Sorcerer's Handbook

Chapter 516: Sword Princesss Stage (②)

“Surrender?”

Sonya was about to turn her head when Lois pulled her back: “Don’t move, you’re putting on your combat attire!”

The village girl straightened her back and asked, “Do they want me to voluntarily surrender?”

“Not surrender, it’s ‘retreat after using all your skills,’” Adelle explained. “Thousand Star Entertainment believes that if you get severely injured in a national broadcast, it will affect your audience appeal and reduce your commercial value. In contrast, if you retreat after recognizing the gap, it’ll leave a positive impression on everyone, which benefits you.”

“Indeed,” Lois said while attaching ornaments to Sonya. “There has never been a precedent for a contestant surrendering in the Meteor Trial finals.”

“That’s because most contestants are third or fourth-year students, and it might be their only chance to compete in the Meteor Trial finals. They can’t afford not to give it their all until the last moment. Moreover, the Starburst Guard, Griffin Squad, and Barrier Legion closely watch the College League. Quitting due to fear would seriously affect a battle sorcerer’s prospects,” Adelle explained. “But Sonya is different.”

“Sonya is just a first-year student, reaching the Meteor Trial finals is already a miracle. Even if she voluntarily quits, no one will look down on her. She still has her second, third, and fourth years. Next year, Dimy will graduate, and she can compete in the Meteor Trial again.”

The village girl had a thoughtful expression when Lois tightened the corset, causing her to instinctively puff out her chest.

Lois looked at the filled-out, bulging clothes with a puzzled expression: “Is my combat attire too small, or have you developed more?”

Sonya’s combat attire from the Meteor Trial semi-final was severely damaged, and there was no time to repair it, so she wore her backup.

“I’ve been training my body using the Sword Body spirit recently,” Sonya said. “Maybe I’ve gained muscle?”

Lois gave it a slight push: “It’s not hard, more like soft and bouncy.”

Adelle leaned in: “Really, let me-“

“Stop it,” Sonya said. “So, do you all support the proposal from Thousand Star Entertainment?”

“Our Stretch Paw Club leaders discussed it and agreed it’s feasible,” Adelle said. “Thousand Star Entertainment is one of the top three entertainment guilds. If you aim to become a performer or songstress, Thousand Star is a great choice. Their contract is flexible, and they’re even willing to tailor a series of TV dramas to make you famous-just like Delarose, your favorite!”

“But they made it clear if you suffer a crushing defeat and get injured in the Meteor Trial, the deal changes. Thousand Star wants not a scarred loser but a graceful young sorcerer who shines even in defeat.”

Engulite objected, “People are forgiving of failure.”

Adelle shook her head, “People are more forgiving if the failure looks good.”

“Besides,” Adelle paused, “if the battle is doomed, isn’t surrender the rational choice? You’re going to lose anyway.”

“It’s different,” Engulite said. “A battle prepared for surrender and a fierce fight ending in defeat are worlds apart for a sorcerer. The former dulls the blade, while the latter sharpens it.”

“I’m not a sorcerer, so I don’t get it,” Adelle shrugged. “Sonya, you choose-compromise the honor of a sorcerer to pursue the path of fame you’ve dreamed of, or refuse Thousand Star’s proposal and fight Dimy to the end?”

“Hmm-” Sonya opened her fingers as Lois slipped a sleeve on her middle finger. “Can I have both?”

Adelle blinked, “You mean you want to be badly beaten by Dimy and then surrender?”

The Stretch Paw Club President smiled slightly, “Please decline Thousand Star Entertainment for me. After all, a match can be unpredictable. And besides Dimy, there are four other strong contestants resurrected as losers. I might not even last to face Dimy alone. Thousand Star’s plan is too idealistic.”

Adelle noticed this wasn’t the real reason, but she had to respect Sonya’s decision.

Still, she couldn’t help but ask, “Sonya, aren’t you afraid of losing?”

“Of course, I am. Who isn’t? Especially when triggering the Death-Prevention Miracle, where losses can look particularly ugly,” the village girl replied. “For me, looking awful is much worse than losing.” ṚâΝoВЕṨ

“So, do you plan to surrender?”

“Afraid of losing,” Sonya said, “but surrender isn’t the only option.”

The luminous star sets, and the stars take their place!

At the moment, the Galaxia National Sports Arena is packed and buzzing with excitement. Truth College students are already in a celebratory mode, even unfurling banners to preemptively congratulate Senior Brother Dimy on his victory. In stark contrast, other universities remain silent.

“Interesting,” Nidhogg chuckled. “Sonya is mimicking Dimy’s techniques! Dimy has messed up this time. He’s inadvertently teaching Vlozrada’s family combat arts to Sonya. As fellow sorcerers of the same Sect and path, Sonya is learning a great deal from this battle!”

“Even if Dimy decides to stop now, Sonya has already gained immensely!”

On the battlefield, Dimy suddenly asked, “Are you close with Professor Nidhogg?”

“I’m not close with him,” Sonya replied, seizing the opportunity to unleash Evil Light Vibration. “I’m close with his students.”

“He seems keen on you learning as much as possible from this battle,” Dimy said. “If you can truly grasp the essence of Vlozrada’s Vibration techniques in combat, what is there I cannot teach? Watch out!”

Dimy’s presence shifted. Although he still utilized typical two-wings Miracles, his stance turned aggressively offensive, causing Sonya to fall back repeatedly!

Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!

Sonya dared not face his sharp assaults head-on. She evaded using the ruined city’s terrain, trying to parry moves as she gradually countered. Eventually, she found opportunities to strike back from within Dimy’s Vibration Sword web!

Blood Moon Shattered Lake!

Confronted with the overwhelming blood-red sword cascade, Dimy stepped forward and countered with Evil Light Vibration, nullifying the attack. He then launched a follow-up assault, aiming to crush Sonya’s defense with relentless aggression!

At this moment, dozens of threads appeared in front of Dimy.

“Blood Moon Blossoms! Therave’s original Miracle!” Arsenault shrieked. “Will it work... Ah!”

Zing!

As the threads converged, they transformed into dozens of sword light vibrations aimed to shred Dimy. He neither dodged nor blocked but allowed the vibrations to engulf him, ripples spreading across his body.

Sanctuary!

With a single thought, a fully protective Sanctuary activated!

“So close!” Arsenault nearly growled through gritted teeth. “Therave was just a fraction away from making history!”

“Indeed, just a fraction,” Nidhogg stated calmly.

Arsenault nodded. “If Vlozrada didn’t have enough time to activate his Sanctuary-“

“No, when I said ‘just a fraction,’ I didn’t mean Dimy made a mistake,” Nidhogg interjected, staring at the duel on the battlefield. “I meant that little girl, Sonya, made the error. She was just a fraction away from defeating Dimy.”

Dimy reached up and touched his neck, finding a cut that nearly severed his throat. He was certain his Sanctuary hadn’t been delayed; the wound appeared after the Sanctuary was activated.

He looked up and saw Sonya, gripping her Wooden Sword in her right hand. Beside her right hand was a faint, almost invisible phantom hand, clutching an unseen blade.

“Dimy’s Sanctuary was utterly useless,” Nidhogg said, standing up. “Sonya used ‘The Invisible Hand’s Secret Blade,’ one of the few Miracles that can completely bypass a Sanctuary!”

Arsenault was stunned. “The Invisible Hand’s Secret Blade? But isn’t that...”

“That’s correct,” Nidhogg confirmed. “It’s the signature move of ‘the invisible sword saint,’ Trozan, who once achieved fame by defeating three Sanctuary Sorcerers in a row with this very technique.”

As Nidhogg explained, the whole audience began to recall the information about this Miracle. It was basic knowledge from compulsory courses, something every student should have learned.

But according to their information, this Miracle was supposed to be...

“Wait, I’m a bit confused,” Arsenault said. “The Invisible Hand’s Secret Blade... isn’t it a form of Spatial Swordsmanship that only Sanctuary Sorcerers can learn?”

“That’s right.”

Nidhogg’s voice echoed through the Galaxia Sports Arena, reaching every corner of the stars.

“Sonya Therave is also a Sanctuary Sorcerer.”