Chapter 197: Omen (2)
mC4SUCThe news of Emperor Gattrel’s death had spread across the entire continent, plunging many into mourning, while the central political situation spiraled toward chaos.tuh
jYKrHowever, large-scale circumstances of that kind were, in most cases, matters that concerned only the high nobles of the center.pD2Kq
xXLpStories that unfold above the clouds rarely manage to take root among common people.2q54cYa
xvgzqjAfter all, bad news is still just bad news.ScbRa
gKUiwFAs if confirming that fact, the early morning of Ebelstein continued to brim with vitality.2nmCr
kGEZ25e“They say that when the academy reopens, the direct disciples of the Ravenclaw faction will stand before the students as great seniors. Just imagining it already feels so beautiful and admirable that I truly envy them!”tsiz
A50In the noble district of Ebelstein, the most renowned teahouse was the one known as Adelbert’s Library.FQw4
VTvWhile enjoying the spring aroma that had already fully settled in, several influential young noblewomen were gathered, chatting animatedly, as if the scene itself were a carefully painted portrait.HjgEp
JpKpeFSeated at the center, drinking tea with elegant composure, was Trisha, the young lady of the emerging and increasingly renowned comital Renuel family.5DtN
L6ZShe set her cup down on the saucer and, smiling delicately, replied.1jMchN
Vvk“It’s really not worthy of such praise. Hoho. After all, as the youngest disciple of the Ravenclaw faction, I still have many shortcomings and much to learn.”OAO
Gg4ewb“I-it can’t be…! Even so, from the moment you became a direct disciple of Ravenclaw, you already achieved something that most young noblewomen of Ebelstein desire with all their hearts…!”vKKbw
2zo“I saw her during the academy founding event. She looked so beautiful and noble… it was as if she were shining!”60wl13
gApXTrisha, who already had her own group of admirers, listened to those compliments with her shoulders trembling slightly with emotion.EExshVp
p12Pride began to swell, enthusiasm rose like hot steam—but a true expert does not raise her voice or show arrogance at that point.elf
ys3gwq6It is enough to shrug slightly, take a step back, and appear humble.KIaX3mZ
6Wy9mRThat way, the praise will come on its own.ldvlAxn
NxlZTrisha had perfectly understood that subtle formula of advance and retreat.kaucYTo
8c9EXXHer self-esteem filled to the point of overflowing.ilDv
Wsrc1She could not stop the euphoria boiling up from the depths of her chest.ocxlOFe
4vCThat desire for recognition, satisfied again and again, had such an exquisite flavor that it seemed capable of making her addicted.zBnm17
KABzDY‘This taste… yes… this is the taste!’ivsF
my3bMgTTrisha let out giggles again and again, enjoying an almost heavenly happiness amid those who would not stop praising her.NNcU
GWlQcG“If there’s anything you want to ask me, you can do so anytime. Even if I’m only the youngest disciple of the Ravenclaw faction, I still keep in contact with the young ladies of the Duplain, Belmierd, Beltus, and Rochester families. If the opportunity arises or I have time, I could even pass along a message for you…”mpbumTj
Hq5“R-really…? Well, of course… Lady Diella or Lady Ellen as well… if you wish, they could meet with us anytime to chat…”Sa2U
Rtp0RkV“It’s as if she were a figure of influence both in Ebelstein and in the Rose Hall… If at any point I was discourteous to you… r-right now… r-right now I apologize…!”WhFi
W9Lk“Huhuhu, uhu. There’s no need to get so nervous. Even if I am a young lady of the comital Renuel family and a direct disciple of the Ravenclaw faction, first and foremost I’m still just an ordinary girl. I also like chatting with others, drinking good tea, and enjoying the spring breeze, just like anyone else. You don’t need to look at me as if I were up in the clouds…”QBB
Avvp“Lady Trisha…!”BKu
sCOXsQR“How charming…!”Ed6u67
WXb“…What are you doing?”Cf92jxh
hAn4It was precisely when Trisha, completely intoxicated by self-satisfaction, was waving her arms as if conducting a theatrical performance together with her followers.RC3Ovz
QgeQFFrom within the crowd appeared a short young woman—Siern, the young lady of the Rochester family, regarded as the Ravenclaw faction’s disciple with the highest magical level.7YsrE
307Zdf4With eyes narrowed into crescent moons, she looked at her as if she could not believe what she was seeing.dYwBQ
03zLBsCOn her way back to the palace after receiving lessons from Dereck, she had seen Trisha making such a spectacle in broad daylight and could not help but intervene.OCZPa
LON5wl“Hiieek…!”JrRAErN
MXULk“…”WbO
ey99Siern, unlike most young noblewomen, did not concern herself much with her appearance.oSw1bHK
cao3Except when she saw her father, Melverot, whom she deeply revered, or when she was with Dereck, she usually limited herself to simple grooming and wearing only minimal adornments.7mS
iewe0She wore a flared skirt as small as her own body and a light tunic; her poorly arranged bangs parted awkwardly at the center of her forehead.fOvkOeH
LRveEven so, the servants did not rush to fix her, because she herself clearly showed annoyance when they did.Qpc
0ODei“L-lady… Lady Siern. A-are you well…?”XJaVg
lY2dn“…”PrR1
GOMCJThe moment she saw Siern, Trisha froze, her face completely pale and cold sweat running down her skin.mYA
506qLearned fear.TIs
rlU0The terror she had felt when Siern had beaten her mercilessly during a magical duel had, for the first time in her life, engraved the fear of death deep into her being.nsyr4Gr
GYsFor someone like Trisha, raised like a flower in a greenhouse, being struck without mercy was a truly terrifying experience.oAqwOy5
3k8Even now, every time she saw Siern, she felt phantom pain in her right shoulder and in one of her thighs.gJVND
noXSiern observed her with an expressionless gaze, nodded slightly, and then turned away without another word.pokM8
RJ60Q“Yeah. Take care.”VbXzmN
nx0x“Y-yes!!! W-wishing you good health!!! P-please be careful!!!”hQMqR
iYXmfPqAfter responding with almost military discipline, Siern covered her ears and walked away again with light, swaying steps.zT0L
kU3When the atmosphere finally calmed down again, Trisha’s followers began to murmur once more.JKyrXbQ
s8NJA3y“G-goodness… that’s Lady Siern of the ducal Rochester family. They say there’s no one her age with a higher magical level than hers…”WbluP
mj9DJD“Lady T-Trisha gets along with someone like that so naturally…! As expected… she lives in a world completely different from that of low-ranking nobles…!”Ikpf3
RvSmLi7Turning her back, in a place where no one could see her, Trisha took deep breaths again and again.ocQO
ldaJxgLDiella, Ellen, Denise, and now Siern…NTeUXX
KgSvtEach belonged to a completely different category, and for someone as weak-tempered as her, it was almost suffocating.ps9y
QSSyThanks to Dereck’s dedication, Trisha had advanced beyond the initial level of a 1-star mage relatively quickly.tBtiC3
REXdodHHowever, the other direct disciples of different factions were refining their magic at a speed that admitted no comparison.AYaT5
lu5PnThe one with the highest level was Siern, who gave the impression of already being well into the mid-range of 3 stars.bXsxTC
apIF3FEllen and Denise seemed to be in the early stages of 3 stars, and Diella also appeared to have reached the latter part of 2 stars.x8vvo9
iEcAll of them had achieved absurd progress for their age, so it was no surprise that the Ravenclaw faction’s disciples were gaining so much fame.70kEIY
uDmuXCuThey were people who moved in a completely different league from Trisha, who was still struggling in the 1-star range.MPer
mEYIt was difficult not to feel intimidated.emX
2TFKEven so, Trisha cleared her throat several times and raised her voice again, speaking with enthusiasm.vvZ
S1H“Ahaha… it seems the conversation was suddenly interrupted. I’m sorry. I didn’t expect to run into Lady Siern in a place like this. As you’ve seen, we have a very close relationship… and we also meet frequently within the faction… so we usually greet each other and chat cheerfully like that.”J4CIu
evc4YA“Ah, I see…! It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Lady Siern raise her voice like that!”JdrH3
eY7Dh“At first glance, Lady Siern may seem like a cold person… but that’s not always the case. She’s very approachable, very straightforward, and shows another side of herself in front of people she trusts and understands well. It’s a side that’s hard to know unless you’re close… but when you often cross paths within the faction…”RLy
m7VZ3wy“Oh, right. Trisha.”7dfTiCf
Rvy“Hiiek!”5NZx9i
vLUOFFWhen Siern suddenly returned and tossed those words at her in passing, Trisha nearly collapsed on the spot.Li9D
SFH2“Dereck told me to let you know in advance that he might come to visit the comital Renuel family next time.”jLYJ
dxdAOCU“Y-yeeeeees!!!”vl8
T5bt4Faced with Siern’s sudden message, Trisha responded with all the strength she could muster.22itBYF
TaRoF0eWhatever the case, her sense of hierarchy seemed to be engraved directly into her genes.Fsf1u
C5Um***y9W
e5bX“Is something… wrong?”7tppjYi
oJ2“Being the youngest disciple of the Ravenclaw faction is not good for the heart at all…”9cU
ZULTIK3“…”PMN
mahNAlthough there was still some time before the official opening, Dereck spent most of his day on the grounds of the Ravenclaw Academy.U3p
Iwrwf9dIt was closer to Ebelstein and, moreover, it was a fairly suitable place for the other young ladies to visit him.eWI
GLabpIt was ideal for constantly supervising magical training, the facilities were good, and if necessary, he could head directly to Ebelstein.g9LM
IQv4gcrFor that very reason, he could also summon Trisha so easily.F9L4
CArXv“Did… someone do something to you? It doesn’t seem like there’s anyone capable of that…”Dv2tFBf
rN36s“No, it’s not that… it’s nothing. In any case, I heard that you plan to visit the comital Renuel family…”ygIvD
rbRp2X“Yes. As I mentioned last time, before formally receiving the title of count, I intend to meet with all the nobles of the surrounding territories. And also… there is another matter that is even more important that I wish to discuss.”Tngbm
dnXqUrc“More important?”7Ffcv
niYT“It is related to a necromantic mage.”UpH
0A00lUpon hearing that, Trisha did not add anything further.DDT5
LwKDCountess Rodelia was known as a true nemesis of necromantic mages, having subjugated Rodents Island.dSUYpQ
esGt2bAHer transformation magic, her expert swordsmanship, and even her sacred blood sword capable of cutting spirits made her, for mages of the necromantic system, practically a reaper.iX7
DaOThere was even a saying going around that if one were ever to get involved with a necromantic mage, the first thing to do was to go to Countess Rodelia.pepcK
SfuuhX“I understand… well, I won’t ask for more details. But if you are going to set a date, we may need to check the schedule. My mother is currently in the White Zone.”DJIKgaV
o4uy“Did she go on an expedition to subjugate a labyrinth?”JTs3ITe
cwxMjt5“That’s right. She will probably return before the end of spring, so I will get in touch soon. If it’s you, Sir Dereck… she will surely receive you favorably.”a0Dp
N4SPFSDereck nodded and handed Trisha a glass of water.DKTJZ
HTX1GecProbably because seeing her break out in a cold sweat had seemed rather pitiful.I0LK
l6WypBEAlso, before coming there, Trisha had run into Diella and had to endure all kinds of scoldings.nqpPaL1
QjYDiella, the central figure of the Duplain family, was known for exploding in anger even over the smallest matters, so simply crossing paths with her was enough to be intimidated.b6uC
eDBHcThat she behaved like an elegant and reserved young noble lady only happened when she was in front of Aiselin or Dereck.Qjp
1ujaEveryone already knew that.2zKDL
RHkqr3“By the way… I heard that when the academy opens, the direct disciples will separately guide the new students…”1KNfAT
1j1pV“That matter is still under document review but it seems the rumor is already circulating among the applicants.”OQW9h4
Pxvny“Y-yes… t-that seems to be the case.”Kwo9q4
UOIgciB“It’s not that complicated.”iRVWZUi
6LcpI4With his arms crossed, Dereck spoke as if he were mentioning it in passing.MsY
UGQdvD“The academy’s main dormitory, Amaryllis House, is larger than I expected, so I’m thinking of dividing its interior into five wings.”4y0f
d1xp“R-really?”bxIzQNH
w36Nf“We’ll classify the dormitories in greater detail by floors and locations. Each wing will bear the name of a flower, and the main persons in charge of each will be my direct disciples.”J1Wm7
l3zH“……Ugh.”pDgLki
c5iaxzNTrisha held her breath as cold sweat ran down her back.83zge8
twXZLThat meant that, just like the other direct disciples, she would have to lead the new students under her command and take responsibility for educating the young ladies from a completely equivalent position.3hJ2YUc
UFfgLlDiella had been born with leadership qualities.MgaDQf8
L6ELf8Ellen, from the very beginning, was someone with the temperament of a ruler.4AAT0E
YjiNIDenise, in addition to being intelligent, was shrewd.3f9t
rKjspuAs for Siern, although she had a rather egocentric personality, she was still an unknown variable but, whatever happened, she was also not someone comparable to Trisha.ldzzEUK
VSBThus, the Ravenclaw Academy would be divided into five dormitory groups and continue its training in that manner.7x0
Z5tcFThat meant that, as the representative figures of each group, they would exert broad and lasting influence in the future.y6JKn00
af68dS‘T-that it would come to something like this…?’lyxMS
LG0NBeing a direct disciple of the Ravenclaw faction was not simply an honorary position that only served to inflate one’s ego a little.1IgEoO
zvKuHsD“Lady Trisha’s portrait will also be hung in the Hall of Wisdom on the third floor of Amaryllis House. I will soon send a painter to the Renuel comital mansion, so you will only need to prepare yourself properly and cooperate.”lwi4o
OEJ“W-what…? Does that mean my portrait will remain hanging on that wall until Amaryllis House closes?”q7dAhd
GCC“Well… if the academy’s history lasts long enough, some exemplary stories will surely circulate as well. Isn’t that a good thing?”yBcU
9VgGYTrisha was drenched in cold sweat.rwY
vdTQ“I-I’m starting to get nervous…”LAH
dCkpzu“Nervous?”lZHXViu
HgXO7Pv“No, it’s not nervousness, it’s excitement! Excitement! Ohoho! At last the world is beginning to recognize my worth! W-without a doubt, all of this is thanks to my nobility and dignity, which have captivated so many!”Ou199
GgD8d9ITrisha, unable to lower her haughty nose even on the verge of collapse, puffed herself up with bravado as best she could.gfeQyXj
ERxWygoHowever, her pale face was covered in sweat.SLb
BlAm1FOne way or another, competing from the same position as the other direct disciples of the Ravenclaw faction was not going to be easy.nIPDL
z9AeL3m“In any case, I hope you can become an example for many. As I told you before, I am more focused on magical education than on the cultivation of ladies, and Lady Aiselin, who is an expert in that field, cannot handle all the students by herself.”NoQsF
MKB“You have found the right person. I myself could be said to be the perfect example of a lady.”oDgBM
s4NgvaSaying that, Trisha let out an even more exaggerated laugh.codB
sgFmRShe was the type of talent who would keep laughing even in the middle of hell.6CA
cOaK“T-then… I will inform my family.”hauuHw
wT2JDRising from her seat, that was all she managed to say.XWxXVg
gstLUECreaak.lyHKKb
VGd4R1C‘It might end up being a big gamble.’3xTED3
zlXZAfter seeing off Trisha, who left the room with a tense expression, Dereck remained alone in his office and once again carefully reviewed the documents containing information about Countess Rodelia.itX8xuT
juync1YThe monstrosity of Rodents Island, a woman who had spent her entire life hunting and executing necromantic mages.fs8q6om
yiMThat warrior valued Dereck highly, but only because she did not know him fully.PeOGm
91s4YDereck was someone who had received magical instruction directly from Fina, a 6-star necromantic mage.3UvAO
sw0WsIf she were to find out that fact, her reaction would be completely unpredictable.H4Hoh8
9UYU‘Even so, when it’s time to bet, you have to bet. As long as Lady Trisha is part of the Ravenclaw faction, she’s already in the same boat as me.’75kxuY
greplEPressing his brow hard, Dereck put on his robe and rose from his seat.AV2IWh
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