Mage Manual
Chapter 683 - 539: Jealousy

Chapter 683: Chapter 539: Jealousy

As the footsteps of her roommates gradually disappeared down the staircase, Lois opened her backpack and pulled out an instrument resembling an eyeball.

She activated the device aimed at Sonia’s seat, and the eyeball emitted a pale blue light, causing everything covered by the blue light to emit purples of varying intensity. The more intense the purple light, the higher the frequency of touch—such as Sonia’s wooden sword hilt, which was almost dyed purple.

Yes.

Even Adelle was coerced by her family; how could Lois, a merchant’s daughter, possibly escape unscathed? Even if everyone outwardly flattered Sonia, the red meteor, how could there not be secret attempts to spy on her?

Sonia had become a Mage too recently, which was not only the point others coveted but also her weakness—she hadn’t had time to establish her own circle of friends. Typically, each Holy Sanctuary Mage is surrounded either by Sponsors who woo and flatter them or by kindred gifted Mages; there’s no opening for others to try to buy their influence or infiltrate.

But Sonia was different; her ascent was too fast, and the people around her remained as weak as before.

Too weak to even protect themselves.

Lois rifled through Sonia’s drawers, tilting her head slightly, seeing herself in the makeup mirror.

In the mirror, her face was somber, lips pursed thin, hair a disheveled mess, but only her eyes burned with a light of unknown origin.

Was she really doing this just because it was her father’s request?

Why did she agree so readily, why avoid the others, and why in her mind... was it always Sonia?

When Sonia won the Meteor Disaster, Lois genuinely applauded with sincere joy, not feigning her happiness in the slightest.

But as night fell and quiet settled in, the burning jealousy and resentment in her heart were just as genuine.

This jealousy and resentment weren’t sudden; they were seeds slowly germinating. As early as during the friendship match, as she prepared Sonia’s War Dress and watched her shine on stage, Lois couldn’t help but think—"Why isn’t that me up there?"

But that was just an inter-school friendship match, so those petty feelings quickly dissipated. Yet as Sonia advanced to high school competitions—to the top sixteen, quarterfinals, semifinals, finals—every time Sonia climbed higher and attracted more spotlight, Lois’s happiness for her scaled with her inner turmoil.

"Why isn’t that me up there?"

Then, Sonia became a Sanctified, defeated Demi, and won the Meteor Disaster.

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

When she opened the discussion group in the Claw Club, every word seemed to sting.

Just a few months ago, she was firmly above Sonia, and even if Sonia was a bit prettier, her family owned the Heryao War Dress Commerce in Jiale City, while Sonia was just a Village Girl from a distant town!

And now, Sonia was Jiale City’s most dazzling star, like the shining star in the sky.

Standing next to the Sword Maiden, Lois felt so dim it was as if she didn’t exist, just as the sky wouldn’t have any stars other than that shining star.

But she wanted to be dazzling!

She wanted to shine brightly!

She once was the proudest and most brilliant person in this school!

Lois knew that Sonia’s success didn’t hinder her own shine; she also knew that it was due to Sonia being a role model that she forwent those useless social interactions and focused more on her study of Water Magic.

However, however.

Forgiving a friend’s mistake was easy, just a glass of wine could settle any estrangement; digesting a friend’s success was hard because it was like a fishbone stuck in your throat.

All good, just let me find your secret.

Following the hints of the purple light, Lois recklessly went through Sonia’s personal items: the books borrowed from the library, unmarked bottles of wine, cosmetics, hairpins, combs...

All good.

As long as I can betray you, that’s enough.

Then you will hate me, and I can move out of this dorm to be away from you.

Then I can boast of my charm, my family background, and my acquaintance with Sonia Sevi somewhere you’re not.

Only a shining star can hang in the sky next to another; those ordinary stars daring to get close to a shining star will ultimately vanish without a trace.

Snap!

Lois pulled out a notebook rich in purple color, from which a photo fell and lodged precisely into the gap between the desk and the wardrobe.

She wasn’t in a hurry to retrieve the picture but first opened the notebook to see its contents.

"① Bringing up the help someone offered a long time ago can effectively increase affinity."

"② Even the best relationships need maintenance, and the worst ones can be mended. Gifting is always right no matter what, based on the previous point, when you give a gift and mention it’s in return for a past favor, affinity can be doubled."

"③ Complimenting others’ strengths works to an extent, but complimenting their flaws is more effective, especially when the person is trying to cover up or beautify those flaws. This is most effective for things like freckles, the nose bridge, face shape, eyebrows, eyelids... These areas are easiest to correct, so don’t be stingy with your flattery when they make an effort!"

"④..."

After thirty odd ’spellbooks’ of tips and tricks, Lois was momentarily enchanted. Having maxed out her social skills, she naturally gained new insights when cross-referencing with her own experience.

Flipping to the back, she found the pages of information about each person:

"Adelle"

"Loves sweet foods→especially fond of Puffs (high priority for gifts)"

"Loves binge-watching dramas, must watch new releases as soon as possible → Watching dramas with her is very useful"

"Not fond of homework → When it’s time for her to do homework, show off in front of her how you don’t have any. This tactic isn’t very effective, but it’s fun to tease her."

"..."

"She founded the Claw Club → ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆"

"She helped me in a forum flame war → ☆☆☆"

"She got me Dedarose’s autographed photo → ☆☆☆☆"

"..."

"Pending tasks: Beg the professor to let her off for failing a course, to offset ☆☆☆ (Completed)"

"Get her an autograph of Dona Dona, to offset ☆☆☆☆ (Completed)"

"Next time I perform, help her get a role as an extra, to offset ☆☆☆☆☆"

Lois was amazed—Adelle’s intelligence notebook paled in comparison to this one; it was like a primary school composition.

The next page, Ingrid.

"Ingrid"

"..."

"Pending tasks: Speak well of her in front of Professor Trozan, to offset ☆☆☆☆ (In progress)"

"Help her get a custom-made Moon Shadow sword, to offset ☆☆☆☆☆ (In progress)"

"Once I’ve researched a version of the Sword Miracle that lessens pain, I can lend it to her, to offset ☆☆☆☆☆"

There were even pages on Trozan, Reonie, and even Felix.

Soon, Lois found the page about herself.

"Lois"

"Loves face-saving → When going out to shop, don’t dress more flamboyantly than her"

"Loves beauty → Every day she’ll be dissatisfied with some part of herself and spend a lot of time fixing it up. Just point out the details she’s put effort into; no need for excessive praise."

"Loves good food → She’s tempted by the snacks Adelle brings back, but refuses to eat them to maintain her figure. That’s when I break off a piece and offer it to her, and she’ll gladly accept."

"..."

"She prepared War Dresses for me several times → ☆☆☆☆☆☆, ☆☆☆☆☆☆"

"She helped manage the Claw Club → ☆☆☆☆☆"

"She helped me pick out clothes; her taste is definitely better than mine → ☆☆☆☆"

"She always had my opponents’ information ready before matches → ☆☆☆"

"..."

"Pending tasks: Show off her family’s War Dress to the fullest, to offset ☆☆☆ (Completed)"

"Request to wear her family’s War Dress for the next filming, to offset ☆☆☆☆☆"

"When I give her the Rapid Stream Technique Spirit, include two more that can combine to form a Miracle to celebrate her becoming a Mage, to offset ☆☆☆☆☆"

"Before she becomes a Mage, reduce the frequency of returning to the dormitory, avoid appearing before her, don’t discuss things related to the Holy Domain in their presence. I know the reason she went home early the morning after her Meteor Disaster ended. If I were my old self, just seeing an acquaintance flaunt being a Holy Sanctuary Mage would make me sick to my stomach. To offset ☆"

"Once she becomes a Mage, invite her to have a drink in the Secret Garden, just the two of us. It’ll be a better time to talk then. To offset ☆☆"

So she knew all along.

Lois could imagine how she must have looked, returning to the dormitory after the celebration, asking where Lois was, only to find out she had already gone home, the surprise and understanding on her face.

Lois could imagine the bittersweet smile and anticipation on her face as she wrote down these words at her desk.

Then, something Lois remembered made her crouch down to try to grab a photo that was slipping through a crack, but she couldn’t reach it. As a mysterious sensation rose from deep within her heart, she found herself holding the photo.

The picture, now covered in dust from the crack, still couldn’t hide the vibrant cuteness of the several young girls in it. Adelle was in the front, posing cutely, while Ingrid stood behind in a skirt, somewhat shyly. Lois herself had a perfect, light smile, while Sonia seemed tense, her smile stiff, and her eyes looking away.

Written on the back of the photo was: "First group photo."

The first time?

Lois thought hard and remembered it indeed was—before that, they didn’t get along. It was the first time they had gone shopping together. A photographer on the street insisted on taking their picture, so they got a few as a keepsake.

"Secrets are secrets, but..." Lois looked down at the notebook, her vision blurring a bit, "This isn’t the outcome I wanted."

Plop.

A droplet fell onto the notebook, but instead of wetting the paper, it quickly took shape and transformed. In a moment, it became a cute little girl with a wing on her back, flew up, and landed on Lois’s face, wiping away the tear.

"Really..." Lois held the new Technique Spirit, took a deep breath, and smiled: "That’s so pathetic."