Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 29

If magic star ranks and proficiency judge a technique's completion, then the total amount of magical power itself could be compared to basic physical stamina.

No matter how many splendid spells one mastered, if the quantity of magic power to manifest them was insufficient, their meaning would often fade.

If asked to list reasons commoners couldn't match noble magical achievements, one could cite dozens, but one major factor was the innate quantity of magic power.

Mages born of noble bloodlines often possessed extraordinary innate magical reserves from birth.

Needless to say, this was especially true for mages from the most prestigious families like Duplein, Beltus, and Belmierd.

- Whoosh!

The 1st Grade Magic Elente unleashed with both hands was, in scale alone, at a level that would make even entry-level 2nd Grade mages gasp in awe.

The difference between 1st and 2nd Grade was like that between an arrow and a cannonball. While there was inherently a vast gap in power between them, the meaning could change when overwhelming quantity was involved.

Elente's magic was such a case.

The walls of flame erupting around her seemed ready to consume the entire world. Who in this world could deny it? She was the most talented mage of House Belmierd.

But her opponent was Aiselin Eleanor Duplein.

Her father was one of the rare 5th-Class Mages on this continent. Someone who could wield magic of such immense scale without batting an eye.

Anyone seeing such magic for the first time would inevitably be overwhelmed, but Aiselin had witnessed it several times before. Without much alarm, she channeled magic to manifest the 1st Grade Magic"Shockwave."

- Whoosh!

There was no need to completely neutralize that massive spell. Protecting herself alone would suffice.

It wasn't that Aiselin couldn't perform such flashy magic herself. In dignified magic duels like this, there were many important things to consider beyond just the scale of magic.

Elente surely knew this too, yet she pressed forward with omnidirectional magic as if to say"So what?"

The heavy magic imbued in each strike carried Elente's sincerity. The very will to win at all costs.

'Her magic quantity is impressive...! But without focus, she'll exhaust herself quickly...!'

Sweating from the rising heat, Aiselin resolved not to let her guard down.

'The larger the scale of magic, the more openings appear...! I see gaps...!'

Lady Aiselin spotted Lady Elente channeling magic beyond the flames. A mana arrow instantly curved through the air, striking Lady Elente's body directly.

'Direct hit!'

At that moment of triumph, the figure that seemed to be channeling magic suddenly dissolved into mana and vanished.

Lady Aiselin instantly adjusted her stance. It was Confusion Magic -"Minor Illusion."

While illusion techniques using mana were the most representative of Confusion Magic, even 1st Grade illusions could barely move or mimic their original properly.

They were mere target dummies that vanished into mana when hit - nothing more, nothing less.

But in this extreme situation where the surroundings were covered in magical flames, distinguishing these illusions wasn't easy.

Regaining her senses, Aiselin saw Elente's figure everywhere. Though the unnaturalness of each could be noticed upon close inspection, Elente had no intention of giving her that luxury.

Now Aiselin understood why Elente had wasted so much mana on such wide-range attacks. To keep pressing and confusing her.

In such chaos, even Aiselin couldn't be certain of properly countering a surprise attack.

'Her technique itself has improved significantly, and her application has diversified...!'

Above all, it was gorgeous and dazzling.

Perfectly matching the scale expected of magic duels between prestigious families where many came to watch. Displaying magical prowess to elevate one's house name was more common in such environments than one might think.

Several mana arrows flew from beyond her vision.

Aiselin reflexively blocked them all, but they were sharp strikes that could have decided the match with just a slight delay.

Deception and inducing confusion. Though potentially appearing petty, the colorful and brilliant execution concealed such cowardice. While essentially tactical tricks to defeat an opponent, the beauty of the blossoming fireworks buried all such intentions.

Indeed, the audience was mesmerized by the beautifully blooming flames.

If Aiselin was a pure white lily, Elente was a brilliantly blooming rose.

As if proving this, she revealed her magical identity.

Strolling leisurely through the flames while smoothing her skirt resembled a peacock preening its feathers. Her cascading red hair became part of the flames.

Aiselin easily discerned subtle traces of that white-haired mercenary's influence in Elente's dazzling display.

She had absorbed mercenaries'improvisation and agility without losing her own brilliance.

-"Don't let your guard down too much."

Lady Aiselin fully understood that advice Derek had given.

Different from teaching Diela. Mages who received that boy's instruction often brought techniques targeting opponents'weaknesses.

Considering confusion magic was one of his specialties, he clearly influenced Elente's strategy.

'In this case, I have no choice but to push with firepower...!'

Though Aiselin didn't particularly favor such grandiose magic displays, that didn't mean she couldn't perform them.

If an opponent couldn't be subdued through measured exchanges, she too could unleash a torrent of arrows.

Thus Aiselin channeled magic, manifesting dozens of sizable ice spears.

- Ooh!

- To manifest magic of that level with almost no incantation!

Exclamations arose from the audience.

Aiselin's magic manifestation speed was at a level even veteran mages would nod at.

But the ice spears shattered before even orienting themselves.

- Crash! Bang!

Before she realized, mana arrows from Lady Elente had precisely struck and detonated all the ice spears.

Elente had also experienced this from Derek.

He would preemptively counter before opponents could even set their magic's direction, neutralizing spells.

Such delicate mana manipulation couldn't be replicated from seeing it once, but after dozens or hundreds of repetitions in the labyrinth with him, she'd internalized it.

Magic has direction.

Reading an opponent's intent reveals where their magic will go.

Only now did theories Derek had tirelessly explained begin manifesting in actual combat.

Elente felt an odd exhilaration.

Advices casually tossed out that she might have disregarded were all practical tips grounded in experience.

For practical combat, no teacher surpassed Derek.

Both Aiselin and Elente realized this.

Aiselin's eyes widened momentarily before regaining composure.

Subconsciously considering Elente's magic beneath her, Aiselin now recognized that arrogance.

Her self-reflection was swift, and so was her adaptation.

Resetting all premises, Aiselin resolved to go all out.

- Whoooosh!

The exhilaration of fighting evenly with Aiselin.

Amidst that euphoria dominating Elente's hazy vision, the cold blade of reality struck.

Aiselin's mana began enveloping the dueling ground as she committed fully.

What followed happened in an instant.

First, the fiery spectacle filling the arena vanished completely. As if never there.

Then all mana arrows Elente gathered dissipated under overwhelming force. Also as if never existing.

Lady Elente's eyes widened.

The flower of House Duplein opposite her made no grand gestures nor showed emotion.

She simply closed and opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and gripped her fluttering skirt with intense focus.

In that moment, the world fell silent.

Not even star-ranked magic. The sheer quantity of rising mana suppressed Elente's spells.

No technical factors were involved.

Like an adult pinning down a child showing off fancy techniques with pure strength... the girl neutralized all Elente's magic through raw mana quantity alone.

A mage nearing 2nd Grade versus one just mastering 1st Grade.

However slight that gap seemed, its enormity now became clear.

This wasn't to suppress Elente's magic. Merely preparation for the next spell.

Her demeanor remained elegant. Like the pure lily she embodied, her hand gracefully smoothing her dress suddenly clenched.

In that instant, brilliant light flooded Elente's vision.

- KABOOM!

The explosion followed slightly delayed.

-"Derek, honestly I'm not sure I can beat Lady Aiselin."

-"I've consistently asserted it. You will win."

-"Are you truly that confident?"

-"Yes. Actually... to be precise..."

Among monster corpses, Elente recalled the boy's words.

-"We'll make you win."

His absolute assurance that Elente would defeat Aiselin.

Trusting only that, she endured grueling training, but now couldn't help doubting again.

Aiselin's eyes turned serious as 2nd Grade Magic"Fireball"erupted from her hands.

An explosion large enough to engulf the entire platform drew gasps and cheers.

The girl had just used 2nd Grade Magic.

A sight even Magic Society observers couldn't help gaping at.

'This... can't be real...?'

Somehow Elente survived the blast.

Only one reason she could maintain defensive magic against 2nd Grade Magic: luck.

Still unskilled with 2nd Grade spells, Aiselin's fireball veered off-target despite her efforts, letting Elente endure just the aftermath.

A slightly more accurate shot would have ended it.

"Haah... haah..."

Lady Aiselin panted exhaustedly.

Though appearing cornered, the attack's range and impact proved everything. Tricks like before wouldn't work on Lady Aiselin.

Each strike neutralized all gimmicks.

What technique could matter against such overwhelming disparity?

Yet Elente gathered mana again, distancing herself.

While spectators marveled at the 2nd Grade Magic display, Elente ignored them.

Determined to win, she'd use every means to corner Aiselin.

After several exchanges, when the second fireball came, more exclamations erupted.

Though still tremendously powerful, unrefined 2nd Grade Magic couldn't easily overwhelm Elente. She could evade, but any direct hit would decide it.

Yet... despite the overwhelming gap, Elente faintly sensed victory.

Aiselin's face, seen during exchanges, had lost much composure.

Beads of sweat showed her gradual cornering.

Now Derek's entire strategy became clear.

She could never beat Aiselin through pure ability.

But Derek had accounted for Aiselin's upright nature.

Acknowledging an opponent as an equal, Aiselin would commit fully.

She'd exhaust herself with unmastered 2nd Grade Magic - a mana-devouring beast when unrefined.

Her integrity guaranteed she'd use it, respecting the duel.

Thus their mana efficiency differed.

Derek had anticipated Aiselin would soon master 2nd Grade Magic.

Endurance meant victory. No need to match her honorably.

So what if slightly cowardly? Exploiting her integrity?

Using unmastered 2nd Grade Magic to show respect, Aiselin would eventually show openings.

Or it would become a battle of willpower - who could scrape up more exhausted mana.

And for willpower training, Elente had endured Derek's relentless drills for weeks. Her mental endurance already differed from greenhouse flowers.

Had that teenage magic teacher envisioned even this?

Elente clicked her tongue.

She understood his intent. Proceeding this way, victory wasn't impossible despite 2nd Grade Magic.

- Whoosh! Bang!

- Whoosh!

After ten more exchanges, the duel approached its limit.

"Haah... haah..."

Both completely drained. Much time remained before the draw signal.

Elente's legs trembled. Repeatedly exhausting her mana left her unaccustomed to this fatigue.

Aiselin's fingers shook violently. She'd never pushed herself like this. No teacher would brutalize Duplein's heiress.

That gap would decide everything.

At the absolute limit, Elente scraped up final dregs of mana, gritting her teeth to manifest another spell.

"Ugh, huff... huff..."

Aiselin also struggled to gather mana, but this was unfamiliar territory.

She sensed Elente's gathered mana and knew:

The next strike - or the one after - would decide it.

Yet Lady Aiselin clenched her teeth. Despite looming defeat, she resisted with all her might.

'...Got it! I've cornered her! I... I've cornered Aiselin...!'

Through hazy vision, Elente felt rising euphoria.

Gaining advantage over Aiselin, everything proceeding as Derek planned.

Then, seeing Aiselin's determined eyes, cold water seemed poured over her head.

"..."

Continuing this battle of attrition would surely bring victory. People would say while Aiselin's magic was superior, Elente's mana management won - then she'd declare victory and exit smiling.

How long had she dreamed of this?

But silence filled the arena.

She locked eyes with Derek watching calmly from the wall.

Exhausted Aiselin versus Elente who could fight more.

His crimson eyes watched indifferently, as if expecting this.

Meeting those chilling eyes felt like a knife through her heart.

'...'

A lull in combat.

While both caught their breath, Elente wondered: Why had she wanted to beat Aiselin? The answer was clear.

She'd loathed her petty jealousy toward someone everyone admired. She wanted victory to escape this inferiority.

But now she doubted. Would defeating Aiselin through attrition truly free her?

Could she stop envying this living idol?

Even cornered and panting, Aiselin appeared noble and radiant. Her brilliant eyes shone with determination to overcome any trial.

A certain sublimity surrounded her.

-"Then let's win."

'...'

Even while declaring victory, Derek showed no satisfaction.

Elente finally understood. Thinking she'd grasped his intent was also arrogance.

What Derek truly wanted to teach wasn't how to win this duel, corner Aiselin, or escape that wretched jealousy.

Only now did Elente realize she'd been fighting an unwinnable battle.

Though considered Belmierd's pillar handling various affairs, she was still just a girl.

Some truths immature life experience couldn't grasp: people live jealous until death.

The envy she'd detested and restrained was as much a part of her as her limbs. Being human meant carrying it forever.

Like all struggling people, the only answer was bearing it.

That's why Derek had helped so thoroughly.

Though similar in age, the boy sometimes seemed decades more experienced.

He'd already known.

Trying to suppress such feelings was itself an unwinnable fight.

Realizing this, Elente finally looked around.

The audience watched breathlessly. Their admiring gazes all turned toward Aiselin - how could they not?

Her noble demeanor captivated all, her virtuous nature embraced everyone. She'd even manifested 2nd Grade Magic here. Clearly the protagonist.

Large light sources always cast cool shadows. Having lived perpetually in such shadows, Elente finally understood something she'd missed her whole life.

"..."

In the silence, Elente closed and opened her eyes... then smiled with noble grace. An exquisitely aristocratic, beautiful smile.

Lady Aiselin's eyes widened.

"As expected, I can't match Lady Aiselin. My mana is completely exhausted."

Having observed closely, Aiselin knew:

Elente could fight more if she scraped her very last reserves. Continuing this battle of attrition meant Aiselin's defeat.

Yet with her most dignified smile ever, Elente lifted her skirt in a graceful bow.

"I concede. It was an excellent duel."

- Clapclapclapclap!!!

Deafening applause erupted, shaking the venue.

Reverence for Lady Aiselin filled the air.

"Lady Aiselin! Astounding! 2nd Grade Magic!"

"With Prince Valerian already bringing glory to House Duplein, now Lady Aiselin too...! The Duke will be delighted!"

"Bella of House Redon! I've always admired you...! This duel... so moving...!"

As the duel ended, crowds swarmed Aiselin with praise.

Amidst them, Elente straightened her skirt in a distant corner.

Before Aiselin could call out, Elente quickly descended from the platform.

"Ele...!"

Vanishing down the corridor, she seemed to wipe her eyes.

Derek, leaning against the wall, quietly followed.

Turning back, he bowed respectfully to Lady Aiselin amidst her admirers. For now, he was Elente's person.