Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 135

"I'll see you again after winter, Lady Aiselin."

With the farewell from the daughter of Count Lointeil, the first semester of Ravenclaw Training Institute came to a neat conclusion.

Though Derek had been too occupied with external incidents to teach properly, the groundwork laid during the semester prevented any major issues from arising.

The scenery of Ravenclaw Territory, once blanketed with fallen leaves, was beginning to look increasingly desolate.

While the estate had been bustling with noble ladies spending their time in various activities, it was unreasonable to expect them to stay through the harsh winter in this frontier barony.

When winter ended and the weather grew mild again, many more nobles would visit Ravenclaw Training Institute.

'Next semester's student body will be too large for our current staff.'

The training sessions conducted this semester had already received considerable acclaim, and rumors were spreading among Evelstein's nobility.

If this was the response during the inaugural semester when everything was unfamiliar... they might genuinely need to expand the institute's scale.

'Well... that's something to consider slowly during winter... I should rest a bit too.'

Watching the daughter of Count Lointeil depart for her family home, Aiselin quietly observed the empty campus.

"..."

Derek had urgently left due to the confrontation with the Beltus Ducal Family.

Since Ravenclaw Training Institute needed to keep operating in his absence, Aiselin staying behind was the obvious choice.

Now that her duties were complete, only the hollow barony estate remained.

- Whoosh

Seeing places usually crowded with people now empty evoked an inexplicable sense of void. This feeling intensified during winter when even the leaves had fallen, revealing bare branches.

"...I just realized... we've expanded far more than I thought..."

As rationality gradually returned, Aiselin held her breath while surveying the estate's front view.

Upon calm observation, one might question whether this could truly be called a barony estate.

The central main building at the heart of the estate was undoubtedly Derek's residence. All the servants assisting Baron Ravenclaw lived there, along with essential facilities.

However, every other building and facility existed solely for the training institute... making one tilt their head wondering if this still qualified as a noble's private residence.

She'd heard that Elvester Count's estate in the eastern continent similarly became the cultural hub of eastern high society, but...

She never imagined Ravenclaw Barony would develop in that direction.

'Somehow... I feel like I bear significant responsibility for how this turned out...'

It wasn't just a feeling—it was the truth.

Feeling an odd sense of responsibility, Aiselin was about to cross the garden when—

"...Oh my."

A girl with ash-white hair sat quietly in a corner of the garden, her locks cascading down.

Most noble ladies had returned to their family homes by now. Enduring this harsh winter in a barony estate was unreasonable.

Yet this girl seemed to find even the chilly weather warm, wearing no coat.

Understandable—she hailed from Rocheste Territory at the northernmost edge of the snowfields.

"Lady Siern. You're outside."

"..."

Though Siern had begun cultivating basic decorum, the peculiar wildness underlying her nature showed no signs of fading.

Residing at Derek's estate had tempered much of her uncontrollable temperament. Yet lately, she'd been pouting and grumbling more often... for reasons that weren't hard to guess.

With Derek so busy, he couldn't pay her much attention. That was essentially the whole issue.

Siern felt a strange possessiveness toward Derek, so watching him call every newcomer his"disciple"for the sake of running Ravenclaw Training Institute had filled her with unspoken resentment.

Accustomed to Siern's childish side, Aiselin smiled warmly and sat beside her.

"Derek seems very busy these days."

"Yeah. I thought leaving Rocheste Territory would let me learn so much, but..."

"Don't worry too much. With the estate emptying for winter, Derek should have more free time."

Patting Siern's shoulder, Aiselin watched as the girl sucked in her pouting lips and sighed heavily.

Siern seemed aware Derek was entangled in something important.

She'd often been seen on the estate roof gazing westward—the direction of Beltus Territory where Derek had gone with key personnel.

When asked what she was looking at, she'd say an indescribably massive magical presence radiated from that direction.

A mutant among mutants, inheriting the blood of the Great Demon Noir.

Given her nature, the magical energy she sensed was undoubtedly extraordinary in both quality and scale.

"......I'm worried, Aiselin unnie."

"Don't be. Derek is strong and wise—he won't come to serious harm."

"No, not that..."

"...?"

Hugging her knees with a sulky expression, Siern muttered languidly:

"I keep thinking... he might bring someone else back with him again..."

"..."

That seemed like an overly libertine view of Derek—

Aiselin nearly objected, but the truth was human connections often formed beyond one's control.

"...Surely not."

Head Butler Delbritton shook his head behind Siern.

Even chaos had its limits. With Lady Elente already complicating matters, it was unimaginable that anyone else could join the fray.

Yet Siern's instincts were often eerily sharp... leaving Aiselin and Delbritton to swallow dryly.

"..."

A woman's honed intuition could sometimes border on mind-reading.

That sudden, ominous sensation ringing alarm bells in one's head—the very crisis Elente of Belmierd County was now experiencing.

Beltus Ducal Manor.

Among the forces arriving to support Derek, Elente—Belmierd's future ruler—had reached the scene second only to Countess Rodea.

Though dressed in elegant noble attire, she handled her horse with practiced ease.

Quite different from her usual demure carriage rides. Proficient in all fields, navigating through dense forests with troops posed no challenge.

Yet the first sight greeting her after breaking through Beltus Manor's northern gate was... a strangely flushed Denise walking through the estate alongside Derek.

"You've arrived, Lady Elente. As you can see, we've secured most of the estate grounds. However, we're unable to breach the main hall. An Arch Lich blocks the entrance, guarded by other high-ranking magical beasts."

While verifying Belmierd's troop numbers, Derek delivered a concise briefing.

During Elente's journey, he'd evidently accomplished much within the manor.

Beside him stood Denise—her face inexplicably red—and the legendary mercenary captain Orel, both guarding him amicably.

In that short time, he'd subdued hostile elements and persuaded the persuadable.

His efficiency was expected, but this was excessive.

"I see. Derek, you look injured everywhere—shouldn't you tend to yourself first..."

"I'm fine. With the situation this urgent, how could I rest? Once we secure Beltus Hall, there'll be plenty of time."

Derek indeed seemed pressed. Frankly, it'd be stranger if he weren't.

Above Beltus Hall, restless spirits spiraled skyward like glimpses of hell.

Demons spewing magical beasts, battle cries echoing everywhere—this was no time for leisure.

"I'm Orel, overseeing Beltus Manor's security. An honor to meet Belmierd's future ruler in person."

"His Imperial Majesty Gertrel's most trusted commander, I've heard. Forgive my lack of decorum in such a battlefield."

"Understandable. Given the chaos here, pleasantries can wait."

Dismounting smoothly, Elente joined Derek's group.

Denise bore numerous scratches, Rovenalt lay unconscious on Orel's back, and Derek appeared thoroughly exhausted.

'I knew of tensions with Beltus, but never imagined this. Necromancy...'

Swallowing dryly, Elente took in the hellish transformation of the main hall.

She'd heard of Derek's confrontation with the Duke, but this development was beyond imagination.

The idea that Derek wielded necromancy to corrupt the Duke seemed absurd—especially to Elente.

She'd witnessed Derek pummeling Leonard at Belmierd Manor and purging necromancers alongside Countess Rodea.

"Things have taken a strange turn, Derek."

"Our objective remains unchanged."

Derek chose not to mention Phee's rampage.

Imagining that uncontrollable necromancer punishing the Duke while supposedly nurturing their"adorable disciple"would only complicate matters.

Denise, however, was different.

Directly involved, she could deduce Derek's connection to the necromantic incident.

After all, the jewelry that started this... was given to Denise by Phee herself.

For now, Denise remained silent.

Narrowing her eyes, she alternated glances between Derek and Elente.

'Staying quiet is the proper approach now.'

Most importantly, without Derek overthrowing the family, her fate would have been sealed.

Denise had defied Beltus to side with Baron Ravenclaw, nearly facing dire consequences.

Considering how many senior retainers and relatives suffered for opposing the Duke, it had been a perilous moment.

Ironically, Derek's actions against Beltus had saved her.

Though one might expect despair after nearly being discarded by the family she'd served, Denise remained remarkably composed.

She'd never felt particular affection for the Beltus family anyway.

Their relationship was transactional—no familial warmth ever existed from the Duke.

'Derek has... secrets.'

Denise's mind raced.

This frontier baron, who seemed solely passionate about magic, harbored undisclosed truths.

Secrets neither Aiselin nor Elente knew—something so significant Derek would never reveal, no matter how close.

And she was the one nearest to that truth.

If she, not Aiselin or Elente, could access those deepest secrets—

'...'

The realization that she'd developed rivalry with them confirmed how far she'd fallen. Denise was exceptionally self-aware.

Though the delayed self-loathing was hers to bear.

"Lady Denise... you seem preoccupied."

Suddenly snapping to attention, Denise found Elente studying her with meaningful eyes.

Uncharacteristically flustered, Denise swallowed dryly.

"Y-yes... My apologies, Lady Elente. As you see, my family's situation is... complicated."

"I understand. Let's focus on resolving the immediate crisis. We'll reclaim Beltus Hall and sort things out afterward."

Sensing Elente's subtle hostility, Denise swallowed repeatedly.

Now she understood why Aiselin stiffened around Elente. The girl had an oppressive aura that naturally intimidated those with guilty consciences.

And what guilt did Denise harbor?

The answer was obvious—she'd developed romantic feelings for Derek.

This realization shifted the nature of Elente's hostility.

The usually indifferent Denise, who sat idly with her chin propped—who knew what she might do if provoked?

If Denise became a rival, she'd be a formidable opponent unlike Aiselin.

Elente stepped closer, her gaze lowering ominously.

A chilling intensity radiated from her.

Denise swallowed hard.