Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 218

"Having Derek step in personally certainly speeds up resolving situations. With Amarilis House's atmosphere being so unsettled lately, I was wondering if we should just let things be."

The next day, Elente visited Derek's office and spoke with satisfaction in her voice.

Her hair, now much longer and fuller than during her time at the Belmierd household, swayed as she blinked her reddish eyes several times before closing her mouth while observing Derek seated at his large office desk.

Everyone knew Derek was made of steel.

Even in blood-soaked battlefields or pitch-black labyrinths, he maintained perfect composure without shedding a drop of sweat. Yet now, when Elente visited, he was clutching his head as if utterly perplexed.

As expected.

Elente had sensed it too since Amarilis House began operating in earnest - no matter how noble these young ladies were, they were still teenage girls going through their turbulent years.

These adolescent maidens caused incidents almost daily, making controlling them absolutely no easy task.

"It's been a while. Good to see you, Lady Elente."

"Y-yes... Derek. I came to check on you since I heard you'd been dealing with chaos in Count Elvester's territory..."

"Thank you. But there's no need for excessive concern. If anything, I feel like most of my worries have increased since returning to Ravenclaw Academy."

"Derek... I think this is the first time I've seen you so troubled... You didn't seem this strained even when entangled with necromancy at the Belmierd household..."

"Yes... Truthfully, since the academy began operating its full curriculum, I've frequently felt my patience boiling over."

Seeing Derek display such human emotions was remarkable. But considering his circumstances, making lighthearted comments didn't come easily.

The all-out war between Camellia and Sepia Dormitories had happened just recently.

The dormitory conflict centered around Lady Rina and Lady Ranas had escalated until reaching physical confrontations.

The incident concluded with the unprecedented scene of Lady Diela personally apologizing to Lady Trisha, after which Trisha became Sepia Dormitory's hero... reaching a position where even her mere walk earned respectful gazes from everyone.

'...'

However, Elente felt something was off.

Given Trisha's attention-seeking and boastful nature, receiving such praise should have made her arrogance soar through the roof.

Yet the Trisha Elente saw passing through Amarilis House wore a stiff, uneasy expression, sweating profusely... or looking around with bewildered eyes.

Compared to how she'd boldly slapped Aiselin in the Evelstein noble district, it was hard to believe they were the same person.

"You seem quite busy with various matters, Derek."

"..."

Truthfully, if it were just that anomaly, one could dismiss it as a simple incident.

But the accidents and incidents occurring since Derek returned to oversee Ravenclaw Academy were too numerous to count on both hands.

Some fled because they couldn't stand their roommates, while others threw tantrums demanding to bring servants from home. Spoiled noble upbringing naturally led to such willfulness.

Then there were the"youth faction"who sneaked out at night to stargaze, climbing onto the main building's roof or hillsides with friends.

Free from family pressures here, they sought friendship, beautiful youth, and experiences that would become cherished memories... chasing stars on adventures.

Certainly, rebellious experiences during school life could become fond memories later... but this time it nearly ended in disaster when wild beasts attacked them on the hillside. Only Head Butler Delbritton's quick response prevented a major incident.

Other issues included feuds between noble daughters from rival families like Ranas and Rina, one plant-loving lady covering the main building's walls with ivy, flowerbed expansions, servant love scandals, faculty salary negotiations... each matter substantial enough to occupy entire days.

"Becoming a 5th-Class Mage required bone-grinding effort and many sacrifices..."

"..."

"Magical training was bearable since it focused solely on myself. But engaging in all-out war against these young ladies'rebellious urges... this is an entirely new kind of ordeal I've never experienced."

"Hang... hang in there, Derek..."

Elente sighed deeply and showed Derek a clenched fist.

As Belmierd's heir, she understood better than anyone how exhausting leadership could be.

But controlling a group of energetic noble daughters with sparkling eyes was an entirely different kind of fatigue.

Even Elente, overseeing one dormitory, could somewhat relate. Teenage girls together created synergistic energy storms.

"By the way, I came to confirm rumors about Chairman Damon personally inspecting from the royal court. The Belmierd family has various connections with central bureaucratic nobles."

"Is that so? Chairman Damon... I've heard much about him but never met. I heard central noble bureaucrats focus solely on power struggles at Gremfort Palace, so his visiting Ravenclaw Academy is unexpected."

"This is likely an extension of those power struggles. Chairman Damon probably comes mainly to see you, Derek."

Displaying considerable knowledge about central nobles, Elente straightened her dress and sat quietly on the reception sofa in the office corner.

"Once you gain control of Elvester County next month, you'll become the empire's foremost figure in culture and education. By then, we'll have to address you formally even in private settings..."

"I'd prefer that unnecessary... but territorial nobles'etiquette isn't for me to decide."

"True. You've risen so far from being just a magic tutor in Evelstein's corners, Derek."

"My work then and now isn't so different..."

Derek pushed aside crumpled documents and gathered magic at his fingertips.

High-level magical flows swirled in his palm - imperceptible during his low-class mage days. Derek's magic now stood among the continent's rarest.

5th-Class Mage.

A realm typically reached only by prestigious family heads.

"Chairman Damon is also 5th-Class."

"As head of noble bureaucrats, that's expected. I've heard he rivals Princess Rozelyn of the royal faction and Advisor Kochella of the magic faction in Gremfort Palace influence."

"Right. Honestly, I'm curious what that old wolf wants with you now."

Elente wore a disgruntled expression, clearly disliking this central noble Damon.

"Well, Chairman Damon is genuinely interested in cultural and educational development, so his interest in Ravenclaw Academy's system isn't entirely false. Though not completely separate from palace power struggles either."

"Any advice for me?"

"No. As Belmierd's heir but soon-to-be successor to Elvester Border County, I'm not so foolish as to advise you. I came to gauge your stance, Derek."

"My stance?"

Elente smiled innocently.

Though their bond deepened through Belmierd household chaos, they remained nobles first.

There was history of trying to recruit Derek into Belmierd, but he'd grown too prominent now.

Amidst these shifting dynamics, Elente seemed clear about her role.

"I'll always respect your decisions person-to-person, but I must ask. As Belmierd's leader, I must determine our family's direction."

"In short..."

"Yes, I'm curious who you'll side with. Being this close, I'd be foolish not to ask directly."

Her innocent smile belied the cunning beneath - she'd swallowed several snakes whole.

Rozelyn, Kochella, Damon.

Gremfort Palace's power balance would shift dramatically depending on Derek's allegiance.

Knowing his leanings in advance would let Belmierd position itself accordingly among high nobles - an immense advantage during this transitional period.

But Derek sighed deeply.

"Frankly, I'm unsure. As Lord Melberot said, I've little interest in Gremfort Palace power struggles."

"I thought so. But Derek, whether you want it or not, Gremfort's power players won't leave you alone."

Princess Rozelyn had already extended invitations.

Kochella too seemed greatly shaken after witnessing Derek's time magic, and now Chairman Damon was visiting Ravenclaw Academy personally.

Derek's allegiance had undoubtedly become Gremfort Palace's hottest topic.

"Ultimately Derek, what do you want? That should determine your decision."

Elente asked.

Derek nodded slightly before answering in his usual monotone:

"I want to become a 6th-Class Mage."

Silence fell.

An unrealistic dream during his slum-roaming or Evelstein tutoring days - anyone hearing it then would have laughed at such delusions.

But time passed, his skills grew, achievements accumulated... until he crossed the 5th-Class threshold.

Now when Derek spoke of reaching 6th-Class, no one could dismiss it lightly.

His prowess already ranked among the empire's elite.

Elente chuckled wryly and leaned back on the sofa.

Only three publicly known 6th-Class Mages existed - Northern Melberot, Gremfort's Kochella, and Southwestern Drest.

If another joined their ranks... it would be the man before her.

Baron Derek Raidof Ravenclaw, Ravenclaw Academy's headmaster, would have his name inscribed there.

The reality was so staggering it required momentary imagination.

Considering a 6th-Class Mage's status... the man before her seemed to transcend into a higher existence─

- BANG!

"Baron Ravenclaw! Emergency! Lady Ruvell from Sepia Dormitory has embarked on a freedom-seeking adventure...!"

"...? What nonsense is this?"

"She... left a note about wanting to express thoughts between life and death through writing... then took only quill and parchment to the meadows..."

"....."

"Also, Lady Lurt caused an explosion while testing new reagents in the lab..."

"....GAAAAH!"

Watching Derek clutch his throbbing head, Elente couldn't help feeling complicated.

Even this steel-like man found teenage girl antics an overwhelming trial.

Indeed, nothing in life comes easy.

No matter what, it's never easy.

"So this is Ravenclaw Academy, the southwestern continent's most prestigious magic institution."

Chairman Damon, having hastily assembled an inspection team to reach Duplein Territory, observed the distant academy grounds from horseback on a hill.

Truly unprecedented in scale. With scions of renowned families enrolled, its influence was inevitably substantial.

He had finally set foot in this holy land of noble culture and education - his chance to properly evaluate Baron Ravenclaw.

"..."

- WHOOSH

- FWOOM

Rubbing his eyes changed nothing - the distant view remained the same.

Amarilis House dormitory.

Thick smoke rose from Sepia Dormitory at its edge.

"...A fire... perhaps...?"

Observing the distant scene, Damon clenched his teeth and straightened his posture.