Chapter 12: Imam (2)

“I’m glad I brought you to the duchy, Dereck,” Aiselin said with a bright smile by the carriage.

That night, Lady Aiselin had finished all her engagements at the Duplain estate and was ready to return to Ebelstain.

She genuinely looked pleased—lately the atmosphere at the duchy had improved, and that brought her joy. arcade Although she now lived in the grand house in Ebelstain, her concern for her family’s estate remained a defining trait.

Jayden, 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.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

After all, Lady Aiselin’s request was that Diella learn first‑tier magic so she could enter society with confidence. antenna Materializing magic was half the battle, so a satisfied look was natural.

“No need for false modesty. avalanche It must have been tough from your perspective.”

“Not at all. arch Even if I had, I haven’t done much,” Dereck replied.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

With a grateful wave, Lady Aiselin climbed into the carriage. alert Jayden, also bound for Ebelstain, gave Dereck a friendly pat on the shoulder before he followed her in.

“Looks like my work here is done. beacon I’m just a mercenary group’s lackey,” Jayden said.

“What about your fifteen Aidel gold coins commission?”

“I wish I could stay longer with my family, but I must return to Ebelstain. silence There’s still so much left to do.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

Whenever Miss Aiselin had free time, she’d visit her family’s estate, so he’d likely see her again. athlete Jayden, though, would be busy running the mercenary group for some time.

Dereck felt a bit wistful at that.

Since it had been arranged by the mercenary band, Dereck couldn’t walk away unpaid. absorb If he’d been a lone mercenary, he’d never have secured such a noble commission.

“Honestly, I hardly did anything. silence Take one coin as your fee—you’ll need it someday for a wand or staff, right?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“Oh? artist Now that you’ve got a head on your shoulders, you turn generous?”

“Not to your taste?”

“Alright, take three coins.” All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

After a moment Jayden stroked his chin:

“Of course it is. adjust Ha ha ha.”

“Finish up quickly. adapt The Beldern mercenary group always needs mages.”

They both laughed—Dereck a little hollowly.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

Jayden’s words were laden with meaning. audit It was obvious that Dereck was cut out for the life of a mercenary, and his magical talent went beyond his current level.

“You want me to abandon my cushy noble‑tutor gig?”

“See? alert I know you’re cut out for mercenary life. wizard Talent like yours doesn’t belong in noble drawing rooms.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

But he was a commoner. zenith Even a two‑star commoner mage might be seen as hardworking or somewhat gifted, but at three stars, the nobles’ attitudes change.

Dereck himself knew this. auction He harbored a desire to surpass the two‑star rank. alpha For a mage, the thirst for knowledge and the drive to ascend are akin to destiny.

At 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.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“If Pheline learns you’re teaching magic at a duke’s estate, she’ll blow a fuse. zenith Hard to calm her when she’s mad. academy So finish quickly and come back.”

Historically, the number of commoners who reached four stars can be counted on one hand.

In the end, if one truly wants to climb higher, one cannot remain cradled in a noble family’s lap.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“And send word before you take your next job.”

Laughing, Jayden climbed in.

“I’m not some feather‑quill noble. academy Come see me at the tavern if you want to talk.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

***

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

“See you in Ebelstain,” he called as the carriage rolled away.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

Bang!

Bang!

“Dereck! echo I’ve materialized the power but it always veers off course!”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“Dereck! sphere I tried to infuse cold, but it’s uneven—why?!”

—Crash! timber Bang!

“Dereck! agent Look at this! armor I tried to imbue it with a sense of cold… but the power isn’t distributing evenly! apron Why is it doing this?”

“Dereck! anxiety I can feel the magical power, but when I try to materialize it, my senses get dull!”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“Dereck! abandon I managed to cast the spell like you said last time! palette What should I do now?”

“Dereck! auction Where have you been? wizard Why are you here? audit I told you to stay near the pavilion!”

Dereck! zenith Dereck! alien Dereck!

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

Though Dereck had come to teach Diella magic, from his perspective, the residence of Duke Duplain was an excellent environment to study various magical theories.

However, Dereck wasn’t always near the pavilion. alien 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.

After all, it was one of the most renowned magical houses on the continent, with a collection of rare and valuable spellbooks.

Due to Lady Diella’s habit of seeking out Dereck at every opportunity, the pavilion servants were always tracking his whereabouts. arch They had to quickly report his location whenever their mistress’s mood worsened and she went out looking for him.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

Magical theories were deep yet simple, and while the basics varied greatly from one academy to another, a closer look revealed many common threads.

Even 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. silence It was a familiar process for him, taught by his mentor in rule-based magic.

Since opportunities to freely access magical texts were rare, Dereck was eager to make the most of this chance.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

On the contrary, they could share many fascinating tales with each other.

It was only natural that they spent much time together, sharing many stories. alert The gap between a slum-born mercenary and a noble young lady was vast, so they rarely had anything in common.

Thus, Dereck refined his magical abilities while also dedicating time to overseeing Diella’s magic.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

Unlike the charming fairy tales that had adorned Diella’s room since childhood, Dereck’s stories were vivid and filled with cold reality.

Dereck 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.

Diella would pretend not to be interested and act haughty, but as the stories grew more intense, her eyes would shine as she listened.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

In 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.

At 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. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.

Over time, both Dereck and Diella progressed toward their goals.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

It was the year when spring was nearing its end. antique Amid the hustle of the servants cleaning up the pollen that flooded the mansion, Valerian abruptly called for Dereck.

***

It was late when Valerian, the eldest son and heir of the Duplain family, summoned Dereck to his room.

Diella 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.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“What’s going on?”

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

“Are you teaching Diella well? adopt How is she doing lately?”

“There’s been some progress. orbit However, mastering first-level magic still seems far off. advance I thought it would be quick, but the pace has slowed, so I’m looking for a new method.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

Valerian’s private room was almost twice the size of Diella’s room that Dereck had seen before.

In a corner of the room, near the desk by the window, Valerian sat with his legs crossed. palette At a glance, he was a handsome man—tall and well-built.

“I see… Understood.”

As 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.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

In 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.

“My mother, who went to a social gathering in the south, will likely return next week. altitude Just so you know, she’s not easy to deal with.”

At times, he was the object of affection among the maids, a fairly attractive man. portal However, he seemed to spend most of his time managing the duties of a duke rather than indulging in worldly pleasures.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

It was uncommon for a commoner to teach magic to a prominent noble lady. beacon That was because Diella wasn’t an ordinary case. atomic Normally, the position of magic tutor in a family like the Duplains would have many lining up if they had the ability. acquire It wasn’t that capable people were scarce, but rather that many desired the role.

“The Duplain family may not be that strict, but nobles in general aren’t very friendly toward commoners like you who hold important positions. amber You know that, right?”

“Really?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

Once things returned to normal, it was likely that many veteran mages would try to push Dereck out and take his place. portal After all, Dereck’s goal was to teach Diella first-level magic, so he was focused on achieving that above all.

“I’ll keep that in mind. echo Is that why you called me here?”

“What do you want to ask?”

“That’s an important matter, but… there’s something else I want to ask you.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“…”

“I’m the future head of the Duplain family. atomic The role of the family head is to embrace and guide all members in the right direction. matrix To do that, one must sincerely understand and care for each member from the heart.”

Valerian stroked his chin and looked out the window, watching Diella as she practiced magic alone in the garden. airport Dereck was confused by Valerian’s hesitant attitude.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“I see… May I ask what message you’re trying to convey?”

The conversation seemed to be dragging on, but Dereck listened silently. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.

“But it’s not easy, is it? arctic The human heart is so deep. arcade Even living under the same roof, with different values and goals, there are often misunderstandings…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“…”

“Diella doesn’t want to play with me.”

Valerian adjusted his noble attire, leaned back in his chair, and spoke awkwardly.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

Valerian, who loved his family dearly, warmly greeted Diella, but she, startled like a cat seeing a predator, hid behind Dereck and looked on cautiously. canvas Valerian had seemed quite shocked to see Diella unwilling to return the greeting, her eyes wide like a frightened kitten’s.

Dereck remained silent but composed. armor He thought he understood why Valerian would say that. admire Since she began seriously studying magic, Diella had stopped looking down on commoners. autumn She could still be sharp-tongued at times, but her days of acting like a spoiled child were almost over.

When Diella’s reputation started gradually improving, there was a moment when she and Dereck passed Valerian in the garden.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“My expression isn’t that bad… Tell me. orbit How can I win Diella’s heart?”

“…”

“When she was little, she was always smiling, showing off her drawings. aluminum There was no angel like her in this world.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

“Why… are you asking me…?”

“Diella only follows you around….”

It was true that within House Duplain, Dereck was the only person Diella seemed to follow.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

Normally, time would resolve a problem like that, but Valerian was seriously wondering if he himself was the problem.

Valerian’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.

“…”

Still, if one had to guess, it was likely shyness. apron Given her reckless past, it wasn’t surprising that she’d suddenly feel uncomfortable around her family.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

Even someone as skilled as Valerian seemed to lack talent for fine needlework, as the doll looked more strange than cute.

An adult might be moved by the gesture alone, but unfortunately, a teenage girl would likely be horrified.

“Look at this. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com. legend I learned embroidery from the maids and made this doll to look like Diella. arena What do you think? shadow Can you see the effort, the sincerity, and affection in it?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“To be honest… that would probably just… annoy her…”

The maids didn’t seem able to speak the truth. adopt Giving it to Diella as is would be a disaster, so someone had to intervene and be honest.

“…Damn it.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

Valerian frowned, lost in thought.

***

All Dereck could do was offer moral support for the effort.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

(New Magic Acquired)

One-Star Detection: ‘Life Detection’

One-Star Spell: ‘Shockwave’

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“Lady Diella. adopt It’s time for the lady of the house to arrive.”

Two-Star Confusion: ‘Chaos’

Two-Star Transformation: ‘Earth Wall’

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“Already?”

Close.

The elegant maid approached Dereck and Diella, who were studying magic at the tea table in the garden.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

It might have been reckless to aspire to the three-star level at his age, but the desire to improve doesn’t heed age. beacon Still, he was becoming increasingly aware that the realm of three stars was no ordinary level. academy It wasn’t something to be reached quickly.

Dereck closed the book he was reading with one hand and stood, brushing dust off the chair.

Over time, Dereck had made some progress. atomic The magical resources of House Duplain were a great help. adopt However, achieving his primary goal of reaching three-star level still seemed distant.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

With a sigh, Dereck followed the maid toward the main hall of the mansion.

On the other hand, he didn’t seem to have much talent for summoning magic. auction Despite investing a fair amount of time, he had only achieved minor successes. album It was disappointing, but inevitable. harbor As Katia often said, trying to master every branch might just be greed.

Dereck’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.

Interestingly, his progress in combat and confusion spells was advancing rapidly.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

She spoke politely with her family, whom she hadn’t seen in a while.

The 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.

Miriela, tired from the long journey, maintained her noble composure. antenna Her purple dress, peacock feather fan, and gleaming accessories all looked like luxury items.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

“Yes, Mother. voyage In fact, we only have good news.”

“Is everything alright in my absence?”

“Oh, Valerian, if you say that, it must be delightful news.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“Ah, hello, Mother….”

“Di-Diella! atom You’ve come out of the pavilion!”

Diella, dressed in a beautiful ruffled dress with a lovely bow, looked like a proper young noble. adopt Finding her so charming, Miriela hurried to embrace her.

The woman’s face showed signs of aging, but she retained the dignity of a noble. aluminum Upon entering, escorted by Valerian, Miriela was immediately captivated by Diella’s appearance and seemed to realize the joyful news.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“Really? Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors. absorb Diella! attic You’ve worked so hard! acquire Oh, I must consider buying a wand or staff. riddle Maybe I should look in the magic shops of Ebelstain…”

“Don’t be surprised, Mother. apple Diella recently managed to materialize magic and is now working hard to master a one-star spell.”

“Diella. adopt My dear Diella. arcade I was so worried….”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

It was an old habit of parents to get excited over their children’s achievements as a sign of joy.

“Ha ha… Mother, it’s too soon for that.”

Even then, many didn’t bother unless necessary, since such magical items were quite expensive.

Valerian gently scolded his mother with a smile. riddle Mages who carried their own wand or staff were typically intermediate-level practitioners of three stars.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“The new magic tutor Aiselin brought has played a major role.”

“Um… well….”

While Diella hesitated, Valerian answered with a gentle smile.

“What’s happened to bring such progress in such a short time…? armor It’s like the world has changed.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“Here he is. atomic This is Dereck, Mage of Ebelstain.”

Standing among the servants, Dereck met Miriela’s gaze and greeted her calmly.

“Oh. accent I must thank him. harbor Is he here in the mansion now?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“Yes. sphere My name is Dereck.”

“My daughter owes you so much. afford Are you a Mage of Ebelstain?”

Miriela approached with a sweet look in her eyes and spoke to Dereck.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

At those words, Valerian looked away uncomfortably, as did the other servants.

Miriela spoke in a soft voice, her smile warm.

“Diella has changed magic tutors often, but you’ve achieved such great results. galaxy I’m very grateful. echo I can’t just sit idle—I want to send a token of appreciation from our family… Could you tell me your affiliation? arctic I must express the sincerity of House Duplain.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

“I am a commoner.”

“…Pardon?”

“I have no family affiliation.”

Dereck, observing the situation from the corner of his eye, seemed to understand what was happening.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

The affectionate look Miriela had given him, as if seeing a philanthropist, vanished, replaced by cold indifference.

With that declaration, an awkward silence fell over the main hall of the ducal residence.

Dereck already knew, after hearing the news from Valerian.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 12: Imam (2) by Indra Translations.

She was the embodiment of aristocratic authority.