Chapter 7: A Peculiar Training Session and Hidden Agendas

It was not until after lunch that Lovelenica reappeared at the church’s training grounds.

Imeline sat at the edge of the training grounds, observing, intent on discovering what Lovelenica was truly up to.

Other nuns and nobles, who had come to watch the training out of idleness, perked up at the arrival of Lovelenica and Lucia, eagerly anticipating the start of the spectacle.

Indeed, many of the nuns within the church, with the exception of Julie, harbored resentment towards Lucia’s designation as a Saintess. They struggled to comprehend why an orphan, brought in from outside, should be predestined for such a sacred role immediately upon her arrival at the church. Yet, constrained by the Bishop’s protection of Lucia, these nuns found themselves unable to voice their displeasure.

Consequently, Lovelenica’s actions became the perfect outlet for their pent-up emotions.

From a distance, Imeline found her gaze drawn to the expressionless Lovelenica. Lovelenica’s origins were equally enigmatic; Imeline’s investigations revealed that Lovelenica hailed from the Crimson Family, a lineage with no fixed allegiance to any single organization, as their descendants could be found within all three major factions.

As for Lovelenica herself, she had suddenly emerged within the Crimson Family thirty years prior.

One day, three decades ago, the Crimson Family announced that they had located a long-lost branch of their lineage in a small town, from which they brought Lovelenica and introduced her into the church.

Lovelenica’s temperament was exceptionally peculiar; she defied discipline and initially even refused to show reverence to the deities. However, she swiftly demonstrated astonishing talent, achieving a Fourth-tier proficiency by adulthood and subsequently undertaking various perilous missions.

She never formed a team with anyone, yet she consistently managed to handle all manner of Impurity-level incidents on her own. Few had ever witnessed her fighting at full strength; they only knew that Lovelenica wielded two, or even multiple, silver gunblades simultaneously during combat.

Now, Lovelenica’s strength had reached the Fifth-tier, granting her a degree of status within the church, though her eccentric personality meant few truly respected her.

Later, while handling an Impurity-level incident, she discovered Lucia, who had lost both parents, and brought her back to the church for upbringing.

Imeline could not shake the feeling that Lovelenica’s identity was riddled with inconsistencies. Why had the Crimson Family suddenly acquired an additional branch? And from which town had they truly retrieved Lovelenica?

In Imeline’s recollection, the Crimson Family had always been highly insular, strictly forbidding any collateral relatives from returning to their main household. Yet, Lovelenica was an undeniable exception.

Perhaps, if these mysteries were thoroughly investigated, the secrets Lovelenica harbored would finally come to light.

Imeline once again directed her attention to the center of the training grounds. Just as she expected, Lovelenica and Lucia had already begun their spar. What astonished everyone, however, was that Lucia was managing to hold her own against Lovelenica, engaging in a back-and-forth exchange.

‘Could Lucia’s strength have already reached the Fifth-tier, comparable to Lovelenica’s!?’

No, that was clearly impossible.

Given Lovelenica’s notoriously difficult personality, no one believed she would go easy on Lucia.

“It seems you’re in good form today, Lucia.”

Lovelenica remarked, delivering another direct thrust.

Lucia’s eyes narrowed, her concentration fixed on the sword tip, before she parried Lovelenica’s lunge with an upward strike.

As Lucia trained under Lovelenica, she also wielded a gunblade. Their figures flickered amidst the glint of blades, a dizzying spectacle for the onlookers.

‘Had that woman truly reformed?’

Imeline, capable of discerning Lovelenica’s intentional restraint, found herself momentarily believing Lovelenica had changed her ways. But in the next instant, she shook her head, dismissing the thought.

‘No, that couldn’t be right. It must be because yesterday’s training was too intense; she feared exposing a weakness and was now trying to compensate. She was undoubtedly plotting something.’

Lucia, sparring with Lovelenica, could also sense the deliberate restraint. Lovelenica’s attacks lacked their usual ferocity.

During their previous training sessions, Lovelenica’s blade had typically aimed for Lucia’s body. Today, however, Lovelenica consistently targeted Lucia’s weapon, and her speed had significantly decreased.

In truth, Lovelenica was not only reducing the intensity of the training but also gradually adapting to and familiarizing herself with this body. As a transmigrator, while she possessed Lovelenica’s combat memories, she had yet to master their application. Thus, this session also served as an opportunity for Lovelenica to acclimate to combat.

The entire sparring session was essentially a guided practice, allowing Lucia to react and block based on her own reflexes.

This sudden shift, however, left Lucia somewhat disoriented and even annoyed, leading her to believe that Lovelenica wasn’t teaching her with proper dedication.

‘Had I… disappointed Teacher after all? No! I must show Teacher my true strength!’

With that resolve, Lucia unexpectedly lunged at Lovelenica.

Lovelenica was clearly startled by Lucia’s sudden assault, though it was merely a momentary surprise. She deftly parried the attack with practiced ease.

What Lovelenica had not anticipated was Lucia’s willingness to disregard the incoming blade, allowing its tip to graze her arm, while simultaneously thrusting her other gunblade towards Lovelenica’s shoulder.

‘She meant to trade injuries?’

Lovelenica immediately exerted her full strength, deflecting the incoming blade with utmost speed, a clear expression of displeasure etched on her small face.

“Alright, that’s enough!”

Upon seeing Lucia’s injury, Lovelenica promptly called a halt to the training.

“What… it’s over already?”

The onlookers, seeing Lucia injured, had expected Lovelenica to continue as before, overwhelming Lucia to the point of incapacitation. To their surprise, this time, it was merely a light touch; Lovelenica stopped the training after only grazing Lucia.

“Teacher… why are you training me like this today? Am I too weak, not meeting your expectations?”

“…What nonsense are you spouting?”

Lovelenica walked over to Lucia, a helpless expression on her face, and gently patted Lucia’s head. It seemed the original Lovelenica’s methods had left too deep an impression on the young girl; this, after all, was normal and reasonable training, yet the child was dissatisfied.

“I possess Fifth-tier strength. If I were to go all out, wouldn’t you, a Third-tier combatant, be immediately defeated? Moreover, this is merely training; there’s no need for you to get hurt.”

“But… didn’t you say before that injuries are unavoidable when fighting against Phantasm-class entities?”

Lucia blinked her sparkling golden eyes, looking at Lovelenica with a gaze full of questions.

“Uh…”

Lovelenica’s tone stiffened momentarily. To be fair, what the original Lovelenica had said wasn’t entirely wrong…

“That was for impact resistance and endurance training, which we’ve already covered. You’ve passed my test in those areas. Now, we’re moving on to more advanced training.”

Lovelenica’s mind raced, concocting an explanation to appease the naive Saintess before her.

“Look, if I were to use my full strength, you’d be defeated instantly. How would that help train your offensive capabilities? Right? Besides, challenging opponents far above your tier isn’t common. It’s better if I match your Third-tier strength, so you can gain experience fighting opponents of a similar level.”

“So that’s how it is!”

Upon hearing Lovelenica’s words, Lucia was suddenly enlightened, a profound understanding washing over her.

“You were testing my willpower all along! And now that I’ve passed your test, you’re changing the training method? I see! Thank you, Teacher!”

“Yes… yes! Exactly as you said, hahaha.”

Seeing the doubt in Lucia’s eyes transform into adoration, Lovelenica found the original protagonist remarkably easy to deceive and could not help but offer an awkward laugh.

“Oh, and one more thing!”

After a few dry laughs, Lovelenica suddenly recalled a crucial point she had considered earlier, and her tone immediately grew serious.

“Your action of trading injuries just now, I strongly disapprove. We are merely sparring, and even if you possess regenerative abilities uncommon to others, I do not recommend exchanging injuries.”

“I… I’m sorry, Teacher…”

Seeing Lovelenica’s serious expression, Lucia immediately lowered her head.

At this point, Lovelenica abruptly changed her tone, softening her voice slightly.

“However… I must admit, you truly caught me off guard just now. Lucia, you certainly have a trick up your sleeve! In a true life-or-death struggle, such a desperate, decisive move might indeed lead to an unexpected victory.”

“R-really! Thank you, Teacher!”

Praised by Lovelenica, Lucia’s eyes immediately brightened, and she excitedly clenched her small pink fists.

These were among the rare moments Lucia received praise and affirmation from Lovelenica; how could she not be thrilled?

Yet, while some rejoiced, others despaired. Observing the shift in Lucia’s expression, Imeline, who had been watching from the sidelines, also clenched her small pink fists, not out of excitement, but out of fury.

‘That woman… she’s definitely playing hard to get! She must have realized her previous methods couldn’t control Lucia, so she switched tactics! Just you wait! I’ll uncover your true intentions!’