Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 145

"The ultimate goal is restoring the Duplein family to its former glory. Of course, it won't be easy and will take considerable time... but it's not an unrealistic plan."

Derek gathered Aiselin, Diela, Raeg, and Tricia together to explain the plans he'd been meticulously preparing.

Having reached 4-star status, Derek's name was already spreading across the southwestern continent and beginning to reach the imperial court—ensuring the training institute's popularity would soar even higher.

Therefore, he planned to abandon the old training institute framework and transfer everything under the new banner of Ravenclaw Academy to Duplein Territory.

The original training facilities in Ravenclaw Territory could be repurposed as cultural or social venues where nobles trained in academy etiquette and magic could practice.

In short... he intended to push this massive institution entirely onto Duplein.

Once the facility reached a certain scale, it would operate independently without Derek's constant involvement.

He could simply act as an overseer, stamping approvals while focusing on his personal magical training.

"W-why go to such lengths for Duplein Territory...?"

Raeg, seated at the head of the reception room, stroked his chin as he asked.

Derek studied the nervous, sweating Raeg before hesitating over his response.

Various reasons came to mind—offloading an institution that had grown beyond manageable size, creating more personal time, or it being necessary for his magical advancement—but all sounded awkward to voice directly.

So Derek put on his most magnanimous act:

"The Duplein family and I have a long history. More importantly, they trusted and supported me even during my lowest days. I owe them loyalty."

Raeg's eyes widened at this.

When Derek first came to tutor Diela, Raeg had subtly looked down on this lowborn mercenary upstart.

Yet Derek had rolled up his sleeves for Duplein without hesitation, as if Raeg's past attitude meant nothing.

Raeg nearly teared up.

"Damn it... is that so... you bastard...!"

Though Raeg had doubted Derek repeatedly during his stay, he'd ultimately been moved by this noble sentiment.

Regardless of Derek's true intentions... what mattered was how Raeg perceived them.

Derek nodded, then turned his gaze to Tricia, who lay corpse-like in the corner.

"I was hoping for some support from the Renuel Count family as well."

"Guh... I can't give an immediate answer. Did you think the Renuel family helps anyone who asks?"

"Um, Lady Tricia. Since Derek holds the title of Baron Ravenclaw and has no formal master-disciple or personal relationship with you... shouldn't you show proper respect? He is, nominally, the head of a noble house."

"Hah...?"

Tricia's eyes bulged at the sudden criticism before she gulped under Aiselin's gentle gaze.

"I-if Lady Aiselin says so..."

"..."

"A-anyway, just because Baron Ravenclaw requests it doesn't mean we'll always agree. You seem to underestimate the Renuel Count family."

"Um, Lady Tricia. There's no need for such aggressive tones..."

"Guh... ugh..."

Though arrogant and haughty, Tricia froze when Aiselin spoke softly.

Derek watched them with disinterest as Aiselin smiled demurely.

Aiselin—terrifying woman.

After Diela and Sirine, even Tricia seemed ensnared by her grasp. Anyone touched by Aiselin appeared to become a devoted follower.

How fortunate she was an ally.

"My mother, Countess Rodea, is cold as steel and strictly distinguishes public from private matters. While she highly regards Baron Ravenclaw and wishes to recruit him... official family support is a separate issue."

Tricia sighed deeply, her sharp eyes narrowing.

"Mother thoroughly follows family regulations even when allocating household budgets. Especially regarding external alliances—she scrutinizes every detail regardless of the party."

"..."

"Unfortunately, persuading my mother—the Renuel family's decision-maker—won't be as easy as you think. And don't expect my help. I won't act against Mother's wishes."

Tricia smiled provocatively, as if warning that things wouldn't go as Derek hoped.

Officially, she'd visited to establish friendly relations with Derek under Countess Rodea's orders.

Though humility would be prudent, Tricia refused to tolerate anyone underestimating the Renuel family—the very source of her sky-high pride.

A thoroughly exhausting individual.

"Baron Ravenclaw may face some difficulties. We'll see how things unfold."

Don't think you can manipulate the Renuel family. We won't help so easily.

Tricia declared this with a confident smile.

"Of course we'll help. Ravenclaw Academy shows promising viability and provides good justification for collaboration."

"..."

"Frankly, I had doubts, but you've brought a proper proposal. Tricia. Traveling all the way to Duplein Territory by carriage yielded excellent results. I must commend you."

"........"

There was something aristocratic flowers like Tricia didn't understand.

Battlefield-hardened rulers salivate over talent, scrambling desperately to acquire promising individuals.

This obsession resembled high nobles scrambling to recruit skilled magic instructors.

Rodea agreed far more readily than expected.

Competent subordinates were as rare as needles in deserts—if recruiting Derek was possible, any necessary support would be provided.

"Inform the head butler to negotiate support details. With rewards from Rodentz Island's subjugation and battlefield spoils, our finances are ample. Generous assistance won't strain the family coffers. It'll all return."

"B-but is that appropriate? Baron Ravenclaw's influence remains limited..."

"Tricia. You'll lead a faction someday, so heed my words."

Rodea, having removed her sweat-drenched helmet after training, smirked.

"Talent must be acquired at its cheapest."

"Th-that's..."

"That young baron is currently at his most affordable. A ruler lacking such discernment is unfit. Cultivate your eye for talent."

Having spoken decisively, Rodea readily endorsed Derek's alliance plan.

"..."

Tricia stared blankly as Rodea returned to training.

The same Countess Rodea who meticulously counted every silver coin when treating her uncle's illness or calculating retainers'salaries had agreed so readily—leaving Tricia utterly dumbfounded.

Thus, Duplein, Belmierd, Beltus... and now the Renuel family sided with Derek.

Considering the Velderun Mercenary Group in Evelstain and the northern Rocheste family... his support network was no longer negligible.

Once Ravenclaw Academy opened and began influencing high society... few in the southwestern nobility would dare slight him.

Soon, he might stand shoulder-to-shoulder with central nobility and imperial retainers.

"..."

Tricia swallowed dryly, arms crossed.

With circumstances like these, Derek had no equals among major southwestern powers.

Given time... he might genuinely surpass Tricia in status.

Just imagining it made cold sweat trickle down her back.

Subsequent events progressed smoothly.

All decisions regarding Duplein Territory rested with family head Raeg. Having persuaded him, land allocation and construction commenced immediately.

The scale was staggering—equivalent to building a small village.

Funding poured in from various sources, and enrollment inquiries flooded in from prestigious families before construction even finished.

Derek's four main disciples bore the brunt.

Evelstain's noble ladies could only obtain academy information through them.

Not all four were approachable.

Diela was too fierce for conversation, and Sirine too elusive to meet.

Thus, only Lady Elente and Lady Denise—Rosea Salon members—could provide information.

Naturally, they spoke favorably of Ravenclaw affairs, ensuring smooth academy preparations.

Everything progressed flawlessly.

Yet problems weren't entirely absent.

"Establishing an academic facility of this scale surpasses mere training institutes—it's akin to creating a new territory. The imperial court won't remain idle."

Head Butler Delbritton wore a concerned expression as he addressed Derek.

"..."

Sirine, idly manipulating magical energy, studied Derek's pensive expression as he listened.

"If imperial attention turns this way, prepare for trouble, Derek."

"Have you any experience with the imperial court?"

"No. But I've seen Father struggle with it. He particularly disliked imperial magic advisors... though I never learned why."

Twirling her snow-white hair, she remained barefoot as usual.

Though noble etiquette had been taught at the institute, shoes still felt uncomfortable.

Derek continued brushing before responding indifferently:

"I met an imperial magic advisor named Roen once—quite a fussy fellow."

"Mhm. Even Father treated him carefully as Emperor Gertrel's direct subordinate. Though they maintained proper decorum."

If even Melberot—a 6-star combat mage and northern dominator—treated them cautiously... their influence was evident.

And their leader was a name any magic practitioner would recognize:

"Kochella Dainalt Elvester."

A 6-star transformation mage, imperial head magic advisor, and matriarch of House Elvester.

Having studied under Katia Flameheart of House Elvester, Derek knew the name well. Kochella was its true powerhouse.

An old fox consumed by magical ambition. The shadow power behind Emperor Gertrel at Gremfort Palace.

No amount of honorifics could fully capture her authority—she stood among magic's absolute pinnacle.

Sirine, kicking her legs on Derek's lap, frowned.

"As a child, I saw that hag visit Rocheste Territory."

From her seat in the central palace, she sought audiences with all continental 6-star mages.

Kochella maintained regular contact with Melberot, Drest, and Kalimford—every 6-star mage before them had interacted with her.

Only Phee, pinnacle of necromancy, remained beyond her reach.

"A repulsive old woman..."

Aged yet still pursuing the 7-star realm alongside Melberot.

All high-level mages shared this pure aspiration.

Yet Kochella's differed strangely—bordering on mania.

Beyond mere ambition, hers was a willingness to sacrifice all ethics for advancement.

Despite aging and dwindling lifespan, her thirst for knowledge never waned.

The pure desire in her clouded eyes unnerved observers.

Sirine recalled the ominous crone trudging through blizzards to Rocheste Manor.

An utterly unlikable figure.

"An institution of this scale... will likely require imperial magic advisors'approval."

Delbritton spoke worriedly.

"You may need to meet the head magic advisor soon... With rumors spreading, she might visit personally."

Meeting Kochella.

Derek pondered deeply. No good could come from entangling with that sinister crone.

"Ouch!"

"Ah, my apologies."

Distracted, Derek tugged Sirine's hair with the brush.

Eyes watering, Sirine glared before sighing deeply.

In the past, she'd have retaliated magically—but against Derek, she restrained herself.

Rocheste servants would gape at this socialization progress.

Though only with Derek or Aiselin.

"The manor servants could brush hair better than I."

"...I prefer you."

Sirine hugged his knees again.

Understanding her reluctance—the Archfiend-blooded girl feared harming fragile humans—Derek nodded quietly and resumed brushing.

Sirine trembled contentedly, like a wild animal during molting season.