I find it very sacred to pick someone up and make them a saint.

Mien controlled his magical energy to the same level as Lucia's.

By activating the energy of light, a faint holy light appears around the body, radiating the brilliance of wisdom and ideals.

Lucia was surprised to find that Mien was serious.

How could I possibly lay a hand on my teacher?

He panicked even more, unable to summon even a trace of magic, his legs trembling under Mien's oppressive aura.

Mien gave Lucia no more time to adjust, and activated the Holy Light spell on his staff, walking forward step by step.

Seeing the 'enemy' getting closer and closer, with no way to avoid it, Lucia quickly tried to calm herself down and cast a spell.

However, it is a 'Shield Spell', which can only provide passive defense.

Seeing this, Mien frowned and stopped holding back, suddenly unleashing a holy light spell that was comparable to Luya's true power.

Under immense pressure, Lucia managed to summon a holy light shield, a faint hemispherical defense forming in front of her.

The impact was immediately shattered, and the Holy Light spell continued its assault.

Mien slightly reduced the power, but still sent Lucia flying three or four meters backward. She couldn't regain her footing and stumbled to the ground.

"Luya, don't think I'll praise you for not fighting back."

Mien gave her a stern lecture, but also took the opportunity to give Lucia a chance to catch her breath and adjust:

"If you lack combat ability, it only means you're unqualified, and that's the responsibility you need to bear!"

Lucia felt the pain in her left shoulder, while Duck sat on the ground trying to relieve it, forgetting even to use her healing spell.

"You are fighting, Lucia," Mien said sharply. "This isn't a theoretical exam; use every possible method to defeat your enemy."

As Lucia listened, she also tried to adjust herself, attempting to enter the "battle state" that Mien had mentioned.

He slowly stood up, mustered his courage, and aimed his staff at Mien, but at that moment he wavered and couldn't make a move.

These few short moments had a tremendous impact on her; she had never seen Mien so stern before, and she couldn't help but subconsciously think:

This was not what I had imagined about studying at the Academy of Scholars or about the saintess.

In her previous expectations, she would be like Shanara, or like when she worked in the Iron Can Street.

As long as you put in enough effort and complete the tasks assigned to you, you can handle everything smoothly without having to fight with others.

Mien gave her no more time to react, and then unleashed several more holy light spells, even increasing the power of his attacks.

Lucia continued to cast a shield spell to barely defend herself, and her weakness made it slightly stronger.

After blocking three or four attacks, she was still defeated. The remaining holy light struck her repeatedly, and the pain made Lucia cry out.

Hein glanced at Mien, but Mien did not stop and continued to unleash his power, only slightly reducing the speed.

Under the relentless attacks, Lucia realized that Mien would not stop, so she could only endure the attacks while trying to summon her shield again.

It blocked several times before being defeated, then was summoned again, and this cycle repeated several times...

"Lua, counterattack!"

Lucia closed her eyes, tears welling in the corners, and simply bit her lower lip to bear it.

"Ugh... ugh... ugh... ugh..." she moaned rhythmically.

After a moment, Mien sighed and stopped everything.

Seeing Lucia cornered, he said, "Use healing magic to heal yourself."

Lucia opened her eyes pitifully, with several wounds on her body. Under Mien's orders, she began to use healing magic.

The abundant energy ensured its healing effect; the bloodstains were gradually smoothed out under the flow of holy light, though some scars remained.

Seeing this, Mien tapped her staff lightly, infusing it with light energy, healing all her injuries, and restoring her body to its warm and delicate appearance.

However, the pain and weakness still made her face pale.

She looked up and saw Mien's expressionless face.

"Lua, if you continue like this, you will never win the battle," Mien said.

Lucia seemed to detect a faint hint of disappointment.

She lowered her head, biting her lip, and remained silent.

Hein looked at Lucia sitting on the ground, feeling a pang of pity, and said:

"Perhaps it's because you're the teacher; it would be better if someone else trained you."

"If she can't even fight in simulated training, how will she fight in the future? She is a prospective saintess and needs to pass the promotion test for a formal saintess."

Lucia listened and clutched her clothes tightly.

Instead of offering comfort, Mien continued, "You may face enemies even stronger than me in the future, and you'll need to protect so many people within the empire. Do you really want someone else to protect you?"

Mien will not tolerate any pampering in this regard. She wants you to be a saint, not a holy mother.

Hein tugged at Mien's sleeve, signaling that he was ready.

Mien glared at her, and she shrank back like a coward once again.

However, Mien looked at Lucia again, and after a moment, his tone softened, and he said:

"That's enough for today. Let's rest for the rest of the time and not rush into training."

Hein had just caught his breath when he heard Mien say:

"Oh, there's no rush to train here tomorrow morning. Let Hein take you directly to the Administration Tower."

Remember what I told you? After you pass the theoretical exam, Princess Rachel will come to speak with you. Use this time to prepare.

Lucia let out a weak, wooden sound: "Mmm..."

After saying this, Mien put on his scholar's robe, fastened the cuffs, and left.

Hein watched Luya's retreating figure and sighed helplessly.

…………

Lucia walked alone on her way back to her dormitory.

It was a little past four in the afternoon, and most students were in class, so the academic building was empty.

She was walking along a path through the woods.

Halfway there, I secretly crouched down in a secluded corner, and tears welled up uncontrollably.

"Whoa!..."

Completely devastated, she covered her head with her hands and cried bitterly, her face instantly covered in snot and tears.

They dared not utter a sound, only whimpering.

The pressure is immense.

She couldn't ignore the hint of disappointment in Mien's eyes at that moment; it pierced her heart.

Why can't I make a move?

She understood and agreed with what Mien said: when you encounter an enemy, you must defeat him or even kill him at all costs.

But she just can't do it now, no matter how hard she tries.

Whose body will she use her newly learned Holy Light spell to pierce through in the future? Who will she engage in a life-or-death battle with? Simply telling her that the other side is an enemy is not enough...

After some time, Lucia felt that it was almost time for get out of class to end. To avoid being seen, she stood up and walked back to her dormitory.

The prolonged crying made her even weaker.

Back in her dorm, Shanara had no classes today and was sitting at her desk, munching on a snack while studying academic papers. She was dressed casually and her hair was tied up.

"You're back."

"Hmm." Lucia lowered her head and went inside, then turned to close the door, using the obstruction to hide her swollen eyes from crying.

Shana stretched and tilted her head back, looking up at Lucia: "You're back so early today! It's almost time, let's go eat together..."

Before I could finish speaking, I saw Lucia's appearance.

It was as if he had just finished crying, and I could roughly guess what had happened. I sighed and thought to myself:

"I'll buy her some snacks when I get back from dinner. I can leave them in her dorm so Lucia can get up and eat them if she gets hungry in the middle of the night."

"Shana, I'm so tired today, I'm going to rest first." Lucia climbed straight into bed.

"Okay."

Lucia pulled the blanket over her head, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably once again.

The thought still lingers in my mind: Why can't I do it...?

What's more painful than the difficulties is not being able to find the cause of the problem.

I want to go home.

I can't take it anymore.

Mien's last words gave her a reason to want to escape.

—How could I possibly see the princess? And how could I possibly talk to her?

All she wants now is to escape.

This place is too big, both the Academy of Scholars and the entire Cassirer Empire.

For the past few months, Mien has been his support here, allowing her to bravely face the big world.

At the same time, it is also her hope and motivation to keep going, and it can even drive her to run forward with all her might.

But just now, Mien's disappointed look shattered everything.

She can no longer find the desire or support to stay here.

"To become a saint?"

Perhaps in Mien's words, the duties of a saint also gave her much meaning in her efforts.

She thought she could do it, but reality told her that she was not cut out for it. She was just an ordinary and weak girl in Iron Can Street, dirty and poor.

Go back and do some light cleaning and wiping the floor, that's fine.

After crying until she was exhausted, the sky gradually darkened.

"If I really can't do it tomorrow, I'll just quit..." Lucia gave herself that answer.

Tomorrow morning's meeting with the princess might end all of this, but I don't even know how to face it or how to handle it.

The final fear caused her to completely retreat.

Amidst the surrounding tranquility and my own exhaustion and weakness, I gradually drifted off to sleep.

…………

Meanwhile, Mien was standing outside the girls' dormitory, concealing herself and using magic to investigate everything.

Observing Lucia's condition and finding that she was not seriously ill, he got up and left, heading back to the Administration Tower.

We'll see how things go tomorrow; I'm not worried at all.

As a veteran teacher with many years of experience, it's quite easy for me to use different methods depending on the different situations of different students.