Chapter 21: Belmiard (1)
AiZUnlike noble gardens filled with ancient works of art, the streets of the common folk reeked of dampness and decay. Only those familiar with them could truly understand the disparity.0cdgD9K
1nROne’s living conditions are like a well-fitted suit—easy to climb into, but hard to step down from.D5JVN3d
JBplOinNonetheless, Dereck felt completely at ease walking the tavern-lined streets alongside an old friend.TBvbU7
6fvvv“Noble trash would only fatten you up like a pig. When I heard you’d holed up in that ducal mansion for months, I let out a huge sigh.”Rzu
TWrpzQ2“Pheline, you worry too much. And not all nobles are rotten.”BYu5mGW
vzoPRQb“Oh, look at you. A few months of luxury living and you’re already part of the household. Next thing I know, you’ll be pledging loyalty as a knight.”WPdfa
yxXwc“Isn’t that a bit dramatic?”vBQd
hqQMDereck chuckled and glanced down the tavern street. This place, frequented by hardened mercenaries, was known as one of the roughest parts of Ebelstain.fcXy
WulC5QA place where people would kill for a handful of silver coins. Surviving here meant being intimate with violence. And Pheline, like Dereck, was a girl who earned her living as a mercenary in these tavern-ridden streets.W3P
ZyxDon’t let her delicate looks fool you—she could tear through dozens of Ain without even changing expression.y6Z56
SPXfyDereck and Pheline never pried into each other’s pasts. But judging by her occasional bursts of hatred toward the nobility… it seemed her family had also met an unpleasant fate at their hands.sszZzGN
wy36S4lThat was just the way of the times. Though common, Dereck wasn’t so insensitive as to speak of it in front of a victim. Nothing was more tactless than offering an “objective perspective” to someone living a tragedy.B7vAjW
xNmEven so, Pheline had grown up with a deep resentment for nobles, though she wasn’t closed-minded. She might curse them behind their backs, but she didn’t act rashly in front of them and occasionally even accepted noble-related jobs.G66uKCt
mwrutIn the world of mercenaries, setting aside pride for money was common. Criticizing her now for hypocrisy would have been poor form. Here, survival equaled righteousness.XNo6
PldWords like “coward” or “sellout” were usually the laments of those left behind.yYqxdmb
oG4—CreakjLHNLSk
0Qf1cuvWhen they entered “Tears of Beldern,” a run-down tavern on a tavern-lined street corner, the yawning bar guard glanced their way.dxtIC2G
Rwcm“Boss, look who’s here.”NwJuH45
bgmN“Oh, Pheline. And… isn’t that Dereck? What an honor to see the future famous magic instructor of Ebelstain.”74utqwQ
83Hyu89“You’re as dramatic as ever, boss.”XD8G
zAC9As Jayden scratched his rough beard in greeting, Dereck smiled unabashedly and sat at the table.Wmkz
WJm03NMThough it was late, the corners of the tavern were decently packed. Most patrons were mercenaries in gleaming gear, suggesting they preferred a quieter spot over loud crowds.r5jTRrd
wxt6aNot wanting to interfere with Jayden’s business, Dereck spoke in a low voice.nSkAUSY
kg4i“Took longer than I thought. That fifteen-gold coin job from Adel wasn’t as easy as it looked.”aZi
iRZ“Of course. Since when is earning money easy? It’s a fair deal, and quite profitable. In fact, I might owe you one.”SF5S0KG
pPIUuJayden chuckled and poured fruit wine into a generously sized cup for Dereck.Bh9C
0ltPheline, not caring for grace, downed hers in a single gulp and let out a hearty “Kahhak!” of satisfaction.Nrm
p6qPCyHaving grown used to noble ladies sipping tea with elegance, Dereck felt refreshingly grounded watching her drink so boldly.IowIlG
oFt16UdNoticing his gaze, Pheline looked him straight in the eye, as if to ask, “What are you staring at?”YGj2AjX
bDU“Why are you looking at me like that?”IOS
LJMFg“Seeing you, Pheline, feels like coming home.”d03SkO
6Su“That’s flattering, but thinking about you holed up in that noble mansion suddenly puts me in a bad mood. You trying to say I lack dignity?”Pj0
8amP“Yeah, but you’ve never liked pretending to be a noble, have you?”TWWhI7
fkyqJp“Hmm… can’t deny that.”fBoRR
LQCPheline re-tied her platinum-blonde hair, taming the wild strands before securing it with a ribbon, as Jayden pushed a cup toward Dereck.fdZJU7v
jLjKD7Q“A toast to celebrate. Our one and only magician from the Beldern Mercenary Corps has finally returned. What could be more profitable?”ro6qxl
Yd6gKv“Thanks. But you’ll be putting this on my tab, won’t you?”ozG9KZR
W9Ytp“Your sharpness is your worst flaw.”ICDa8Ja
9sB6XdLaughter burst from Jayden and Dereck for no particular reason. Dereck raised his cup and took a few sips. As he set it down, Jayden crossed his arms and asked:cZx7K
yMEzX“So, did you get all the money together?”9F8x
eElkGR“Of course. But that’s not the important part.”iszfqn7
YXVEfN“What’s more important than money?”JXCoMkX
aIlb“More money.”hsy
iSMDereck showed them an old book strapped to his belt.v7qr
g6qwHEAt first, Jayden and Pheline glanced at it indifferently. But when they realized it was a grimoire, their eyes widened in shock.sVZ
oghJ92“What… what is that? Dereck, don’t tell me… is that a two-star grimoire?”ECYo8g
EFHDEiD“No, a three-star one. I got it from the Duke’s underground library.”jK1
wU4“…Three stars? I didn’t mishear, right?”d5WO0
7PkPheline leaned in to get a better look at the book on Dereck’s belt.8w6
qxXiFThough she had no knowledge of magic and couldn’t judge a grimoire’s level by sight, knowing Dereck wasn’t the type to brag, she couldn’t help but be amazed.rUL465L
pNgGz0FEven a two-star grimoire was nearly unreachable for common folk. Three-star grimoires were so rare they sometimes showed up at exclusive noble auctions.SnJWJo
3DcJayden also didn’t seem to believe the book strapped to Dereck’s belt was truly three-star, so he checked it several times.d9VP
DMOX“They gave something like that to a commoner? Dereck, have you learned to brag like a noble?”i2GwB
e6aHty“I’m just stating the truth.”wS5t
Za6y“Don’t buy it.”Tka
PSOPheline took another swig, trying to calm herself. “Lucky break” was the perfect phrase for this.H16T
vfKKFIf he sold the grimoire at a fair price, he could live far better, in a much better place, with much better gear.PTQHSr
p5xnTYdIt was enough to leave the lower-class life behind, if he wanted—but Dereck didn’t seem eager to sell the grimoire anytime soon.fB0vp5
AqvnNI“When it’s time to turn it into money, I’ll treat you both to something big.”Ggu
OFfk9“Yeah, you better. And make a solid donation to our Beldern Mercenary Corps.”bWAgFU
pDbJayden laughed again. After all, he genuinely celebrated Dereck’s success.L4KAIsW
obO“So, any new jobs lately? I can start taking work tomorrow.”G82tW8
RUIV“Don’t worry about that. As you know, in this business, there are never enough mages.”3YR8
oeIe“But Dereck, you just got back. You sure you want to start working already?”Wv5wnr
ZKJaXBMPheline spoke with a hint of concern, but Dereck dismissed it easily.ElxshH
nM8L“I’ll start with some light monster hunts. I’ve gotten rusty after all that rest in that cushy noble mansion.”MQPV
ArmK77At Dereck’s lament, Jayden chuckled softly.dAqyd
QLSyO6***y1JbtVO
NDXRfc3Starting the next day, Dereck spent his time taking on various monster-hunting assignments that came through the Beldern Mercenary Corps.JbfVo
PJCNef6His peaceful days felt like a distant memory as he explored the outskirts of Ebelstain, slaying monsters in droves.Va9D
RFJSometimes he worked alone; other times, he wandered with Pheline. As always, there was no shortage of work.sBn
Xg9BPvGoblins, trolls, gremlins, and similar creatures roamed near the borderlands regularly. Many were monsters that had escaped nearby labyrinths and began attacking merchants and travelers, requiring periodic hunts. For mercenaries, hunting such creatures was often their livelihood.CW5o
rXGThere were also smaller tasks—driving off beggars encroaching on territories, roughing up thugs, removing troublemakers harassing merchants, and even simple escort missions. Dereck’s range of tasks was broad.cyDO
HmsrHe wasn’t picky, accepting anything he could manage. As he had since his youth, he gave it his all. During the day, he roamed the tavern streets, earning the trust of clients, and at night, he took shelter in his quarters in the commercial district, studying the grimoire.8ry
ikK4FFoOn hunting days, he focused on using untested spells to improve his mastery, and on his days off, he practiced mana control alone in the grasslands outside Ebelstain. He kept so busy that time flew by like an arrow.MIpk
gScXgeBy the time Dereck returned to the tavern streets, it was late spring. Before he realized it, summer had passed, and autumn was approaching.cFT
SimThroughout it all, he never allowed himself to slack off, constantly refining his magic. One of Dereck’s greatest strengths was his unwavering consistency.39Yq
V1Nd“…Hmm. I feel like I can almost reach it, but it slips away.”A5S
wdZr0YDereck, who practiced magic in the fields outside whenever he had time, stretched his hand toward the sky.GiTe5b
BUgmFThe boy longed to become a three-star mage.G7goG5a
3QvIt might have been an overly ambitious dream for someone his age, but he never stopped training in magic.y8t4vhx
GgX7sdhAmong the nobility, there were prodigies who reached three-star rank during their coming-of-age ceremony.nwZMSgX
0jOIt might have sounded like a fairy tale to commoners, but for Dereck, who had mastered magic faster than nobles since childhood, it wasn’t an unrealistic story.wIDC
zF05dWith that hope, Dereck absorbed the three-star grimoire every day. Yet the barrier to three stars was not easy to cross. He felt something vital was still missing.BeAyUw
GVCPeyStill, all Dereck could do was keep trying. Even those born with innate talent had to put in the corresponding effort to see results.dYzE
nZtS0dEHe rarely slept more than four hours a night, and the cost of candles for reading grimoires every night was a burden. But he saw it as an investment.vmokR
P4eBy the time Dereck’s magic had matured enough to handle two-star spells, the leaves had fallen, and the first snow began to descend.hTNEr0
oNzL0AV—Bang!PMn0X45
XsTVLThe tavern “Tears of Beldern.”WWim
APIrhvWhen the creaky wooden door burst open, Dereck appeared, covered in blood.E0ybnR
LyJnThe heat from the fireplace filled the tavern as the cold from outside crept in. A few snowflakes floated in, hitting the wooden floor and quickly melting into droplets.B0Gc5Uy
NjyJTnThe patrons, enjoying the cozy atmosphere and sipping beer on a winter night, swallowed hard when they saw the boy at the entrance.h574
SYrHRThe boy, with hair as white as snowflakes, showed no change in expression. Though covered in blood, he appeared uninjured.1ftI
aXu1xIt was clear the blood wasn’t his.TS5l7p
9CfWith boots caked in thick snow, the boy entered, carrying the head of a massive beast slung over his shoulder.nEbYA
GXlnBehind him, Pheline rushed in and darted to the fireplace to warm her hands.rFp
PWXsZ0g“Ugh, it’s so cold, so cold! Boss, hot tea, please! My fingers are freezing off!”GqorYv
59qBUMIgnoring Pheline’s drama, Dereck walked forward and dropped the massive harpy’s head onto the bar counter. The pungent smell of blood intensified.lIe5e
Wlze8“Took a while.”qg7Kl
LjYDq“Wow, you really went into the heart of the Kent Mountains in this weather? Such resilient youth.”m84
RpF“I admit, it was a bit reckless. I’m not camping in snow again. I almost froze to death.”UonSHP
7PBkapk“What does it matter? It’s good to endure hardships while you’re young.”tu0kHgc
t7ZAs Dereck removed his leather gloves, stained with monster blood, and set them on the bar, Jayden quickly carried the grotesque harpy head to the back workshop.BuAT
ZpjIAfter a brief discussion on how to complete the bounty, he served a hot drink made from honey wine.VPSc
kk7lguzAcross the tavern, the customers—mostly mercenaries—whispered in hushed voices. They could easily guess the identity of the blood-covered boy.Skr7YJm
j7fL7YDereck was making a name for himself in Ebelstain’s mercenary world.N8geU
ifynPThere were many mercenaries, but few who consistently completed their missions—and even fewer who stuck with it.ZnaSExD
CfoCDdClients lined up to entrust him with jobs, and Jayden, caught in the middle, had to carefully choose which to accept.CoS9CUu
baVbq“….”HEp
Mq5NP8wWhen Jayden brought him a cloth soaked in warm water, Dereck used it to wipe the dried blood from his face. Without glancing at the whispering mercenaries in the corner, he checked his gear.lViI
VPxDereck’s income had multiplied since his youth, and by saving even the money he received from the noble Duplain family, he had more than enough to live on.Mtz5Y
wz3xoLPMaintaining this pace meant that buying a wand or staff of his own, though expensive, was no longer a far-off dream.YR2B
ps3w“You’ve worked hard, Dereck. No one else would brave the snow and climb a mountain to bring back a harpy’s head.”VNZzFjd
8vdng“Don’t other groups hunt monsters regardless of the weather?”1JPf1b
RzoCBZ“They bring camping gear and go out in large parties. None of them do it like it’s a stroll through the hills.”e9rJ
TNE“…It didn’t feel like a stroll. I nearly froze to death.”C6MU7
eFu“Yeah, yeah. I’ll make sure you get properly compensated for this job. The client knows it wasn’t easy.”XuibF9
ZN3Jayden chuckled as he arranged some glasses.FMN
M5BoBHe stayed busy cleaning up, knowing that once everything was sorted, Dereck would return to his lodging to rest.erv
XxkzRV“You’ve been through a lot. Want to take a break?”OhN
DZquck“Any new jobs come in?”XbE21
9EtLgJ“Would be stranger if they didn’t.”esiWg3H
Sv3“I was planning to rest tomorrow, but after that, I’m ready to take anything available.”GphsBuS
McaVc9cDereck answered indifferently as he tightened the laces on his boots.Ru5B4do
ZhddfmSeeing Dereck ready for another mission after such an ordeal, Jayden couldn’t help but click his tongue.F4HKbS
qoAi7Still, having an active mage in the mercenary group was a blessing. Jayden chuckled as he rummaged through a pile of papers under the bar.hPRsJ
ue6Zrw“Even so, after such a ruckus in the snowy mountains, you must be exhausted. Better if the next job doesn’t take too much effort.”ppW0J1J
uU0bR“Hmm… There’s a simple job with decent pay that just came in.”FYRsdc5
twIm5cX“Where the hell do you find a job like that?”f0Cxd
RlsvSk“Well, there’s always a reason a job is easy and well-paid. You can decline if you’re not interested.”9yn
XJclE9Jayden placed a job request form on the bar counter.TGjd
yH2oNXK“It’s from Count Belmiard. The Rohel Mercenary Group over on West Street already turned it down. They’re looking for someone who can use magic.”HA5
6BPKaX4“…A noble’s request was rejected? Rohel is a big group, aren’t they?”jgexzCZ
zV0DL0U“Yeah, strange situation.”aW4gj
ag60U5It wasn’t common for prominent noble families—well-staffed with commoners—to submit requests to mercenary groups. The more powerful the authority, the more surplus manpower they had.5Po0mUb
390That’s why requests from noble families were rare, especially well-paid ones. Nobles were known for extravagant spending.1IeP
QAt1Naturally, mercenaries competed fiercely for such noble jobs.YrQIH35
wxeLast spring, the Beldern Mercenaries were only able to land a job from the Duke Duplain because Lady Aiselin had spread the request far and wide in search of a tutor for Diella.XfVR2gg
1BQDEANormally, a small group like theirs wouldn’t even get a glance from noble families.80Pqp
wCsO3gGDereck narrowed his eyes as he read the request.1hUh
HM82i“…Yeah, there’s always a reason.”tgY
bH6Count Belmiard’s family was looking for a commoner to help with a magic duel. The notice said anyone capable of using first-level magic would do.je9C
edKCdgEThere were likely plenty of duel opponents within the noble mansion. Requesting a commoner specifically was essentially looking for someone to beat up for practice.273a
TL37LdThere was no logic in a commoner trying to outperform a noble mage—and hardly any could.mAQ
t4OdBCbDereck seemed to understand why no one had taken the job. It was rare to find active commoners who knew magic. They had more lucrative work options and wouldn’t bother with a job that only meant being humiliated.08Qg
BYkEven the mages of the Rohel Mercenaries had their own hunts and escort missions; none of them wanted to be punching bags for moody nobles.RG7q4
k3fLw4The pay wasn’t good enough to make it worth it—especially for a noble job.5sbSot
4vcCn“So I just have to participate in a magic duel in the noble district?”83iUuw
xQjDStill, Dereck was too exhausted from the long harpy hunt.QYN4k
vfCpGv6He didn’t want a job that required traveling far, so he preferred something that fit.3ReqJ
LYS4F“You taking it?”6nK7Kf
nuoK“Just lose with dignity and take a few hits. Sign me up.”Qza08L
0VOR“If you’re okay with that, then fine.”GD8x
7uPmdVDereck spoke so casually, stomping the floor a couple of times with his fitted boots, slinging his leather bag over his shoulder, and standing up.Fhb
cxT9j“The mead was good.”nx3Ctlt
YHA9“It’s going on your tab, friend.”a7tVHRk
OvUyAaH“Knew you’d say that.”M1N
Gx8sDereck planned to go home, bathe, and study his grimoire. Even after the long trip, he had no intention of neglecting his magical training.TNme
8pGSeeing Dereck always on the move, Jayden waved him off.V4lEEOu
fk8gTjW“Pheline. You’ll burn yourself if you sleep there.”Va9khK
gjnpm“Eek!”QXL5
UXCPheline, dozing off in the warmth of the fire, jerked awake in a panic.p9b9W
Zxxt91Dereck said his goodbyes and opened the wooden tavern door once more, facing the freezing winter night.xhxeLg
gDK6The patrons sipped their beer in silence, watching Dereck’s figure disappear into the snow-filled dark.YDP
fFvzDTime had forged the boy.hiGroT
8txBraving the storm, his silhouette returning to his lodging was that of a seasoned mercenary, weathered by experience.1oaOU
r9YCVA year had passed.g9aPzS
KTyBZSoon, on his birthday, he would turn 17.1f9
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