Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 5

Those who first saw Derek in the mercenary underworld all wore expressions of bewilderment.

He was far too young—though his sturdy appearance and decent equipment suggested competence, his face looked utterly kind.

Young or kind.

Either trait alone would usually get you stabbed in the back and left for dead in this world. Yet Derek's face bore both.

How could such a young, kind boy survive so well in the mercenary underworld? Anyone would naturally wonder.

However, one truth was undeniable: Derek had lived the life of a mercenary since his tender youth, when the blood on his head hadn't even dried.

What that meant became clear once you saw him on the battlefield.

- Whoosh! Thwack!

- Keeeek!

A goblin struck by a 1st Grade Magic Arrow spewed crimson blood before collapsing in the middle of the forest.

A narrow path through the woods connecting the outskirts of the Duplein Ducal Territory to Evelstain.

Derek stabbed the grotesque creature's snout with the longsword in his right hand, splitting it in two, and blood splattered across his face with a splat.

Amidst this, a one-armed goblin charged at him, bleeding profusely, but Derek dodged its axe swing with a single backward step before grabbing its face and unleashing his full power.

- Zzzzap!

- Kreeeek!

While the goblin convulsed from the electrocution, Derek drew the dagger at his thigh and plunged it into the creature's neck.

Crimson blood flooded his vision, and the metallic stench of blood rose in the air—yet not a single flicker of emotion crossed Derek's face.

Not that he looked like a cold-blooded machine, either. He remained the same kind, resolute boy seen at the tavern—only now, the blood smeared over him made the contrast all the more striking.

This boy felt not the slightest aversion to killing living creatures. To him, it was as natural as eating or sleeping.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

As he shook off his sword and asked the question with kindness, his body was already drenched in goblin blood. Around him lay scattered chunks of dismembered goblin flesh.

Melvin, who had been guarding the carriage entrance, unconsciously swallowed dryly.

It wasn't unusual for hardened mercenaries to tear apart monsters without batting an eye.

But seeing a boy who should still be playing innocently, covered in blood, asking such a question with the calm of a seasoned veteran—it triggered an instinctive unease.

In an era where magic had become the exclusive domain of refined nobles, this boy was a mage raised on the streets.

Anyone could instantly tell that his path diverged entirely from the hothouse flowers of nobility.

"It's always easier when Derek tags along. His detection magic makes identifying enemies a breeze, and he handles long-range threats effortlessly."

"You're overselling me. You took down 80% of the monsters yourself, old man."

"Tch... Not a single cute bone in your body. You'd think you'd at least be happy with some praise."

Jayden clicked his tongue and gave Derek's shoulder a few pats.

"..."

Melvin, who had been so rude at the tavern, was now considerably quieter on the return trip.

Just as Jayden had expected, the mysterious trio's request turned out to be laughably simple.

By sunset, no monsters remained in sight, allowing them to board the carriage back to Evelstain.

"I have to admit, your work is impressive."

Though Melvin still wore a sour expression, he ultimately gave high praise.

Jayden smirked in satisfaction, wiping blood from his blade while seated in the carriage.

"You flatter me. Since the issue you were worried about is resolved, how about settling the final payment?"

"Very well."

An advance of one gold coin, with a completion fee of two more.

Considering most extermination requests only paid in silver, this was enough to make anyone grin.

Jayden cheerfully tossed the coins into his leather pouch.

"Good work, Derek. I'll settle your cut when we get back to the tavern."

Derek, slouched in his seat, nodded vaguely before staring blankly at the setting sun.

Though not particularly tired, the lingering fatigue from using magic still weighed on him.

Crossing his arms, he leaned against the carriage wall to rest.

"You seem proficient in various 1st Grade Magic."

However, the hooded inspector suddenly addressed him.

She had barely spoken all day. Though her voice carried a youthful lilt, Derek barely reacted, answering without shifting his posture.

"I've picked up a few things. Versatility helps when you're trying to survive in the mercenary world."

"You said you're sixteen this year? We're not far apart in age—that's impressive."

Derek glanced sideways and noticed Melvin and the maid Dellia swallowing nervously.

They seemed wary of the inspector's reaction, visibly uncomfortable with Derek's casual demeanor.

Truthfully, Derek was surprised too. The girl had just revealed she was close to his age.

He'd assumed she was at least an adult, given her oddly mature demeanor.

"How did you learn magic?"

"Surviving on the streets forces you to pick things up."

"You haven't even had your coming-of-age ceremony yet, right? It's amazing. How many 1st Grade spells can you use?"

She was oddly inquisitive. Though uneasy, Derek feigned indifference.

'Haven't had a coming-of-age ceremony, huh...'

Commoners rarely held such grand ceremonies.

"I know about four or five 1st Grade spells."

"If it's four, say four. If five, say five...'Four or five'is a bit vague."

Still reclined, Derek glanced at the inspector and saw a faint smile beneath her hood.

"You must know more than that, right?"

"..."

"No need to hide it. I'm just genuinely curious how someone your age can wield magic so well."

Derek's mentor, Katia, often warned him: extraordinary talent invites noble hostility.

This girl was clearly connected to the Duplein Ducal Family, one of the greatest magical lineages. Revealing his full abilities wouldn't benefit him.

"I phrased it vaguely because I don't follow the Discipline School, the mainstream magic faction."

"Huh?"

"I'm from the Wild School. While the noble-aligned Discipline School strictly categorizes magic systems, the Wild School... diverges from that."

Derek sat up properly to explain.

At the mention of factions, the hooded girl's eyes sparkled with interest.

"The Wild School...?"

"Though the Noble Discipline School has dominated for ages, niche factions continue researching magic in their own ways."

Though Katia was a Discipline mage, Derek had chosen a different path.

When first learning magic from the old man, he'd picked the Wild School.

"The Wild School prioritizes practical mana use and survival magic over rigid rules. It focuses on spells for unpredictable adventures and excels at improvisation."

"I've heard of mages like that, but this is my first time meeting one."

"Not that my magic is anything special... Just explaining the theory. Like I said, I'm just a commoner-grade 1st Class mage."

Derek downplayed himself, but the inspector's eyes brimmed with curiosity.

She clearly had a deep interest in magic.

"Of course, the Noble Discipline School's magic is the most researched and systematic. There's a reason non-mainstream factions remain niche."

"But you must have had reasons for choosing the Wild School. May I ask what they were?"

Why was she so curious? The interview-like atmosphere was uncomfortable, but as a well-paying client, he couldn't brush her off.

Given how easily they'd completed the job, he might as well humor her.

With that thought, Derek gathered mana in his hand.

"Since you seem knowledgeable, I'll keep it simple: it's better for survival."

A small flame flickered to life above his palm, sustained by mana without fuel.

To magic novices, it might seem miraculous—but anyone with basic knowledge would recognize it as nothing extraordinary.

Neither Melvin nor Dellia appeared impressed. Working for the Duplein Ducal Family, they'd surely seen such magic before.

Yet the inspector stared wide-eyed.

"Huh?"

Despite likely witnessing far greater magic among nobles, she scrutinized the flame as if puzzled.

"...The mana channeling process seems unusually simplified?"

'What's her deal?'

Derek was taken aback.

She could sense mana flow—meaning she was at least a 1st Class mage herself.

"Right. The Discipline School divides mana use into four stages: perception, extraction, manipulation, and manifestation. The Wild School skips the details, relying on instinct."

"...You've always cast spells this way?"

"Yes. It has pros and cons, but explaining everything would take too long..."

Derek had no interest in elaborating further.

They'd part ways soon enough. He wrapped up the conversation.

"In short, just think of it as a different magical discipline."

Faction differences weren't so clear-cut.

Dismissing it vaguely, Derek leaned back against the carriage wall.

To prestigious nobles, a 1st Class mage from a niche faction was barely worth noting. They'd seen 4th and 5th Class mages—his skills were child's play.

Closing his eyes, he relaxed his weary body—

—only to notice the girl's gaze still fixed on him, shimmering strangely.

He thought he'd never see the odd trio again—yet the following week, they returned to the tavern.

Their request was similar: monsters had reappeared on the ducal territory's outskirts.

They paid generously. Naturally, Jayden accepted with a grin.

But they insisted on bringing a mage again, forcing Derek to accompany them.

They exterminated the monsters, parted ways, then returned the next week with another request... This repeated.

Each time, they slaughtered humanoid monsters, exchanging small talk about current affairs or magic on the return trip—just polite conversation to fill the silence.

Yet they remained thorough in exterminating monsters.

Goblins, trolls, kobolds... Dangerous to the inexperienced, but veteran mercenaries knew how to handle them cautiously.

After several trips, they'd cleared the outskirts and earned a tidy sum.

Jayden whistled cheerfully all day, and Derek, receiving his share, couldn't help feeling pleased. Money was always right.

They indulged in expensive meats, upgraded their gear, and lived comfortably—until one day...

"Given your performance, we trust your skills. This time, the ducal estate offers fifteen Ideal gold coins."

"...Fifteen coins? Did I hear that right?"

A single Ideal coin could buy enough fresh bread to fill a room.

Fifteen could replace this entire tavern with a new one.

"Hahaha, quite the sum! Must be a tough monster this time? Fear not! The Velderun Mercenaries'efficiency speaks for itself! Give us prep time, and we'll slay even a demon from hell! Hahaha!"

Jayden's face glowed with delight bordering on ecstasy.

Seeing an old man so thrilled was rare—but considering his own cut, Derek swallowed hard.

He'd heard nobles were extravagant, but this was beyond expectation.

"This request differs slightly. But as always, you'll accompany us by carriage."

"Already arranged. We're practically old friends now! Hahaha!"

"Let me introduce myself properly."

"No need for formalities between us! Just relax!"

"I am Dellon, Chief Steward of the Duplein Ducal Estate."

Jayden's cheerful smile froze.

"Melvin"had been a pseudonym.

Derek had suspected they were concealing their status. But revealing it now—what did that imply?

Before he could process it, the maid beside the steward bowed.

"Katarina, Head Maid of the ducal estate."

Not an inspector—Chief Steward. Not a scullery maid—Head Maid.

The Chief Steward ranked third among the estate's staff, and the Head Maid was second only to the head housekeeper.

They rarely left the estate—these were the upper echelons of the ducal household, individuals who earned in months what commoners took decades to save.

Finally, the hooded"inspector"removed her robe hat and smiled gracefully.

"Aiceline Eleanor Duplein."

Her gentle yet firm gaze, carrying an inexplicable nobility, fixed on Derek.

"..."

"Oh my."

She tilted her head slightly.

"...You're not surprised?"

Of course not.

Derek had already guessed her identity.

He'd pretended not to notice their high status, focusing only on the gold. But now that they'd revealed themselves—why?

The answer was obvious.

"Would you consider accompanying us to the Duplein Ducal Estate?"

The Duplein Ducal Family was one of the empire's three most prestigious noble houses.

Though she asked politely, Derek knew refusal wasn't an option.