Chapter 6: The Heresy Hunt Exercise and a Troubling Change of Heart

“What did that madwoman mean by this today? Was she simply going to leave?”

Having just brushed past Lovelenica, who was departing the church, Imeline approached Lucia, casting a puzzled glance at Lovelenica’s retreating figure.

Having already decided to monitor Lovelenica, Imeline had risen exceptionally early that day. Near the church, her personal presence wouldn’t arouse suspicion, so she opted against using her familiars at such a moment.

“Lady Imeline, please don’t call my teacher that…”

Hearing the words “madwoman,” Lucia appeared somewhat displeased. However, Imeline had been one of her playmates since childhood, ever since Lucia joined the church. Consequently, Lucia did not confront Imeline with the same indignation she had shown Julie; instead, she tugged at Imeline’s sleeve, speaking in a slightly pleading tone.

“Hmph… What kind of bewitching potion has that woman given you? I can’t even say a single bad word about her?”

Though Imeline continued to grumble about Lovelenica, she still changed the offensive moniker.

“It’s not a bewitching potion at all. I’m simply defending my teacher’s reputation.”

Upon hearing Imeline’s change of words, Lucia immediately beamed.

“Alright, fine.”

Imeline shook her head helplessly, finding herself utterly at a loss when it came to her innocent childhood friend.

“By the way, why weren’t you praying today? And from the look of it, she seemed to be heading back. What’s going on?”

“My teacher said she’s going to revise my training plan, and she even gave me the entire morning off. See, Lady Imeline? I told you, my teacher is actually very good to me.”

Lucia explained everything to Imeline, and by the end, she was even emphasizing Lovelenica’s affection, which in reality, did not exist.

Truth be told, Lovelenica still intended to use Lucia, but it was no longer a manipulation fueled by hatred.

“Ah…”

Imeline let out a long sigh, rubbing her throbbing temples.

“Good? How is that good? She merely gave you a morning off. Besides, who’s to say she won’t just increase your training load even more?”

“No, she won’t. She just said she’s going to reduce my training load.”

“Eh?”

Now it was Imeline’s turn to be surprised. She hadn’t expected Lovelenica to actually decrease Lucia’s training. However, Imeline hardly believed Lovelenica had suddenly had a change of heart; only yesterday, Lovelenica had still been tormenting Lucia.

“That woman actually lightened your load? Something’s off… very, very off!”

Imeline gripped the brim of her witch’s hat, gazing suspiciously at the now distant Lovelenica.

“Oh, Lady Imeline, please don’t suspect Teacher anymore. She truly is a good person; I believe in her.”

“Alright, alright, I’m not suspecting her now. I just find it a little strange.”

Imeline did not reveal her true thoughts to Lucia this time, for Lucia was currently in a state of dependence on Lovelenica. If Imeline were to openly maintain her suspicion and vigilance towards Lovelenica, it might very well lead to Lucia’s displeasure.

Therefore, Imeline swiftly shifted the conversation to next month’s Heresy Hunt Exercise.

Naturally, Imeline still intended to continue her covert investigation into Lovelenica.

“By the way, how are your preparations for next month’s Heresy Hunt Exercise coming along? Shall the three of us team up again?”

“Attestor? Sounds good.”

Lucia nodded, accepting Imeline’s invitation.

Attestor was also one of Lucia’s childhood playmates, and after Lovelenica brought Lucia back, the three of them frequently played together.

Imeline hailed from a family of mages, while Attestor originated from a knightly lineage. Furthermore, Attestor was a Paladin.

Although the three of them later pursued separate training paths, they still often spent their free time together.

The Heresy Hunt Exercise was a joint test for the younger generation, organized by three entities: the Church, the Mage Association, and the Knight Order.

The full name of the Heresy Hunt Exercise was the ‘Heresy Eradication Drill.’ While called an exercise, it actually involved dealing with real heretics.

In this world, although fantastical races existed, humanity regarded them all as heretics. Their very existence defied the natural order of this world, violated the will of the gods, and defiled the divine, thus necessitating their eradication.

They were categorized into five levels, from weakest to strongest.

Defilement—an extension of matter, the embodiment of corruption.

Impurity—a mental encroacher, a weaver of nightmares.

Blasphemy—a distorter of rules, a trampler of the sacred.

Calamity—a world-ending disaster, a scavenger of civilization.

Annihilation—an embodiment of concept, an eraser of existence.

The reason it was termed an ‘exercise’ was that participants were only required to battle entities of the Defilement class, which were equivalent to human First or Second Tier and thus posed no significant threat.

Later, they would have to contend with Impurity-class, and even Blasphemy-class beings; such a challenge naturally warranted being called merely an exercise.

The Heresy Hunt Exercise was held annually, and in previous years, these three had always teamed up. This year was, naturally, no exception.

Considering this, their team composition was already quite excellent.

Each possessed Third Tier strength, and they complemented each other well.

As a Paladin, Attestor possessed formidable defensive capabilities and could forcibly draw the attacks of other surrounding enemies, providing Imeline with ample space to operate.

Imeline, as a mage, provided abundant firepower for the team. With Attestor’s protection, Imeline had no need for any concerns, free to concentrate solely on chanting her spells.

But what if their enemies also included beings similar to mages?

That’s when Lucia would come into play. As a Decapitation Nun, Lucia could swiftly eliminate key enemy figures.

The synergy and strength of the three of them had consistently placed them among the top contenders in previous Heresy Hunt Exercises.

After reaching adulthood, one could no longer participate in the Heresy Hunt Exercise. All three of them were seventeen this year, making this their final exercise before adulthood. With no other seniors to contend with, they were certain to claim first place in this Heresy Hunt Exercise.

However, what Lucia and her companions did not know was that, in the original story, Attestor would tragically leave them forever during this very Heresy Hunt Exercise.

Moreover… she would be cruelly murdered, drained of her blood by those vampires.