"Ah… congratulations, I guess," Sonya said, sounding a little sullen. "I haven't fully recovered yet…"

She didn't bother hiding the fact that she had died in the Virtual World. If anything, she made it public, letting Professor Trosan spread the news throughout the school that the genius Scarlet Swordswoman had finally suffered her first loss to the Virtual World.

After some careful maneuvering, her classmates' attitudes softened toward her. Even the usually "envious" Professor Trosan treated her with more care. In the cafeteria, staff would serve her an extra scoop or two without a second thought.

Her failure didn't diminish her talent. If anything, it made her...