"Hmm... But on the other hand, what if I can't secretly learn Yanqing and Yunli's sword techniques in time?"
After ending her conversation with March 7th, Lumina lay on her bed, cradling her phone. Though her gaze remained fixed on the screen, her thoughts had already wandered far away.
If Lumina failed to master the sword arts and had no martial skills of her own, how could she possibly teach March 7th?
"Ugh... Never mind, I'll stop thinking about it."
After a brief moment of contemplation, Lumina decided to abandon the train of thought.
Whether she could learn the techniques would only be revealed tomorrow.
Even if she failed, given her status, abilities, and reputation, March 7th would likely fill in the gaps with her own imagination, even if Lumina uttered only a few vague words.
The same held true for Yunli and Yanqing. Even if they had no clue what she was rambling about, they would never suspect her incompetence.
Instead, they would likely marvel, "Hiss... How terrifyingly profound! Truly worthy of Lady Lumina! Just a few words, yet it would take us a lifetime to comprehend."
My own swordsmanship was chaotic and undisciplined, worse than a beginner's, truly amateurish. Yet in their eyes, it could only appear as: "Hiss... terrifyingly profound! Truly worthy of Lady Lumina! Her seemingly ordinary, technique-less swordplay has already reached the realm of returning to pure, unadorned truth!"
Lumina shook her head, banishing these novel-like, wish-fulfillment fantasies from her mind.
In the "Special Group" chat, she scrolled through the list and randomly selected a "profile."
"Herta?"
Entering her interface and glancing at her notes about her, Lumina murmured to herself.
After a moment's thought, she typed out a few messages:
[Lumina: Remember to watch the Xianzhou Wardance Ceremony in a few days.]
[Lumina: There'll be a live broadcast.]
[Lumina: If you're not too busy.]
[Lumina: ...]
"Hiss... why does this feel so... off?"
After sending the three messages, Lumina looked at them again and found them increasingly strange. It was as if she'd seen these exact words somewhere before.
Isn't this just the kind of simping nonsense you see all over short videos?!
Recalling the source of these phrases, Lumina couldn't help but twitch her lips.
Noticing the unread indicator beside the messages, Lumina long-pressed one, intending to recall them all before Herta noticed.
[ Read ]
[ Message recalled ]
[ Herta: ? ]
[ Herta: I saw it. ]
[ Herta: Why did you recall it? ]
[ Lumina: ... ]
Damn it, the most awkward scenario possible has just unfolded.
After a moment of silent contemplation, Lumina sent another message.
[ Lumina: The previous remarks were far too presumptuous. I wish to rephrase them and offer Madam Herta, the esteemed and beautiful, my most profound and sincere greetings. ]
[ Herta: ... ]
Herta remained silent, only sending back six dots.
How did this get even more awkward...?
Staring at her sent message, Lumina's soles tightened reflexively. She felt an overwhelming urge to dig her toes into the floor, half-expecting to unearth the Luofu itself from the sheer embarrassment...
What should I do? I sent a "simping" message to someone, deleted it after they saw it, and then sent another foolish message.
Lumina didn't dare make any hasty moves now.
The person on the other end of the screen was a member of the Genius Society, the Emanator of Erudition. If she left behind a lifelong regretful mistake because of a thoughtless message, the consequences would far outweigh the gains.
But... how do I resolve this situation?
Lumina's mind raced.
Perhaps finding it uncomfortable to think while lying down, she flipped over and sprawled face-down on the bed.
Ding-dong~ Ding-dong~ Ding-dong~
Before Lumina could devise a strategy, the ringtone for her Special Group notifications interrupted her thoughts.
Huff...
Lumina took a deep breath, bracing herself as if she were about to face judgment or punishment, repeatedly reassuring herself.
After a moment, her gaze finally settled on the phone screen.
[Herta: The Wardance Ceremony? You mean the Xianzhou Wardance Ceremony? ]
[Herta: I'll check the time later. ]
Herta didn't ask for an explanation, immediately agreeing.
[Lumina: I don't know. The Luofu didn't specify, but it should be in a few days. ]
Seeing that Herta wasn't dwelling on the previous events, Lumina let out a sigh of relief. After a moment of thought, she answered Herta's question.
[Herta: I see. ]
[Herta: So, why do you want me to watch the Wardance Ceremony? ]
Earlier, Herta wasn't avoiding the issue; she was simply too lazy to deal with it right then. Or rather, she was planning to confront Lumina about it later...
When the time comes, I'll slap her with a mountain of evidence. Even if she doesn't want to think about it, she'll have to!
[Lumina: Because I'll be there~ ]
[Herta: ? ]
[Herta: You're going to be there? Don't tell me you...? ]
Seeing this message, Herta raised an eyebrow on the other side of the screen, immediately understanding Lumina's intention.
She just wants me to watch her stomp noobs.
[Lumina: Exactly! I've already signed up for the Wardance Ceremony. ]
[Lumina: I'll be participating as a competitor! ]
[Herta: What's the point of you joining the Wardance Ceremony? Are you interested in the rewards? ]
Herta paused, puzzled by Lumina's motive for entering.
Before she could ponder for even a fraction of a second—a mere 0.00001 seconds—Herta had already reached a conclusion.
[Herta: Ah, I see. ]
[Herta: The champion's prize is a beautiful girl, right? ]
[Herta: [The Herta Sees Through All.jpg] ]
[Lumina: ... ]
Herta might not understand the Wardance Ceremony, but she certainly understood Lumina.
Upon hearing Lumina's participation, Herta's first thought was precisely this.
And she couldn't imagine any other possibility.
Oh, wait, there was one more.
Lumina might be trying to... hit on someone?
[ She really should be locked up... ]
On the other side of the screen, the darkness gradually engulfed Herta's face, hidden beneath her hat.
[ Never mind, let her do as she pleases. ]
Soon enough, Herta resigned herself to the situation.
[ As long as she's happy. ]