Chapter 156: The Master of My Master (1)
XieBLQDue to the extreme cold and the snowstorms that arrived every day, it was almost forgotten, but after winter, spring always comes.rBpid
vl6tmUIt was around the time when even on the bare branches of the majestic garden of Count Elvester’s mansion, new leaves were beginning to sprout.tB4JZLg
zVDlGLbKohella, the great matriarch of the Elvester house and a figure respected by all its members, had returned to the mansion and was looking for one of her trusted people.DvW
duYpyaThe survivor of the long-fallen Flameheart family, who received the affection of Count Elvester and taught magic to the young Countess Freya—the master.WJ52L
eXnHXKatia Flameheart, the mage originally from the mercenaries of Ebelstein, was standing in front of an elderly woman embracing a large staff in a corner of the garden.yRk
721qA‘Every time I see her, I think the same thing—she is truly a small and humble person for the weight carried by her name.’oav
gN4That was how Katia described Kohella.qj2A
TNmEveryone in this enormous Elvester estate trembled just by standing before Kohella, yet no one had ever seen the old woman truly display her power.9FKiqPs
t1Gda1Even so, just from the atmosphere she emanated, one could feel that she was not an ordinary person, and so everyone bowed first.Ncavb0n
pwGThe presence of a 6-star mage was something difficult to describe in words.95Tj
6vbHzAlthough Kohella only smiled gently, Katia felt an ominous premonition she could not explain.UWF
4v0Vm“Last time, in Baron Ravenclaw’s territory, I personally saw your disciple. Indeed, a man with a truly magnificent vessel.”PDaG
oO8“Is that so? I only gave him a few lessons years ago, when he still knew very little about magic. He must surely be at a very different level now.”reDK
oNw“I see. Katia, you said you originated among the mercenaries of Ebelstein. Now that you live here, so far away, in Count Elvester’s region, don’t you ever miss your old home?”kVUOx
qzvLzuW“The place I could truly call my home already burned down and disappeared. The tavern streets of Ebelstein were merely a place where I went to earn my bread.”oW8wmw
4cscWKatia was an excellent magic instructor.igp
UMmVeThe young Countess Freya, whom she taught, had reached the level of a 2-star mage shortly after completing her coming-of-age ceremony.TBwAL
99mIMoreover, Katia was more than a strict teacher—she was a guide in life.VoUUR
t10oMSometimes with maternal gentleness, and at other times with firmness, she had the ability to shape her disciple into a more upright person.GpIM6
UYyIt was thanks to Katia that the young Countess Freya, who did not have a shred of seriousness in anything, was revered as a saint by the people of the territory.zy6TeW
wyLa0Whenever there was an important event, Katia would roll up her sleeves and personally assist her.Rk7Vd
W2vqXHaving been the young Countess Freya’s teacher for so many years, Katia had become quite well known in the social circles of the eastern continent.0ydK5
OOKMany heads of noble families tried to hire her as a magic instructor, but unfortunately, none could offer better conditions than the Elvester house.CKfg6
IJSzZMoreover, attempting to take away the magic instructor of the family that held real power in the eastern continent required considerable courage.5Vp
SNfSdrOne way or another, it was evident that Katia would continue living in the Elvester house for quite some time.9JUqhb
UnxrK“When the weather clears, they say a new academy for magical education will be established in the western continent. Since there were no talents who attempted to teach magic in such a systematic way, southwestern society is showing great interest.”9zXl
Hc7“Are you speaking of the Ravenclaw Academy? Magic is delicate and complex, and also strongly influenced by bloodline. I was wondering whether it could truly be taught in that manner.”wXR
VqDKatia brought a hand to her chin and fell into thought.yQk
0VpT5V“Even so, if it is something Dereck personally undertook, there must surely be a great purpose behind it.”lCZ226
riJsrqy“We cannot simply sit by and watch. It would be strange for the magic instructor of the Elvester house to fall behind in current matters of magical education.”339lQg
zmQ“Certainly, I think it would be good to pay attention to the matter.”vaAmD
G6F“Wouldn’t it be better to see it directly with your own eyes?”vtdryv
uihVFlKohella narrowed her eyes and smiled.i53
x42Katia felt that smile as something ominous.XoxgLAo
ZBGvJ1“In eastern society, there is no longer any young noble comparable to Freya, so we must broaden her horizons. While we are at it, it would be good for you to go and observe the state of construction of the academy in the southwestern continent. I will personally grant you authorization.”CIpv
J7f“I appreciate… I appreciate the consideration. But I fear neglecting my duties. The southwestern continent is not a place you can reach in one or two days by carriage.”yaia46
wG8xfA“I have been informed of Freya’s recent condition. That child will also need new stimulation.”0jM
CWUKatia swallowed.SeXT
YhZfyz5It was true that Freya had quickly reached the level of 2 stars, but since then she had shown signs of stagnation.dZSWuFT
7lkHer learning speed was so high that she had almost no rivals of the same age.OoRz
VPhdE3UIf she could interact with Ravenclaw’s disciples, it might be good stimulation, but—New
kWydT5s‘The disciples Dereck brings with him are of far too high a level and authority.’LqaAjN
zqSAs she frequently exchanged letters with Dereck, Katia knew Ravenclaw’s internal structure well.ZHKBu
BzSShe had even heard that one of the girls could use 3-star magic immediately after her coming-of-age ceremony, an achievement so rare that only a handful existed across the entire continent.nb0Q
0YX9Rather than stimulating Freya, she feared it might shatter her confidence.3OxTJ
10fNabP‘I would prefer that the young Countess Freya remain at the mansion a while longer, focusing on her magical progress…’t7ax
nl9AaTKatia swallowed again, her hands clasped behind her back.Hgf7j
MxJLooking at Kohella’s smiling face as she made that proposal made it impossible to think she could refuse.Jb5mVPR
apF7e1CShe closed her eyes for a moment, thought, and finally nodded.S6NWa
4t6“It is, without a doubt, a good proposal. However, going to the site where the Ravenclaw Academy is being built also means going to see a disciple from many years ago.”eHZhoB
hOWU0Dereck had already reached the level of a 4-star mage, surpassing Katia.7UdlhW
KzFEven so, Dereck continued to treat her with the utmost respect as his teacher, because he never forgot the help she gave him when he was nothing more than a mercenary at the very bottom.x6InS9V
tj9“For that reason, rather than sending an official letter from the family, I will handle it personally.”ITnzqI
Bqrp7Kohella smiled gently and said she understood.0jf
HAQAmKatia lightly broke into a sweat and lowered her head in silence.BaPXI
ifhA3Y5***owoXmq2
azQ6DY“Oh…!”E8Rjf
SXGWhen Dereck was startled, Ellen, who was sitting beside him, was also surprised.GYg1
LzNkEXEllen had already been receiving various magical theories there, within Baron Ravenclaw’s territory, for some time.VuS4i
8DLUnlike when she was at Count Belmierd’s mansion, here she did not have to worry too much about her attire nor feel that every one of her movements was being watched, so her mind was far more relaxed.x4kzEni
20HwBecause of that, once the magic lessons were over, she had been thinking of staying the night at the baron’s mansion.Q19jacC
ddg“…?”O3UMY
eeizxJust as she was thinking about how to strike up a conversation with Dereck, she saw that after reading the letter brought by the butler Delbriton, he smiled faintly with visible pleasure.erfIx
wN9U2Since it was uncommon to see Dereck showing such a lively expression, Ellen tilted her head in curiosity.gZZ
Biz1gyi“What’s the matter, Dereck?”7PSXT
vwa1PM“Sorry. I got distracted for a moment. I’ve just been notified of the visit of a very long-awaited guest.”XIxXKG
KU65A long-awaited guest?MFK9i
BknLyQ6That phrase only increased Ellen’s curiosity.1TVt
hBnGoXvEven when young nobles of extremely high rank came to visit him, that man of steel always maintained a strictly professional expression.IuQi
5LkhFor him to even forget that he was in the middle of a magic lesson because of someone like that was highly unusual.GvQ75g
1OzwG3uIt was clear that there was a personal feeling involved.jPj
qWzxxCWho could melt his cold expression like that?1AeBz5f
4I2WUnable to contain herself, Ellen asked bluntly.uPCU
qNP7W“Who is this person that makes you so happy…?”AxbaPI
BtrA“She is the teacher who taught me magic when I was a mercenary.”DGp
HDosHC“I’ve heard about that. Katya… Katia Flameheart, right?”jb5rD7
jRe01“Yes, that’s right. She’s a person from whom one can learn an enormous amount. Just as I imagined, she has also become famous in the eastern continent as a magic instructor.”yAR7
uzWCDue to the enormous physical distance between the southwest and the east of the continent, news rarely traveled from one side to the other.ZIkv
QSgCEven so, judging by how well both were aware of each other’s situations, it was evident that they exchanged letters frequently.Pz8UR
dIIThat a man so busy that he barely communicated with anyone unless it was for official matters would regularly write letters in his own hand showed how close that relationship was.uApgz
8vWT“She not only has a deep understanding of magic, but also a very wise and profound outlook on life. At least, I have never regretted following Teacher Katia’s advice.”Gfzr
Mub“D-Dereck… this is the first time I’ve seen you trust someone so much…”kCh6fW
kx5T“There are many stories from the past that I could tell, but there’s no point in dragging it out. The important thing is that both she and I are always busy, so we haven’t had the chance to meet face to face. Just thinking that I’ll be able to see her in person this time makes me quite restless. There are many things I need to prepare.”sz4U
8VpGzrSomehow, Dereck seemed to be talking more than usual.n0hEuk
YejvVAHe truly looked excited at the thought of being reunited with his former teacher.cyCQQw
XrVl0o2From what Ellen had heard, she was already an elderly woman, so it didn’t seem like a matter of rivalry, but seeing her provoke such an obvious reaction in that unflappable man made Ellen’s feelings turn strangely complicated.EJS
L6TOAlways surrounded by young women like flowers in full bloom, he had never even been seen to blush, and now, just because his teacher was coming to visit, he seemed to have returned to his childhood years.6BXR
iIQDmqFor someone to receive such special treatment from Dereck carried no small significance for Ellen.bjs
CarEB‘I don’t know much about this mage named Katia, but I’d better avoid doing anything that could leave a bad impression on her.’XRO0
3KdEllen was quick to grasp situations.irlw
6mzShe thought it best to leave Katia with a good impression, so she silently held her breath.LIfEZg3
UUNQciThat said, she didn’t know how Dereck’s other disciples would react.uIppOF
FGWWk***yfs9
FRu2— I’m already an adult. I can manage on my own.eeyT
QnjnEuu— It’s been quite a long time, Dereck.dha
CKIUiI9As she boarded the carriage, Katia recalled the day she left Dereck behind, in that small hideout in the slums.zhDo
SjkjBack then, he was nothing more than a tiny child.ZRinIp
670RnoTo keep Katia from worrying about leaving him alone, he had clenched both fists tightly and put on a resolute expression.3ex1GNB
cNiL3That image—so insecure despite its apparent firmness—made it difficult for Katia to take a step forward.UQd1r
tKiHKWDDuring the journey to Count Elvester’s territory, she looked again and again in the direction of Ebelstein, because the existence of that fragile disciple had lodged itself in her heart like a thorn.khloumF
NFOgVHkAfter arriving in Count Elvester’s territory, she spent very busy days, but even so, every time she received one of Dereck’s letters, she sighed in relief.Ph7g9u
RCjWAs time passed and she continued receiving news from him, she gradually began to put those worries behind her.P8Zln
W9vbEven so, a strange sense of guilt still remained.4XvNvDb
Qaqqdn2After all, that day she had left him alone.Ckr
P8ylDLAlthough it was not something she could avoid, that weight did not disappear easily.PUv
nXR‘After all this time, I’ll see such a dear face again. There’s no need for me to look so gloomy.’67xYD
Rmd2PKatia leaned back against the carriage seat and let out a satisfied smile.8pf
OcbsvSe“Uuuh… Teacher Katia… when the family has such large and luxurious carriages, why do we have to travel in such an old and small one?”fcphyY
FO1nG“I already explained it, Miss Freya. If we were to visit officially carrying the name of House Elvester, it would be far too great a burden for Baron Ravenclaw’s territory.”sWJQW
1CN0KJmThe carriages of House Elvester were so enormous that one had to crane their neck just to see them fully, so the carriage Katia had secured looked little more than an old, rattling cargo vehicle.nlT0
mpiFreya pursed her lips in displeasure, but she couldn’t oppose Katia’s decision.slL2Ys
14eWith the help of the servants, she boarded the carriage while complaining and groaning.dlrDjvV
zWfG“If we travel all the way to the southwest of the continent in such a jostling carriage… my waist is going to be shattered!”YpzPrR
wGj“There are moments like this in life. It’s good to think of everything as an experience.”Qto583o
BYy6“Uuuh…”7g0UgX
dFg79RbWhile calming the persistent Freya, Katia traced the route to the southwestern continent in her mind.SXvRwx
0olyfThey would have to pass through the imperial capital in the center, cross the Laurel Plains, traverse Count Renuel’s territory and that of Duke Beltus, and then continue on quite a bit farther.TdO
GcwW2z‘If we could use Count Elvester’s name, passing through other nobles’ territories would be easy, but since we’re traveling for personal reasons, I hope no unnecessary problems arise.’3fUOqz
jcre4She had heard that the nobles of the southwest were exclusionary by nature and very stingy about passage through their territories.BgbT7
tf3In particular, it was often said that the ladies of Ebelstein society were extremely strong-willed and resolute, so it would likely be quite an exhausting journey.Mx31C
WGiH9b‘Since we’re going all the way to the southwest, we’ll also pass through Ebelstein. I’ll be able to observe the atmosphere of its society—will Jayden still be running his business on Tavern Street?’iDIlGhC
se2zMPvAt that moment, Katia still did not fully understand what it meant to be Dereck’s dearly cherished teacher.0Wg
CDdTThe Elvester house where she resided was far too distant from the southwest of the continent, so it was natural that she was unfamiliar with the true atmosphere of the place.L8PgH
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