Chapter 258: We Cannot Be Without the Swordswoman

Orbit College, Flash Track Auditorium.

Like the Starfall Auditorium at Swordflower College, the Flash Track Auditorium also had its ceiling open. The difference, however, was that while Starfall Auditorium used mirrors to reflect the starlight into the hall, the Flash Track Auditorium utilized a series of glass tracks. As the night sky emerged, the starlight would entangle along the glass tracks on the ceiling, circulating around the entire auditorium. This manipulation of starlight turned the interior as bright as day, adding an extra layer of solemnity.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

On stage, two young students were engaged in an intense battle. The slightly shorter male student, a Swordcerer from Swordflower College, faced off against a taller female student, a Spear Sorcerer from Orbit College.

The spear, once the undisputed sovereign of the age of cold weapons, had always flourished even before the invention of firearms. Swords, axes, and hammers all had to bow before it.

However, with the rise of firearms, the more agile bladed weapons gradually took over the position held by spears, and consequentially, the sword technique factions became the most powerful weapon factions in the Stars Kingdom.

Yet, no ancient sovereign would willingly fade into obscurity. Through generations of improvements and optimizations by Spear Sorcerers, the standard spear evolved into a three-segment mechanized staff spear. This new form was more flexible, more portable, and incorporated a broader range of lethal techniques. Today’s modern Spear Sorcerers not only retained the ancient might of the spear but also skillfully utilized the mechanized staff’s cunning capabilities, holding their own even against Gun Technique factions.Th.ê most uptodate novels are published on n(0)velbj)n(.)co/m

In contrast, the axe and hammer technique factions had completely fallen from grace. Such was the brutal world of sorcerers; those unable to keep up with the times were mercilessly swept into the trash heap of the Virtual Realm, only to resurface when future sorcerers sifted through the past to revive and refine them.

Spear technique had always been Orbit College’s ace faction. The team leader for this inter-college fellowship from Orbit College, known as the Spiral Cherry Saint, Belger, was a renowned Sanctuary Sorcerer for her mastery of spear techniques.

The very thought of the final exhibition match against Belger made Sonya’s heart race—this was a rare opportunity to legitimately challenge a Sanctuary Sorcerer!

Clang!

The female student’s spear suddenly transformed into a mechanized staff, slithering like a slick serpent to lock the male student’s longsword. With a pull and a lift, she not only sent the longsword flying but also swiftly morphed it back into a spear, now aimed directly at the male student’s throat!

“The match is decided!” the host announced loudly. “The winner is Cathy McIntosh from Orbit College! Now, let’s hear from the Professor for some comments!”

Sonya watched the host, who controlled the entire event with such grace and poise, and couldn’t help but feel a bit dazed—she was supposed to be in that position, initially hosting for her school and then for the league, earning the audience’s affection before transitioning into a career as a Songstress or a performer, embarking on a path sustained by her popularity.

However, she found herself sitting in the guest section, as the Chief representative for the Friendly Match, under the watchful, important, and sometimes hostile eyes of other students from Orbit College.

Orbit College and Swordflower College were both top contenders in Gales, competing fiercely with one another. Moreover, following last year’s narrow victory by Swordflower College in the Intercollegiate League, the students from Orbit College were eager to reclaim their lead this year, making this Friendly Match a critical prelude.

This time, Sonya might not have the chance to be the brightest supporting character, but she did have the opportunity to be the sole protagonist.

“Cathy’s use of the ‘Disengage’ spirit was too rudimentary, failing to utilize the features of the Mechanized Staff and focusing too heavily on the Spear’s thrusting capabilities...” Spiral Cherry Saint Belger meticulously critiqued the female student’s performance in battle, indicating that Cathy must be a student well-known to Belger.

This was not unusual, as theoretically, the team for the Friendly Match should be chosen fairly from among the best students, but often, the best students were the Professors’ favorites, just like Sonya became the Chief due to Leoni’s recommendation and because the team-leading Professor was Hidden Hand Sword Saint Trozan.

If the team-leading Professor had been Rhythm Sword Saint Nidhogg, Sonya might have made the team, but the Chief position would undoubtedly have gone to Leoni, who was Nidhogg’s Apprentice.

The so-called Friendly Match was like a battle of pets for the Professors, who naturally preferred to use their familiar fighters.

After Belger finished her critique, the pressure shifted to Trozan. The renowned Hidden Hand Sword Saint seemed a bit impatient, scratching her unruly, tangled hair. Suddenly, she turned to the Chief from Swordflower College next to her, “Did you get that?”

“What?” Sonya was confused.

“If you understood, then you explain it,” Trozan said assertively. “I don’t feel like repeating the critique.”

Belger had little respect for school professors who manipulated power in such a way.

Not to mention that Trozan didn’t do the work herself, but instead used her students as shields, which was truly a disgrace for a professor!

However, as the Holographic Screen in the auditorium played the freshly made Battle replay, the auditorium gradually quieted down, and even Belger showed a look of astonishment.

Aim for the chest with an upward strike, retreat and thrust at the throat... Every point directed by Sonya was a critical juncture that could have turned the Battle around! If the vanguard from Swordflower College had followed Sonya’s guidance, they could have easily broken through Cathy’s Spear blockade!

Cathy watched with a pale face, unable to believe that her victory had been such a fluke; but her opponent was also distressed, stomping their feet in frustration at having missed so many opportunities and ultimately losing in such an embarrassing manner.

After the replay ended, the auditorium remained silent until the host’s voice, seemingly imbued with vitality, rang out: “Thank you very much to both professors for their meticulous guidance. Next, please welcome the students from the vanguard battle...”

As the second Friendly Match began, Trozan rubbed her temples, looking like a woman who had just woken up from a hangover: “It seems I really can’t take it easy... I’ll handle the commentary from here on out, Sonya. Your comments would make everyone unhappy.”

Sonya instinctively wanted to thank the professor for her mercy— but she quickly realized that commentary was actually the professor’s job. Why should she be thankful when Trozan was merely fulfilling her responsibilities?

She should be questioning why the professor had suddenly Passed the Buck!

Damn, this is the terrifying aspect of power. When Upper-tier Persons capriciously torment Down-tier Persons, not only can the latter not resist, but they might even feel grateful when the former decides to spare them... Such enviable power!

I too wish to become one of those Upper-tier Persons whose every word and action are as impactful as Thunder!

Sonya was still puzzled as to why Trozan said her comments could make people unhappy. Upon closer inspection, she noticed the Swordflower vanguard looking dejected, while the victorious opponents also had haggard expressions, clearly affected by her words.

It wasn’t Sonya’s intention to hurt them; her guidance wasn’t derived from Faction Realm politics but from “Sword Command Techniques.”

“Sword Command Techniques” didn’t significantly enhance individual strength, but when used to direct others, it had an almost miraculous effect.

Sonya began to realize how lucky last night’s victory had been—if Demilo had been commanding his troops in a proper battle, even if the Observer’s car was robust and fast, it would have been reduced to scrap metal under the precise surgical command.

Unfortunately, the Observer dragged the battlefield into a Manure pit, allowing Demilo to use less than a tenth of his capabilities. Coupled with the cooperation of their three Sorcerers, they barely managed to defeat the unfortunate heroic soul.

As she pondered, the second front guard battle began, and Sonya glanced at it only to lose interest quickly—frankly, even the Observer’s combat skills were more refined.

Though both vanguards likely possessed the arcane energy of Silver Half-Wings, their lack of real Combat experience was evident. They fought without enough ruthlessness or ferocity, leading Sonya to think in the Observer’s terms: “Fighting like this won’t kill anyone.”

Sonya even doubted they had killed many Slaying Fish-Dragons.

Disinterested in the match, Sonya looked for Leoni to chat but saw her engrossed in something.

The rustic girl moved her chair closer, and Leoni glanced up, “Want to join me?”

“What are you looking at?”

“Astrology.” Leoni raised the book in her hand, its cover titled “1668 The Seventy-Two Constellations Life Book.”