Noble Lady Reformation Guide — Chapter 148: Kohella (3)

Chapter 148: Kohella (3)

“Anyway,‌‌⁠ I have the‌‍⁠ feeling that I will meet Baron‍‌ Ravenclaw again in‌‍‌ a higher place‌‌ in the future.”‌

Kohella regarded the expansion‍ of Baron Ravenclaw’s‌ territory much more⁠ favorably than one‍‌ might expect. Certainly,‍ as she said,‍‍⁠ not all nobles⁠‌ were like Grand⁠‌‍ Duke Beltus.

After‌‌⁠ finishing the conversation and stepping out‍‍ toward the garden, Kohella, receiving Dereck’s‌‍ and the servants’⁠‌‍ farewell, let out‍⁠⁠ a meaningful smile.‍‌

“I‌‍‍ will inform His‌‍ Majesty Guttrel that⁠‍ the construction plan‌⁠‍ for Baron Ravenclaw’s⁠‍ Academy is solid‌⁠ and that it‍ could also help‍⁠ with the cohesion‌ of the Empire.‍ I don’t think there is any reason to oppose the diversification of‍ the Empire’s magical‍ education system. However…”‌

“…Yes?”‌

“I see. It would⁠‍ be best to‌ limit the possibility‌⁠ of completing a professional magical education⁠⁠‌ exclusively to nobles⁠⁠⁠ with titles.”

The‍‍ nobles’ sense of‍ monopoly over magic‍‍ was something that⁠⁠‌ did not seem‍‌ to change even⁠⁠ as times passed.‍

In⁠‍ an era when⁠ a good bloodline⁠‍⁠ was considered indispensable‌ for becoming a good mage, it‍‍‍ was difficult to‌ expect great results‌ from teaching magic⁠ to commoners with‌ no foundation.

Even‌ so, Kohella, as‌⁠ the representative of⁠ the Empire’s noble‍ mages, showed a certain nervousness. One‍ way or another,‌ magic had to‍ remain perceived as‌ a privilege of the nobility.

“Understood.”‌

When⁠ Dereck nodded, Kohella smiled, satisfied, and‍‌ looked for a moment toward the⁠⁠‌ ceiling of the⁠ Ravenclaw mansion.

“There⁠ are many eyes‌‍ watching.”

“…”⁠

“Today⁠ we only discussed formal matters, but⁠ if we meet‌ someday in the center of the Empire, I would⁠ like to have‍ a deep conversation⁠ about various magics.⁠‌ Baron Ravenclaw seems‍⁠ to be, just⁠⁠ like me, someone⁠ who is buried⁠ up to the limit in magic⁠‌ itself.”

With⁠‍ that said, Kohella⁠⁠ narrowed her eyes⁠‌ and spoke with‍ a meaningful tone.⁠‌

“Surely‌‌⁠ we will have‍ many things in‍⁠‍ common. Especially when‍‍ it comes to⁠ magic.”

With‌ those final words,‌‌‍ Kohella walked toward⁠⁠ the main gate‌ just as she had arrived. Each‍⁠ of her steps,‍⁠ light and floating, seemed to contain⁠‍ a strange power.‍‌‍

Whether⁠ she truly intended‍ to walk all‍‍‍ the way back to Gremport Palace⁠ or not, she⁠ firmly rejected the‌‌ servants’ attempt to⁠ prepare a carriage⁠⁠ for her.

“We‌‌ will meet again‍ in the center‌‌ of the continent.”‌‌

The‍‌⁠ meaning behind that‍‌‌ sentence depended on‍ how one interpreted⁠‌ it.

‘The next time we⁠‍ meet, it will‌ be hard to⁠ know whether it⁠⁠‍ will be as‌⁠ an enemy or‌ as an ally.’‌

Kohella’s cloak, swayed by‌ the wind as⁠‍ she slowly advanced‌ toward the open⁠ field, made her⁠ figure look like‍⁠ that of a nomad wandering the‌ world.

“What⁠ sharp sight. Even⁠‍ with the years‌ upon her, her⁠‍‌ intuition remains as‌ sharp as ever.”‍⁠

On⁠‍ the roof of‍ the Ravenclaw mansion, under the sunlight,⁠‍ Fina, who was‌‌ basking as if‌⁠ performing photosynthesis, let‌ out a small‌ laugh upon seeing‌⁠ Kohella walk away.

“If‍‍ she still desires‍ to obtain this⁠⁠⁠ servant’s death-field magic,‌‍⁠ at least that‌ obsession I must⁠⁠ acknowledge. She gives⁠ me genuine chills.”⁠

Fina, who had lived through hundreds and hundreds of seasonal‍‌‍ changes, felt that although it was‍ already cold, spring⁠‌ still had not⁠⁠‌ arrived.

***‍⁠

Kohella⁠⁠ was truly an ominous person, but‌‌‍ it was also⁠⁠ hard to deny‌ that her words‌ had been quite‌‌ nourishing.

To‌ further expand the⁠ territory’s power, raise‍ his influence, manage‌‍ the academy well,⁠ and, as a result, become a mage of an even higher level,⁠ there were many‍‍‌ things he needed to do.

‘Taking‌⁠ a fifth direct‍⁠ disciple is not‌⁠ a bad idea‍‍ in itself, but‍ there are still‍‍ parts that concern‍‌ me.’

Dereck‌‍ was in deep⁠⁠ thought while raising‌ his magical power⁠‌‍ in the training‍‌ field set up behind the barony.⁠⁠‌

Every‍ time he practiced⁠ magic, the maids‌‌ assisting him had⁠‍ to keep their‌ distance for fear‍‍‍ of being caught in that force.

As‍‌ a result, there⁠ was no better‍‍ place than this‍ wide space to⁠ organize his thoughts‍ without anyone tending⁠ to him at‍‍ his side.

‘Taking‍‌⁠ someone as a disciple just to⁠ raise the house’s‌⁠ prestige would not be respectful to‌ that person.’

Dereck‌ was a man⁠‍ who placed special‌‌ meaning on the‌‍ master-disciple relationship.

From the beginning, he⁠ had received so‍⁠ much grace from‍ the teachers he‍ met during his growth that he‍‌ himself, when teaching‍ his own disciples,‌ would always step forward to help‍‍ them in every‍ possible way.

To‍‍ him, that was‌ natural.

Despite‌‍⁠ having reached a higher magical level‌ and higher status,‌ he still sent‍‌ greeting letters to‌⁠ Katia and treated‌‍ her with respect.‌‌

It was the same⁠‌ when he rushed for Ellen due⁠ to her family‌ matters, and when‌⁠ he pressured the‌ Beltus house while‍⁠ trying to protect‍ Denise’s authority at⁠⁠‍ the same time.⁠

For‌ Dereck, the master-disciple relationship was not‍‌‌ something that could‍‌ be created and⁠⁠ discarded lightly.

‘If I’m going to⁠ do it, I must do it‍⁠ right. If I’m⁠ really going to take another disciple,‌ I have to‌‌ commit to teaching‍ them properly.’

Fwoosh!‍⁠⁠

Transformation‍ Magic of 3 stars, “Acceleration.”

Dereck‌ interpreted that magic, which Siern used,⁠ in his own⁠ way, and managed‌‌ to implement it‌⁠ with a more⁠ efficient method of‌ using magical power.‌‌

Moreover,‌‍ using the residual‌‌⁠ magical effect embedded⁠‌ in the staff‍‌⁠ “Traces,” he could⁠⁠ use Acceleration once⁠ more without consuming⁠⁠‍ magical power.

Then,‍‌ if he combined‍⁠ the transformation magic‌ “Elemental Conversion” and the illusion magic⁠‌⁠ “Refraction” appropriately, he could transfer that acceleration—originally only applicable‍ to his own‍ body—to the movement⁠‍ of other substances.⁠⁠

It‍‍ was as if⁠ time flowed faster‍⁠⁠ only for that‌‍‌ specific substance.

Transformation‌ Magic of 4 stars, “Distortion.”

Even experienced transformation mages⁠⁠⁠ would need quite some time to‍ understand and apply⁠‍ this principle in real combat.

But‌ Dereck, a mercenary⁠‌ mage of the⁠⁠‍ wild school, outside‍ the rigid framework⁠‌ of orthodox magical⁠ systems, could adapt it immediately and⁠ learn a new‍ 4-star magic.

Tap!‌‌

When‍⁠ Dereck threw a knife, affected by‍‌ Distortion, it flew toward the trunk of a distant⁠ pine tree and‍ embedded itself.

Although‍‍‌ the tree was quite far, it‍⁠ took less than‍ a tenth of⁠ a second to‌⁠ reach it.

It‍ was as if⁠ the time and‍‌ force applied to‌⁠ the dagger were‌⁠ distorted.

Predicting‍‌‌ that movement was⁠‍⁠ not easy.

‘If‍⁠‌ I can apply‍ this in combat,⁠ it will be‌ easier to attack‌ the enemy’s weak⁠ points.’

Dereck⁠‍ closed and opened‍ his fist while⁠‌ assessing his own‌ growth.

Perhaps‍‍ it made no⁠ sense to teach⁠ this to someone⁠⁠ who could not‍⁠⁠ intuitively grasp the‌ process of manifesting‍ this magic.

As he himself had⁠‍ said if he⁠‌ was going to‌‌ do something, he‍ had to do‍ it well.

Due‌ to the residual⁠‍ effects of having‍‍ pushed his magical‍ power to the⁠⁠ extreme, cold sweat‍‍ ran down his‌‌ forehead.

He⁠⁠ sat on a nearby wooden chair⁠ to catch his⁠ breath.

At⁠ that moment, the‌⁠⁠ maids stationed at⁠‍⁠ the perimeter approached‍ and handed him‍ a towel and⁠ fresh water.

When⁠ Dereck reached out‌⁠ to receive them,⁠ he saw the⁠⁠ maid’s fingertips trembling.⁠‍

“…”‌⁠

Upon‍⁠ looking closely, she⁠ seemed new.

It was the first‍‍⁠ time she had seen Dereck training⁠‍ magic, and she⁠⁠ was looking at‍ him as if‍ she were staring‌ at a dangerous⁠ weapon.

And‌ when he looked around the training⁠ field, the scene‌ was devastating—the grass‍ was torn up,⁠⁠ the ground was twisted—it looked like‌ a battlefield.

“You‍‌ don’t need to‍‌‍ bring it to⁠‍ me unless I ask.”

“Y-yes.‍ U-understood.”

Dereck,‍⁠ with an apathetic look, sent her‌ back to the⁠ perimeter.

Although Delbriton had surely‍ instructed her, showing that reaction all the time would only make him‍⁠ more uncomfortable.

That⁠ was right. Teaching‌‌ magic was meaningless‍⁠ if the one receiving it was⁠ not ready to⁠ accept it.

Seeing‌‍ the maid flee‌ awkwardly, Dereck thought‍ that.

If‌⁠‌ he were to‌‍ teach for reasons‌‍ of worldly prestige‌‌⁠ and took anyone‌ at random, that‌ did not suit⁠ him.

Then⁠⁠ he had to‍‍ choose someone genuine,‍⁠‌ someone worth teaching.‍⁠

And⁠ at the same⁠ time, he had‌ to fulfill the⁠ original goal of‌ helping restore the‍ Duplain family.

He⁠⁠⁠ had to catch⁠ two rabbits at‍‍⁠ once.

***‌

“The⁠ result is that I considered Lady⁠ Diella to be‍⁠ the most trustworthy.”⁠

The⁠ next day, the⁠‍⁠ news spread that‍ Baron Ravenclaw had‌⁠ personally gone to‌‍ Diella’s mansion in‍‍ the noble district‌ of Ebelstein.

At that moment, what‍‍⁠ most stirred Ebelstein’s‌‌ noble society was‍⁠⁠ who would be‍ accepted as the⁠ baron’s new direct‍⁠ disciple.

And given that context,‍ the fact that‌‍ he, who lately⁠ never left the‍ barony, appeared directly‌ in Ebelstein was‍ an event of⁠ enormous significance.

And⁠‌‍ the first thing‌ he did upon⁠ arriving was visit⁠⁠‌ Diella.

The⁠ Duplain sisters were⁠ already gaining prominence in the Rose‍ Salon; this event⁠ was like giving‍‌ them wings.

The⁠‍‍ nobles of society,⁠‍ always alert to⁠⁠ news, immediately informed‍‍ their households.

But⁠‍ the most bewildered‌‍ person was, of‍ course.

Diella‌‌‍ herself.

“M-me… me… me…?”

Since⁠⁠ early that morning,‌⁠ Diella had a look as if⁠‌‍ she had witnessed‌⁠ lightning strike her‍‌ head.

She⁠ had studied magic⁠ before sleeping and was exhausted, with⁠ her hair completely⁠‌⁠ messy.

Upon‌‌ hearing that Dereck‍ had come in‌⁠ person, she almost⁠⁠ fainted.

She⁠‍‌ fixed herself up‍⁠‍ as best as‍‍ she could with⁠ the help of‍ the head maid,⁠‌ but even so,‍ the tips of‍‌ her nails were⁠⁠ broken, her eyelashes⁠ slightly lifted—it was‌‍ such an embarrassing⁠ situation she wanted⁠‍ to die.

But she couldn’t leave‍ Dereck waiting just staring at the‍ wall, so she‍ hurried out.

“Yes.‌ It may seem‌‌ a bit sudden,‌ but I arrived‍‍‌ at this conclusion⁠ after thinking about‍ it for a long time. As‍ I said, though‌ my origin is⁠ humble and my⁠‍ status still weak,‍ there are already‌‍ several people to⁠‌‌ whom I teach magic. And since there must also‍ be discipline among‍⁠ them, I thought‌ about who could‌ be at the‌⁠‍ top as a central figure. And‍⁠ Lady Diella is the most suitable.”⁠‌

Diella Katherine Duplain was‌⁠ one of the⁠⁠⁠ youngest among Dereck’s⁠‍ disciples.

And⁠ he wanted to‍ give her the‌ position of principal‌⁠‌ disciple.

If‌ the choice were‌ simply based on‍ who had the‍‍ highest magical achievement,⁠‌ the choice would‍ be Siern or‍⁠ Denise.

Siern⁠⁠ was born a genius, and Denise‍ had an absurd‍‌ mastery speed.

If‌ it were a matter of choosing⁠‌⁠ the “star disciple,”‌‌ it would be‌‌⁠ one of them.‌‍

But‍ if it was‌‌ about choosing the person who would⁠⁠‍ stand at the⁠‍ top regulating the⁠‍ other disciples, Dereck chose Diella.

She⁠ was born with‍ the qualities of‍‍ a ruler. Similar‌ but different to‌ Ellen of Belmierd—if⁠ Ellen guided people⁠⁠ with harmony, Diella⁠‍⁠ had a charisma‍ that made others‍ follow her willingly.‌‍

Although‍‌⁠ she seemed bold,‌ ill-mannered, and inconsiderate,‌⁠‍ if her temperament⁠ were sharpened well,⁠ she could become⁠‍⁠ a leader who‍⁠‌ dominated everyone.

“Principal‍‍ disciple… and that…‌ does that change anything…?”

“I’ve‌‍ heard rumors that‍ in noble society⁠ there is talk⁠ that Baron Ravenclaw‌ might take a new disciple. And‌‍‌ well, you know‍‍ where there’s smoke,‌ there’s fire. It’s‌‌ not a lie.”‍

“A-are‍⁠‍ you going to⁠ take another disciple?”‌‌

Diella’s‌⁠ lips stuck out.⁠‌‍

Lately‍ Dereck was busy,‌ the disciples were⁠ more numerous, and⁠‍‍ she felt increasingly⁠ less close to⁠⁠ him.

And though she wanted‌ to get closer,⁠ her pride didn’t⁠ allow her to be clingy.

But⁠‌ staying silent only⁠⁠ made her want‍ to complain more,‌ and she realized‍‍ she herself was‌ a headache.

And‍⁠ now, on top‍ of that, another‌ disciple.

“Of course, I’m not‍ going to accept‌ just anyone. But‍‍ since I don’t⁠‌ have time to⁠⁠ analyze each person⁠ in depth, I will announce a single condition—whoever wants⁠ to receive my teaching must obtain⁠ the approval of⁠⁠ the principal disciple.”‌⁠

In‍‍ any organization, personnel⁠‍ authority always falls to the central‍‍‌ figure.

Dereck planned to leave‌‍ all decisions regarding⁠ future disciples to‍ Diella.

She⁠ was the one‌‍‍ who knew Dereck‌⁠ best, having observed‍ him closely for‌ so long.

“I‌ will trust absolutely‌‍‌ in Lady Diella’s‍‍ judgment. I will‍ tell everyone and‌‌ announce it officially.”⁠‍

Dereck⁠‌⁠ said it clearly.‍‍ Diella was left⁠ with a dumbfounded⁠‌ expression and then‌ blushed instantly.

“N-no!‍ Dereck, your disciple…‍⁠ you must decide⁠ that!”

“I⁠ already told you‌‌ that, given the‌⁠ circumstances, that’s very‌‍ difficult. And that‍‌ I trust your‌ judgment.”

“N-no…‌‍⁠ there are other⁠‍ people… with a good eye for‌⁠ others… like Aiselin…”‌‌

“Officially,‌ Lady Aiselin is⁠⁠ not my direct‌ disciple.”

“T-then…⁠ Lady Ellen… or‌ Lady Denise…”

Dereck‍ replied firmly,

“If⁠‌ we speak of‌⁠‌ qualities to see,⁠ use, and judge⁠‍‌ people as a ruler, I trust Lady Diella much⁠‍ more. That’s what‍ I’ve been saying,‍⁠ isn’t it?”

Faced⁠⁠‍ with such a confident affirmation, without‌‍ a hint of⁠‌ doubt, Diella felt⁠ heat rising up⁠ her spine.

With such brilliant companions around her, she‍⁠ wondered if her⁠‌ own light was being overshadowed. But‌ for Dereck to‍‍ say personally “You⁠ are the best”—how‌ could she not‌‌ be moved?

Diella‌ began to fidget with excitement as‍‍ her eyes sparkled.‍

Seeing‌ Dereck nod, she‍⁠ snorted warm air through her nose and squeezed her⁠ knees.

“T-then‌ there’s no helping‌‌ it. Well… Dereck‍‍ is busy, after‍⁠ all…”

The‍ rumor that Dereck‍‌ would take a fifth disciple had⁠‌ been circulating for‍‍ some time. And⁠⁠ without a doubt,‌ Dereck intended to⁠‌ teach magic to‌ more people.

But⁠‌ Diella, in her heart, apologized to‍ him.

‘Thank⁠‍ you for trusting‍ me but I’m sorry, Dereck.’

With‌ a smile very fitting for a young girl, she‍‌ thought.

‘I’m⁠ not approving anyone.’‍

Becoming‌‌⁠ a direct disciple of Baron Ravenclaw—there‌⁠⁠ weren’t many people⁠ in noble society⁠⁠‍ of Ebelstein capable‍ of crossing that‍ obstacle.

The⁠⁠‌ next day, the⁠‍ Ravenclaw barony officially⁠⁠ announced that it‍ would take a fifth direct disciple.⁠

The‌‌ news reached the Elfontaine Hall bulletin‍⁠ board instantly.

– Murmur, murmur…

Although many thought a huge crowd would gather, when they saw the announced‍‌ condition, the young‌ noble ladies swallowed‌ dryly.

All‍⁠ of them doubted‌ their eyes.

They‍‍ had to receive‌‌‌ the approval of‍⁠ Diella, the true‌ figure of Duplain‌ and the tyrant⁠ of the Rose⁠ Salon.

“…”‌