Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 44

Countless seasons had passed since Derek left the Duplein household.

Though Diela Catherine Duplein had bid farewell to the mentor who'd influenced her life most profoundly, her growth trajectory showed no signs of stagnation or regression. On the contrary, once her direction was set, her innate talents began blossoming spectacularly.

The adage that magical achievement depended first on lineage, and second on lineage alone, was already well-known.

Her previously stagnant magical progress soared skyward like fish finding water after Derek provided slight directional adjustments.

While mediocrities follow similar growth curves, those blessed by the heavens each blossom uniquely.

Valerian, Raeg, Aiselin, Diela.

Among the Duplein siblings who'd each achieved unparalleled magical accomplishments, Diela's growth stood out as particularly extraordinary.

She neither sought to pierce magic's essence like Valerian, nor pursued worldly advancement like Raeg, nor absorbed the Discipline School's vast knowledge through scholarly pursuits like Aiselin.

As always, she wandered forests, gazed at night skies, and embraced magical truths in her own unrestrained way.

Her ice spears twisted and bent unnaturally, her fire arrows burned crimson-black, her transformation magic yielded results defying theory, and her confusion magic's effects subtly diverged from established norms.

Yet this didn't mean she'd completely detached from noble culture.

She effortlessly absorbed etiquette training, liberal arts education, statecraft, governance arts, and even rulership studies at the household level.

She mastered Central Continent languages, social dancing, flower arrangement, piano, flute, history, literature, modern philosophy, and political science, completing attire and etiquette training to maintain proper decorum.

In art, she was already making a name for herself.

Her exceptional talent in landscape and portrait painting had caught artists'eyes, with several works already circulating Evelstain's art auctions.

Diela's artistic world completely transcended contemporary styles. Recognized by critics, many anticipated she'd become a renowned artist across the continent with slightly more maturity.

Rumors swirled despite her not yet debuting in Evelstain's social circles - whispers that this petite girl curled up in the Duplein estate's annex might even overshadow Aiselin, currently society's most revered figure.

It seemed only another Duplein could rival a Duplein's flower. The era appeared dawning when no family could challenge the Dupleins'prestige in Evelstain's social scene.

Though Aiselin heard these rampant rumors most intimately... her feelings were inevitably complicated.

She felt no anxiety about being overtaken. Deeply familial and kind-hearted, she genuinely rejoiced at Diela's growth.

Yet rumors and reality slightly diverged.

"I don't understand why I must join the Rosea Salon. Frankly, besides you, Lady Elente, and Lady Denise, everyone seems rather interchangeable."

"N-no! Diela. Magically perhaps, but they're quite cultured... and many are good acquaintances to have."

"Hmm..."

Aiselin had come to the Duplein estate to assist with Diela's debutante preparations.

As someone with successful debut experience, she expected to help considerably, but Diela needed surprisingly little assistance. Frankly, she could debut immediately without issue.

The mansion Diela would occupy was nearing completion, with household retainers and senior staff already selected. A grand banquet would celebrate her debut, with dresses as expensive as magical weapons prepared.

Though a dazzling path lay before her, Diela's expression at the garden tea table remained unimpressed.

While noble ladies typically viewed debutante seasons as dreamlike romances, Diela showed no such interest. Her slight excitement stemmed solely from leaving the Duplein estate's confines.

"When I attended the Elora Society's tea party or Elontain's festival, I saw several Rosea Salon noble ladies. Most seemed preoccupied with pointless social posturing, exchanging empty pleasantries..."

"D-Diela... That's not for public discussion, but you must understand status differences. As high nobility, we rarely notice how precious networking opportunities are for lower nobles."

Aiselin, though born lofty, understood lower nobles'perspectives well.

This explained why she remained humble despite sycophantic admirers. Half their flattery revered Aiselin herself, half respected the Duplein name.

"Only by discarding such biases can one see people's essence. We must practice this discernment. Salon membership helps meet diverse social strata..."

"If you insist so strongly, I'll attend next week's gathering... though it'll just be a formality before my debut."

Diela remained unenthused. Though extraordinarily talented and flourishing, her fundamental nature remained unchanged.

She was arrogant, unimpressed by inferiors, and detested stifling conventions - though now skilled at masking this with proper etiquette.

Membership in the Rosea Salon was an unwritten rule for high nobility's daughters.

But Diela, like a wild steppe horse, cared nothing for such norms. Her doll-like appearance shouldn't deceive - she stood diametrically opposite her sister Aiselin, making her an impossible challenge for greenhouse-raised noble ladies.

"You should review the servants for your mansion. As its mistress, they'll answer directly to you. Receiving help from Duplein estate staff differs completely from commanding them as their lady."

"Actually, most annex maids are transferring over, so my living environment won't change much. Just the location - Duplein estate versus Evelstain."

"I suppose. But you'll also oversee previously uninvolved staff - sentries, squires, accountants. All will require your approval."

Understanding this gap would make her mansion mistress status feel more real.

Though not fully realizing it yet, seeing thorough Aiselin showed Diela this wasn't trivial. All high nobility's daughters underwent this transition when entering Evelstain's society.

"You may need to personally select exterior guards, a personal chef, or private tutors..."

"Most seem interchangeable... but regarding tutors..."

Despite her imminent debutante ceremony, only mentioning tutors made Diela's eyes sparkle.

"Derek's working as a mercenary in Evelstain, right?!"

"As I said, he's currently teaching Lady Denise of Beltus. I visited before his affiliation was decided... he seemed determined to become her instructor."

"Hmm..."

Considerable time had passed since parting with Derek, yet Diela remembered him clearly.

Though Derek harbored no particular aversion to nobility, he prioritized his magical growth above all. His current Beltus affiliation puzzled her.

'Why Beltus of all houses...? No prior connection...'

His actions always had reasons.

Despite letters from Duplein and Belmierd, his sudden Beltus alignment surely had purpose.

'...Did they find leverage? Lady Denise seems inscrutable from what I've heard...'

"D-Diela... I say this just in case, but poaching someone already affiliated with another house would be highly improper. Father hasn't pursued this further for good reason."

Though covert recruitment battles occurred, openly doing so was different. With Derek formally contracted to Duke Beltus as Lady Denise's instructor, even the Dupleins had limits.

"When I attended Elontain's festival, I glimpsed Lady Denise from afar. We didn't speak, but... with her ethereal silver-gray hair in the carriage, she looked like an angel from religious paintings."

"Y-yes. Lady Denise is Beltus's treasured jewel... hence securing an instructor like Derek."

As Diela sipped tea, she suddenly set her cup down with serious eyes.

"Aiselin. Doesn't this bother you? We're the Dupleins."

"...D-Diela?"

"How is it? Somewhat interesting, no?"

Lady Denise's mansion contained nothing superfluous.

Artworks maintained minimal dignity, the exterior merely adequate to avoid embarrassment among peers. The lady preferred blending into prevailing trends.

Thus, unlike Lady Elente's mansion, no magnificent training facilities existed.

Consequently, Derek demonstrated magic on Evelstain's outskirts with several servants and guards.

Even his basic spells packed remarkable power.

Despite her considerable magical skill, Denise couldn't deny Derek's superiority. This boy honed mana utilization to extremes, producing results matching veteran mages.

Initially applauding his demonstrations, her composure vanished once serious training began.

Though they'd left after lunch, sunset now approached.

Collapsed on the grassland, Denise panted heavily, drenched in sweat.

Derek leaned in close.

"Your mana arrow's operational range has expanded considerably. You can now strike beyond visual range."

"Y-yes..."

"You feel the mana's sensation now? It differs completely from single-direction arrow firing."

"Guh... pant... pant... I need... breath..."

Derek pressed closer.

"This is how you perceive mana's ascent. Isn't it fascinating? Refining innate mana like this feels profoundly deep, no?"

Fascinating?

Say it's fascinating.

Under Derek's pressuring tone, Denise dry-swallowed. This white-haired boy was truly magic-obsessed.

Though Denise felt her skills growing daily, she couldn't match Derek's overwhelming energy.

Was it fascinating?

Frankly, yes - when effort directly yields results. Training with Derek showed remarkable progress.

But for homebody Lady Denise, the process itself was torture. Like a freshwater fish dragged into the ocean, suffocation felt inevitable.

"Hmm..."

"D-Derek?"

"You don't seem to fully grasp this process's profundity and joy. Perhaps a different approach..."

"Wh-what?"

"Exactly that. As a relatively new instructor, I must improve. If you lack interest in magical achievement, that reflects my shortcomings. I deeply apologize."

Gripping Denise's shoulder, Derek spoke solemnly.

"We must advance to proper training for greater achievements. Superficial practice won't suffice. I'll revise the intensity."

"What nonsense, Derek. I adore magic. I'm obsessed."

"No need for such consideration. That only pains me more."

It wasn't consideration but survival instinct, which Derek wouldn't acknowledge.

"Lacking achievement's thrill is entirely the instructor's fault. I'm ashamed. This won't recur...!"

"No, it's fine! I said it's fine, Derek! Wait! Aack!!!"

Derek had already scheduled Denise's upcoming commitments.

The Rosea Salon gathering, weekend literary meetings, cultural classes - combining fragmented time would allow sufficient training.

Lady Denise's will remained irrelevant.

At the Adelbert Cultural Hall's heart, Rosea Salon's ladies gathered.

Including lower nobility, their numbers were considerable, but three figures remained central - Aiselin, Elente, and Denise.

For years, these three had led the Salon, but today would bring upheaval.

Diela Catherine Duplein, Aiselin's younger sister, would make her first appearance.

All eyes followed the petite girl in frilly dresses crossing the banquet hall.

Her doll-like appearance begged to be embraced, but those familiar with Duplein history knew her past. She'd been one of the family's most notorious troublemakers.

If Aiselin was spring's warmth, Diela was winter's harshness - astonishing contrasts for sisters.

Though reformed by excellent mentoring, her nature likely remained. Yet she'd gained considerable social skills, her wilder days gone.

But she was no Aiselin.

'How desperate they all look for connections.'

Surveying the lower nobles from the podium, Diela smirked.

Their greedy eyes, clinging to social hierarchy, were transparent even to this young girl.

Beneath discussions of art, philosophy and magic lay naked ambition to exchange words with prestigious families'scions.

No wonder long-socializing noble ladies developed sky-high self-esteem. Constant exposure to such an environment would make anyone feel regal.

'Disgusting... yet oddly not unpleasant. I see why people get addicted.'

Chuckling inwardly, Diela proceeded deeper.

At the innermost area, she spotted a silver-haired girl exchanging pleasantries - angelically elegant, though her true nature remained unknown. This was Lady Denise of Beltus.

The one who'd secured Derek amidst fierce competition.

Rumors said Beltus held Derek tightly, refusing to release him.

"..."

Adjusting her dress, Diela approached Denise with determined steps.

The hall's attention subtly shifted toward them.