Let's Train Heroine

It's been a week since Lucan got to know Professor Vercelli. He had shown his ability and enough experience that Professor Vercelli trusted him. He also talked about the map piece, and luckily, Professor Vercelli didn't know what this map was or what it could be used for.

As such, it would be easy to get the map.

Lucan stood before Professor Vercelli's office, a modest yet imposing room at the far end of the academy's most secluded wing. Lucan took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. He had prepared meticulously for this moment.

The door creaked as he pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit room cluttered with ancient tomes, peculiar artifacts, and various magical apparatuses, each emitting a faint glow. At the center of this organized chaos sat Professor Vercelli.

"Ah, Lucan," the professor greeted, his voice gravelly yet sharp, "I've been expecting you."

Lucan inclined his head respectfully. "Professor Vercelli, thank you for seeing me."

Vercelli waved a hand dismissively. "Spare me the pleasantries. I know why you're here. You seek the map piece, don't you? You've been curious about it."

Lucan met the professor's gaze, his expression calm and composed. "Yes, Professor. I think that map might lead to some great artifact. So I want to study it."

Vercelli chuckled, "I also think the same, and I've been studying and searching for other pieces, but I have yet to find anything. So it won't hurt to lend you the map piece; who knows, you might find something?"

"So?"

The professor's eyes glinted with amusement, "Very well, Lucan. If you think you're up to the task, I have a series of tests that will challenge not just your knowledge of magic, but your resolve. If you pass the test, I will let you borrow the map piece for a few days."

Lucan nodded, "I accept the challenge."

Vercelli rose from his chair and beckoned Lucan to follow him deeper into the room, where a hidden passageway led to a private chamber. The walls were lined with ancient runes and sigils, glowing softly as they reacted to the presence of magic. At the center of the chamber stood a large, intricately carved pedestal, upon which rested a crystal orb pulsating with a strange energy.

"The first test," Vercelli announced, "is a test of perception. This orb contains an illusion, a puzzle if you will. You must see through the illusion and decipher the true form within. You have only one attempt."

Lucan approached the orb, his mind focused. He reached out and placed his hands on the cold surface of the crystal, feeling the magic flow into him. As he peered into its depths, the orb began to swirl with colors and shapes, morphing into a kaleidoscope of images designed to confuse and mislead.

Lucan's mind raced as he sifted through the chaotic visions, searching for the pattern within the madness.

He closed his eyes, blocking out the distractions and focusing on his breathing. In the stillness, he recalled the lessons on illusion magic he had studied. The key was to find the anchor, the one constant that the illusion could not mask. Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked again, this time with a sharper focus.

Among the swirling colors, he noticed a faint outline that remained consistent—a sigil of an ancient rune.

With a swift incantation, Lucan channeled his magic into the rune, unraveling the illusion. The swirling images dissipated, revealing the true form hidden within the orb: a small, intricate key that hovered in the center. Lucan reached out and grasped the key, feeling a rush of triumph as the orb's light dimmed.

Professor Vercelli clapped slowly, a smile of approval on his face. "Well done, Lucan. Most would have been lost in the illusion, but you saw through it with remarkable clarity. However, the next test will not be so easily overcome."

He led Lucan to a second chamber, this one filled with shelves upon shelves of ancient scrolls and texts. In the center stood a large lectern with an open book. The pages were blank, but Lucan could feel the magic emanating from it.

"The second test is one of knowledge," Vercelli explained. "This book contains a riddle, one that only those well-versed in the magics can solve. It will test your understanding of magical theory, history, and the elements themselves. You have until the sand in that hourglass runs out." He pointed to a small hourglass on a nearby table, already starting to drain.

Lucan approached the book. He glanced at the hourglass and then back at the blank pages. As he placed his hands on the book, words began to materialize on the pages, forming a riddle:

_"I am the beginning of all things, the source of power and life. I am unseen, yet I shape the world. Harness me, and you hold the key to creation. What am I?"_

"The answer is Ether," Lucan said aloud. "The unseen force that binds all magic and life together."

Lucan saw this puzzle in the game, so he knew it. However, in this world, many wouldn't know it in their lifetime. Only a few selected people knew about this. Ether is a force that made Mana, Aura, Magic Rune, Elements, and many more things.

The book's pages shimmered as the answer was accepted. A soft light glowed from the text, indicating success.

Professor Vercelli nodded, clearly impressed. "You've shown great knowledge, Lucan. But the final test will challenge your resolve and your willingness to make difficult choices."

They moved to the last chamber, a small, dimly lit room with two large mirrors facing each other. In the center was a simple wooden box.

"The final test," Vercelli explained, "is a test of character. Inside this box is a mirror. When you look into it, you will see yourself reflected not as you are, but as you could be. It will show you a path—one that offers great power but at a cost. You must decide whether to accept that path or reject it. The choice will determine whether you are truly worthy of the map piece."

Lucan stepped forward. He opened the box and lifted the mirror, staring into his own reflection. The surface of the mirror rippled, and his image began to change. He saw himself as an Evil Magician, wielding dark magic with unparalleled skill. The power was intoxicating, the potential limitless. But there was a darkness in his eyes, a coldness that sent a chill down his spine.

This was not the future he wanted. He didn't want to lose his freedom to power but wanted to gain eternal freedom through this power.

Lucan lowered the mirror and placed it back in the box, his decision made. He was glad that Professor Vercelli couldn't see the exact image like him but just knew roughly. The professor must have seen that he lost to some kind of dark magic, and not Evil Magic.

"I accept the path," Lucan said firmly, "but I will walk it on my own terms."

Vercelli studied him for a long moment before nodding. "You have chosen wisely, Lucan. The map piece is yours for this year."

With a wave of his hand, Vercelli summoned a small, ancient-looking scroll, which hovered in the air before Lucan. He took it.

"Thank you, Professor," Lucan said.

Vercelli smiled faintly, "Well, I just hope you find something. Once you do, tell me your findings."

---

Maris was walking around the academy, searching for Lucan. For the past few days, Lucan had been too busy to spend time with her. It was really troubling her; she hoped it wasn't because he was seeing another girl. If there was another girl, Maris felt pity for her.

However, it didn't seem like Lucan was seeing anyone else, because she met him every day, even if only for a few minutes, and she never detected the scent of another girl on him. So, he must be doing something without her. Maris felt that this wasn't good; she felt sad that Lucan was doing something and hiding it from her. She felt left out.