Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 155: The Youngest Disciple (7)

Siern’s breathing wasn’t even altered.

Both the white blouse and the light blue skirt were immaculate, as if they had just been washed.

In contrast, looking at Trisha was so pitiful that it was hard to keep one’s eyes on her.

It was a relief that most of the spectators had already left the arena, because almost no one remained to witness that deplorable state.

Panting, Trisha stood up, lifting her gaze through her completely disheveled hair.

“Certainly… you really are good…”

She wasn’t just “good”; she didn’t even reach the tips of her toes.

At this point, even if she put on airs and raised her voice, there was no one left who would admire her.

Even so, Trisha increased her magic and finished preparing to begin the fifty-sixth duel.

Siern, with a drop of sweat sliding down her temple as if she were baffled, observed Trisha in silence as she slowly stood up, and shook her head.

Her expression, with narrowed eyes and a quiet sigh, was as if she were watching a fool repeating a useless effort.

Again, Siern looked toward Diella.

Since Dereck had asked her to respect Diella’s will, she thought to consult her opinion.

Diella, sitting at one end of the spectator area, watched the duel with a baffled expression.

‘I surely thought she would make a proper fool of herself and collapse…’

Seeing Trisha, destroyed and still barely forcing herself to rise, something familiar surfaced in her mind.

It was the image of a girl, from some faraway place in the past.

That girl had been born as the youngest of a famous family, but showed no outstanding magical ability and was discarded.

Shut away in an annex, covering herself with thorns and rejecting everyone, she sank alone into darkness.

After wandering without direction, she found a good teacher, discovered the essence of magic, and began to struggle for recognition.

She fought a duel against her second brother, whom she could never defeat.

With her body full of wounds, she tried to stand to win, but ended up defeated.

In that duel, held in the garden of House Duplain, Diella had remained lying there unable to move her body, crying without stopping.

Covered in dirt, her face smeared with tears, with no strength in her arms or legs, even then she tried to get up, unable to, and kept crying.

It was a memory buried deep, from a long time ago.

The Diella from then and the Diella now had changed in position and authority.

Under Dereck’s constant guidance, she was rising to the level of 2 stars.

After being recognized by several young nobles of the Hall Rose and the circle of the Ravenclaw Academy, Diella had obtained true authority.

Compared to the days in the annex, everything had changed completely.

Now she had firm followers, recognized magical achievements, and the respect of other young women in the academic circle.

Even so, sometimes one had to look back.

Just as Dereck remembered his days as a mercenary by always caring for his weapons, Diella also had to learn something from his attitude toward life.

‘Why do you keep getting up?’

Diella was still young.

The young academics feared her like a wild lioness, but when looking beneath the surface there was only desire for recognition, emotional lack, ambition.

Things that anyone her age could have.

That’s why, seeing in Trisha an overlapping image of her former self, she could not mock her coldly.

It was strange.

Considering how she struck servants without hesitation, mocked nobles, and reigned like a tyrant, that did not match her current reaction.

In that moment, she felt a drop of sweat run down her cheek.

“If this continues it’s going to become a problem, Lady Diella.”

Ellen, who had been watching the situation from the spectator area in front, had approached without Diella noticing.

With her hand gripping the edge of her dress, the young lady with red hair spoke.

A young woman recognized as the new lady of House Belmierd, without a reputation for tyranny, respected by her servants.

Trisha was the daughter of the countess of Renuel.

Even if it was part of a duel, they couldn’t leave her torn to pieces that way.

Even if technically it was a challenge she herself had requested, one more step and they would cross the line.

Siern was a monster who did not feel any aversion to killing.

If they let her continue, she could truly surpass the limit, and the responsibility would fall not only on Diella, but also on Dereck.

Neither Diella nor Ellen wanted that.

“……”

Diella turned her head.

Despite being destroyed, with ragged breathing, Trisha was still staring fixedly at Siern.

In her, Diella saw someone struggling desperately to prove her worth.

Even someone arrogant and haughty like Trisha had things she could not yield until the end.

The principal one—never bowing her head.

“…”

Finally, Diella slowly closed her eyes and lowered her head.

It was the first time, since the young tyrant had entered the Hall Rose, that she lowered her gaze before another person.

***

“Ufufufu. Uhuhuhuhu. Oh-hohohoho.”

Thanks for the instructions, Christopher.

Winter is at its peak. For spring to arrive, one still has to endure a little more cold.

During the time when the construction procedures for Ravenclaw Academy were progressing without setbacks, Dereck visited the house of Count Renuel to receive the support supplies that Countess Rodelia had promised him beforehand.

While he was waiting for Countess Rodelia and sitting in the reception room, her daughter Trisha appeared in her stead.

Upon seeing her, Dereck couldn’t help but be momentarily surprised, because the one who always maintained an elegant appearance like a delicate flower had her body bandaged in several places.

The wounds on her face seemed to have been treated somehow, but the ones on her body had not yet healed.

For a noble young lady who was supposed to maintain a flawless appearance at all times, it was a serious issue.

However, despite her pitiful condition, Trisha was smiling broadly with her usual mischievous expression.

Tap.

What she placed on the reception table was a document containing something truly absurd.

In that letter, stamped with the seal of Diella Katherine Duplain, daughter of the Duplain family, it was stated that Trisha was recognized as a member of Ravenclaw.

The handwriting was exactly the same as the Diella Dereck knew, and the Duplain emblem was also authentic.

He checked it two, three times, but there was no mistake. Even Dereck, who rarely felt surprised, couldn’t help but tilt his head at something so unrealistic.

“How is it? Fufu. Fufufu…”

“Even though she said so, I never thought you would actually receive Miss Diella’s recognition. How did you obtain it?”

“Well… I was also a bit surprised when I received the letter this morning, but… it’s not something that incredible, don’t you think?”

Trisha placed a hand on her waist, lifted her chin, and, covering her mouth with a feather fan, laughed sinisterly.

She literally looked like a third-rate villainess.

Her arrogant and brazen laughter was so over-the-top that, at this point, it was almost impressive.

“I am Lady Trisha of the house of Count Renuel. Authority, elegance, character, talent, and a blossoming grace worthy of a flower of high society. How could I not resolve something so simple? It seems Baron Ravenclaw underestimated me far too much.”

And then she narrowed her eyes and laughed “oh-hoho.”

Seeing Trisha boast so much and puff up an imaginary chest with pride, anyone would feel like flicking her forehead.

But Dereck simply set the letter on the table and silently listened to Trisha’s empty self-praise, while at the same time glancing at the bandages on her right wrist and those sticking out near her left ankle.

If those were only the visible ones, it wasn’t hard to imagine the state of the rest of her body.

“…”

“Baron Ravenclaw shouldn’t underestimate me so much either. Listen carefully. I, Trisha…”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“…”

The phrase cutting her words pierced like a stab.

It wasn’t even anything special, but for a moment it felt as if a blade had struck her chest.

Trisha was left speechless, her eyes trembling. Then came silence. A second, maybe. That brief silence filled the entire room.

Trisha began to pout but then lifted her head again and smiled exaggeratedly.

“Worked hard? Not at all! It was so obvious and simple that it required no effort whatsoever. I don’t know why you would say that…”

“Really?”

“A-anyway! Now Baron Ravenclaw has no way to take it back. Even if he wants to, he won’t be able to avoid accepting me as his junior disciple. What an unfortunate situation for him. Fufufu…”

“It will be an honor. My teachings will be humble, but I hope they prove useful to you.”

“Uh…!”

Dereck does not react to useless provocations.

Since he never responds the way she wants, Trisha always ended up feeling a strange frustration whenever she talked to him.

Even so, her pride was as high as a mountain, and she would never let herself be intimidated.

“Of course! What a thing to say…”

“But if you’re going to enter as the youngest disciple, you must respect the opinion of the others. As I said, the hierarchy exists and is clear.”

“T-that… of course…”

The joy of having received Diella’s recognition didn’t last long.

Now came the wall of reality.

No matter what anyone said, Trisha would be the last to enter Dereck’s disciples.

That meant she would have to submit to those above her, and the people on that list were not easy—Diella, Ellen, Denise, Siern.

“Enduring that might be even harder than learning magic…”

“Well… I don’t think it will be that difficult. They’re reasonable people, right?”

“Reasonable…?”

“…”

Dereck’s expression as he stared off into the distance sent a chill down Trisha’s back. Being “reasonable” was relative.

Dereck clenched his fist and raised it toward her.

“In any case, take heart. Even if the sky collapses, there’s always a gap through which to escape…”

“What kind of saying is that? As if the sky were going to collapse…”

“No matter how stormy the sea of life is, the rain always ends eventually…”

“Why are you becoming poetic all of a sudden…?”

Dereck sighed.

He had planned to assess Trisha’s magical level starting the following week, but no matter how many times he checked, the result would not change much.

Trisha’s growth limit as a mage was already practically established.

If she had been destined to shine, she would have by now. Although she wasn’t bad compared to common nobles, her problem was who she was comparing herself to.

That’s why Dereck clenched his fist even more and insisted.

“Just in case, I’ll say this…”

“Yes?”

“You have no reason to feel intimidated.”

At those words, Trisha smiled broadly, almost childishly. She was still arrogant, but that mix of pride and innocence had something ironically charming.

“What an unnecessary concern.”

Perhaps this was Trisha’s true nature.

***

When Trisha finished her conversation with Dereck and left the reception room, Countess Rodelia—who had just finished her duties—was approaching from the distance down the hallway.

Upon seeing her, Trisha’s shoulders stiffened completely. Even though the report about the letter sent by Diella would have already reached Rodelia, she still hadn’t given a personal explanation.

As soon as Countess Rodelia saw Trisha, she strode toward her with a satisfied smile and spoke.

“I heard the news, Trisha. You’ve already become an official disciple. I’m so proud of you…! It’s such good news that I couldn’t even focus on work!”

“Mother, please… you exaggerate too much.”

It wasn’t common to see the always-strict Rodelia wearing such a cheerful expression.

She knew very well how difficult it was to become a disciple of Baron Ravenclaw, and so she sincerely celebrated her daughter’s achievement.

“I truly feel like I treated you as a burden for far too long, and I’m beginning to regret my conduct. Trisha. You’ve really done well.”

“This outcome is not a big deal, mother. As you can see, I managed to form a point of connection with Baron Ravenclaw… Now you’ll be able to use me politically in a meaningful way. Of course, it’s an important development worthy of celebration.”

“That’s not why, Trisha.”

Countess Rodelia placed both her hands on Trisha’s shoulders and gave her a gentle smile.

“Of course, the relationship with Baron Ravenclaw is important. But more than that, I’m impressed by your genuine effort. As your mother, I cannot help but be proud of you.”

“…”

“I heard what happened in the Elfontine building. Your injuries as well… I imagine it couldn’t have been easy.”

“It seems they exaggerated a little, mother. It’s not something worth calling an effort or anything like that—it was child’s play.”

Trisha raised her voice again. Her attitude implied that none of this deserved such fuss.

“And who am I? I am Trisha, the most noble lady of the Renuel house. Jumping in joy because I entered as the disciple of a simple frontier noble would be a vulgar attitude unbefitting my status or my authority.”

“Is that so? I’m glad you’re taking it calmly.”

“Baron Ravenclaw is waiting. He has many matters to discuss regarding the construction of the Academy. You should hurry. I will retire and rest.”

After once again showing a confident smile, Trisha bowed and crossed the hallway.

Firm footsteps echoed as she walked forward.

Rodelia silently watched her daughter’s figure moving away with determined steps, and finally, smiling in satisfaction, she opened the door of the reception room and entered.

Creak.

Steps.

After walking for a while, Trisha suddenly remembered something and took out the letter she had received that morning to read it again.

The letter written word by word by the tyrant of the Duplain family, in which Diella recognized Trisha.

And immediately the image of her mother Rodelia smiling as if she were the happiest person in the world came to mind.

All of that mixed together and caused a strange ripple in Trisha’s chest.

Of course, without showing it. Her figure continued forward firmly. Only, subtly, the tip of her nose grew damp.

“The air is very humid for winter.”

Trisha rubbed her face with the sleeve of her coat and continued walking down the hallway with a firm expression, as if nothing had happened.

It seemed that the procedures for the construction of Ravenclaw Academy were also entering their final phase.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet