Chapter 118: A Lesson in Responsibility and a Lingering Question

Attestor involuntarily turned her head, her gaze settling on Lovelenica.

While Attestor had harbored prejudice against Lovelenica due to her earlier treatment of Lucia, their recent interactions had revealed a profound shift in Lovelenica’s demeanor.

Though the reasons for this transformation remained unclear, Attestor had witnessed Lovelenica’s genuine change. Not only did she fiercely protect Lucia, but she also showed equal concern for Attestor’s and Imeline’s safety.

Furthermore, Lovelenica possessed formidable strength and an extraordinary breadth of vision.

Based on the two previous Bloodkin incidents, Lovelenica had astutely predicted the potential emergence of new Bloodkin during the Monster Hunt Exercise. Her foresight in preparing their team, particularly with the Ring of Barriers, proved to be the crucial factor in their survival.

Although Lovelenica had not accounted for the presence of the black-clad figures, these pre-arranged Holy Artifacts had still saved their lives at a critical juncture.

Regardless of the catalyst for Lovelenica’s shift in attitude, her power and knowledge had earned Attestor’s respect. She believed that by learning from Lovelenica, they would undoubtedly gain invaluable insights.

As Lovelenica finished speaking, allowing Lucia time to process her words, her gaze remained fixed on Lucia’s face. She was oblivious to Attestor’s watchful eyes and contemplative thoughts.

Lucia, however, wore a somewhat aggrieved expression. While she grasped the general meaning of Lovelenica’s words, she struggled to pinpoint their core significance.

Noticing Lucia’s thoughtful demeanor, Lovelenica continued.

“Lucia, you must understand that you are not fighting alone. The lives of your team are bound together. In combat, it is exceptionally difficult for humans to triumph against Fantasy Creatures in one-on-one encounters, which is precisely why we form multi-person squads.

“While your individual combat prowess is formidable, even allowing you to gamble your life against an opponent, the burden you carry extends far beyond your own existence. Acting recklessly on a whim could very well jeopardize the entire team.

“Do you understand? No matter how deeply you despise Fantasy Creatures, you must maintain calm judgment in such moments. Moreover, you are my student, and I refuse to see you trade your life for theirs.”

Lovelenica’s tone grew increasingly stern, her final words far from empty rhetoric. Though she still intended to utilize Lucia for now, her desire to protect Lucia’s safety wasn’t solely for the purpose of confronting Liliana. She genuinely wished for Lucia to cherish her life and not pursue revenge against Fantasy Creatures in such a self-destructive manner.

Lucia had been listening intently to Lovelenica’s counsel. She knew that her panic this time had nearly cost Imeline and Attestor their lives; had Lovelenica not arrived in time, they might have paid a heavy price. She drew a deep breath, engraving Lovelenica’s words onto her heart.

Upon hearing Lovelenica’s final words, Lucia suddenly froze, her gaze momentarily unfocused. A strange sense of déjà vu washed over her, as if she had experienced this exact feeling somewhere before.

As she meticulously recalled, Lucia realized she harbored the very same sentiments as Lovelenica.

During the time Lovelenica had pursued the Vampire, Lucia initially yearned for her triumphant return, having vanquished the creature. Yet, her hopes had gradually shifted to simply wishing for Lovelenica’s safe and sound return.

She had not wanted Lovelenica to pay the ultimate price in her pursuit of the Vampire.

Lovelenica, similarly, did not wish for Lucia to trade her life for a Fantasy Creature’s.

Their sentiments, it seemed, were identical.

With this realization, the light gradually returned to Lucia’s eyes, and her expression hardened with resolve.

Indeed, her past actions had been a profound disregard for life itself. Constantly seeking to trade wounds for wounds, and lives for lives, believing her own death inconsequential as long as a Fantasy Creature was slain—this mindset was utterly flawed.

She had not only gambled with her own life but with the lives of her friends. Moreover, even if she were alone, she ought not to treat her own existence with such disdain.

Though Imeline and Attestor had remained silent, Lucia could sense that they, like Lovelenica, wished for her not to trade her life, hoping only for her safety. If she truly perished, their grief would undoubtedly linger for a long time.

Therefore, she had to live. She had to prioritize the team’s safety above all else. Fantasy Creatures could be fought again, but once their lives were lost, they could never be reclaimed.

“Teacher, I understand!”

Lucia nodded emphatically, her gaze filled with unwavering resolve.

“From now on, I will not act so impulsively, nor will I recklessly rely solely on my regenerative abilities.”

She then glanced at Imeline and Attestor, offering them an apology.

“I apologize. My impulsiveness and unstable mindset put you both in a dangerous situation.”

“Actually… it wasn’t *that* dangerous…”

In response to Lucia’s earnest apology, Imeline scratched her hair, seemingly a little embarrassed, and gently tried to comfort Lucia.

“Hah, good that you understand.”

Observing Lucia’s resolute gaze, Lovelenica’s lips curved into a faint smile. She chuckled softly, casting a look of profound satisfaction upon Lucia.

It seemed Lucia had truly taken Lovelenica’s teachings to heart.

While this didn’t signify an immediate transformation—Lucia might still act rashly in future battles—this perilous experience, coupled with Lovelenica’s guidance, would serve as a powerful reminder. Each time impulsiveness threatened to overwhelm her, this incident would prompt her to act with greater calm.

Lucia had now recognized her past error. However, a lingering question remained: the matter of Lovelenica’s sister, as mentioned by Julie.

Though both she and Imeline were equally intrigued by this ‘sister,’ their objectives differed.

Imeline believed that uncovering Lovelenica’s identity would unravel the secrets and motives behind her.

Lucia, conversely, simply wished to understand Lovelenica more deeply.

Just as she had thought before, while Lovelenica had saved her, Lucia knew little of her teacher’s past experiences. She yearned to comprehend her mentor more thoroughly.

Now presented a perfect opportunity.

Having just narrowly escaped death, and having resolved some of their prior conflicts, with Julie’s timely mention of Lovelenica’s past and family, Lucia felt that if she spoke now, even the most painful, unretrievable memories might be shared openly.

“…T-teacher, I… I want to ask you something.”

“Hm? Go ahead and ask.”

Observing Lucia’s hesitant demeanor, Lovelenica responded with an air of calm detachment. Lucia, however, felt a pang of nervousness, aware that her question might touch upon a sensitive chord for Lovelenica.

“Teacher, it’s about… Julie, just now, she…”

Dong—

Just as Lucia was about to voice her question regarding Julie’s words, a heavy, resonant bell chime suddenly echoed from the stronghold’s clock tower, abruptly interrupting her.

This was the signal for assembly. The ringing of the bell typically signified that everyone’s scores had been tallied, and the rankings were ready to be announced.

The gazes of Lucia and the other three instinctively shifted towards the plaza outside, where people were already beginning to gather.

Lovelenica turned to Lucia and replied.

“Let’s go assemble first. You can ask any questions later.”