Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 124: Characters (5)

“The growth of a person happens explosively only when they challenge themselves to overcome a wall beyond their limits. You, who have taught so many people, should know that best, shouldn’t you?”

“I agree, but isn’t it too much to ask someone who’s barely trying to surpass the four-star level to face a five-star summoner?”

“Hahaha. When you were teaching those naïve girls, you made them do tasks beyond their limits, but now that it’s your turn, you seem worried. Isn’t that how one becomes a master who only talks big?”

Fina burst into genuine laughter, looking like a mischievous child.

The way she laughed, swinging her bare feet in the air, was so different from when she acted as Dereck’s disciple during the day that it was hard to believe she was the same person.

Dereck lowered his gaze with an incredulous expression, but Fina kept smiling.

No matter how you compared them, assigning a physically demanding task and directly facing a five-star mage were not equivalent things.

“You have such a strong desire for self-improvement that your threshold for limits is far too high. You’re like a stubborn guy who clenches his teeth and endures trials that would make ordinary mages roll on the ground and cry pathetically. So, this should be considered a challenge to your limits, right?”

“If I make a mistake, I’ll die.”

“Enjoy that sharp feeling. Death is always closer than you think.”

Dereck was someone who had wandered the battlefields as a mercenary.

However, he avoided reckless acts that flirted between life and death; that wasn’t bravery, but foolishness.

Many comrades, heads held high, had walked the tightrope of death and ultimately left this world.

Though his work carried a degree of risk, he rarely took the initiative to embrace greater danger.

But the necromancer who dealt with death and vengeful spirits seemed quite displeased with Dereck’s attitude—she pouted her lips and grumbled.

“You underestimate my judgment. It may still be too soon for you to defeat a five-star mage, but you will never lose.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You think you know yourself well, but I can see right through you. You define yourself as a talented mage, but your pure magical ability isn’t what matters most.”

The reason Fina had decided to take Dereck as her disciple was partly due to his exceptional magical talent, but there was a much clearer reason.

“You have a fanatical ambition. Those born with that temperament never give up just because something seems impossible. When you seriously talk about reaching seven stars, you’re already a little insane. A lunatic, a madman; most people live as fools and die in vain.”

Fina hurled insults at Dereck without hesitation, though there was another meaning hidden within the words of this woman who called herself his master.

“But it’s really fun. Those who reach the six-star rank are usually exactly those lunatics.”

“…”

“In the end, it’s like spitting while lying down. Aren’t you curious how this magnificent master reached the six-star rank?”

Dereck leaned back on the sofa and observed Fina for a moment.

The first six-star necromancy magic she had learned was the “Mark of Reincarnation.” It wasn’t a level one could reach through mere diligent training.

Sitting across from her, Dereck watched in silence as Fina laughed arrogantly, with a hint of malice, and then he slowly spoke.

“In your first life, before reincarnation even began—what kind of life did you lead?”

“Of course, that’s a secret.”

“…”

“Trying to pry so easily into a lady’s secrets. You still haven’t mastered social etiquette.”

Fina laughed heartily and then changed the subject.

“Well, your will doesn’t really matter. I’ve already planted traps that will become the roots of my necromancy within the Beltus family.”

“…”

“If you wait quietly, the bait will come on its own. When the time comes, you’ll only need to crush the head of the cruel and arrogant Duke of Beltus who dared to challenge the Ravenclaw Barony. Quite simple, isn’t it?”

“Why are you doing all this?”

From time to time, Dereck asked questions that pierced like a spear.

Fina suddenly stopped laughing. She could guess the intent behind his question.

“No matter how much you can escape the cycle of reincarnation, directly involving yourself with one of the highest powers in the southwest of the continent is risky even for you. It’s strange that someone trying to hide her identity would take such a risk.”

“A foolish disciple trying to measure the deep and infinite intentions of his magnificent master. Everything has a purpose.”

“The matter is too serious to be covered up with vague words.”

“You’re stubborn, huh?”

Fina regained her smile and continued in a relaxed tone.

“Yes. It’s not just for the pure purpose of increasing your magical power, Dereck. If you defeat Beltus, there will be benefits for me too. There are things I can gain from that family.”

“What things?”

“I already told you, didn’t I? Prying into a lady’s secrets is a tactless act.”

Although she had lived for hundreds of years and was closer to a monster than a lady, her appearance was always that of a young girl.

And since her identity had always been that of a girl, it wasn’t hard to understand her behavior.

“I understand. But I can’t help but ask you one last question.”

Dereck spoke calmly.

“When I reach a high level, you said you’d have a favor to ask of me.”

“…”

“What is it?”

For the first time, Fina’s eyes narrowed at her disciple’s serious question, and she smiled in satisfaction.

She rested her chin on her hand, crossed her legs, and smiled seductively.

In her gaze shone traces of a long life and the calm she sought at its end.

When she opened her eyes, she saw an ambitious mage who seemed to want to reach even the heavens. His talent was no less than that of a genius.

Finally, with an enigmatic expression, Fina whispered.

“You’ll know when the time comes. It may seem sudden to you, but from my perspective, a disciple like you is quite a precious treasure.”

Dereck frowned and nodded, but Fina didn’t seem bothered by his indifferent attitude.

As was common with six-star mages, she was a person difficult to understand.

*

Creak.

Late at night, after finishing his business with Fina.

When the two of them stepped into the hallway from the reception hall, they immediately ran into a familiar face.

“Oh, oh heavens… Mr. Dereck. And Lady Fina…”

It was Aiselin, who now looked completely recovered, accompanied by the butler, Delbriton.

They seemed to be heading toward the room where Dereck was, holding some documents—perhaps to report certain matters regarding the training center.

When Dereck nodded, Aiselin glanced between Fina and Dereck, sweating slightly, and greeted them.

“Good evening, Miss Aiselin. Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, of course. Mr. Dereck, what brings you and Lady Fina here at this hour…?”

At Aiselin’s gaze, Fina’s arrogant attitude vanished completely, replaced at once by that of a simple rural lady.

The innocent smile that replaced her mischievous expression was so disarming it was hard to believe she was the same person. That contrast never ceased to amaze.

“Master Dereck is giving me private magic lessons. As you know, he’s very busy during the day, so I visit him at night.”

“Ah, I see. Uh…”

Aiselin swallowed hard, as if making a decision, then gathered her courage and spoke again.

“Uh… um!”

“Do you have something to tell me? If it’s about the training center, we should head to the office first…”

“That’s not it!”

Aiselin stammered, as if something was caught in her throat. Behind her, the butler Delbriton, holding the documents, also wore a strangely tense expression.

Finally, Aiselin steadied herself and spoke firmly.

“I don’t know how you’ll take this… and please… I hope you don’t misunderstand or feel uncomfortable!”

“…?”

“Lady Fina is also a valuable member of the Tigris Barony… so how might it appear to others if a man and a woman meet alone every night? Besides, Dereck is engaged, isn’t he? If the ladies at the center happen to misunderstand, they might hold it against you…”

Though Dereck and his fiancée, Pheline, didn’t look like a romantic couple at all, Aiselin knew the problem was public perception. If a man engaged to someone acted too freely every night, some ladies might see him as a libertine.

Even if their relationship was purely academic, the imagination of young women at the age of love could easily run wild.

That was why Aiselin had gathered the courage to say what she thought. It was rare to see the usually serene and gentle Aiselin show such determination, and Dereck couldn’t help but sweat awkwardly.

However, Fina’s perspective was different.

With her sharp perception of others’ thoughts, she noticed that Aiselin’s words didn’t stem solely from concern for Dereck’s reputation.

‘Oh… so that’s how it is?’

Fina’s eyes gleamed.

With her vast experience, she knew that every reincarnation required its own entertainment to drive away boredom.

Seeing Aiselin so nervous, Fina’s eyes sparkled mischievously, as if she had just discovered a new toy.

Before Dereck could respond, Fina took a step forward with a radiant smile.

“Lady Aiselin, you have quite the vivid imagination!”

Aiselin looked at her with a tense expression, but Fina continued smiling sweetly.

However, her next words were not as gentle as her expression.

“Officially, we only have a master-and-disciple relationship, and everything else is the product of imagination, isn’t it? If we let such rumors disturb us and worry too much about appearances, how could we accomplish great things as the future leaders of our lands? We’d only become petty people.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“And besides, there are some subtle inaccuracies in your comment, Lady Aiselin.”

Fina, who always smiled with the innocence of a country girl, lifted the corners of her lips once again.

However, that smile was very different from the kind one she usually displayed in public.

It was as if a reddish light flickered in her lavender eyes, and Aiselin couldn’t help but tremble slightly in her fingers.

“Those who despise men of loose morals are only pretending. At least, that’s what I think.”

“What…?”

“They say heroes are passionate, and for centuries it’s been common for women to feel some attraction to problematic men with many lovers. Isn’t that right, Master Dereck?”

What in the world is this woman talking about?

Dereck, however, couldn’t find a way to refute her words.

He didn’t know what kind of romantic fantasies noble girls had, but he, who had read several romance novels—including The Arrogant Lord Robain—knew well enough.

The protagonists of those stories—broad-shouldered, charming men—were often the type who boasted and had multiple affairs, which often left him puzzled.

No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand such tastes; he himself was a serious and diligent man, so it was only natural he didn’t empathize with that kind of behavior.

“Of course, I’m not that different myself.”

With a subtly provocative smile, Fina locked eyes with Aiselin.

There was meaning in that gaze—one that required reflection to understand.

Seeing Aiselin sweating profusely, Fina almost burst out laughing, but she managed to restrain herself and kept her expression composed.

Smiling sweetly, she looked at Dereck.

“Well, see you next time, Master. Preferably, like today… in the deep and ambitious night.”

With that, Fina rested her chin on one hand, made a slight bow, and disappeared down the dark hallway between Delbritton and Aiselin.

Aiselin stood stunned as she watched her go. Her lips trembled, completely pale.

“Miss Aiselin?”

“Y-Yes… It’s quite late. Perhaps it was rude of me to come discuss work matters at this hour… I—I don’t know.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s nothing that takes much effort, so we can finish it quickly…”

“N-No. It’s already late, so please, get some rest.”

Aiselin, completely flustered, was sweating as she stepped back. She didn’t seem able to organize her thoughts.

Thus, she too quickly disappeared into the darkness of the hallway. Unlike Fina’s calm steps, Aiselin’s were clumsy and unsteady.

“…”

Only silence remained in the corridor.

Delbriton and Dereck, with the documents still in hand, continued in that awkward silence.

“…”

“…”

“Do you have something to say, Delbritton?”

“…Yes.”

Delbriton’s golden monocle glinted under the moonlight.

He had been an exemplary butler since his days at the Rochester mansion and continued to fulfill his duties with the same precision at the Ravenclaw estate.

That was why, even in such a situation, he could choose his words calmly.

“Baron, as the chief servant of this house, I always act with conviction. I have no intention of opposing your decisions or policies; my duty is to carry out my responsibilities with the utmost diligence.”

“…”

“However, there is something I must say now. For the sake of the baron’s future and the stability of this house, I must speak. I beg you to listen to my words seriously.”

It was inevitable that women would be attracted to a man with a title.

Delbriton knew better than anyone that it was common for nobles to get involved in various scandals.

Therefore, he knew exactly what he had to say at that moment, with conviction.

“…You must use contraceptives.”

“…”

Dereck thought.

Even in such a situation, the man could speak with complete honesty for the sake of his lord. Without a doubt, he was reliable and sincere.

…Even so, Dereck had to bring a hand to his temples, as his head was beginning to ache.

*

After visiting Aiselin, Denise walked down the corridor of the main Beltus mansion with a visibly tense expression.

She had inspected the situation in the Ravenclaw Barony according to the Grand Duke Beltus’s orders and had found countless flaws in the management of the property.

If she were to craft strategies to pressure Baron Ravenclaw based on that information, there would be countless diverse and malicious ways to do so.

No matter how capable Dereck was, his power as a noble was still relatively weak.

If the Grand Duke Beltus decided to crush him, he would suffer to a degree that would almost inspire pity.

“The Grand Duke is looking for you, Lady Denise.”

Her personal maid, Bella, approached with a worried expression. Denise nodded slightly, adjusted her dress, and walked toward the reception hall.

— If necessary, you can strike me from behind.

The garden of the baron’s mansion.

The image of the man who had spoken those words with an empty expression had remained lodged in her heart like a thorn.

The Beltus family had ordered her to betray that man and serve the family’s interests.

And the man himself had said it was fine to betray him.

With that, nothing remained to hold her back.

“…”

Denise hardened her heart and climbed the stairs toward the central hall.

There was an unusual fierceness in those eyes that normally seemed calm and carefree.

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