Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 83

The silence of the northern snowfields evoked different impressions depending on who observed it.

Some found warmth in the pure white snow blanketing everything, others felt its chill, while some perceived loneliness.

Though the world's landscapes remain unchanging, their perception varies with the observer's disposition... Even Melberot would describe different impressions each time he gazed upon that immutable scenery.

Those who've lived long years can do this—finding new meaning in unchanging vistas.

But for a young beast still confined to its cradle, this desolate snowfield might feel like a prison.

"I intend to debut Siern in Evelstain's high society."

Perhaps that's why Melberot declared this to Derek and Aiselin with finality.

About four days had passed since they'd begun Siern's formal training.

Having resolved to control her killing instincts, Siern now received magic lessons from Derek while learning social etiquette, arts, and literature from Aiselin.

"Is that so."

Derek, standing with hands clasped behind his back across the office, showed no surprise.

He'd anticipated this.

The war-torn northern continent lacked the developed aristocratic social culture found in warmer regions like Duplein or Beltus territories.

Rocheste territory alone contained numerous labyrinths teeming with magical beasts, with some outer regions being uninhabitable.

Though the northern lands were Siern's birthplace, Melberot apparently wanted her to experience the peaceful, warm noble culture of the southwestern continent.

Yet this was an extremely dangerous proposition.

Evelstain in the southwest and Elvester County in the east boasted the empire's most splendid aristocratic cultures outside the imperial capital.

If Siern lost control and went on a killing spree there, even Melberot's status as the Dawn War hero wouldn't suffice to contain the fallout.

The safest option would be confining Siern to Rocheste Mansion's spire indefinitely.

But had that been the goal, they wouldn't have summoned Derek and Aiselin in the first place.

"Is it feasible?"

Melberot rarely made eye contact when speaking to subordinates.

As usual, he gazed out the window, legs crossed.

Aiselin glanced nervously at Derek, who shrugged nonchalantly before responding decisively:

"We'll make it feasible."

"Going to Evelstain's high society...? Me...?"

"Yes. Didn't you mention wanting to visit the southwestern continent with its distinct seasons and lush grasslands? Congratulations—Lord Melberot has granted permission."

"...Oh my...! I'm so... so happy..."

The next day at Rocheste Mansion's training annex.

Derek shook sweat from his hands before tightening his boot laces.

Siern lay sprawled on the training floor, drenched in sweat and utterly spent.

"I... can't even move... too happy to celebrate..."

"That's precisely when you must push harder, Lady Siern."

"You said that... thirty minutes ago..."

"That was just talk. This time I mean it—the perfect moment for one final effort."

"...You think I'd... believe that...?"

Despite her words, Siern somehow mustered the strength to rise.

Her lace-and-ribbon adorned dress seemed more ceremonial than practical, yet simpler than typical Rocheste noble attire.

Her daily routine—morning jog with Derek, meals with Derek, magic training with Derek, magic history with Derek, mana sensitivity exercises with Derek, sparring with Derek—left her exhausted while Derek remained unfazed.

The five-year age gap couldn't explain his boundless stamina.

"At this stage, improving Lady Siern's magic proficiency matters less than building fundamentals,"Derek explained, flexing his arms.

"Fundamentals? What fundamentals...?"

"Your magic lacks structure, relying entirely on intuition. While wild school mages like me operate similarly, complete disregard for the star-rank system is problematic."

Though Siern could wield 3-Star equivalent magic, this was figurative—her power lacked systematic foundation.

Wielding magic without structure was like randomly swinging a bat hoping to hit a baseball—possible with raw strength and reflexes, but requiring technique for true growth.

Derek produced his"Rod of Love"staff, making Siern flinch.

"...Why that?"

"My heart pounds strangely seeing it... Couldn't you not use it...?"

"Why would I strike Lady Siern?"

"You... you did before...!"

"I don't resort to violence without cause."

Siern swallowed dryly before straightening her trembling body.

Derek gathered mana around his staff, releasing a chilling aura.

- Whoosh!

[3-Star Combat Magic"Freeze"acquired.]

- Crackle! Snap!

The entire training floor froze solid.

Siern's eyes widened—Derek had replicated her signature 3-Star spell after one observation, without visible strain.

"W-what...?"

"Not bad for crowd control, though mana efficiency could improve. Faster activation would enhance its ambush potential."

"You... copied it... just like that?"

"Understanding a spell's mana structure makes replication simpler."

Derek approached, kneeling before her.

"This isn't easy without innate magical sensitivity. Few possess such talent in a lifetime."

"..."

"But you're one of them."

Noir's blood bequeathed Siern both a killing curse and magical gifts—her potential could surpass all peers in spellcraft.

"I can't promise you'll excel in all areas. But in magic alone, you'll undoubtedly become Evelstain's most renowned practitioner."

"Really...? Could I...?"

Derek nodded.

Sieren Aleina Rocheste would become his most accomplished magical protege.

'Though she might not synergize well with Lady Denise.'

Transformation-specialized Siern would counter Diela and Elente's combat magic while struggling against Denise's detection abilities.

Regardless, none in Evelstain's society could ignore her—especially once Derek's mentorship became known, cementing his status as the southwest's premier tutor.

A noble title would complete his qualifications for 4-Star ascension.

Yet one task remained—fully controlling Siern's bloodlust.

"Much work ahead. But we'll manage."

Derek's confident gaze made Siern nod unconsciously, her tension easing.

After magic lessons, Siern studied etiquette and arts with Aiselin.

The schedule wasn't grueling, but Derek's training left her exhausted—though Aiselin's gentle demeanor provided respite.

"Big sis Aiselin..."

"Yes? Lady Siern!"

Aiselin's radiant smile at the term"big sis"revealed her joy in mentoring younger women.

Her embrace had a disarming effect—Siern found herself leaning in despite herself.

"Could you... braid my hair...?"

"Of course!"

Aiselin's nurturing presence embodied Siern's imagined southwestern plains—lush, warm, and bathed in golden light.

As dusk painted the spire crimson, Siern retreated to her canopy bed, reflecting on the day's lessons.

Memories surfaced of the white-haired mage who'd stared at her so intensely.

Though their first encounter terrified her, retrospect revealed his constant efforts on her behalf.

He was a man who shouldered necessary burdens without flinching—even at risk to his reputation.

Yet when teaching magic, his demeanor turned gentle and scholarly—a dichotomy she'd gradually accepted as his true nature.

'Derek. Derek. What an unusual name. De-rick.'

Rolling his name on her tongue, she chuckled.

-'Don't worry. I'm stronger than you, Lady Siern.'

His rational confidence inspired strange reassurance—as if he could resolve any crisis.

She imagined walking Evelstain's sunny grasslands, clutching his sleeve.

But the ever-present scent of blood on her nostrils shattered such fantasies.

"..."

Sitting up in the dimming light, Siern whispered:

"They said... he's the most sought-after tutor in Evelstain."

Though currently at Rocheste, Derek would eventually return—coveted by Duplein, Belmierd, and Beltus alike.

To him, Siern was just another student among many—Diela, Elente, Denise all claimed his mentorship.

Without someone like Derek, no one could handle her.

"..."

In the spire's crimson glow, a novel emotion took root in the adolescent girl's heart—possessiveness.

Siern wanted to monopolize Derek as her teacher.