Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40

Aiselin was utterly deflated.

The servants had been worried seeing her gloomy expression ever since returning to the Evelstain mansion, but she managed to force a faint smile.

This was her first time being so blatantly rejected by someone.

-'Lady Aiselin has nothing more to learn from me.'

Derek's words carried multiple implications.

Young noblewomen who hadn't fully matured in magic often possessed diverse potentials. But Aiselin was unique in having already established her own distinct magical world.

She followed the standard growth trajectory of the Noble Discipline School's magic like a textbook example.

The free-spirited mana utilization of Derek, who came from the Wild School, might actually slow down her progress.

Though she couldn't help but nod in agreement with Derek's assessment, she still couldn't fully accept it.

'When I think about it, I've always just been walking the straight and narrow path.'

She felt like a bird blankly staring at others outside its cage.

They say people always yearn for what they don't have. While Aiselin was the object of everyone's admiration, she herself admired what everyone else possessed—that very free-spiritedness.

She didn't need to look far. Her own younger sister Diela was the very embodiment of that freedom.

The young artist who casually splashed paint on canvases to capture the world's scenery also wielded magic with the same unrestrained approach as Derek.

Though born into a noble family, having naturally absorbed the Wild School's mana utilization methods, she seemed to be advancing into realms Aiselin couldn't reach.

'I want to experience magic beyond the system too...'

Aiselin stared blankly out the window, lost in thought.

From her mansion atop a large hill, the entire expanse of Evelstain spread before her eyes.

The luxurious and brilliant Noble District at the center, surrounded by various sectors where commoners struggled to make ends living, and beyond the city walls stretched vast grasslands and granary regions.

The world was so vast, yet Aiselin could count on one hand the times she'd ventured beyond her cradle.

Being born at the highest position meant there was nowhere lower she could go. That was simply her station in life.

"A letter has arrived from the main house. Prince Valerian will hold his deployment ceremony next week. Young Master Raeg will also be accompanying him, so it seems it will be quite a grand event."

"Yes, I heard. Since it's Valerian's first deployment ceremony, I should prepare a proper gift..."

When the maid delivered news from the main house, Aiselin sighed deeply and gathered her scattered thoughts.

Rumors had already reached Evelstain about the Duplein family's eldest and second sons leading an expedition to conquer the White Wilderness labyrinth region north of their territory.

The Duke of Duplein had entrusted his long-cherished project of developing the White Wilderness to his two most reliable sons.

The White Wilderness was filled with all manner of perilous labyrinths. That meant it also likely contained countless undiscovered treasures. Particularly, rumors abounded about ancient necromantic texts or artifacts like the Staff of Rozin, once wielded by the 5-star summoner Rozin.

She hoped her brothers would return with good news, and thought she should select an appropriate gift in advance.

"I should visit the shopping district. For such an important gift, I ought to choose it myself."

Aiselin rose, gathering the indigo skirts of her dress.

She was far too busy to remain mired in melancholy.

"I-Is this the Duplein family's seal? Are you under their protection?"

"Not exactly protection... I once completed a commission for them and received this as thanks."

Derek was showing the Duplein seal he'd received from Valerian to a shop owner in the Noble District.

He had some business to attend to before heading to Denise's mansion today.

"Seeing Prince Valerian's personal crest confirms its authenticity... I can show you items exclusively supplied to the Duplein family."

The shopping district in Evelstain's Noble Quarter.

The atmosphere was entirely different from the commoners'marketplaces. Every establishment featured antique carpets and curtains as standard, filled with fragrant incense, with displays always impeccably maintained.

Food, magical implements, equipment, clothing, books... Not a speck of dust could be found on any item.

Compared to commoner shops where you had to blow dust off everything, the contrast was stark.

In a corner of this shopping district, Derek had just shown the Duplein seal. The shopkeeper's eyes widened in surprise.

This mercenary he'd thought insignificant actually had connections to the Duplein family.

Merchants lived and died by their networks.

When an opportunity arose to maintain even slight connections with noble families, they were willing to give their all.

"I'd like to purchase some magical implements. Do you carry wands or staves?"

"We have many magical items, but wands and staves are all high-end. Even nobles need to bring substantial gold to purchase them—can you afford that?"

"Hmm... I'd need to see the prices first."

Derek followed the shopkeeper into a back area reserved for VIPs.

The items displayed outside were already high-quality, but the further in they went, the more extraordinary the artifacts became. Likely mixed with the merchant's personal collection.

"Oho..."

Derek's eyes sparkled as he entered the inner sanctum of the noble shop.

Cloaks that enhanced mana flow, elixirs that replenished magical energy, even a rare 3-Star Magic Tome was on display.

The merchant, proud of his collection of rare items, beamed with satisfaction seeing Derek's awed expression.

"The Duke of Duplein himself has visited once or twice. His Grace generously purchased several of these precious items. You won't find such treasures elsewhere."

"What are the prices for wands and staves?"

"...Only two are currently available for sale.'Eye of Salas'from the Alonden Academy in the northern continent, and'Andante'from the Drest Academy in the southwest—one wand and one staff. Both cost hundreds of gold coins. Equivalent to a modest mansion's price."

Magical weapons often bore unique names. Most were created by renowned transformation mages pouring their all into the craft.

Transformation mages specializing in alchemy, magical weapon forging, elemental stone creation, and mana stone production considered it a great honor to have their works called"masterpieces."Hence, notable ones often gave their creations distinctive names.

Nothing was more ridiculous than attaching grandiose names to mediocre works, but famous creations endured through time, enhancing their makers'reputations.

The most famous wand was'Dawn'by the 5-star transformation mage Dalrok, while the most renowned staff was'Light of the Empire'by the 6-star transformation mage Kohlera.

'Dawn'was known to be wielded by the northern champion Lord Melberot, while'Light of the Empire'belonged to Emperor Gertrel. Both utterly unattainable.

'I'm not expecting anything on that level... but even the wand here is absurdly priced.'

Magical weapons were items only 3-star mages and above could properly wield.

Already rare, with demand coming exclusively from exceptional individuals, such exorbitant prices weren't unreasonable.

'I knew they were expensive, but seeing them in person is daunting.'

Derek repeatedly nodded as he examined the magnificent staff.

Owning a magical weapon would undoubtedly help achieve higher magical mastery.

Having reached 3-star proficiency, his desire for magical arms had intensified.

Lost in thought while examining the weapons, Derek soon noticed the time and hurriedly left the shop.

- Thud, thud, thud.

Derek strode purposefully through Denise's mansion, located in the outermost area of Evelstain's Noble District.

Typically, the private mansions of the Three Great Noble Families'young ladies featured lavish corridors. Elente's residence was so filled with artworks it was hard to distinguish from a museum.

But Denise's mansion was surprisingly modest, containing only essentials. Reflecting Lady Denise's frugal style of minimizing unnecessary expenses.

Derek marched down the hallway, followed by Bella wearing an awkward expression.

As Denise's longtime maid, Bella anxiously asked Derek to slow down, but he paid no heed.

Rather, the mansion staff were watching Derek's demeanor. And rightfully so—his position was unassailable.

Derek was talent the Beltus family had actively sought out and requested.

They hadn't hired him out of pity—they'd earnestly begged him to come. He owed no one deference.

Hadn't Denise herself gone to Raspa Cave to plead for him to become her instructor? Even if she regretted it later, that fact remained unchanged.

-'It's good to maintain close relations with all Three Great Noble Families. Depending on how the future unfolds, some houses may decline while others rise.'

-'However, there's no need for absolute loyalty to any single house. Playing them against each other would be ideal—that way your value increases and you gain recognition from all.'

Advice from his mentor Drest Wolftail.

Having examined countless branching futures, he'd first advised the commoner-born mage Derek to get close to nobility, being well-versed in aristocratic behavior.

Unless one harbored particular animosity toward nobles, keeping close relations wasn't detrimental.

The Duke of Duplein had turned a blind eye to Derek's magical achievements. No matter how outstanding a commoner's skills, if they maintained friendly relations with his house, he wouldn't openly oppose them.

This held special significance with the Three Great Families. Building goodwill with them meant gaining powerful allies rather than enemies. Thus, advancing one's magical mastery required maintaining amicable noble relations.

Ultimately, there was only one way for a commoner mage to reach high mastery without opposition—having powerful nobles even other nobles feared as backers.

He'd already established connections with the Duplein and Belmierd families. That left only the Beltus family.

Derek's primary motivation for accepting Lady Denise's request was this strategic consideration. But not the only one.

-'I hate magic.'

Denise, who hadn't even properly tasted the basics of magical study, regarded the profound world of magic as merely stuffy elitists'status symbols. Derek found her attitude intolerable.

If asked whether his pride was wounded, Derek would have to admit—it was.

When someone immersed day and night in magic hears it dismissed as trivial, their veins would bulge in frustration.

What right had she, having lived so briefly, to pontificate about life's meaninglessness? Only those like Drest, having experienced life's full spectrum, could truly speak of existential emptiness.

He wanted to cure this spoiled girl's arrogance after just a few disappointments.

He pitied Denise for not knowing magic's profundity and beauty. Thus Derek burned with rare determination.

- Stomp, stomp, stomp.

Derek boldly walked through Denise's mansion, ascended the main hall's central staircase, and knocked firmly on her bedroom door.

"L-Lady Denise usually sleeps until midday. She's likely still deep asleep now..."

"I see."

- Thud.

He casually pushed the door open.

Denise lay sleeping soundly in the dark behind thick curtains, her silver-gray hair fanned out like a blanket, a half-read romance novel beside her, breathing softly like a baby bird.

Her cute lip-smacking suggested pleasant dreams—in sleep, she seemed just an ordinary girl her age.

Derek marched in and shouted:

"Rise and shine! The sun's high, my lady!"

"Gyaaahk!"

To make Denise a proper person, her waking hours needed adjustment first.

Without hesitation, Derek yanked open the heavy curtains, flooding the dark room with midday light.

"Kyah! Too bright! What's happening?!"

"Morning calls for fresh air and sunlight! Are we creatures of darkness?"

"D-Derek?! What's this about?! It's the weekend! No Rosea Salon engagements or academy schedules!"

"Yes, it is the weekend. But we can't stay asleep when the sun's this high."

"W-We can rest on weekends!"

Derek ignored Denise's protests.

The Beltus Duke had already approved his employment. At this point, Derek answered to him, not Denise. The staff couldn't interfere.

Determined to show how profound and magnificent magic could be, the boy paid no mind to Denise's deathly pallor.

"Lady Denise, try to visualize the mana's form more concretely. It might be exhausting, but repeated practice will yield success."

"Today we'll run laps in the mansion garden. As I said, stamina is everything. Don't worry, I'll run with you. You won't get hurt."

"Romance novels are fine, but you should study magic history soon. I'll quiz you tomorrow. Just focus on the period from the Allantra Great War through the Dawn War. I'll highlight key points."

"We'll start basic transformation magic drills tomorrow too. Not too difficult, but requiring several hours of focused repetition. Be sure to sleep well tonight."

Before she knew it, the sun had set and the moon risen.

A full day had passed, yet she couldn't comprehend how.

Denise collapsed onto her bed, every muscle screaming.

Bella brought herbal tea for recovery, her face full of concern.

"Bella... I can't... breathe..."

"A-Are you alright, Lady Denise? You should stretch lightly before sleeping to avoid tomorrow's soreness."

"I... can't live like this... Spending all day under the sun... My body will evaporate like smoke..."

"Lady Denise..."

Bella lowered her head, wanting to say people don't die so easily but fearing it might provoke further distress.

"I-I must fire that mad magic instructor. Find some paperwork loophole... Immediately..."

"Well... As I mentioned, since the Duke approved this, only His Grace can dismiss him."

"Then I'll petition Father directly..."

"..."

Bella's expression darkened. Denise understood its meaning.

Derek was talent all Three Great Families coveted.

Having gone to such lengths to acquire him, the Duke wouldn't easily let him go to rival houses. The Duke was particularly sensitive about inter-house rivalries.

If only he'd acted improperly, giving grounds for dismissal.

But Derek only ever advocated wholesome, upright behavior.

The most terrifying opponents are those who argue righteousness—it's irrefutable.

- Thud.

Just then, Derek reentered Denise's room.

Despite overseeing her magic training and physical exercises all day, he showed no fatigue.

Meanwhile, Denise was half-dead.

"Lady Denise."

"Eek! What now?! It's so late!"

Denise hugged her knees, scrambling to the bed's farthest corner.

She trembled like a motherless baby bird.

"There's more?! I worked hard enough today!"

"We're done for today. Overexertion is unhealthy."

"R-Really...?"

"Just confirming tomorrow's dawn schedule before I leave. We'll study yin-aligned mana manipulation before sunrise. Understanding those subtle differences will prove invaluable."

"..."

"No need to worry about oversleeping. I'll wake you. If you sleep now, you'll get over five hours."

Derek clenched his fists, pumping energy into Denise.

"Let's give it our all tomorrow too! Fighting!"

With burning determination, Derek bowed politely and departed.

She wouldn't see him again today. Though with his steel constitution, he'd return at dawn—giving her just hours of respite.

"..."

It was too late to dismiss him now. The Duke would never allow it.

She should have realized sooner—hiring was her choice, but firing wasn't.

Denise wanted to die.