Chapter 13: Imam (3)
zUQtWhen Duke Duplain was giving instructions to his steward Delron, the office door burst open.KAs9Uiv
eNLLady Miriel’s face appeared, brimming with fury, with Prince Valerian right behind her, trying to calm her.QgrqY9
ViG6hCn“Delron. Please, step outside for a moment.”31Mbje
yeySs“…Yes.”VqvU
EWRe34kAfter dismissing Delron, Miriel strode in and sat before the duke’s desk, fixing him with a fierce gaze.hr7mVG
Crp“It seems you’ve returned from the southern social circuit. It must have been a long journey—you must be tired.”j6Ozl
FjTbM“It’s nothing. More importantly, you’ve taken on a new tutor for Diella….”PQZcl
XTgmm“….”dJvU
zt2uDuke Duplain wore an expression as if bracing for her words. He rubbed his temples, as if warding off a headache, and glanced at Valerian beside her.TboDd44
hXg7V“It was Aiselin’s choice.”4pF8i
fA6cW“Still—how could you allow a commoner to tutor in the very pavilion where Diella lives?”4AX68Zz
vrlVp4—BANG!N1e3Ho
KpqkNOMiriela slammed a hand on the desk, her voice thunderous. Her eyes bore into him.3Rzy
efbUmShe was mistress of the Duplain household. While the duke managed the duke’s lands and politics, she oversaw the grand mansion itself.syh4
HCsPFOThough she’d been away attending the Cradle Count’s social circle in the south, she had expected nothing to change at home.NrTV98
wAd1“Aiselin may be too lenient in her choices, but as her father you should have dismissed him immediately. We must uphold the dignity of our lineage. Don’t you agree, dear?”PT2M
uoWIiU“I too dislike naming commoners. But as you know, every capable magic tutor has already packed up and left the mansion.”lvrjXFu
LGi“No matter what, you should have brought in someone of proper status. How could you… how could you bring in a mercenary…? And of all things, to tutor Diella…!”JxJau
Xm3ljMiriela seethed. Duke Duplain set aside his quill and, frowning, replied:3ez
QbX9“As you know, finding a truly competent magic tutor is no easy task.”eJOLT6
5EZ“At minimum there should have been basic qualifications. That Dereck—whatever his name—this commoner, should be dismissed at once, and… you should call on Flam at the estate’s borders.”z7PFqA
E2rFlam was the duke’s brother, commanding the stationed troops that patrolled the estate boundaries and handled magical beasts. He was one of the few four‑star mages in the Duplain family—yet he’d failed to teach Diella.OVSJFfG
2phDVo“Hasn’t Flam long since resigned?”MSXK
ZKquj“It was when Diella… wandered. Now that she’s grown and her magic has materialized, he could manage her.”90oJ
sp6j6“Removing someone in charge of our border troops to serve as an in‑house tutor? Do you think the estate’s operation should suffer?”xUp
5Yg“The education of our heir is as vital as the estate’s management. You can’t expect everyone to possess natural talent like Valerian or Leigh. There are many lieutenants capable of overseeing the soldiers.”4r3C
TJTdiMiriel held the duke’s gaze in silence.KblS
MyA4epEShe was nearly the only person bold enough to look him down like that—such was her authority as mistress of the house. Though she couldn’t meddle in ducal affairs, she wielded independent power over the household.0fyjM4
InjConsidering this, the duke listened calmly to Miriel’s argument.sfOaBH
HhciHVF“Teaching magic is no different whether it’s Dereck or Flam.”XDy3n
T3EN“Well, it’s not exactly the same.”VNPt
ORh3hyB“What’s the difference?”XZ2v
WbM5D8o“He delivers results.”GTM5
j0avKDuke Duplain stroked his beard and leaned back. Miriel held her breath at his calm.65q
CmAZ“Results aren’t everything, my dear.”TwvhYe
BNtF“What matters more than that?”OwxeM
Rriy“Men don’t understand Ebelstain’s social circles. They fail to grasp how crucial the right tutor is in that demanding environment.”amGfrnF
hVIZm9FThe men of the family, buried in estate operations and training, didn’t fully understand the culture of the female social circles.wHBErI
0i9PBut Miriel, the lady of the house, did. In the social circles of Ebelstain, not only did family background matter, but also personal achievements, who had taught you, and how many connections you had — all of which demonstrated a lady’s refinement.IhpBNDe
v4U7When the name of a famous magic tutor from the continent was mentioned, it often led to connections with others who shared the same mentor, thereby forming a powerful faction within the social circle.ZoNTCl
skaLlGKIn such a culture, how shameful it would be to name an unknown commoner as a tutor. The exchange of words in Ebelstain’s social circles was as fierce as sword duels among warriors. Miriel didn’t want Diella to have such a glaring weakness.2Hm
4IurJO2With a furrowed brow and raised voice, Miriel continued:Q05
Qr73XB0“It’s true that that commoner Dereck has done quite well—one cannot deny his achievements for a commoner. But now, appointing a high‑level magic tutor is only proper. It’s the right direction for Diella and our family.”6Qj4
flQXDuke Duplain narrowed his eyes, studying Miriel in silence. Her concern was well founded, debuting into society only to be shunned would harm the Duplain name.hy78d
Fzi7sNoble ladies represented their families. A‑List daughters like Aiselin posed no problem—but if Diella failed socially, the family’s honor would suffer.Up7Rjd6
nyqK“Mother, you’re too worked up. Let’s calm ourselves and discuss this tomorrow.”8tgTQ93
83g“Valerian, you step aside. Matters like this must be resolved at once, or they’ll only worsen.”3LH
0xUqhMiriel was resolute, known for handling household affairs with iron will.drZ4JaL
aLMS4EC“I won’t rest knowing that poor man is still here.”qPFkPS4
Fgd1BH“In the end, isn’t the point simply to prove that commoner mage’s worth, Mother?”xJtHP9W
gXKJust then, the second son, Leigh, entered, responding to the commotion.SWaetpW
tRfVHe’d rushed in as soon as he heard. Standing tall, he appeared with urgent words.213e
xL6ujC“Leigh!”Wk77T
ruKrAt that moment, the second son of the Duplain family, Leigh, entered in response to the situation.2f6n6h
RXy0OHe had rushed to the study as soon as he heard what was happening. As always, he entered the office with an upright posture, appearing as though he had something important to say.pTZP8k
neX1zDuke Duplain narrowed his eyes.axue
sgIS“Leigh!”QF3pO43
nnouvaD“I was in training. I apologize for not greeting you, Mother.”jEJPZ
CL1UvCy“I’m glad to see you well. Let’s leave the formalities for later. But… do you know anything about that magician named Dereck?”wythBI
h8vO“Yes. He’s not a bad person, but he doesn’t align with our uncle’s teachings.”v1zpF4K
TsQ9R1Leigh adjusted his arm and stood in front of Duke Duplain.7Ug
zY6nk“Father. I will test Dereck’s merit myself.”Xhu
Mnz5z“Leigh. That man is a true Mage. Perhaps when you mature, as noble‑born, you might surpass him—but not now.”8P3ZBL
THhA“…”NP5F7R1
WDXFLeigh bristled at the duke’s words, but held his tongue. The idea that a noble could be outmatched by a commoner was unthinkable to him.Mpw
mUZxLeigh had already mastered several first-level spells. Although he hadn’t broken through to the second level like Valerian, his command of first-level magic was so great that even Valerian acknowledged his superiority.NkL9Ng
SF5SHowever, if the Duke were to make such a decision, Leigh couldn’t simply oppose it. He had to propose an alternative.lCCIzr
mz4CThen, an idea seemed to occur to Leigh, and the corner of his lips lifted.syHV
PExrL3b“How about… we just test Diella?”ukoD
b46YVWhen Leigh spoke, everyone frowned. It was a possibility they hadn’t considered.1WdXvG
PQrjZU“What do you mean?”Lm3DHr2
GoCj“If Dereck is truly an exceptional tutor, then Diella, under his instruction, must have achieved something noteworthy. I’ll personally face her in a magic duel and evaluate her abilities.”dZM
CmtPHta“What are you thinking, Leigh?”ou2
o8u5s“As I said.”lcqC5l
OlX3zqDuke Duplain stroked his beard, deep in thought. He had lived his life assessing people’s abilities. It wasn’t hard for him to understand Leigh’s thinking.DST
0LQby1ZLeigh had no affection for Diella. He believed her entry into society would only tarnish the family’s reputation. Even if it meant humiliating her in public or dismissing her trusted tutor, pushing Diella back to the annex seemed the best course for the Duplain family’s long-term prestige.e9F2pGC
Il7DjdZHowever, if Leigh, the one who despised Diella the most, could acknowledge her, then no one in the family would object. Grand Duke Duplain had no choice but to fall into contemplation at this realization.yXq1Pbf
GJNB“Father… why do you hesitate…?”MVTyjwV
eGokAfter all, Diella was only just learning first‑level magic. Proposing a duel with Leigh—already master of many first‑level spells—would be cruel. Certainly unfair to her. Valerian could not remain silent.ZqkaDt1
WqqYS“Leigh! Learn when to step in and when not to!”rh3
tJEHoD“Brother! Know the difference! But now… now is the time to act!”B7Xv8
BuSLeigh advanced on the duke, speaking firmly.bV0o6Fx
2xX“If Diella truly has real skill, then we stay the course. But if not, we rid ourselves of that Dereck. Isn’t that enough?”iR2b1
xbk“…There’s truth in your words.”7ehM9
rWVn“Father!”EBIF
tp7WThis time Valerian struck the table—but Duke Duplain’s face remained impassive.POz3aU
qk6jmjValerian clenched his teeth, about to speak again, when Duke Duplain finally spoke:FDmRq9m
kyfke5g“That would be too harsh for Diella. You know that.”aLB4
63jjc“Yes. But if she expects to live in society with a commoner tutor, she must prove that level. Miriel’s point is valid.”3tEF
JakKm“If we keep putting it off, it will never end. Time isn’t infinite. That’s precisely why we must verify it now. So, what do you think, Miriela? Should we go ahead with Leigh’s suggestion?”o10
DgmPYj“…”f50K
OeVvkoMiriela pondered for a moment, then looked at Leigh.KZPJgkE
nsMBmGThe strong second son, Leigh, had always trained diligently. He would soon be an adult, and his accomplishments were outstanding; surely, he wasn’t someone who would lose to a girl who had only just begun to materialize her magic.KI8Ao
9scW1zrNo matter how skilled Dereck might be as a teacher—if it wasn’t meant to be, then it wasn’t.ji2
VcCJmVeFinally, Miriela smiled as she lifted the corner of her lips.icPVe
Ez1“Leigh!”6F6f
2JRgedeValerian summoned Leigh back from the corridor.UEUN
8vWLeigh closed and reopened his eyes, meeting Valerian’s.3Fk5W
lF1A“Yes, brother.”E5B
8Is“What were you really thinking, Leigh?”vBDB0bn
BpJ“Do my words lack clarity? Exactly as I said in the office.”0Jxuw
Iewjh4Valerian ground his teeth, but Leigh pressed on.wFau9
aXEvu“Do you truly believe she’s turned the page? I don’t—even if heaven turned upside‑down. She’s enamored of magic, wearing a mask. Better to soil the Duplain name myself than parade such a girl in society.”iu4
Q1YcH9s“And you think dismissing the tutor who finally arrived is justified?”AJSBPL
EptR“That Dereck, you mean?”OI8qje
AoIYLHLeigh, who had always trusted his elder brother, refused to budge. His expression was resolute.ESYjr
rFpv“Yes. I give credit where due—he does teach well. But does that justify keeping Dereck bound to Diella?”XHSZqQ
78Dmj“What do you mean?”B7ci
Fv8JfoDLeigh walked slowly toward Valerian, eyes blazing.DlWi
0Mz“Diella—that brat—belongs locked in the pavilion.”KaWKRw
VvPoHaving said it plainly, Leigh turned and left, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.VkEYYW
jYre1UValerian ground his teeth, unable to speak.ueDmvIq
Y7I59Leigh had suffered most during Diella’s darker days—he could understand that. Leaning against the wall, he pressed his forehead and sighed.zAhBbf8
DvpOiX1Valerian was Leigh’s brother—and Diella’s. As long as these two convictions coexisted, his worries would never end.dwh
A2vJmbK***DAb9
gTgByEpBang!zXLd
p1RThe next morning, while Dereck was reading at the table in the salon, the door slid open with a soft whistle.YIm
pJywMHaving already recognized those footsteps, Dereck showed no surprise and kept his eyes on the book.JZSns
1og9U“Please, call them in.”uWF
svkRM“That’s what you want right now?”d97s65L
MUbzDiella entered the room and motioned to the servants with her to leave.DAa
raZ7The servants, breaking out in cold sweat, quickly closed the door behind them and retired to the corridor.jq9vv0
pdhXDiella then went around to the other side of the table where Dereck sat and flung down a letter penned by Duke Duplain himself. Dereck already knew its gist.5D6KT
FMJC“If I lose this magical duel, you will be dismissed.”wdrBjJR
b5c“I’ve heard. Lord Leigh is already a fully‑formed one‑star mage, so it won’t be easy.”hfM
nw78tHU“That’s all you have to say? You don’t care that you’ll be fired just like that?”Wts
tNmxgZu“I was hired to do a job—and I will finish it. I’ve been properly compensated.”ZHZuq
M8UTXADereck was well aware of the gulf between commoner and noble. That’s why, unlike Diella, he remained calm. Despite his efforts on many fronts, Diella’s magic had grown more slowly than expected.v7x5ZxS
1DDABHEIn truth, her pace wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t enough to reach one‑star magic in so short a time. He realized he’d have to face Leigh with only his unranked basic magic. Even with the various one‑star spells I possess, it’s unclear if I could defeat him. In other words, it’s tantamount to a loss.ROCD
Mc09Dereck closed his book and, as he tied his shoe laces, said:NDpQ
7aCREWD“Miss Diella, you may already feel it, but your magical power is on the right path. You may not wield one‑star magic immediately, but if you continue as you have, diligently, you will progress swiftly. After all, you were born of the Duplain line.”7OMf
mq7rhx4“…What do you mean by that? Why say it?”cLTeGB
sfU“I told you before. Wild‑school magic emphasizes self‑learning over tradition.”fIZB2k
OSUDereck spoke in his usual calm tone.NJOcJpz
aqNGPDiella felt both comfort and strangeness watching him.L79e
kdcErSThis boy, Dereck, always carried that air. As Diella’s tutor, he lived in the noble Duplain mansion, yet seemed ready to leave at any moment—lightly—quite fitting for a wandering mercenary.Y1czN
nmghTLDiella thought carefully, then walked over and looked Dereck earnestly in the eyes. There was an unfamiliar sadness there.PSU
3VIPYo“Dereck. I know… I’m not an outstanding student.”XL0iw
PsHK“….”LsLMw5G
HkzRdf“Even so… I want you to keep teaching me magic. I don’t want anyone else.”BNNuy
vSdFpIt was rare for Diella, who usually grumbled, to express her feelings so directly.iqt
EDFmQwtLike a scarred stray cat, she growled and distrusted everyone—but once she opened her heart, she did not unsheathe claws needlessly. Yet merely wishing for something doesn’t guarantee it. Even Diella, who had lived without desires, had to understand that truth.jel
vDZdcIf there’s something you want, you must fight for it. If there’s something you don’t want to lose, you must fight to keep it.QCmz
Tk5zFor commoners, that was obvious. Now, this girl had to understand it too.gjbq
tKvFIv“I should warn you: I don’t know the finer rules or fundamentals of magic duels between nobles. My knowledge is superficial, gleaned in fragments. After all, I’m a mercenary who once wandered battlefields.”J5W
8NE“So… you mean you can’t teach me about dueling?”cYKxB
6Wl9“Exactly. But I can teach you how to win a fight.”uG858s
7I0cmODereck bent down to look Diella in the eyes and asked:tlTe
wXm“Do you want to win?”Z7u0k
jRdDiella, who once stared blankly at the wall from a thorn‑covered arbor, now had a spark in her eyes.beeJaG
DH5vFHW***28b
xm3QPdZA few days later, a platform for a magic duel was erected in front of the Duplain estate garden.83YN4
zC5Among the nobility, magic duels were refined events.mfwnRPK
ruoIEven in Ebelstain’s social circles, where magical salons and exchange meetings were regularly held, most attendees watched duels between advanced magicians. Magic duels were essentially one of the most representative ways to demonstrate one’s achievements.wEwP
aJVDqBAlthough duels within a family were not uncommon, today was something special. It was the first time that Lady Diella herself stepped onto the platform.J6dSg
lRYIn a first duel, it was customary for attendants with some magical knowledge to act as sparring partners, but today, the one stepping up was Leigh, the second son of the Duplain noble family. Though still young and soon to hold his coming-of-age ceremony, he was already a genuine Mage.fAv
Yx4ugCAt midday, with the sun high overhead, Leigh stood in his formal outfit and robe, a satisfied smile on his face.cPZz954
hikThe Duke and Duchess Duplain watched from the grand terrace connected to their private rooms, facing the garden, while other attendants gathered near the platform, ready to witness the duel in proper ceremony.vylqlOp
ZOatSeated on the terrace, fingers gliding along the rim of his teacup, the Grand Duke Duplain looked down at Dereck sitting calmly near the platform. He showed no signs of tension.NAgKbx
hQcbW“Has he given up, or is he confident? It’s hard to say. Even as an exceptional tutor, he likely didn’t anticipate this situation.”W4KvIH4
GA0WpaWThe mage had an oddly calm demeanor, even in a situation where others would be swallowing nervously. Whether it was courage born of his years as a mercenary, he wasn’t someone who panicked—even in the worst situations.FB6H
4VB8AwX“Certainly, he’s not someone to be dismissed too quickly.”JqUP1O0
8QKThe Grand Duke glanced at Miriela, let out a quiet snort, and then turned his eyes back to the platform.ieduJde
uM5dmWThere, Leigh, having finished all preparations, adjusted his cuffs, a confident expression on his face. Then, on the other side, Diella climbed the steps to the platform. Her voluminous golden curls framed the upper part of her body.Q8ElBI
2ITAs always, her lovely frilled dress and ribbon symbolized her role as the youngest and most adorable member of the Duplain family. But today, she wore a reddish-brown robe.fEsUI5
S4uThe sleeves of the robe were a bit too large for the girl’s body, hanging loosely. When the warm wind swept through the garden, the hem of the robe fluttered gently in the breeze.7mg
Xs96CUnder the hood, Diella’s eyes glowed with a resolute aura, barely visible.JxG7dwo
rnqzqO“…”igXxoXf
iYYrJSeeing this, Leigh had a sudden realization. The girl hadn’t come today as the youngest daughter of the Duplain family. She had come as Dereck’s student—and as a mage.vNgZjQw
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