Noble Lady Reformation Guide — Chapter 171: Ancient Hero (5)

Chapter 171: Ancient Hero (5)

Whoosh!‌

Rustle!⁠

From⁠ Siern’s fingertips, the condensed mana took‌⁠ the shape of‍‌ an enormous rose⁠ and, in the⁠ next instant, unraveled back into smoke‌‌ until it disappeared.‍⁠

He‍ knew that the‍‍ amount of mana‍ Siern possessed was‍‌ enormous, but he had not imagined that her control‍‌‌ had become so‍⁠ delicate.

Melverot,‍ seated atop the⁠‍‍ worktable, had his⁠‍ pupils tremble slightly.‍

“It‌‍⁠ seems that not‍ only transformation magic, but also confusion‍ and combat magic⁠⁠⁠ will soon rise‍ in level. The⁠ level 4 that⁠ Dereck handles still‌ feels a bit‍⁠ distant… but it‌‌‍ doesn’t seem like‌ an impossible boundary.”‍

“…Siern.‍ How long has‌‍ it been since‌‍ you went to⁠⁠⁠ the territory of‌ Baron Ravenclaw?”

“Huh?‍ I think… less‍‍‌ than a year.”‍

Melverot‍‌ crossed his arms‌‍ and brought a hand to his⁠ mouth.

When‍‌‌ he calculated the‍⁠ dates, he realized‍‍ that Siern was‍⁠‍ right.

In‍‍⁠ less than a year, Baron Ravenclaw‍ had completely stabilized‌‌ her mana, suppressed‍‌ her tendency toward‌ loss of control, instilled in her⁠⁠ the education proper‌‍ to a lady,‍⁠ and raised both‌ her combat magic⁠‍ and confusion magic‍‌‌ to level 3.‍⁠

A young noble lady‌‌ who reached level‌‍ 3 at that age did not‍ exist anywhere on the continent.

And‌ not in just‍ one discipline, but‌ in three.

‘I‌⁠ have to admit‌ what deserves to‍ be admitted.’

Melverot‍‍‌ was proud and⁠⁠‌ not inclined to show his emotions.⁠

He‍ had entrusted Siern to Dereck thinking‍⁠ it was a good choice, and‍⁠‍ had provided some‌ support, but he‍⁠⁠ had never imagined the results would‍ go this far.‌

“It‌ seems that the⁠ period of learning⁠⁠ in Ravenclaw was truly beneficial.”

“Of‍ course. Although there⁠ is something that⁠ worries me a bit more than⁠ before.”

“What is it?”

“When‍ we arrived in⁠ the territory of Rochester, he was‍ only an instructor‌⁠ known by word‍ of mouth. But‍ now his value⁠‌ has risen too‌ much, and more⁠ young nobles come looking for him‍⁠‍ every day. It’s‍ become difficult for‌ him to devote‍ himself completely to‌ teaching just one‍‍ person.”

That⁠ point also placed Melverot in an⁠⁠‍ awkward position.

As⁠‌ the one backing⁠ Dereck, he could‌‍ ask him to‍⁠ focus solely on‍ Siern’s education.

But‌ if he did‌ so, would the‌ other noble families‍‌ remain silent?

Duplain.‌

Belmierd.‍‍

Beltus.⁠

Renuel.‌‌

Each‍‍ one individually might‍⁠‍ be manageable.

But‍‌‍ if several of‍‍‍ those houses joined⁠ forces, the situation‌⁠⁠ would be difficult⁠‌ to contain.

Perhaps⁠ it was best‌ to be satisfied‍ with the fact‌ that Siern was⁠‌ already receiving an⁠ excellent education.

“It’s‍⁠ understandable that influential⁠ houses covet him.‍‍ A man with noble bearing and,‌⁠‍ moreover, deep knowledge⁠‍‍ of magical education‍⁠ is not easy‌ to find.”

“That‌ may be true…⁠ but, Father. I don’t think Dereck‌ can dominate and‌⁠‌ teach so many‌ people just by‍⁠ being gentle or⁠⁠ aristocratic.”

Siern‍⁠‍ lifted her chin⁠ with a proud‍‍ air, as if‌ she were boasting.‍‍

“You⁠ still haven’t seen‍ Dereck fight seriously,‍ have you?”

In‌ Rochester, he had⁠‌ caused quite a stir trying to‍⁠ correct Siern’s attitude,⁠‌ but Melverot had‍ only known of⁠‍ it through reports.‌‌

What‍‍‌ had Siern seen‍ while receiving direct‍⁠ instruction from Dereck in Ravenclaw?

Curiosity⁠‌ was inevitable.

“Dereck is… kh—!”

Just‍ as she was⁠‍ about to continue,‌ a small and⁠‍ adorable sneeze interrupted‍‍ her.

“…”

Silence‌‌ fell between them.‍

***‌‍‌

Boom!⁠⁠

Crash!‌

Bang!⁠⁠

Crash!‌⁠

The servants watching the‌⁠ duel between Dereck‍ and Kalimford began‍ to turn pale.‌

They⁠‍‌ had thought it‍ would be a simple magical practice‌ and that they‌ would only have to clean up⁠ afterward.

But‌ each exchange grew‍ more brutal than⁠ the last, to‌ the point that‍ just watching made‌⁠ them swallow hard.⁠‍‌

Bang!‌

Dereck⁠ dispersed Kalimford’s mana⁠ as best he⁠‍‌ could and rolled‌ out of his⁠ area of influence.‌‌

‘The‌‍‌ throwing daggers… they’re⁠ already gone.’

He⁠‌‍ quickly grabbed a fragment of stone‌‍ from the destroyed inner wall and‍‍ pushed off to‍⁠ run along the‍‍‌ perimeter of the⁠ dueling field.

Whoosh!‍

Kalimford⁠ swung his staff.⁠

Up⁠ until now, he‌ had only been‌⁠ gradually raising the⁠⁠ level of his⁠‍‍ magic to measure‌ Dereck.

But⁠ from that moment‍ on, he planned‌‌ to use real⁠⁠ combat spells.

If‍ Kalimford went too‌‌‌ far, even this⁠‌ mansion would be‍ reduced to rubble‌⁠ just from the‍‍ shockwave.

He‍ knew that perfectly‌ well.

Bang!‍‌‍

Kalimford‍ planted his staff in the center‌ of the field‌⁠ and calmly closed⁠‌ his eyes.

A mage who could cast high-level magic‍‍ without concentrating.

If⁠‍ he started doing it seriously, it was a sign of a major‌ change.

Dereck hurled the stone⁠⁠ fragment and leapt‍ again, just to⁠ interrupt his concentration.⁠‍‌

Screech!‍⁠‌

But‌‍ the great mage read his intention⁠ instantly and completed‌ the spell without‌‍ batting an eye.⁠

Thud!‍‌

The‌ stone struck his⁠ left temple, and‍ blood began to‌‍‍ slide down his⁠⁠ cheek.

Tap.⁠‌‌

Whoosh!

Like‍‍ a drop falling⁠⁠ onto a calm‍‌ lake.

The‍‌ world began to‍⁠ transform.

Everything‌ distorted and churned,⁠⁠ and the snow-covered‍⁠ dueling field and‍ the destroyed wall‌‌⁠ vanished into smoke.

Rumble…‍⁠ rumble…

[5-star‍ transformation magic.]

“Recreation‍‌ of the battlefield.”‌

Before Dereck’s eyes appeared‍ a vast field⁠⁠‌ upon an immense‌ lake.

The⁠ water was so still that it reflected the blue⁠‌ sky all the⁠ way to the‍⁠‌ horizon.

And⁠⁠ yet, he could⁠‌ walk upon it.‌‌‌

Each⁠‌ step generated ripples⁠⁠ that spread to⁠ the edge of⁠ the lake.

In‌ the distance, the⁠⁠ gaunt figure of‌ Kalimford could be seen.

‘I’ve⁠‌‌ fallen into his‌‌ trap.’

Dereck⁠ drew his longsword,‍ lowered his stance, and covered himself⁠‌⁠ with defensive magic.

Transformation‌⁠ mages were not⁠ considered ideal for⁠‍ direct combat, but‌ they were masters⁠⁠⁠ of battlefield control.‍

And this was a spell of the‍‌‌ highest level.

Swoosh.⁠‍

Kalimford‍ wiped the blood‌ near his left⁠ eye and closed‍‌⁠ that eye while channeling mana into‌‍ his staff.

His‍ body began to‌ float.

A storm erupted around‌‌ him.

The cheap oak staff⁠‌⁠ began to crack‌ under the pressure of his mana.

Bang!‍

Crash!⁠‌⁠

Whoosh!⁠‍

Crack!‍

Boom!‍

Waves‌ rose over the‍⁠ silent lake.

The‌‍‍ storm enveloped Kalimford,⁠ protecting him completely.‌

The‍ reason was obvious.‍

A spell so colossal‌‍ was coming that‍ even he himself‌⁠ could be affected‍⁠‌ by it.

There⁠‌⁠ was a saying‍ among high-level mages.

If‍ your opponent starts‌‌ protecting himself with⁠ high-rank defensive magic,‍ either you stop‌‌‍ him now, or⁠‍ prepare to leave⁠‍ your last words.

Darkness‌‌ covered the sky.

It‌‍ was not night.⁠‍

Something‌‍⁠ gigantic was descending from above.

Whoosh—!‍‌⁠

A colossal meteorite, so⁠‌ enormous that its shadow alone covered⁠ the entire region.

The‌ spell that nullified‍⁠⁠ Noir and brought‍⁠ the War of‍ Dawn to an⁠ end.

The‌ legendary 6-star combat‌ magic that redrew‌ the map of‌ the northern continent.‍‍

The heat of the‍⁠‍ meteorite made the‍⁠ sweat on Dereck’s skin grow cold.

When‍⁠ he opened his‌‍‍ eyes wide—

BOOOOOOM!!‍

After that, the roar⁠‌ no longer reached‌ his ears.

***‌

Whoosh!⁠⁠

Rustle!‍

The‍ landscape of the‌ battlefield created by⁠‌ Kalimford began to‍⁠ fade, and little⁠‌ by little the scene of the‍ training field returned⁠ to view.

The⁠⁠ silhouette of the‍ meteorite that had‌‍ covered the sky,‌ as well as⁠ the infernal landscape⁠⁠ that had set the land ablaze‍‌ upon impact, gave⁠ the impression of⁠ never having existed‍ at all.

“Haah…⁠‌ haah…”

After‌ manifesting several 5-star‍⁠ spells and even‍ going so far‌‍⁠ as to use‍ level 6 magic,‍ it felt as⁠⁠ though all his‌ strength had been‌ drained from his‍⁠ body.

Leaning‌ on his staff,‌‌ Kalimford barely managed‌ to support his‌‍‍ completely weakened body.

He‌ was exhausted.

After‌‍‍ coughing dryly and‌‌ barely regaining his‍ balance, he raised‍⁠⁠ his gaze with⁠‌‌ haggard eyes.

In‌ his slightly trembling⁠ field of vision,‌ he saw Dereck kneeling, barely managing‍ to stay upright.

At‍ the instant the⁠‌⁠ meteorite struck, Kalimford‍ had activated an‍ additional defensive spell to protect Dereck‍‍ as well.

The‍ reason for doing⁠ so was simple.‌

To⁠ forge the mental⁠⁠ fortitude needed to‌‌ not lose composure even before absolute‌ power.

It‌‌‍ was indispensable for‍ facing a 6-star‍⁠ mage.

Six-star‌ magic belongs to‌‍ the domain of‌‌ calamity, a realm⁠ before which there‌ is not even‍ a way to‌⁠ react.

As⁠ with a natural‌⁠ disaster, once a human is caught⁠ in it, there is nothing to⁠ do but die.‍‍

Knowing‌‌ it as a concept and experiencing‌ it firsthand are⁠ completely different things.⁠

That was why, even‌‍ forcing himself, it⁠ was necessary for⁠⁠ him to live‌‌‌ through that experience.⁠

“Cough… ha…!”

Just‌‍ by withstanding the residual shockwave, Dereck‍⁠ had already consumed‌ almost all of⁠ his stamina and began to cough.⁠

Kalimford⁠‍‍ had instructed countless‌ imperial mages.

Everyone‍‌ who saw 6-star‌ magic for the first time reacted the same way‍‌ they wet themselves,‍⁠‌ begged for their‌ lives, or broke‍‌ down crying.

It⁠ was not strange.‌⁠

That‌‍ is how humans‍ react when death‍⁠ is before them.‌⁠

However,‍ Dereck raised his gaze and spoke.‌‌⁠

“Avo…‍ a-avoided…”

“What‌‌⁠ did you say?”⁠

Whoosh!⁠

Crash!‌‌

Whoosh!

At‍⁠‍ that instant, from‍ Kalimford’s left flank,‌ more than a dozen fire arrows⁠‌ shot forth and‍‍‌ slammed into him.‌‍‍

It⁠ was a completely‍ unexpected attack.

Kalimford⁠ nearly took all⁠ the impacts head-on.‍

Thanks‍⁠⁠ to reflexes that‍‍‍ surpassed human limits, he managed to⁠ neutralize almost all‌⁠ of them, but⁠‍‍ one slipped through‍‍‍ the gap and⁠ grazed the edge⁠‍‌ of his clothing.⁠⁠

It‌ passed dangerously close,⁠ beneath his arm.‌‌

There‌⁠ was no physical‍ damage.

But‍‍ the edge of‍‌ the garment began⁠ to burn.

Fwoosh!⁠

The‍ heat rising from‍ his arm was‌‍ unmistakable.

That⁠‍‌ projectile had been⁠ partially avoided by‌ sheer luck.

‘…’‍‌

Kalimford‌⁠‌ opened his eyes‌⁠ in surprise and‍⁠ looked toward Dereck.‍⁠

His‌ mana was practically exhausted.

In⁠‌ that state, it‌ was impossible to‌ launch a surprise⁠‍ attack.

‘Did‌‍ he prepare it before creating the⁠⁠ space with transformation‍⁠ magic?’

But⁠ the time lag‌ was far too⁠‍⁠ great for that.⁠

A delayed attack.

When‌ he thought that‌‌ far, he recalled⁠ what he himself‌ had explained to‌ Dereck just before⁠‌ they were trapped⁠ in the created space.

‘An‌‍‍ attack that returns with a delay,‍‌ using the effect⁠‍ of a mana‍ afterimage.’

‘It’s⁠‌ so complicated that⁠ even veteran mages‌‍ have trouble handling‌ it.’

Just⁠ moments earlier, he⁠ had shown it⁠‍⁠ to him as‍‍ a demonstration.

And‌ after hearing it⁠ only once, Dereck⁠‍ had already applied‍⁠ it in real‍‌ combat.

It⁠‌ wasn’t simply “using⁠‍ what he had‍‍ learned.”

Kalimford‌ wiped the blood‌‍ running down his⁠‍ left temple and‌‌ swallowed.

At⁠ last, he understood‌⁠ Dereck’s intention.

Most‌‍ likely, even before‍‍⁠ picking up the‌ fragment from the‌⁠ ground, he had‌‍ already foreseen the‍‌ entire sequence.

That‌⁠‍ Kalimford would attempt‍⁠‍ to shift the battlefield using high-level⁠ magic—that too had⁠‍ been within his‍ calculations.

Even⁠ for Kalimford, recreating‌⁠‍ the battlefield required‌‌ an instant of‍ concentration.

At⁠⁠ that precise moment,⁠‌‌ Dereck diverted his‍ attention with the⁠ thrown fragment and‌⁠‍ prepared the delayed‍ attack using the‍ mana afterimage.

First,‍‍ break the concentration.‌

Then,‍ gather mana.

And‍ finally, strike with‌ a temporal delay.⁠‍

An⁠ attack without any prior sign.

In‍⁠ a one-on-one duel,‌ it was extremely‍ dangerous.

Kalimford‌ had said it‌‌ in his own‍‍ words.

The‌⁠ reason Dereck forced‌‌ this method was‌ obvious.

To‍ defeat someone who‌‍ had reached such an abysmal height⁠‍ as Kalimford, he⁠ had to rely precisely on what‍ Kalimford himself described‌ as difficult to handle.

‘So⁠ from the beginning⁠ he already had,⁠ at least in‍ part, control over‍⁠ the mana afterimage…’⁠

And⁠ even so, he‌ chose not to⁠ reveal it until‌ the very end.

Because⁠ that was the‌⁠‍ only way to⁠ pierce Kalimford’s guard.‍‌

“Cough… ha…!”

Dereck⁠ sneezed and, pushing‌ himself off the‌ ground, began to⁠ stand up.

Seeing⁠ this, Kalimford’s pupils‍ trembled for an‍ instant.

He⁠‌ had noticed the‌ leather strap tied‌ to Dereck’s thigh.⁠⁠‌

A holder for throwing⁠ daggers.

There⁠ were none left.⁠‍⁠

He‌⁠ had used them‌ all during the⁠‌ initial phase.

If‌‌ he had had⁠‍ even a single‌⁠ dagger remaining, what would have flown would not have⁠ been a stone.‌

And‌‌ had that been the case, Kalimford‌ would not have‌ been able to‌ ignore the attack.‌

A dagger lodged in‍‌ the temple would⁠‌‍ have been lethal.⁠‌⁠

If‍ so, the course⁠ of the fight‌⁠ would have changed completely.

Desperately‌ searching for a single move to‍ win, even against an enemy as‍‌‍ imposing as a mountain.

That is the essence‍‌ of a mercenary.⁠‌⁠

As‌ he wiped the‍ blood from his‍ temple, Kalimford thought.⁠‌

“Kill me if you‍ can.”

He⁠‍ himself had said‌‍ it.

And‌⁠‍ perhaps, it had‍ been a recklessness.‌⁠

“Cough…‍ haah… Shall we…‌ continue…?”

Seeing‌ Dereck’s eyes, as⁠‍ he barely managed⁠‌⁠ to stay upright,⁠ Kalimford put on‍ an incredulous expression.⁠

After having been a step away from‌‌ taking a 6-star⁠‌ spell head-on, could‌ he still say something like that?‌

Warning‌‌ him to dodge.‍

Everything⁠ about that man‌‌ defied common sense.‍⁠

It‌ was as if‌⁠‌ his fear of‌⁠ death were contained‌ within him.

It‌‍ wasn’t that he⁠‍ didn’t fear dying.‌‍⁠

He‌‍ simply possessed a reason capable of‍‍ crushing even that‌‍ fear.

That⁠ is not something‌ one is born‍ with.

It‌⁠ is a quality‌ forged only by⁠‍ those who have‌ walked since childhood‌ along the edge⁠‍ between life and‍⁠ death.

‘I‍‍ think I understand⁠‍⁠ how you feel,⁠‍ Fina.’

A pure passion for⁠ magic.

A chilling calm.

The⁠‍ ability to absorb and immediately apply‌⁠‍ what he sees‍ only once.

Kalimford⁠⁠ swallowed and watched‍ Dereck, who could‍‍ barely keep himself‍‍‍ standing.

Then⁠ he closed his‌⁠⁠ eyes for a moment and spoke.‍

“No.‌‍ We’ll stop here‍ for today. If⁠ we keep forcing⁠ ourselves, you won’t‌⁠ be able to⁠ attend the banquet.”‌

Kalimford‌‍ knew with absolute‌‍ certainty.

Perhaps‍ 6 stars was still uncertain.

But‍⁠‌ that man would⁠‍⁠ undoubtedly reach the‌ level of 5 stars in the‍ near future.

A level comparable to⁠ that of the‌‌ heads of the‍ great noble houses.‌‍

***

“Was the banquet canceled?”‌‍

After receiving several minor‌ mana-adjustment techniques from‍‌⁠ Kalimford and concluding‌‍ the training, Dereck⁠ returned to his‍‌‌ room, where he‍ received unexpected news.⁠

The maid who came‌‌ to inform him⁠‌‌ spoke with an‍ apologetic expression, but‌ seemed even more‍ uncomfortable because Dereck‌⁠ was completely bare‍‍ from the waist‌ up, so she⁠ turned halfway around and, awkwardly, continued⁠‌‍ speaking.

After‍‌ just a single‍ confrontation with Kalimford,‌ Dereck’s body was⁠‍ covered in small‌⁠‍ cuts and scrapes,⁠‍ so he had‌ bandages wrapped here‍ and there.

It‍ could be said⁠ that it had⁠ been brutal training, but Dereck showed⁠ not the slightest‍⁠ discomfort.

“Yes.⁠ While you were‍ getting ready… an⁠‌ unexpected matter arose,⁠ and the castle⁠ has entered a state of emergency.⁠ Lord Melverot personally‍‍ declared the alert,⁠‍ so all the⁠ servants are rushing⁠ about.”

“What?⁠⁠‌ Did demonic beasts‍ appear or something‌‌ like that?”

“The⁠ exact situation hasn’t⁠ been determined yet,⁠ but… Lord Melverot‍ was urgently looking‌ for the Baron‍‌⁠ of Ravenclaw.”

For⁠‍⁠ Melverot to seek⁠ someone out “urgently”⁠⁠ was truly strange.‍⁠

He‍ had always been⁠ a calm man,‍⁠ someone who did‌‌‌ not become flustered‍ by most incidents.‌

He‍‌⁠ had even faced‍‍⁠ crises that threatened‍ the entire world‌ without losing his‌‍ composure.

That‌⁠ something was serious‍ enough to cancel‌‌ the entire castle’s‍‍ schedule was hard‌‌ to imagine.

Dereck⁠ frowned and nodded,‍ indicating that he understood.

Tap!⁠

As‌ soon as he‍ finished adjusting his‌⁠ clothes and stepped‌ into the corridor,‌⁠‌ he saw Melverot‍ approaching from the‍ other end, forcing‍ his way through‍‌⁠ servants running back‍ and forth.

The‌ very Melverot famed‍ for rarely leaving‍‌‍ his seat had‌⁠‍ come in person‍‌⁠ to look for‍ Dereck.

That‌ alone was already‌ an alarming sign.⁠

Something⁠‌ serious had happened.‌

With‌‌ a tense expression,‍ Dereck strode forward.‌⁠

At‍ his side, Kalimford,⁠⁠ who had apparently‍ already been informed‍ of the situation,‌‌⁠ wore a clearly grave look.

Both⁠ were 6-star mages,‍‌⁠ figures who could‍ destroy one or⁠‌ two castles without‍⁠ even blinking.

That‍ even they were‍ breaking into cold‍ sweat and hardening‍ their expressions meant‌⁠‌ this was an‌ unprecedented anomaly.

Perhaps⁠⁠⁠ they would even⁠⁠ have to enter‌⁠ combat immediately, despite not being in⁠‍ their best condition.‍

Dereck⁠‌‍ quickly checked the‌ state of his‍‍ equipment and quickened‌‍‌ his pace.

In⁠‌ an instant, he‌⁠ arrived before them.‍‌

Maintaining‌⁠‍ as much calm⁠‍ as possible, he‍ inclined his head‍‍ to Melverot.

“You‌⁠ were here?”

“I‌ was getting ready‍‌‍ for a moment.⁠⁠⁠ What happened in⁠ the castle?”

“Yes.‍ An anomaly has⁠ arisen. It’s a situation I’ve never⁠⁠⁠ experienced, so I’m quite bewildered.”

Melverot⁠ truly seemed shaken.‌⁠‍

When‌‍ Dereck looked toward‌‍⁠ Kalimford, he saw⁠ that his already‍ gaunt face had‌ turned completely pale.‍

“I‍⁠ too… it’s the‍⁠‍ first time I’ve⁠⁠ faced something like‍ this… I feel⁠⁠ like my mind‍ has gone blank…‍ Damn it… what‍ am I supposed⁠ to do…? I’ve‌⁠ never felt so helpless…”

An anomaly capable of‌ driving two 6-star⁠‍ mages into panic.‍

At⁠‍ that point, Dereck‍‍ couldn’t even let‌‍ out a nervous‍ laugh.

It⁠ was an impact⁠ difficult to believe.‍‌

Swallowing,‌‍ he asked.

“Could‍‌⁠ you tell me… what exactly happened?”⁠

“Siern…‌ caught a cold.”‍

“…?”⁠