Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 191

-Kwaak! Kagaak! Kagagagak!

Billowing flames took spherical form, floating midair. Not just one or two—dozens of these massive fireballs hovered simultaneously.

Average mages would collapse from exhaustion conjuring even one fireball, yet Derek controlled dozens at once.

Each followed different trajectories with varying intensities, requiring erratic countermeasures—all while Derek himself charged forward sword in hand... Enough to overwhelm even seasoned duelists.

-Kwajajak! Kwagak!

Meanwhile, every sword swing sent glacial spears erupting from the ground to impale his opponent.

Each razor-sharp enough to pierce clean through flesh if landed.

Fire and ice—opposing elements working in concert to pressure his foe, their collision filling the battlefield with steam.

Amid hissing vapor, Derek's relentless strikes promised instant death if even one connected.

-Whoosh! Wham! Kwaak!

Yet his opponent stood at magic's pinnacle—a 6-Star Confusion Mage.

A master capable of deceiving reality itself and violating memories.

However monstrous Derek's magical talent, the gap in their ranks remained overwhelming.

Yet the girl wearing Aiselin's form staggered as she barely parried Derek's attacks.

Blood streamed from every facial orifice—eyes, nose, ears—as the 5-Star cursed artifact"Book of Resentment"etched its lethal engravings across her flesh, evaporating her magic and severing life itself.

Even elite warriors would succumb instantly to such absurdly potent curses, yet she gritted through it to counter Derek's assault.

"Keh... Huhk... Huhk..."

The girl leaped back to widen the gap.

Wrapping herself in crimson magic once more, she attempted high-tier confusion spells—and failed.

"Keheuk...! Huhk..! Huk!"

More blood spilled as consciousness wavered.

She stabbed a magic-conjured dagger into her own shoulder—the pain shocking her back to alertness.

'Magic's evaporating at terrifying speed... At this rate... I'll collapse...'

Retreating into shadowed woods, she scattered illusions.

But Derek was a veteran mercenary who'd hunted magical beasts in such forests his entire life. Unfazed by amateurish decoys, he closed the distance relentlessly.

'Not all bad... Kohlera's barrier spell has collapsed...! Given its scale, she can't recast it anytime soon...!'

Trembling legs carried her through the forest as she clenched her teeth.

Though reading Ryner's memories while enduring the cursed tome's effects had been excruciating, she'd gleaned his entire insane gambler's plan.

She'd confirmed Kohlera's barrier's complete collapse and learned Kohlera was approaching.

'The 5-Star tome's curse is fearsome indeed... But not instantly lethal to someone of my caliber... If I regulate magic to sustain myself and gradually erase the engravings over three or four days... Recovery's possible...! Might take years for full restoration...! Just need to escape first...!'

Most high-ranking mages would perish from such a curse.

But as a 6-Star mage, she could barely manage. Given time.

Meaning if she could shake that veteran mercenary—that lunatic who remained composed while people died and memories were violated—she could flee.

Though the Book of Resentment had evaporated nearly all her magic, her reserves were vast enough to not deplete instantly.

Before exhaustion took her, she'd crush this pursuing 4-Star mage and escape the academy grounds.

Or so she thought...

-Pavabak! Kwaaaak!

She tripped over roots, tumbling across dirt.

Attempting to rise from the blood-slicked ground, her trembling arms refused to cooperate.

"Huhk... Huhk... My magic..."

However terrifying the 5-Star tome's curse, it couldn't instantly drain a 6-Star mage's entire reserves.

Yet almost nothing remained.

The reason was obvious.

She recalled Princess Roselyn's figure—perched on the main hall balcony, coldly observing the world below.

Trapped yet unbroken, the princess's relentless struggles had gradually eroded her magic.

Meaningless as they seemed, those unceasing attempts to alert others... had drained even her residual reserves.

-Kwaang!

With difficulty, she conjured a 1-Star"Mana Arrow"at the pursuing Derek.

He swatted them aside effortlessly while pushing through foliage.

To subdue peak 4-Star Derek required high-tier magic.

Normally effortless spells now proved meaningless as her magic evaporated by the second.

Moonlight filtered through dense leaves as the hunter advanced toward magic's pinnacle predator.

Beyond the trees, Derek adjusted his sword grip, shook his cloak, and dragged his leather boots forward—crimson eyes glinting.

The deduction was simple:

If caught, she'd die.

That stark realization flooded her limbs with adrenaline.

Stumbling up, she dragged her bloodied dress through the forest.

Though wearing Aiselin's form, her disheveled hair and countless wounds made the resemblance superficial.

-Thud!

Collapsing again at the forest's heart, she gasped for air.

Blood pooled around her as Derek closed in. Resigned, she leaned against a tree trunk, breathing raggedly.

"Keh... Huhk... So... Kohlera's Book of Resentment... Truly... potent..."

"..."

"Ha... Haha... Never imagined... When everyone's memories here were mine to control..."

Blood seeped steadily from her shoulder wound.

Clutching it changed nothing.

"Now... I see the full picture... Kehk.. Huhk..."

Derek had lured the 6-Star Confusion Mage using the Book as bait.

She'd had no choice—if Derek truly unleashed the Book's power, her plans would unravel.

While distracted by Derek, Ryner had seized that sliver of time to approach Kohlera and weaken the barrier.

Throughout this, Derek, Roselyn, Kohlera and Ryner had never verbally shared plans—any utterance would reach the confusion mage's ears.

Each simply acted independently.

Moonlit Ravenclaw Academy grounds.

Academic Garden.

Kohlera marched briskly toward the forest with mages in tow.

Main Hall.

Roselyn wearily rose, gazing at the magical circle in the sky.

Imperial Bedchamber.

Ryner sat bleeding on an ornate chair, chuckling through clenched teeth.

Forest by Training Grounds.

Derek pushed through foliage, cold eyes fixed on the girl.

Each playing their optimal move.

Their combined efforts had dragged the transcendent 6-Star Confusion Mage from the clouds down to earth.

The result lay bleeding before him.

"Let's... negotiate..."

The Aiselin-shaped girl spat blood as she spoke.

"I read... part of your memories... You seek higher magical realms."

"..."

"Kehk.. Huhk... The barrier's down... Escape is possible... Help me flee... and I'll teach you confusion magic..."

The tables had turned completely.

Now Derek stood over her, backlit by moonlight.

After shaking blood from his blade, he considered the dying girl's offer.

"Once free from Kohlera... I'll teach you... Your confusion magic aptitude is exceptional... You'll surpass Drest... Melberot, Kalimford... Take my hand..."

Derek's gaze remained icy.

His past mentors had been extraordinary.

This girl was no less capable.

She knew Derek wouldn't refuse—he was as magic-obsessed as Kohlera.

"A tempting offer indeed. Learning directly from a 6-Star Confusion Mage is rare."

"...Huhk... Kehk... Cough..."

"An opportunity worth seizing."

The bleeding girl managed a weak smile.

As expected—this man would do anything for magical advancement.

"Normally, that is."

"...What?"

"Tempting as it is, how could I trust you? You're the master of confusion magic."

Even the best opportunity meant nothing if unattainable.

Now weakened and bleeding, she might recover later—then what guarantee existed she'd honor their deal?

A being who could rewrite memories and perceptions—why would she keep promises?

Her transcendent power paradoxically made her untrustworthy.

Thus Derek raised his sword.

Negotiations had failed.

"You... had a necromancer mentor..."

"..."

"Hand me... to Kohlera... and I'll reveal it... The 6-Star necromancer's existence... will become known..."

"Do as you will."

When persuasion failed, threats.

Even facing death, Derek remained unmoved.

"Even if Kohlera hears it, would she care?"

"..."

Kohlera was a magic-obsessed lunatic.

She recruited all 6-Star mages and researched forbidden magic without ethical constraints.

The woman who'd coldly sacrificed decades-long subordinates to catch this confusion mage would only smile in delight at Phee's revelation.

"Frankly, would she even believe you?"

A desperate regicide's last-ditch accusation held no weight.

Regardless of others, Princess Roselyn—immune to confusion magic and grieving her father—would never forgive her.

"Kehk... Huhk... Huhk..."

No persuasion. No coercion.

Checkmate.

Moonlit night.

Aiselin sat in Count Renuel's garden, gazing skyward.

Though physically distant from Ducal Duplein lands, her heart remained there.

'The inspection should be ending soon. Lord Derek surely handled it well, but still... I worry.'

Alone in tranquil peace, she offered silent prayers to the moon.

'May Ravenclaw Academy open without incident.'

Trapped outside Kohlera's barrier for three days, she knew nothing of events within.

She could only pray their efforts would bear fruit as starlight filled her eyes.

No night lasts forever. All things must end.

Forest within Ravenclaw Academy.

When Kohlera arrived, Derek stood over a blood-soaked girl, cleaning his blade.

Meeting Kohlera's gaze with crimson eyes, Derek nodded—confirming the scene.

Moonlight revealed the captured girl to imperial guards as witnesses.

He'd risked using the Book of Resentment to save nobles.

Facing mortal danger, he'd captured the 6-Star regicide personally.

Incidentally avenging Princess Roselyn.

The likely next empress who distrusted current aristocratic officials.

'...'

Kohlera understood.

The pieces aligned perfectly.

'We'll meet again at Gremfort Palace soon.'

As these events spread, political turmoil would erupt.

With the emperor gone, if someone emerged to join central aristocracy... The choice was obvious.

Sheathing his sword, Derek nodded again—inviting inspection.

A feat worthy at minimum of a baronetcy... perhaps even a county.