Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4)

Just moments earlier, he had seen her covered in blood from head to toe, so it was inevitable that the image of that former savage Siern overlapped in his mind.

“Father. august It has been a long time since I last saw you. amateur There are many things I want to tell you.”

He was not the only one—the servants were tense as well.

Seeing Siern greeting him with elegance as she lightly lifted her skirt with both hands, Melverot was breaking into a cold sweat, something quite unlike him.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Not even a year had passed since she had departed for the barony of Ravenclaw.

‘I thought that man was competent, but what in the world did he do to her?’

Melverot rested his chin on his hand, wearing an uncomfortable expression.

However, the Siern who had neatly arranged her posture was the very image of a refined lady.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Magic is the very foundation of nobility and a symbol of privilege.

For that reason, no noble ever neglects the spaces dedicated to magical training within their mansion.

For the cold lord of the north to react like this was not something common.

***

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Although the entire estate was fortified for defense, the magical dueling field was considered a key facility and was so well maintained that there was nothing to criticize.

The Rochester mansion, nestled in the midst of the frozen desert of the north, was no exception.

For the servants, the maintenance of magical facilities is always one of the highest priorities.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

“I apologize for having caused such a pitiful spectacle. arena But what must be done, must be done.”

Even so, Dereck clenched his fingers tightly inside his gloves, holding back the tension.

Judging by his appearance alone, he looked like someone who might collapse and vanish into the snow at any moment.

At the far end of the enormous space, comparable in size to the grand entrance hall, a gaunt man leaned on an oak staff as tall as he himself was.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

He knew it beforehand, and yet he could not help doubting it every time he saw him like this.

Between his dim eyes, his pupils seemed barely able to hold on, as if he had lost all vitality.

His appearance matched exactly what Dereck had seen in hero biographies—light brown hair, long and unkempt, speckled with gray.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Was that man really the great archmage who had once dominated the world?

“My body is no longer what it once was, and I cannot use my magic to its fullest either. alien The aftereffects of the necromantic magic clinging to this body affect me— even my eyesight is no longer the same.”

But Kalimford spoke.

Could he truly receive Dereck’s magic with a body that looked like it might break from the slightest impact? All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

His words sounded miserable, but what followed was the complete opposite.

“…”

“Even so, come at me with the intent to kill.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Despite his fragility, there was a strange, intimidating pressure in his gaze.

Appearance and presence do not always go hand in hand.

“You seem far too worried. afford Are you going to hold back against a specter that already died once?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

He was right. album There was no one who could afford to hold back in front of a six-star mage.

Dereck inhaled deeply and hardened his gaze.

Calmly holding his massive oak staff, Kalimford simply waited for Dereck’s attack.

‘…Does he want to gauge my level first?’

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

More than a dozen fire arrows materialized in the air and shot toward Kalimford.

Whoosh!

In an instant, magic surged around him, turning into a great flow that gathered at the tips of his fingers.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

More than that, it seemed as though he did not even react.

He remained there, gripping his staff, staring ahead with exhausted eyes.

But Kalimford did not even defend himself.

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Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

It was only a one-star spell, cast as a test, but seeing it nullified in such an unexpected way made Dereck flinch.

“…”

‘He didn’t block them… nor intercept them.’

The moment the fire arrows drew near, they broke apart into magic and dissipated without a trace.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Dereck felt a strange dissonance in the way Kalimford handled magic.

It was as if the arrows had simply vanished on their own.

Reaching the pinnacle of combat magic did not merely mean having a high level.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Whoosh!

It meant commanding domains that ordinary combat mages could not even touch.

Sensing that he had glimpsed a fraction of that, Dereck was wrapped in a peculiar excitement.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

“Come at me with the intent to kill.”

Dereck kicked off the ground and drew his sword.

Those had been Kalimford’s words.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

He had confidence, but not arrogance.

If his opponent truly was Kalimford, a legendary six-star combat mage, exchanging combat spells alone would never be enough to defeat him.

Wham!

Even in his weakened state, that fact did not change.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

At the same time, he activated the four-star transformation spell Distortion to accelerate the daggers’ speed, and added a one-star shockwave from behind to inject them with brutal physical force.

Dereck feinted a frontal charge, then abruptly veered to the side and hurled two throwing daggers strapped to his thigh.

Slash!

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

The only sign they had been thrown was the brief sound of air being sliced.

The speed of the daggers skyrocketed explosively, surpassing the threshold of visibility and reaching a domain where reacting was impossible.

Whoosh!

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Dereck’s combat style was neither that of a pure mage nor that of a mercenary.

Realizing this, Kalimford narrowed his eyes even further.

Magic and martial arts—an application that transcended the limits of each discipline. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Once again, Kalimford neither blocked nor intercepted the attack.

Whoosh!

‘No wonder Fina desires him so much.’

The daggers came to an abrupt halt around him and fell to the ground without strength.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Wham!

Normally, a mage would lose the will to fight upon realizing their magic was ineffective.

It was as if the magic of the environment itself had been devoured.

But in Dereck’s eyes, as he closed the distance without hesitation, there was only killing intent.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

‘Did he throw the daggers to test whether even physical attacks fall under my magical domain?’

And the moment he confirmed that they did not work either, he chose close-quarters combat as his last resort.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

His chain of decisions was fluid and took only a few seconds.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Although he had mastered magic at a high level, he had not limited himself to training magic alone.

A reaction speed unbefitting someone facing Kalimford for the first time.

The more Kalimford observed him, the harder Dereck was to measure.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

But Kalimford was also someone seasoned by countless battles.

In its place remained a dense mist laden with magic. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.

Without showing surprise, he forcefully swung his staff once, and his figure vanished from the spot.

Whoosh!

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Even so, he could not immediately locate Kalimford.

‘Illusion magic!’

Well-trained detection is the natural enemy of illusion magic.

Dereck frowned, halted his advance, and swept his gaze around while simultaneously activating his detection magic.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

That could only mean one thing—his illusion magic was, at the very least, four-star level.

Whoosh!

Although he was famous as a combat mage, he had also reached an extraordinary level in other fields.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Four giant earth constructs emerged from the ground and stretched their hands toward Dereck, but before they could even reach him, they were frozen and neutralized by his ice magic.

Bang!

The instant freezing Dereck employed was the result of adding his own interpretation to the magic Siern often used.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Crack!

Crunch!

Its speed would be enough to bewilder even veteran mages.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

His magic comfortably covered the entire dueling field.

It was not only to suppress the earth giants, but to locate Kalimford.

Dereck deployed a three-star ice spell that froze the entire area.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

If Kalimford remained hidden, he would have to react to avoid being frozen.

And indeed, within the mist saturated with magic, there was a single point of terrain that had not frozen.

Clang!

There stood Kalimford.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Without losing a moment, a two-star fireball from Dereck slammed into that spot.

It was the spell he could cast the fastest.

Whoosh!

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Kalimford had deliberately materialized a barrier at that spot through transformation magic, thereby inducing Dereck’s confusion.

Due to its speed, it did not seem as though it had flown there, but rather as if it had exploded directly on the spot.

But when the mist dispersed, there was nothing there.

Sizzle!

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Whoosh!

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

To create an opening was, without a doubt, to seek out a lapse. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.

Wham!

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

When Dereck sharpened his senses, it was already too late—more than a dozen fire arrows were raining down on him.

Dereck leapt forward, wrapped one of his arms in mana, and rolled across the ground.

There was no time to dodge.

Bang!

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Wham!

Even so, he could not prevent a slight burning sensation from lingering at the tips of his fingers.

One of the sleeves of the wool jacket he was wearing was charred and vanished, though his skin was protected thanks to the mana.

Wham!

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Shaking his hand, Dereck got back on his feet.

He dragged his staff along the ground, advancing slowly, as if he had simply gone out for a stroll.

From the smoke on the opposite side, Kalimford appeared, walking with absolute calm.

Whoosh!

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Reusing an opponent’s magic was a common technique among experienced mages, but seeing them return after so much time was something Dereck had never witnessed.

‘Those fire arrows were the ones I conjured.’

The arrows he had launched as a probe returned now with a temporal delay.

Curiosity and an almost euphoric excitement welled up in his eyes.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

‘Illusion and summoning at least four stars. apron Detection and transformation bordering on five. anchor And combat…’

The name of the legendary great mage who had once dominated the continent.

‘Kalimford.’

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Even far from his prime, he was not an opponent one could measure strength against.

In the field of combat magic, his level was simply unreachable.

‘Six stars.’

Normally, in front of someone like that, one would feel fear or reverence.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

He felt a jolt run down his spine.

Behind that mage walking while dragging his staff along the edge of the dueling field, the image of a colossal mountain seemed to rise.

However, Dereck was not an ordinary human either.

His eyes were fixed, unwavering, on Dereck.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

‘His ability to adapt to unfamiliar magic far surpasses that of an ordinary mercenary.’

Kalimford, too, was revising his evaluation of Dereck again and again.

‘The talent the heavens granted him is not limited to magic alone.’

The world paid attention only to Dereck’s magical talent, but his true value went far beyond that.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Even Melverot had fallen victim to that technique at least once.

It was the first time someone had responded like this, from the very first moment, to his control of mana.

Mercenaries were famous for their improvisational skills and response to ambushes, but Dereck already stood out even among them.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

According to Kalimford’s original plan, Dereck should have been struck by the fire arrows, and the duel should have ended there.

Then, while he recovered, he had intended to teach him a use of mana on a completely different level.

Step. alert Step.

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Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Dereck was still standing, almost unscathed, after shaking his arm a couple of times.

To learn his magic, it was necessary to abandon conventional notions entirely.

But all of that fell apart.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

“It seems more like you captured the residue of a magic that had already fulfilled its role and restored it to its original state. portal It’s similar to the residual effect of my staff, Footprints.”

“…” Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.

Then he spoke.

“You returned my own magic to me? galaxy Even after it had already dissipated?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Dereck had already fully grasped the core of Kalimford’s magical control.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone do it without the support of a magic weapon. armor And using the opponent’s mana.”

And this was the first time he had ever seen it.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

“It’s better to do it directly than to rely on equipment. altitude There’s no limit to its use, and it confuses the enemy much more.”

In a one-on-one duel, it was an ability that shattered all established rules.

Being able to reactivate an adversary’s spells at the desired moment forced the opponent to regard even their own past magic as a threat.

“If you understood it that quickly, you can advance to the next level without delay. voyage That’s good news. meadow I don’t have much time left.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

The fact that he even managed to raise both arms to assume a defensive stance was already an absurd reaction, but his eyes widened.

Wham!

The instant Dereck responded, his body was already sent flying.

“What…?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Even so, he released mana instantly, managing to cushion the direct impact.

Crack! absorb Crunch!

Dereck slammed into the inner wall of the dueling field.

Thud! anxiety Thud!

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Grind!

Crack!

“If you are going to face Fina… and if you intend to continue teaching Siern, four stars are not enough. advance Whether you like it or not… you must become stronger.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Wham!

However, with just the act of clenching his fist, an overwhelming pressure fell upon Dereck, difficult even for him to endure.

The amount of mana Kalimford possessed was surprisingly small.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

Crack!

Dereck’s arms trembled, but he clenched his teeth and focused strength into his fingers.

‘If I understand the mechanism, I might be able to counter it.’

‘The absolute quantity of mana is low, but… is there a technique that amplifies its effect?’

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

“I will show you what the true essence of combat magic really is. arena It will be something on a completely different level from anything you have experienced.”

Dragging the massive staff along the ground, Kalimford advanced with steady steps.

Even under attack, he did not stop thinking.

Even so, at that moment he could not grasp the exact basis of Kalimford’s magic.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4) by Indra Translations.

And in his eyes, sharp as blades, an even more intense light gleamed.

That great mage, long past his prime, had nonetheless reached a degree of mastery that bordered on the inconceivable.