Let's Train Heroine

Chapter 218: Heroine Learning Ski

The lounge was peaceful as Maris and Lucan enjoyed their morning tea, but the distant clamor outside was becoming harder to ignore. Lucan furrowed his brows as he took another sip, listening to the strange commotion that seemed to echo down the street. There was a loud thud, like something heavy had collapsed, followed by the muffled shouts of men.

"It's noisy outside, isn't it? Did something happen?" Lucan mused, his eyes glancing toward the window.

Maris paused, her teacup halfway to her lips, tilting her head in thought. "Do you think snow fell from the roof?" she asked, her voice soft and curious. It was still early in the morning, a time when the town had only just begun to stir. The streets shouldn't have been lively enough to explain such a ruckus.

"Maybe... This is a popular tourist spot," Lucan replied, his tone neutral. "It's possible some excited youngsters are just fooling around. But still, I'd prefer if you didn't wander outside alone."

"Hehe, I understand," Maris replied with a shy smile, "Thank you for worrying about me, Lucan-sama."

Their tea continued in comfortable silence for a while, with the pair exchanging occasional soft words as they sipped their drinks. It wasn't long, though, before the morning was interrupted by the arrival of Maris's friends and, Xue Lan.

"Good morning, Saint Maris. Good morning, Teacher Xue," greeted the trio of young women as they entered the lounge, all dressed neatly and ready for the day.

"Good morning," Maris responded warmly, her usual calm smile brightening her face.

"Good morning…" Xue Lan mumbled, rubbing her sleepy eyes, her bed hair sticking out in every direction. Her sleepy demeanor was a sharp contrast to the well-kept appearances of Maris's other companions.

"Xue, go wash your face," Lucan said, his lips quirking up in amusement. "Your hair is a mess."

Xue Lan blinked slowly, still groggy. "Oh, right… Sorry, I'll fix myself up," she muttered, stumbling toward the restroom, her hands still rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Shall we head to the restaurant for breakfast while we wait for Teacher Xue to finish?" Maris suggested.

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea," Lucan agreed, standing from his chair and offering his arm to Maris. "Let's not let her slowness delay us."

And the group made their way down to the hotel's restaurant for breakfast. After finishing their meal, Xue Lan finally caught up with them, her appearance now neat and her energy fully restored.

Once breakfast was finished, Lucan and the others headed back to their rooms to change into ski wear. It had snowed heavily the previous night, leaving the mountains blanketed in fresh powder, making for perfect skiing conditions. The air was crisp, and the sky was clear, an ideal winter day for outdoor activities.

The group gathered at the base of the slopes, their breath misting in the cold morning air as they looked up at the pristine white mountains. Ski lifts powered by magic whisked eager skiers up the hills, leaving sparkling trails in the snow as they glided back down.

"Shall we start skiing now?" Lucan asked, adjusting the gloves on his hands.

Maris, already dressed in her warm, snug-fitting ski outfit, nodded eagerly. "Yes, let's do it! I've been looking forward to this all morning."

Lucan smiled at her enthusiasm.

Before they hit the slopes, Lucan decided it was important to assess everyone's experience. "Before we start skiing," he said, "has anyone here skied before?"

Xue Lan raised her hand. "I've skied before, though it's been a while."

"I ski every year," Hina added, raising her hand as well, her smile confident.

The others—Maris and her two friends, Fiona and Bethy—shook their heads. It was clear they were beginners. Skiing could be dangerous without the proper knowledge, so Lucan knew they'd need some basic instruction before they attempted anything too ambitious.

"Let's pair up," Lucan suggested. "That way, those who know how to ski can teach the beginners."

But before anyone could volunteer, Maris took a step forward and, with a determined look, declared, "I'll pair up with Lucan-sama."

Her voice left no room for argument, and Lucan chuckled softly at her assertiveness. "Of course," he agreed.

"Maris and Teacher Lucan make a great pair," her friends giggled, exchanging knowing looks.

Lucan noticed their teasing but decided not to comment. It wasn't a secret that they were playing matchmaker in their own way. Instead, he focused on the task at hand. "Let's start at the base of the slope," he said, his tone practical. "We'll practice the basics first."

"Aren't we going to ride the lift?" Maris asked, glancing at the glimmering magical contraptions that carried skiers up the mountain.

"It's safer to start slow," Lucan explained. "We need to make sure you can walk in the skis and fall without getting hurt first."

Maris nodded, though she still seemed eager to try the lift. "I understand. I'll follow your lead, Lucan-sama."

He led her to a flat section of the snow, away from the busier areas. "The first step is learning how to walk while wearing skis," he instructed. "It may feel awkward at first, but keep your balance centered on your heels. Don't lean forward too much, and take it slow."

Maris nodded, following his instructions as she began to carefully shuffle forward. At first, her movements were unsteady, but Lucan could see her quickly adjusting.

"Like this, Lucan-sama?" Maris asked, her expression focused.

"Yes, exactly. You're doing great," Lucan encouraged, impressed by how quickly she was adapting.

"It's only because you're such a good teacher," Maris said, beaming up at him. "If it were just me, I would've been too scared to even stand up."

Enjoy new chapters from M-V-L

Lucan smiled back at her. "You're doing all the work, Maris. I'm just here to guide you."

Her smile brightened further, and she took another step forward. "I feel safe practicing with you by my side, Lucan-sama. Please guide me, won't you?"

"Of course. But this is just skiing, Maris," he said, trying to play down her intensity.

"Next, I'll show you how to fall safely," Lucan said, changing the subject slightly. "If you fall the wrong way, you could get hurt, so it's important to know how to protect yourself."

"Please, I'm counting on you," Maris replied, her tone playful but filled with trust.

Lucan began demonstrating, falling purposefully into the soft snow with ease and standing up smoothly. Maris watched closely, then mimicked his movements with grace. Her agility was clear, and even when she stumbled slightly, she managed to recover quickly.