Let's Train Heroine - Chapter 387

Chapter 387: Heroine’s Daughter
Lucan, Maris, and their energetic daughter Leira decided to spend a beautiful sunny Saturday exploring a nearby park and its surroundings. The park was famous for its sprawling flower gardens, whimsical playgrounds, and lively open-air cafes. Lucan carried a picnic basket packed with treats, Maris was in her casual dress with blanket in hand, and Leira skipped ahead excitedly, wearing a bright yellow dress and a matching sunhat.

As they reached the park entrance, Leira gasped in delight at the rows of flowers lining the path. “Mama, Papa, look! These flowers are so pretty! Can we take some home?” she asked, pointing to the colorful blooms.

Maris chuckled. “Sweetheart, we can’t just pick flowers from the park. But we can take lots of pictures!” She pulled out her phone and began snapping pictures of Leira, who struck over-the-top poses, pretending to be a flower princess. Lucan laughed, shaking his head as he adjusted the picnic basket on his arm.

“Okay, Leira, lead the way. Where do we go first?” Lucan asked.

Leira pointed to a large fountain in the distance. “There! I want to make wishes!” she announced.

The trio strolled to the fountain, with Leira running ahead and stopping abruptly to toss a coin into the water. “I wish for ice cream!” she declared loudly, making Maris laugh.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to say your wish out loud,” Lucan teased, handing her another coin. “Try again.”

Leira closed her eyes tightly, whispered her wish, and threw the coin. As they turned to leave, they nearly bumped into Nyx, who was standing there with her arms crossed, looking slightly out of place. She wore her usual no-nonsense expression, but there was a slight twitch at the corner of her lips when she spotted them.

“Nyx? What are you doing here?” Maris asked, genuinely surprised.

Nyx shrugged. “Needed fresh air. Didn’t expect to see you three here.”

Leira squealed in excitement. “Big Sister Nyx! Are you here to play too?” She tugged at Nyx’s hand, trying to pull her toward the playground.

Nyx looked slightly awkward but didn’t resist. “I suppose I could join you for a while,” she said, casting a glance at Maris.

The four of them wandered around the park, eventually settling at the playground. Leira insisted on showing everyone how fast she could slide down the tall slide. “Look, everyone! I’m flying!” she yelled as she zoomed down, landing with a thud in the sand.

Lucan and Maris clapped enthusiastically while Nyx muttered, “You call that flying?” earning a playful glare from Leira.

After a while, they headed to a nearby café for some refreshments. As they were enjoying their drinks, Maris suddenly spotted someone waving at them from a distance. It was Virnda, carrying a tote bag and wearing her usual breezy summer attire.

“Well, if it isn’t the whole gang!” Virnda exclaimed as she approached. “And here I thought I’d have a peaceful day at the park.”

“Big Sister Vir!” Leira shouted, jumping up to hug her.

“Looks like you’ve been busy,” Virnda said, ruffling Leira’s hair. “What are you all up to?”

“Having fun!” Leira replied. “But now that you’re here, we can have even more fun!”

The five of them decided to explore the park further. They found a hidden trail that led to a small, secluded pond. Leira, being the curious child she was, started searching for frogs and fish, dragging Nyx along to help her. Nyx, who clearly wasn’t thrilled about crouching near the muddy edges of the pond, kept muttering under her breath.

“I don’t think frogs just come out because you ask them to, Leira,” Nyx said, trying to dissuade her.

“But you’re the coolest! You can make the frogs come out, right?” Leira said, her eyes sparkling with admiration. Nyx sighed but didn’t argue, she used magic to frogs came out, which made Leira happy and paise her endlessly. Nyx also smiled.

Meanwhile, Virnda and Maris were sitting on a nearby bench, chatting. Lucan was busy unpacking snacks from the picnic basket. “Looks like Nyx has found her calling as a frog whisperer,” Lucan joked, earning a rare smirk from Nyx.

After their little adventure by the pond, they stumbled upon a section of the park with pedal boats. Leira insisted they try it, and soon they were out on the water, laughing and racing each other in pairs. Lucan and Leira teamed up against Maris and Nyx, while Virnda paddled leisurely in her own boat, teasing them for their competitive spirit.

“Come on, Papa, we’re winning!” Leira cheered, her small legs pedaling furiously.

“Don’t get cocky, kiddo!” Maris shouted from the other boat, laughing as Nyx silently paddled with surprising speed.

By the time they returned to shore, everyone was exhausted but in high spirits. Leira declared it the “Best day ever!” and demanded they take a group photo. Virnda held the camera as they all squeezed together, with Leira right in the center, flashing her biggest grin.

As the sun began to set, they packed up and started walking back toward the park entrance. Leira, still bursting with energy, skipped ahead, singing a made-up song about frogs and pedal boats.

“I don’t know how she’s still going,” Nyx said, shaking her head.

“She’s unstoppable,” Lucan replied with a chuckle.

“She gets it from me,” Maris said, tossing her hair dramatically.

“More like from me,” Virnda teased, earning a playful shove from Maris.

As they said their goodbyes at the park gate, Leira hugged each of them tightly. “Thank you, everyone! This was the best day ever!” she said, her eyes shining with joy.

“Next time, I’m choosing the activity,” Nyx said.

“Fine.”

As Lucan, Maris, and Leira walked back home, Leira was already planning their next adventure.

“Do you think she’ll ever run out of energy?” Lucan asked, watching Leira skip ahead.

Maris smiled. “Not a chance. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

—-

Leira’s first-grade classroom was alive with color and noise as the children bustled about, chattering and showing off their lunchboxes or the stickers on their notebooks. It was Monday morning, and Leira was seated at her small desk near the window, swinging her legs back and forth as she eagerly awaited her teacher’s arrival. She wore her crisp school uniform: a white blouse, a navy blue pleated skirt, and matching socks. Her hair was tied into two neat ponytails, and her backpack—a bright pink one decorated with cartoon animals—was neatly placed on the back of her chair.

The bell rang, and Mrs. Harper, their cheerful and slightly plump teacher, walked in. “Good morning, class!” she greeted warmly.

“Good morning, Mrs. Harper!” the students chorused.

“Today, we’re going to do something special,” Mrs. Harper announced. “We’re going to have a show-and-tell session, so everyone who brought something can come up and share it with the class.”

Leira’s hand shot up. She had been waiting for this moment all weekend. She had brought a small, handmade bracelet her mother Maris had made for her. It was simple yet beautiful, with colorful beads and a small charm shaped like a heart. When it was Leira’s turn, she marched confidently to the front of the classroom, holding up the bracelet.

“This is my special bracelet,” she began. “My mama made it for me. She said the heart is for love and the colors are for happiness. I wear it because it reminds me of her.”

The class clapped, and Mrs. Harper smiled warmly. “That’s very sweet, Leira. It’s wonderful that your mama made something so special for you.” Leira beamed as she returned to her seat, feeling proud.

Next came their math lesson, which Leira wasn’t exactly thrilled about. Numbers weren’t as exciting as bracelets or playground games. But she tried her best to pay attention, even though her mind kept wandering. When Mrs. Harper asked a question, Leira was the first to raise her hand, but her answer—while enthusiastic—was completely wrong.

“Leira,” Mrs. Harper said gently, “You’re close, but let’s try that one more time.”

Leira blushed, determined to get it right the next time.

When it was time for recess, Leira sprinted to the playground with her friends. Her best friend, Mia, was waiting for her by the swings. “Let’s go on the slide first!” Leira suggested, grabbing Mia’s hand and running toward the big spiral slide.

The two girls slid down together, laughing loudly as their other classmates joined in the fun. Soon, they were playing an intense game of tag, with Leira as the fastest runner in the group. She loved the thrill of dodging and darting around, feeling like a superhero on a mission.

After recess, the class returned to their desks for an arts and crafts project. Mrs. Harper handed out colored paper, glue, and markers. The assignment was to create a card for someone special. Leira immediately thought of her papa, Lucan. She carefully cut out a heart shape, colored it bright red, and wrote “Best Papa Ever!” in her neatest handwriting.

When Mrs. Harper walked by, she paused to admire Leira’s work. “That’s lovely, Leira. Your papa will be so proud.”

Leira grinned and added glitter to the card for extra sparkle.

The rest of the school day passed quickly. During their reading lesson, Leira volunteered to read aloud from the class storybook, stumbling over a few words but pressing on with determination. She felt proud when Mrs. Harper told her she had done a great job.

As the final bell rang, Leira packed up her things and said goodbye to her friends. She spotted her papa waiting outside the school gates. “Papa!” she yelled, running toward him with her arms outstretched.

Lucan crouched down and caught her in a big hug. “How was your day, little star?”

“It was so fun! I showed my bracelet, played tag, and made you a card!” Leira said, pulling the glittery card out of her bag and handing it to him.

Lucan’s face lit up as he read it. “This is beautiful, Leira. Thank you. I’m the luckiest papa in the world.”

As they walked home, Leira excitedly recounted every detail of her day, from the funny joke Mia had told to the time a boy in her class accidentally glued his fingers together during arts and crafts. Lucan listened patiently.

When they reached home, Leira rushed to show her card to Maris. “Mama, look what I made for Papa!” she said, holding it up proudly.

Maris hugged her. “It’s wonderful, sweetheart.”

Lucan looked at her and he felt strange feeling, he couldn’t help but feel way too happy to have a daughter like Leira.