Chapter 27: Ellen (2)
a6nmb“Since this is a formal magical duel, there are more restrictions than expected. The most important thing is that, with so many nobles watching, we must at least maintain our dignity.”u1xRYI
6aTDereck always wore a serious expression.zdWP
F7AWMU5That calm demeanor was contagious. Ellen felt ashamed of her emotional outburst a moment ago. No matter how cornered one might be—physically or mentally—a noble lady was always expected to maintain composure and dignity.
Yet Dereck seemed unshaken.SAmmxnK
837“Still… as much as I hate to admit it, Lady Aiselin is superior to me.”DmqiL2
dvN“Not in every way. You just need to find one area where you, Lady Ellen, excel.”5k8A9d
1I4mDereck spoke with certainty, without a hint of doubt or anxiety.eAH72
tjuIt was as if he had anticipated Ellen’s emotional reaction. To her, Dereck, a commoner, now seemed like a seasoned veteran.2Ze22
iKT“All the extreme magical training up until now wasn’t for nothing. It was the foundation needed to defeat Lady Aiselin. Now we move on to the core process.”T7evFdd
goCvn“What? You’ve got something else planned?”16P
iG4jA“…Didn’t I say I needed to test your resolve?”Ow6xmb9
9lqWhen Dereck looked at Ellen with deeper seriousness, she swallowed hard.wSYdDd9
0MMDespite Ellen’s reaction, Dereck spoke calmly.4wJ
JokIfu6“From now on, it will be real hell. So pay close attention.”697
yIMBpIf what was coming now was truly hell, then what had everything before been?uwB0j
MQhBEllen began to see the boy in front of her as a lion wielding a scythe.txA
KLuWmBut after making such a fuss, she couldn’t back down now.CjhAf
ObXddF***1UE1jsv
GKIRiding across the vast grasslands of Prince Belmiard’s lands, one could easily see farmers working in the fields from early morning. The wheat fields, now in the harvest season, stretched across the plains.ME6yZ1m
ZDeUa1mCrossing the Boleron Plains, the largest granary on the western continent, a large fortress finally came into view on the horizon. As it managed the entire southwestern coastal border, this impressive military fortress was well-maintained.DbtGB
el8Clip-clop, clip-clop.eHvbm
0LueFelmier had been riding for some time.lxw2M
h2G9uxSince the mercenary would be handling magic instruction for now, there was no role for him.AKRkl
VhuIt was just a brief detour. Given the circumstances, he had stopped by the Belmiard estate to finish up some old business and report the current situation to the count.qq26oU4
o7yUnlike the calm atmosphere in the farmlands, things grew somber as he approached the fortress.9M1cL7
js6Along the ridge following the southern coast, there were watchtowers on guard. As the massive mountain ranges came into view, flags lined the path and soldiers patrolled, their weapons loosely slung.tJGra7
L24K0VcRiding into the fortress entrance, the guards halted their attempt to stop him.ZBaQ88T
1AkZNeigh!yjuU8l
6UCMRwjHeading up to the tower at the heart of the fortress, a man stood before soldiers busy with parade drills for the festival.wOm6y
tGzHe looked quite young for his position. Fine lines hinted at the years he had lived, but his eyes still shone with vitality, far more than other nobles in this world. His broad shoulders and sturdy frame testified to his years of active service.ntJc1
INeQHe was Tristan Anelt Belmiard, Count of these lands.qyq
9YUFraEven the heads of noble houses in the capital would bow and show respect before this frontier noble, a man of great renown in the Western Empire.QgvW
qy9yi“Oh, Felmier! Back from Ebelstain already?”bQrB
XzdUa“I see you’re well, Count. I thought you’d be at the noble mansion, not here at the fortress.”qeuVF1X
52GOm6“Are you inviting me to lounge in some corner with a quill? A man should train his body now and then.”TmK
yIGdqPCount Belmiard was known for his generous nature and care for his subordinates, but as a former soldier, he also carried innate charisma. He was the type of man who stood firm and faced his enemies with resolve.DO40
l0xT“It’s been a long time since I saw my treasure, Ellen. When she’s near me, laughter is never far. How is she doing in Ebelstain?”ei6ZrS
jS9“Quite well. She’s faced many challenges lately and is focusing more on her magic training.”PNSgjEY
ZYiQDMKFelmier hesitated briefly, choosing not to report on the mercenary named Dereck just yet. He decided to keep it a secret for now.6UHo9cP
dBg9ogHe couldn’t predict how the Count would react upon hearing that his daughter Ellen was learning magic from a mere mercenary. Felmier viewed Ellen’s involvement with Dereck as a temporary diversion.5ptz
eWE8After all, Ellen had hired the mercenary mostly out of competitive spirit against Aiselin. Falling behind a commoner in magical training would be a blow to her pride.9ix
zd2WI“That’s good to hear. I have business in Ebelstain regarding tariffs on the southwestern trade route. I was originally going to send a message via a senior official at the noble mansion, but with you here, Felmier, there’s no need.”Pzt
VEx2“Really?”CN6th
JNyckHowever, unbeknownst to Felmier, Count Belmiard was already preparing for a visit to Ebelstain.0verWk
CbBJRIt wasn’t unusual for southwestern nobles to visit Ebelstain, but such a sudden trip was uncommon.QntpY9X
5Rz“Maybe I don’t need to send a message at all. Sometimes, surprising my treasure Ellen with a gift isn’t a bad idea. No need to announce it. Though I do need to think about what gift to bring.”oY0R0
cN8“Even so, maybe it’s better to let her know… Lady Ellen would be delighted, I’m sure.”uB5g
pYeG“I also want to see how Ellen is adjusting to her life at the foreign mansion. A father’s worry is ever-present, isn’t it?”oLGNapq
UhL8VCount Belmiard had visited the noble district of Ebelstain several times. On the surface, it appeared a charming paradise for nobles, but beneath it was fierce competition and mental warfare.DUY
sC1It was hard not to worry about his daughter in such a place. He frequently sent gifts, supplies, and competent officials to assist her, but a father’s heart is never completely satisfied with just that.7Ic7
2u0PEllen, who visited the noble mansion, always seemed cheerful when recounting her days in Ebelstain.nSV
BQXHowever, Count Belmiard knew full well that his daughter had grown. It wasn’t impossible that she was putting on a cheerful front to keep him from worrying about her life away from home.OzMEVU
8VFf5QQFrom Count Belmiard’s perspective, worry was unavoidable. He knew well that, while Ellen had matured intellectually, she still carried many childlike traits emotionally.ZsQ
LTYuIf Duke Duplain was a strict and thoughtful patriarch, Count Belmiard was a generous yet direct father. He was the kind of man who wouldn’t hesitate to rearrange his schedule if it meant checking on his daughter—and was a fool when it came to matters concerning her.xOp6
wq8fYUr“Given the circumstances, let’s move up the schedule. You, Felmier, will accompany me to Ebelstain on my departure day.”BIUi
8CpRLO“…Will that be all right?”n7wrFF
mX67BZFelmier could only offer a troubled expression.9SCEj
Wn2qp***kZbqp3M
nSIJjpA“Time is like an arrow, Dereck.”nmiT
PjZducThat’s how the letter from his mentor, Katia, began.FtpWJZ8
UypzKDereck had always liked the expression “time is like an arrow.”IYdHm1S
9ZgBuDLike an arrow loosed from a bow flying straight, time too moves forward without ever turning back. And before you know it, a day, a season, a year has passed—he felt that phrase summed up his life perfectly.vpTm8
cVwThe feeling he had while teaching Ellen was quite similar. Before he realized it, more than two weeks had gone by.aQF
g0PDereck had promised to help Ellen win, but in the end, what mattered most was her own will. Whether she properly handled his lessons was something that remained to be seen.LMkLy
Qv7nLS—Crack, crack.RsNT
7EAf2Leaning his head against the swaying carriage wall, calmly reading the letter, Dereck glanced at Ellen out of the corner of his eye.xSKjI
Zkj70dIt wasn’t the noble carriage she was used to, but an old, dusty, worn-out mercenary wagon.Wunjn
kK652Inside that decrepit vehicle—a place where a noble lady from a count’s household would normally never set foot—she lay, not in her usual frilly dress, but in simple, comfortable clothes under a cloak.CKJy55C
ZrlRxTo passersby, she would’ve looked so disheveled they might question if she were truly nobility, lying there exhausted and panting. In truth, her noble status was being kept secret.zX7ttZ
ESwYDereck glanced at her again, then returned his gaze to the letter.bRHUis
VFSNK“It seems it’s been almost two years since I left Ebelstain, and my contact has been shamefully late. Since arriving in Elvester’s domain, I’ve been busy with work, and only now do I feel a little relief. Countess Freya, whom I instruct, has a greater learning spirit than I expected, and it seems I’ve spent my time solely focused on teaching her magic.”m9b
mChYxf“Now that I have a bit of free time, I reflect and feel that the days when I wandered Ebelstain’s tavern-lined streets teaching you magic felt more liberating. I couldn’t live as comfortably back then, but I could go wherever I wanted.”kEh9Hqi
LUKYkHO“You look like someone reading a love letter.”BNKzIRT
HW9“You’re awake?”AFm7q
9T5“What do you mean? I’ve been awake this whole time.”YRxmm
RDKEllen tried to maintain her dignity but couldn’t sit up. It was understandable.iNs
bPUHFor the past two weeks, Dereck had taken her through the labyrinth outside Ebelstain. It wasn’t an experience a noble lady could easily endure.0mlU
Bd1Even veteran adventurers had to thoroughly prepare to delve into the deeper sections of the labyrinth, birthplace of demonic races.xnnt
eIeThough the area Dereck led her to wasn’t the deepest part, it was enough to make Ellen feel a fear close to death.yCSiI
Asv7oqfOf course, if there had been real danger, Dereck wouldn’t have taken the risk. He brought Jayden, a mercenary more seasoned than himself, and also Pheline, just in case, to help them through. Dereck could manage the labyrinth’s entrance alone, but he didn’t take chances.iZhCfd
UvXKvUEven so, what Ellen saw in those two weeks was nothing short of hell.o6Q
Bnt‘…’RKUw
BpCGDTOIn reality, the method for shaping Ellen into a true combatant was fairly simple. It all came down to real battle experience.ceP
DtEdWhat Dereck wanted to instill in Ellen was the raw, untamed reality of the battlefield—something that those bound by strict rules all their lives would never experience.ViAmqA
JoXlb8YKilling monsters that occasionally lurked near Ebelstain was one thing, but entering the labyrinth and committing a massacre was something else entirely.c18t7
D0T8pBlood-soaked scenes, with axes and swords flying through the air.95xbp52
VbPuJNo matter how many layers of protective magic one wore before leaving home, witnessing the disgusting brutality of such scenes would make anyone’s eyes tremble. This was a far cry from Ellen’s personal safety.qdrtzB
VLCrBLWhat Dereck ultimately wanted to cultivate was Ellen’s “vision.”WO19SS
hIRMore precisely, the breadth of her perception.oSUCwmZ
WYrpThe significant difference Ellen had felt during her debate with Dereck had stemmed from that very perception.ilOU
EjTzLIFor Dereck, who had survived countless fierce battles, this debating arena—so orderly, so concerned with dignity—was nothing more than a playground for children playing in the dirt.ULZgwJJ
HZtzWOnce someone experiences a broader world, they often quickly master the basics of more limited fields.PWodfj
omk6y4bSomeone who can run 1000 meters will certainly understand how to run 100 meters.hJ0V
VuYILlXOf course, there are slight nuances to sprinting 100 meters, but the foundational ability is already mastered. That was the difference between Dereck and Ellen.dyOW
DC5FHdiNaturally, mastering these seemingly basic skills wasn’t easy.p5L6Zf
IZAzq8The process of acquiring them wasn’t something a delicate noble lady could easily endure.QqnhR
iLqcNcThat’s why Dereck had asked and confirmed with Ellen repeatedly—if she was truly ready.dkUQb
gVJZuONOn the first day, Ellen vomited at the sight of the blood-stained labyrinth. She leaned against the wall, her fingers trembling, then paled at the sight of pus stuck to the surface.8pbnr
88mjgThe same thing happened on the second and third days. For three full days, she could do nothing.Tpa7
U1zFor a noble lady who had lived in a grand mansion filled with artistic antiques, walking through scenes soaked in blood was akin to hell itself. It was like a form of shock therapy.oIX8
A18cZYet Ellen didn’t give up. By this point, it seemed like she couldn’t give up even if she wanted to.FXLp
Sh6XcwOn the fourth day, she gritted her teeth and managed to cast a spell on a monster. On the fifth day, she killed a monster for the first time.PRK
0LsP0OEllen’s figure, gazing at the dark blue blood with trembling hands, stood out. Though a noble lady, she had finally come to understand how even the lowest mercenary killed monsters.cEM
7BlNBy the fifth and sixth days, she started showing signs of adapting, but on the seventh day, when a giant minotaur appeared in the labyrinth, she had to swallow her dizzying tears once again.IBZtsWF
J4Xqe7Pheline, seeing the noble lady collapse like that, held her side and laughed for a long time back at the tavern. In front of Ellen, she pretended to be a mature mercenary, but deep down, she seemed to enjoy watching nobility break.ztQORD
QxsEven so, Ellen continued to persevere diligently. Every morning, she waited for Dereck, put on her cloak, and left the mansion. Without allowing servants to accompany her, she blended into the streets around the taverns to learn what a battlefield was really like.tRH
2cjAnd so, Ellen had become someone capable of conquering the labyrinth’s entrance.4mgy6W
KsHOf course, after fighting all day, she was understandably exhausted.IhacGDE
Vctq“Lady Ellen, I brought you some water.”nbHr
8vQoLIl“Tha-thank you… You’re very kind…”nLXXj
0TyvfPheline, sitting in a corner of the carriage with a gentle smile, handed her a cold water flask, which Ellen immediately took and drank from.dn3
N6kWas Pheline pleased to see Ellen working so hard? She laughed with a light “jo-jo.” To a stranger, she might seem like a kindhearted girl, but Dereck, knowing her true nature, could only shake his head.rid
Bjg1ZbVDereck looked back at the letter again.mdF
pUQ90Gv“How far has your magical progress come? Sometimes I wonder if you’re still a student. No matter what anyone says, you are the most talented mage I’ve ever seen. As a magic instructor, many would dream of a student like you.”fzpLY7L
ZeZRa“Although unlikely, have you mastered high-level magic? It might be excessive, but I believe you could. Countess Freya has recently become proficient in 1-star magic. Seeing her cheerful attitude reminds me of your childhood and warms my heart.”JuywMq
aW50E“If we ever get a chance to meet again, please show me your wonders. If I happen to visit the western empire, I’ll be sure to contact you. Your old mentor, Katia Flameheart.”yEv2uT
9t5BsMastery. I, too, have spent my life teaching others—just like you.TMee
XSCbE0BWith that silent monologue in his heart, Dereck quietly folded the letter and fell into contemplation.Zm4x
EYaTeaching and guiding someone was a rewarding task—and, surprisingly, one that positively impacted Dereck’s own magical achievements.ege8ElO
1b2Reviewing what he already knew was beneficial, and at times, in his effort to help a student’s magic mature, his own magic grew more refined.jKz9b
4MkQJEThe 1-star spells, Ice Lance and Fire Arrow, felt more sophisticated as he taught Ellen, as if he were searching for a more elegant way to use them.KlI9
b0sldWas teaching someone also a way to teach yourself?AzD
wXNPiAThat unexpected realization helped Dereck understand why magic instructors were so obsessed with good students.8oLzEq6
okUwz“Lady Ellen.”sqt
h8s0hBOf course, this wasn’t the right moment for such gentle introspection.8Po
N7T“The duel is in two days.”cD8sc
DVyRi“…”BKmqInv
Zpex2“How do you feel?”yLZ
vjoKLying in the carriage, Ellen silently stared at the swaying ceiling before answering with difficulty.OYvoYC
7U2C“It’s true, like you said, Dereck. I’ve had many extraordinary experiences these past few days. I’ve trained non-stop, and I feel my magic has matured more than ever.”XDd4Mu
G7Nw“…”DbH45
1SdJODv“Even so… I’m not sure I can win.”LKU8l7y
5SSEllen couldn’t help but voice her doubt.NulxEO
goFc3Of course, Dereck had rapidly improved her magical mastery, but whether she was skilled enough to defeat Aiselin was still uncertain.V2oJEU7
T5OAt least among the noble ladies, no one could be sure.dva
bNBDzlFor now, all Ellen could do was fully trust Dereck. The duel was approaching fast, and Dereck was the one who understood her best.b0qD0
0lITaking a deep breath as she lay there, Ellen braced herself. The duel with Lady Aiselin was at hand.t9Y9zB
L5ELeaning against the carriage wall, Dereck began to close his eyes, as if the world no longer concerned him.rHp6
f5UrnW***aN7
Jgs38aG“Lady Aiselin, it’s time for your watercolor lesson.”8VD
cfylscTThe servant called politely at the door of Aiselin’s private study.QOmH4k2
lAwBut there was no response from inside. A presence could still be felt, but the lack of reply suggested she was deeply focused.BPhu6n
QAvIh7aAfter hesitating for a moment, the servant decided to intrude, unable to delay Aiselin’s next appointment.1cO
ge3Fe“Pardon me, I’m coming in.”eMtM
CQglLWith that, he opened the old wooden door, and as it creaked open, the interior came into view.nz9PSx1
oMXzlrInside, Aiselin stared blankly into the sky, murmuring a spell. An eerie aura surrounded her.8qxu8
Cx5QChmThe servant, who had attended Aiselin since childhood, was left speechless, his voice caught in his throat.ZNP0894
wBzKThe room was filled with bluish magical energy. Her jet-black hair floated weightlessly. Traces of magic shimmered in her glowing eyes, reflecting the dusk itself.PYoC
OGuySThe room was cluttered with thick books from the Academy of Ordered Magic. Quite unlike the usually pristine environment of Lady Aiselin. She was completely absorbed in the magical tapestry unfolding around her.BnzpbY
gpxhHer gaze wasn’t fixed on the ceiling but seemed focused far beyond.qb9
JCp0UIt was the sky. The sequence of shining magic in the room resembled a starry night.K8ce
N6IAayAiselin was the epitome of a model student, devouring the Academy’s magic books to her heart’s content.xAk
NncOHMany of the principles and theories of Adelbert—the founder of the Academy school and the first to define magical hierarchy—lived and breathed in her mind.6M9
coUShe had internalized them, reading them over and over, until they became her own knowledge, now flowing from her fingertips.71J
MSKcObkIt was said that Adelbert, the first mage of the Ordered Academy, had constructed the magical hierarchy by gazing at the Big Dipper in the sky. That was the opening chapter in Adelbert’s biography that Aiselin had read in her youth.hWwEjOq
xlYo2F5The structured magical system, organized by the stars, warded off chaos and emphasized the coherence of ordered theory. The spells he established became the foundation not just of the Academy but of all magic.o17s3
2jI9aWithin that established order, the magical current flowing through Aiselin’s eyes merged and expanded.ZB1Jh
CiyuqbLBorn of noble blood, gifted with exceptional talent, and relentlessly building on her efforts—her magic finally transformed into a Milky Way among the stars.XjLw7
GhqZP—Whoosh!Suc
NZKADSuddenly, the magic accumulated in her hands surged throughout the room, and the sound of a grand orchestra began to fill the space. It was Aiselin’s favorite symphony.0huEIG
AMZ0The scene of a full orchestra playing in a small study would have made anyone doubt their eyes.u9QY
A6yBut the majestic sound continued for a while before… gradually fading, like a mirage, and then vanished into silence.LGFHq
bs6The girl seemed strained from using such powerful magic. It was still a spell she couldn’t fully control.oBUiGj
2w7“Hah… Hah… I failed again.”x21CXC
GXiAiselin’s self-reproach echoed in her clear voice, now the only sound left in the quiet room.J3p
lI57The servant, having witnessed the spectacle, couldn’t help but widen his eyes in astonishment.p1RQVq
wsdX3VAWhat she had just conjured was the 2-star disorientation spell Auditory Illusion. It was the same spell Dereck had self-taught at the age of fourteen.fA4i
jPJc“Oh goodness, look at the time. I got carried away. It would be rude to be late, so I must hurry.”qrYlR
17unTTOnly then did Aiselin notice the servant’s presence.CONt
RRtSxQuickly adjusting her dress, she rushed out of the room, and the servant could do nothing but watch her in silence.efnZT
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