"If you stay at the level of a Sword Knight, then the high school competition will be the only stage where you can shine nationally!"
Sonia blinked her eyes, "That would indeed be regrettable."
"Besides that, aren’t you considering your mother?" said Felix, "A Sword Knight can only extend the temporary stay of relatives in Jiale City to 100 days, still unable to settle permanently because the Noble House never intended to have people stay at the level of Sword Knight. Ordinary operators, as long as they work hard, can be promoted to Shield Knight within five years and have the right for their family to settle permanently... If you stay at Sword Knight, you won’t be able to bring your mother to Jiale City!"
"Thank you for your concern." Sonia smiled, "But I have discussed this with my mother a few days ago, and actually she doesn’t want to come either."
"Although I have always thought of having my own career in Jiale City and then bring my mother over to enjoy the good life, that is just my wish, not my mother’s." The Village Girl shrugged, "She is different from me; she doesn’t long for the bustling Jiale City, nor does she hate that boring, remote little town. I think that town is a familiar cage, and she also sees Jiale City as a strange prison."
"Moreover, since my news has spread back home, those relatives who bully the good and fear the bad have been treating her better and better. She is very satisfied with her life now, only wanting to hold on to our family’s land."
Felix couldn’t understand how someone could prefer to stay in a farming town over coming to Jiale City. She shook her head and said, "Forgive my bluntness, but your mother’s view is too shortsighted; as for you—"
"My mother is a Village Girl, and I am the daughter of a Village Girl," Sonia spread her hands, "My mother wants to keep our land, and I only want to protect everything I hold dear instead of risking the pursuit of resources that I don’t deserve."
"What about your career then?" Felix asked, "You’re just one step away from being dazzling. Are you content to stay here?"
Sonia blinked her eyes.
"If it were before, I might have already agreed with you," she said, "Yes, I do desire to stand on stage, to become a Shadow Actress, a Songstress like Dedarose, to become the object of others’ admiration, to become part of other people’s childhood. To be the center of attention, to make a name for oneself under the Dazzling Star."
"But in my life, it’s not just about career."
Sonia closed the book, stood up, and said, "Felix, you were actually right in your feeling just now."
Felix asked in dismay, "What?"
"If it were before, I certainly would have indulged in the halo of being a Holy Sanctuary Mage, attending lavish parties, enjoying everyone’s flattery; if it were before, I would have gladly accepted your invitation, to become a responsible noble, enjoying the resources only nobles have; if it were before, my words would certainly be a false modesty but real boasting..."
Sonia put the book in her bag, slung it over her shoulder, waved goodbye, and departed.
Sonia, with her soul restored, was already prepared in the Meditation Building.
Don’t be nervous, she thought.
There’s nothing to be nervous about. If the Observer managed to send the Potion to her table five days ago, it meant the Observer had already escaped danger. She needed to be calm later unless the Observer showed concern for her first, in which case she might tactfully show a bit of feigned emotion.
Don’t be nervous... Don’t be nervous...
As the familiar feeling spread, the soul connected to the Void Realm, her consciousness sinking into the void.
Sonia opened her eyes and found herself on a bustling street teeming with people.
She confirmed that she was in the ’dream’ of the Distant Realm. However, as she looked around, her heart plummeted into an icy abyss.
All around were unfamiliar pedestrians.
No Observer, no Witch.
She instinctively gripped the hilt of her sword, repressing the urge to wreak havoc, and hurriedly walked the streets, looking around.
The more she looked around, the heavier the depression in her chest grew, as if it were choking her. As she turned another street corner and saw only strangers, Sonia couldn’t go on any longer. Her lips trembled, and she couldn’t help but let out all the pent-up frustration:
The Sword Maiden turned her head towards the street behind her and saw the Observer foolishly raising his hand, also looking around. When their eyes met, they immediately moved toward each other.
At first, Sonia walked. But soon, she was speed-walking, and then she started running, pushing past the pedestrians. The people who were pushed seemed to want to protest, but when they saw that she had partially drawn her sword, they let their gaze follow her departure.
As they got closer, the heavy stone on Sonia’s heart quietly lowered and was replaced with an uncontainable excitement that nearly made her want to leap forward—
The Sword Maiden skidded to a halt, watching the Witch throw herself onto the Observer.