Let's Train Heroine

The wooden carriage creaked and swayed as it rolled along the uneven dirt road, the rhythmic clatter of hooves and the occasional jolt over a rock or rut the only sounds that punctuated the stillness of the early morning. The journey to the Labyrinth of Echoes had begun, and inside the carriage, the five adventurers were.

Lucan sat near the front, his eyes focused on the passing scenery outside the small window. His thoughts were on the labyrinth, its dangers, and the strategies they would need to employ to make it through. Olive, ever silent, was beside him, her dark eyes half-lidded in a semblance of sleep but alert to every movement and sound. Beside her was Rina, looking out of window.

Behind them, Julia and Hima were seated together, their voices hushed in a quiet conversation that barely rose above the noise of the wheels.

"You're going to confess to him this time, right?" Hima's voice was light but insistent, her blonde hair falling over her shoulder as she leaned closer to Julia.

Julia's face flushed a soft pink, her white hair a stark contrast against the dark interior of the carriage. She hesitated, glancing toward the front where Lucan sat, completely unaware of their conversation. "I-I will," she stammered quietly. "After I become SSS Class Adeventure. I'll definitely tell him then."

Hima rolled her eyes and let out a sigh, her lips curling into an amused smile. She leaned back against the seat, arms crossed over her chest as she regarded her friend. "You've been doing that for years, Julia. Every time you get a chance to confess, you back off and say your will confess next time. But you never do. How many more months and years are you going to waste?

At this rate he might be married and you still didn't confess him, then you might make an excuse you will confess once his wife divorce him or die."
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Julia bit her lip, her eyes dropping to her lap. "It's just… It's not easy, you know? What if he doesn't feel the same way? What if I ruin everything?"

Hima gently facepalmed, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're hopeless, you know that?" Her tone was teasing, but there was an undercurrent of genuine concern. "You're the strongest and most confident person I know when you're fighting monsters or solving puzzles, but when it comes to Lucan, you turn into a coward."

Julia didn't respond immediately, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her cloak. She knew Hima was right—every time the opportunity to confess to Lucan had presented itself, she had let it slip through her fingers.

Seeing Julia's hesitation, Hima leaned in closer, her voice dropping to an even quieter whisper. "Listen, Julia. If you don't confess to Lucan today—right after we clear this dungeon—I'm going to tell him myself."

Julia's eyes widened in panic. "You wouldn't!"

Hima's smile widened, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, I absolutely would. And if that's not enough, I'll even show him those secret paintings you've been working on. You know, the ones you've drawn of him? I'm sure he'd love to see just how much detail you put into those."

Julia's face turned a deeper shade of red, her heart racing at the thought. "No! You can't do that! Those are private!"

Hima chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the flustered reaction she was getting from her friend. "Then you'd better muster up the courage and tell him yourself. Otherwise, I'll have no choice."

Julia's shoulders slumped, and she sighed in defeat. "Alright, alright… I'll do it. After the dungeon, I'll confess to him. Just… please don't do anything embarrassing."

Hima grinned triumphantly. "That's the spirit. Don't worry, Julia. You just need to stop overthinking it."

Julia glanced once more at Lucan, who was now deep in conversation with Rina about their strategy.

The rest of the journey passed in relative quiet, the landscape gradually changing from the lush greenery of the outskirts of capital to the darker, more ominous terrain that led to the Great Abyss. The entrance to the Labyrinth of Echoes loomed in the distance, a gaping maw of darkness carved into the side of a jagged mountain.

As the carriage slowed to a stop, the group disembarked, each of them shouldering their packs and readying their weapons.

Julia took a deep breath, her hand tightening around the hilt of her sword as she steeled herself for what was to come—not just the dangers of the labyrinth, but the challenge she had set for herself.

Hima gave her a subtle nudge as they began their trek toward the labyrinth's entrance. "Remember, Julia," she whispered with a wink, "today's the day."

Julia nodded.

---

Maris hummed softly to herself as she cleaned her room, her delicate hands carefully dusting the shelves and rearranging her books. The gentle rhythm of her task was soothing, allowing her mind to drift. But then, without warning, a sharp sensation pricked at her consciousness—a faint yet unmistakable feeling that sent a shiver down her spine.

Someone was approaching Lucan. And not just anyone, but a girl with intentions far beyond simple friendship. The thought sent a surge of possessive protectiveness through Maris, her heart tightening as she clutched the dusting cloth in her hand.

She quickly abandoned her cleaning, her mind racing. If someone was trying to get close to Lucan, she needed to be there, to stop it before it went too far. Maris hurried out of her room, her steps quick and determined as she made her way through streets, reaching academy, in the halls of the academy, searching for him.

But when she finally reached Lucan's usual spots, she found them empty. Her frustration grew as she asked around, only to learn that Lucan had left the academy for some work. No one could tell her exactly where he had gone, just that he wouldn't be back until tomorrow.

Maris's chest tightened with a mix of anger and worry. How could he leave without telling her where he was going? And more importantly, who was this girl that she had sensed?

She clenched her fists, her heart heavy with the thought of Lucan being alone with another woman. "Please," she whispered to herself, her voice laced with concern, "let there be no one beside him right now."

Maris resolved to find him as soon as he returned. She wouldn't let anyone take Lucan away from her—not now, not ever.