Chapter 97: Can’t Hold It In Anymore
Swordflower College, Starfall Hall.
“……To vigorously promote the positive spirit of adventure, foster a healthy competitive environment, and facilitate friendly exchanges between Swordflower College and Trinity College, we now hand over the stage to the outstanding students of both schools to engage in a friendly match under the watchful eyes of the stars.”
As Sonya’s voice rang out, the domed ceiling of the hall rumbled open. The inside of the dome was lined with mirrors that cleverly reflected the starlight like spotlights into the hall, bathing everyone in a faint veil of stardust that was even more dazzling than the indoor lighting from earlier.
In the Starchild Realm, all important events had to be conducted under the starry sky. If the day with its blazing sun was ‘work time’, then the starry night was ‘play time’. Of course, ordinary people could hardly keep up with such a taxing schedule – only sorcerers who could rest in the Virtual World had the luxury of such revelry.
Moreover, starlight was more than just beautiful to look at. It represented the blessing of the Starchild Archon. Therefore, sorcerers who entered the Virtual World, battled, studied, and trained at night would receive additional benefits, however small, that were still better than nothing.
“Now, before the stars withdraw their light, let us invite Professor Orleon from Trinity College and Professor Nidhogg from Swordflower College to share their thoughts on the friendly match,” Assunu said.
A school social event would never feature the attendance of legendary-tier sorcerers, for their time was far too precious to waste on such trivial matters. Thus, Trinity College had sent their representative, Weaponmaster Orleon, while Swordflower College had dispatched Rhythm Swordsaint Nidhogg.
Nidhogg glanced at the Trinity College students and said flatly, “Leone, make it quick later. I’m in a hurry to get to the Virtual World and have no interest in lingering at a boring event like this.”
The burly, hairless Orleon let out a cold snort. His body was etched with all sorts of tattooed patterns. Though Sonya could not decipher their meaning previously, her battles against thunder mages in the Virtual World had taught her that Orleon’s tattoos were likely amplifiers for lightning spells.
Yet despite his gruff appearance, Orleon spoke with unexpected courtesy. “I hope tonight’s friendly match allows the outstanding students of both schools to gain something. I look forward to the performance of Swordflower’s students, but I also believe in the capabilities of mine own. I plan on taking a research apprentice this year, so if you don’t do your best, that spot may just go to one of Swordflower’s students!”
The Trinity College students nodded lightly at Orleon, their expressions nonchalant. Clearly, they did not think much of Swordflower College.
“Haha, the two professors are really sparking things up! Not only has Professor Orleon put up the incentive of a research apprenticeship, but to think the Weaponmaster hasn’t taken on a new apprentice in five years. The ones he trained himself all advanced to Two-Winged before graduation, so tonight’s friendly match will surely be riveting!”
Assunu smoothly redirected the two professors’ words, rounding things off so seamlessly that no one could find fault. He glanced at the dome that would unfold in a few more seconds and casually turned to his co-host. “What do you think, Therave?”
Sonya, who had been maintaining a professional smile, could no longer keep a straight face. She looked at Assunu with utter horror in her eyes.
Weren’t we supposed to interact as little as possible, and let me not make a fool of myself since you wanted the spotlight?
Assunu could hardly be blamed, of course. He thought Sonya was just being polite earlier, and it would look bad if he hogged the stage alone. The two hosts were meant to bounce off each other to liven up the atmosphere – he couldn’t possibly leave Sonya standing dumbly aside.
Moreover, he had already taken over the conversation and said all the proper things. Getting Sonya to chime in for a bit shouldn’t be asking too much, right?
Soon, Assunu would realize just how much he had overstepped – tremendously so. If he could compare it to the currently popular drama, Love Beyond Time, it would be ‘I wish I could run back five seconds and clamp my mouth shut’.
“I think Professor Nidhogg is a person of high emotional intelligence.”
“Oh? Why do you say so?”
“Because despite saying such low EQ things here, offending both Trinity’s professors and students, and making us event organizers feel irritated, it shows we’re all beneath him to warrant the use of EQ. Therefore, the people he does employ EQ with must be of very high standing. So he’s clearly a person of high EQ. ”
Sonya went on fluently, “Perhaps it’s only at events with the principals present that we’d get to witness Professor Nidhogg’s high EQ side. So in summary, Professor Nidhogg’s use of language is rather rotten, just like his lack of grace.”
Silence.
Apart from the sounds of the dome opening, barely a murmur could be heard in the hall. Despite not being a public event, attendance was far from paltry. One-third of the professors and outstanding students from each grade were gathered.
They gaped wordlessly at Sonya on stage, though no one dared to specifically turn their heads to see Nidhogg’s reaction in the furthest corner.
Behind the stage, Iris and the others who were sneaking peeks were also stunned speechless. They had already guessed Sonya’s poor performance tonight, but still did not expect her to do something like this.
Even Assunu was momentarily taken aback, his mind turning to mush as he failed to conjure up a clever quip to follow Sonya’s words.
“Hahaha!”
Orleon’s thunderous laughter rang out as he applauded. “Well said! Swordflower College is truly brimming with talent!”
“Trinity College is no pushover either,” Sonya replied. “With an esteemed professor like you who’s full of platitudes, Trinity has really struck gold. The excellent matching system of Cailleach cannot be praised enough for bringing together exemplary individuals like Professor Orleon and Professor Nidhogg.”
“How am I full of platitudes?”
“Just now, you said you’d take on a research apprentice from Swordflower if we beat your students. Isn’t that just lip service? Your previous three apprentices were all Trinity’s best and brightest. You’re clearly just paying us lip service with no intention of actually taking on a student from another school.”
“I meant every word!”
“Then give us a written oath! Put it down in binding words!”
Some students looking to stir up trouble also shouted, “Yeah, write it down!”
The Trinity College students immediately retorted, “On what basis should he write it down just because you say so?”
Seeing the event rapidly deteriorating into a marketplace squabble, Assunu suddenly realized this was perhaps the greatest challenge he had faced as a host.
He decisively yelled, “Let’s now welcome Lorein Zell from Swordflower College’s Swordsmanship Department and Riggan Carroll from Trinity College for the first duel of the friendly match!”
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