Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 198

The morning of Ravenclaw Academy's opening day.

The sight of countless carriages streaming through the golden main gates resembled nothing less than an imperial military procession.

Each noble lady from influential families had brought at least five or six servants, with two or three carriages in tow.

With one hundred fifty such students arriving, the scene could easily be mistaken for a bustling marketplace.

For young nobles visiting from various regions, this concentration of distinguished guests was an unfamiliar sight, evident from the visible tension on the faces of the young ladies entering Delphinia Hall with their servants.

The atmosphere differed entirely from Evelstain's high society. While that was merely a gathering place for nobles, this was a hallowed institution of learning where they would hone their studies together.

The difference from simply attending academic gatherings was stark. The connections formed here could blossom into powerful networks when these nobles later entered aristocratic circles.

First impressions were paramount. And this opening ceremony presented the perfect opportunity for the assembled noble ladies to present themselves without pretense.

"Everyone seems quite dressed up. It's only natural to feel nervous. Most haven't even made their social debut yet..."

"Any issues with the event schedule?"

"Don't worry, Derek. Most are just ceremonial procedures. After the fellowship event concludes in the banquet hall, we'll proceed directly with dormitory assignments."

Seated quietly in the Delphinia Hall headmaster's office, Derek examined the stack of documents Aiselin had brought.

Since Aiselin had coordinated most schedules herself, there was little left for Derek to handle.

"Classes will begin after this holiday period. Until then, we just need to finalize dorm assignments and faculty checks."

"I'll meet with faculty representatives separately, but the dormitory situation concerns me slightly."

"No need for concern! I'm the dormitory head after all! Ahem, ahem!"

Aiselin proudly thumped her chest and smiled.

First-time observers might find this puzzling, but those familiar with Aiselin understood how dependable she truly was.

The problem lay with the staff beneath her, their faces already resembling corpses from exhaustion.

"Delbritton... are you alright...?"

"No... need to worry... Baron Ravenclaw. Ever since fleeing the Rocheste Ducal household... I've been prepared to sacrifice everything... I'll support Lady Aiselin successfully... even if it burns this body to ashes..."

Head butler Delbritton already looked half-dead.

For the normally unflappable veteran to appear so haggard was unusual.

Likely from pulling all-nighters during final preparations.

All Derek could do... was increase his salary...

Resolving to compensate him generously despite the grueling labor, Derek rose from his seat.

-'That's Baron Ravenclaw. They say he stands at the pinnacle of magical education in the southwestern continent...!'

-'He reached 4-Star proficiency alone and now approaches 5-Star mastery! They say he never had a formal magic teacher... how is that possible?'

-'Look behind him...! Lady Aiselin, called the queen of Evelstain's high society, is there too...! They say she effectively runs the academy...!'

-'W-wait, is that Lady Elente too?'

-'W-where?!'

-'Over by the western banquet table drinking tea! They say she's second in the Ravenclaw School hierarchy... To see her in person... unbelievable...!'

-'I'd only heard rumors at academic gatherings... To actually see her...!'

Whispers spread as Derek circled the banquet hall's periphery checking faculty while Aiselin guided new students.

Though the Delphinia Hall entrance had been chaotic with carriages and servants, only nobles and staff could enter the banquet area.

Thus, one could see the unusual sight of numerous noble ladies struggling to carry their own large wooden travel bags.

The principle for high-born ladies was never to dirty their hands with manual labor.

That they carried their own luggage clearly demonstrated how Ravenclaw Academy differed from conventional noble society.

Each was a distinguished guest who would stand above all others in their own territories, yet here they became ordinary figures among peers.

Status and authority being relative, this was inevitable. Those determined to attend Ravenclaw Academy had already accepted this atmosphere.

"..."

- Murmur murmur

Naturally, Ravenclaw Academy's pillars were the direct disciples of the Ravenclaw School.

From top-ranked Diela down through Elente, Denis, Sirine and Tricia... Many had come to the academy inspired by these distinctive disciples.

Yet if forced to name the most influential and authoritative among them, Elente stood apart.

While the others resembled hothouse flowers coddled by their families... Elente was a true ruler destined to lead the Belmierd family.

Being a noble family's daughter differed entirely from being its heir apparent.

As if proving this, an intimidating aura radiated from Elente as she sipped tea while observing newcomers... deterring casual approaches.

"Regardless of what anyone says, all the new students seem to want into Lady Elente's Rosemary Dormitory. Barring major surprises, Rosemary will likely be the largest dorm."

Head maid Elfin followed Derek, explaining the scene.

Musicians performed as the banquet hall overflowed with delicacies. The ongoing fellowship event gave each lady a stage to make their first impression.

First-time acquaintances exchanged family names and pleasantries while blending into the atmosphere.

Elente drew the most attention, followed by Denis and Diela at similar levels, while nobody approached Sirine.

Though her notorious reputation had diminished somewhat, rumors of the"Northern Murderer"still clung to Sirine.

With her naturally icy demeanor when expressionless, plus those ominous rumors and her history of beating Tricia, nobody dared approach.

Sirine seemed perfectly comfortable with this, idly chewing scones in her corner.

'Judging by the atmosphere, Rosemary will be the largest dorm... Camellia and Iris should get decent numbers based on preferences... Lady Sirine's Lavender Dormitory will likely have few applicants.'

After surveying the scene, Derek grasped the likely dorm assignment trends.

Only one thing remained unclear.

'What about Lady Tricia's Sepia Dormitory? After the banquet concludes and everyone's settled, we'll proceed directly with assignments.'

Derek sternly scanned the ladies and faculty. Despite checking everywhere, Tricia was nowhere to be seen.

After final headcounts when the banquet peaked... dorm representatives would take the stage to explain their philosophies and select compatible students.

He'd intended to check everyone's status beforehand, but Tricia proved particularly elusive.

"..."

Though vaguely uneasy, Derek set the matter aside given his many remaining tasks.

Subsequent events proceeded flawlessly.

Event coordinator Aiselin bustled about tirelessly, yet satisfaction radiated from her expression.

'The opening ceremony went well, Derek's speech was magnificent, and other faculty handled everything without major issues. After the dorm representatives'speeches and assignments conclude... today's events will wrap up neatly...!'

Her arms overflowed with documents, yet she clearly took deep pride in everything proceeding according to plan, barely restraining herself from humming.

After the royal inspection incident, she'd feared the academy might not open properly.

But thanks to Derek negotiating with Princess Rozelyn, not only had they avoided disruptions, they'd opened under imperial protection.

This smooth, unimpeded progress filled her with indescribable fulfillment. She was born to thrive on such achievements.

"...Therefore, our Iris Dormitory welcomes those devoted to academics, who love scholarship and immerse themselves in practical knowledge. So if you seek noble authority and wish to become wise individuals, please knock on our door anytime."

Denis bowed gracefully to applause as she descended the podium.

Though prone to complaining privately, she properly embodied noble dignity when observed.

With speeches concluded for Diela's Camellia, Elente's Rosemary, and Denis's Iris... only Sirine and Tricia remained.

The assembled noble ladies'eyes sparkled as they observed these exemplary Ravenclaw disciples - any one of whom could dominate a regional social circle.

In stark contrast, when tiny Sirine mounted the podium... a razor-sharp silence fell.

Without the slightest concern, Sirine opened with:

"Our Lavender Dormitory has no intention of accepting mages below 3-Star. Also, we won't accept more than three members."

She'd begun with what amounted to a declaration of war.

"..."

Aiselin gulped nervously.

She knew Sirine was uncontrollable, but as a formal Ravenclaw disciple who respected her, she'd expected basic decorum.

Yet beyond magic studies under Derek, Sirine cared for little else.

"Lavender offers no superior benefits, facilities, or services compared to other dorms."

"..."

"So uninterested parties needn't bother applying. That's all."

Silence.

Sirine's monotone revealed no emotion.

Unlike the perpetually anxious Tricia, Sirine remained utterly indifferent.

"Oh, though... those serious about magic might consider knocking. Since I aim to reach 4-Star within years, those with comparable goals... well, you might say hello."

This essentially meant she expected no applicants.

4-Star mastery was rare even among elite nobles - perhaps one in several hundred. Reaching early 4-Star qualified one to lead provincial magic institutions, while nearing 5-Star approached family-head level.

Having casually stated this, Sirine dusted her skirt and hopped down.

Her incomparable impact left the hall speechless.

Diela was bold and courageous, Elente commanded supreme authority, Denis was wise and intelligent.

And Sirine was... simply a genius.

Don't consider Lavender unless you're a genius too.

This near-declaration ignited flames in certain attendees'eyes - those genuinely passionate about magic.

'Derek... will probably favor Lavender students most.'

Aiselin smiled wryly, glancing at Derek. Sure enough, he nodded approvingly with crossed arms.

Those obsessed with magical mastery all shared this temperament.

"Now... if Lady Tricia would please take the podium..."

"..."

As Aiselin called for the final speaker, Derek leaned against the wall in silence.

Despite her loud summons... Tricia didn't appear.

".........Lady Tricia?"

Aiselin's expression gradually stiffened.

Somehow... Tricia had vanished from the banquet hall.

Despite having seen her drinking tea by the dessert table just moments earlier...

Aiselin's satisfied expression froze solid as everything unraveled.

An awkward silence gripped the hall.

"......"

Tricia had fled.

This brutal truth alone... remained etched into the razor-edged atmosphere of the banquet hall...