Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 156: The Master of My Master (1)

Due to the extreme cold and the snowstorms that arrived every day, it was almost forgotten, but after winter, spring always comes.

It was around the time when even on the bare branches of the majestic garden of Count Elvester’s mansion, new leaves were beginning to sprout.

Kohella, the great matriarch of the Elvester house and a figure respected by all its members, had returned to the mansion and was looking for one of her trusted people.

The survivor of the long-fallen Flameheart family, who received the affection of Count Elvester and taught magic to the young Countess Freya—the master.

Katia Flameheart, the mage originally from the mercenaries of Ebelstein, was standing in front of an elderly woman embracing a large staff in a corner of the garden.

‘Every time I see her, I think the same thing—she is truly a small and humble person for the weight carried by her name.’

That was how Katia described Kohella.

Everyone in this enormous Elvester estate trembled just by standing before Kohella, yet no one had ever seen the old woman truly display her power.

Even so, just from the atmosphere she emanated, one could feel that she was not an ordinary person, and so everyone bowed first.

The presence of a 6-star mage was something difficult to describe in words.

Although Kohella only smiled gently, Katia felt an ominous premonition she could not explain.

“Last time, in Baron Ravenclaw’s territory, I personally saw your disciple. Indeed, a man with a truly magnificent vessel.”

“Is that so? I only gave him a few lessons years ago, when he still knew very little about magic. He must surely be at a very different level now.”

“I see. Katia, you said you originated among the mercenaries of Ebelstein. Now that you live here, so far away, in Count Elvester’s region, don’t you ever miss your old home?”

“The place I could truly call my home already burned down and disappeared. The tavern streets of Ebelstein were merely a place where I went to earn my bread.”

Katia was an excellent magic instructor.

The young Countess Freya, whom she taught, had reached the level of a 2-star mage shortly after completing her coming-of-age ceremony.

Moreover, Katia was more than a strict teacher—she was a guide in life.

Sometimes with maternal gentleness, and at other times with firmness, she had the ability to shape her disciple into a more upright person.

It was thanks to Katia that the young Countess Freya, who did not have a shred of seriousness in anything, was revered as a saint by the people of the territory.

Whenever there was an important event, Katia would roll up her sleeves and personally assist her.

Having been the young Countess Freya’s teacher for so many years, Katia had become quite well known in the social circles of the eastern continent.

Many heads of noble families tried to hire her as a magic instructor, but unfortunately, none could offer better conditions than the Elvester house.

Moreover, attempting to take away the magic instructor of the family that held real power in the eastern continent required considerable courage.

One way or another, it was evident that Katia would continue living in the Elvester house for quite some time.

“When the weather clears, they say a new academy for magical education will be established in the western continent. Since there were no talents who attempted to teach magic in such a systematic way, southwestern society is showing great interest.”

“Are you speaking of the Ravenclaw Academy? Magic is delicate and complex, and also strongly influenced by bloodline. I was wondering whether it could truly be taught in that manner.”

Katia brought a hand to her chin and fell into thought.

“Even so, if it is something Dereck personally undertook, there must surely be a great purpose behind it.”

“We cannot simply sit by and watch. It would be strange for the magic instructor of the Elvester house to fall behind in current matters of magical education.”

“Certainly, I think it would be good to pay attention to the matter.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to see it directly with your own eyes?”

Kohella narrowed her eyes and smiled.

Katia felt that smile as something ominous.

“In eastern society, there is no longer any young noble comparable to Freya, so we must broaden her horizons. While we are at it, it would be good for you to go and observe the state of construction of the academy in the southwestern continent. I will personally grant you authorization.”

“I appreciate… I appreciate the consideration. But I fear neglecting my duties. The southwestern continent is not a place you can reach in one or two days by carriage.”

“I have been informed of Freya’s recent condition. That child will also need new stimulation.”

Katia swallowed.

It was true that Freya had quickly reached the level of 2 stars, but since then she had shown signs of stagnation.

Her learning speed was so high that she had almost no rivals of the same age.

If she could interact with Ravenclaw’s disciples, it might be good stimulation, but—

‘The disciples Dereck brings with him are of far too high a level and authority.’

As she frequently exchanged letters with Dereck, Katia knew Ravenclaw’s internal structure well.

She had even heard that one of the girls could use 3-star magic immediately after her coming-of-age ceremony, an achievement so rare that only a handful existed across the entire continent.

Rather than stimulating Freya, she feared it might shatter her confidence.

‘I would prefer that the young Countess Freya remain at the mansion a while longer, focusing on her magical progress…’

Katia swallowed again, her hands clasped behind her back.

Looking at Kohella’s smiling face as she made that proposal made it impossible to think she could refuse.

She closed her eyes for a moment, thought, and finally nodded.

“It is, without a doubt, a good proposal. However, going to the site where the Ravenclaw Academy is being built also means going to see a disciple from many years ago.”

Dereck had already reached the level of a 4-star mage, surpassing Katia.

Even so, Dereck continued to treat her with the utmost respect as his teacher, because he never forgot the help she gave him when he was nothing more than a mercenary at the very bottom.

“For that reason, rather than sending an official letter from the family, I will handle it personally.”

Kohella smiled gently and said she understood.

Katia lightly broke into a sweat and lowered her head in silence.

***

“Oh…!”

When Dereck was startled, Ellen, who was sitting beside him, was also surprised.

Ellen had already been receiving various magical theories there, within Baron Ravenclaw’s territory, for some time.

Unlike when she was at Count Belmierd’s mansion, here she did not have to worry too much about her attire nor feel that every one of her movements was being watched, so her mind was far more relaxed.

Because of that, once the magic lessons were over, she had been thinking of staying the night at the baron’s mansion.

“…?”

Just as she was thinking about how to strike up a conversation with Dereck, she saw that after reading the letter brought by the butler Delbriton, he smiled faintly with visible pleasure.

Since it was uncommon to see Dereck showing such a lively expression, Ellen tilted her head in curiosity.

“What’s the matter, Dereck?”

“Sorry. I got distracted for a moment. I’ve just been notified of the visit of a very long-awaited guest.”

A long-awaited guest?

That phrase only increased Ellen’s curiosity.

Even when young nobles of extremely high rank came to visit him, that man of steel always maintained a strictly professional expression.

For him to even forget that he was in the middle of a magic lesson because of someone like that was highly unusual.

It was clear that there was a personal feeling involved.

Who could melt his cold expression like that?

Unable to contain herself, Ellen asked bluntly.

“Who is this person that makes you so happy…?”

“She is the teacher who taught me magic when I was a mercenary.”

“I’ve heard about that. Katya… Katia Flameheart, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. She’s a person from whom one can learn an enormous amount. Just as I imagined, she has also become famous in the eastern continent as a magic instructor.”

Due to the enormous physical distance between the southwest and the east of the continent, news rarely traveled from one side to the other.

Even so, judging by how well both were aware of each other’s situations, it was evident that they exchanged letters frequently.

That a man so busy that he barely communicated with anyone unless it was for official matters would regularly write letters in his own hand showed how close that relationship was.

“She not only has a deep understanding of magic, but also a very wise and profound outlook on life. At least, I have never regretted following Teacher Katia’s advice.”

“D-Dereck… this is the first time I’ve seen you trust someone so much…”

“There are many stories from the past that I could tell, but there’s no point in dragging it out. The important thing is that both she and I are always busy, so we haven’t had the chance to meet face to face. Just thinking that I’ll be able to see her in person this time makes me quite restless. There are many things I need to prepare.”

Somehow, Dereck seemed to be talking more than usual.

He truly looked excited at the thought of being reunited with his former teacher.

From what Ellen had heard, she was already an elderly woman, so it didn’t seem like a matter of rivalry, but seeing her provoke such an obvious reaction in that unflappable man made Ellen’s feelings turn strangely complicated.

Always surrounded by young women like flowers in full bloom, he had never even been seen to blush, and now, just because his teacher was coming to visit, he seemed to have returned to his childhood years.

For someone to receive such special treatment from Dereck carried no small significance for Ellen.

‘I don’t know much about this mage named Katia, but I’d better avoid doing anything that could leave a bad impression on her.’

Ellen was quick to grasp situations.

She thought it best to leave Katia with a good impression, so she silently held her breath.

That said, she didn’t know how Dereck’s other disciples would react.

***

— I’m already an adult. I can manage on my own.

— It’s been quite a long time, Dereck.

As she boarded the carriage, Katia recalled the day she left Dereck behind, in that small hideout in the slums.

Back then, he was nothing more than a tiny child.

To keep Katia from worrying about leaving him alone, he had clenched both fists tightly and put on a resolute expression.

That image—so insecure despite its apparent firmness—made it difficult for Katia to take a step forward.

During the journey to Count Elvester’s territory, she looked again and again in the direction of Ebelstein, because the existence of that fragile disciple had lodged itself in her heart like a thorn.

After arriving in Count Elvester’s territory, she spent very busy days, but even so, every time she received one of Dereck’s letters, she sighed in relief.

As time passed and she continued receiving news from him, she gradually began to put those worries behind her.

Even so, a strange sense of guilt still remained.

After all, that day she had left him alone.

Although it was not something she could avoid, that weight did not disappear easily.

‘After all this time, I’ll see such a dear face again. There’s no need for me to look so gloomy.’

Katia leaned back against the carriage seat and let out a satisfied smile.

“Uuuh… Teacher Katia… when the family has such large and luxurious carriages, why do we have to travel in such an old and small one?”

“I already explained it, Miss Freya. If we were to visit officially carrying the name of House Elvester, it would be far too great a burden for Baron Ravenclaw’s territory.”

The carriages of House Elvester were so enormous that one had to crane their neck just to see them fully, so the carriage Katia had secured looked little more than an old, rattling cargo vehicle.

Freya pursed her lips in displeasure, but she couldn’t oppose Katia’s decision.

With the help of the servants, she boarded the carriage while complaining and groaning.

“If we travel all the way to the southwest of the continent in such a jostling carriage… my waist is going to be shattered!”

“There are moments like this in life. It’s good to think of everything as an experience.”

“Uuuh…”

While calming the persistent Freya, Katia traced the route to the southwestern continent in her mind.

They would have to pass through the imperial capital in the center, cross the Laurel Plains, traverse Count Renuel’s territory and that of Duke Beltus, and then continue on quite a bit farther.

‘If we could use Count Elvester’s name, passing through other nobles’ territories would be easy, but since we’re traveling for personal reasons, I hope no unnecessary problems arise.’

She had heard that the nobles of the southwest were exclusionary by nature and very stingy about passage through their territories.

In particular, it was often said that the ladies of Ebelstein society were extremely strong-willed and resolute, so it would likely be quite an exhausting journey.

‘Since we’re going all the way to the southwest, we’ll also pass through Ebelstein. I’ll be able to observe the atmosphere of its society—will Jayden still be running his business on Tavern Street?’

At that moment, Katia still did not fully understand what it meant to be Dereck’s dearly cherished teacher.

The Elvester house where she resided was far too distant from the southwest of the continent, so it was natural that she was unfamiliar with the true atmosphere of the place.

Illustration by the manhwa artist

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet