Mage Manual

On the way back, there was a traffic accident, and the tram had to stop for half an hour. By the time Sonia returned to the university, it was already past 7 pm. According to the rules, Sword Flower University does not allow entry or exit after 7 pm. If a student returns late, they must register their name, and accumulating more than three such offenses would earn them a "thorn." Collecting three "thorns" would result in expulsion.

However, with Sonia's quiet explanation, the young security guard simply opened the gate for her without registering her name. Noticing the guard's lecherous gaze that seemed as though it could penetrate her clothes, Sonia smiled and thanked him, while inwardly holding him in contempt.

Did he really think that by guarding the gates of Sword Flower University he could get close to pretty female students? Lacking even self-awareness of this degree, no wonder he was just a guard.

Benefiting from her beauty was something Sonia had understood since she was young, but it wasn't until she came to Jiale City that she realized the power of beauty was so significant. Compared to that impoverished little village, the civilized people in the city were willing to provide more conveniences for beauty.

In moments like these, Sonia would sincerely thank the Magic Master of Dazzling Star. It was due to this Divine Lord that the Kingdom of Stars developed into such a civilized and prosperous place, giving her a chance to squeeze into high society.

If she were in those barbaric countries not covered by the Heavenly Curtain, she reckoned she would have been snatched up as spoils by some barbarian the moment her beauty began to blossom.

She also thanked her mother. If her mother hadn't had her study at home during childhood but worked in the fields instead, regardless of her natural beauty, the wind and sun would have roughened her into a coarse village girl.

Upon returning to the girls' dormitory, just as Sonia was about to push the door open, she heard Lois's voice from inside: "It's past 7 o'clock. That country mutt probably won't come back tonight, right? Ha, finally can't hide her tail anymore. She's probably hooking up with some rich businessman now."

Oh my, she happened to stumble upon the classic dormitory friendship moment, "trash-talking behind one's back." Sonia immediately stopped and listened quietly to Lois's impotent rage.

Adelle pretended to advise, "Don't say that, Lois, she might come back..."

"Let her come, I want to call her shameless right in her face!"

Lois grew angrier as she spoke, "You haven't seen her flirtatious look, making eyes at someone even during class. Just a country mutt, apart from a pretty face, what's so remarkable about her?"

Ha, being prettier than you is remarkable enough.

Sonia smirked coldly in her heart, knowing that Lois in the dorm hated her the most. Lois, the daughter of a local merchant in Jiale City, was full of pride about her superior looks, always subtly criticizing Sonia's humble origins in the dorm room. But Sonia was indeed prettier, and whenever the two appeared together, the number of boys favorably inclined toward Sonia increased significantly more.

However, during their first year, everyone managed to maintain a semblance of peace, until Sonia successfully won the host position over Lois in a school event, fully triggering Lois's hostility.

Lois wasn't easy to deal with either, organizing several entertainment activities within the Water Magic Department, and even treating classmates at fancy restaurants at her own expense, but never inviting Sonia to join.

Such a display of financial capability also attracted more suitors for Lois. After all, those looking for shortcuts did not differentiate between genders. Although Sonia was beautiful, marrying this rich and beautiful Lois would save one ten years of hard work.

When it came to money, Sonia obviously couldn't win, but she knew numerous ways to annoy. Every time there was a male admirer for Lois, one who perhaps made Lois's heart flutter a bit, Sonia would "inadvertently" run into them, "accidentally" have some physical contact, and give a few glances, enough to charm them off their feet, even abandon Lois and turn to pursue Sonia.

Lois's explosive temper tonight was because Sonia "persuaded" a senior who had been pursuing Lois just yesterday. Honestly, Sonia despised Lois's taste, for aside from being handsome, that senior was worthless and overly conceited. But to disgust Lois? She didn't mind throwing a few flirtatious glances.

Even though Sonia was sure to reject others' pursuits, would Lois really deign to date "trash that even the country mutt Sonia doesn't want"? So it was no wonder Lois was so furious.

"Speaking of which, I heard from Desley. She saw Sonia talking to a peasant woman outside the campus at noon," Adelle suddenly recalled. "Could that peasant woman be her mother?"

"Ha, having such a shameless daughter, I bet her mother is just as shameless—"

Bang!

Before Sonia could push the door open and burst in, a loud noise came from inside ahead of her.

Realizing what happened, she stepped back half a stride just as the dormitory door opened from the inside, revealing a single-ponytailed blonde girl with a sword bag on her back.

"Good evening, Sonia," she said.

"Good evening, Ingrid," Sonia replied.

Ingrid left the dorm without looking back, presumably heading to the training ground for night practice. Inside, Adelle and Lois sat dumbstruck, their looks of terror still lingering.

A new dent was on the training punching bag that Ingrid had bought, one that Sonia had never seen before.

Sonia entered and closed the door, restoring calm to the dormitory.

Since Ingrid had already helped her teach them a lesson, Sonia naturally wouldn't repeat it, but she silently noted this account, determined that Lois would eventually pay her back with interest.