Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 116

"These are my observations from Ravenclaw Training Institute. Father. My assessment aligns with Rovenalt oppa's opinion. Barring major incidents, within a few years Ravenclaw Territory will wield significant influence in Evelstein's high society."

Denise, the Beltus family's most astute young noblewoman, was faithfully reporting her findings to Duke Beltus, the family head.

The sharp-featured Duke stroked his mustache several times before making a distinctly displeased expression.

Though he'd reluctantly acquiesced to eldest son Rovenalt's persuasion regarding Baron Ravenclaw's title bestowal, the man's recent activities were proving alarmingly unconventional.

Derek Raidof Ravenclaw wasn't unknown to him - the Beltus family had even hired him previously as Denise's magic tutor. Back then he'd been merely a lowborn private instructor, yet now he'd somehow become proprietor of a sizable training institute.

Education often formed the foundation of power.

Having direct students of Baron Derek permeate Evelstein's social circles meant Derek himself would gain direct influence there. All power begins with gathering people.

A new power center emerging right beside Beltus Ducal Territory, with multiple nobles as disciples, was hardly welcome news.

Victory in war requires securing high ground; victory in political struggles requires controlling social discourse. As someone who deeply understood this, Duke Beltus had fully supported Denise's socialite activities.

"This is rather unpleasant news. Having future socialites pass through his institute means it could become the social circle's epicenter."

"Is that so? The scale didn't seem particularly impressive."

"Scale matters little. You know this, Denise. The eastern continent's social hub was originally port city Robov, but after Count Elvester developed cultural facilities in his territory, everything shifted to Elvester Manor."

While the southwestern social scene centered on Evelstein's noble district, the eastern social hub was Elvester County's manor. The lavishly expanded estate hosted year-round cultural events, theatrical performances, famous bard tours, grand tea parties, and salon gatherings.

Controlling such a venue positioned Elvester County at aristocracy's cultural pinnacle - hence Countess Freya of Elvester was considered the most dignified figure. If Aiselin dominated Evelstein's scene, Freya ruled the east.

And Freya's teacher happened to be Katia Flameheart, former matriarch of a fallen viscountcy - now the east's most renowned magic instructor.

"Duplein's fall from power was recent. Evelstein's social throne remains vacant during this transitional period. With House Renuel rising, unnecessary variables are unwelcome."

Seated solemnly in his office chair, Duke Beltus declared:

"That institute cannot remain unchecked."

Denise's expression darkened slightly, anticipating his next words.

"We need justification to curb Ravenclaw Territory's expansion."

"..."

"No obvious pretext exists currently, but you're well-positioned to manufacture one. Maintain close relations with that baron and uncover vulnerabilities."

The Duke intended to restrain Ravenclaw Barony with Denise spearheading the effort. As Beltus'primary socialite influencer, she was the obvious choice.

"Find leverage to control that man. Meet frequently, grow close, and identify weaknesses."

Under the Duke's confident smile, Denise bowed slightly and quietly assented.

- Creak

Exiting after morning greetings, Denise wore exhaustion in the hallway. Despite just waking, she already felt drained.

"Miss Denise, are you unwell?"

"No, Bella."

Denise waved off her maid's concern before pausing in the corridor with a conflicted expression, eventually releasing a heavy sigh.

"I anticipated this, but it still stings."

Beyond the window, Beltus Territory's mountainous landscape displayed vibrant autumn foliage in full splendor.

Aiselin loved autumn night walks.

The crisp evening air, neither hot nor cold, beneath the full moon's glow transported her to another world. Unlike Duplein Manor's opulence, Ravenclaw Barony's modest but well-appointed gardens offered simple joys like discovering wildflowers amidst managed flowerbeds.

Organizing tomorrow's schedule in this tranquil night air made even the most turbulent crises feel like distant dreams. This meditative escape was her secret to maintaining composure in high society.

'Dangerous... this place is starting to feel like home...'

She mustn't forget her goal of restoring Duplein House. For Raeg and Diela rebuilding their family, she needed focus.

Yet proper rest was equally vital.

As Aiselin relaxed beneath the moonlit manor, she noticed movement.

- Thud, thud.

"...?"

The hour was late.

Yet someone wandered near the gardens. With guards posted, danger seemed unlikely, but such nocturnal strolls were improper.

Squinting at the noble-garbed figure, Aiselin's dark-adapted eyes gradually recognized Lady Phee of Tigris.

The awkward girl hobbled toward the main building, apparently sore from daytime mountain hiking.

Before Aiselin could call out, Phee vanished into the manor's darkened hall.

'...Why visit the main building instead of the dormitory at this hour?'

Only nightshift servants should be awake. Most manor windows were dark - except one.

Derek's office.

"..."

Aiselin studied the manor with a complicated expression.

"The most common plateau for mages is between 3-Star and 4-Star ranks. Statistically, this wall is thicker than between 4-Star and 5-Star. It's where bloodline-reliant dilettantes wash out."

Late in Derek's office, Phee massaged her knees from the guest chair, sore from daytime exertion.

Despite being a 6-Star necromancy master, her adolescent body couldn't resist muscle fatigue.

Groaning through the pain, she nevertheless lectured between complaints.

"Magic defines noble authority. Though most nobles dream of mastery since childhood, the majority plateau at 3-Star."

"Most nobles I've met seemed capped at 3-Star."

"Exactly. The 4-Star realm... even among born nobles, only the select few attain it. Major houses rarely exceed five 4-Star mages - typically just two or three."

For a commoner to reach where even privileged nobles failed seemed impossible.

Not that no commoners had reached 4-Star - but such individuals became historical figures. For commoners, surpassing this threshold was unrealistic.

"For reference, northern ruler Melberot neared 4-Star by your age. Quite the monster."

Derek had only recently passed his coming-of-age ceremony. Most nobles mastering 1-Star magic by adulthood were considered talented; 2-Star practitioners were generational talents.

Melberot's achievement was absurd. In all Derek's socialite experience, he'd never encountered anyone reaching 4-Star by adulthood - Lady Sirine being the sole exception, though her case was special due to Noir's influence.

"Understood... Shall I call servants to wrap compression bandages?"

"No need. Showing weakness before commoners undermines my dignity."

"..."

Phee rummaged through Derek's mercenary supplies for bandages, expertly wrapping her sore muscles before lying across the sofa and chanting. A sinister floating skull materialized.

"...Using necromancy indoors risks serious consequences if witnessed."

"Don't underestimate me. I always monitor surroundings. This is for your lesson, so restrain your worries."

Phee then draped the chilling skull across her thighs, releasing cold energy to soothe her muscles as she melted into the sofa.

"Ahhh... Almost died from thigh strain. You muscleheads can't comprehend this delicate girl's fragility."

"...Are you... icing yourself?"

"Got a problem? Must you criticize while your master recuperates? Ugh... perfect..."

"..."

The sight of this teenage girl luxuriating like in a hot spring defied description.

"Countess Rodea of Renuel Territory already detected 6-Star necromancers. She'd hunt you down."

"That upstart grew so much? She slaughtered necromancers on Rodentz Island - conveniently eliminating many pretenders claiming my legacy."

"Having met her, I confirm she detects necromancy from miles away. Best avoid such magic among nobles."

"How amusing. I'm far beyond your comprehension."

Phee smirked arrogantly, eyeing Derek sidelong from her icy perch.

"Does this look like necromancy to you?"

"...Standard summoning magic?"

"Correct. Sharp as ever."

Wincing as she shifted position, Phee continued:

"What do you think's needed for 4-Star? Sadly, rigid Discipline School theories alone won't suffice. You're clearly Wild School material."

"I've heard additional qualities are required."

"Let me simplify. Four essentials for 4-Star ascension."

Phee extended slender fingers, counting down:

"First, originality or creativity. Second, magical equipment affinity. Third, understanding reality's mutability. Fourth, balanced comprehension across magical fields."

"..."

"Confused? Blame Adelbert's pretentious theories. Academic types ruin everything."

Phee swept up her lavender-white hair, letting it cascade like a waterfall down the sofa.

"Originality means applying magic beyond prescribed rules. Your Wild School tendencies help here, but need refinement. With your combat experience, this should develop naturally."

"I've had little battlefield time recently."

"Your accumulated experience will suffice. This isn't learned - it's internalized. Almost like innate talent."

Creating original spells often depended more on nature than nurture. Melberot had reinterpreted 2-Star combat magic"Fireball"into 4-Star"Magma Orb"- an unprecedented spell.

Similarly, Kalimford's 6-Star"Soul Incineration"originated from creatively modifying 4-Star"Incineration."Such innovations distinguished 4-Star+ mages.

"Your equipment affinity is already excellent. That'Footsteps'staff is far more potent than you realize."

"It was quite troublesome to master."

"Third, understanding reality's mutability. This is tricky but less demanding at 4-Star level. Ughhh-"

Phee's frequent"ice therapy"interjections constantly interrupted her lecture.

"What does that mean?"

"Recognizing that universal laws aren't absolute - that time, space, and magical principles can be bent."

"Your explanation only deepens the mystery."

"Don't worry. As said, 4-Star demands less here. These concepts apply more to 5-6 Star spells manipulating existence, spacetime, or life/death cycles - beyond 4-Star reach."

Now icing her forearms, Phee continued:

"Understanding the world's immutable laws. Studying philosophy and metaphysics helps here. Bookish types excel at this."

"I've felt my practical focus has gaps here."

"Don't overindulge in theoretical wankery. Learn just enough."

Despite claiming to be practical, Phee had authored numerous necromantic treatises. Her advice wasn't entirely trustworthy.

"Finally, balanced magical comprehension."

"Meaning?"

"Proficiency across fields beyond my... specialty."

Grand Mage Adelbert had categorized magic into five schools: Combat, Confusion, Transformation, Summoning, and Detection.

"I've assessed your aptitudes. Your Combat and Confusion magic talents are exceptional. Detection is quite good, Transformation passable... but Summoning is lacking."

"My summoning progress has indeed stagnated."

"You needn't become a summoning master, but should reach at least 2-Star proficiency."

While specializing is important, well-rounded development matters too.

"Hence the summoning demonstration?"

"Ughh. Yes. And soothing my poor muscles."

"..."

"However, despite your gifts, your summoning aptitude remains ambiguous. Jumping into biologic summons seems inefficient."

Summoning magic divides into biologic (creatures) and non-biologic (objects/environment).

"Focus on summoning basics first. I can teach non-biologic applications... or you might seek a biologic familiar. Either way, you'll grasp it quickly."

Dismissing the floating skull, Phee suddenly paled, her expression turning grave.

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

"Don't... misunderstand..."

"Yes?"

"Sitting twisted too long... leg cramp... ughh..."

"..."

"Press... upper thigh... one-third down... too sore to... reach... ughh..."

Derek stared blankly at the twitching girl cocooned in her own hair.

Recalling the dignified 6-Star mages he'd known - Melberot ruling northern territories, Drest contemplating the world's future - then looking at this cramping teenager...

"..."

This is a 6-Star mage?

Though too polite to voice the thought, his expression betrayed him.

"...Show more respect... when gazing upon your heavenly master..."

"Ah... yes..."

Apparently his face said it all.