Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 213

"A victory report has arrived from Count Elvester's territory, Chairman Damon."

"I heard from the magistrate. Lord Rhodes already had fire in his eyes. They say that young mage from Ravenclaw has reached 5-Star proficiency."

"Yes."

Damon, the renowned head of the aristocratic faction bureaucrats in Gremfort Palace, sat in his mansion's study listening to his aide's report. His salt-and-pepper hair and well-groomed mustache gave him a dignified appearance, but the sharpness in his eyes betrayed his extraordinary nature.

Compared to magic-obsessed madwoman Kochella or Princess Rozelyn single-mindedly securing imperial authority, he maintained a much calmer demeanor. As a figure regarded as a patriarch among aristocratic bureaucrats, many in Gremfort Palace watched his reactions carefully.

Though he'd spent his life clashing with Emperor Gertrel, the vacant throne had lightened his burdens somewhat. Yet this old wolf remained acutely sensitive to shifting political winds, keeping tabs on the rising noble from the southwestern continent.

Baron Derek Raidof Ravenclaw.

No one in the central aristocracy was unaware of him now. Starting from a small border territory, he'd expanded his influence at an absurd pace until reaching a position where Princess Rozelyn drooled to recruit him.

Now with battlefield achievements added to his name, his appearance among central continent nobles seemed imminent.

When new figures emerge in power circles, all players share one common task:

Determining friend or foe.

"I've already received reports from Field Commander Luthein. Apparently, Head Magic Advisor Kochella and Princess Rozelyn are competing fiercely to recruit him."

"Yes... Actually, there are some concerning rumors... I believe we should exercise more caution regarding..."

Edgar, Damon's longtime aide, stood straight with hands behind his back as he shared his opinion.

"Strange rumors circulate among frontline soldiers. That the source of this catastrophe centered on Count Elvester's territory—the worst necromancer Phee Rafaela Tigris—may have personally taught magic to him."

"...What? You're saying the continent's most watched mage was taught by a necromancer?"

"Yes. Of course it's likely baseless gossip, but where there's smoke... There may be some connection."

From a power broker's perspective, Baron Ravenclaw was irresistible fruit.

Universally respected, magically skilled, young, sharp-witted, and still unaligned with any faction.

But when such tempting fruit lies within reach, one must suspect poison.

Anyone connected to a necromancer warranted caution first.

"Too serious a rumor to dismiss lightly. Are Kochella and Princess Rozelyn ignoring this?"

"Well..."

"Speak freely."

"The rumor was dismissed because... Magic Advisor Kochella personally intervened to categorically deny it."

"What?"

Aide Edgar stood ramrod straight as he continued his report in a disciplined tone:

"Sir Derek Raidof Ravenclaw is a hero who prevented continental catastrophe, fully deserving of Gremfort Palace's hospitality and respect. He has absolutely no connection to the necromancer who caused this disaster—in fact, he personally slew Baroness Tigris to end it. Anyone spreading baseless slander to destabilize the situation will face punishment, she declared."

"...Head Magic Advisor Kochella went that far?"

"Yes. She must have desperately wanted Ravenclaw in her grasp."

"How peculiar. That old fox doesn't usually employ such blatant tactics."

Derek has no connection to the necromancer.

Kochella's public testimony only deepened Damon's suspicions. He'd rarely seen her so openly protective.

"Strange... The situation is strange..."

Wiping his wrists with a linen scarf, Chairman Damon fell deep into thought.

"And Princess Rozelyn?"

"Same. Initially, Her Highness planned to grant Ravenclaw a border count title overseeing the northwestern frontier. But with Count Elvester's territory devastated, she's considering having him oversee reconstruction there instead. Naturally, that would require elevating him to count."

"What? Giving Ravenclaw Count Elvester's territory?"

"Yes. Strictly speaking, it would become Ravenclaw County now..."

Edgar bowed his head and stopped there. As an excellent aide, he knew when his lord needed silence for contemplation.

"...With Ravenclaw Academy in Duplein Duchy and now Elvester County in the east under his influence... He'd become the dominant hand in high society and magical education."

Education.

In an era where magic symbolized aristocratic authority, those who could teach and lead held incomparable status. Ravenclaw Academy already boasted numerous noble students taught by Derek—adding Elvester County's cultural exchange hub would make his influence immeasurable.

A 5-Star mage—house head level.

The aristocratic council could count such mages on one hand.

'If he joins Kochella or Princess Rozelyn, the repercussions would be severe.'

Damon understood why both leaders coveted Ravenclaw so fiercely.

Naturally, he couldn't remain idle either.

"So? Where is he now? I'd expect Kochella and Princess Rozelyn fighting to drag him to Gremfort Palace."

"He... returned to Duplein Territory."

"The southwestern continent?"

"Yes. His injuries required recuperation in familiar surroundings, and Ravenclaw Academy's recent founding likely made him reluctant to leave..."

Edgar hesitated before offering his analysis:

"This is just my opinion, but I believe he's playing Gremfort Palace's factions against each other."

"I concur."

Chairman Damon stroked his chin, brow furrowed.

At least he clearly wasn't some fame-drunk fool easily manipulated by power brokers.

A universally respected hero would be easy to handle.

But someone who coldly calculates gains and losses like a viper... wouldn't be easily swayed.

'We'll be seeing much more of him.'

He clearly differed from flash-in-the-pan celebrities who rose and fell overnight.

"I'm back, Lady Aiselin."

"Derek...! I-I was so worried. Are you alright?"

While Derek handled the aftermath of Count Elvester's catastrophe, Aiselin had her own busy routine.

As Ravenclaw Academy's highest authority in his absence, overseeing staff, students, and dormitory representatives wasn't comfortable—but she'd grown accustomed to the responsibility.

When Derek returned battered and bandaged late one night, she rushed out in nightclothes after reviewing financial reports.

Though stabilized, his numerous wounds and bandages testified to the battle's brutality. Having heard accounts of Count Elvester territory's devastation, Aiselin watched him with deep concern.

Head Butler Delbritton and Head Maid Elfin quickly prepared Derek's private quarters.

Despite the late hour, the academy's main building buzzed with energy—staff moved busily, invigorated by their long-absent master's return.

"No need for excessive concern. That said, I've been away during crucial times. After resting tomorrow, I'll resume backlogged classes the day after."

"No...! You just returned from war! You should rest at least a week...!"

Aiselin fussed over Derek as servants escorted him to his room.

"Overworking isn't good! People don't live just to work!"

"..."

Derek stared blankly as if to say"That's rich coming from you,"but Aiselin met his gaze without shame, chin raised defiantly.

Behind her, Delbritton and Elfin stared vacantly at the floor—clear signs of Aiselin's usual overworking of staff in Derek's absence.

It reinforced the eternal lesson: never serve under exceptional individuals.

"Any major academy developments? I'll likely receive another title soon, so I'd like to wrap up pending matters."

"Everything's running smoothly. The faculty are excellent, dormitory culture has settled well. There's an inter-dormitory magic duel next week... Safety checks are complete, and students are highly motivated."

"I should observe personally."

"The students would love that. Rumors of your battlefield exploits are everywhere. Your presence would further inspire them."

Discussing academy affairs animated Aiselin, but she suddenly hesitated with concern:

"Of course... academy matters are important, but you mustn't neglect rest in your condition."

"Understood. Don't worry—I'll recover quickly."

Derek performed a perfunctory wash before dusting off his battered body.

With major external matters settled, he could focus on academy management—no time for exhaustion.

"At dawn, I'll inspect Amarilis House. I'll review Rosemary and Sepia Dormitories'organization."

"Um... That might... be difficult."

"Any problems?"

"Well... Rosemary is fine, but Sepia is... currently chaotic."

"...Didn't you just say there were no major academy changes?"

"Ah, yes... Not exactly major changes... More like routine circumstances... It's complicated to explain, I planned to tell you after you recovered..."

Aiselin trailing off was unusual.

Sepia Dormitory—home to underachievers led by Lady Trisha of the Renuel Family. Last he checked, it operated smoothly.

Yet Aiselin hesitated awkwardly before explaining:

"There's been... minor unrest? Rebellion? Or perhaps... rampage? In Sepia Dormitory... Some barricading... Magic flying about..."

"...Isn't that serious?"

"Well... It is and isn't... If I called it routine... that would sound strange... It's more... a dynamic atmosphere? A unique management style..."

Derek broke into uncharacteristic cold sweat, meeting Aiselin's eyes.

"What exactly happened at Sepia Dormitory in my absence...?"

"W-would you like to see for yourself? It's... hard to explain..."

Aiselin avoiding Derek's gaze so awkwardly was unprecedented.