Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 36

The Raspa Great Cave on Ramhill Slope had been abandoned for quite some time.

Though it was once a labyrinth filled with treasures, any dungeon located near a major city like Evelstain would inevitably be conquered quickly.

Now it was just an empty hollow, yet merchants still avoided passing through this area.

It wasn't a major trade route, and despite being vacant, magical beasts often wandered in from nearby. Few had reason to traverse such a dangerous, desolate place. Which made it perfect for Derek and Drest to hide.

Denise stared at the massive cave entrance with a relaxed expression, though her head maid Bella's face was etched with concern.

"Lady Denise. I still think we should avoid going too deep. Let's just scout the perimeter first. If we can't find him easily, we should report to the family head and return with soldiers. What do you think?"

Though excited to be the first to locate Derek, bringing only a few guards into such a dangerous place was reckless for a noble lady.

If Derek was just staying near the entrance, meeting him wouldn't be difficult. But venturing deeper would require retreating first.

However, Denise had no intention of turning back.

"There might be some magical beasts inside... and it's vast and complex, so blindly entering would be risky. But Bella, if we go back to report now, all my advantage disappears."

"I-Is that so?"

"Mobilizing an entire military unit would alert the other families. And that Derek fellow probably wouldn't want to deal with nobles bringing armed forces either."

"S-so you're planning to enter?"

"Don't make me repeat myself."

Bella anxiously checked the guards'reactions.

The guards tasked with protecting Lady Denise exchanged uneasy glances. If their charge got seriously injured in the cave, their lives would be forfeit.

But stopping Lady Denise was another matter entirely. She was already conjuring a light orb and striding into the cave. They had no choice but to follow.

As Denise advanced with magical illumination, the guards hurried after her, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.

The servants worried she might try reaching the deepest parts—until, fortunately, they spotted a lone figure sitting on a flat rock just before the path descended.

Compared to when they'd glimpsed him at the magic dueling grounds, he looked much more haggard and exhausted.

His shaggy white bangs partially covered his eyes, and his worn equipment seemed poorly maintained—unlike his usual state.

His appearance suggested unimaginable hardships over the past week.

The mage sat motionless on the rock as if having achieved enlightenment.

Neither lavishly dressed nor exuding any particular authority, yet his silent vigil radiated an indescribable pressure.

'Definitely different,'Denise thought as she approached.

"To what do I owe this visit to such a humble place?"

Surprisingly, his greeting was extremely polite and proper.

He looked directly at Denise as he spoke. The accompanying servants all gulped nervously.

Having no idea what to expect from Derek, they couldn't help but tense up. Yet seeing him, Denise's face lit up with confidence.

'Though disheveled and rough-looking now, that's surely from intense training... His manners show he's a reasonable person. And he looked perfectly normal at the dueling grounds, so he shouldn't deviate too far from my expectations.'

This mage was precisely the instructor both the Belmierd and Duplein families coveted.

Recruiting him would give Duke Beltus more leverage in the tripartite negotiations. Given how Count Belmierd and Duke Duplein would do anything for their daughters, they might even make concessions. The Beltus family could exploit this advantage endlessly.

If she could bring him to the Beltus household, all credit would be hers.

Denise cleared her throat and smiled brightly.

"Derek... That is you, correct...?"

Her expression radiated the innocent nobility of a sheltered young lady.

Having freshened up in the carriage and fixed her hair en route, Denise looked like a living work of art with her silver-gray locks elegantly swept back.

"Yes, that's correct."

"I've found the right person then...! I-I was so nervous... I couldn't find the words for a moment... My apologies..."

"Pardon?"

"I-I came specifically to meet you, Derek. After so much searching... I just wanted... to talk with you at least once..."

Her cautious yet dignified demeanor made Bella, standing quietly behind her, smile knowingly.

In full noble mode, Denise seemed like a completely different person.

What captivates people?

Having devoured master romance novelists'works in her room and navigated high society while maintaining noble decorum, Denise had firm theories about attraction.

First, appearance must be beautiful. With sky-high confidence in her looks, this wasn't an issue.

But looks alone couldn't captivate everyone.

To make someone want to follow and stay with you required qualities beyond beauty—poise and charm.

Denise knew she wasn't perfect internally. But she had techniques to appear so.

Demurely clasping her hands, Denise blushed.

"I've seen you in my dreams so many times. The rumors among noble ladies are everywhere. About an outstanding, reliable magic instructor who can elevate one's skills overnight. Someone truly admirable in character."

"That's excessive praise. Those I've taught were already accomplished individuals. I can't create nonexistent talent, and a commoner like me hardly deserves such respect."

"Such humility is precisely why you're so highly regarded. But I truly wish to learn magic from you."

Denise's sparkling eyes shone with what seemed like pure admiration.

Anyone seeing this beautiful girl's reverent expression would melt.

Men crave recognition. When a noble lady like Denise gazes with such genuine-seeming respect, resistance crumbles.

Denise knew how to leverage her noble status and beauty.

However extraordinary Derek's magic or teaching skills, he was still just a teenage boy.

How could he refuse when a Beltus daughter showed such initiative?

But contrary to Denise's expectations, Derek wasn't melting into an agreeable yes-man.

"Why are you speaking so theatrically, Lady Denise?"

"..."

"I've heard much from Lady Aiselin and Lady Elente. They praised you as sharp and wise."

Of course—Derek knew Denise wasn't some naive innocent.

Bella, standing three steps behind with hands clasped, maintained her composure. If she were Denise, she'd be dying of embarrassment now.

But Denise had strong mental fortitude. What could she do? Getting caught was part of the seduction game.

"Lady Aiselin and Lady Elente overpraise me. As one of the Rosea Salon Trio, I simply strive not to embarrass myself."

"I see. I shouldn't have judged someone I've never met based solely on others'opinions. My apologies."

"No need, Derek. You thought well of me, didn't you?"

'...Is Lady Denise's act actually working...?'

Bella couldn't read Derek at all.

The young mage seemed both receptive and distant—his intentions unclear.

Denise felt similarly but remained unfazed. She never expected an easy target anyway. Hadn't even Aiselin and Elente failed to secure him?

'Now... how to handle him...'

Studying Derek, Denise deliberately intensified her blush.

"Anyway, my request is... would you consider becoming the Beltus family's magic instructor? I came all this way to ask personally."

A Beltus daughter personally tracking him down—even with his abilities, the social gap should feel overwhelming.

Derek did look slightly troubled. Clearly he hadn't expected visitors in his remote training spot.

While mercenary replacements were plentiful, no one matched Derek's unique reputation among the three great families. Being holed up in this cave, he probably didn't know recent noble circles'developments—which worked in Denise's favor.

Regardless, she'd found him first among the three families. Dragging this out risked others catching wind.

If she couldn't recruit Derek today, things would get complicated. And Denise abhorred complications.

"I'm grateful a mere commoner mage like me would warrant such effort. But as you can see, I'm not currently in a position to teach anyone."

"Because you're focused on magic training?"

"Yes. I've encountered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Honestly, I wish to concentrate solely on my own development now."

The servants exchanged glances.

A Beltus daughter came all this way only to be rejected to her face?

If he had some grand reason, perhaps. But refusing just to train himself? That wouldn't fly easily.

While Lady Denise wasn't the type, any determined noble lady could easily crush a commoner.

But Derek occupied a unique position. Despite his low birth and lack of connections, major families coveted his talents.

Had she taken offense, everything could collapse. Of course, Denise could smoothly deflect such slights.

"Thank you for your honesty, Derek. But I'm desperate too."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Seeing how seriously Lady Aiselin and Lady Elente train during magic duels shocked me. You've witnessed it firsthand—they strive harder than anyone to uphold noble dignity."

Denise spoke with firm resolve. Watching her, Bella nearly laughed.

Though Denise preaching sincerity was ironic, her persuasive performance was unmatched.

Clasping her hands with dewy eyes, she perfectly triggered protective instincts.

"Being left behind is... heartbreaking."

"..."

"When everyone progresses calmly while you stagnate, self-esteem erodes bit by bit. Why hide it? I'm terrified of failing to match those two."

Denise stepped forward and took Derek's grimy hands in her pristine ones.

Without hesitation, her delicate white hands gripped his calloused ones as she locked eyes and pleaded earnestly.

"That's why I searched so hard to find you. Derek."

With vulnerable fragility, Denise asked:

"Please. Rescue me from drowning in anxiety every night. My own magical achievements... aren't enough anymore."

"..."

Derek studied Denise silently.

The dark cave. Denise gazing at him with moist, pleading eyes.

She maintained eye contact for an uncomfortably long time.

How many men could resist such a delicate, precarious gaze? Bella and even the guards were inwardly impressed.

Yet Derek finally spoke calmly:

"Lady Denise doesn't seem particularly invested in magical achievement. You used 1-Star light magic coming here, correct?"

"Huh? You sensed that from here?"

"Yes. Your mana reserves are impressive, but lack the sharpness of daily training. That's not talent—it's willpower."

Denise's pupils briefly dilated before recovering.

"What are you—"

"Lady Denise. With all due respect, feigning magical passion before an obsessed mage isn't wise."

Derek was the type to lose himself completely in magic.

Those he taught—whether Diela or Elente—shared genuine dedication to magical mastery.

"Some might take that as an insult."

Facing his piercing gaze, Denise realized:

Beneath her thick mask, this boy had seen right through her.

"I don't understand why Lady Denise needs me. But it clearly isn't for magical growth."

Derek stood, brushing himself off. Though sleep-deprived from magical obsession, he remained steady.

"How can I fulfill a commission without knowing the client's true desires? I don't accept requests beyond my capabilities. That would disrespect the client."

He bowed slightly—a polite refusal.

"Please find someone more suitable than a lowly wandering mercenary like me. That would better suit Lady Denise's status."

His flawless etiquette left no room for argument.

"Huh...?"

Denise felt like she'd been clubbed.

Her stellar acting might as well not have happened. A wound formed on her pride.

She'd prepared for resistance, knowing even Aiselin and Elente failed to secure him.

But being so thoroughly rejected? Unthinkable. Had he shown even slight hesitation, it wouldn't sting so badly.

'The Beltus daughter personally tracked him down, bowed her head, and...?'

The insult stemmed partly from noble pride, but more importantly—

'I'm this beautiful, on the verge of tears...??'

Her vanity was incurable.

"I'll conclude today's training then."

"W-wait! Derek! At least—"

Before Denise could stop him, Derek leaped nimbly off the rock and disappeared into the cave's depths.

The stunned servants gaped. They'd heard rumors of a reclusive prodigy, but never expected such an eccentric.

"Sh-should we pursue him, my lady?"

As Derek vanished into darkness, Bella hurried forward.

But Denise just stood there, smiling eerily.

"L-Lady Denise?"

"Hmm. I knew he was principled, but never expected such resolve."

Bella looked uneasy.

"Fine. That's how it is, huh? I came all this way, holding back tears, wearing perfect makeup and expensive perfume, only to be met with that indifferent face."

"My lady. Calm down and think rationally. Let's inform the main house about this cave's location first—"

"Huh? Calm down? Why would I need to calm down? Don't be ridiculous, Bella. Who would think I'm angry?"

Despite her words, Denise's smiling eyes couldn't hide the vein throbbing on her forehead.

Bella swallowed dryly.

Though getting rejected after such effort must sting her pride, saying so would be unwise.

While Lady Denise usually avoided exertion, once motivated, she became terrifyingly persistent.

"I just... feel... competitive suddenly... hehe..."

Bella massaged her temples, enduring a headache. Having known Denise for years, she understood.

When encountering an immovable tree, Denise only swung her axe harder.