But I find it very sacred.

After seeing Rachel off, Mien took Luya back to the Holy Core.

"What did you two talk about?" Mien patted Lucia's other shoulder and asked.

"Princess Rachel said she wanted me to help the Empire, and that she would give me the Iron Can Street neighborhood as my fiefdom."

Mien couldn't help but smile. This Rachel was really hardworking. Even as a prospective saintess whose future was still uncertain, she was willing to put in so much effort. She was full of energy, which was quite out of place with the atmosphere of the imperial high command.

Perhaps this is why many ambitious generals and lords were willing to follow her; undeniably, she was a capable person.

"That's a good thing, it's an opportunity to do a lot for your birthplace."

Lucia didn't respond, but instead asked, "Teacher, could you tell me more about Furilla's situation?"

Oh? Mien was a little surprised, not expecting him to be so proactive.

Lucia then asked, "Do I really have a chance to defeat her?"

Mien chuckled lightly: "I won't let you do anything you're not sure you can handle."

…………

Five days later, on the ground floor of Hein's private laboratory.

The huge, imposing combat armored robot, along with its pilot Hein, lay sprawled on the ground.

Hein's eyes sparkled.

Her "Count of the Night" battle doll had been defeated by Lucia a day earlier, so she followed Mien's instructions and took to the field herself.

Naturally, for safety reasons, the magical energy of the battle armor was greatly reduced, initially allowing it to easily suppress Lucia.

He reveled in the thrill of bullying others despite being a weakling himself, while letting out a maniacal, cackling laugh.

He showed Lucia absolutely no care or concern from her teacher.

But just now, Hein suddenly noticed that Luya's eyes changed. The respect she had maintained for her teacher for so long vanished in an instant, and he seemed to see a hint of murderous intent in her eyes.

Before he could even react, he was already lying on the ground.

Just then, the culprit, with an innocent look on his face, rushed over, helped him up, and said anxiously:

"Mr. Hein! Are you alright?"

He was a completely different person from before.

Hein sat up, his eyes filled with dizziness, and looked at Lucia, his words stuck in his throat.

"You've made great progress." Hein used magic to clear his mind, then bent down to check the condition of the mechanical armor and activated its self-repair mode.

Lucia looked at Hein and the big guy who had been beaten to the ground, and didn't know how to answer.

Feeling somewhat dazed, I realized that I had actually defeated Teacher Hein, even though I knew that this was only because Hein had suppressed his power.

This period of time was very long. She locked herself in Hein's laboratory, from forcing herself to complete the spell with her eyes closed on the first day, to being able to cast spells with certainty on the second day, and to being able to fight against mechanical dolls on the third day...

And last night, Teacher Mien secretly told me how to deal with Hein, and today she suddenly used it to ambush her.

I actually managed to complete it.

Hein stood up from the ground, thinking: Didn't Mien tell Lucia yesterday that she was in bad shape and that I should hold back in today's duel? Why is she suddenly so fierce?

Just then, the communication device flashed: the morning's competition was about to begin, and August was already there to pick him up and take him to the arena.

He also left a message: "Luya, get in the car at the entrance of the Holy Core, I'll be waiting for you inside."

"Yes, Scholar August," Lucia replied calmly.

She must have looked more spirited five days ago.

Hein, with his back turned, fiddled with the alchemy machinery on the control panel, and waved his hand: "I won't see you out, bye-bye."

Lucia bowed respectfully to Hein: "Thank you, Teacher Hein."

After saying that, he left alone and got into an ordinary steam car parked at the door.

August: "Let's go."

"Um"

The car drove toward the competition venue in the Academic Institute's teaching and research area, which was unusually noisy today.

Many scholars, looking excited, formed small groups and headed to one place.

"Chief Mien has decided to open the competition to the public today, and all teachers and students can watch the match."

Furthermore, many high-ranking officials of the empire are coming, and the princess and the archbishop of the papacy will also be coming to watch the game in person. Chief Mien will personally receive them.

So, to avoid attracting attention, we took this car to the race venue to prepare for the competition.

"I see."

Lucia had been staying in the lab without being informed by Mien beforehand. She peered out the car window, as if she hadn't seen the people coming and going in the area for a long time.

I wasn't as scared as I had imagined.

Ordinary steam cars have poor sound insulation, so Lucia can see people outside and hear their conversations.

People were discussing it with great anticipation, most of them having just learned that the students of the Academy of Scholars would actually participate in the formal Saintess promotion competition.

They exclaimed excitedly, "The Academy of Scholars is about to rise!"

"This year's Academy is truly different!"

"Lua, charge!"

"If I can win, I'll do a handstand..."

It felt like watching the World Cup.

Suddenly, Lucia's pupils dilated as she saw that familiar figure in the crowd.

Shanara strolled leisurely through the crowd, carrying her scholar's bag, just like she was going to class as usual.

Lucia's lips naturally curved upwards, and she felt much more at ease.

The car slowly arrived at the entrance of the huge oval stadium, and the crowd filed in.

Lucia was about to get off the bus when she saw a group of people dressed differently.

They were all dressed in the light gold or silver-gray robes of the Holy See, and under the gaze of those around them, a girl of similar age walked out.

Her eyes were proud and indifferent, her face exquisite and beautiful. She walked at the front with a tall man and entered the competition arena.

The moment Lucia saw her face, her heart skipped a beat; this was the enemy she was about to fight in front of everyone.

…………

Mien, Rachel, and Bishop Phil entered the arena through a quiet back door.

Somewhat surprisingly, Mien was walking in the middle, while the other two walked on either side.

"It's rare that Princess Rachel has time to pay attention to a competition for a prospective saintess," Bishop Phil remarked sarcastically.

Funila was one of his competitors, and the Holy Maiden of Light was also closely connected with the Holy See, so it was only natural for him to come and watch the competition. But Rachel's special appearance here seemed to have a very strong purpose.

Rachel simply smiled and said, "As a princess of the empire, I naturally have to pay attention to the selection and promotion of saintesses. Since Prince Phoenix is ​​busy and doesn't have time to come, I'll come to help my brother take care of things."

Bishop Phil's expression darkened; the mere mention of Prince Phoenix ignited a surge of anger within him.

The person who is about to ascend to the throne as Emperor Cassirer is not himself, but him, yet he always has to drag him along and beg him to come, and he still doesn't give him a good look.

It's like the emperor isn't worried while the eunuch is; of course, I'm not a eunuch myself.