Chapter 155: The Youngest Disciple (7)
nfmSiern’s breathing wasn’t even altered.BqzpL9
NBMqmBoth the white blouse and the light blue skirt were immaculate, as if they had just been washed.cE6hQyb
oOsRj9uIn contrast, looking at Trisha was so pitiful that it was hard to keep one’s eyes on her.geGfwfX
cKuNfrIt was a relief that most of the spectators had already left the arena, because almost no one remained to witness that deplorable state.OX5
LGSHPanting, Trisha stood up, lifting her gaze through her completely disheveled hair.4y3m1l
sbFC9qe“Certainly… you really are good…”ddCQwnN
XAOlIvqShe wasn’t just “good”; she didn’t even reach the tips of her toes.PZsc6J
PMJkKAt this point, even if she put on airs and raised her voice, there was no one left who would admire her.HQKzP9I
Pa75NEven so, Trisha increased her magic and finished preparing to begin the fifty-sixth duel.DKBF
qmFlSiern, with a drop of sweat sliding down her temple as if she were baffled, observed Trisha in silence as she slowly stood up, and shook her head.V8ETz
JZdHer expression, with narrowed eyes and a quiet sigh, was as if she were watching a fool repeating a useless effort.lauqwh
TAtvAgain, Siern looked toward Diella.3ff
lRCAySince Dereck had asked her to respect Diella’s will, she thought to consult her opinion.4GJ
shCDiella, sitting at one end of the spectator area, watched the duel with a baffled expression.lhq7Lxz
538o2c‘I surely thought she would make a proper fool of herself and collapse…’x7W9y
cT2SSeeing Trisha, destroyed and still barely forcing herself to rise, something familiar surfaced in her mind.nF9
FJ9bIRrIt was the image of a girl, from some faraway place in the past.yJnDlG
Qac08kThat girl had been born as the youngest of a famous family, but showed no outstanding magical ability and was discarded.qozlaHx
uaQktzShut away in an annex, covering herself with thorns and rejecting everyone, she sank alone into darkness.UYb
V1NAfter wandering without direction, she found a good teacher, discovered the essence of magic, and began to struggle for recognition.TwYODiv
361She fought a duel against her second brother, whom she could never defeat.U4h6K
osqzWith her body full of wounds, she tried to stand to win, but ended up defeated.th5tx3
nNeDmRaIn that duel, held in the garden of House Duplain, Diella had remained lying there unable to move her body, crying without stopping.gMh
wbmyQzCovered in dirt, her face smeared with tears, with no strength in her arms or legs, even then she tried to get up, unable to, and kept crying.QDc
27xIt was a memory buried deep, from a long time ago.9msmO
hRN5MThe Diella from then and the Diella now had changed in position and authority.WFl7Yd
yvko3JUnder Dereck’s constant guidance, she was rising to the level of 2 stars.3ex
7StoAfter being recognized by several young nobles of the Hall Rose and the circle of the Ravenclaw Academy, Diella had obtained true authority.sae
toFmAPLCompared to the days in the annex, everything had changed completely.vI6N7at
8cg2ENow she had firm followers, recognized magical achievements, and the respect of other young women in the academic circle.RJDdLI
ZGNEven so, sometimes one had to look back.pzNfx
CaMJust as Dereck remembered his days as a mercenary by always caring for his weapons, Diella also had to learn something from his attitude toward life.45r0
7J6‘Why do you keep getting up?’PmyN
Urw4Diella was still young.iLj7Et
fGtThe young academics feared her like a wild lioness, but when looking beneath the surface there was only desire for recognition, emotional lack, ambition.wps
2plThings that anyone her age could have.dYwlT
jxVThat’s why, seeing in Trisha an overlapping image of her former self, she could not mock her coldly.aTkl6T
Fro135It was strange.oPjWH
3U0ZConsidering how she struck servants without hesitation, mocked nobles, and reigned like a tyrant, that did not match her current reaction.jao
PCr7BGdIn that moment, she felt a drop of sweat run down her cheek.hyJ1iJR
wUZ1“If this continues it’s going to become a problem, Lady Diella.”PQtGTLY
0E1QEllen, who had been watching the situation from the spectator area in front, had approached without Diella noticing.JlUqyz
B7bWith her hand gripping the edge of her dress, the young lady with red hair spoke.fNo208
EZt9A young woman recognized as the new lady of House Belmierd, without a reputation for tyranny, respected by her servants.z7TeM
L92wjTrisha was the daughter of the countess of Renuel.uSpZsj8
2O9Even if it was part of a duel, they couldn’t leave her torn to pieces that way.4hDPkM2
o9DI6Even if technically it was a challenge she herself had requested, one more step and they would cross the line.iZo
fEPOnZSiern was a monster who did not feel any aversion to killing.RC0mh7C
aJHIf they let her continue, she could truly surpass the limit, and the responsibility would fall not only on Diella, but also on Dereck.dIDdd
edHLMCcNeither Diella nor Ellen wanted that.h1h
fFq“……”n19Z
ywo4n1Diella turned her head.jAJfnd
QeIjjGDespite being destroyed, with ragged breathing, Trisha was still staring fixedly at Siern.P8ZR5
tawcBIn her, Diella saw someone struggling desperately to prove her worth.qiYRgHc
1pCoEven someone arrogant and haughty like Trisha had things she could not yield until the end.dGHtwTy
8vTlcThe principal one—never bowing her head.a5B5Il
IYPXI“…”A6KqqNR
g8n7Finally, Diella slowly closed her eyes and lowered her head.H8QEv
4JHZTIt was the first time, since the young tyrant had entered the Hall Rose, that she lowered her gaze before another person.D2Z6ses
mDjhy1***uxjO
StPJ“Ufufufu. Uhuhuhuhu. Oh-hohohoho.”QB3Nj6P
jyF56VpThanks for the instructions, Christopher.DmGvQ96
9lDjWinter is at its peak. For spring to arrive, one still has to endure a little more cold.qIKZp
66OgCDuring the time when the construction procedures for Ravenclaw Academy were progressing without setbacks, Dereck visited the house of Count Renuel to receive the support supplies that Countess Rodelia had promised him beforehand.ghg3Q2
aKstRuWhile he was waiting for Countess Rodelia and sitting in the reception room, her daughter Trisha appeared in her stead.VsJA
XrxRUpon seeing her, Dereck couldn’t help but be momentarily surprised, because the one who always maintained an elegant appearance like a delicate flower had her body bandaged in several places.mAb5
AN4DhThe wounds on her face seemed to have been treated somehow, but the ones on her body had not yet healed.HHU07
36pYEfFor a noble young lady who was supposed to maintain a flawless appearance at all times, it was a serious issue.bdVa
eeMBHowever, despite her pitiful condition, Trisha was smiling broadly with her usual mischievous expression.g6rW
FHogoeTap.LMG
t6FYPWhat she placed on the reception table was a document containing something truly absurd.dfcyDpK
za22kIn that letter, stamped with the seal of Diella Katherine Duplain, daughter of the Duplain family, it was stated that Trisha was recognized as a member of Ravenclaw.k47T
SGwgNThe handwriting was exactly the same as the Diella Dereck knew, and the Duplain emblem was also authentic.J0Cd1N
1PXb0He checked it two, three times, but there was no mistake. Even Dereck, who rarely felt surprised, couldn’t help but tilt his head at something so unrealistic.xtt
cb88ub“How is it? Fufu. Fufufu…”niii7LJ
LQZZb“Even though she said so, I never thought you would actually receive Miss Diella’s recognition. How did you obtain it?”ejJ1T6k
ZGCfF“Well… I was also a bit surprised when I received the letter this morning, but… it’s not something that incredible, don’t you think?”oZ1l
HtdZwoTrisha placed a hand on her waist, lifted her chin, and, covering her mouth with a feather fan, laughed sinisterly.FivKwZo
9gDAShe literally looked like a third-rate villainess.PwBHSx
jT5FoUbHer arrogant and brazen laughter was so over-the-top that, at this point, it was almost impressive.8I7w
er9“I am Lady Trisha of the house of Count Renuel. Authority, elegance, character, talent, and a blossoming grace worthy of a flower of high society. How could I not resolve something so simple? It seems Baron Ravenclaw underestimated me far too much.”eIh
7tvQ9CAnd then she narrowed her eyes and laughed “oh-hoho.”B4KW
8jb1gSeeing Trisha boast so much and puff up an imaginary chest with pride, anyone would feel like flicking her forehead.fCINq
AJyBut Dereck simply set the letter on the table and silently listened to Trisha’s empty self-praise, while at the same time glancing at the bandages on her right wrist and those sticking out near her left ankle.VFwyGBB
OqZIf those were only the visible ones, it wasn’t hard to imagine the state of the rest of her body.mExYO
dVF“…”zpug
dkw“Baron Ravenclaw shouldn’t underestimate me so much either. Listen carefully. I, Trisha…”tGUQn
rgfdeX“You’ve worked hard.”pcb4
XoiYHK2“…”AyWBQZ
eRjThe phrase cutting her words pierced like a stab.PoB
MdYjIt wasn’t even anything special, but for a moment it felt as if a blade had struck her chest.dCLcj
tjKL4gwTrisha was left speechless, her eyes trembling. Then came silence. A second, maybe. That brief silence filled the entire room.M1VRX8y
JYljXDFTrisha began to pout but then lifted her head again and smiled exaggeratedly.RXcCC4U
6WneIx1“Worked hard? Not at all! It was so obvious and simple that it required no effort whatsoever. I don’t know why you would say that…”tDtPjE
nj2CqV“Really?”Nkfh
2KhcUE8“A-anyway! Now Baron Ravenclaw has no way to take it back. Even if he wants to, he won’t be able to avoid accepting me as his junior disciple. What an unfortunate situation for him. Fufufu…”xJqy1
9Vnb“It will be an honor. My teachings will be humble, but I hope they prove useful to you.”53VYSwJ
UCTmh“Uh…!”1Vj
9HgpVDereck does not react to useless provocations.xbM9J4z
tbu1CASince he never responds the way she wants, Trisha always ended up feeling a strange frustration whenever she talked to him.UF8DIqB
UYUDmzDEven so, her pride was as high as a mountain, and she would never let herself be intimidated.zDI
N2sKn“Of course! What a thing to say…”8CRAz
ipA83P“But if you’re going to enter as the youngest disciple, you must respect the opinion of the others. As I said, the hierarchy exists and is clear.”Zn2N
vDFN“T-that… of course…”uOjR
XyXn9TzThe joy of having received Diella’s recognition didn’t last long.k9Ny
Kw23DiwNow came the wall of reality.fogWdfg
8zoLZNo matter what anyone said, Trisha would be the last to enter Dereck’s disciples.VktFLK
15mUThat meant she would have to submit to those above her, and the people on that list were not easy—Diella, Ellen, Denise, Siern.VEyN2
ItBj73“Enduring that might be even harder than learning magic…”TCMeN
9rmLnXr“Well… I don’t think it will be that difficult. They’re reasonable people, right?”dL6h
9TA“Reasonable…?”w1Mg
RmZQEac“…”l8WT5Go
cj6nopDereck’s expression as he stared off into the distance sent a chill down Trisha’s back. Being “reasonable” was relative.bUNkA
Rt9Dereck clenched his fist and raised it toward her.F0VVGw
pVtSK“In any case, take heart. Even if the sky collapses, there’s always a gap through which to escape…”F7Qp
zAbhu“What kind of saying is that? As if the sky were going to collapse…”5NZDkJQ
6y7o“No matter how stormy the sea of life is, the rain always ends eventually…”rZx9NH4
uIkAksA“Why are you becoming poetic all of a sudden…?”w8K3
IExJVP9Dereck sighed.7WV
dICC6EvHe had planned to assess Trisha’s magical level starting the following week, but no matter how many times he checked, the result would not change much.egWann
H2C4Trisha’s growth limit as a mage was already practically established.C9SIE
ZQvIf she had been destined to shine, she would have by now. Although she wasn’t bad compared to common nobles, her problem was who she was comparing herself to.yFsfo
ytL3ufnThat’s why Dereck clenched his fist even more and insisted.PbwAAG
kSnkfno“Just in case, I’ll say this…”mmt8w
12bbvq“Yes?”ORNEh
pS5P6“You have no reason to feel intimidated.”3ElY
9xJ7IAt those words, Trisha smiled broadly, almost childishly. She was still arrogant, but that mix of pride and innocence had something ironically charming.QtCvAP5
EYCQZ“What an unnecessary concern.”uICXL
DnxPerhaps this was Trisha’s true nature.LKMA
D6b***LvoDy
Oh4LIQWhen Trisha finished her conversation with Dereck and left the reception room, Countess Rodelia—who had just finished her duties—was approaching from the distance down the hallway.X6Hw
e2KkUUpon seeing her, Trisha’s shoulders stiffened completely. Even though the report about the letter sent by Diella would have already reached Rodelia, she still hadn’t given a personal explanation.Hs6PvP
9Pc4LsAs soon as Countess Rodelia saw Trisha, she strode toward her with a satisfied smile and spoke.YqZ
mPnqWt“I heard the news, Trisha. You’ve already become an official disciple. I’m so proud of you…! It’s such good news that I couldn’t even focus on work!”jStF
ejq“Mother, please… you exaggerate too much.”pHZPRly
0QasFMIt wasn’t common to see the always-strict Rodelia wearing such a cheerful expression.ktz8
NuJEG4cShe knew very well how difficult it was to become a disciple of Baron Ravenclaw, and so she sincerely celebrated her daughter’s achievement.V011
d8H5“I truly feel like I treated you as a burden for far too long, and I’m beginning to regret my conduct. Trisha. You’ve really done well.”vK473
qmDEF7“This outcome is not a big deal, mother. As you can see, I managed to form a point of connection with Baron Ravenclaw… Now you’ll be able to use me politically in a meaningful way. Of course, it’s an important development worthy of celebration.”5C9U
iGeGI“That’s not why, Trisha.”CFQtaA
Rr3NCountess Rodelia placed both her hands on Trisha’s shoulders and gave her a gentle smile.mjhx
wLh4b“Of course, the relationship with Baron Ravenclaw is important. But more than that, I’m impressed by your genuine effort. As your mother, I cannot help but be proud of you.”rmvr
llwJXN“…”SMA7lo
T3C“I heard what happened in the Elfontine building. Your injuries as well… I imagine it couldn’t have been easy.”Qs66
RMqt“It seems they exaggerated a little, mother. It’s not something worth calling an effort or anything like that—it was child’s play.”7f4
2Io4DBTrisha raised her voice again. Her attitude implied that none of this deserved such fuss.v51E5
3mcQhFV“And who am I? I am Trisha, the most noble lady of the Renuel house. Jumping in joy because I entered as the disciple of a simple frontier noble would be a vulgar attitude unbefitting my status or my authority.”Ve6bVG
EhIq“Is that so? I’m glad you’re taking it calmly.”Kr9
acd2P“Baron Ravenclaw is waiting. He has many matters to discuss regarding the construction of the Academy. You should hurry. I will retire and rest.”1ZMT
ImIxHAfter once again showing a confident smile, Trisha bowed and crossed the hallway.86nPm
QRiFirm footsteps echoed as she walked forward.DMyNTz
mnMRodelia silently watched her daughter’s figure moving away with determined steps, and finally, smiling in satisfaction, she opened the door of the reception room and entered.PDI
JJaKA2Creak.B1TU
RJnujtfSteps.XHNaqQ
vUlJAfter walking for a while, Trisha suddenly remembered something and took out the letter she had received that morning to read it again.NWk3c
duz2YThe letter written word by word by the tyrant of the Duplain family, in which Diella recognized Trisha.APz
K44And immediately the image of her mother Rodelia smiling as if she were the happiest person in the world came to mind.GFxq9a
hothAll of that mixed together and caused a strange ripple in Trisha’s chest.Q9PBW
se3YOf course, without showing it. Her figure continued forward firmly. Only, subtly, the tip of her nose grew damp.Nhy
p4l“The air is very humid for winter.”BMB
qKfKyTrisha rubbed her face with the sleeve of her coat and continued walking down the hallway with a firm expression, as if nothing had happened.qf7x3
NumZiLGIt seemed that the procedures for the construction of Ravenclaw Academy were also entering their final phase.NEC
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