Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 115: Fina (2)

“Sorry, Dereck. I inquired, focusing on Count Elvester’s side after hearing your request, but I couldn’t find a master who could teach you 4-star magic.”

“Don’t be too discouraged and try to reach new heights through your own contemplation of the world of magic. I am an insufficient master, so it seems difficult for me to help you further.”

“Always take care of your health, and I wish you constant happiness. – Katia Flameheart”

*

“Now, the breathing technique is important. Inhale-exhale, inhale-exhale, inhale-exhale. Follow me. Inhale-exhale.”

“…inhale… exhale…”

“If you do it like that, it will be even harder. Even if you are short of breath now, keep the breathing technique. In the long run, it will help you conserve energy for longer. Come on, inhale-exhale.”

What is a holiday? It means a day off.

Even though it was a day without classes at the Ravenclaw Training Center, Fina couldn’t understand why she had to run up the hill behind the mansion, alongside Dereck.

The path itself felt like a gentle trail, but running for so long with her small body was extremely difficult.

As always, Dereck spoke to her with a refreshing expression.

“How is it?”

“It’s… it’s hard…”

“Yes, it’s hard.”

“…”

Is he crazy?

Those kinds of thoughts crossed her mind, but she couldn’t say them out loud.

At least until she found a clue about the advanced necromancy she was researching, it was not convenient to attract public attention.

Although Fina was overwhelmingly superior to Dereck in terms of power, she couldn’t harm him for that reason.

However, whether conscious of Fina’s suffering or not, Dereck spoke brightly with a clear voice.

“That feeling of difficulty is important, Lady Fina. Humans grow through adversity, so it is good to enjoy that feeling.”

“Enjoy the difficulty… what kind of nonsense is that…?”

“Ah, no complaining.”

“But… even so… your words… don’t make sense… huff… huff…”

“Inhale-exhale, Lady Fina.”

“Sniff… sniff… Cough! Cough!”

After completing the basic physical training, Dereck finally allowed a moment of rest only upon reaching the heart of the quiet forest.

The forest, in the early afternoon, was a place full of life.

As she leaned against a rock, gasping, she could hear the sounds of animals moving among the bushes and the whisper of the leaves.

The chirping of sparrows echoed among the trees, and Dereck began stretching his body on the other side of the rock.

“For a warm-up, that was pretty good.”

“A-a warm-up…?”

“Weren’t we coming today for a magic lesson?”

“…”

Dereck changed strategies.

He thought that if he scolded and criticized Fina over and over like a madman, she would eventually get fed up and leave on her own.

However, Fina’s mental fortitude, determined to completely hide from the public eye, was stronger than he had anticipated.

After living hidden in that way so many times, it was no wonder she became skilled at it.

Realizing that this approach would lead nowhere, Dereck had no choice but to devise a new strategy.

If expulsion was not an option, then graduation would suffice.

“In fact, I have observed Lady Fina’s eyes several times during classes.”

“Your eyes…?”

“Lady Fina is diligent in everything she does and seems to devote much time to mastering magic. Other young women who study with you often praise you, saying that you are very dedicated and that they have much to learn from you.”

“Huff… huff… T-thank you for the compliments. I was just doing what I had to…”

“But…! I have seen the true nature of Lady Fina.”

The most renowned magic master of Ebelstein.

Fina couldn’t help but wonder if that reputation was undeserved as she looked at Dereck.

“Lady Fina is hiding her true abilities.”

At that, Fina’s fingers trembled slightly, and a chill ran through her gaze.

He had hit the mark.

If Dereck had really noticed Fina’s true identity, then many assumptions wavered from that point.

Fina rarely left alive those who discovered her identity. In this era, a master of necromancy was treated the same as a criminal who should be executed immediately.

“Hiding my abilities…? What do you mean by that?”

“Even if you speak calmly, I have already noticed everything. The bored look in your eyes during classes, the kind smile you show everyone, but with an emptiness hidden beneath it—I have felt it all.”

“…”

“There is a naturalness in the way you handle magic during training, something only veterans possess. I wonder if Lady Fina is aware of that.”

His tone was somewhat theatrical and pompous, but he had certainly struck home.

Fina was someone who found it difficult to take deep interest in worldly matters, even in trivial conversations. Although she currently pretended to be the naïve daughter of a rural baron out of necessity, she could not erase the emptiness ingrained within her.

However, she was surprised that this man had noticed it.

She had considered him frivolous, meddlesome, and old-fashioned in his way of thinking, but he had an unexpectedly perceptive side.

“In fact, it is not unusual for young noblewomen to hide their abilities. Some do not want to reveal their exceptional talents due to family internal circumstances.”

In reality, Denise had hidden for years the fact that she was a second-class exploration mage.

From Dereck’s perspective, he was not lying.

“So, I will not ask why Lady Fina is hiding her abilities. However, isn’t it a shame? You came all the way to Ravenclaw territory, and it is a waste to simply pass the time.”

“…”

“That’s why I will teach you higher-level magic.”

At those words, Fina sneered inwardly.

Indeed, this man had noticed that she was hiding her abilities. His insight was admirable.

But he still thought she was only a second-class mage. That was natural.

It was too unrealistic to imagine that the only daughter of a rural barony family, whose name was barely known, was in fact a 6-star necromancer.

The most reasonable assumption was that she was a girl who had reached the level of second-class.

‘It seems he has not discovered my true identity.’

There was no need to cause a commotion by using her power. As Fina took a deep breath and leaned against the rock, Dereck pulled out the staff strapped to his back and manifested his magic.

The entire area of the forest, covered with vegetation emanating life energy, froze completely.

*

In life, there are moments when one comes across extraordinary people.

It is not just about talent or early achievements. Those who fit the description of “extraordinary” usually give the impression of being, in essence, different as human beings.

Having lived a long life, Fina had crossed paths with all kinds of people, including many mages considered exceptional.

In particular, she was the only one who had met almost every known six-star mage, including those who were already dead or missing.

Sometimes they were individuals who had already fully developed and dominated the world, sometimes they were growing talents who had yet to shine, and other times they were children who could not even read.

However, regardless of age, the raw material of mages destined to dominate the world was different from the beginning.

Melverot learned fourth-class magic shortly after his coming-of-age ceremony.

Drest, born a commoner, reached the rank of high-level mage without anyone’s help.

Kohella reached the fifth star before turning thirty, and the following year created a fifth-rank magical weapon.

Being extraordinary is something like that. It goes beyond being superior—it must be incomparable.

There is no sense in distinguishing between first and second place. If one is truly extraordinary, they must run so far ahead that the second place cannot even be seen.

Only people like that can advance to the level of five stars or higher.

Fwoosh!

Crack!

And the young man before her, who seemed to have just reached adulthood, was already casting a fully mature third-level magic without blinking.

With the third-level combat magic “Freezing,” he had frozen all the trees in the area, bringing winter to the forest ahead of time.

A scene that created the illusion of a change in season.

The level of magic that this young man, without a single wrinkle on his face, could employ was by no means something an ordinary youth could perform.

As she observed his demonstration, Fina narrowed her eyes.

‘Using third-level magic at this age?’

Fina shook her head, crossing her arms.

‘He’s not just a charlatan…’

After being tormented by Dereck’s meddling for several days, Fina’s internal evaluation of him was already at rock bottom.

He was sincere about magic, but he talked too much and was annoying with his unnecessary ramblings.

However, she had no choice but to acknowledge Dereck’s magical ability.

‘It’s not just an imitation of third-level magic. He already wields it skillfully… he is a true third-level mage.’

Of course, Fina had sensed that Dereck was not an ordinary person.

For a mercenary from the slums to be recognized in the cold aristocratic circles, he had to have solid abilities.

But Dereck’s magical level went beyond good—it had reached a degree that could be called extraordinary.

‘Wasn’t it at this age when Melverot mastered fourth-level magic? He’s almost at that level.’

Fina looked at Dereck, who was calmly brushing the dust off his neck, with a serious expression.

The arrogant aristocrats of the center seemed not to notice, but at this level, one could say a new force was emerging on the fringes of the continent.

Considering Dereck’s potential, it would not be surprising if one day he wielded influence comparable to Melverot’s.

Though his power was still weak and had not yet been seriously monitored, if he began to take interest in politics or power struggles, the situation would completely change.

That man is now at his lowest point.

Although she was convinced of that, in truth, it was another matter entirely.

“The third-level combat magic Freezing that I just showed you is useful for stopping approaching enemies and buying time for chants. Though it may lack the elegance of orthodox theories, its practicality is truly excellent.”

“Amazing. As expected, Sir Dereck’s magical skills are formidable.”

Fina pretended to praise him with a cunning smile.

However, she had already reached the level of six stars in necromancy, and in other types of magic she was between the fourth and fifth star.

The level of magic Dereck used was something Fina could easily master with a bit of practice.

“If you only admire, it will be difficult. I am sure that Lady Fina will be able to use this level of magic before leaving the training center.”

“Yes, yes? Well… how could I use that level of magic in just half a year?”

“I believe it is possible. Is there anything that cannot be achieved with determination?”

Dereck spoke to Fina with a serious look.

Fina thought he was joking with something boring. In this era, even manifesting one-star magic before the coming-of-age ceremony was already considered a great talent.

That a girl who had not even formally debuted in society could wield three-star magic was an anomaly that would attract everyone’s attention.

The number of people who manifested three-star magic before coming of age could be counted on one hand, even searching the entire continent, not just in Ebelstein.

In the southwestern part of the continent, there was only one lady—Siern.

Dereck surely knew that, and yet he looked at Fina with unshakable confidence.

It made her curious where that confidence came from.

Confidence.

Speaking of confidence, a great mage who had risen to the rank of hero with nothing but that came to her mind.

The six-star combat mage, Kalimford.

Even near fifty years old, he smiled like a child while casting magic.

It was said that his youth as a combat mage had been just like that.

He thought only of magic, indifferent to everything else.

It was the most important trait shared by extraordinary mages.

Fina’s face, which had been showing the expression of a naïve country girl, began to harden little by little.

Finally, she narrowed her eyes with a piercing gaze, straightened her back, and spoke.

“Sir Dereck.”

“Yes.”

“Sir Dereck… you are already a fully formed three-star mage.”

Her tone had lost all its liveliness.

A heavy sensation, as if descending into a deep pit. It felt as if the immortal necromancer, tempered by time, was peeking out—a chill swept through the forest.

A coldness, as if a vengeful spirit resided in her light purple eyes.

She looked silently at Dereck and said.

“Do you want to become a four-star mage?”

Dereck frowned for a moment.

He did not expect Fina to ask that question so suddenly.

It was the first time Dereck, who had struggled with everything related to Fina, fell into deep reflection.

Finally, he nodded.

“Isn’t it obvious? Every mage dreams of surpassing themselves.”

“The four-star rank is completely different from the previous hierarchies. One must be able to implement magic on their own and wield magical power infused with their own attributes.”

Up to the three-star rank, one walks along paths already explored. But from the four-star rank onward, one must expand and develop their own understanding of magic.

The method is extremely difficult, so it is common to receive guidance from a high-ranking mage. Having such a mentor is also a blessing.

Even those born with excellent lineage cannot be certain of reaching that level before dying.

For a vagabond from the slums, reaching that level is more than difficult—it is practically impossible.

And yet, she knew that there were those who had achieved it. The wandering ghost of the continent, Drest Wolftail.

This man seemed to possess Kalimford’s confidence and certainty, Melverot’s passion for magic, and Drest’s strength to overcome adversity.

In terms of potential, he already seemed complete.

“By repeating such feats, how far do you intend to go?”

“Of course, to the top.”

The highest level a human can reach. The six-star rank.

Could it be that he intends to reach that level, which only four people in this vast continent have attained? The ragged beggar from the slums who used to gaze at the stars in the sky.

But in reality, he had climbed and climbed until he became a territorial noble.

He was not just speaking of ideals—he was silently climbing that mountain.

“Haha… I see. Sir Dereck, are you really trying to become a six-star mage?”

“…Huh?”

“You just said it. You are aiming for the top.”

“Yes. I just said it.”

Dereck, as always, responded calmly as he put away his staff.

“I am aiming for the top.”

At those words, Fina’s expression hardened for an instant.

Where is this man looking?

The six-star rank, the limit of human ability. But even that is not the “top” for this man.

*

The great mage Adelbert, who was the first to compose the entire magical system, divided the ranks while looking at the constellation of the Big Dipper in the night sky.

In the end, the summit is beyond those stars. It would be the North Star, the center of the firmament.

And, after immeasurable time had passed.

In a corner of a stream attached to the slums. Late at night, when not even the crickets sing.

A disheveled child, with white hair, dressed in rags, looked up at the Big Dipper in the starry sky and extended his hand.

From the deepest bottom of the world, where only darkness dwells, toward the highest peak of that starry sky.

The upper realm, whose very existence is still uncertain. That is the place where that man’s gaze is directed.

It is not about idealistic phrases like a man must have great ambitions or that aiming high helps achieve more.

That man’s eyes are completely serious, without a single trace of exaggeration.

The man who always spoke grandiosely and meddled unnecessarily now does not say a single word.

He is simply stating the truth as it is.

*

A forest full of life. Ironically, not a pleasant place for a necromancer who deals with death and souls.

The six-star necromancer, who remained seated in silence among the spaces of life, looking at Dereck, finally spoke in a cold tone.

“You truly are a curious man.”

Dereck’s eyebrows arched for an instant.

At some point, Fina had stopped using honorifics with Dereck.

And her eyes were also much sharper than before.

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