Mage Manual

Chapter 91: Chapter 84 “Sincerity

Jiale City, Sword Flower University.

Sonia returned to her dormitory and saw Lois studying early in the morning while Adelle was still sleeping with her doll. Surprised, she couldn’t help but ask, “Didn’t Adelle get up early to study just like you yesterday? She even said she wanted to summon a Technique Spirit and step into the Void Realm before the end of the semester…”

“She did study for a long time yesterday, until after lunch, then she started watching ‘Love that Crosses Time and Space’ on the Light Screen,” Lois casually replied. “Before that, she’d usually start zoning out after breakfast, trimming her nails, playing with her hair, and such.”

“Is it Dedarose’s new drama!?” Sonia asked almost reflexively, but she quickly shook her head. “Can she really graduate this way?”

Lois shrugged, “It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t graduate; she has a fiancé, a very influential noble at that. Plus, with her father’s recent promotion, I guess Adelle will probably just get married right after graduation.”

Sonia uttered an “oh” and discovered, to her surprise, that she felt no envy or turbulence over Adelle’s circumstances.

...

In the past, Adelle’s family background and life plans would certainly have made Sonia envious: with the support of her family and the backing of her fiancé, Adelle could live a happy and peaceful life as a spoilt noblewoman, without knowing anything or understanding worldly ways, shielded from all harm by others.

She had everything Sonia ever longed for from birth.

If it weren’t for having nothing, who would choose to start from scratch; if not for lacking support, who would want to scheme at every turn; if not for being coddled in a sheltered environment, who would choose to withstand the harshness of the elements?

Adversity is not a form of tempering; an unfair fate is just reality. Sonia’s poor relationship with Lois and the others wasn’t solely because Lois looked down on her with arrogance. They were partly due to Sonia herself—who was deeply hurt by Lois’s confidence, rooted in a solid foundation, just days after leaving her hometown.

But now, Sonia found that when she heard about the happy futures of others, she no longer felt jealousy or resentment.

Although she didn’t have a wealthy fiancé or family assistance, she didn’t think her future would be worse off than Adelle’s or Lois’s—yes, she was still that shallow, only able to satisfy her pride by becoming superior to others.

So much had happened in the past week that Sonia had undergone profound changes without even realizing it.

She was still as vain, still meticulously maintained her makeup, still as scheming, but now she had also become a One-winged Mage, became an apprentice to Professor Trozan, defeated Felix, and could even exchange blows with Reonie, a senior student (she didn’t consider that a victory)…

This series of events was like bricks and mortar, building up a wall behind Sonia.

Even if Sonia couldn’t persevere in the future, wanting to retreat, she would have something to rely on. @@novelbin@@

What’s more, there was someone by her side, who, even though he might not always be reliable, full of flaws, and currently even less skilled than she was, at least… he stood by her side.

After taking a shower, Sonia returned to her desk, placing a silver coin on it for the Technique Spirit to feed on, and then started applying a facial mask.

At that moment, she noticed a few new items on the table.

The first was a glass bottle containing a mix of green, gold, and pink liquids, which clearly wasn’t any healthy beverage. But Sonia remembered this glass bottle—it was the same one that the Observer was carrying the first time he appeared in the real world seven days ago.

Underneath the bottle was a note that read, “Contains Advanced Physical Potion, Advanced Experience Potion, and Technique Spirit Joy Potion. Remember to shake well before drinking.”

Sonia eyed the glass bottle suspiciously, but in the end, she still shook it, tilted her head back, and gulped it down—what else could she do? Last time the Observer had directly transported the potion to her throat; now letting her drink it herself was already a sign of goodwill.

As for whether the Observer would harm her with such suspicions, Sonia had long given up on such thoughts.

Facing someone who could control your actions, a suspected amnesiac reborn legend, unless Sonia could find the Observer’s true body, control it, and confine it to the basement to drain it of its value, all her plans were as meaningless as New Year’s resolutions.

Better to honestly cling to the Observer, this stock of proven value, do whatever he asked, create an image of being “very useful,” and first make the Observer lower his guard, revealing more flaws.

The more the Observer trusted her, the closer she was to the day when she would turn the tables.

The potion had a sweet taste, a mix of citrus, lemon, and sea salt—it was quite pleasant. Licking her lips, Sonia turned to another object out of place on the table.

A letter?

The Observer didn’t seem like the poetic type… more like the type who would talk to me about things outside my door while I was taking a bath…

With curiosity, Sonia unfolded it and found a precious card embellished with gold leaf inside, on which was written:

“Sword Maiden, you will next automatically undergo a random Technique Spirit summoning ritual, and elevate the faction realm of the Technique Spirit to your current level. Depending on the Technique Spirit, the ritual will vary, but it will not exceed seven days. As you read these lines, the random Technique Spirit will begin to be drawn. Good luck.”

The text on the card started to transform, finally forming two golden characters:

“Sincerity”

Sonia instantly realized the power of the card: she need not learn or cultivate; the automatic summoning ritual would elevate her to the Silver Level in a magic faction that she had never encountered before! And it came with a Technique Spirit!

It was only an Experience Treasure Orb, but she knew her constraints well enough; if not for the Observer, she likely wouldn’t have had the chance to obtain an Experience Treasure Orb in her lifetime.

Moreover, “Sincerity” seemed to be a Technique Spirit from the Spirit Faction, which was known to be the most difficult magic faction to master. Sonia had definitely hit the jackpot this time!

Even though she was dissatisfied with the Observer repeatedly meddling in her life, he had given her the two Experience Treasure Orbs he obtained last night, and now he had arranged such wonderful benefits for her. Sonia couldn’t help but feel sincerely grateful: Observer, meeting you is truly the luck of my life!

At this moment, the card had turned to smoke and dissipated. Sonia waited a moment, but nothing seemed to happen.

Had the ritual already begun? But why didn’t it feel like anything had changed?

Just then, the bedroom door suddenly opened, and a steaming Ingrid stepped in at a leisurely pace, picked up a towel to wipe off sweat and hydrate, saying, “Adelle, it’s time for class!”

Adelle rose robotically, following her body’s instinct to wash up, her eyes hardly open.

As Ingrid went to bathe, Sonia and Lois also began their preparations before class: eyeshadow had to match lipstick, blush must not be overwhelming, perfume was to be centered around petitgrain and bitter orange, seeking an elusive and lingering presence.