Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 163

"I've heard much about you from Derek. They say you're already quite famous in the eastern continent. It's truly an honor to meet you in person."

"..."

In the fully restored Duplein family mansion, sitting across a teacup with an elegant smile, Aiselin seemed to conjure blooming flowers around her.

Simply sitting still, she resembled pure white hyacinths—when smiling, a radiant lily; when pouting, daffodils; even when angry, a crimson rose... It was no wonder she was called the queen of southwestern high society, captivating all who met her.

Yet the image of her wielding a pickaxe at the construction site kept overlapping in Katia's mind, making her sweat profusely... while Aiselin nervously fidgeted with her pinky finger.

Some relationships begin with showing one's worst side first.

Derek thought it might be fine, but Aiselin and Katia clearly didn't share his optimism.

"I'm hardly qualified to call myself Derek's teacher now. The time for me to teach him magic has long passed."

"Yet Derek always spoke highly of what he learned from you. He's not one for empty compliments, nor does he praise others so enthusiastically."

"I appreciate your kind words. And this is... Lady Freya, whom I'm currently instructing in magic."

"Who in the eastern social circles wouldn't know Lady Freya of Count? Meeting you is truly an honor!"

The encounter between Aiselin, the most renowned noble lady of the southwestern continent, and Freya, who reigned like a queen in the east, was momentous enough to send shockwaves through Evelstain's high society if word got out.

Given the physical distance and their circumstances, their paths rarely crossed.

Freya observed Aiselin with surprise.

'...After her family's downfall, enduring the harsh social circles, even losing family members... yet not a trace of bitterness remains...'

Aiselin's radiant smile seemed to purify the air around her. One could almost imagine her wagging an invisible tail in enthusiasm.

Having heard of her as the queen of southwestern nobility, Freya expected someone sharp and aloof—how wrong she'd been.

Even Katia, initially startled by their first meeting, began relaxing her shoulders.

Despite the pickaxe-wielding first impression, Aiselin's refined beauty remained undeniable when properly seated at the tea table in her family's mansion.

During her mercenary days in Evelstain, Katia had often heard of the Duplein family's prestige and dignity.

'Hmm...'

Katia closed her eyes momentarily, picturing Aiselin in a pretty dress, laughing cheerfully while holding Derek's arm.

After all Derek's hardships, having someone support him while he pursued his passion for magic seemed ideal... until the image overlapped with Aiselin rolling up her sleeves to mine in a quarry.

The cognitive dissonance made her dizzy.

'I've spent half my life navigating noble circles and met countless noble ladies, but Lady Aiselin defies comprehension.'

Katia was remarkably tolerant.

She could patiently humor even the most arrogant like Tricia with warm smiles.

Yet when it came to Derek's potential partner, her standards became impossibly strict.

At first glance, Aiselin seemed flawless, but Katia worried her meddlesome tendencies might burden Derek.

'Still, she's from the Duplein family... Perhaps I shouldn't overthink it.'

Just as Katia began relaxing—

- Thud! Thud!

"..."

Odd thumping echoed from the hallway.

This was the Duplein mansion—a space meant to maintain timeless elegance—yet the unnatural banging made Aiselin flinch.

She clearly anticipated something.

-"Lady Diela! Please! Forgive me just this once! I'm truly sorry! Let me atone!"

-"Very well. If atonement is what you desire, I'll oblige. Choose. Would you prefer being whipped until you lose feeling in your limbs, or quietly leaving this mansion as penance for your corruption?"

-"I beg you! Just one chance! I'll never tamper with the ledgers again! I'll return every embezzled coin! Just... just give me time...!"

-"Remove your hand from my skirt. You're staining it."

- Whack! Whack!

The sound of something being stomped on filtered through.

Aiselin paled while Katia and Freya's expressions stiffened.

Derek could only remain silent.

Raeg was the Duplein family head, with Aiselin as the operational and moral backbone.

Though Raeg was principled, he often wavered; Aiselin excelled at embracing people but lacked ruthlessness.

Naturally, this wasn't enough.

Leading any group required someone to embody fear—people don't move for carrots alone.

-"Did you mistake our house for easy prey? A senior retainer like you falsifying ledgers, cooking books, embezzling jewelry meant for official events... Even after seeing our family's precarious state? The funds you stole could've raised servants'wages significantly!"

-"L-Lady Diela...!"

-"What? Thought you'd reap rewards after our recovery? You should've asked. I'd have compensated you adequately—for a price. Choose. Your limbs or your position. Relinquish one."

-"I'm sorry... so sorry...!"

-"I said don't grab my hem! I have important engagements!"

- Whack! Whack! Crack! Thud!

- Crash! Bang!

After several more violent sounds, silence gradually returned.

The reception room's soundproofing was decent, but newer renovations weren't perfect.

Unaware or uncaring, Diela shook off the corrupt retainer and straightened her dress.

- Tap, tap.

- Ahem, ahem.

As silence settled, the reception room door creaked open.

Entering with a dazzling smile was none other than Diela Catherine Duplein.

"Oh my. Greetings. I came upon hearing the news. You must be Derek's teacher, Lady Katia. Apologies for the mansion's disarray... Do understand."

Her curtsy, lifting her dress hem gracefully, epitomized noble elegance.

"I'm Derek's senior-most apprentice. Diela, at your service."

Her demeanor made the earlier violence seem hallucinatory.

Lustrous golden curls, delicate doll-like features, frilly dress with a large ribbon—her petite frame was downright adorable, inviting hugs from strangers.

Yet her attendants trembled inexplicably.

Whatever transpired in the hallway was best left unasked.

Though her upturned eyes seemed full of charm, closer inspection revealed an unfathomable chill.

As repeatedly stated, only two people in Evelstain could handle this girl—Derek and Aiselin.

Fortunately, both were present.

"W-was it always this cold...?"

Lady Freya shivered uncontrollably after conversing with the Duplein sisters.

Initially nervous about meeting southwestern nobility's star, Aiselin had instead seared Diela's image into her mind.

Younger, smaller, and Derek's apprentice—technically Freya's senior in their master-disciple hierarchy.

Despite every advantage, Freya had sat rigidly clutching her knees throughout, palms surely drenched in sweat.

Even seated quietly, Diela exuded an aura of a roaring lion behind her.

Though Raeg and Aiselin were gentle souls, this mansion's efficiency now made terrifying sense.

"Master Katia wished to speak further with them. We should take our leave to rest from the journey."

"Y-yes."

Exiting the reception room, Freya looked like a prisoner granted reprieve.

Noticing her distress, Derek awkwardly reassured her:

"They're both good people."

"I... I see..."

Swallowing dryly, Freya walked alongside Derek through the mansion's corridors.

His gait was deliberately slow to match hers—proof of his social acclimation.

Their first meeting occurred during the Duplein mansion tragedy; their second was here now. Ironic.

With Katia absent and no eavesdroppers, Freya spoke seriously to the reliable baron:

"During that mansion incident..."

"..."

"I mentioned suspecting Countess Kohlera's involvement. Offered assistance if needed, remember?"

"You did say that."

"Afterwards, I investigated. Though Countess Kohlera rarely visits, being occupied at Gremfort Palace, she leaves research notes—mostly dated materials."

Kohlera, Head Magic Advisor of Gremfort Palace—6-Star Transformation Mage.

Emperor Gertrel's confidant and among the most renowned mages alive.

Truly the Elvester family's greatest treasure.

Having visited Ravenclaw Barony once, Derek listened intently.

"You investigated... How?"

"Want to hear Lady Freya's grand espionage chronicles? Fair warning—it's lengthy."

"..."

"Could you... perhaps summarize?"

"Called it..."

Pouting, Freya recounted infiltrating Countess Kohlera's study—a daring adventure better enjoyed over tea.

Derek's expression hardened at her findings.

"Countess Kohlera, a 6-Star Transformation Mage, seeks exchanges with high-level mages—especially fellow 6-Stars. Likely pursuing Grand Mage Adelbert's legendary 7-Star realm."

Only 6-Star mages dare dream of the 7-Star realm.

Yet across centuries, none have surpassed that boundary.

Adelbert's 7-Star realm was considered divine—beyond human reach.

Still, ambition persists across eras.

Despite her aged frame, Kohlera never relinquished that ambition.

"She's met every notable mage, devised countless magical tools and weapons to detect powerful practitioners."

Though merely 4-Star, Derek warranted her personal visit—suspecting hidden potential or concealed 6-Star status.

Freya produced a note from her pocket:

"Even Lord Drest, 6-Star Detection Mage, couldn't evade her scrutiny."

"Naturally. 6-Star Transformation Magic bends providence itself—creating detection tools would be trivial. Though even she couldn't capture Master Drest."

Rumors claimed 6-Star Transformation Magic could manifest impossible artifacts.

Kohlera also wielded immense political influence—Gremfort's elite magic advisors all followed her directives.

"After a lifetime of searching... if she couldn't find someone, only two explanations exist."

"..."

"They transcend death... or perception itself."

Freya's note listed two words:

- Necromancy

- Confusion Magic

Transcending death or perception.

To elude Kohlera's gaze while roaming the continent, one must belong to either category.

Derek knew one—a necromancer transcending death through endless reincarnation, woven into noble society.

Even Kohlera couldn't track the dead.

But the other possibility was new.

Confusion Magic—deceiving senses, manipulating perception.

What happens when it reaches the pinnacle—the 6-Star realm?

In Gremfort's magic labs, what had that old mage discerned?

"There exists one who is present yet absent. Beside us always, yet imperceptible. Already among us."

"..."

"Those were Countess Kohlera's final research notes."

Derek stood frozen in the corridor.

Suddenly, he turned sharply—seeing only the empty hallway behind him.

A 6-Star Confusion Mage.

One whose existence might be unverifiable, whose presence might be unremembered even if encountered.

Could such a being truly exist?

Derek narrowed his eyes and nodded.

"I see."

For reasons unknown, Kohlera sought to meet every 6-Star mage.

That much seemed certain, so Derek simply acknowledged it.

The setting sun cast long shadows.

Beyond the window, Ravenclaw Academy's construction site stretched into the distance.

Regardless of mysteries, immediate priorities demanded attention.

As Derek gazed thoughtfully outside—

"...."

At the mansion gates, backlit by vivid sunset, a large carriage underwent entry procedures.

Squinting, Derek focused on a girl desperately explaining herself to the gatekeeper.

"....."

It was Tricia, wearing an expression of utter desperation.

Already, Derek felt a headache coming on.