Chapter 44: A Shift in Priorities

“There was indeed no trouble, because Lucia was prepared to give Julie two-fifths of our monster-hunting exercise score.”

“Imeline, you…”

Lucia’s expression immediately stiffened with embarrassment, seeing Imeline deliberately bring up the very thing she had hoped to gloss over. She shot a helpless glance at Imeline, who remained utterly expressionless.

Lucia, however, had no right to fault Imeline for revealing the truth, as it was Lucia herself who had unilaterally promised away the entire team’s score.

She hadn’t even consulted Imeline before agreeing to Julie’s request, and Attestor remained completely unaware of the whole affair.

It was, therefore, entirely natural for Imeline to harbor some dissatisfaction.

In truth, while Imeline was indeed displeased, she had two reasons for speaking out: first, she knew the matter couldn’t be kept secret—Lovelenica would undoubtedly find out during the monster-hunting exercise.

Second, she wished to observe Lovelenica’s reaction upon hearing the news.

Lucia turned to Lovelenica again, her expression taut. Unable to blame Imeline, Lucia knew she had no choice but to offer Lovelenica a thorough explanation.

After all, Lovelenica had always placed great importance on Lucia’s performance, maintaining consistently strict demands on her.

“Te-teacher… it’s not what you think. I was just worried about you. Julie said she was going to punish you, and she refused to tell me what happened to you…”

“Oh, don’t blame yourself. I understand, Lucia.”

Watching Lucia’s earnest explanations, Lovelenica’s heart fluttered, and even the matter of the crystal ball temporarily slipped from her mind.

‘Was she truly this anxious about my disappearance? Lucia…’

With a helpless sigh, she reached out and gently stroked Lucia’s head.

“It’s my fault for not informing you today. Even if I lacked the strength to use magic, I only needed to tell a maid to send someone to notify you. But I didn’t even do that small thing, which caused you such worry. I’m truly sorry.”

As she spoke, Lovelenica offered a faint smile, utterly devoid of any hint of blame towards Lucia.

“Eh? But… Teacher, haven’t you always cared deeply about my performance…?”

“Yes, I have.”

Lovelenica, of course, hadn’t forgotten how her original body had treated Lucia in the past. While there was a sense of venting frustration, the primary goal had always been to enhance Lucia’s abilities.

“Of course, I care about your performance, Lucia. However… after that day, I realized something. You are more important than your scores.”

This statement was genuinely true. While reading the original novel, Lovelenica had been thoroughly displeased by the original body’s various actions, which included, but were not limited to, abusing Lucia and abandoning Attestor to their fate.

The oppressive atmosphere not only suffocated the protagonist but also made her, as a reader, long to thoroughly beat the original body.

The original novel also hinted at issues with the original body, and after the truth was finally revealed, though Lucia herself killed the original body, Lucia was left on the verge of collapse.

Even if the original body harbored only hatred and a desire to exploit Lucia, Lucia herself held deep affection for her. The very combat techniques she wielded had been taught to her by the original body.

Therefore, Lovelenica did not want Lucia to become the protagonist who, after enduring torment, betrayal, and deceit, grew increasingly cold. She wished for Lucia to have an easier path. Even if she would eventually have to utilize Lucia, for now, she could at least make her life a little lighter.

“Eh!?”

Lucia’s small face flushed crimson, and she was so taken aback that she didn’t know where to direct her gaze. She hadn’t expected Lovelenica to be so direct, so suddenly.

Even Imeline was stunned by Lovelenica’s declaration. Seeing Lucia’s blushing face, Imeline found herself unconsciously feeling a pang of jealousy. Her own actions had truly backfired.

In reality, both Lucia and Imeline had misunderstood. Lovelenica actually meant that Lucia’s psychological well-being was more important than her abilities, but she hadn’t fully articulated her thoughts, making it sound to both of them as if Lovelenica was directly expressing her affection for Lucia.

The disparity between these two interpretations was quite significant.

‘Could it be… could it be that this madwoman has truly changed!?’

Imeline’s mind began to unravel. Even when Lucia was being tormented by Lovelenica, she had clung to her belief in her. If this woman had truly changed, wouldn’t Lucia become even more devoted to her?

‘Wait? So that’s it!’

Imeline suddenly understood: Lovelenica was playing hard to get!

‘Clearly, Lovelenica understood that if she continued treating Lucia that way, Lucia would eventually come to her senses. By suddenly changing her attitude just as Lucia was on the verge of despair, she could surely win Lucia back, making her believe all the past abuse was merely a test.’

‘What a cunning woman… I almost fell for your trick.’

Imeline now believed Lovelenica was emotionally manipulating Lucia. Lovelenica, however, wasn’t thinking so deeply; she simply didn’t want to see Lucia burdened by so much stress and sorrow anymore.

“If there’s anything you wish to exchange, I’ll do it for you. I’ve accumulated quite a few Marks of Purification over the years, certainly enough to compensate for the ones you gave Julie, Lucia. As for rankings, I no longer insist on them.”

“Teacher, this…”

“What about mine and Thor’s?”

While Lucia was still hesitating, Imeline once again launched an attack. On the surface, her words were a demand for compensation, but in truth, she sought to provoke Lovelenica, hoping to expose a moment of her losing composure.

To her surprise, Lovelenica was truly so generous; she immediately agreed.

“I’ll compensate you and Thor as well, don’t worry.”

‘Damn it… going to such lengths just to maintain her facade?’

‘Lovelenica! You fiend!!!’

Lovelenica’s immediate agreement stemmed simply from the fact that there was nothing she currently wished to exchange at the church. Moreover, she had accumulated so many Marks of Purification over the years that giving some away was utterly inconsequential.

“Teacher… thank you.”

Seeing Lovelenica’s casual dismissal of the matter, Lucia no longer thought to refuse. After all, she hadn’t consulted Imeline or Attestor when making the deal with Julie. Now, it was only right to compensate her friends.

Lucia, of course, intended that after distributing the Marks to Imeline and Attestor, she would not accept any Marks of Purification from Lovelenica for herself.

“Don’t be so polite with me. Talking with you two has made me feel much better.”

Lovelenica truly meant this; it wasn’t flattery. After enduring the torment of her murderous desires last night, Lovelenica had felt somewhat withdrawn.

Now, knowing Lucia cared so deeply and having spoken so much with her, Lovelenica felt her spirits had lifted considerably.

“You two should be heading back soon, shouldn’t you? Go home early. I feel rather sticky all over, perhaps from sweating excessively in my sleep. I’ll take a bath once you’ve left.”

“Teacher, you’re still feverish, and if you bathe now, you might catch a chill. How about I help you wipe down instead?”

“Eh?”