Chapter 16: Imam (6)
i7gay0Dust swirled on the platform as the servants rushed in all at once. The duel was over, and it was time to clean up.x0A
Uk7aUNAmong them, Diella was clearly the one who needed help the most.XiDq
EzOWHer small body had crossed the platform at full speed, and now, bruised from the fall and drained of magic, she was a mess. Watching her cough and cry didn’t evoke anger—it inspired only pity.l1jq
rRqFSeeing Diella in that state, Leigh was at a loss for words.oDtnGr
cCbXD“Ah… ahh…”Odm7
5EwAcRHer sobs and clutching at her injuries were truly pitiful. It was supposed to be a ceremonial magic duel between nobles, but Leigh had never anticipated such an outcome.1WyqUTY
aB7J0“I… I’m so sor…”ywx2
Ibp9hJust as he was about to speak, Leigh stopped himself. Was he going to apologize? To poor Diella, who seemed mocked even by the heavens?TTaz
D5WBut the Diella he saw during the duel was very different from the one he had known.u19V0
kQCHad she changed?AFxV
CK3iHe wasn’t quite sure what exactly had changed, but at the very least, he knew that Diella had sincerely wanted to prove herself through this duel.KbcGMos
kSJw7The result wasn’t favorable, certainly, but sometimes the process itself holds more meaning. That’s why Leigh couldn’t mock or scold Diella, who lay there crying.pGJcDE
yKLkpThere was an indescribable glory in those who challenge themselves with everything they have. To ridicule that lightly would be shameful. Leigh stood there for a long while, not knowing what to say…K3AjQ
uyB“I’ll escort you to the inner rooms. You must receive treatment first.”Fq7Yaav
yQnpCSupported by the servants, Diella finally pushed them away and stood on her own. Then she walked over to Leigh, her eyes still red and swollen with frustration.maj
3NsU3VBut a loss was still a loss. Diella bowed her head silently to Leigh and walked past him alone.b40
bs8qVLeigh could only watch, eyes wide.q4T4eWm
iaWKnock, knock.R5FqIUV
qUHtThen Diella descended from the platform and headed toward Dereck, who had been silently observing the duel among the servants.iKwlq
X04PMShe stopped directly in front of Dereck, who stood motionless, his body bruised. A streak of blood ran down her cheek, and her golden hair and frilled dress were covered in dust.CGarh6A
jyQThe girl had been crying just moments before, but now tried to maintain the dignity of a noble. Complaining and wailing in front of a commoner was unseemly for someone of her status.15ScTh
JRywz3A noble lady must always be proud and poised. Diella had always been like a proud, aloof cat. A proud wild cat always walked along the fence—even in dust.tmtOf
fAFsagFSo, though her lower lip trembled, the girl spoke in a quiet voice.3FoF
dps1“I lost.”7g43Gf
I70f9Her emotional shield, built from noble authority, held back the torrent in her heart. Still, she had to press her hands to her chest to keep the emotions from leaking out, one or two trickles at a time.pLv
ARSQL“I’m sorry.”bs2O
gqEThe girl offered a brief apology. The other was just a commoner. She had accepted Dereck’s teachings and stood on the platform to prove them, but had been miserably defeated and cried in shame.orVd7W
8G9gSShe apologized only for that.YSpLx
AC7rgvDereck remained still, watching her, and after a moment, slowly said:ZCAb
Ah2KbJ4“It’s okay.”itjE
PlWp“…”pvR0O7
ECshb“It’s okay to lose.”jk7
dUZLxDereck was not one to ramble. That’s why every word he spoke carried weight.W3V3CJ
HXwg“Life is full of losses sometimes.”QyDad
ghavHearing those words, the dam holding back her emotions finally burst, and the girl wept, choked with sobs.VkdxU
TqkgbSurrounded by servants rushing to treat her wounds, she cried and cried.zwHDt
Q3P6***ACorD
gvDYThud.ELm7Cev
MakdJqwMiriela, followed by several servants, walked toward the platform in the garden. With clenched fists, she marched forward, her face flushed with heat.pyjg6Le
gGdCAnd her anger peaked as she saw Diella bruised and sobbing.6emiFCK
Gd7j“Diella!”KPpd99
FgHMiriela rushed past the servants assisting Diella, who was being taken for treatment. She knelt to check Diella’s wounds.h58
WZepIkThey weren’t serious, but the thought of potential scars disturbed her. Ignoring the dirt staining her gown, Miriela hugged Diella tightly.QJoVM
nLY61“Oh… Diella… You’ve been through so much… It’s okay… You can trust me now…”dYStl0
0C76G“Mother…”oYh
Rc2GpG“We must treat your injuries first. Go with the servants and receive care immediately.”AeY6pg
DCvDWith that, Miriela let go of Diella and turned her fiery gaze toward Dereck.XubGro0
dWzOHer eyes glowed with unspoken fury.iPv4X
eM6h3Miriela walked up to Dereck and grabbed him by the collar.MCKrsi
FZ0zi“You… Do you even understand what you’ve done?”yDEc
PpRy“…”9H4ZSXn
4c0trmcDereck remained still, hands clasped behind his back, his blood-red eyes narrowing.4as
uBg“Do you think you’ve done something great? A first-level spell? Those can be learned gradually, even if late. You’ve taught the noble daughter of House Duplain, who should be a lofty lily, the vulgar and disgraceful depths. You don’t understand how serious that is.”1FwMP
5R3jA“…”CUtA
PIWSlap!q7yV2
KYjZMiriela’s hand, driven by fury, struck Dereck. He turned his face to look at her, his cheek swollen, but she showed no remorse.sRZCy
65ZIlEfAll the nearby servants swallowed hard, sweating coldly.mhGo
MTOUnMiriela’s rage seemed to saturate the air around Dereck.PmYlg
gveGj“What would someone like you, who crawled up from the bottom, know of noble culture? Do you understand how dangerous the social circles of Ebelstain are—like a field of ice? It’s a place where creatures above the clouds gather. You wouldn’t understand how desperate it is to survive there, soiled by the filth of the gutters.”ph292
WMBG“…”Pk9WE
BFMuZK“There’s a world that commoners like you can never grasp. A world where one must uphold courtesy and dignity, demonstrate excellence through magic duels, and defend the values that deserve protection. A world… that someone of your lowly birth could never comprehend.”84FfKc
KAkF4ESlap.93O6NC
PqYcILTGritting her teeth, Miriela slapped Dereck again. He stayed calm, hands still behind his back.KDuz
CSL4Gps“For Diella… I would do anything. Driving out a plague like you from her life would be nothing. I will use whatever means necessary…”rwT
YCZIRkAStomp, stomp.HGnAqu
Pk8It was at the peak of Miriela’s fury that the Grand Duke Duplain descended from the platform, revealing himself.qlbZ
axLL4gjThe gathered servants bowed their heads in respect. The Grand Duke of Duplain, master of the duchy, walked among them with a stern expression, hands still clasped behind his back.HQpyw
7hGAHQiTo commoners, he was a figure so overwhelming they could only bow in his presence. His arrival silenced the room, and only one person dared raise their voice in such an atmosphere.nbNxqOs
jvfbLEa“You! You saw the duel, didn’t you?! All of this… it’s all the work of this reckless fool! If you have a tongue, then speak—!”aSUb
poeTWhat followed shocked everyone present.RVyeu5
jzssESlap.06gb
wFz3A silence, as if time had stopped, fell over the area in front of the platform. The servants, even the nobles, were stunned. Only then did Miriela realize she had been slapped. Her trembling eyes showed her inner turmoil.ktkgL
DIMiOnly after feeling the sting on her cheek did she realize that her husband, still wearing a stern expression, had struck her.Kt3
otUo15“Do you not see who is being more reckless here?”sBfW
Df8“You… What… What is this…?”d6EK
ksVOFMiriela, her lips trembling, turned and spoke again. Everyone around her was sweating nervously. As a noble lady of an aristocratic house, she had never experienced such a harsh blow. No one dared do such a thing.RVpmnT
CtYBut there was, in truth, one exception.E47s
rs3NoOnce she recognized this undeniable fact, her mind fell into chaos.pFG6j
iLnhI“You… Why…? That man is just a commoner, a worthless mercenary from the slums. You know well the nobility of Duplain.”pANb
IlCO“Yes, what you say is correct. He is nothing but a wandering mercenary from the slums, a man who stains the name of House Duplain.”TyTwU
qWoR“Then… why…?”AFOig
QyGpc“However, he is our daughter’s tutor.”Zhls
9v8Hearing those words, Miriela’s eyes widened. The Duke’s stern expression remained, but something had clearly changed inside him.w0eIWb
DgUhf8“What father in this world would treat his child’s tutor this way?”QaO29
W657l2If the Duke of Duplain, ruler of the duchy, had decided firmly, then no one could object. The shock of the slap made Miriela’s heart tremble.pMig
Th8EDJZAs the Duke walked past her, Miriela’s knees buckled from the shock, and nearby servants rushed to support her. The Duke of Duplain didn’t look back at her, instead walking toward Dereck, hands still behind his back, his footsteps echoing.n7KEWy
4W0KThis was not the same figure occupied with quills in his office, but the Duke himself, flanked by many servants, bowing with gravity, an intimidating aura swirling around him.M77
8ktYIn a low voice, he spoke to Dereck.y1c
XU4sC0The words that followed made all the servants doubt their ears.GVEet1n
xKTQJ“There are many ways to love one’s child. Please forgive us with humility.”v4FEO
reG“…”QbqhB
YlVsEven Dereck, who always maintained composure, had to blink in disbelief, as if he hadn’t expected it. That the Duke of a realm would offer an apology in such a way was unimaginable. All the more so because the one receiving it was merely a street-born commoner.3MCyY
Do1UTT“No, no.”Tak4V
gn9sF8“Then, there are things we must speak of in private. Come with me to the reception room.”SMi
jgSWith that, the Duke crossed the astonished crowd and quietly returned to the mansion.7w0x
91bxXMAs he walked, every follower gathered at the scene bowed their heads.z1angP3
QitL***GBcvwLm
cbWXWhen Dereck entered the drawing room, the Duke of Duplain was reviewing documents on a gold-carved sofa. His posture—legs crossed, chin resting on one hand—was as familiar as ever.PUxpcz
tV3jHe was a man so busy that even this brief break had to be used for work. Managing this vast duchy was no easy task.THkEiJ
j55HpHe glanced at Dereck as he entered, then averted his gaze, motioning to a chair across from him. It was a casual invitation to sit.jwLnO
OmvDereck bowed silently and then took his seat.Buz46
tmUOSXCreak, creak.nqEGi
Cod4e0For a while, only the sound of pages turning filled the room. Then, suddenly, the Duke asked, almost as if tossing the words out:nR0BK
lLbCl0“Speak if you have something to say.”vnQbBJv
xPB“…”KGkX
t8FozyThe Duke threw those words at Dereck as if testing him. It was an invitation to speak first if something was on his mind.xPmsbbY
r0ChFBut Dereck had nothing more to say. He was a man who preferred to prove himself through results rather than words.a0z
qGrM“I don’t have much to say.”6eYlegl
OO85Py“Good, that’s fine.”qd0CKou
rLgThe Duke of Duplain seemed to appreciate that quality in him, as he showed no signs of displeasure. Then, throwing the documents onto the table, he stroked his chin and said:xnB
2givr“For the record, I don’t particularly like employing commoners like you.”CyOsWd
l3Nb“I know.”3duT
ixxaY“However… credit must be given where it’s due.”A28BJt2
aI9jThe Duke’s dry eyes turned toward Dereck.0t30eM
k27Wm“You’re competent.”aXQt
1QYdPThe Duke was neither overly emotional nor overly cold in his manner. It seemed to be his way of leading people.1myu
GLw8“A ruler is someone who employs the capable and gives credit based on merit.”1XYD
krmlJ“I was promised a reward.”SBQGs
PJo4“Are you referring to the cheap price Aiselin offered?”wO1bxBA
uTvhkGzOnly a noble could call fifteen Aidel gold coins cheap. Ironically, the man before him was a noble among nobles. When Dereck closed his eyes tightly, the Duke of Duplain let out a dry laugh.Jk7w
Jy4OThen, in his usual firm voice, he said:WiiW
SsOfKbc“You’ve taught Diella an excellent first-level spell. But achievements like that aren’t enough to survive the harsh noble society.”ORyr9
38D“That may be true. But not many in Duplain could guide Lady Diella as well as you. Now that she’s tasted magic, she’ll advance even further.”QvO
JRnk“What my daughter needs is not a magic tutor, but a mentor.”JKoMb
HFVmgggThere was firmness in the Duke’s voice.VkSTyjy
czpQGX7“But my eyes cannot be deceived. You have great ambition—ambition that someone of common birth shouldn’t even dare dream of.”NFt
gcd“…”TVU
tjA9wA7The Duke’s eyes, trying to see through Dereck, flickered. He had spent his life judging and measuring people. He quickly realized that Dereck dreamed of surpassing the third level, aspiring to reach the fourth level and beyond.OGNsGC
X3GC“I’m well aware of how humiliating that is for the proud nobles of Ebelstain. However, since you’ve achieved something, I’ll turn a blind eye.”CTON47
XKpYJZZ“…”63R
IVEPJK“Still, if you harbor such intentions, you can’t stay long in a noble house like this. I already know you’re ready to leave for Ebelstain at any moment. Perhaps you were always meant to be a wandering mercenary.”XuS
21Hh5j“That’s true.”be3
gWcQWV9“I understand your ambition, but even so, I want you to continue teaching Diella a while longer.”Ak2x9T9
RZZOSmGAs the world of magic reached higher and higher, Dereck’s value subtly changed as well.npt3x3
1gCNSbThe Duke of Duplain understood this very clearly—he knew exactly what to offer to keep a wanderer like Dereck tied to the noble mansion.ZgDgpD
0WR4Z“The highest domain allowed for commoners is three stars, isn’t it? Do you aim to reach that realm?”N3bKu3W
E6Q2p5“…!”6Huz
cgPCOi“Of course, at this point, it’s a reckless goal. But even so, you want to lay the foundation, don’t you?”FpqVDU
JFPyObserving Dereck’s reaction, the Duke scoffed and pulled a small silver key from his pocket, tossing it casually onto the table in front of Dereck.sBY
TjEvRye“Do you know what this is?”DAXtqS6
9tx“I don’t.”ZIx
YBoz97“It’s the key to the underground archive—accessible only to direct descendants and high-ranking retainers of House Duplain.”ZzCq
FjpFWith his chin resting on his hand, the Duke spoke quietly.CsRyB
HdtO“There, spellbooks of three-star level worth hundreds of gold coins are scattered about as if they were nothing.”SCioka
3Ws11aMAt that moment, Dereck’s eyes couldn’t help but gleam.cHJyLq
eOsryThe Duke of Duplain was a man who, more than anyone, understood coldly and precisely what it would take to keep Dereck within the walls of the noble mansion.h04UvvY
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