Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 146

Kochera Dainalt Elvester.

The old fox of Gremfort Palace sent a letter announcing her visit to Ravenclaw Territory about four days later.

That the Imperial Head Magic Advisor—the most prominent figure in the magical world—would personally visit this remote territory was unprecedented.

Even the servants of Ravenclaw Barony, who had grown accustomed to hosting distinguished guests, couldn't help but tense up again.

Just when they thought they'd adapted, a new trial arrived, leaving the maids and squires half-dazed.

"If Lady Kochella is visiting personally, we must adhere to imperial protocols. There's so much to prepare..."

As the head maid and butler exchanged grim looks, Derek—who had been quietly polishing his sword—tossed out a casual remark.

"We won't have much time."

Head Butler Delbritton and senior maid Lana, whom he'd brought along, broke into cold sweats as they turned to Derek.

"H-how much time do we have? Even with our experience hosting nobility, we'd need at least three or four days of frantic preparation..."

"She's coming tomorrow."

Derek glanced at the unfolded letter as he spoke.

At those words, the two retainers in charge of Ravenclaw Barony paled further.

Kochella was surprisingly light on her feet for someone of her status.

If there was something to investigate, she'd appear anywhere. Though protocol demanded she travel with at least a dozen attendants, she often vanished alone.

The escort was purely ceremonial—a 6-star mage like her had no need for bodyguards.

So her sudden appearance shouldn't have been surprising.

The next evening, at dusk.

Imperial Head Magic Advisor Kochella materialized without warning at Ravenclaw Barony's main gate.

The maids—who had prepared a separate carriage house and resting quarters for her entourage—could only stare in disbelief at her solitary figure.

She trudged forward, leaning heavily on a staff taller than herself.

No carriage. No attendants.

Dressed in a lavender robe adorned with small ornaments, a crisp cotton blouse, and linen skirt—with only a large amber necklace as accessory—she looked like she'd come for a casual stroll.

Gremfort Palace, where the Imperial Magic Advisor's laboratory was located, required a lengthy carriage ride from Ravenclaw Barony.

Yet her leisurely gait suggested she hadn't traveled far.

"Hmm, a fine estate."

Her voice crackled like dry twigs as she offered this lone observation.

"You've had a long journey. Welcome."

"Long journey? This old mage just went for a walk."

Derek studied Kochella quietly.

Her aged appearance carried an odd dignity.

Where Drest gave an impression of frailty and poverty, Kochella seemed to have aged with aristocratic grace.

Position shapes the person, they say.

Having lived decades as the Imperial Head Magic Advisor and matriarch of House Elvester, dignity naturally clung to her.

Kochella sat at the reception table, pressing firmly on her lower back.

"When you overwork an old body, things start creaking. My back's been killing me lately."

"You should take better care of your health. Aren't you House Elvester's most senior member?"

"Yes, yes. I heard you're the apprentice of that Katia who's teaching my dear granddaughter?"

Lady Freya of House Elvester.

Her instructor was Derek's longtime mentor, Katia Flameheart.

Though Derek had now surpassed Katia's level, he always maintained proper disciple decorum toward those who'd once taught him.

"A 4-star mage at your age... nearly matches Lord Melberot of the north. That's why I wanted to see you."

Kochella chuckled before continuing.

"Ah, but you're properly Baron Ravenclaw now, aren't you? I should address you accordingly. Forgive this old woman's habit of looking down on youngsters."

"Not at all."

Though belatedly, Kochella adjusted her speech to match Derek's noble rank—a courtesy that oddly discomforted him. For some reason, this sly old mage was hard to relax around.

When Derek insisted she needn't stand on ceremony, Kochella simply smiled and maintained noble etiquette.

As a countess, she could have addressed him casually, but her deliberate shift in manner seemed calculated.

"I've brought the medal of honor personally bestowed by Emperor Gertrel. Reaching 4-star and quasi-family-head status is an achievement His Majesty values highly. You should consider it a great honor. If you visit the capital, be sure to pay respects at court."

"Thank you."

Derek accepted various documents from Kochella and set them aside. Most were likely ceremonial appointments he could anticipate without reading.

"I didn't expect the Head Magic Advisor to visit personally. Aren't you busy with imperial affairs?"

"Naturally. But Baron Ravenclaw has been making waves lately. The gossip reached even the capital."

"I was actually planning to seek the Imperial Magic Advisor's approval for establishing an academy in Duplein Territory."

"That should have been done before starting construction, by protocol."

Kochella chuckled quietly. Her relaxed demeanor suggested she wasn't particularly displeased.

She was testing Derek.

"My apologies. As you know, I'm still unfamiliar with noble procedures."

"No need for apologies. The imperial court welcomes educational institutions with noble purposes. We just need to confirm those purposes are indeed noble."

Kochella's smile deepened.

Her diplomatic words carried an implicit question: Why was he doing this?

"That's my role. Hence this visit to your remote barony."

Seeing no alternative, Derek decided to answer directly—she'd likely already guessed most of it.

"The purpose isn't particularly noble. While teaching magic is interesting and beneficial to my growth, there are other motives."

"...I'd appreciate some enlightenment."

"Money, first."

At Derek's bluntness, Kochella's lips curled with interest.

There's a joke that selling even a single string to nobles can make you a millionaire. An academy exclusively for nobles would make merchants drool with envy.

"'First'implies other reasons."

"To rebuild House Duplein."

"Oh?"

Establishing such facilities in their territory would help Duplein regain prominence.

Currently, Derek's closest allies—practically extensions of House Ravenclaw—were the Dupleins.

By securing Aiselin and elevating their status... expanding Ravenclaw Academy was the most efficient method.

"Baron Ravenclaw seems quite attached to House Duplein. Going to such lengths to revive a declining family..."

Other reasons—like restoring peace to Ravenclaw Barony or creating a self-sustaining academy system—existed but needed no mention.

This was likely Kochella's main interest.

"To this old woman, these actions resemble consolidating allies to dominate the southwestern continent."

"..."

Kochella's eyes narrowed.

Her aristocratic instincts detected an emerging power. Having lived as high nobility, Kochella Dainalt Elvester recognized such patterns instantly.

As Derek hesitated, Kochella suddenly laughed.

"No need for tension. Not all nobles are like Duke Beltus."

"..."

"A magic prodigy expanding his influence benefits the empire. No reason for the imperial court to oppose it."

Kochella lived for magical pursuit.

Though her academic zeal sometimes crossed lines, she fundamentally favored high-level mages.

Derek's growth suggested he'd reach at least 5-star—possibly higher.

Thus, Kochella showed no hostility.

Yet Derek remained wary.

'No sane person reaches 6-star.'

A phrase he'd heard endlessly.

This dignified matriarch undoubtedly harbored madness beneath her surface. Melberot had warned about her most.

Hidden madness was most dangerous. Concealment implied eventual revelation.

"If Baron Ravenclaw seeks greater noble standing, this old woman might offer advice."

Unlike Melberot, who disdained politics, or Drest and Phee who ignored it—Kochella was the most worldly among 6-star mages. Her counsel would be valuable.

"You seem unaware how to wield your authority. Supporting allies through an academy is good, but there are complementary methods."

"...What exactly do you mean?"

"I hear you're quite famous among Evelstain's nobility. Many noble daughters line up to become your disciples. You should leverage that."

Kochella's political acumen was razor-sharp. Her smile exuded confidence.

"Disciples may seem equal, but hierarchy exists. Even my many students follow clear rankings."

Kochella had far more disciples than Derek.

Numbers meant influence. But managing them required structure.

"If you take more disciples, establish order among them. Otherwise, chaos ensues. The hierarchy criteria are usually similar."

"..."

As Derek pondered, Kochella provided the answer.

"Who received instruction first? That's the clearest standard."

Central nobility truly differed.

Kochella saw Derek's disciple network as a political web.

Beyond noble ranks, a new power structure could form around Derek's mentorship hierarchy.

Naturally, noble titles couldn't be ignored.

But those seeking Derek's guidance couldn't completely disregard his established order.

The result?

Considering who received his instruction first, the answer was obvious.

When Derek looked up after organizing his thoughts, Kochella grinned.

Though he considered asking her motives, she offered no explanation.

"Noble circles are already reacting. They're sensitive to such things. Today's Rosea Salon gathering will be quite lively."

Smiling from within her robe's shadow, Kochella seemed to foresee Evelstain's shifting political landscape.

Further conversation would reveal more, but one thing was clear—this old woman's mind teemed with schemes.

- Murmur murmur

Rosea Salon's gathering.

Though a regular event, recent upheavals in Evelstain's political scene created palpable tension.

Amidst various noble rumors, the spotlight shone brightest on the rising Ravenclaw faction and his disciples.

Baron Ravenclaw—Evelstain's most renowned magic instructor—had four direct disciples.

His teaching elevated their magical prowess beyond their peers at Elfontaine Hall.

Diela, Elente, Denise, Sirine.

And the potential fifth disciple.

Rumors swirled that Baron Ravenclaw might accept a fifth, but they remained unconfirmed.

- Creak

Amidst this buzz, a girl entered the lavishly set hall.

-'It's Lady Diela.'

-'Should we approach? She's terrifying...'

-'But when else would we get the chance...?'

Her petite frame resembled a doll more than a person, her golden hair cascading like silk.

Untouched, she was a beautiful bisque doll. But everyone knew a beast lurked within.

As noble daughters stole glances, Diela walked with her usual hauteur.

Her demeanor hadn't changed. Left alone, she was an adorable young lady. Provoked, she'd bite indiscriminately.

Yet none dared offend her openly.

'Lately everyone's stares feel disgusting. Tch.'

Diela strode forward irritably.

Considerable time had passed since her family's crisis. Their influence paled compared to their peak.

Yet... Diela was gradually becoming Rosea Salon's de facto leader. The shift was too subtle for even her to notice.

Why?

The answer lay in Derek's disciples'social prominence.

Diela Catherine Duplein.

She was Derek's first disciple.

If ranked by seniority... she effectively held the highest position among his students.

Alongside Aiselin—Ravenclaw Barony's most capable administrator—Diela stood as one of Derek's right-hand figures.

The Duplein sisters had become Derek's left and right arms in Evelstain's noble circles.

"Out of my way."

At Diela's irritable command, a noble daughter near her seat startled and scrambled aside.

Diela slumped into her chair, propping her chin with a bored expression. Others watched her nervously—like subjects gauging their monarch's mood.

With her small head, she might as well have worn an oversized crown.

Even during her family's decline, her domineering presence had intimidated all around her.

Now, with proper authority backing her?

The answer was obvious.

A tyrant would reign.

Only two people in Evelstain could control this tyrant.

House Duplein's resurgence had effectively begun.