Chapter 12: Imam (2)
7PfO1That night, Lady Aiselin had finished all her engagements at the Duplain estate and was ready to return to Ebelstain.1JPYB
eOVS5JmJayden, who had been accompanying Dereck as a precaution, also decided it was time to leave, so Dereck readied himself to say farewell and stood at the mansion’s main gate.6AK
nL8“I’m glad I brought you to the duchy, Dereck,” Aiselin said with a bright smile by the carriage.cJUJj
30gShe genuinely looked pleased—lately the atmosphere at the duchy had improved, and that brought her joy. Although she now lived in the grand house in Ebelstain, her concern for her family’s estate remained a defining trait.nIfmV
XVL0f“Not at all. Even if I had, I haven’t done much,” Dereck replied.yHSx
ABeif“No need for false modesty. It must have been tough from your perspective.”qQHR
9ynz8After all, Lady Aiselin’s request was that Diella learn first‑tier magic so she could enter society with confidence. Materializing magic was half the battle, so a satisfied look was natural.P0c
SqgDZkz“I wish I could stay longer with my family, but I must return to Ebelstain. There’s still so much left to do.”8aK
p6z80gQWith a grateful wave, Lady Aiselin climbed into the carriage. Jayden, also bound for Ebelstain, gave Dereck a friendly pat on the shoulder before he followed her in.OHUIv0g
C3y“Looks like my work here is done. I’m just a mercenary group’s lackey,” Jayden said.PNzdxTP
cx9“What about your fifteen Aidel gold coins commission?”Xm7i
1kdeyrs“Honestly, I hardly did anything. Take one coin as your fee—you’ll need it someday for a wand or staff, right?”Src8
9wiSince it had been arranged by the mercenary band, Dereck couldn’t walk away unpaid. If he’d been a lone mercenary, he’d never have secured such a noble commission.Fjy7I
9NSWhenever Miss Aiselin had free time, she’d visit her family’s estate, so he’d likely see her again. Jayden, though, would be busy running the mercenary group for some time.BeY8x
sQZDDereck felt a bit wistful at that.WPWuBr
khbRA“Alright, take three coins.”DMtf
H5nfd“Oh? Now that you’ve got a head on your shoulders, you turn generous?”eeOx
s8D4oW“Not to your taste?”8sYVKm
B4Km“Of course it is. Ha ha ha.”PJop1r
giHdUQlThey both laughed—Dereck a little hollowly.WnN8g
rTbAfter a moment Jayden stroked his chin:BAEJ
3cOKEw“Finish up quickly. The Beldern mercenary group always needs mages.”NOM0JHJ
9gWaJf“You want me to abandon my cushy noble‑tutor gig?”gw1phK
36v“See? I know you’re cut out for mercenary life. Talent like yours doesn’t belong in noble drawing rooms.”sbWy
HR26x3rJayden’s words were laden with meaning. It was obvious that Dereck was cut out for the life of a mercenary, and his magical talent went beyond his current level.ms7M
4Xzpf7uDereck himself knew this. He harbored a desire to surpass the two‑star rank. For a mage, the thirst for knowledge and the drive to ascend are akin to destiny.ILvxQ
H4OBqBut he was a commoner. Even a two‑star commoner mage might be seen as hardworking or somewhat gifted, but at three stars, the nobles’ attitudes change.aQci
z3tinAt four stars, one could be treated as a dangerous element capable of upsetting the system, and it would be difficult to display one’s abilities openly.b7JlS9X
mYnCkHistorically, the number of commoners who reached four stars can be counted on one hand.bVwf
JQpqXIIn the end, if one truly wants to climb higher, one cannot remain cradled in a noble family’s lap.BtN
tUCWi“If Pheline learns you’re teaching magic at a duke’s estate, she’ll blow a fuse. Hard to calm her when she’s mad. So finish quickly and come back.”FFNUR
YbMM5“And send word before you take your next job.”OHyqQOw
obMDSJ“I’m not some feather‑quill noble. Come see me at the tavern if you want to talk.”uKHi
6BXLaughing, Jayden climbed in.vNPLXHA
MtGg“See you in Ebelstain,” he called as the carriage rolled away.lcFW1
N65X***ozx32
D3qXAYBang!IAAbLo
gu3bwn“Dereck! I’ve materialized the power but it always veers off course!”bGm
lHkBang!gCVDB1a
z5gToE“Dereck! I tried to infuse cold, but it’s uneven—why?!”UQF
bnSFq“Dereck! Look at this! I tried to imbue it with a sense of cold… but the power isn’t distributing evenly! Why is it doing this?”HcwzX
eI4W9—Crash! Bang!deAM
Liq2M“Dereck! I can feel the magical power, but when I try to materialize it, my senses get dull!”JyQPcOh
cG9miEV“Dereck! Where have you been? Why are you here? I told you to stay near the pavilion!”b9W2wUe
4WxnAcn“Dereck! I managed to cast the spell like you said last time! What should I do now?”9Z7N
fXcORfuDereck! Dereck! Dereck!9FGCsv
9q5QuDue to Lady Diella’s habit of seeking out Dereck at every opportunity, the pavilion servants were always tracking his whereabouts. They had to quickly report his location whenever their mistress’s mood worsened and she went out looking for him.EjGi
DmYHowever, Dereck wasn’t always near the pavilion. Sometimes he could be found reading in the sitting room, wandering the mansion garden while pondering various magical theories, or—with the duke’s permission—reading spellbooks in the mansion’s library.RzqP5G
erGC2Though Dereck had come to teach Diella magic, from his perspective, the residence of Duke Duplain was an excellent environment to study various magical theories.1x1
NPxseAfter all, it was one of the most renowned magical houses on the continent, with a collection of rare and valuable spellbooks.Nx9yjm
6785LHEven though all the books were based on noble-class rule-bound magic and didn’t directly help him, Dereck was skilled at referencing magical theories and adapting them into his own. It was a familiar process for him, taught by his mentor in rule-based magic.TD0Q
aeBCtU4Magical theories were deep yet simple, and while the basics varied greatly from one academy to another, a closer look revealed many common threads.f4uk
t279GR8Since opportunities to freely access magical texts were rare, Dereck was eager to make the most of this chance.jc564qH
EHJacThus, Dereck refined his magical abilities while also dedicating time to overseeing Diella’s magic.ffJ
JSZMLIt was only natural that they spent much time together, sharing many stories. The gap between a slum-born mercenary and a noble young lady was vast, so they rarely had anything in common.1FXQWC
2odsOn the contrary, they could share many fascinating tales with each other.OcrR5d
nMLkpdDereck sometimes spoke of the stars he saw from the slums, his monster-hunting adventures with Katia on the outskirts of Ebelstein, and the power struggles between mercenary groups.pnR
rGGgUnlike the charming fairy tales that had adorned Diella’s room since childhood, Dereck’s stories were vivid and filled with cold reality.WQ4
G4533Diella would pretend not to be interested and act haughty, but as the stories grew more intense, her eyes would shine as she listened.CYeVlMZ
5uTdEj6At times she seemed excited, sometimes sympathetic, but by the end of the stories, Diella would usually launch into a long speech about the greatness of her lineage.xGW
wcVZuA1In those moments, Dereck would wear an indifferent expression and return to his book, as if he were used to her craving attention and making a fuss.M0IXj5X
PxRiOOver time, both Dereck and Diella progressed toward their goals.uGpiAWe
hNvVzf7Diella aspired to use first-tier magic, while Dereck sought to expand the scope of the second-tier magic he could wield… and, if possible, step into the realm of third-tier magic.vVLIDKy
l87S1su***tFcV
TX6GTDIt was late when Valerian, the eldest son and heir of the Duplain family, summoned Dereck to his room.bXJK4
dAL7x8It was the year when spring was nearing its end. Amid the hustle of the servants cleaning up the pollen that flooded the mansion, Valerian abruptly called for Dereck.9sfY
Q1UeUeg“What’s going on?”i47
2xPm1U“Are you teaching Diella well? How is she doing lately?”tpt4r
JWw“There’s been some progress. However, mastering first-level magic still seems far off. I thought it would be quick, but the pace has slowed, so I’m looking for a new method.”15cmkj
kLjxo“I see… Understood.”8H7
whrValerian’s private room was almost twice the size of Diella’s room that Dereck had seen before.scF
9aDCsfeAs the future head of a prominent family, it was natural to be treated accordingly, but honestly, the room was so large that Dereck wondered if it had any real use.stN8K
H5iV4In a corner of the room, near the desk by the window, Valerian sat with his legs crossed. At a glance, he was a handsome man—tall and well-built.RkOZWd
rWNybAt times, he was the object of affection among the maids, a fairly attractive man. However, he seemed to spend most of his time managing the duties of a duke rather than indulging in worldly pleasures.JbXTc1E
ynYkjIn his free time, he supervised Leigh’s training, wrote letters to Aiselin, or cared for his uncle and nephew—showing a deep love for his family.mN07
FEr“My mother, who went to a social gathering in the south, will likely return next week. Just so you know, she’s not easy to deal with.”IWPmAe
13FPc“Really?”0Pi79
VYIFWV“The Duplain family may not be that strict, but nobles in general aren’t very friendly toward commoners like you who hold important positions. You know that, right?”aq3ag
tNjIt was uncommon for a commoner to teach magic to a prominent noble lady. That was because Diella wasn’t an ordinary case. Normally, the position of magic tutor in a family like the Duplains would have many lining up if they had the ability. It wasn’t that capable people were scarce, but rather that many desired the role.zWv
IPjOnce things returned to normal, it was likely that many veteran mages would try to push Dereck out and take his place. After all, Dereck’s goal was to teach Diella first-level magic, so he was focused on achieving that above all.VNsB0
K79WkzQ“I’ll keep that in mind. Is that why you called me here?”gCwR110
0UbAX“That’s an important matter, but… there’s something else I want to ask you.”vrlT
erxUTB“What do you want to ask?”gea73P
88L5AOValerian stroked his chin and looked out the window, watching Diella as she practiced magic alone in the garden. Dereck was confused by Valerian’s hesitant attitude.g4KjJ
KiTn“I’m the future head of the Duplain family. The role of the family head is to embrace and guide all members in the right direction. To do that, one must sincerely understand and care for each member from the heart.”RRaHQf
8sB“…”APrSkCe
UGSIhWThe conversation seemed to be dragging on, but Dereck listened silently.wkS6G
QKu“But it’s not easy, is it? The human heart is so deep. Even living under the same roof, with different values and goals, there are often misunderstandings…”V5xbiU
yEyo“I see… May I ask what message you’re trying to convey?”PJ4Z4f
SJkjf2oValerian adjusted his noble attire, leaned back in his chair, and spoke awkwardly.6GQFB7v
luujX1“Diella doesn’t want to play with me.”Vpj
1GzwnUs“…”xUKjA9
TD0bHDereck remained silent but composed. He thought he understood why Valerian would say that. Since she began seriously studying magic, Diella had stopped looking down on commoners. She could still be sharp-tongued at times, but her days of acting like a spoiled child were almost over.6C1h5
8bNoWf3When Diella’s reputation started gradually improving, there was a moment when she and Dereck passed Valerian in the garden.VZvv
bNDNCHValerian, who loved his family dearly, warmly greeted Diella, but she, startled like a cat seeing a predator, hid behind Dereck and looked on cautiously. Valerian had seemed quite shocked to see Diella unwilling to return the greeting, her eyes wide like a frightened kitten’s.Xvo17p
sgnO7B“When she was little, she was always smiling, showing off her drawings. There was no angel like her in this world.”VPsWX
WHo“…”Pvdjgh
EpMSd“My expression isn’t that bad… Tell me. How can I win Diella’s heart?”uvas4C8
YwE“Why… are you asking me…?”2yN
Vtwh“Diella only follows you around….”SwW
0U0nuIt was true that within House Duplain, Dereck was the only person Diella seemed to follow.dRcC92Y
5hnlFkg“…”bDw
G4BValerian’s love for his family was truly admirable, but unfortunately, the emotional complexity of a teenage girl was a far greater mystery than any historical enigma to an adult man.zir
rzxcNStill, if one had to guess, it was likely shyness. Given her reckless past, it wasn’t surprising that she’d suddenly feel uncomfortable around her family.IyahE
h7EYcYNormally, time would resolve a problem like that, but Valerian was seriously wondering if he himself was the problem.UKz
FCiVU“Look at this. I learned embroidery from the maids and made this doll to look like Diella. What do you think? Can you see the effort, the sincerity, and affection in it?”PAyEQx
joVg2Even someone as skilled as Valerian seemed to lack talent for fine needlework, as the doll looked more strange than cute.7IXNI
YQfB25kAn adult might be moved by the gesture alone, but unfortunately, a teenage girl would likely be horrified.wjFnd
2rGzIThe maids didn’t seem able to speak the truth. Giving it to Diella as is would be a disaster, so someone had to intervene and be honest.1E4
HGbj“To be honest… that would probably just… annoy her…”oD3h
B84p3D“…Damn it.”MGDI0
acGb7vValerian frowned, lost in thought.QPE
hLzRNPAll Dereck could do was offer moral support for the effort.oBhpTL
Ddct***rBVJ7e
6nW(New Magic Acquired)gE8P
w7bgarcOne-Star Spell: ‘Shockwave’Tx6n
RuCW3V2One-Star Detection: ‘Life Detection’6hCr
80VXJITwo-Star Transformation: ‘Earth Wall’XnPw
EVSTwo-Star Confusion: ‘Chaos’WlXvNio
FFOGF“Lady Diella. It’s time for the lady of the house to arrive.”Xvq
lFnNV“Already?”7cpMk12
V2QThe elegant maid approached Dereck and Diella, who were studying magic at the tea table in the garden.cywcXd
1jT8Close.u2UDEs
6NKXETDereck closed the book he was reading with one hand and stood, brushing dust off the chair.UmNF
aT8nOver time, Dereck had made some progress. The magical resources of House Duplain were a great help. However, achieving his primary goal of reaching three-star level still seemed distant.ZxCWvs
NrnTsj8It might have been reckless to aspire to the three-star level at his age, but the desire to improve doesn’t heed age. Still, he was becoming increasingly aware that the realm of three stars was no ordinary level. It wasn’t something to be reached quickly.1RpBtpQ
oKhjQjUInterestingly, his progress in combat and confusion spells was advancing rapidly.22OO
MYd8ODereck’s quick mastery of combat spells was likely due to his mercenary background, full of battles, while his swift learning of confusion magic seemed influenced by his mentor, Katia, a three-star confusion mage.uL5ni
RF0HOn the other hand, he didn’t seem to have much talent for summoning magic. Despite investing a fair amount of time, he had only achieved minor successes. It was disappointing, but inevitable. As Katia often said, trying to master every branch might just be greed.G0vuX
HjeWith a sigh, Dereck followed the maid toward the main hall of the mansion.cvC
lEqThe mother of the Duplain family, Miriela Daybell Duplain, had returned from a social gathering in the south, and many servants were attending her welcome party.Im0g
KOHhMiriela, tired from the long journey, maintained her noble composure. Her purple dress, peacock feather fan, and gleaming accessories all looked like luxury items.ulN4a
QyqZShe spoke politely with her family, whom she hadn’t seen in a while.sbOq
WIB58zG“Is everything alright in my absence?”Nj6K3i
FNNJyQG“Yes, Mother. In fact, we only have good news.”NID8fp
CeY“Oh, Valerian, if you say that, it must be delightful news.”cYXB4ia
8WMRj0The woman’s face showed signs of aging, but she retained the dignity of a noble. Upon entering, escorted by Valerian, Miriela was immediately captivated by Diella’s appearance and seemed to realize the joyful news.k8SAmro
FY5FsY“Di-Diella! You’ve come out of the pavilion!”KVQYOH8
ZtUOSgDiella, dressed in a beautiful ruffled dress with a lovely bow, looked like a proper young noble. Finding her so charming, Miriela hurried to embrace her.bNyXUr
Du8A“Ah, hello, Mother….”OqIyjkv
tG0cfhc“Diella. My dear Diella. I was so worried….”4Lu
bHdOu“Don’t be surprised, Mother. Diella recently managed to materialize magic and is now working hard to master a one-star spell.”7lLM
BZc“Really? Diella! You’ve worked so hard! Oh, I must consider buying a wand or staff. Maybe I should look in the magic shops of Ebelstain…”m6CC3m
4RIV8uV“Ha ha… Mother, it’s too soon for that.”cH2MnH
V77JxkRValerian gently scolded his mother with a smile. Mages who carried their own wand or staff were typically intermediate-level practitioners of three stars.ZmZdow5
aYSnTtEven then, many didn’t bother unless necessary, since such magical items were quite expensive.PmM00w
0I9O9nIt was an old habit of parents to get excited over their children’s achievements as a sign of joy.9NA
FI1R“What’s happened to bring such progress in such a short time…? It’s like the world has changed.”nu2KKL
aLUhJ“Um… well….”3W34
Vt6sgWhile Diella hesitated, Valerian answered with a gentle smile.ilY7cz
2L3hJX“The new magic tutor Aiselin brought has played a major role.”49z8N4
Cgw“Oh. I must thank him. Is he here in the mansion now?”iiykFSl
0tzduR“Here he is. This is Dereck, Mage of Ebelstain.”6mlGv
m1zStanding among the servants, Dereck met Miriela’s gaze and greeted her calmly.Ktnft
UFqG2Miriela approached with a sweet look in her eyes and spoke to Dereck.xyOb
Y6dr“My daughter owes you so much. Are you a Mage of Ebelstain?”iVG
hvxf“Yes. My name is Dereck.”SrI
1n1f7uMiriela spoke in a soft voice, her smile warm.vOu
FwUs4cQ“Diella has changed magic tutors often, but you’ve achieved such great results. I’m very grateful. I can’t just sit idle—I want to send a token of appreciation from our family… Could you tell me your affiliation? I must express the sincerity of House Duplain.”Rhx
1kAaAt those words, Valerian looked away uncomfortably, as did the other servants.r1Zccb
qIjrDereck, observing the situation from the corner of his eye, seemed to understand what was happening.GQauT
vkQfgy“I have no family affiliation.”NuUiwe
kXpc“…Pardon?”gsUft
dSrqJo“I am a commoner.”TDj
VF1With that declaration, an awkward silence fell over the main hall of the ducal residence.D7fAB
LlWQ9The affectionate look Miriela had given him, as if seeing a philanthropist, vanished, replaced by cold indifference.0SEo
TVrHcpDereck already knew, after hearing the news from Valerian.I9Oft
GfTGixShe was the embodiment of aristocratic authority.wB8xBjQ
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