Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 18: Journey (2)

Swish!

Bluish magic gathered at her fingertips and then vanished completely.

At the edge of the ancient training grounds, Aiselin lifted the hem of her dress and greeted her opponent with an elegant smile.

“Excellent work.”

Marble statues sculpted by old masters, gleaming wooden floors, and oak pillars surrounded the space. The polished spectator stands were adorned with purple velvet cushions. Every detail exuded luxury, and the surrounding space was cleared enough for spectators to bring their attendants.

On the opposite end of the opulent dueling hall, a desperate young noblewoman sat. She was the youngest daughter of the Glaven Barony.

She had earned the chance to duel Lady Aiselin—one of the brightest stars in Ebelstain’s social circles—but the match had ended in less than a minute.

She should have calmed her nerves from the night before, studied more, but she had been so mesmerized by Lady Aiselin’s graceful use of magic that the duel was over before she even realized. She was deeply disappointed to have wasted such a golden opportunity.

“I hope I may learn from you again in the future.”

Lady Aiselin descended from the podium under the admiring gazes of numerous nobles.

*

If anyone mentions the largest city in the Western Empire, it’s undoubtedly Ebelstain.

True to its nickname, “the city of a thousand faces,” this place has many sides—from slums to shopping districts to residential areas. Among Ebelstain’s various neighborhoods, the noble district stands out like a flower in a field. Commoners simply call it the aristocratic district.

The noble district lies outside Ebelstain’s northern walls, where nobles from all western provinces gather. Upon entering, one is greeted with a view completely unlike anything before.

The run-down wooden houses disappear, replaced by imposing mansions lined with manicured gardens, fountains, and ancient statues.

Compared to the slums where Dereck had lived, this noble path in Ebelstain might as well be a paradise. Instead of the stench of rotting food, the air smelled of flowers; instead of muddy paths, pristine pavements stretched forward.

Shops between the mansions sold only luxury goods, and the carriages on the streets were ornately decorated for high-ranking guests.

Walking among blooming cherry blossoms, one could look up at the blue sky and watch petals drift gently through garden courtyards. The nobles’ attire dazzled the eye. The men wore fine brocade jackets and elaborately patterned vests. The women were dressed in silk gowns adorned with jewels.

No one looked unkempt. Their dignity was reminiscent of a royal palace.

Seeing the sunlit plaza, it wasn’t hard to imagine you’d stepped into another world. The contrast with the grimy slums was beyond description.

“Recently, Miss Aiselin seems to be in high spirits. At the last gathering, she looked quite troubled. I was afraid it would affect her porcelain skin.”

“Was it that obvious? I didn’t mean to cause worry… But in any case, most of my concerns have been resolved, and I feel much lighter now.”

On one side of the central path in the noble district, a tea house adorned with beautiful flowers served as a meeting place for noblewomen.

After completing their morning magical duel practice, acquaintances gathered to converse.

Passersby couldn’t help but look. Among them were the most admired figures of Ebelstain’s nobility.

Lady Denice of the Ducal House of Beltus.

Lady Aiselin of the Ducal House of Duplain.

Lady Elente of the Kingdom of Bellmead.

Among the noble families of the Western Empire, these three were the most influential young ladies. They didn’t gather with any grand agenda but simply had a habit of socializing regularly.

The Rose Salon.

An association formed around the nobility supported by these three houses.

They met to exchange knowledge on magic, engage in artistic pursuits, or participate in light sports.

The Rose Salon was, in fact, the most prestigious magical salon in high society.

Many nobles in Ebelstain vied for an invitation to these gatherings, as this was where the truly powerful assembled.

Though it called itself a magical salon, magic was just one part. It was a place to exchange ideas on art, culture, and politics. All sorts of stories emerged there, including rumors circulating among noble families.

“I was very worried when I heard Miss Aiselin had ventured outside the noble district to help someone. Especially near the slums or taverns—such places are dangerous. Please be careful.”

“…Thank you for your concern. Actually, I needed to find someone to teach magic to my younger sister, Diella.”

“Diella? From House Duplain…?”

Beneath the warm sun, Lady Denice asked cautiously while lifting her teacup.

Even someone as esteemed as Lady Aiselin wasn’t without flaws. Her younger sister was one of them.

Spreading rumors about a troublesome woman in one’s own family was undesirable, so most houses tried to suppress such talk. But there was a limit. Among the servants who had left House Duplain or the magic tutors who had tried to teach her, Diella’s reputation was well known.

No one expected Lady Aiselin herself to bring up those rumors, as no one dared speak of them in her presence.

“I visited the mansion recently and saw Diella. She’s become a refined young lady—you wouldn’t recognize her. She’s even manifested first-level magic… and her demeanor is so elegant it made me think I must try harder myself.”

“…Miss Diella accomplished that?”

“Yes. Even I, as her elder sister, was surprised by how much she has changed… It’s like seeing the innocent child she once was, and that fills me with happiness. Lately, I catch myself humming or smiling for no reason—almost light-headed. I always make sure not to appear too frivolous.”

Lady Aiselin’s smile bloomed like a flower. Lady Elente, seated calmly beside her, sipped her tea while reading a few pamphlets, then glanced sideways.

With her cool demeanor and loose red hair, Lady Elente tilted her head slightly and asked quietly:

“Then, have you found a good magic instructor?”

“Yes. His status or skills may not be extraordinary for a magic tutor… but he seems to have exceptional teaching talent. I never imagined anyone could guide Diella so well in such a short time.”

“That’s remarkable. Finding a magic tutor these days is said to be harder than plucking a star from the sky—Miss Aiselin, you’ve made quite a contribution.”

“What did I do? All the credit goes to Mr. Dereck. Ah, Dereck is the name of the magic tutor. He’s a former mercenary from the Beldern Mercenary Corps, and his magical power is extraordinary. Even his method of channeling mana is unique—”

A mercenary by origin. Those words weaved into Lady Aiselin’s enthusiastic explanation of Dereck.

Hearing them, both Lady Elente and Lady Denice felt a chill at their fingertips. They couldn’t believe a low-born mercenary was teaching a lady of the prestigious House Duplain.

Lady Aiselin was known for her open-mindedness and fairness, but the other two Rose Salon ladies weren’t like that. They could only smile awkwardly.

However, Lady Elente’s reaction was slightly different.

“If it’s Diella Catherine Duplain… isn’t she that infamous troublemaker the chef spoke of…?”

The chef of Countess Belmiard’s estate, where Lady Elente lived, was from House Duplain. He had been struck and dismissed for serving Diella soup that was too hot.

The burly chef held a deep grudge against Diella. After being dismissed, he wandered until Countess Belmiard took him in. He now served her with gratitude and loyalty.

“From what I heard, it’s as if that little demon never existed… Not only reforming someone like that, but turning her into a first-level mage…?”

It was hard to believe that someone who could barely use magic had become a first-level mage in such a short time. But the source of the information was Lady Aiselin.

Lady Elente knew well that Lady Aiselin never bragged without reason. Her gaze sharpened.

Lady Elente was someone who never overlooked stories of rare talent.

*

Miriela felt both joy and frustration.

It had been a long time since she experienced such mixed emotions, and not even with her dear daughter Diella in front of her could she find the words.

“The tea leaves are from Delarvail’s shop in Ebelstain, brought specially by Sister Aiselin. I haven’t had them in ages, but the aroma is just as I remember.”

In the ladies’ reception room. After finishing all her etiquette lessons for the day, Diella had rushed to her room and now sat elegantly at the tea table, speaking in a refined tone.

What could be said? Her demeanor was everything Lady Miriela had hoped for—full of the elegance befitting a young noblewoman.

With Aiselin’s flawless example nearby and numerous etiquette books for reference, she had all the resources she needed. Before she went astray, she had taken etiquette lessons, and her instructor, Dereck, hadn’t ignored those. Combining these factors, she had enough knowledge to act like a noble lady.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t before—she simply didn’t want to.

Miriela knew that, but she never thought someone like Diella could be reformed so completely.

“Di-Diella. I understand you’ve been studying etiquette on your own.”

“Yes. Some self-study, and Dereck taught me a bit. I can’t stay a child forever.”

“…Indeed. Studying on your own is very admirable.”

“Yes. I studied on my own, and Dereck also taught me.”

“Were there any parts of self-study that you found difficult?”

“There were a few hurdles, but Dereck knew more than I expected.”

Dereck, Dereck, Dereck.

The subtle emphasis on Dereck’s contributions was significant. Miriela had to resist the urge to hold her head in her hands.

Dereck had supposedly taught Diella what it meant to be a noblewoman. Despite the facts, that was what Diella claimed. Dereck wasn’t an etiquette instructor. His knowledge was surely limited.

It was true that Diella’s etiquette was still quite basic… But this was Diella, of all people. Diella, who had gone through so much turmoil, now displayed true grace.

Miriela remembered the expressions of the servants as they walked together to the reception room—their eyes nearly popped from their sockets at seeing Diella act with such refinement. They rubbed their eyes in disbelief or pinched their cheeks.

It wasn’t hard to predict the rumors that would soon spread through the mansion.

“The new instructor, Dereck, has refined Diella’s elegance.”

“It must be Dereck.”

“Nobody thought that wild child could be reformed, but he’s an exceptional instructor.”

Such remarks were easy to imagine. This meant Miriela’s justification for firing Dereck would soon disappear.

Hadn’t she always opposed Dereck’s hire because he would tarnish noble dignity?

But if Diella was now properly learning noble etiquette, Miriela’s authority would be trampled.

Whatever the case, it was checkmate. Miriela felt her mind going blank.

*

✦ Combat Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Magic Arrow

★☆☆☆☆☆ Shockwave

★☆☆☆☆☆ Full Power Manifestation

★★☆☆☆☆ Fireball

✦ Transformation Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Light Creation

★★☆☆☆☆ Earth Wall

✦ Confusion Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Silence

★★☆☆☆☆ Hallucination

★★☆☆☆☆ Confusion

✦ Summoning Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Summon – Guiding Fairy

✦ Exploration Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Sense of Direction

★★☆☆☆☆ Clairvoyance

★★☆☆☆☆ Life Detection

Dereck was diligently studying the three-star grimoire he had brought, after receiving permission to read it at the desk in his private room.

However, even Dereck, born with exceptional magical talent among commoners, could not easily master three-star magic at his age.

Among commoners, those who reached the three-star level were respectable men who had devoted their entire lives to magic, or elderly wizards.

For Dereck, still young and inexperienced, this level was slightly out of reach.

“Hmm… The knowledge of the Regulated Academy is a bit rough. Learning through hands-on application is most effective for me… but it’s hard to do in this environment.”

Most of the spells he had learned so far were quickly mastered through field application as a mercenary.

That was how most wild-academy mages learned. Although it felt somewhat limiting, Dereck experienced a strange sense of satisfaction.

For some unknown reason, he felt that if he worked hard in his research, he might be able to reach the three-star level. It was a strange intuition, lacking any logical basis.

“Isn’t it said that magic and ambition are inseparable?”

He recalled the words of his mentor, Katia.

–Knock, tock.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door to his private room. Before Dereck could answer, the door opened and a broad-shouldered man entered.

It was Leigh, the second son of the noble Duplain family.

With muscles bulging in his arms, he swaggered in and stopped firmly, silently observing Dereck.

“What brings you here?”

“…I came to talk about Diella.”

“…?”

Dereck closed the book and placed it on the table. When Leigh glanced at it and recognized it as a three-star grimoire, he flinched.

Wondering why Dereck was reading a three-star magic book that even he couldn’t comprehend, Leigh recalled the words of Grand Duke Duplain.

Dereck’s current magical level was on a different plane than his own. Whether Leigh, heir to Duplain’s bloodline, could surpass him in the future was uncertain, but for now, their levels were not comparable. He shouldn’t challenge him recklessly. Only someone like Valerian could serve as a worthy match.

Leigh remembered those words were not empty. Furthermore, access to three-star grimoires was restricted without the Grand Duke’s permission.

Leigh narrowed his eyes and finally sat down across from Dereck.

His serious demeanor made Dereck straighten his posture as well.

“You came all the way here to ask me something… What is it?”

“…Don’t misunderstand, just listen.”

“Understood.”

“…”

With a serious face, Leigh asked:

“What do teenage girls like these days…?”

“…”

“Would they like it if I made them a doll, embroidered to look like them?”

“That wouldn’t work at all.”

Recalling Valerian’s horrified expression, Dereck quickly dissuaded Leigh.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet