Chapter 51: Let’s just give them a beating

With the sound of approaching footsteps, Prince Adrian appeared.

He wore a simple training suit, his short blond hair swaying and shimmering with every step.

His handsome face, now free of its usual mask, wore a bright, sunny smile.

As Lucoco watched him, she felt as if a flashy background of holy flowers and halos might pop up behind him at any moment.

“Morning Light… good morning.”

Adrian came to a halt in front of Lucoco, his eyes darting around uncertainly.

“Good morning, Adrian,” Lucoco said with a slight smile.

She didn’t offer any other pleasantries and went straight to the point.

“Let’s begin.”

“Right!”

Adrian gripped his training sword, his fingers trembling slightly.

The ‘rendezvous’ from the night before had made him feel a bit closer to Lucoco, but it also made him more nervous.

He didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of her.

—

The training officially began.

Lucoco signaled for Adrian to perform a standard set of basic swordsmanship drills first.

Adrian was very serious.

Horizontal slashes, vertical chops, parries, and thrusts—every move flowed like water, his posture as precise as a textbook illustration.

Unfortunately, as she had thought before, he was too logical!

When Adrian thrust his sword forward again, Lucoco used the flat of her blade to gently tap it, redirecting his tip toward herself.

“Keep your feet steady and your eyes locked on your opponent. Try to attack me.”

Adrian was startled for a moment, but he reacted quickly, swinging his sword in a series of probing attacks.

His foundation in swordsmanship was solid, but he clearly lacked actual combat experience.

Lucoco casually stepped to the side, parried, and pivoted to dodge, effortlessly neutralizing all his offensives.

When Adrian thought he had trapped her and lunged forward with all his strength, she seized the opening.

Her wooden sword lashed out like the tip of a whip with pinpoint accuracy!

*Whack!*

The wooden sword slammed hard against the inside of Adrian’s right wrist.

He felt a wave of numbness and sharp pain explode from his arm, and his entire limb went dead!

His grip loosened, and with a *clatter*, the wooden sword fell to the ground.

Showing no mercy, Lucoco delivered a kick to the small of his back.

*Thud!*

Adrian sprawled onto the ground in an ungraceful heap, hissing in pain as he gasped for air.

Fine beads of sweat covered his forehead.

This was an experience he had never had when sparring with the Royal Palace instructors.

His face turned bright red, much like the red apple he had held that day.

He lay on the ground, turning his head to look at Lucoco in shock.

“Morning Light, your swordsmanship is this powerful too…”

**[Adrian has fallen. You choose:]**

**A. Gently help him up: “Don’t be so nervous, it’s okay.” (Favorability: +3 hearts)**

**B. Tease and encourage him: “Oh my, Prince. Down already? Were you planning to perform a sliding tackle?” (Favorability: +4 hearts)**

**C. Watch coldly: “Get up on your own. The training has only just begun.” (Favorability: +2 hearts)**

Ignoring the choices, Lucoco decided to improvise.

“Do you want to learn?”

Lucoco asked in a flat tone, glancing down at him.

“Beg me, and I’ll teach you.”

He looked at her, staring into her eyes that felt as warm as his memories of his sister, Lynk, yet held a hint of lively mischief.

The majority of his shame faded, and he found himself relaxing involuntarily.

“Again!”

Facing Lucoco’s smile, Adrian stood up with his fighting spirit soaring.

“Please, you must teach me!”

**[Prompt: Adrian’s Favorability toward you has increased by 6 hearts]**

‘Hiss… wait! Prince… you… would you rather be beaten?’

—

The training resumed…

Although he was knocked down several more times, Adrian gradually adapted to the rhythm.

His movements became noticeably smoother.

Each time he fell, he climbed back up faster than before, a stubborn smile growing on his face.

Unfortunately, those sword moves were still far too rigid…

To Lucoco, this didn’t feel like training at all; it felt more like playing with a child.

“When facing an enemy, the sword is not for glory, but for protection,” she said, her voice carrying over the sound of the whistling wind as her sword speed increased.

“Morning Light,” Adrian couldn’t help but interrupt, “I hear that phrase from my instructor every single day.”

“Oh?”

Lucoco arched an eyebrow, and her offensive suddenly turned fierce.

“Then let me put it another way!”

Her blade cut through the air, nearly grazing his face.

“If… the person you treasure most was dragged into the depths of a den by a pack of filthy, vile Goblins!”

Lucoco’s voice rose sharply, as if lashing his very soul.

“What would you do?!”

“Morning Light…”

Adrian froze.

His smile vanished, and a flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes.

“You shouldn’t say things like that.”

The strength behind his sword became much sharper.

He had clearly given the thought real consideration, and his anger was rising.

“Don’t let anger cloud your judgment! Otherwise, you’ll just be pinned to the ground, forced to watch her suffer!”

Lucoco added coldly, twisting the knife.

“Morning Light!”

Adrian shouted, a mix of shock and fury.

His gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by surging rage.

**[Prompt: Adrian’s Favorability toward you has decreased by 3 hearts]**

*Whack! Thud!*

Lucoco’s wooden sword swept out!

*Whack!*

It slammed solidly against his left shoulder.

Her right foot ruthlessly hooked his left ankle and tripped him.

Adrian lost his balance once again and crashed heavily to the ground.

This time, Lucoco didn’t hold back.

She struck him right on the joints and nerve clusters!

Adrian felt his entire body go numb.

He struggled and writhed for a moment but ultimately failed to get up, groaning as he lay face-down on the ground.

“You still need more training, Prince,” Lucoco said, looking down at him.

Her tone was as calm as still water.

“That’s enough for today. I need to go back and finish my Alchemy lessons.”

She made no move to help him, turning instead toward the training ground gates.

‘I’m not here to coddle a child. If he needs a beating or a scolding, he gets it. Losing a bit of Favorability is no big deal—it’s actually better for keeping some distance!’

**[Prompt: Adrian’s Favorability toward you has decreased by 4 hearts]**

‘There we go. That’s the proper rhythm.’

“Prince,” Lucoco said, suddenly stopping at the entrance.

She didn’t look back, only waving her hand casually.

“If you find it boring, you’re welcome to come learn some Alchemy from me. The art of explosions and fireworks is quite interesting, isn’t it?”

**[Prompt: Adrian’s Favorability toward you has increased by 8 hearts]**

“I really… tsk!”

A helpless, yet half-amused soft curse drifted away into the morning breeze.

…

On the city wall, a small head ducked back.

“Maid! Did you see that? Brother Adrian actually lost!”

“Yes, I saw it, Princess.”

“As expected of my greatest rival.”

“It’s about time. We should head back to your studies, Princess Amy.”

“Hmph! Here we go again… Every day is the same. It’s boring to death!”

“If you don’t work hard, you’ll lose to those other young ladies — “

“I know, I know! Let’s go, let’s go.”

—

In the afternoon…

Near the Alchemy workshop district.

*Boom!!*

A massive explosion echoed from a certain tall tower, causing the entire structure to tremble.

Hearing the commotion, the ministers and officials who were napping finished their rest, yawning as they got out of bed.

The Alchemists of the Royal Capital had begun their daily work; they couldn’t afford to be idle either.

“Haah — hm?”

One official sat back down at his desk, yawning while looking out the window toward the Alchemists’ towers.

“Was another Alchemy tower activated?”

“It is the God-favored, Lady Morning Light,” his steward replied.

“…It’s her. She’s an Alchemist as well? No wonder Raymond thinks so highly of that Sister.”

“The reports say it took a letter from Great Archbishop Alpha of Lunes to bring Lady Morning Light into the Royal Palace.”

“Simply remarkable. Just who is this Sister?”

“Information is tightly controlled. The ministers who were in the council chamber that day are keeping their mouths shut.”

“Fine. Remember to warn those two little rascals of mine not to provoke her.”

“Yes, sir…”

—

Inside the newly activated Alchemy tower in the workshop district.

Lucoco looked away from another Alchemy tower that was currently emitting black smoke.

She stared unblinkingly at the product nearing completion in her boiler.

Beside her, Adrian was also peeking over.

“Morning Light, what is this?”

“You surely know what a Youth Potion is, right? These are the solvent blocks for preparing one.”

“You’re amazing, Morning Light!”

“Shh! Be careful, don’t startle it!”

…

Time flowed slowly until, finally, 10 minutes later, only a pile of irregular, jelly-like gel remained in the boiler.

“It’s finished!!”

Lucoco’s eyes lit up.

She impatiently scooped out the gel with an Alchemy spatula, pouring it into molds to shape it while it was still hot.

The final result was a dozen or so square, translucent crystals that dissolved upon contact with water.

One could eat them directly…

But they were so potent that a person might die from internal hemorrhaging.

Lucoco grabbed seven or eight of them and handed them to Adrian.

“Here. Take them to impress some noble ladies, or just keep them for yourself.”

“Thank you! I won’t be modest, then.”

Adrian took them excitedly, holding one up against a glowing stone on the wall to inspect it.

“Morning Light, one of these solvent blocks could sell for at least 50 gold coins.”

“Now then, Prince, are you going to learn Alchemy or not?”

Lucoco reopened the book on the table—the one she used to pore over every day, *Alchemist’s Mandatory Course 1*.

“Well… my head still feels a bit dizzy…”

Adrian gave an awkward laugh, his eyes darting away to avoid looking at the pages.

Lucoco sat at the table and patted the surface.

“You canceled your afternoon classes just to run here and take refuge?”

She looked at him seriously.

“Aren’t you afraid your uncle will check your work?”

“Can I… can I rest for a few more minutes?”

Adrian scratched his head, his smile strained.

“It’s already been half an hour, Prince. Every Alchemist starts out this way.”

Lucoco flipped through the little booklet that had once made her feel like she was dying.

Recalling those days, a touch of nostalgia crept into her voice.

“Back then… I used to pass out facedown on the table… Heh heh heh…”

…

Watching the girl’s soft profile as she lost herself in thought, Adrian felt a sense of familiarity, as if something had lightly tapped against his heart.

“I’ll learn!!”

He suddenly sat down next to Lucoco, wearing a serious expression that said he could do it.

“Let’s begin!”

“Wonderful — “

Lucoco smiled brilliantly, making Adrian even more determined.

He failed to notice the hidden glint of mischief deep in her eyes.

Half an hour later…

Adrian’s eyes were rolled back, and he was sprawled on the table with drool leaking from his mouth.

His consciousness was off swimming somewhere unknown.

“Adrian — “

“Prince — “

“Oh my… you’re done already? What a weakling — “

Lucoco wore the face of a successful conspirator, smirking wickedly.

Across the way, on a distant roof, two heads were squeezed together, each using binoculars to spy on them.

“Maid! That girl has finally shown her true colors! She’s about to make a move on Brother Adrian!”

“Should we go over?”

“It’s too late. Let’s just watch.”

*Gulp.*

Thus, they watched as Lucoco used a quill to draw all over Adrian’s face.

After she was finished, she nonchalantly went back to tinkering with her Alchemy coursework.

“What is she brewing?”

“It looks like she’s refining magic crystals, Princess.”

“Isn’t that something only high-level Alchemists can do?! Is this girl even more capable than me?”

“Perhaps we really should go and ask for advice, Princess.”

“Hmph! How could I possibly — “

Amy’s words cut off as her gaze froze.

“…Princess, those are Lycoris petals and Abyssal Stream grass.”

“I can see that very clearly…”

Amy’s breathing became ragged.

“Maid… what… what do you think she’s trying to make?”

“Perhaps… it is exactly what you’re thinking.”

In front of the Alchemy furnace, Lucoco proceeded with the concoction composedly.

She knew she was going to fail, so she felt no pressure at all.

She even opened the Player livestream window, letting it hang in the corner of her vision.

She hummed a song while processing the materials, watching Players raid a boss.

In the distance, the Maid was fine, but Princess Amy was drenched in sweat.

Her collar and hair were soaked, and sweat dripped onto the roof tiles.

She frequently wiped the sweat from her eyes, only to immediately press them back against the binoculars.

She was even more nervous than Lucoco.

Finally, she saw Lucoco take out a failed, writhing, eldritch mass from a tray…

And toss it into the roaring furnace flames.

“Maid! She’s getting close! She’s almost succeeded!”

“Yes… very close, Princess.”

Lucoco wanted to continue, but after checking her Player Bag, she realized she didn’t have enough of the two main materials for another attempt.

‘The Alchemy shops in the Royal Capital should have them… I’ll find some time to go shopping.’

“Why did she stop?”

“She must have run out of ingredients…”

“Maid, go to the Alchemy shops and buy every single material used for brewing the Spirit-Veil Potion!”

“Understood, Princess.”

—

On this day, the Prince slept very soundly, only waking up when the evening bells tolled.

Lucoco had long since departed.

Adrian left the Alchemy tower with a sense of regret and walked toward the library alone for his nightly lessons.

Today, everyone’s mood seemed exceptionally good.

Along the way, everyone he passed had a smile on their face…

Even his uncle, Raymond, managed to force a smile when he saw him.