Let's Train Heroine

The voice belonged to a middle-aged woman dressed in a luxurious, high-quality dress. Her gray-streaked hair was neatly styled, and she wore a monocle on her right eye, giving her a notably stern appearance.

"Ah, Mrs. Janvi. Good day."

The woman, Mrs. Janvi, was a music teacher at the academy. Although Lucan generally saw her only in passing, she would occasionally approach him when he ventured into the main building.

"I\'ve heard! It seems our students have been bothering you again. I\'m truly sorry! It\'s really inconvenient!"

The matter was typically the same. It concerned Lucan\'s music instruction to some of the female students.

"Mr. Ironfist, it must be a bother for you too, right? If there\'s something you don\'t understand, you should ask me! Those students are really troublesome!"

"No… It\'s not that much of a bother."

"No, it definitely is! It\'s annoying to be asked for opinions on something you\'re not in charge of, especially when you\'re not an expert! Mr. Ironfist, you should refuse if you want. It\'s better to leave it to the experts rather than get involved and make things worse. They should rely on us professionals!"

Mrs. Janvi spoke in a shrill voice. Though she seemed concerned for Lucan, her real message was clear: "Don\'t meddle with our students."

Her pride was hurt because the students studying music were receiving instruction from Lucan instead of her, even though it wasn\'t his specialty.

I did tell them to ask the music teacher... Lucan sighed quietly as he took in the complaints.

Lucan wasn\'t a music expert. He had suggested that the students seek guidance from Mrs. Janvi. However, each time, the students had shown bitter expressions.

"Mrs. Janvi is... very strict."

"She criticizes even minor mistakes and constantly boasts about her busy schedule..."

"She\'s very condescending, saying we should be grateful for her guidance while bragging about herself and putting us down. She\'s not reliable at all!"

In other words, this was the situation.

Mrs. Janvi was a former court musician and was reputedly skilled as a performer. Unfortunately, she lacked talent as an instructor and didn\'t have the respect of her students. Many were fed up with her harsh and petty teaching style and kept their distance.

If she speaks like this to colleagues, it must be even more overbearing to the students.

"Are you listening?! Mr. Ironfist!"

"Yes… Of course, Mrs. Janvi."

"So, make sure to show those students how wonderful I am!"

**"Oh, right… I\'ll be sure to tell them."**

Annoyed, Lucan made appropriate responses while waiting for the conversation to end. Eventually, Mrs. Janvi left.

---

"Looks like everyone has gathered."

In a room at the Royal Academy, several students had assembled. Standing in front of the table, initiating the conversation, was a black-haired, red-eyed male student.

He was Kai, the crown prince.

"Recently, suspicious individuals have been lurking around the academy. Moreover, there was an incident where one of the teachers was attacked by ruffians. Upon interrogating those captured, it seems their target is Saint Maris."

"What? She\'s being targeted!?"

The ones expressing their shock were Alec, Ruki, and Damian.

"What\'s going on? Explain it to us."

"Of course... It appears that in the underground world, Maris has a huge bounty on her head. I think the temple\'s destruction of local outlaws organisation was warning but it just led to the bounty increasing, attracting outlaws from outside the kingdom. Some of these people are from the Lost City."

Kai\'s face twisted in anger as he explained. Maris was an important figure to the group. The fact that she was being targeted could not be ignored.

"This is a crisis involving a crucial figure from the temple. The knights and Temple Knights are involved, but... we can\'t leave it all to them."

"I plan to investigate the case myself. To help Maris, I intend to find and capture those targeting her...!"

Kai declared, looking at his friends.

"This is just my intuition, but there\'s likely a large conspiracy behind this incident. If we recklessly get involved, we might face more than just burns. But... knowing that, I ask for your help. Will you lend me your strength?"

"Don\'t be so formal. Of course, we will." Alec slammed his hand on the table.

"We\'re all captivated by the same woman. Essentially, we\'re like brothers. Even if we were born in different places, we\'ll die together."

"We can\'t let only His Highness Kai face danger."

"Maris-sis is mine! Anyone trying to harm her will be knocked out!"

Following Alec, Ruki and Damian also expressed their agreement.

"Thank you, everyone...!"

Kai nodded deeply.

"Alright... Let\'s gather more allies and collect information on those targeting Maris! Then we\'ll fortify her surroundings and strengthen her protection!"**

The four began their preparations to save Maris. Meanwhile, Maris herself created dozens of Marionettes, sending them to eliminate any outlaws near the academy and to protect the students and teachers from danger.

---

"Damn! Young teachers these days are just..."

A carriage moved through the streets of the royal capital. Inside was an elderly woman dressed in a gown—Mrs. Janvi.

"That man, Ironfist, ignoring my advice! Whether he\'s a Holy Priest or a patron of a saintess, he\'s getting too full of himself!"

"Ah, um..."

"You think so too, don\'t you!? Right!?"

"…I believe you are correct, Madam." The butler riding with her in the carriage replied with a wry smile.

"That man surrounds himself with young female students... It\'s absolutely disgraceful! I\'m sure he\'s deceiving them in some improper way! Don\'t you think so!?"

"…I believe so, Madam."

Janvi continued her tirade, unaware that the carriage had entered a quiet alleyway. Suddenly, the carriage jolted to a stop. Shouts and screams could be heard from outside.

"What\'s happening...?"

"Madam, please stay here!" The butler shouted and leaped out of the carriage. Moments later, more screams echoed through the alley.

"Hey, get out here!"

"Eek..." Janvi was forcibly dragged out of the carriage by a rough-looking thug.

"You\'re Janvi, a teacher at the Royal Academy, right?"

"Who are you people...?"

"You\'re coming with us. We have questions for you!"

Despite being a senior teacher with guards, they had been overpowered, leaving Janvi vulnerable.

"No! Why is this happening to me...!"

"Shut up! Do you want to die!?" The thug pointed a sword at her, causing Janvi to scream.

"Tie her up! Gag her!"

As Janvi screamed for help, a slender Marionette suddenly landed in front of the thugs. With swift movements, it overpowered the attackers, leaving the beaten thugs and a freed Janvi behind.

"What... what is this...?" Janvi, tearful and confused, received no answer from anyone.