Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2)

Aiselin was disappointed.

Since returning home to Ebelstein, the servants had grown concerned at the constant gloom on her face, though she tried her best to force a smile.

It was the first time someone had openly rejected her.

“Lady Aiselin, there’s nothing you can learn from me.”

Dereck’s words were heavy with meaning.

Young girls whose magical abilities hadn’t fully matured typically possessed infinite potential. However, Aiselin already had her own magical world.

She followed a growth curve modeled after the rule-based noble magic paradigm.

Dereck, a wild-academy mage with unrestrained use of magical power, might even hinder her growth.

Though she agreed with Dereck’s assessment, she couldn’t accept it easily.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve always walked the path of truth.’

She felt like she was staring at a bird outside its cage.

It is said people yearn for what they lack. Aiselin—the girl who sparked envy in everyone—ironically envied what everyone else had: unrestrained freedom.

She didn’t need to look far. Her own younger sister, Diella, was the epitome of that freedom.

The young painter, who captured scenes of the world with carefree splashes of paint on canvas, used magic with the same freedom—just like Dereck.

Born into a noble family but having absorbed the ways of the wild academy in her magic use, she seemed to have moved into a realm out of Aiselin’s reach.

‘I want to experience magic outside the system too…’

Aiselin reflected inwardly, staring out the window. From her mansion atop the hill, the vast stretch of Ebelstein could be seen.

From the luxurious and majestic noble district to the places where commoners struggled to survive, and beyond the city walls, plains and granaries spread as far as the eye could see.

The world was so large, yet Aiselin could count on one hand the number of times she had ventured beyond her cradle.

Being born into the highest station prevented her from descending to lower places. That was the girl’s position.

“A letter has arrived from the main house. Prince Valerian will hold his departure ceremony next week. Lord Raeg will accompany him, so it seems it will be quite the grand event.”

“Yes, I had already heard. It’s the first departure ceremony for Valerian’s younger brother, so I must prepare a good gift…”

After hearing the news from the main house, Aiselin took a deep breath and tried to clear her tangled thoughts.

The story of the eldest and second sons of the Duplain family, setting off to conquer the White Labyrinth north of their domain, had reached Ebelstein.

The Duke of Duplain had entrusted the long-anticipated pioneering project of the white region to his two most reliable sons.

The white region was filled with dangerous labyrinths. It was also believed to contain all kinds of undiscovered treasures. Rumors abounded, especially about relics related to ancient necromancy and the staff of Rosin, the five-star summoner, said to lie dormant within.

Hoping for good news from her two brothers, she considered selecting a good gift for their return.

“I must visit the market. It’s an important gift, so I must see it and choose it myself.”

Aiselin rose from her seat, gathering the hem of her pale blue dress.

She was far too busy to remain sitting in sorrow.

*

“Isn’t that the Duplain family’s seal? Are you under the Duplains’ protection?”

“Not exactly protection… I’ve received a commission from that family. It’s a token of their gratitude.”

Dereck showed the shopkeeper in the noble district the seal he had received from Valerian.

He had some errands to run before heading to Denise’s mansion today.

“Since that’s Prince Valerian’s crest, you must’ve received it directly from him… I can show you exclusive items from the Duplain collection.”

Noble district of Ebelstein.

The atmosphere was entirely different from the commoners’ market. Everywhere one stepped, antique carpets and curtains were the norm, the shops scented with fragrant candles, and the displayed goods always immaculate.

Food, magical equipment, armor, clothing, books—there wasn’t a speck of dust on anything.

Considering how much dust there was to clean in the commoners’ market, the difference was stark. It was in a corner of this market that the Duplain seal was shown. The shopkeeper’s eyes widened in surprise.

The man he had taken for a simple mercenary turned out to have ties to the Duplain family.

Merchants lived and died by connections. If there was a chance to maintain even the slightest relationship with such a noble house, they were ready to offer anything.

“I want to buy some magical items. Do you also have wands or staves?”

“We have many magical supplies, but of course, only the most expensive wands and staves. Can you afford items that even nobles purchase with heaps of gold?”

“Hmm… I need to see the prices first.”

Dereck followed the shopkeeper into a back room, seemingly reserved for VIPs. Even the items outside were of the highest quality, but the further inside they went, the more exclusive they became. It looked like the shopkeeper’s personal collection was also on display.

“Oho…”

Dereck’s eyes lit up as he entered the inner sanctum of the noble district shop.

A cloak that enhanced magical flow, a potion that instantly restored mana, even a rare three-star spellbook—all on display. The merchant, proud of his trove, must have felt satisfied. As Dereck browsed with interest, the plump old shopkeeper smiled proudly.

“The Duke of Duplain has visited once or twice. He personally gave a generous evaluation of these valuable items. It’s hard to find treasures like these anywhere else.”

“How much is a wand or a staff?”

“We currently have only two for sale. ‘The Eye of Salas’ from the Alronde Academy in the Northern Continent, and ‘Andante’ from Drest Academy in the Southwest. One is a wand, the other a staff. Both are worth hundreds of gold coins—the price of a decent house.”

Magical weapons often had unique names, especially since renowned transmutation mages poured their heart and soul into creating them.

Alchemists and magical weapon makers—those who crafted elemental and mana stones—took great pride in their creations, often calling them “masterpieces.” Thus, famous transmutation mages gave distinctive names to their works.

Although it was unfortunate to see great names attached to mediocre works, famous creations were long-discussed, enhancing the reputations of their makers.

The most famous wand was “Dawn,” created by five-star transmutation mage Dalrock, and the most famous staff was “Light of the Empire,” crafted by six-star transmutation mage Cohella.

“Dawn” was known to be in the possession of Lord Melverot of the North, and “Light of the Empire” belonged to Emperor Gertrel. Both were unattainable dreams.

“I’m not aiming for something of that caliber… but even the wands here are extremely expensive.”

Magical weapons were items best wielded by three-star mages or higher.

Although rare, those who sought them were formidable figures. It was no wonder the prices were astronomical.

“I know they’re expensive, but seeing them in person, I just can’t muster the courage.”

Dereck nodded repeatedly, silently gazing at the majestic wand. Having a magical weapon could lead to greater magical feats.

Now that he had reached the threshold of three stars, Dereck felt a growing yearning for a magical weapon.

Reflecting as he looked at the displayed weapons, Dereck left the shop—it was time for his next appointment.

*

Knock, knock, knock.

Dereck walked briskly through the grounds of Denise’s estate, located at the outermost edge of Ebelstein’s noble district.

The private estate of a third-generation noble lady usually featured luxurious corridors. Ellen’s estate was so filled with artwork it was hard to tell if it was a residence or a museum.

However, Denise’s property turned out to be extremely simple. The room gave a strong impression of being equipped only with the essentials, reflecting the woman’s style of curbing unnecessary expenses.

Dereck walked heavily through the corridor, followed by Bella, who wore a worried expression.

Bella, the maid who had served Denise the longest, asked Dereck to slow down in a concerned tone, but he ignored her.

Instead, the estate’s servants were on high alert around Dereck. After all, he held a position of trust.

Dereck was a talent personally sought out and brought in by the Beltus family, who had asked him to join them.

He hadn’t been requested—he had been begged, and he had agreed. He didn’t need to pay attention to anyone.

Even Denise herself had gone to Raspah Cave, pleading with Dereck to teach her just once. That fact wouldn’t change, no matter what regrets came later.

“It’s wise to maintain close relations with a third-generation noble family. Depending on how the future unfolds, some will fall drastically while others will rise.”

“However, it’s not necessary to pledge total loyalty to just one place. It’s best to make them miss you by playing your cards well. That way, your value increases, and you gain widespread recognition.”

That was the advice given to him by his mentor, Drest Wolftail.

While carefully examining future implications, he advised Dereck, a mage of common birth, to interact with nobles, as he was very adept at their customs.

“If you don’t hate nobles too much, there’s nothing wrong with getting close to them.”

Even the Duke of Duplain overlooked Dereck’s magical prowess. No matter how extraordinary a commoner’s magical achievements were, if they maintained good relations with noble families, they wouldn’t be treated as open enemies.

Especially when it came to the three major noble families, the implications were significant. If you owed them something and became their benefactor, it was more likely they’d be powerful allies than future threats. Thus, if you wanted to expand your magical world, it was wise to maintain good relations with nobles.

In the end, there was only one way for a common mage to reach higher realms without obstacles: to have a high-ranking noble sponsor, one even feared by other nobles.

Dereck was already familiar with the Duplain and Belmierd families. Only the Beltus family remained.

His insistence on teaching Lady Denise was largely due to this. But it wasn’t the only reason.

“I hate magic.”

Denise had just begun to sense the threshold of magical discipline, regarding the deep world of magic merely as a tool for bored rulers to flaunt. Dereck found her perspective extremely distasteful.

Did that bruise his pride? If asked, Dereck would admit—yes, it did.

Arguing in front of someone immersed in magic all day that magic wasn’t anything special was enough to make anyone’s blood boil.

How many lifetimes had he lived to debate nihilism with someone whose worldview was so detached? The privilege of speaking on the futility of life and wasted time belonged to people like Drest, who had lived tumultuous lives.

Having experienced disappointment many times, he wanted to correct the girl’s cynical view of the world.

Poor Denise, unaware of the depth and beauty of magic. That was why Dereck now radiated a fiery determination for the first time in a long while.

“Walk with difficulty, walk with difficulty, walk with difficulty.”

Dereck boldly advanced toward the heart of Denise’s mansion, climbed the main hall’s central staircase, approached her bedroom—where she was probably still asleep—and knocked.

“Lady Denise usually sleeps in during the mornings. She must still be deeply asleep…”

“I see.”

Click.

And Dereck, unbothered, opened the door and walked in.

The sight of Denise sleeping deeply in the darkness behind heavy curtains immediately caught his eye.

Her silver-gray hair spread out like a blanket, her breathing soft and steady, a half-finished romance novel beside her—she looked like a sleeping little bird.

Seeing her lips move slightly as if she were enjoying a pleasant dream, anyone could say she looked just like an ordinary girl her age.

Without hesitation, Dereck stepped in and shouted.

“Wake up! Wake up! The sun is already high in the sky, my lady!”

“Kyaaak!”

If he wanted to turn Denise into a better person, he had to start by getting her up earlier.

Unfazed, Dereck raised his voice and entered the room, throwing open the heavy curtains.

Brilliant daylight mercilessly flooded Denise’s dark bedroom.

“Kyahak! It’s blinding! What—what is this?!”

“Let’s clear out the stale air in the room and let the sun in this morning! Are we creatures of the dark?”

“Dereck?! What is this?! Oh, it’s the weekend! There’s no need to go to the Rose Hall or any academic meetings!”

“Yes, it’s the weekend. But the sun is already high—we can’t keep sleeping, right?”

“Aren’t weekends for resting?”

Dereck ignored Denise’s sharp tone.

Word had reached the Duke of Beltus, and his official permission letter had arrived. At this point, Dereck’s employer was no longer Denise—it was the Duke himself.

“Yes. We should rest on weekends. I’m not saying we shouldn’t, Lady Denise.”

“Then what are you saying?”

“Even while resting, we should at least do the basics. Get some sun, wake up early to exercise, and complete basic tasks. Isn’t that refreshing?”

“…”

“Isn’t it just about doing the basics right? I may be working as your instructor, but I’m also human. As long as we stick to the basics, there’s no problem, right?”

Denise already felt her mind fogging. The sun was high, but to her, it might as well have been midnight.

For Denise, who usually spent weekends sleeping all day or reading romance novels, Dereck’s disciplined lifestyle was poison.

“Dereck, you work as a magic instructor, right? You can’t just dictate my life like this…!”

“Lady Denise. Do you know what the foundation of magic is? It starts with a healthy body and a healthy mind! I work as your magic instructor, and I’ll do anything for your magical progress!”

“That logic, just patching it wherever you want, won’t work on me…!”

Before she could finish, Dereck placed the Duke’s letter on the table.

She had recommended him herself and he had been appointed as her instructor with the Duke’s official approval.

Who had made the recommendation? Denise herself.

Her face turned pale.

“I’ll go over today’s schedule with you. First, get up and eat breakfast, then we’ll review your exploration magic level. You also need to train in elemental combat magic, so we’ll begin with basic mana training, and there’ll be physical training in the afternoon. Physical strength is the foundation of everything.”

“…You made a schedule?”

“When I do something, I do it right. The evening schedule is ready too—please take a look.”

The curriculum was so demanding that even the ambitious and diligent Ellen had felt exhausted by it.

Of course, he wouldn’t demand as rigorous a schedule from Denise as he had from Ellen, but to Denise, it already felt like the gates of hell.

“Don’t worry. I won’t ask you to do all this alone. I’ll be with you, giving my all. Let’s strive together to become high-level mages. Having a steady rhythm beside you is great support, and I’ll show you how much that means.”

“Dereck… I’m sorry… I was too pushy at Raspah Cave, wasn’t I? I’ve already apologized, but this time, I apologize sincerely. I respect your intentions and believe they are noble. So, would you accept my apology…?”

“Apology? Why apologize? It’s not proper for a lady of the Beltus family to bow so easily to a commoner. Please act according to your status. A noble lady should always maintain her dignity.”

Dereck’s eyes were already filled with madness.

Denise realized—this boy wasn’t driven by a singular goal, like getting an apology or crushing her pride.

Such concerns weren’t even on his mind. He was simply, purely doing his duty.

And so, guided by Dereck’s hand, Denise left her room, finished breakfast, and began her magic training.

There was no way to refuse. Dereck had been officially recognized and accepted as her instructor by the Duke of Beltus himself. Even the servants couldn’t stop him.

The boy, wrapped in his determination to properly recite the depth and wonder of magic, paid no mind to Denise’s face, which increasingly resembled that of a dying corpse.

“Lady Denise, try to imagine the feeling of channeling your mana. It might be tiring, but if you practice all day, you’ll succeed a few times.”

“Today, we’ll run around the mansion gardens. Like I said, physical strength is the foundation of everything. Don’t worry, I’ll run with you. You won’t be alone.”

“Romance novels are fine, but it would be better to go over a book on the history of magicians over the next day or two. I’ll quiz you on the content in tomorrow’s lesson. Not too much, just the period from the Alant War to the Dawn War. I’ll show you which parts you need to memorize.”

“We’ll also start basic training in transformation magic tomorrow. It won’t be too hard. But since it involves a lot of repetition, you’ll need to stay focused for about three to four hours. Please make sure to sleep well tonight.”

By the time she realized it, the sun had set and the moon had risen.

Obviously, a full day had passed—but she had barely registered how.

Denise lay in bed, her entire body sore.

Bella brought her a cup of herbal tea, known for its restorative effects, her face full of worry.

“Bella… I can’t breathe…”

“Are you alright, Lady Denise? You should at least stretch before bed, or your muscles will be sore tomorrow.”

“I can’t go on like this. Being in the sun all day… my body will burn away like smoke…”

“Lady Denise…”

Bella wanted to say that people didn’t die so easily, but fearing that would only make things worse, she quietly bowed her head.

“We have to get rid of that crazy magic instructor somehow. Even if it means going through documents… as soon as possible…”

“Well… as I said, since this matter has been reported to the Duke of Beltus, the authority to dismiss him now lies with His Grace.”

“Then I’ll have to appeal to Father…”

“….”

Bella’s expression darkened. Denise felt she understood what that truly meant.

Dereck was a talent highly sought after by the three great families. He was a prized acquisition secured by the Beltus family, and the Duke of Beltus would not let him go easily. He was sensitive to the tension between noble houses.

If Dereck stirred up trouble or committed a crime, there might be grounds for dismissal.

But Dereck, an upright man, only ever demanded what was healthy and proper.

The most terrifying people in the world were those who told the truth—because you couldn’t refute them.

Creakk.

At that moment, Dereck opened the door to Denise’s room again.

Despite having spent the entire day overseeing her magic and joining her in physical training, Dereck showed no sign of fatigue.

*

Meanwhile, Denise was already half a corpse.

“Lady Denise.”

“Eek…! Wh-what now?! Why haven’t you left, it’s nighttime!”

Denise curled up on the bed, hugging her knees.

She trembled like a baby bird that had lost its mother.

“Is there still more?! Haven’t I worked hard enough today…?!”

“Ah, of course, we’re done for today. It’s not good for your health to overdo it.”

“Really…?”

“I’ll just go over tomorrow morning’s schedule and then return to my room. Before dawn tomorrow, we’ll begin working with mana infused with yin energy, so please wake before sunrise. Understanding its subtle nuances will be invaluable later.”

“…”

“You don’t have to worry about oversleeping. I’ll come to wake you early. If you sleep now, you’ll get a solid five hours.”

Dereck clenched his fist in encouragement.

“Let’s do our best tomorrow, too! Keep up the good work!”

With that burning determination, Dereck politely bid her goodnight and left for the day. Of course, with his iron endurance, he would be back again before dawn—so it was only a few hours’ break.

“…”

It was already too late to fire him. The Duke of Beltus would never allow it.

She should have realized earlier: while hiring him had been her decision, firing him was no longer within her control.

Denise wanted to die.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet