Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 23

'For a commoner, his magic is quite impressive. So the veteran mercenary reputation wasn't unfounded.'

Pellmier had initially dismissed Jayden's praises about Derek when relaying the commission. Commoners'skills were all roughly the same level anyway.

While Derek's reliance on 1st Grade Magic clearly showed his limitations, his mana control was the most refined Pellmier had ever seen among commoners.

Occasionally, one encountered commoners who might have achieved greatness with noble blood. But most shattered against the wall of lineage sooner or later.

Watching nobles with superior bloodlines surpass decades of grueling training in moments made perseverance difficult. In magic mastery, lineage came first, second, and third.

The young mercenary still seemed to retain that determination. For Elente, he made an ideal training partner—no need for noble decorum, capable of decent exchanges, and no major consequences even if injured during practice.

Pellmier recalled Jayden's confident expression when recommending Derek. Indeed, a mercenary who made his name in the Dawn War had discerning eyes.

'Velderun Mercenary Group, was it? Count Belmiere might take interest.'

Making mental note of the mercenary group's name, Pellmier observed the ongoing duel. The match appeared evenly balanced.

"Flames of judgment that punish all creation—"

- Whoosh!

Chanting in the Discipline School's characteristic style, Elente manifested another 1st Grade spell from a distance—this time her signature fire magic.

A dozen small fire arrows materialized in the air.

Derek's crimson eyes flashed as he instantly analyzed her mana flow. Elente likewise caught the gleam in his gaze.

'He's already predicting my spell's trajectory...!'

Elente swiftly revised her approach. Using her usual patterns would let Derek neutralize her magic as before.

Mana carries the caster's intent.

By tracking its flow direction, manifestation style, and transformation speed, one could discern a mage's intentions. Derek had mastered this art.

More precisely, he was a duelist extraordinaire. Elente easily recognized his combat-honed ability to read mana flows.

Hunting magical beast mutations required such perception—not optional but essential.

Against a veteran like Derek, half-hearted attacks would only play into his hands. Scattershot spells would prove more effective.

The platform's defensive magic eliminated concerns about property damage. Elente's strategy crystallized in less than a second.

The additional fire arrows now aimed to blanket the entire platform rather than specific targets.

'Oh?'

Derek's eyes widened in surprise. An interesting decision.

Though familiar with noble magic, he rarely saw practitioners this young adapt so quickly.

Noble mages typically overwhelmed commoners through raw power rather than adaptability—a consequence of lifelong privilege.

Adaptation and tricks usually developed among the disadvantaged. Elente's quick thinking suggested innate talent.

- Whoosh!

The scattered mana flows became unpredictable.

Derek rapidly adjusted his mana for full defense.

In square arenas, corners received fewer attacks. Without discernible patterns, securing advantageous positions took priority.

As Derek dashed to a corner while neutralizing incoming arrows, he gathered mana for counterattack.

"Knew you'd be there."

Elente had already finished her next chant upon sensing his position. The fire arrow barrage was mere distraction to land this spell.

Using such scale as feint spoke volumes about her mana reserves.

Delayed by defending against arrows, Derek was momentarily vulnerable as Elente began manifesting ice spears—this time without the earlier telltale buildup.

But Derek read her intentions perfectly.

He briefly closed then opened his eyes, raising a hand to unleash maximum-output 1st Grade Light Creation.

- Flash!

The blinding light flooded their vision momentarily.

Though not specializing in transformation magic, Derek found it effective for creating openings.

Elente instinctively shut her eyes—near-reflexive reaction speed—while raising defensive mana through auditory focus.

'Excellent adaptation.'

Derek mused while gathering mana.

Lady Elente's real-time optimization marked true talent.

Even blinded, she focused on auditory cues to counter his magic.

'Mana aura and sounds provide enough input... Just need to time the counter—!'

- Thud!

Derek's mana arrow struck Elente's hastily erected barrier. The delayed defense barely held against the modest attack.

Cracking her eyes open post-flash, Elente saw the white-haired mage preparing another spell.

'No sound at all...!'

She'd sensed the mana direction but heard nothing—meaning he'd erased the sound.

'Confusion magic...! He accounted for my auditory reliance!'

The 1st Grade sound barrier spell. Rapidly alternating magic types was challenging—likely why Derek's counter lacked power as he couldn't focus solely on offense.

Had it been 2nd Grade or higher, the match would've ended with the barrier activating.

This duel continued only because he was a 1st Grade mage. Realizing this, Elente gritted her teeth and summoned more mana.

'If he keeps relying on technique, overwhelming firepower will crush him!'

Elente leaped back while gathering stronger mana, but Derek closed the gap instantly.

'Forcing close combat? Confident in casting speed?'

Rapid casting was Elente's specialty. She'd gladly match him in this.

Her gaze locked onto Derek's fingertips, ready to pierce his defense with an ice spear the moment he focused.

- Thud!

But Derek's spell manifested half a beat faster than expected.

Unlike Discipline School mages who manifest from fingertips, Derek's technique differed.

As he stomped the ground while closing in, power erupted from his foot.

1st Grade Power Manifestation.

The surge from his stomping foot.

Elente gaped but barely managed a defense.

- Crash! Zap!

The redirected shockwave narrowly missed her, embedding into the platform with a vicious crackle.

A direct hit would've ended the match. As Elente struggled to regroup, Derek seized the opening.

Just as he prepared the finishing move—

- Ding! Ding! Ding!

The enchanted bell rang, signaling the 10-minute time limit. Unresolved duels ended in draws.

"Well fought."

Derek bowed promptly.

Lady Elente stared intently with her crimson eyes, expression unreadable.

"You're quite the mage."

Having recognized Derek's skill through their exchanges, Lady Elente adjusted her dress with newfound decorum.

Her previously dismissive attitude now carried basic courtesy.

"With stronger spells, you'd have won handily."

"Not at all. Your mana control surpasses any noble I've seen. The Belmiere Count's daughter is truly exceptional."

"Is that so."

Attendants rushed to adjust Elente's appearance post-duel—noble ladies couldn't tolerate even momentary dishevelment.

Seated for grooming, her satisfied expression betrayed enjoyment of their match.

"No notable lineage, yet such refinement suggests extraordinary effort."

"Survival demanded it. Mercenary work leaves little choice."

"No need for humble excuses. I admire perseverance."

Perhaps three or four commoners per generation reached 3rd Grade through sheer determination against all odds.

Elente easily imagined Derek's thorny path and offered light encouragement.

"That said, the stuffy old man pretending dignity outside dislikes such things. Best not stand out too much."

She smirked, chin-pointing toward Pellmier observing stiffly.

Derek avoided looking, not wanting to acknowledge their discussion.

Pleased by his discretion, Elente tried recalling where she'd heard his name.

"Today's duel inspired me. Perhaps my next magic match will fare better."

"Your skills are outstanding—no need for concern."

"Hmm? Mediocre mages pose no challenge. I don't consider those duels."

Brushing her hair, Elente's gaze lowered.

"There's just one opponent I must defeat."

"...Many surpass you in dueling?"

"Hardly. Just one consistently unbeatable rival."

She didn't name them, but deduction wasn't difficult.

The Rosea Salon's mages rarely exceeded Elente's level. Among noble ladies matching her magic prowess, only Beltus or Duplein family members remained.

Having reportedly defeated Lady Denise of Beltus repeatedly, that left only Aiselin Eleanor Duplein.

"..."

Elente's brow furrowed at the thought—a habitual tell.

The"Lily of Duplein"surpassed her in every aspect—family prestige, noble grace, and accomplishments.

Aiselin excelled in all ladylike disciplines, flawless in every observable way, with personality to match. Even casual acquaintances praised her perfected character.

Such celestial beings typically inspired awe.

But awe belonged to the utterly unattainable. For those perpetually almost-within-reach, the heart bred envy.

Derek discreetly averted his gaze from her sudden silence.

Behind widespread admiration, she harbored jealousy incarnate.

Outmatched in family status, ladylike refinement, and grace... she had to at least surpass Aiselin in magic—her specialty.

Yet Aiselin's magical prowess matched her other virtues, making total defeat inevitable. The world called this abyss of frustration an inferiority complex.

"If we're concluding, I'll take my leave. For future commissions, contact Commander Jayden of Velderun Mercenaries. Your magic instructor likely knows him."

"Yes, you've served well."

Elente replied absently.

Thoughts of Aiselin invariably chilled her demeanor—a bad habit she shook her head to dispel.

The duel had sparked new magical insights worth practicing. Then suddenly—

Aiselin Eleanor Duplein.

The association triggered a buried memory. Elente's pupils dilated.

A conversation from springtime, now half-forgotten—

-'Ah, Derek's the magic tutor's name. A mercenary from Velderun Group with remarkably unique mana application—'

Derek.

The very tutor Aiselin had praised relentlessly at the Rosea Salon—who taught Diela Catherine Duplein 1st Grade Magic.

The wandering magic instructor even Aiselin couldn't retain.

- Thud.

Elente grabbed her maid's wrist to halt grooming, then rushed to intercept Derek at the exit, seizing his collar.

As he turned in surprise, she met his gaze head-on.

"You're that mercenary who taught magic at Duplein Mansion."

Her crimson eyes glittered intensely.