Sorcerer’s Handbook

After the footsteps of her roommates gradually faded away in the stairwell, Lois opened her backpack and took out an instrument resembling an eyeball.

She aimed the instrument at Sonya’s seat and activated it. The eyeball emitted a light blue beam, and everything covered by the blue light glowed with varying shades of purple. The more intense the purple, the more frequently the item had been touched, such as the handle of Sonya’s Wooden Sword, which was almost dyed purple.

Yes.

Even Adelle was pressured by her family, so how could Lois, the daughter of a merchant, remain unaffected? On the surface, everyone might try to please Sonya, the red meteor, but secretly, how could they not spy on her?

Sonya had become a sorcerer too recently, which made her both coveted and vulnerable-she hadn’t had time to establish her social circle yet. Typically, every sanctuary sorcerer would either have sponsors eager to win favor or like-minded, talented sorcerers around them, leaving no gaps for others to exploit.

But Sonya was different. She advanced too quickly, while the people around her remained as weak as before.

So weak that they couldn’t even protect themselves.

Lois rummaged through Sonya’s drawers and slightly turned her head to see her reflection in the makeup mirror.

In the mirror, she saw her own gloomy face, her thin lips pressed tight, her hair in disarray, and only her eyes burning with a light from an unknown source.

Was she really doing this just because her father asked her to?

Why did she agree so readily, why avoid others, why did Sonya keep recurring in her mind?

When Sonya won the Meteor Trial, Lois genuinely applauded her; the joy she felt was not false at all.

But when the night grew quiet, the searing jealousy and resentment in her heart that nearly ached her soul were just as real.

This wasn’t a sudden burst of envy; it was a seed that had gradually sprouted. Back during the Friendly Match, when she prepared combat attire for Sonya and watched her shine on stage, she couldn’t help but think, “Why isn’t that me up there?”

But that was just an intercollegiate friendly match, so those minor feelings quickly dissipated. However, at the College League, Top Sixteen, Top Eight, Top Four, Semi-final, Final… every time Sonya stood higher and drew more spotlight, Lois’s happiness for her also made her own feelings rise like a tide.

“Why isn’t that me up there?”

Then, Sonya achieved Sanctuary, Sonya defeated Dimy, and Sonya won the Meteor Trial.

Everyone Lois met talked to her about Sonya; when she returned home, her father discussed Sonya with her; when she opened the school forum, it was filled with posts about Sonya.

When she joined the Stretch Paw Club’s discussion group, every word felt like a thorn.

Just months ago, she could still overshadow Sonya; even if Sonya was a bit prettier, her family was part of the Galaxia Heya Battle Attire Business Association, while Sonya was merely a village girl from a distant town!

But now, Sonya was the most luminous star in Galaxia, like a shining star in the sky.

Standing next to the sword Princess, Lois dimmed to the point of nonexistence, like a sky with no other stars.

But she also wanted to be dazzling and radiant!

She wanted to shine brightly too!

She used to be the most brilliant and proud person in this school!

Lois knew that Sonya’s success didn’t hinder her shine; she also knew that because Sonya set an example, she was willing to give up useless socializing and focus more on learning water spells.

Yet, yet.

Forgiving a friend’s mistake is simple; a drink can clear the air. But swallowing a friend’s success is difficult, like a fishbone stuck in your throat.

It’s all fine; just let me discover your secret.

Guided by the purple glow, Lois rummaged through Sonya’s personal items without restraint: library books, unmarked bottles, cosmetics, hair clips, combs…

Anything would do.

As long as it allowed her to betray Sonya.

So Sonya would hate her, and she could move out of the dorm and stay away from her.

Then, where Sonya wasn’t around, she could flaunt her charm, her family background, and the fact that she knew Sonya Therave.

Only stars as luminous as those in the sky can hang together; those ordinary stars daring to get close to the luminous will eventually vanish without a trace.

Snap!

Lois pulled out a notebook with a deep purple hue, and a photograph fell out, clattering precisely into the gap between the desk and wardrobe.

Rather than hurriedly retrieving the photo, she decided to open the notebook first to see what was inside.

“① Bringing up past help from others suddenly can effectively increase their goodwill.”

“② Even the best relationships require maintenance, and even the worst can be mended. Giving gifts is always the right move; according to the previous note, when you mention that a gift is a return for past help, it doubles the goodwill.”

“③ Complimenting others’ strengths has a mediocre effect, but praising their flaws is more effective, especially when they try to cover or beautify these flaws. It’s most effective to compliment then! For example, freckles, nose bridge, face shape, eyebrows, eyelids… these flaws are easiest to fix, so when they’ve put in effort here, don’t hold back on your flattering words!”

“④…”

Lois got swept up in the more than thirty ‘guidelines.’ After all, her social skills were maxed out, and validating these notes led to new insights.

As she flipped further, she found intelligence pages for each person:

“Adelle”

“Loves sweets → particularly fond of cream puffs (high priority gift)”

“Enjoys watching dramas, always watches new releases immediately → watching together can be very useful”

“Dislikes doing homework → when she needs to do it, boast in front of her about not having to do your own. This doesn’t help much, but it’s fun to tease her.”

“…”

“She founded the Stretch Paw Club → ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆”

“She helped me during a forum argument → ☆☆☆”

“She got Delarose’s autographed photo for me → ☆☆☆☆”

“…”

“To-do list: Plead with the professor to waive a failed subject for her, offset ☆☆☆ (completed).”

“Get her a Dona autographed photo, offset ☆☆☆☆ (completed).”

“Next performance, help her secure a supporting role, offset ☆☆☆☆☆.”

Lois was amazed-Adelle’s intelligence notebook seemed like a child’s essay compared to this one.

On the next page, Engulite.

“Engulite”

“…”

“To-do list: Speak favorably about her in front of Professor Trozan, offset ☆☆☆☆ (ongoing)”

“Help her commission a customized Moonshadow sword, offset ☆☆☆☆☆ (ongoing)”

“Once I develop a version of the Sword Body Miracle that reduces pain, I can lend it to her, offset ☆☆☆☆☆”

There were also entries for Professor Trozan, Leoni, and even Felix.

Soon, Lois turned to her own page.

“Lois”

“Image-conscious → Don’t dress more flamboyantly than she does when going out shopping.”

“Beauty-loving → She’s never satisfied with a specific part of herself each day and spends a lot of time perfecting it. Just acknowledge the details she’s concerned about; no need for excessive praise.”

“Food-lover → Although she craves the snacks Adelle brings back, she refrains from eating them to maintain her figure. Offering to split a piece with her will make her gladly accept.”

“…”

“She has prepared combat attire for me multiple times → ☆☆☆☆☆☆, ☆☆☆☆☆☆”

“She helps manage the Stretch Paw Club → ☆☆☆☆☆”

“She assists with picking clothes, and I really can’t compare to her taste → ☆☆☆☆”

“Before competitions, she organizes information on my opponents → ☆☆☆”

“…”

“To-do list: Fully showcase her family’s combat attire, offset ☆☆☆ (completed).”

“Apply to wear her family’s combat attire in the next film shoot, offset ☆☆☆☆☆.”

“When I give her the Riptide spirit, supply two additional spirits that form a Miracle together, celebrating her becoming a sorcerer, offsetting ☆☆☆☆☆.”

“Before she becomes a sorcerer, reduce visits to the dorm room, appear less in front of her, and avoid discussing Sanctuary-related matters with them; I know why she went home early the day after her Meteor Trial ended. Putting myself in her shoes, if I were in her position before, just seeing someone familiar become a Sanctuary sorcerer right before me would make me unbearably upset. Offset: ☆”

“Once she becomes a sorcerer, invite her to the secret garden for drinks, just the two of us; the conversation will be more effective then. Offset: ☆☆”

So she knew.

Lois could almost picture her returning to the dorm after the celebration, asking where she was, only to find out she had already gone home, with a look of surprise and understanding on her face.

Lois could almost see her writing down those words, a bittersweet smile mixed with anticipation on her face as she leaned over the desk.

Suddenly, Lois remembered something. She crouched down, trying to grasp the photo that had slipped into the gap, but it was just out of reach. A mysterious sensation arose from deep within her, and then she found herself holding the photo.

The gap was naturally filled with dust, and the photo was coated with it, yet it couldn’t hide the youthful charm of the girls in the picture. Adelle was at the front striking a cute pose, Engulite stood in the back looking a bit bashful in her dress, Lois herself had a perfect gentle smile, while Sonya seemed a bit tense, her smile slightly stiff, her eyes averted.

On the back of the photo, it read: “First Group Photo”

First?

Upon reflection, Lois realized it truly was their first. Their relationships hadn’t been good before, and this was their first time going shopping together. A photographer along the way insisted on taking their picture, so they ended up with a few mementos.

“A secret is a secret, but…” Lois looked down at the notebook, her vision blurring slightly. “This isn’t the outcome I wanted at all.”

Plop.

A teardrop fell onto the notebook, but instead of soaking into the paper, it quickly took shape and transformed. Moments later, it had turned into an adorable little girl with a wing on her back, who fluttered up to Lois’s face to wipe away her tears.

“Seriously…” Holding the new spirit, Lois took a deep breath and smiled broadly, saying, “It’s just too pathetic.”