. Tonight's exhibition matches will surely be thrilling!"
Arsenault adroitly smoothed over both professors' remarks, rounding things off so flawlessly that no one could find fault. He glanced at the dome, which was still a few seconds away from opening fully, and naturally turned to his partner beside him. "What do you think, Servi?"
Sonia, who had been maintaining a professional smile, completely lost her composure, staring at Arsenault in sheer terror.
*Didn't we agree that you wouldn't talk to me if you could help it, wouldn't make me improvise on the spot, and could steal the spotlight all you wanted?*
Arsenault was not entirely to blame. He had assumed Sonia was just being polite, and hogging the stage alone would look terrible. Having two hosts was meant to create back-and-forth banter to liven up the atmosphere; he could hardly leave Sonia standing there like a fool.
Besides, he had picked up the topic and said all the flattering words; asking Sonia to chime in with a couple more pleasantries to kill time wasn't asking too much, right?
Very soon, Arsenault realized what he had done was way too much—far, far too much. To borrow a line from the currently trending drama *Love Across Time and Space*: "I want to run back five seconds in time and shut my own mouth."
"I think Professor Nidala is a person of high emotional intelligence," Sonia said.
"Oh? Why is that?"
"Because for Professor Nidala to say something with such remarkably low emotional intelligence here—drawing disgust from Truth University's faculty and students alike while rubbing all of us who organized the gala the wrong way—it proves none of us are worthy of him exercising any tact. Therefore, the people who actually warrant his tact must be of very high standing. Ergo, he has high emotional intelligence."
Sonia spoke with terrifying fluency: "Perhaps only at a gala graced by the chancellor could we witness Professor Nidala's high emotional intelligence in action. So to sum up: Professor Nidala's eloquence is quite fine, except that it stinks; as for Professor Nidala's grace, it is hard to evaluate, because he has none whatsoever."
Silence.
Aside from the rumble of the dome unfolding, almost no sound could be heard in the auditorium. Although this gala was not open to the general public, quite a crowd was in attendance: a third of the faculty and standout students from every year had gathered under one roof.
They stared at Sonia on stage, dumbfounded. Unfortunately, Professor Nidala sat in the outermost corner, and no one dared turn their head just to observe his expression.
Hiding backstage and peeking out, Lois and the others were equally stunned. They had had a bad feeling about Sonia's performance tonight, but they never imagined she would actually pull something like this.
Even Arsenault froze, his mind turning to mush, entirely unable to think of a witty quip to follow up Sonia's words.
"Haha!"
Professor Oleron's thunderous laughter erupted. He clapped his hands and declared, "Well said! Sword Flower University truly never lacks talent!"
"Truth University is no slouch either," Sonia remarked. "With a professor like you so full of empty pleasantries, Truth University has truly struck gold. One can't help but admire Jialesi's marvelous matchmaking system—Professor Oleron and Professor Nidala are truly neck and neck."
"How am I full of empty pleasantries?"
"You just said that if a student from Sword Flower University beat one from Truth University, you would take a research apprentice from Sword Flower. Isn't that just lip service? Your last three apprentices were all top graduates of Truth University. You're clearly writing a rubber check. Once you go back, you'll carry on just as before; you would never take a student from another university as your apprentice."
"What I said is genuine, of course!"
"Then put it in writing! Use a sealed-film contract! Lock it down!"
Some students who loved chaos shouted along, "Right! Put it in writing!"
Truth University's students immediately fired back, "Who are you to demand a contract just like that?"
Watching the gala rapidly devolve into a rowdy marketplace, Arsenault suddenly realized that this might be the greatest challenge of his hosting career—bar none.
He decisively bellowed, "Now, let us welcome Loren Zi from Sword Flower University's Swordsmanship Department and Rigan Carroll from Truth University to the stage for the first individual exhibition match!"
Chapter 97