Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 18

- Whoosh!

Bluish magical energy gathered at her fingertips before completely dissipating.

Aiselin, standing at the edge of the antique dueling ground, lifted the hem of her dress slightly and bowed gracefully to her opponent.

"Well fought."

The marble sculptures crafted by ancient masters, the polished wooden floor, and the oak pillars placed throughout the hall—

The glossy spectator seats were lined with purple velvet cushions. Each one was of the highest quality, with ample space between them for servants to escort guests.

At the opposite end of this luxurious dueling ground stood a noble lady from House Glaven, thoroughly intimidated. The youngest daughter of Baron Glaven had been given the rare opportunity to spar with Lady Aiselin, one of the brightest stars in Evelstain's high society, yet the match had ended in less than a minute.

She had tried to calm her pounding heart since last night to make the most of this golden opportunity, but she had been so captivated by Lady Aiselin's dignified use of magic that the match ended before she knew it. The young noblewoman was deeply disappointed at having wasted such a precious chance.

"I hope to learn from you again someday."

Lady Aiselin descended from the platform under the admiring gazes of numerous nobles.

If asked to name the largest city in the western empire, anyone would point to Evelstain.

True to its nickname as"the city of a thousand faces,"it displayed countless expressions across its slums, commercial districts, and residential areas.

Among Evelstain's many districts, the most outstanding was undoubtedly the affluent quarter—commonly called the Noble District by commoners.

Located beyond the northern walls of Evelstain, the Noble District was where aristocrats from across the western empire gathered. The moment one stepped inside, the scenery transformed entirely.

The humble wooden houses vanished, replaced by rows of opulent mansions. Each mansion was surrounded by gardens adorned with meticulously tended trees, fountains, and classical statues.

Compared to the slums where Derek had once lived, Evelstain's noble streets were nothing short of paradise on earth.

Instead of the stench of food waste littering the streets, the air was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers. Well-paved roads curved gracefully, replacing the muddy paths elsewhere.

The shops lining the spaces between mansions exclusively carried the finest goods, and the carriages passing by were all lavishly decorated for distinguished guests.

Strolling beneath the flowering cherry trees and gazing up at the open blue sky, one could occasionally spot petals fluttering freely through the beautiful gardens.

The nobles traversing the streets were equally dazzling.

Male nobles wore jackets of high-quality brocade and vests with intricate patterns. Female nobles were always dressed in silk gowns adorned with jewels.

Not a single person appeared unrefined. The atmosphere was reminiscent of a royal court.

Basking in the warm sunlight flooding the plaza, one couldn't help but feel transported to another world. The contrast with the dark, gloomy slums was beyond description.

"Lady Aiselin, you seem to be in exceptionally good spirits lately. At the last gathering, you seemed so burdened with worries that I feared it might mar your jade-like complexion."

"Was it that obvious? I didn't mean to cause concern... But most of my worries have been resolved, so I feel much lighter now."

At the center of the Noble District's main street—

A group of noble ladies had gathered at a teahouse decorated with pretty flowers.

Having finished their morning magic sparring practice, they had come together for conversation among acquaintances.

Passersby couldn't help but glance their way.

The members of this gathering were among the most admired figures in Evelstain's nobility.

Lady Denise of the Beltus Ducal Family.

Lady Aiselin of the Duplein Ducal Family.

Lady Elente of the Belmiere Count Family.

These were the young ladies from three of the most influential noble houses in the western empire—unanimously recognized as such. They had gathered not for any grand purpose but simply as part of their regular social interactions.

─Rosea Salon.

A social circle formed around nobles backed by these three houses. They exchanged discussions on magic, occasionally engaged in artistic activities together, or participated in light physical exercises.

The Rosea Salon was the most prestigious among the magic salons centered around high society.

Many members of Evelstain's noble families strove to gain entry into this circle, as it was a gathering place for those directly connected to power—the roses of high society.

Though it presented itself as a magic salon, magic was only one aspect of its activities. They exchanged ideas on art, culture, and current affairs, leading to all sorts of discussions—including the various rumors circulating among noble houses.

"When I heard rumors that Lady Aiselin was venturing outside the Noble District to help people, I was so worried. Especially near the slums or Tavern Street—those are dangerous places, so you must always be careful."

"...Thank you for your concern. Actually, I needed to find someone to teach magic to my younger sister, Diela."

"Lady Diela... from the Duplein family...?"

Lady Denise, who had been lifting her teacup under the warm sunlight, cautiously inquired.

Even the seemingly perfect Lady Aiselin had one flaw—her younger sister.

Noble families typically tried to suppress rumors of their young ladies being troublemakers, but there were limits.

Among the servants who had worked in the Duplein household or the magic tutors who had attempted to teach her, Diela's notorious reputation was already widespread.

They had hesitated to bring up such rumors in front of Lady Aiselin, so it was surprising that she mentioned it first.

"I visited the mansion recently and saw Diela—she's become such a proper lady, it's hard to believe. She's even manifested 1st Grade Magic... Her demeanor is so refined that it makes me want to strive harder myself."

"...Lady Diela has?"

"Yes. Even as her older sister, I can see she's like a completely different person... It reminds me of her innocent, carefree self as a child. I can't help but feel happy. These days, I find myself humming or smiling for no reason. I'm always careful not to appear too frivolous."

Lady Aiselin's joyful expression carried a smile as radiant as blooming flowers.

Lady Elente, who had been quietly sipping tea while browsing through various bulletins, glanced sideways.

With her cold demeanor and flowing crimson hair, Lady Elente tilted her head slightly before speaking in a subdued voice.

"Did you find a good magic tutor?"

"Yes. His social status and rank aren't particularly outstanding for a magic tutor... but he seems exceptionally skilled at teaching. I never imagined Diela could improve so much in such a short time."

"I see. They say finding a magic tutor these days is harder than plucking stars from the sky. You've made quite the contribution, Lady Aiselin."

"What have I done? It's all Derek's work. Ah, Derek is the tutor's name. He used to be a mercenary from the Velderun Mercenary Group, but his magical abilities are so exceptional—his way of utilizing mana is quite unique—"

A mercenary.

Amid Lady Aiselin's excited explanation about Derek, that word slipped in.

Both Lady Elente and Lady Denise couldn't help but flinch at that. A mere lowborn mercenary teaching a young lady of the Duplein family—who feared nothing under the heavens?

Lady Aiselin was known for her open-mindedness and lack of prejudice, but the two ladies of the Rosea Salon weren't quite the same. They could only offer awkward smiles.

However, Lady Elente's reaction was subtly different.

'Diela Catherine Duplein... wasn't she that infamous troublemaker the head chef mentioned?'

The head chef of Count Belmiard's estate, where Lady Elente resided, was originally from the Duplein household. He had been beaten and expelled for serving soup that was too hot to Diela.

The portly chef harbored deep resentment toward Diela. After being cast out, he had wandered aimlessly until the Belmiere Count Family took him in. Now, he served them with unwavering loyalty.

'From what I've heard, it's as if that demon never existed... And not only was she rehabilitated, but she's also been turned into a 1st Grade Mage...?'

Someone who couldn't even handle basic magic had become a 1st Grade Mage in such a short time.

It was hard to believe, but the source of this information was Lady Aiselin herself.

Lady Elente knew well that Lady Aiselin wasn't one to exaggerate.

Her gaze sharpened.

Lady Elente never missed discussions about promising talent.

Miriela was experiencing both joy and frustration simultaneously.

It had been a long time since she'd felt such mixed emotions, leaving her at a loss for words even as she sat across from her beloved daughter, Diela.

"This tea is from the Delleville Teahouse in Evelstain. Aiselin unnie specially saved it for me—even after all this time, the aroma is still intact."

The noblewoman's reception room.

After completing today's etiquette lessons, Diela had hurried over and now sat primly at the tea table. In a refined tone, she began speaking.

What more needed to be said? This was the dignified, ladylike Diela that Lady Miriela had longed to see.

With Aiselin as a shining example nearby and countless etiquette books as references, Diela had all the resources she needed.

She had even received some etiquette lessons before her rebellious phase, and her mentor, Derek, wasn't entirely ignorant of noble customs. Combining these factors, she could now behave like a proper noble lady based on her existing knowledge alone.

She had chosen not to before—not that she couldn't.

Miriela had known this, but... she never imagined someone could be so thoroughly reformed.

"D-Diela. You've been studying etiquette on your own, I see."

"Yes. Some of it was self-study. Derek taught me a little too. I couldn't stay childish forever."

"...I see. Studying on your own—how admirable."

"Mhm. I studied some myself, and Derek taught me the rest."

"Was it difficult studying alone?"

"I hit quite a few roadblocks, but Derek knew more than I expected."

Derek, Derek, Derek.

The way she subtly emphasized Derek's contributions was telling. Miriela suppressed the urge to clutch her head in frustration.

Derek had taught Diela what it meant to carry herself as a noble lady. Regardless of the truth, that was how Diela framed it.

Derek wasn't an etiquette instructor. His knowledge in that area was undoubtedly shallow.

Admittedly, Diela's etiquette was still rudimentary... but this was Diela. The same Diela who had been going through a rebellious phase was now cultivating dignity.

Miriela remembered how all the servants they passed on the way to the reception room had stared in disbelief. They blinked rapidly or pinched their own cheeks at the sight of Diela behaving with grace.

It wasn't hard to imagine what rumors would soon spread through the mansion.

'The new tutor, Derek, has transformed Diela into a dignified young lady.'

'As expected of Derek.'

'No one thought that troublemaker could be reformed—what an incredible mentor.'

Such evaluations were bound to surface. This meant Miriela's justification for opposing Derek's employment—that it would tarnish noble dignity—had evaporated.

If Diela herself was now demonstrating proper noble etiquette, Miriela's authority would crumble.

No matter how she looked at it, she was cornered.

Miriela felt her mind growing faint.

[Acquired Magic List]

✦ Combat Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Mana Arrow

★☆☆☆☆☆ Shockwave

★☆☆☆☆☆ Power Manifestation

★★☆☆☆☆ Fireball

✦ Transformation Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Light Creation

★★☆☆☆☆ Earth Wall

✦ Confusion Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Sound Barrier

★★☆☆☆☆ Auditory Hallucination

★★☆☆☆☆ Disorientation

✦ Summoning Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Summon - Guide Fairy

✦ Detection Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Direction Sense

★★☆☆☆☆ Clairvoyance

★★☆☆☆☆ Life Detection

Derek was diligently studying the 3-Star Magic Tome he had obtained with special permission in his private quarters.

However, even for Derek—exceptionally gifted in magic among commoners—mastering 3-Star Magic at his age was no easy feat.

Among commoners, those who reached 3-Star were either elderly gentlemen who had dedicated their lives to magic or aged sorcerers. For someone as young as Derek, this level was still somewhat beyond his reach.

'Hmm... The Discipline School's knowledge is still a bit rigid. Learning through practical application suits me best... but it's tough in this environment.'

Most of the magic he had learned so far had been honed through real combat as a mercenary.

That was typical for mages of the Wild School.

Despite feeling stuck, Derek also sensed a peculiar thrill.

For some reason, he felt that with enough effort, he could reach 3-Star. It was an inexplicable intuition—something only he could perceive.

As his mentor Katia had once said, a mage's ambition was inseparable from their craft.

He was beginning to understand that sentiment firsthand.

- Knock, knock.

Just then, someone rapped on Derek's door. Before he could respond, it swung open, and a burly man strode in.

Raeg, the second son of the Duplein Ducal Family.

He walked in with his muscular arms swinging, then stood firmly and stared at Derek.

"What brings you here?"

"...I came to talk about Diela."

"...?"

Derek closed the book and set it on the table.

Noticing that it was a 3-Star Magic Tome, Raeg flinched slightly.

Why was he reading something he couldn't possibly understand? Then Raeg recalled the Grand Duke's words.

Derek's magical prowess was currently on an entirely different level from Raeg's.

Whether Raeg, inheriting the Duplein bloodline, could surpass him in the future remained to be seen, but for now, the gap was too wide to challenge. Only Valerian might be able to hold a conversation with him.

The Grand Duke's words hadn't been empty praise. Moreover, accessing 3-Star Magic Tomes required the Grand Duke's explicit permission.

Raeg furrowed his brow briefly before sitting across from Derek at the table.

His serious demeanor prompted Derek to straighten his posture as well.

"For you to come ask me directly... What is it?"

"...Don't misunderstand. Just hear me out."

"Of course."

"..."

Raeg asked with utmost sincerity.

"What do teenage girls... like these days?"

"..."

"Would she like it if I made an embroidery doll in her likeness?"

"Absolutely not."

Remembering Valerian's horrifyingly distorted creations, Derek hastily dissuaded him.