Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 199

"D-did she really run away?"

Tricia was nowhere to be seen in the banquet hall.

Aiselin calling for Tricia from the podium looked downright pitiful.

At the dormitory assignment ceremony of the prestigious Ravenclaw Academy—an event where mistakes were absolutely unacceptable—disappearing entirely was an unforgivable blunder.

Diela Catherine Duplein, the top-ranked direct disciple of the Ravenclaw School and representative of Camellia Dormitory, approached Derek who was leaning against the wall with a pale face.

"W-what in the world... Derek...! I mean, Lord Ravenclaw...! Lady Tricia's whereabouts..."

"She was definitely in the banquet hall before dinner started..."

With many ears around, Diela awkwardly used formal speech to ask about Tricia's location.

Uncharacteristically flustered, Derek closed his eyes and activated detection magic.

Amidst the swirling magical energy everywhere, distinguishing Tricia's faint signature seemed difficult. Her magic power was exceptionally weak.

Derek stood up and whispered into Diela's ear while placing hands on her shoulders:

"I'll search separately. I'll bring her back as quickly as possible—could you and Lady Aiselin handle the situation here?"

"Th-that's not the issue... This is a massive scandal..."

Diela's eyes burned with anger.

While she maintained basic respect toward Derek, she was merciless toward others. Her sharp, catlike glare often made bystanders tremble.

Clenching her teeth, Diela hissed:

"I knew it... She never should have been made a direct disciple...!"

Disappearing from such an important event that would shape dormitory reputations proved her unworthiness.

Tricia was just a lucky girl who'd barely scraped into the lowest disciple position—clearly lacking in ability. Diela, who understood this better than anyone, seemed to be reconsidering her place in the school.

Derek patted Diela's shoulder again. At least she wouldn't rage uncontrollably when he intervened.

"Let's discuss that after resolving the situation. Since she was here until recently, detection magic should—"

"I'm sorry... *huff*... *huff*..."

Just as Derek gathered magic to search, the murmuring banquet hall suddenly fell silent—Tricia had finally appeared on the podium.

None of the dignified grace shown by Elente or Denise during their speeches remained.

She was drenched in sweat from running, her beautifully arranged hair now disheveled, face deathly pale.

Tricia of the Renuel Family—representative of Sepia Dormitory and youngest disciple of the Ravenclaw School.

"..."

Everyone—Diela beside Derek, the other direct disciples in the hall, all assembled students—stared in shock.

While other noble ladies had described their dormitories like flowers blooming in a fragrant garden, Tricia showed no such elegance.

Instead, she radiated a strange tenacity, almost combative energy.

"Sorry for... being late... There were... circumstances... *huff*... *huff*..."

Living among dazzling stars was undoubtedly difficult.

The Ravenclaw School founded by Derek Raidof Ravenclaw—renowned magic instructor—gathered only the brightest stars.

At this gathering proving that reputation, Tricia stood out painfully.

"C-circumstances...?"

"Yes... Actually..."

Catching her breath at Aiselin's bewildered question, Tricia blurted out:

"I was nervous about the speech... Practicing alone on the terrace... got too absorbed..."

"..."

"Cold sweat... nausea... Needed time to compose myself. My apologies."

Each word was more unbelievable than the last.

Far from showing dignified leadership expected of a direct disciple, Tricia looked down at the shining stars with exhausted eyes.

"That's what happened..."

Diela stared dumbfounded at Derek.

Though momentarily stunned, Derek could only cross his arms and watch the podium.

Those who knew Tricia understood what resolve led to this confession.

Who was Tricia? A vain, arrogant noble obsessed with status, constantly boasting and looking down on others.

Even surrounded by geniuses, she never backed down—the girl who slapped Aiselin, defied Diela, and kept getting up after Sirine's beatings. An indomitable troublemaker who'd sneer proudly even in hell.

Yet here she stood, pale and sweating. The pressure of being Ravenclaw's youngest disciple had clearly been crushing her.

This ceremony was merely the breaking point. When accumulated stress explodes, people lose reason.

Derek rose to intervene, but Aiselin—descending the podium—shook her head subtly.

She'd glimpsed something in Tricia. To let her continue.

As Derek narrowed his eyes:

"This is who I am. Tricia of the Renuel Family leading Sepia Dormitory—someone who trembles and sweats at crucial moments, too nervous to even clench her fists properly."

Tricia gripped the podium, voice shaking but declaring:

"You've heard the other direct disciples'speeches. Truly worthy of our school's name—dignified, wise, courageous, beautiful. I lack Lady Diela's conviction, Lady Elente's nobility, Lady Denise's wisdom, Lady Sirine's uniqueness."

"..."

"Just... an ordinary person..."

How to survive among stars.

The same Tricia who'd seriously discussed this in Derek's office.

Aiselin descending the podium must have recognized something in her blazing eyes.

"Ravenclaw Academy is full of geniuses. We're expected to shine as heirs of great families. Everyone here faces that. But... how can anyone ascend flawlessly without stumbling or falling?"

Tricia looked sadly at Derek in the crowd.

"Only chosen geniuses can do that."

"..."

Diela's eyes widened—these words struck close to home.

A girl born under stars but lacking talent, left behind.

Who hid in the Duplein annex, lashing out at everyone, screaming her inferiority complex.

Had Derek not come, she might still be there.

But Tricia seemed different from that version of Diela.

"Sepia Dormitory is for those who fail."

Tricia raised her head, eyes burning.

She'd already declared it would be the underachievers'dorm.

"But we're not ashamed. Failure proves you tried. True shame is collapsing from inferiority and doing nothing."

Tricia knew—even privileged nobles couldn't all shine like stars.

Most would be like her—left behind. Stars are always few.

"Thank you for listening."

Amidst stunned silence, Tricia descended—no applause like for others, just tense quiet.

This human embodiment of blazing flames left everyone speechless.

One thing was certain—Sepia Dormitory offered something irreplaceable.

"Noble heirs have no excuses. Especially those entering Ravenclaw Academy."

After the ceremony, Aiselin sighed deeply while approaching Derek.

"Others might blame circumstances, lineage, or luck for shortcomings... but not them."

Born privileged with every advantage, they could only blame themselves for failure.

Paradoxically, such perfection could corrode people. Not everyone can be extraordinary.

Aiselin remembered her beloved sister hiding in the annex. Without Derek, Diela wouldn't be here today.

"..."

After watching Tricia, Diela silently blended back into the crowd—clearly with much unsaid.

"Those born perfect suffer more from failure—it reveals their naked inadequacy. So we need people strong against failure. Such individuals are... rare among nobility."

"..."

"In that sense, Lady Tricia is irreplaceable. Though she likely doesn't realize..."

Aiselin smiled softly, bowing to Derek.

"Thank you for trusting my judgment."

"I didn't do much... Is Lady Tricia alright? She looked unwell."

"Yes... She should be coming—"

Speak of the devil—Tricia approached, still pale.

Her speech went off-script, she failed to appear on time from sheer terror.

As if apologizing, Tricia bowed deeply before Derek.

"Lady Tricia?"

"..."

She remained bowed.

Derek studied her before speaking gently:

"It worked out well—no need for such apology. Please raise your head."

"..."

But Tricia kept bowing, hands clutched to her chest.

Her lush hair cascaded like a waterfall.

"Lady Tricia?"

"..."

"As I said, it's not so serious. Please lift—"

"...Ugh..."

"?"

The retching sound explained everything. Tricia wasn't bowing just from apology.

"Ughhh... stomach... BLARGH..."

"Damn it! Someone get a bucket! NOW!!!!"

Extreme tension and relief can cause dizziness and nausea.

Sweating profusely, Derek shouted for servants.

Tricia seemed uniquely capable of flustering him like this.