Let's Train Heroine

Chapter 182: Heroine Purifying

Next Day

The sun had long dipped below the horizon, casting the academy's garden in shadows that seemed to stretch infinitely. The massive willow tree, its branches a tangled mass of dark limbs, stood alone in its secluded corner. It was said that the willow tree would become active, its haunting cries echoing through the garden, drawing the students closer for a fatal encounter.

Lucan and Maris made their way to the garden, their footsteps muffled by the thick, damp grass. Maris walked close beside Lucan, her mood cheerful as she linked arms with him. After solving the previous five horrors, it was time to face the sixth.

"Stay alert," Lucan said, his voice low and steady. "The Weeping Willow's power is said to be stronger at night. We are strong, but don't underestimate any enemy."

Maris nodded, her eyes scanning the garden's darkened expanse. "I can feel the sorrow in the air. It's almost... palpable."

The willow tree loomed before them, its twisted branches swaying gently in the evening breeze. The cries began then—a soft, mournful sound that seemed to seep from the very heart of the tree. It was as if the tree was weeping for some lost, untold tragedy.

Maris's hand tightened around Lucan's arm. "It's starting."

Lucan's eyes narrowed as he scanned the area. "Remember, the tree will try to lure us in with its sorrowful cries. Don't let your guard down."

As they approached the tree, the air grew colder, and the sorrowful wail of the Weeping Willow grew louder. The sound was heart-wrenching, like the grief of a thousand souls trapped in endless mourning. Lucan's breath misted in front of him as the temperature dropped.

The willow's branches began to move with a sinister life of their own, curling and twisting like serpents. Lucan and Maris stopped a few paces from the tree.

"This is where it begins," Lucan said, his voice a whisper. "The Weeping Willow will try to draw us closer with its cries. We need to resist its pull."

Maris nodded. "I'll use my divine magic to shield us from its influence."

The Weeping Willow's branches swayed, and the mournful cries grew even more intense, as if the tree itself was pleading for them to come closer. Maris began to chant softly, her hands glowing with a soft, white light. The light expanded, creating a barrier around them that pushed back against the oppressive sorrow of the tree.

Lucan stepped closer, keeping his eyes on the tree's gnarled branches. "Be prepared. If the tree tries to ensnare us, we'll have to act quickly."

As the barrier of divine light pushed back against the Weeping Willow's influence, the tree seemed to writhe in frustration. Its cries grew more frantic, and the branches began to stretch toward them, reaching out like skeletal hands.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled. The roots of the Weeping Willow began to surface, curling up like serpents in search of prey. Lucan's eyes darted to the roots and he said, "Maris, it's trying to trap us!"

"I see it. I'll keep the barrier up while you find a way to deal with the roots."

Lucan nodded and drew his sword, its blade gleaming in the faint light. With a swift motion, he slashed at the writhing roots that were inching closer. The roots recoiled, but the tree seemed to retaliate, sending a wave of chilling sorrow through the air. Lucan felt the coldness but pressed on.

As he fought against the roots, Maris maintained the barrier.

Lucan increased his efforts, his sword flashing through the air as he cut through the encroaching roots. The Weeping Willow's cries reached a fever pitch, a desperate, piercing wail that seemed to shake the very air.

With one final, powerful swing, Lucan severed the last of the roots that had reached them. The tree's cries reached a crescendo before suddenly cutting off, as if the tree itself was gasping for breath. The branches drooped, and the once-mournful wail was replaced by an eerie silence.

Maris's barrier finally dissipated. "Is it over?"

Lucan surveyed the area, his gaze steady. "For now. We need to cleanse the tree and put an end to this curse."

Maris approached the Weeping Willow, her hands still glowing with divine light. She began to chant again. The light from her hands enveloped the tree, and the ancient willow seemed to shudder as the curse began to lift.

As Maris's chant grew more intense, the Weeping Willow's dark bark started to crack and peel away, revealing a brighter, more vibrant tree beneath. The sorrowful cries faded, replaced by a gentle rustling of leaves.

Lucan watched as the transformation took place. The once-terrifying willow was now a majestic tree, its branches reaching upward in a display of newfound vitality. The oppressive darkness that had surrounded it dissipated, and the air was filled with a sense of peace.

Maris finished her chant and stepped back. "It's done. The curse is lifted."

Lucan placed a hand on her shoulder. "You did well."

Maris smiled. "So, how about a reward?"

"Reward," Lucan thought for a moment and said, "How about I make my special dish?"

"Special dish?"

"Yes," Lucan smiled. "It's been ages since I made it, but I'm sure I will cook it well, and you will love it."

"Well, I will love anything you make for me, but I'm excited for this special dish."

"You will love it more than anything. But let me tell you, I will only make it once, tomorrow. For now, we need to deal with the seventh horror. Once that's done, we are free."

"Yes, but do you know what the last horror is?" Maris asked.

"Hm..." Lucan knew but couldn't tell, since the history books at the academy mentioned nothing about the seventh horror.

"Lucan-sama, how about I just purify the entire academy?" Maris suggested.

"If you did, then many people would know you are an SSS-Class," Lucan replied.

"Is that a bad thing? I might not be able to control Kingdom-Class strength, but even if any Kingdom-Class attack me, I can save myself easily."

"Well then, do it and end these horrors," Lucan said. He was also tried of doing this pointless things. It was really just one day job but he wasn't want to expose his strength end up taking more then three days.

With a deep breath, Maris closed her eyes and began to focus. Her mana, previously a soft glow, intensified, radiating a warm, golden light. Lucan watched as the light enveloped Maris, growing brighter and more powerful.

Enjoy exclusive adventures from m-v l'-NovelBin.net

A sudden burst of energy surged around her, and Maris's form began to change. From her back, two large, white wings emerged, each feather shimmering with divine light. They stretched wide and flapped gently, creating a soft, ethereal breeze. Maris's eyes opened, now glowing with a serene, otherworldly light.

She leaped into the air, her wings lifting her gracefully. As she soared higher, the glow around her intensified, illuminating the academy grounds below. Lucan watched from the ground, his gaze steady as he saw Maris ascend.

Maris reached a height where she could see the entire academy, its various buildings bathed in the moonlight. She spread her wings wide, the light from her body spreading outwards like a halo. With a deep breath, she began to chant softly, her voice carrying across the night sky.

"By the divine light that guides and protects, I call upon the purity of the heavens. Let the shadows of darkness be driven away. Let the light cleanse and renew."

As she chanted, the golden light from her wings began to radiate outward in waves. The light descended slowly, enveloping the academy in its warm embrace. The air seemed to shimmer with the divine energy as the light touched every corner of the academy.

Maris continued her chant, her voice steady and strong. The light from her wings grew more intense, spreading further and further until it reached every building on the academy grounds. The purification spell was thorough, touching every corner and driving away any lingering darkness.

As the light reached its zenith, a soft wind picked up, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming flowers. The academy grounds were now bathed in a pure, golden glow, and the air felt lighter.

Maris's wings fluttered softly as she completed the chant. The golden light began to recede, leaving behind a sense of calm and renewal. Maris descended slowly, her wings folding behind her as she landed gracefully beside Lucan.

"It's done," she said.