Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 197

Ravenclaw Academy's dormitory facility, Amaryllis House, was an architectural masterpiece that Aiselin Eleanor Duplein had poured her heart and soul into constructing.

The majestic exterior of gray stone and white marble, the soaring sharp spires, and the countless arched windows too numerous to count created an awe-inspiring sight.

The massive wooden double doors bore carvings of amaryllis flowers, while the intricate vine patterns on the iron supports seemed to guard the noble ladies like greenhouse blossoms.

Any noble lady seeing this dormitory for the first time would inevitably feel her heart swell at the thought of living here during her academic years.

'Just how much money was poured into this...?'

Tricia passed through the common lobby filled with fireplaces and various decorations, scanning the corridor connecting to each individual dormitory wing.

Everywhere she looked, the building's finish was impeccable, the atmosphere refined and tranquil, with a pleasant fragrance in the air. As a facility meant to educate the children of the continent's most influential families, even the smallest details had to be flawless.

The dormitory head was Aiselin Eleanor Duplein.

This workaholic who held twenty-seven different titles within Ravenclaw Academy was casually handling this crucial facility's responsibilities as if it were a side job.

"...."

This week, all faculty members were scheduled to arrive at the academy, and after next week's opening ceremony, students would begin their studies in earnest.

Each one was the child of territorial nobles, central bureaucrats, or other influential figures. Eighty percent were nobles, while the remaining twenty percent came from families of renowned individuals across the continent.

Not just one or two such extraordinary individuals, but nearly a hundred and fifty of them.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that over half of the continent's notable figures would pass through Ravenclaw Academy.

And Tricia had to become the leader of one of the five dormitories that would form this educational institution's core.

Suddenly feeling queasy, Tricia pressed her temples while leaning against a window.

'I, I may be the most elegant lady of the great Renuel family... but I never imagined I'd be entrusted with such responsibility...'

Aiselin Eleanor Duplein, while leading the dormitory's establishment, had presented three shared principles as the most important standards for ladies'education: noble responsibility, individuality and harmony, and dignified growth.

Under these three principles, each lady would join the dormitory matching her personality for social activities.

At this point, it was obvious Ravenclaw Academy would become the center of high society in the continent's southern and western regions. Like Count Elvester's territory in the east, it would effectively serve as a gateway for women entering high society. Moreover, this was an institution officially recognized by the imperial court under Princess Roselyn's leadership.

Once fully established, Derek Raidof Ravenclaw would become the leading figure in southwestern high society.

Strangely, this grand vision felt terrifying.

'I wonder how the others are handling things... I should observe them now.'

Though there was still time, the dormitory representatives seemed to be organizing their interiors to some extent.

Diela, Elente, Denis, Sirine... each was a prominent figure, and Tricia wanted to spy on how they planned to fulfill their roles as dormitory leaders. That was why Denis had come to Amaryllis House so early.

Thus, steeling herself, Tricia walked down the corridor again.

She intended to diligently visit the other dormitories and ask how everyone was establishing their policies amid this chaotic situation.

"We'll establish discipline and primarily accept those who can stand firm above others. The Camellia Dormitory I'll lead has no need for people who waver under others'influence or doubt themselves. I won't judge much based on magic proficiency being good or bad. On the other hand, those who cower while worrying about others'opinions don't deserve to set foot in my dormitory."

Diela was painting at an easel in one corner of the Camellia Dormitory.

Though her appearance resembled a small cat, peeling back one layer revealed a fierce lioness.

Known among acquaintances by the nickname"Lioness,"her sharp personality showed no intention of accepting students with weak spirits.

"I, I see..."

"That's probably what Derek expects from me anyway. I have no other thoughts. I'll just associate with people I consider outstanding."

"Our dormitory...? Well. I'm not sure what plans Lady Tricia has, but I value leadership and dignity. After all, to grow into someone who can properly guide others in noble society, one must have the capacity to move and coordinate many people. So our Rosemary Dormitory will... accept those who understand and can lead others."

Elente seemed to have come to Amaryllis House after finishing House Belmierd's affairs, overseeing the Rosemary Dormitory's interior construction.

Since Derek had personally entrusted this task, she apparently wanted to handle it thoroughly.

The red rosemary emblems scattered throughout the dormitory matched well with her large portrait hanging at the center, as red as her hair.

"Th-that's... very much like Lady Elente."

"You flatter me. Things will get busy soon, so I hope Lady Tricia can handle matters without major issues. Let me know if you need any help."

"Criteria...? None really. I won't accept mages below 3-Star."

"...Pardon?"

In contrast, the Lavender Dormitory led by Sirine had almost no proper interior decoration.

Little had changed since initial dormitory assignments, with Sirine herself merely brushing her hair in her private room.

"Derek asked me specifically, so I'll spend some time on it, but I have no grand plans as dormitory leader. I lack that kind of leadership."

"3-Star... At their age before even coming-of-age ceremonies, almost no one reaches that level..."

"Didn't they say only the most filtered children of noble and influential families are coming? Out of a hundred fifty, maybe two or three might approach 3-Star. I can't manage more than five anyway."

Sirine languidly smoothed out her pretty dress with disinterested eyes.

"I came to learn magic from Derek, not to clean up after others. Even so, anyone under me must handle most things themselves."

An elite minority.

The Lavender Dormitory Sirine would lead seemed likely to become a group where only two members might join per grade at most.

To catch the eye of the naturally gifted Sirine, mediocre talent wouldn't even merit an introduction. It would undoubtedly become a dormitory envied by all.

"...."

Returning to the Sepia Dormitory she would manage, Tricia sat at the common table with her head in her hands.

'Everyone else has such firm standards and policies, handling everything so competently...!'

Tricia felt dizzy.

Dormitory Head Aiselin.

And beneath her, Derek's direct disciples.

Diela, Elente, Denis, Sirine... Each dormitory led by these direct disciples had clear individuality and seemed likely to develop distinct atmospheres. One could see what Derek had intended with this dormitory structure.

Certainly a wise decision.

However, there was a problem.

'What... policy should I establish...?'

Truthfully, Tricia had joined solely dazzled by the authority of being a direct disciple of the Ravenclaw School—just a lady full of vanity.

Only Countess Rodea's constant pressure had forced her to somehow get involved despite her reluctance.

Through desperate effort, she'd barely secured the youngest disciple position... but her magical achievements were pitiful, and her family's authority paled in comparison. There was simply no answer.

Having lived believing herself"a crane among chickens,"reality revealed she was"a chicken among cranes."She was surrounded by those whose standards she couldn't even meet.

'I, I must find something. Something distinguishing me from Ravenclaw School's other direct disciples... Without that... no one will want to join Sepia Dormitory...!'

Biting her lower lip hard, Tricia fell into deep anguish.

Yet no matter how much she racked her brain, no unique policy or dormitory management direction came to mind. Having never led a group before, this was only natural.

'..............'

After nearly thirty minutes of silence, Tricia stood up sweating profusely.

In the Ravenclaw School where only celestial beings existed, and in their Amaryllis House... there was only one way to survive.

"....An underachievers'dormitory... you say?"

Sitting on the edge of the headmaster's office desk reading various documents about Tigris Territory, Derek raised an eyebrow.

Tricia nodded vigorously while sweating profusely. This was the masterstroke she'd devised after much anguish.

"A, after visiting the other ladies'dormitories, they all seemed so splendid and impressive. B, but... with everyone having such firm standards, wouldn't some people fail to meet any dormitory's conditions...?"

"That may be true... but I planned to adjust and assign them appropriately..."

"No need! The ever-gracious lady of House Renuel, Tricia herself, will embrace them all with benevolent heart!"

"..."

A brief silence.

After setting down the reports from Count Elvester's territory, Derek crossed his arms and spoke.

"Lady Tricia..."

"Y, yes?!"

"You're not... overwhelmed by the others'imposing presence and hastily declaring yourself an underachievers'dormitory, are you?"

It felt less like hitting the mark and more like a knife through the chest.

Tricia hiccuped at Derek's sharp observation but, after steadying her breath, straightened proudly.

"What do you take me for?! Do I look like someone who'd surrender and bare my belly just from being intimidated?!"

"..."

"...Deny it."

"N, no."

"...This isn't how I imagined you'd receive me..."

Suppressing sudden despondency, Tricia continued tearfully.

"I'm naturally compassionate and understanding, wishing only to embrace those underachievers belonging nowhere else. Truly!"

"...Gathering underachievers would disadvantage your dormitory during inter-dormitory events or joint activities."

"I can accept that. Don't mistake my oceanic magnanimity for mere water. Amaryllis House's shared principles... noble dignity... this all-embracing mercy will become Sepia Dormitory's identity. How is it? Not bad, right? Hehe... hehehehe..."

Derek studied Tricia silently.

Despite her confident posture, she was sweating buckets—a pitiful sight suggesting much guilt.

Tricia's ultimate strategy amounted to... if she was going to be beaten anyway, she might as well present her backside first.

By officially declaring herself an underachievers'dormitory and lying flat, she could avoid a thorough thrashing.

'Is concentrating underachievers in one dormitory truly the right approach?'

Pondering this, Derek fell into thought. This didn't seem an easy matter to decide.

As Derek stroked his chin in contemplation, Tricia relaxed her shoulders and spoke again.

"...Ravenclaw Academy will welcome all sorts of talented, brilliant individuals from noble families. Their gathering will resemble a star-filled night sky."

Her voice had grown more subdued. Strangely sincere.

"With so many gathered, inevitably some will shine less brightly, some will be less remarkable... those closer to raw gems. Lord Ravenclaw rose from the slums to this position through his own genius, but there must be realms even he cannot comprehend."

"..."

"I understand. Ravenclaw Academy doesn't need only extraordinary talents shining like stars."

Though merely self-defense, amidst her rambling, the core was clear.

- Creak

-'...'

Before entering Derek's office, when opening the door to leave Sepia Dormitory, Tricia had glanced back at the main hall.

The large portrait of Tricia hanging prominently at its center was undoubtedly beautiful, yet clearly lacked the splendor and inherent authority of the other ladies'portraits in their dormitories.

Only the confidence in that face pierced the heavens. Regardless of what lay beneath.

"I know better than anyone how ordinary people survive surrounded by extraordinary individuals. This is... a realm beyond even the innate genius of Lord Ravenclaw or the most elegant Lady Aiselin."

"..."

"The ordinary have their own ways."

Saying this, Tricia bowed her head deeply, as if concluding a confession where she'd bared her vulnerabilities.

Derek listened with crossed arms before nodding quietly.

"That's a valid perspective."

"...R, really?"

"I owe you an apology. I may have misjudged Lady Tricia."

Receiving an apology from Derek was no easy feat.

As Tricia trembled with a stunned expression, Derek spoke frankly. His apology was more serious than expected.

"I thought Lady Tricia had lost confidence after seeing the other ladies'dormitories and decided to gather underachievers while making up plausible reasons. My apologies."

"..."

"...Why aren't you responding...?"

Tricia's pale face twitched as she trembled, clutching her dress tightly. She seemed to be sweating profusely from her hands.

The very picture of having been seen through.

Derek could only massage his forehead and lean back.

After next week's opening ceremony, the dormitory structure would take shape.

How that structure would form... would only become clear then.