Let's Train Heroine

A young priest was waiting outside the door and promptly led Lucan to a guest room. Today, Lucan decided to stay at the temple rather than return to the academy. He needed rest after the exhausting events, and the temple\'s peaceful atmosphere was just what he needed.

"Please rest here tonight. If you need anything, just ring the bell, and I will come immediately."

"Yes, thank you."

"Well then, please take your time..." The young priest bowed politely and left, leaving Lucan alone in the quiet hallway.

Lucan entered the room, closed the door behind him, and let out a deep sigh. He felt the weight of the day\'s battles finally settling on him.

"Good grief... I\'m really tired this time."

After locking the door of the guest room with a click, Lucan threw his luggage onto the floor. His coat soon followed, tossed carelessly onto a nearby chair. He then collapsed onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

"Ugh... Really, what a hassle..." he muttered, feeling completely drained for the first time in a long while.

Lucan\'s power was formidable, ranked at SSS-Class, but even he had been pushed to his limits in the recent dungeon battle. He had faced off against multiple SS and S-Class monsters—each one a formidable foe in its own right.

There were so many of them that it had become a grueling endurance test, one that could have easily claimed his life if not for the Pride Ring he carried, a relic that had saved him in the end.

Moreover, he considered himself fortunate that the SSS-Class monsters had been confined to a different part of the dungeon, separated from the SS and S-Class creatures he had fought. If they had been mixed together, even his current strength might not have been enough to survive.

"For a while, I don\'t want to work... I\'d like to stay holed up for a month, doing nothing but sleep," he mused, rubbing his tired eyes. However, duty called. He had responsibilities as a teacher, with two classes—Theology and Music—that required his attention.

Lucan had already decided that once Maris graduated, he would resign from his teaching position. He had endured enough; the constant dangers that seemed to follow him had taken their toll. Yet, there was a sense of duty and care that kept him tethered to his role, especially as Maris was still a student.

At least, for the next few months, he anticipated a period of relative peace. The major incidents that had plagued him—dealing with the Black Knight, handling the White Pegasus Shrine arc, and thwarting the outlaw\'s attack—were behind him. In the game, the story could take many turns depending on which male character Maris favored.

Since Maris didn\'t favor any of them, the story was following the normal route. In this route, the next big event was slated for several months down the line. Lyria, a character with her own agenda, was still alive and might plan something—but her move wasn\'t expected until the following year.

As these thoughts circled in his mind, Lucan\'s stomach growled.

"...I\'m hungry," he muttered.

"Oh, there are sandwiches. I\'ll make some tea too," a voice replied unexpectedly.

Startled, Lucan jumped out of bed, looking around in surprise. "Eh, ah... Maris?"

"Is something wrong?" Maris stood there, looking puzzled as she prepared sandwiches and tea, her presence somehow comforting.

"Did I forget to lock the door?" Lucan asked, still bewildered.

"Yes. I knocked but got no response, so I came in," Maris explained casually.

"Oh... I see..." Lucan replied, though he was certain he had locked the door. Maris must have used her powers to unlock it and let herself in.

Maris continued making the tea, and after a few minutes, she placed the tray on the table. "Well, the tea is ready. Please, enjoy."

"Thank you..." Lucan moved to the table, his fatigue momentarily forgotten as he sipped the tea and bit into a sandwich. Maris watched him with a smile, her eyes reflecting a quiet joy.

---

"It seems... the problem has been resolved." The soft voice belonged to Eleanor Blackwood, the principal of the Royal Academy. She gazed out from her office window, looking down at the courtyard with a sense of relief.

"It\'s unfortunate for Mrs. Janvi... but well, since no students were harmed, we can consider it a success. She has always been a bit too proud... so perhaps this was a necessary lesson."

Recently, shadows of suspicion had loomed over the academy. A gang, desperate for a reward, had begun targeting Saintess Maris Rainsa and Lucan Ironfist. Their obsession had led them to involve innocent students and staff, sowing fear and chaos within the academy.

Eleanor, bound by her duties and unable to leave the academy, had been deeply concerned for her students\' safety. Thankfully, the issue had been resolved without significant harm.

Still, Eleanor felt conflicted. While grateful for Maris and Lucan\'s intervention, she couldn\'t ignore that their very presence had drawn these troubles to the academy. The Mordecai incident, driven by his obsession with Maris, had caused widespread fear. Yet, it had also allowed the academy to rid itself of a dangerous individual, one who had been under suspicion for practicing dark magic.

However, Eleanor believed that both Maris and Lucan were essential to the academy. Their power and presence were invaluable, especially with the growing sense of unease Eleanor felt. Something was brewing at the academy—something that could change everything.

Moments later, a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," Eleanor called.

"Excuse me, Principal." One of the third-year teachers entered, looking concerned.

"Is something wrong?" Eleanor asked, sensing the seriousness of the situation.

"Sorry... I have a report to make."

"What is it?" Eleanor braced herself.

"Well... actually..." the teacher began, her tone confirming Eleanor\'s worst fears.

It seemed that, once again, peace was fleeting at the Royal Academy. Another problem had already arisen, leaving Eleanor to wonder when, if ever, true calm would come to the academy.